Take a look at the latest edition of the SCVC Pawprint!
March 2021 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Our Litter of 4 JEFF AND SUSIE CELEBRATE NATIONAL TEENAGER DAY
We humans really are a breed of our own. While many animal species require some parental care in the early weeks of life, their offspring become independent much more quickly than their human counterparts. When a foal is born, for example, it can stand and walk just a few hours later! Can you imagine if the same were true for babies? Susie and I have been caring for our brood of three girls and one boy for 18 years now. Our oldest, Winnie, officially becomes an adult this month! Tori is 16, Alex is 14, and Gus is 10. Since March 18 is Incredible Kid Day and March 21 is National Teenager Day, it feels fitting to dedicate this month’s cover story to them. It may be cliche to say, but when we had Winnie in 2003, we were head over heels in love. No matter how much other parents try to explain what having your first kid will feel like, it’s just impossible to really understand until it happens to you. And what happened to me, in addition to feeling that immense love, is that my protective side really came out! For a while, we were a happy family of three, and about a year later, Susie asked if I wanted to have another kid. It’s funny to admit this now, but I thought I was done after having Winnie. I loved her and Susie so much that I couldn’t imagine having enough love for
another little one. Maybe that’s my anal brain trying to do the math on something that exists outside the realm of numbers! When Susie got pregnant with Tori, I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to give everyone the love and attention they needed, but I soon found out that my love multiplied rather than divided with our second child. This was my first major lesson of parenthood, and by the time we had Alex, I wasn’t worried about it anymore. As baby number three, Alex’s arrival heralded another major lesson of parenthood: Control is an illusion. In other words, chaos is just part of the package. Adding a boy to the mix not long after really brought that home. Our kids are great, and we’re really proud of them, but having three teenage girls and a tween boy under one roof inevitably leads to some chaotic moments. Susie is able to go with the flow more easily than I can, so this was a harder pill for me to swallow than her! But I did eventually learn that the more I resisted this reality, the harder things felt. The more I let things be, the more fun I was having. And even though parenting can be challenging and chaotic, it can also be amazing and really fun. But how about parenting three teenagers? When our girls were younger, I felt like a total superhero. They thought I was smart and cool.
(And I’m not that cool, so it felt great .) These days though, well, I get a lot of eye rolls. At first, I hated that, but now I know I’m not doing my job as a dad unless I get at least one eye roll per day. So bring ‘em on! Plus, I know Susie has my back and I have hers. Early on, we decided to be a unified front. When one of the kids asks me for something, I always respond, “What did your mom say?” And she does the same. It’s important for us to be on the same page, and, hey, even if we’re wrong, we’re wrong together.
We really do think our litter is incredible, so happy Incredible Kid Day, you four!
Dr. Jeff & Dr. Susie
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Keep Your Animals Safe MARCH IS PET POISON PREVENTION MONTH! The Best Companion March brings great outdoor opportunities like gardening and gives you the chance to dust off winter with spring-cleaning projects at home. It’s also Pet Poison Prevention Month, so before you jump into any springtime activities, consider these potential hazards for your pets. In the Home Many household items can be poisonous if ingested by your pets, and not all of them are as obvious as you might think! While spring-cleaning, be sure to keep any cleaners and chemicals out of your pet’s reach and ensure all areas are properly ventilated while you clean if your pet is present. In addition to cleaning products, many everyday household items can also pose a threat to your pets. Always keep medication stored safely out of your pet’s reach and ensure you follow Dr. Jeff and Dr. Susie’s instructions when administering medication to your animal. Never give your pet medication that hasn’t been prescribed for them. Even certain foods can be toxic to pets. Avoid feeding your pets people food and do your best to keep your curious companion animals out of the trash, where they might consume potentially harmful items like coffee grounds. In the Garden Your pup is probably as eager as you are to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather. If you’re doing yard work while your pet plays nearby, make sure to keep fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides away, and don’t let your pets access any areas treated with these chemicals until they are dry and it’s safe to do so. If you’re landscaping your yard — or bringing the outdoors inside with new houseplants — make sure to choose plants that are pet-safe. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants on its website, ASPCA.org. Signs of Poisoning Accidents happen. Even if you take every precaution to keep your pet safe, they may still get into something they shouldn’t! If your pet has ingested something toxic, they may exhibit signs immediately, or it may take a few days. Common symptoms your pet may exhibit include:
3 Ways to Improve Your Harvest There’s something beautiful about cultivating your own harvest, but you can grow more than simple backyard vegetables. Help your garden “grow up” by trying something unique this spring. Grow Fun Foods We plant gardens for a purpose, so why not make it fun! Plant fresh basil, Do Something Better in the Garden
tomatoes, onions, peppers, oregano, and more to create a garden worthy of your next
homemade pizza. All you will need to buy is the crust! Pumpkin plants can offer fresh gourds for any Halloween fanatic, while new species of fruits and vegetables can create an exciting home-cooking experience. Try the silver cucumber for a sweet taste or pineberries for a mix between strawberries and pineapples. You just might find a new flavor you love. Go With the Flow Creating a year-round garden that practically takes care of itself means using principles of permaculture, a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature. Start by analyzing your space and yard. Determine your soil type and layer mulch or cover crops to protect it. Then, begin planting the same way that’s found in nature — trees grow at the top, shrubs and bushes are below, and other small plants and vines intermingle within. Choose crops that help each other grow (like corn, beans, and squash), and offer aid to your garden without digging up too much soil or disturbing its natural process. Permaculture gardening requires thoughtful planning, but once your crops are in place, nature will take its course. Plant for Your Health Mass production of your favorite fruits and vegetables reduces their key nutrients. Instead, choose fresh, home-grown varieties to yield greater health benefits. This is good news for those living with heart disease, joint disorders, or other chronic conditions. You can grow a garden chock full of nutrient-rich foods! Colorful fruits, root veggies, onions, and beans are great for joint health, while leafy greens can boost heart health. Grow pumpkins so you can harvest the seeds for better brain function, while berries can support your liver.
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Drooling
Pawing at the mouth
Vomiting Weakness
Difficulty breathing
Muscle tremors
Excessive thirst or urination
Diarrhea Seizures
If you suspect your pet may have ingested something toxic, act quickly. Call the office at 970-856-4474 or the 24/7 Animal Poison Control line at 855‑764‑7661.
Before you dig into these new gardening methods, consult with an expert at a nursery or greenhouse to get the best possible results.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Catching Up With Barb After a Memorable First Year
We first introduced our receptionist Barb to you last March, just after she started working here at Surface Creek Veterinary Center. The COVID-19 pandemic began in the U.S. right on the heels of Barb’s first months here, but she and the rest of the staff worked through it. “It’s been a good year. I was really glad that we didn’t have to shut down,” Barb said. “My husband continued to work, as well, so we weren’t really as affected as some people.” That was true for her both inside and outside the office, as many of Barb and her husband’s favorite activities happen outdoors. “We ice fish in the winter. In the summer, we like to fly fish or take the boat out and fish from the boat or camp or hike,” she says. “It’s beautiful here, and there are so many places to go. We try to get out at least every other weekend to do something.” Before joining the team at the clinic, Barb was a small-business owner of a sporting goods store in town. With years of experience there, she brought plenty of business experience to her role here, but she says the first year brought lots of opportunities to learn more about veterinary medicine, which she didn’t have a background in.
“I’ve learned a lot,” she said. “I’m getting more familiar
with vet terminology and what medicines are prescribed for certain things.” She said she enjoys
the challenge of learning new things and expanding her skill set and knowledge base.
Of course, she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t like animals, and interacting with pets and their owners each day leads to some fun moments. Barb remembers showing one couple and their German shepherd to an exam room. She left the room briefly and when she returned, the full-grown pup was sitting on the woman’s lap. This year, Barb is looking forward to more outdoor adventures, though she’s never away from home for too long because she has two cats: Zero, age 16, and Icarus, age 8. She’s also looking forward to seeing one of her two adult daughters who is coming soon to visit for a week from Washington.
Thanks for a great first year, Barb!
Your Cat’s New Favorite Meatballs
Clients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us last month: Jennifer Craig John & Chris Gavan Robert Hawk David & Kathy Murphy Carrie Pierce Myles & Lisa Roberts Dan Sanders Jim & Nancy Scott Dan & Angela Toothaker
March 9 is National Meatball Day, and you know someone who would love to celebrate it: your cat! This month, spend a few minutes on this easy chicken meatball recipe and reap your reward in purrs. (P.S. Dogs will happily snack on these, too!) INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup ground chicken 1/4 cup rice, cooked 1/2 egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp parsley, chopped small
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 420 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients with a spoon or by hand. 3. Roll the mixture into balls, roughly 1 tbsp per ball. 4. On a parchment-lined baking tray, bake the meatballs for 15 minutes. 5. Let the meatballs cool and serve them to the fuzzy ruler of the roost!
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inside this issue
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Jeff and Susie Celebrate National Teenager Day
Make Gardening Better With These 3 Ideas!
March Is Pet Poison Prevention Month!
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Employee Spotlight
Clients Spreading the Word!
Your Cat’s New Favorite Meatballs
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Meet This Life-Saving Rat From Cambodia
AN AFRICAN RAT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS GOLD MEDAL FOR SAVING LIVES
A metal detector can take anywhere from 1–4 days to detect land mines in the war- torn landscapes of Cambodia. However, a Gambian pouched rat named Magawa can detect them in 20 minutes.
has been around since the 1990s, teaching animals how to detect land mines and tuberculosis.
Magawa only works for a half-hour during the day, but as he nears retirement age at 7 years old, Magawa has sniffed out 39 land mines and 28 unexploded munitions in his career. His tremendous work has now been recognized worldwide. In 2020, the U.K. veterinary charity PDSA gave Magawa its gold medal for “life-saving devotion to duty, in the location and clearance of deadly land mines in Cambodia.” Over 30 animals have received this award so far, but Magawa is the first rat. "To receive this medal is really an honour for us," Apopo’s chief executive, Christophe Cox, told the Press Association news agency. "But also, it is big for the people in Cambodia, and all the people around the world who are suffering from land mines." Now that’s a real hero if we’ve ever seen one. Thank you, Magawa, for all your hard work, and we hope you have a long and happy retirement ahead of you!
Magawa’s ability to sniff land mines has been lauded as “truly unique,” as he potentially saves hundreds of lives every day. Yet, he weighs a mere 2.75 pounds and is only 28 inches long. While that’s larger than your average rodent, Magawa is still light enough to safely step over land mines without setting them off. That’s been amazing news for Cambodians. The land mine problem began during the civil wars of the ‘70s and ‘80s, causing over 64,000 casualties and creating 25,000 amputees since 1979. But where did Magawa come from? A Belgium-registered charity named Apopo trained Magawa in Tanzania as part of the program HeroRATs where after a year of training, the animals become certified. This program
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