Animal House & Company, Inc.
114 South Sporting Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3057
717-737-4300 or www.AnimalHouseCo.com
114 South Sporting Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3057
717-737-4300 or www.AnimalHouseCo.com
DECEMBER NEWS - 2004
  HOLIDAY HOURS Please remember to schedule your holiday appointments early. DECEMBER Animal House will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Saturday, December 25th through Monday, December 27th. We will reopen for business on Tuesday morning, December 28th at 7 AM. NEW YEARS Animal House will be closed for the New Year from Saturday, January 1st through Monday, January 3rd. We will reopen for business on Tuesday morning, January 4th at 7 am. CHANGE IN HOURS Starting November 29th 2004, Animal House will be closed for business on Monday's. top  I realize this is not an article about dogs but I just couldn't resist. PS: I did find a picture of a dog with antlers ... perhaps that counts.COULD SANTA'S REINDEER ALL BE GIRLS? According to the experts, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter-- usually late November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them had to be a female. Reindeer and caribou are the only deer (Cervidae) where males, females, and calves produce antlers. Substantial growth of calf and female antler can be obtained with good nutrition. Like other deer, reindeer shed their antlers annually. New antler growth in the spring and summer is nourished by a highly vascular covering called velvet which is shed in August. Bull antler hardens (ossifies) in June and cow antler in July. The primary function of antler is for gaining social dominance. The reindeer has wide, spreading hooves, an adaptation to travel in deep snow. When walking, reindeer make a peculiar cracking noise produced by a tendon in the foot. A member of the deer family, reindeer live in the northern parts of Europe, Asia and North America, surrounding the Arctic (the Arctic Circle). The North American varieties of reindeer are called caribou. Reindeer means "running deer" in one northern European language. They stand about four feet tall at the shoulder. Their typical color is grayish brown, but some domesticated reindeer are white. For centuries, domesticated reindeer have served indigenous peoples including the Lapps in Norway, and the Tungus and Chukchi tribes in eastern Siberia. Reindeer have provided them with milk, butter, cheese, meat and clothing. They are also trained for riding and harnessed to pull a loaded sledge. Norway, Sweden and Finland are reindeer countries. And ever since Clement Moore wrote his heart-warming verses, "'Twas the night before Christmas," in the nineteenth century, the image of reindeer became inseparable from Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). While domesticated reindeer are quite popular, their wild cousins still roam the vast frozen tundra in large herds. In the wild, reindeer mainly feed on a kind of lichen called "reindeer moss." In captivity they are given a specially manufactured diet, supplemented with high quality hay. SOURCE: LINKS: top MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy. FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise. MYTH: It's better to have one litter first. FACT: Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures. MYTH: My children should experience the miracle of birth. FACT: Even if children are able to see a pet give birth--which is unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion--the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth of some pets can save the lives of others. MYTH: But my pet is a purebred. FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats--mixed breed and purebred. MYTH: I want my dog to be protective. FACT: Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones. FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her. FACT: A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics. MYTH: It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered. FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables. But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost--a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits. It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly, it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of the births of more unwanted pets. MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens. FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one litter at a time. SOURCE: top  TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT PET LOSS University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Extension/Office of Public Engagement By Kim Marie Labak "A pet can be a child's best friend," says Cheryl Weber, a client counselor specialist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. The death of a pet can be a sad and confusing time for children as well as a difficult time for parents. Often parents are dealing with their own grief and aren't sure how to talk to their children about the death of the pet, whether it's a hamster, turtle, cat, dog, or horse. Weber says, "The cardinal rule for talking to children about the death of a pet is: be honest." She says it's important to let children say goodbye and to express their grief. When a pet dies, some parents have the impulse to lie to protect their children from grief. They may tell the child that the pet was given away, lost, or went to a farm to live happily ever after. "Adults may lie because they want to protect their child from sadness and hurt," explains Weber, a licensed social worker. "It breaks your heart to see a child sob, but it's normal and healthy for children to grieve. When they love a pet and it dies, they need to know it's okay to cry." Weber suggests sticking to the basic, simple truth, using language the child can understand. If you can foresee a death or euthanasia, you can prepare by talking to the children beforehand, explaining, "Fluffy is very sick and can't get better." "When she dies, her heart will stop and she cannot walk or play or eat or purr any more." Avoid the euphemism "put to sleep" because it can cause a child to be afraid of going to sleep at night. It's better to say "Because Fluffy can't get better, we're going to help her die." Statements like these will probably lead to a barrage of challenging questions such as "Why?" and "Where is she going?" Weber suggests that adults try to answer these questions and help children learn that death is a natural part of life. Many pets have short life spans. They get ill, body parts wear out, they get into accidents, and sometimes they can't be saved. Plus, parents have the opportunity to discuss their spiritual beliefs with their children. Other suggestions from Weber include:
For more information on talking to children about pet loss, visit the Companion Animal Related Emotions (CARE) Helpline Web site at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/CARE/. An archive of pet columns is on the Web at http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/ SOURCE: Cheryl Weber top  POINSETTIAS, POISONING AND PETS--SHOULD YOU BELIEVE THE HYPE? Have you heard that poinsettias are dangerously poisonous to dogs and cats? As the holidays descend upon us, the ASPCA wanted to set the record straight on these showy wintertime favorites. As the experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) explain it, the myth of the plant's toxicity began during the early part of the 20th century, when the two-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer was alleged to have died from consuming a poinsettia leaf. As a result, the poinsettia's toxic potential to living beings of all species has become greatly exaggerated. In reality, points out the APCC's Dana Farbman, CVT, poinsettia ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation, which may include drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. "Therefore," says Farbman, "while keeping the plant out of the reach of your pet to avoid stomach upset is still a good idea, pet owners need not fear the poinsettia and banish it from their homes for fear of a fatal exposure." For more on which plants are toxic to pets--and which ones are not--please visit the ASPCA's Poison Control Center. SOURCE: LINKS: top  DOGGIE TRIVIA ... CHEWBACCAChewbacca, the hairy Wookiee in the Star Wars movies, was inspired by George Lucas' loyal dog Indiana, an Alaskan Malamute. An immense, fur covered warrior of great strength and loyalty, Chewbacca was a well known figure in both the underworld and in the Rebel Alliance. Born on Kashyyyk over two centuries before the Battle of Yavin, Chewbacca was a wise, sophisticated being with exceptional skills in starship piloting and repair. For their brutish strength and technological savvy, Wookiees were enslaved by The Empire for use as labor. For a time, Chewbacca was a slave, toiling away for the betterment of the Empire until an impudent Imperial cadet named Han Solo freed him. Chewbacca stood 2.28 meters tall (almost 7.5 feet) and had a coat of ginger-brown fur. He wore nothing, save for a bandoleer that carried specialized ammunition for the bowcaster that he carried, and a simple tool pouch so that he could enact the many repairs the chronically malfunctioning Falcon required. SOURCE: top "Attention, companion animal caretakers! The ASPCA New York State Disaster Response Program requests your assistance. In order to better determine the needs and attitudes of pet owners, we need you to participate in our new online survey. A majority of the questions deal with emergency pet preparedness, and your responses will let us help you properly prepare for your pets' safety in the event of emergency. The results of this survey will be posted on ASPCA.org on or after January 1. Take the survey today to share your pet-owning experiences--and thank you for your time." AH&Co Editors Note: I took the survey and learned that I am not as prepared for a disaster as I thought I was. The survey definitely got me thinking. Look for an article on this subject in the near future. top  GROOMING RESOLUTIONS FOR A NEW YEAR This article taken from Dog Fancy Magazine, written by Diana Mohler, December 2004, pg 15. With the holiday only weeks away, you might be searching for New Year's resolutions that don't involve starvation, deprivation, or physical exertion. Why not focus this year's good intentions on your dog? Raise your right hand and solemnly resolve:
top ADVICE FROM THE DOG Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. top  DOGS FOR ADOPTION Each month this newsletter will bring you a random selection of dog's in need of a new home ... listed on petfinder.com and located at local shelters and rescues. If you know of a dog in need, please send the information and picture(s) to us using the Contact button on this page.
top LIGHTEN UP .... Wrapping Presents with Dogs 1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, etc. in middle of living room floor. 2. Get tape back from puppy. 3. Remove scissors from older dog's mouth. 4. Open box. 5. Take puppy out of box. 6. Remove tape from older dog's mouth. 7. Take scissors away from puppy. 8. Put present in box. 9. Remove present from puppy's mouth. 10. Put back in box after removing puppy from box. 11. Take scissors from older dog and sit on them. 12. Remove puppy from box and put on lid. 13. Take tape away from older dog. 14. Unroll paper. 15. Take puppy OFF box. 16. Cut paper being careful not to cut puppy's foot or nose that is getting in the way as he "helps." 17. Let puppy tear remaining paper. 18. Take puppy off box. 19. Wrap paper around box. 20. Remove puppy from box & take wrapping paper from its mouth. 21. Tell older dog to fetch the tape so he will stop stealing it. 22. Take scissors away from puppy. 23. Take tape older dog is holding. 24. Quickly tape one spot before taking scissors from older dog & sitting on them again. 25. Fend off puppy trying to steal tape & tape another spot. 26. Take bow from older dog. 27. Go get roll of wrapping paper puppy ran off with. 28. Take scissors from older dog who took them when you got up. 29. Give pen to older dog to hold so he stops licking your face. 30. Remove puppy from present & hurriedly slap tape on to hold the paper on. 31. Take now soggy bow from puppy & tape on since the sticky stuff no longer sticks. 32. Take pen from older dog, address tag & affix while puppy tries to eat pen. 33. Grab present before puppy opens it & put it away. 34. Clean up mess puppy & older dog made playing tug-of-war with remnants of wrapping paper. 35. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are. Written by Christi Green Aldabra Belgians Reproduced with permission. top  WINNERS OF THE ASPCA'S 9th ANNUAL PHOTO CONTESTLast summer, ASPCA Animal Watch magazine asked shutterbugs to show their idea of the ultimate animal face. Easy? Hardly! "Animals don't smile when you ask them to, or work for the camera," says our contest judge, Associated Press photo editor Mary Schwalm. "Instead, it's about poise, timing and being in the right position." More than 500 entrants gamely met that challenge, presenting us with a total of 1,243 images. Dogs and cats reigned, but we also received photos representing 80 other species, ranging in size from grasshopper to whale. The top winners, along with a selection of honorable mentions, are currently on display at the online gallery at http://www.aspca.org/animalwatch/index.html. Source: top CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THIS YEAR'S GREAT AMERICAN MUTT TAILS IN NEED, Inc. is a not-for-profit foundation that promotes public awareness about the value of adopting mixed breed, unwanted and abandoned dogs. Tails In Need (TIN) also works to support existing animal welfare programs and advocacy groups nationwide that encourage adoption of animals as well as spaying and neutering programs. The primary outreach of TIN is through the media and public outreach programs like the Great American Mutt Contest and other events. Their support is provided primarily through donations from private individuals plus special grants from organizations, corporations and foundations. From this year's record 1,500 entries, just five very special canines have made it to the final round .... and now it's up to the dog-loving public to crown the winner. DON"T DELAY .... VOTE NOW. DEADLINE FOR VOTING IS DECEMBER 15. Oh, and don't forego reading each of their stories. It's something you will not regret ... or forget. LINKS: top  RECIPE OF THE MONTH ... PUMPKIN SPICE COOKIES Recipe compliments of Flint River Ranch Dog Food. Ingredients: Mix pumpkin, egg, molasses and olive oil in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the stevia powder, pumpkin pie spice and flour. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until completely mixed (you want it to form a stiff ball of dough). You may need to adjust the amount of flour to get the right consistency. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface until it is approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut into cute shapes with the cookie cutter of your choice and bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. For a softer cookie, remove immediately, cool, then refrigerate in an air tight container. For a crisp cookie, turn off the oven and leave the cookies in it for an hour or two before refrigerating in an air tight container. top  WINTER PET CARE TIPSHOUSING It is best to keep pets indoors during the winter months, but if this is not possible, outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet, and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water; thermal units designed specifically for this purpose are readily available. Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm. Feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor. ROAMING CATS Roaming cats, as well as house pets and wildlife, may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside. FROSTBITE AND SNOW REMOVAL SALT Snow and salt should be removed from your pets paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care. Snow removal products should be stored out of the reach of pets and small children as their toxicity varies considerably. TOXIC PLANTS AND HOLIDAY/WINTER PRODUCTS Plants and other items associated with the winter and holiday season can be toxic to your pets. What follows is a general guide. Please consult your veterinarian, animal poison control, and the manufacturer for specifics. Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the better for your pet!
OTHER HOLIDAY CONCERNS If you plan to take your pet with you during holiday visits, make sure that your pet is welcome first (with all the activity, it may be better to board your pet or hire a pet sitter). Holiday treats, such as rich, fatty food scraps, bones from fish, pork, and poultry, alcoholic beverages, and chocolate, can be harmful or toxic to pets. Do not allow friends and relatives to give your pet special treats it could ruin everyone's holiday (including your veterinarian's). Do not allow pets to play with ribbons, yarn, or six-pack beverage holders and don't put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck. If you want to decorate your pet, invest in a holiday collar. These last for many years, are more attractive, and are a lot safer! Cover or tack down electrical cords. SOURCE: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) top  PET ASTROLOGY - SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21 Sagittarian dogs know how to have fun! They go with the flow and are not usually problematic. they love other animals and humans; they love to travel; they love the outdoors. Even thought they love running in the woods, they are equally as comfortable being left at home. Active and intelligent, they can be clumsy and are very lucky in life. top  REFLECTION FOR THE MONTH What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. --Agnes M. Pharo Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day. --Helen Steiner Rice Happy Holidays from our Animal House to yours. top Each month Animal House & Co. sends out an email notice announcing that the Newsletter is on site and ready for viewing. If you would like to be added to our Email list just go to the Contact Us page and send us your email address ... it's that simple. The list is proprietary and confidential - we do not sell or give out email addresses. Thanks for reading and remember ... feedback is always appreciated. Editor: Sharon A. Eckenrode Janes, President |
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