Animal Clinic of Kalispell - December 2019

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Pet Press WHY WE’RE HERE KALISPELL 406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM DECEMBER 2019

The Reawakening of 2019

Why do you do what you do?

This is a question I asked myself recently while on a retreat with Leadership Flathead. Developed by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, this organization is made up of business, nonprofit, and government leaders from throughout Flathead Valley, all dedicated to building leadership skills and developing our community. I’ve been wanting to join Leadership Flathead for two years, and now that we have two extra doctors at the clinic, I’m finally able to get involved. I have a deep love for this community, and I want to see it thrive forever into the future. Being part of Leadership Flathead allows me to be part of building our community’s future. It also demands that I look inward to myself and my clinic. Joining Leadership Flathead meant examining the work we do at The Animal Clinic of Kalispell and answering the “Why” of what we do here. The answer I discovered wasn’t surprising: I come to work every day to try and make people’s lives better. I just happen to do this by ensuring their pets are healthy so they can stay together for as long as possible. This is why I got into veterinary medicine. I never forgot my mission, per se, but joining Leadership Flathead served as a reawakening. Much like how losing Teton so abruptly reminded me exactly what my clients go through when they lose a pet, reexamining my purpose reminded me that I’m here to help people through their pets. Each time I hire someone new, I look for someone who shares this same value. Everyone on my staff knows the responsibility we have and is here to make it a reality. I believe this is the same reason our clients choose The Animal Clinic of Kalispell. There are a number of veterinarians in the

area. Our clients choose us because they themselves intuitively recognize how their pets improve their own lives. Our dogs and cats fill our lives with so much joy; they truly become part of the family. When someone brings their pet to us, we see it as someone asking us to help a family member. When Fluffy comes through the door, we know she’s not like every other cat we see. She’s unique and has her own needs we need to address. She’s Fluffy. When Snoopy arrives, we’re seeing Snoopy, not all the other beagles in the world. He’s his own guy and his owners have their own thoughts on what his care needs to be. It’s up to us to answer those needs and help Snoopy and his owners enjoy many happy years together. That’s what we’re doing here. That’s why I, Dr. Corum, Dr. Ball, and all our staff come into the clinic each day. We all want to see our community thrive, and part of that involves being there for our neighbors who need help with their pets.

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SUPER MU The Gift That Keeps on Taking CONSIDER THIS BEFORE GIFTING A PET A Word fro

Hello, everyone!

It’s a stereotypical picture of love and joy: A child opens their presents on Christmas morning only to be disappointed they didn’t get what they wanted. Suddenly, Dad brings out one more box, and a little whimper escapes the cardboard. The child’s face lights up! Their dream has come true. Inside the box, of course, is a new furry best friend. While many holiday films lean into this magical bond between people and animals, the reality of pet care isn’t so romantic. Adopting a pet comes with serious responsibility, and statistics show a staggering number of families return these pets after reality sets in. According to RSPCA, three pets are abandoned every hour during the holiday season. If you do decide you’re ready for a pet, recognize you will be financially responsible for it over the course of its entire life, which can be up to 14-plus years depending on the type. Are you equipped to handle routine veterinary costs in addition to food, supplies, and the occasional toy or treat? Do you have a plan in place for when you go on vacation or in the event of an emergency? If not, it’s best to plan those things sooner rather than later. In addition to the financial responsibility of pet ownership, some pets require regular exercise, special diets, and even social interaction. So, if your family is always on the go, consider a low-maintenance pet fish instead. Your children can help feed the fish and clean its tank, giving them the fun of pet ownership without the hassle. Keep in mind that different fish have different needs, so do some research before making the commitment. If pet ownership is not viable right now, you can interact with animals outside the home in plenty of ways. Volunteer at an animal shelter, enroll in horseback riding lessons at a local stable, or buy season tickets to the zoo. Pets can bring immense joy to your life when you’re prepared but immense stress and hardship when you’re not. Make the right choice to prevent your pet from becoming another sad statistic.

I’m Ryleigh, and my human is Anna Johnson, the receptionist at The Animal Clinic of Kalispell. Anna gets to meet every human and every pet who comes into the clinic. This sounds like the best job ever to me, because I love meeting people. When we go for walks around town, I want to stop and greet every person we encounter. When we meet new people, they often ask Anna what kind of dog I am. We really don’t have an answer. Anna got me a DNA test and we found out that I’m part mastiff, part Australian shepherd, part German shepherd, and part pitbull. That makes me Super Mutt! I really try to live up to my “breed.” When Anna’s having a rough day, my most important job is to help her feel better again. I’ll put my head on her leg or, if it’s a real emergency, burrow my way into her arms. Sometimes, we all need someone to help boost our self- confidence a little. I’m glad I can be that someone for Anna. I’ve been with Anna for about a year, since I was just eight weeks old. In that time, I know we’ve both grown a lot together.

Gingerbread Dogs

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! Share some cheer with your four-legged friends with these special holiday dog treats.

Ingredients

• • • • • • • •

1 cup molasses 4 tbsp honey

1 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil 6 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp dried powder ginger

Inspired by GoneToTheSnowDogs.com

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NATIONAL MUTT DAY CELEBRATING SGT. STUBBY AND MUTTS EVERYWHERE

Ryleigh

Anna is my favorite person,

but I love meeting other people, too. When we’re at the dog park, I’ll play with

Over 80% of dogs waiting in shelters are mixed breed dogs, fondly referred to as “mutts.” While purebred dogs who end up in shelters often quickly find new homes or are taken by rescue agencies, mutts often aren’t so lucky. This is why in 2005, animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige started a holiday to raise awareness about these great dogs. National Mutt Day is celebrated on July 31 and Dec. 2 — because mutts are so awesome, they deserve more than one day! Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, live longer, and often need fewer emergency visits to the veterinarian. They also have wonderful personalities and unique traits that you may not find in some purebred dogs. After being rescued from a shelter, mutts can quickly become valued members of the family. One of the most famous mutts in history was a pit bull mix who would come to be called Sergeant Stubby. In 1917, a stray mutt fell into the ranks of the 102nd Infantry Regiment while they trained at Yale University. The friendly canine became the regiment’s constant companion, participating in drills and learning how to salute. When they shipped out, Stubby was smuggled onto the ship. Stubby quickly proved his worth. After surviving a poison gas attack, Stubby became very sensitive to the chemical. He would alert the soldiers before future attacks, giving them time to put on their — and Stubby’s — gas masks. The fearless dog also joined numerous raids through no man’s land to find wounded soldiers. During one patrol, Stubby uncovered a German spy hiding in the bushes. Impressed, the commanding officer “promoted” Stubby to sergeant right then. During his 18 months in Europe, Stubby participated in 17 battles, received numerous medals, and became a genuine war hero.

the other dogs for a while, but I also like to go over and get some love from the other humans.

Anna is helping me channel my love for people into being able to help everyone. In October we looked into police or service dog training. Those wouldn’t be my jobs, but I’d love to have the skills to be able to help out if someone needed me!

Don’t worry, even when I’ve completed my training, I’ll still be happy to say hello!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl,

combine molasses, honey, water, and oil, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing well until dough forms. 3. Separate dough into four equal balls. Wrap dough balls in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3–5 hours. 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thick. Use dog-shaped cookie cutters to cut out treats. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes on baking sheet until cookies start to brown. Carefully remove treats from the oven and let them cool completely before serving to your dog.

On this National Mutt Day, don’t forget to salute Sgt. Stubby, support causes that help mixed breed dogs like him, and give your favorite mutt a good scratch behind the ears.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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Inside

What Makes Us Different

Consider This Before Gifting a Pet Meet Ryleigh Homemade Gingerbread Dog Treats A Holiday With Two Dates?

Yurts: Glamping at Its Finest

Yurt Sweet Yurt

GLAMPING IN BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS

Spruce Hole Yurt, Colorado Nestled in the San Juan Mountains about 10 miles north of New Mexico, this yurt is a snow-lover’s paradise. Skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking trails are plentiful in this backcountry location. At the end of a chilly day, come home to comfy beds, cooking supplies, and decor made to feel like you’re camping — but with sturdy walls to keep out the cold. Falls Brook Yurts, New York For the glampers who truly want to get away, hike just under 1 mile into the woods of the Adirondack Mountains to discover rustic yurts beckoning

The allure of the great outdoors calls to many, but pitching a tent and cooking over a fire isn’t

for everyone. If that describes you, consider the yurt: a small,

permanent structure often outfitted with electricity, plumbing, and other modern amenities. Expertly nestled in remote locations, they provide comforts of home in the midst of nature. Here are just a few around the United States available for rent. Treebones Resort, California For those new to the glamping scene, this is a great choice for an easy transition. With picturesque views of the Pacific Ocean, the Treebones Resort in Big Sur has an array of spaciously comfortable yurts to choose from. The resort has heated pools, a cozy lodge, and even a sushi bar. About an hour up the coastline, you can find a few shops, restaurants, and art galleries if you decide you’ve gotten your dose of nature for the day.

you to cook over a fire or bundle up with a book. At night, the yurt’s domed skylight offers excellent stargazing. For those keen on winter activities, skiing and

snowshoeing trails start right outside the front door. In the summer, enjoy hiking, fishing, and swimming.