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Pet Press KALISPELL APR 2023
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BROTHERLY LOVE mannerisms we have, and we sound exactly the same on the telephone. We both have a passion for music, though he is a bit more serious about it than I am. While he didn’t make a career out of this passion, Jenkin went to school for music and has a master’s degree in composition. We both love singing at our respective churches.
There’s no other relationship like the one you have with your siblings. You’re thrown together by fate and have so many of the same experiences and memories. Yet, you may or may not have anything else in common! In
honor of National Sibling Day on April 10, I want to take a moment to talk about my brother, Jenkin. (Yes, we thank our parents daily for our unique names.) As I look at my two boys, I love seeing how incredibly close they are. They’re good friends with a strong bond. But Jenkin and I had a different sort of relationship growing up. We weren’t adversaries, but we were very different. I was a typical firstborn child: goal- oriented and always eager to make our parents happy. Meanwhile, Jenkin is very intelligent and successful, but he has always taken a more laid-back approach to life. I couldn’t understand why someone wouldn’t want to take every single available AP class in high school. But he wouldn’t do anything unless he felt like it, and the more you pushed him, the more he pushed back. I see that in both my boys, too. The more you tell them to do something, the less likely they will do it.
These days, we genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Jenkin lives in California and works in administration for a giant law firm. I don’t know how he can live with all the hustle and bustle in San Diego, but he’s still got some Montana blood left in him. He even likes to take out his beat-up truck and camper for a few days, and we enjoy fishing and camping together. We also went on vacation to Mexico City with our wives last summer. Jenkin’s wife is from Mexico and lived there for some time, so she knows the area well. We are good travel companions and happy to play it loose. One day, we might climb the pyramids, and another day, we might sit in a coffee shop and chat all night. We’re figuring out when we can vacation together again, perhaps to
South America or Africa.
We still have our differences. For example, I am incredibly stubborn and ready to fight to the death to prove that I’m right. He manages conflict in a much more relaxed and nuanced manner. But we’ve come to accept each other’s personality quirks and feel safe being ourselves around each other. Our different approaches to life also tend to benefit our family’s problem-solving. He knows when to negotiate and take a softer approach, and I know when to push.
I feel blessed that Jenkin and I have developed a close relationship. We started life in such different places but slowly learned just how much we have in common and how we complement each other. I couldn’t ask for a better little brother. – Dr. Jevon Clark
Jenkin and I also have more in common as time passes, and we like to joke that we’re slowly turning into the same person. It’s stunning how many of the same
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Meet the Wigg
My name is Lola, and the humans say I’m an
Olde English Bulldogge — even though I’m still pretty young at 5 years old. I live with my brother, Tater Tot, Mom, Dad, and a couple of two-leggers (you might call them “children”) aged 5 and 1. We’re all one big, happy family, at least when Tater Tot behaves himself. Mom calls me a “wiggle monster” because I get so excited. I love seeing my humans, getting pets, and playing tug-of- war so much that I can’t stay still! But I like to rest when I’m not being the best rope-puller in town or chasing my friends at the dog park. Lounging is one of my favorite hobbies, and everyone respects my position as Queen of the Couch.
Share the Facts With Your Whole Family! 5 Documentaries to Watch on Earth Day
Earth Day is coming up on Saturday, April 22. But do your kids know why we commemorate the holiday? Do you? If you don’t know much about the history of environmentalism — or just want to learn more about the state of our planet — consider celebrating Earth Day by watching a documentary as a family. Dozens of fantastic films cover everything from the crusade to preserve our coral reefs to how farmers use soil health to enhance the planet. Here are a few of our favorites. ‘Kids Take Action Against Ocean Plastic’ — This short five-minute documentary from National Geographic follows a group of Hawaiian students determined to clean up their local beaches. It’s available for free on National Geographic’s YouTube channel! (If you watch it and love this documentary, check out the PG-rated flick “Plastic Island” on Netflix, which tackles the same issue in Indonesia.) ‘Brave Blue World: Racing to Solve Our Water Crisis’ — This PG-rated documentary about water security takes place on five continents and stars celebrities Liam Neeson, Matt Damon, and Jaden Smith. Check it out on Netflix.
It all sounds good, but life can be tough — especially when the humans leave me alone with my little brother. Tater Tot is only 1.5 years old, so he’s not mature like me. He acts out to get attention, and sometimes I miss being an only dog. But he looks up to me, so I do my best to put up with him. Despite my hard work, Tater Tot can still get out of line. Once, he was roughhousing, and I tore a tendon in my knee. I needed
Homemade Cat Food for
Do you have a picky feline who will turn its nose up to everything you offer? Try this homemade cat food that even picky eaters can’t refuse! Inspired by TopDogTips.com
‘Extinction: The Facts’ — This hard-hitting documentary from famous nature historian David Attenborough is perfect for kids ages 16 and up. It tackles serious topics like species loss, food and water shortages, and the relationship between climate change and pandemic diseases. “Extinction: The Facts” is available on PBS.org or Prime Video. ‘Kiss the Ground’ — Join actor Woody Harrelson on Netflix for an inspiring look at soil, why it matters, and what farmers and activists are doing to save and enhance it — and our food supply. The documentary is family-friendly and rated G. None of these documentaries existed in 1970 when anti-pollution activists came together to create Earth Day, build the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pass laws to protect our air and water. But they’re a wonderful extension of that spirit! Hopefully, you’ll be able to find time to watch at least one of them this month. After watching, consider taking action and volunteering for a green project near you.
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STICKING IT TO STRESS
LOLA IS BACK IN ACTION AFTER TPLO SURGERY
ggle Monster
emergency TPLO surgery. Mom and Dad were super worried, but the doctors at the Animal Clinic of Kalispell fixed me. I came home in a pink cast, which I pulled off very well, and I was back to wiggling in no time. That’s good news because I have responsibilities around here. It’s my job to protect the two-leggers. Sometimes the bigger one tries to tug my rope with me, but I know better — I don’t want to bite his little fingers. I’m also in charge of the baby. I make sure he’s okay by sniffing him, and I get so happy when I smell that he’s safe!
MAKE YOUR VETERINARY VISITS CALMER For many pets, few things are more stressful than a visit to the veterinarian. The high anxiety level associated with some appointments makes the process much more difficult for you, your animal, and our staff. Unfortunately, we can’t reason with animals, but we can try to make their experience calmer. Cats, in particular, often have a rough time at our office. “Most cats hate everything about the vet,” Dr. Clark says. “They don’t like travel, they don’t like crates, they don’t like us, and they don’t like anything you didn’t clear on their schedules first.” The noise and movement of a car, the sound of dogs barking at the office, and the unfamiliar sights and smells of the exam room can send cats’ anxiety levels into overdrive. “It can affect our work,” Dr. Clark says. “We sometimes can’t find evidence of the presenting problem because they have so much adrenaline. And stress can actually change bloodwork. Elevated kidney enzymes, blood glucose, and dehydration can be secondary to stress, and the cat’s values can change in the 20-minute car ride here.”
I spend most of my time with Mom, but I’m secretly a daddy’s girl. Dad works nights, so I’m thrilled whenever I see him. I also like that he doesn’t follow all the rules. Mom tells him not to give me any people food, but he doesn’t listen when her back is turned. There’s nothing quite like
steak and a belly rub.
I’m so glad the doctors fixed my knee so I can keep doing everything I love. They took great care of me during my stay at the hospital — and gave me a much-needed break from my annoying little brother.
Veterinarians have strategies and tools to combat these challenges, but it does make their work more difficult. Further, seeing their pet upset causes stress for many humans. Animals feed off their owners’ stress, creating a vicious cycle. Dr. Clark recommends several strategies to make the process a bit less emotional. “From the moment they see the crate, cats know something’s up,” he says. So, Dr. Clark recommends taking the crate out early or leaving it permanently in a neutral, visible location. “You can even put a bed or food in there and leave the door open, so they realize the crate isn’t so bad,” he says. The pheromone spray Feliway also helps many cats relax. While cats generally find veterinary visits much more stressful than dogs, some canines also get anxious. For both species, Dr. Clark says, “We have more than a few clients who request drugs to try to take the edge off. It’s like giving someone afraid of the dentist laughing gas. And sometimes, we treat the pet to treat the client. When the owner is calmer, the pet doesn’t respond to their stress.” If you worry about your pet’s stress levels at the veterinarian, please share your concerns during your next appointment. We’ll help you find a strategy to make visits more productive and less anxiety-inducing for everyone involved.
Ingredients Picky Pets
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1/4 cup chicken breast, unseasoned 1/4 cup long-grain rice
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1/2 ounce canned clams, chopped (with liquid) 1 tbsp beef or chicken broth
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1/4 cup water
Directions
1. Cook chicken in oven or stovetop until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 F. Cook rice according to package instructions. 2. Once the rice and chicken are cooked, in a large bowl, combine rice, chicken, canned clams, and broth. Mix until all ingredients are combined. 3. Let mixture cool completely, then place in your cat’s food bowl and serve.
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Inside
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Jevon and Jenkin’s Brotherly Love
2 Earth Day Documentaries to Watch
2 Lola’s Back to Wiggling After Surgery
2 Homemade Cat Food for Picky Pets
3 Managing Stressful Veterinary Visits
4 Roger to the Rescue!
ONE SNIFF CAN SAVE A LIFE Never Doubt a Canine’s Senses
Dogs are known for their keen sense of smell — on TV, you will often see dogs that can find missing people or even search for drugs
of trouble. As he tried to exit his vehicle, his walking stick suddenly snapped in half. Unable to keep his balance, Cohen fell and became wedged under his car’s brake and clutch pedals. The man called for help several times, but unfortunately, no one could hear his pleas, and he remained stuck overnight. The next day, Roger’s owners let him roam around outside. Roger began sniffing around Cohen’s home (some believe Roger had heard the man’s calls for help), and once Roger found the elderly man, he didn’t leave his side for the rest of the day. After a couple of hours, Frances Wall, Roger’s owner, began calling for Roger. When he didn’t immediately come home when she called, she started looking for him, and that’s when she found Roger and Cohen. She immediately called emergency services, and three firefighters came by the home to free Cohen. They quickly took him to the hospital because they worried about hypothermia. Over a week later, medical staff released Cohen from the hospital, and now he gives Roger treats whenever he sees him. “I owe my life to that dog. They [health care professionals] said that if I would’ve been there for a few more hours, I would have been a goner,” Cohen told Bournemouth Daily Echo. Fortunately for Cohen, Roger’s amazing canine senses saved the day. It’s always great to have a furry friend around — you never know when their incredible skills will come in handy!
and bombs. When dogs use their extraordinary senses for a particular job, they’re often trained for that one purpose, but even without training, dogs do seem to know something is wrong.
Roger, the Jack Russell terrier-poodle mix, is a great example.
Our story takes place in Ringwood, England, in December 2022. Winter was in full swing, with temperatures below freezing. No one wanted to find themselves outside in the cold for too long because it could be dangerous.
Unfortunately, that’s what happened to 94-year-old Morris Cohen, and he almost died.
Cohen just got home and parked his car in the garage when he found himself in a spot
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