Take a look at our January newsletter!
January 2024 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint
BOOST YOUR DOG’S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH THIS JANUARY A Double Dose of Health for Your Canine Companion
Caring for your pet is always a priority, and we wanted to share some of the top ways you can help improve your dog’s physical and mental health. Coincidentally, January is National Walk Your Dog Month and National Train Your Dog Month, which is exactly what we want dog owners to do for their pets all year round. When most people think about the benefits of walking their dogs, the primary or even sole reason is often just to help them burn some calories and prevent obesity. While this is a significant benefit of going for a stroll, dogs also have numerous other health advantages. Routine walks can keep your dog’s urinary and digestive health in top shape as they don’t have to hold urine in their bladder for an extended amount of time, which could cause a bladder infection. Having this routine stroll can also prevent your dog from experiencing constipation. Like humans, dogs’ joints must be consistently in motion to keep their mobility intact and prevent stiffness. This is especially important for aging dogs experiencing arthritis and joint pain. A simple daily walk can keep their joints and muscles from weakening and becoming stiff from inactivity. We often need an outdoor walk to clear our minds, and your dog does, too. Dogs require mental stimulation to keep their brains sharp, and they won’t be able to do so if they’re stuck inside all day or in a limited backyard space.
The sights, sounds, and smells encountered during a walk engage their senses, contributing to their overall mental well-being. Additionally, walks allow for positive socialization as dogs encounter other pets and people along their journey. This shared
activity strengthens the bond between you and your dog, providing a consistent and exciting routine that fulfills physical and emotional needs, leading to a happier, healthier canine companion. As for the benefits of training, it’s not just about obedience. Training instills a sense of security and confidence in dogs. Consistent commands and positive reinforcement create a predictable environment, which helps reduce stress and anxiety. Training activities, such as tricks or agility exercises, engage your dog’s mind, preventing boredom and promoting mental well-being similar to daily walks. Moreover, the bond formed during training enhances the dog-owner relationship, fostering trust and companionship. Of course, plenty of negative effects happen when you don’t train your dog. A poorly trained pup can easily run from you and injure itself. We also all know a friend with an unruly dog that makes you not want to visit. Properly trained and well-behaved dogs can be out in public and
socialize without concerns about running away or negatively interacting with other dogs or people.
We recommend that as soon as your puppy is vaccinated, you take them to puppy training classes. This isn’t just to get a head start on training but to start having them socialize as early as possible. As for training, at just 8 weeks old, you can begin training your pup how to sit as well as other basic commands. For January, let’s start the year fresh, take our dogs for their daily walks, and properly train them to keep them healthy. It’s the least we can do for the furry friends who love us most!
–Dr. Jeff
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The Best Companion
KUPATA’S ROAD TO FAME SIpnotltihgeht
We call him our resident cow whisperer, but Larry’s so humble that he’ll tell you he just “handles” them. Larry’s worked with us for seven years; we’re lucky to have him. He makes sure everyone’s kept safe, doctors, techs, and cows alike, as we perform examinations. Cows can be nervous, particularly when MEET LARRY: OUR FAVORITE COW WRANGLER
We often think dogs live the good life, as they seem to do nothing but play, eat, and sleep. Yet, some dogs are busy at work, some without being asked to do so! Take Kupata, the stray dog in Georgia, for example. This street-roaming pup takes it upon himself to guard a crosswalk all day, every day. In the town of Batumi, this stray stays by a single crosswalk and forces traffic to stop to allow pedestrians to cross the street. He’s especially protective of children! If Kupata sees a car isn’t slowing down, he’ll bark at the driver as they drive away and run to protect the person crossing the street. One local even shared that Kupata will cross the road with children and stay at the park to protect the youngsters. The Stray Dog Who Captured the World’s Heart
sick or hurt, and he lets us know what he’s observed and ensures they’re as comfortable as possible while we work on them.
Saying Larry is a fan of the outdoors would be the understatement of the century. Even when it’s cold or rainy, he says, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not inside.” He’s a real outdoorsman, feeding and wrangling the cows in our care. That’s after he takes care of his own 15-cow herd in the morning. Larry raises calves from his herd and even milks a couple of his cows. He has a lot of fun with the small calves when they’re born; who wouldn’t? Though he
Kupata, which in English means “sausage,” has become a staple in the community due to his hard work, and locals all pitch in to care for and feed the stray dog. His consistently round belly shows just how loved he is. You’ll even see a massive painting of the beloved animal on a nearby building.
doesn’t individually name all 15, he does have a particularly hilarious nickname for one of them. Poo
has had an especially stinky couple of instances around his truck, and though folks may think most cows are stinky, in reality, “most are clean, really.” He’s worked with them all his life as he grew up on a farm. Cows are his favorite animal, and he sees plenty of them working at Surface Creek Veterinary Center. His favorite part of working here is, no surprise, working with the cows. He also builds the fences, irrigates the property, and tends to the honey bees and the secret garden. He’s an integral part of the team, and we so appreciate his help. If you’ve got any cows that need a vet, you can rest assured they’ll be in safe hands with Larry helping.
Now, after tireless days of guarding his street, Kupata has his own doghouse provided by the city with an accompanying star
on the road with his name on it. Kupata’s dedication made him go viral on social media, and now travelers from all over the world come to see Kupata. Don’t distract him, though. He’s busy at work! Sadly, even though Kupata remains cherished by his community, thousands of stray dogs in the country need shelter, food, and companionship. According to activists, around 500,000 stray dogs and cats roam the streets of Georgia. While stray animals may get a bad reputation for being dangerous or unfriendly, Kupata proves that even these furry friends deserve love and recognition.
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GLOWING EYES AND NIGHT VISION
Discover the Science of Feline Night Vision Cats have long been associated with mysterious and nocturnal behavior, leading many to wonder about their ability to see in the dark. While most people think cats have night vision that allows them to navigate low-light conditions effortlessly, the reality is more nuanced. The tapetum lucidum acts like a mirror, reflecting light that passes through the retina back into the eyes. This gives the photoreceptor cells in the retina a second chance to capture the light, improving the cat’s sensitivity to darkness. This adaptation makes a cat’s eyes appear to glow in the dark when exposed to light.
their eyesight is not as sharp in daylight. They are crepuscular animals, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk when low light is balanced. In bright sunlight, their vision is not as clear. Additionally, the tapetum lucidum might cause blurring or a halo effect around lights in a cat’s vision. This is a trade-off for the improved sensitivity in low-light conditions. So, while cats don’t possess true night vision, their ability to see in low-light environments is remarkable, thanks to the tapetum lucidum. This trait allows them to navigate conditions where humans would struggle, contributing to the myth that cats can see in the dark.
Contrary to popular belief, cats cannot see in complete darkness. Like humans, they rely on ambient light to see. However, cats have a unique adaptation that gives them a significant advantage in low-light environments — tapetum lucidum . This reflective layer behind their retinas enhances their ability to see in dim light.
This enhanced low-light vision is particularly beneficial for cats during their nighttime shenanigans. Whether hunting for prey or scratching up your couch, the ability to see in low light gives them a strategic advantage.
However, it’s important to note that while cats have superior night vision compared to humans,
Clients Spreading the Word Kenzie Bosher Savannah Bryan Cherri Lilly Patty Paull We Reward Referrals! Amber Rhodes Pauline Schmidt Sam Vasicko
S NCV ew C Policy At the time of scheduling a dental or surgery appointment, a $250 deposit will be required. This deposit will be applied to the procedure bill. If you need to cancel the appointment, and you give us at least 24-hour notice, the deposit will be refunded.
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The Dual Benefits of Walking and Training Your Dog inside this issue Meet Kupata, Georgia’s Street-Roaming Pup Hero
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Surface Creek’s Best Outdoor Hand
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Can Cats See in the Dark?
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Unique New Year’s Traditions Around The World
New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable. HOW DIFFERENT CULTURES CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR Beyond the Ball Drop
The New Year is a time for celebration, reflection, and new beginnings. While many of us are familiar with the ball drop in Times Square or the clinking of champagne glasses at midnight, exploring how different countries and cultures ring in the New Year is fascinating. Let’s journey outside the United States to discover a few unique New Year’s traditions from around the world. Spain: Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight As the clock strikes midnight in Spain, people eat 12 grapes — one for each clock chime. This tradition brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The grapes are usually eaten in public squares and plazas where crowds gather to celebrate. It’s a race against time to eat all 12 grapes before the last chime, as failing can bring in bad luck. Japan: Joya-no-Kane (Bell Ringing) The Japanese celebrate Joya-no-Kane, where temple bells ring 108 times: 107 times on Dec. 31, and then the 108th ring at midnight on the
New Year, bridging the old and new year. This practice is rooted in Buddhist beliefs and is thought to cleanse the 108 worldly desires that cause human suffering. Denmark: Breaking Plates The Danish have a unique way of showing affection to their friends and family. On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to break plates and dishes against the doors of loved ones. The more broken pieces you find at your doorstep, the more popular and loved you are.
Brazil: Offerings to Iemanjá In Brazil, particularly in coastal cities like Rio de Janeiro, people make offerings to Iemanjá, the goddess of the sea, on New Year’s Eve. They gather at the beach dressed in white and send small boats filled with flowers, candles, and gifts into the ocean as offerings.
Scotland: First-Footing In Scotland, the first person to enter a home after midnight is called the “first-footer” and will bring good luck for the year. Traditionally, the first-footer should be a tall, dark-haired male who brings gifts like coal, bread, and whisky to symbolize warmth, luck, and good cheer.
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