BY Jennifer Holland

Written by National Geographic magazine writer Jennifer Holland, Unlikely Friendships documents one heartwarming tale after another of animals who, with nothing else in common, bond in the most unexpected ways. There is the story of a cat and a bird, a mare and a fawn, and an elephant and a sheep to name a few.  The well-documented stories of Koko the gorilla and All Ball the kitten as well as the hippo Owen and the tortoise Mzee, collectively show us that connections can be forged in the most unlikely ways. Almost inexplicable stories of predators befriending prey—an Indian leopard slips into a village every night to sleep with a calf; a snake and a hamster unite.  Ms. Holland narrates the details of each story, and also offers insights into why these unlikely bonds developed. The maternal need to mother or to be mothered underlies the leopard’s and calf’s story as is true with the lioness and the oryx.  In the story of Kizzy, a nervous retired Greyhound, and Murphy, a red tabby, we see how cats and dogs actually understand each other’s body language. With Murphy’s friendship and support, Kizzy recovered from life as a racing dog and became a confident, loyal family pet.

These are the most amazing friendships between species, collected from around the world and documented in a selection of full-color candid photographs.

Q: How do you make milk shake?
A: Give it a good scare!

Q: How do you divide 20 potatoes among 6 people?
A: Boil them and mash them!

Q: What color is a hiccup?
A: Burple!

Q: What did baby corn say to mommy corn?
A: Where’s popcorn?

Q: Why did the tomato blush?
A: Because it saw the salad dressing!

Q: Why is a tomato round and red?
A: Because if it was long and green it would be a cucumber!

Q: How do you make an apple puff?
A: Chase it round the kitchen!

Even a Little Snack can be a Big Problem

Do not feed table scraps to your pet — especially when your
pet is trying to lose weight. Take a look at these unhealthy snacks and what it
would mean in human terms.

Treat Translator

Craft of the Month!

Pet Portfolio

Materials

• 4 sheets of card stock

• X-acto utility knife or scissors

• Metal ruler

• Glue stick

• Butter knife

• Ribbon 1″ wide (at least 24″ long)

• Clear nail polish

Instructions

1. Print all pages on card stock. Set aside to dry completely.

2. Score the middle of each page. To do this, lay a ruler along the red dotted lines and run a butter knife along the ruler, using medium pressure, to create an indentation on the paper. (The cover page requires two scored lines to create a wider spine. Carefully fold on the scores using the metal ruler as a guide if needed.)

3. Cut out each page along the black dotted lines.

4. Fold each page so that the art is on the inside.

5. Fasten the book together by gluing the right back side of the first page to the left back side of the second page. Repeat this step with page three (see diagram).

6. Put glue on the entire blank side of the cover page. Then, place the ribbon horizontally in the center of the page, keeping equal amounts of ribbon at each end. Glue the blank side of the booklet to the blank side of the cover page. Set aside to dry completely.

7. Trim the ribbon ends and dab them with clear nail polish to prevent fraying.

8. Fill in the pages of your pet portfolio, tie it with the ribbon, and keep it in a convenient place.

For the remaining assembly steps click the link:

http://www.hp.com/hho/hp_create/media/downloads/Pet_Portfolio.pdf

What are the Signs of an Overweight Cat?		What are the Signs of an Overweight Dog?

SHAPE UP FOR BETTER HEALTH: PLAY MORE WITH YOUR PETS!

5 Tips for a Tip Top Shape Pet

	#1. PLAY with your pets! That’s an easy one.
	#2. MEASURE your pet’s food. Use a measuring cup and give your pet just the right amount of food for the size and breed of your pet.
	#3. WALK your dog outside; WALK along with your cat indoors. Have a pet, other than a cat or dog? Ask your veterinarian about the type of exercise your pet may need!
	#4. TREAT your pet ONLY with low calorie healthy treats. Ask your mom or dad to tell you what healthy treats you have for your pets.
	#5. LOVE your pets with lots of petting, hugs, kind words and a safe home. A pet that is LOVED will be happy to be with you!

Here are some additional activities and information about keeping your pet fit!

The Morning Walk-
http://petgames.my-pet-care.com/dog-games/morning-walk.html

]]> http://wignall.com/2013/05/01/may-kids-corner-education/feed/ 0 http://wignall.com/2013/05/01/weight-management/ http://wignall.com/2013/05/01/weight-management/#comments Wed, 01 May 2013 11:10:53 +0000 Scott - Web Admin http://web4.lifelearn.com/wignallah/?p=7143 YOU AND YOUR PETS:
STAYING FIT TOGETHER

Every May, we turn our attention to getting in shape for summer,
but why not help our pets get in shape too?

The Centers for Disease Control estimate that 65% of American adults are overweight, while 50% of American pets are overweight as well.  Excess weight is a direct result from eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise. Obesity in companion animals is one of the leading health concerns of veterinarians because excessive weight has the same consequences in pets, as it does in humans.

Pet health risks associated with being overweight are:

-   Osteoarthritis
-   Diabetes
-   High Blood Pressure
-   Heart and Respiratory Disease
-   Increased Surgical and Anesthetic Risk
-   Damage to Joints and Ligaments
-   Decreased quality of life
-   Digestive Disorders
-   Heat Intolerance
-   Kidney Disease
-   Decreased Life Expectancy (up to 2.5 years)

Want to know how your pet weighs in on health risks?  Take a look at this interactive tool to see how just a small amount of excess weight on your pet compares to that of humans.

 Get Started

Your veterinarian is very knowledgeable about what is the ideal weight for your pet and can help you set a plan to achieve a healthier life style for your pet if necessary. Working with your pet’s doctors will help you to better understand your pet’s specific dietary and exercise needs.

The following questions will help you and your pet  begin your “Staying Fit Together” journey:

1. What is a target weight for my pet?
   1. Learn to feed your pet according to their target weight and not their current weight.
   2. What nutritional guidelines are recommended for my pet?
      1. Learn about Hill’s^® Prescription Metabolic Diet for weight management.
      2. Ask your veterinarian if this diet is right for your pet.
      3. What exercise program should I follow to help reach my pet’s target weight?
         1. Discuss how you and your pet can share an exercise routine that will not only be good for your pet’s waistline, but also enhance the bonding time you and your pet share.

Reward yourself and your pet.

Maintaining a healthy weight is an essential aspect of your pet’s overall health, which is why we want to reward the effort!  When you bring your pet in for an appointment or just come in for a weight check during the month of May, we will treat him or her to one of our FREE special stuffed pet toys.  After all, playing is a form of exercise and fun!

Tips and Tools 

Weight Check Tool                                                                     Exercise Tips

Food Calorie Chart                                                      Weight Tracking Chart

Success Stories

Blue

What are the causes of pet obesity?

Over-feeding and sedentary lifestyle are the obvious contributors to pet obesity. However, the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention has found that pet owner awareness is also a major issue. Many pet owners do not recognize when their pet is overweight. In their most recent survey, the APOP found that approximately 45 percent of cat and dog owners assessed their pets as having a normal body weight when the veterinarian assessed the pets to be overweight or even obese. Many pet owners are surprised when their veterinarian informs them their pet needs to lose weight. APOP calls this phenomenon of incorrectly evaluating an overweight pet as normal “the fat gap”, the disparity between reality and perception. In the simplest terms, our society has normalized overweight pets.

What are the health effects of pet obesity?

The increased rate of pet obesity is taking a terrible toll on our animals’ health. There is a vast population of overweight cats and dogs facing an epidemic of diabetes, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, orthopedic injuries, osteoarthritis, respiratory disorders, and various forms of cancer. In fact, a 2005 study 2 found that lean dogs lived almost two years longer than their overweight counterparts.

As pet owners, we have a special responsibility to keep our pets happy and healthy. They rely on us to provide them with an appropriate diet that will meet their nutritional needs while not turning them into couch potatoes. The best preventive measure a pet owner can make is to keep their dog or cat at a healthy weight. If you suspect that your pet may be overweight, ask your veterinarian to help you devise a diet and exercise plan. It is always possible to return your pet to a healthy weight and prevent or even reverse some medical conditions for which they are at risk.

www.petobesityprevention.com

Formerly known as “National Disabled Pets Day,” the day was renamed to project a more positive message to this special pet holiday. Just as many humans with disabilities want the focus to be on their abilities—the skills and attributes they possess—vs. their disabilities—this holiday celebrates the spirit of these unique pets. As with humans, animal disabilities take many different forms. For this reason, this special day is intended to acknowledge these brave animals, educate the public about their care and encourage adoption of disabled animals that may be living in a shelter.

According to Colleen Paige, the holiday’s founder, “pets that become challenged due to disease, birth flaws or injuries, tend to develop greater senses than your average pet.” To see some of these extraordinary specially-abled heroes, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYhRcFQSU-k, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=045F9_Oi_2M and learn more about National Specially-abled Pets Day. Check out www.facebook.com/pages/National -Disabled Pets Day.

 

MAY 5, 2013 – May 12, 2013 BE KIND TO ANIMALS WEEK

Be part of a celebration started by the American Humane Association (www.americanhumane.org) in 1915 to acknowledge the importance of the animals in our lives. The occasion encourages all of us, especially children, to treat animals with compassion and highlights ways in which we can continue to treat animals humanely. By instilling these values in early childhood, we create a life-long bond with animals that will promote our children’s’ development into animal-loving adults. Many think this is just what the world needs! The AHA uses this pet holiday to encourage public dialogue about the treatment of animals and recommends each of us get more involved with animal welfare issues. Here are some of the ways that we can do that now: become more informed about animal-related legislation, report animal abuse, create a wildlife-friendly environment in your yard, adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue and, of course, take great care of your own pets. To read more go to americanhumane.org/Be Kind to Animals Week.

 

MAY 19- 25, 2013 DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) brings dog bite prevention into focus each year in order to promote educational steps so that dog bites don’t become a national health crisis. May 19-May 25, 2013 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. It is incumbent on dog owners to understand why bites occur in order to help prevent them. Dog trainers, including popular television personalities like Victoria Stillwell and others, agree that behavioral issues with dogs are usually rooted in the way humans handle their pets. 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year with children and seniors the most common victims. Annually, we medically treat over 500,000 people for dog bites, so it’s important for you to become educated on what you can do to avoid such situations because proper socializing and training are paramount to safety for all.

Here’s what you can do:

#1 Carefully select a dog you adopt or purchase as a family pet. Don’t make an impulsive decision; rather carefully consider your personal lifestyle, the pet’s personality traits and the history of breed behavior to assure your pet selection is a perfect fit for you. Evaluate how the pet behaves around you and all family members—including your other pets!

#2 Train your new dog to behave as you wish him/her to behave as a member of your family! Seek professional advice from your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer if needed. Some dog trainers will provide a free consultation to assess your dog’s needs and create a training plan for you and your pet. The training plan should include all members of your family so that everyone handles your new dog in the same way. This gives your dog consistency, which is critical to a well behaved dog.

#3 Train your family to treat your dog and ALL DOGS with respect without intimidation, threats, teasing or highly excitable games that can become confusing to the dog. Rough play can escalate into biting without any advance notice.

#4 Handle strange dogs (any dog you have not been introduced to before) with CAUTION! Never leave a baby or young child alone with a dog; teach children of ALL ages to respect and to be careful around all pets. They should not approach, stroke, or reach through fences/windows/doors to touch someone else’s pets. They should ask the pet owner’s permission before petting any animal.

#5 Leash your dog. Most communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have leash laws which require this. Dogs can behave very differently in unfamiliar surroundings, especially in public where there is a tremendous amount of new and different stimulation from sounds, smells and sites that the dogs are not normally exposed to. This can lead to problematic behaviors which can be difficult for a dog owner to control. Using a leash helps to keep all dogs and people safe.

#6 Keep your pet healthy. To avoid a potentially problematic situation, pets should remain current on all annual vaccinations and physical exams. Too, we recommend you follow your veterinarian’s recommendations aimed at maximizing your pet’s health. A current rabies vaccination is required by Massachusetts and New Hampshire state laws. You may not realize that other dogs are not properly vaccinated for rabies which places you, your dog and your other family members at risk of rabies exposure should any of you come in contact with an unvaccinated dog.

#7 Remember: your dog is an animal! He/she is not a four-legged person with the same abilities to think, problem solve and make decisions like you. While we all love and adore our dogs—and make them a true member of our family in every way possible—we want to make sure that we always understand that a dog is a dog when it comes to situations that are out of control.

#8 Spay or Neuter your dog: According to the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA/avma.org), an unspayed female dog in “heat” may be more likely to fight with other female dogs, including female dogs in the household, and can be anxious and short-tempered as well. In addition, there are health risks for unspayed female dogs including uterine infections and breast cancer. Unneutered male dogs can become aggressive and be more likely to get into fights with other animals, causing injury to themselves, the other animals or people. Unneutered and unspayed dogs are more likely to roam and be hit by a motor vehicle, resulting in injury and/or death to the dog, as well as to the driver.

#9 Avoid bringing your dog into highly excitable or uncontrolled situations such as a dog park without fencing or an area where you see or hear dogs barking, fighting or playing without supervision. In addition, use caution if bringing your dog to a friend’s house where there are dogs unfamiliar to you or your pet or you are out in public with your pet unleashed. Highly excitable situations can trigger a reaction from fear in your dog that you did not expect. Once you enter into any of these situations with your dog, he/she may feel trapped, threatened, intimidated, afraid or angry, thereby leaving your pet unable to escape or incapable of avoiding an unpleasant outcome.

#10 Pay special attention to children and elderly family members. Make certain that neither is left alone with a dog. Both can be innocently knocked down and injured, and both are common victims of dog bites!

Resources for more information:

1-The Blue Dog Parent Guide and CD (AVMA)

2-Bilingual Dog Bite Prevention activity/coloring book (AVMA)

3-What you should know about dog bite prevention brochure (AVMA)

4-Victoria Stillwell Shares Tips to Stop Dogs from Biting (AVMA)

5-Handling an Injured Pet (AVMA)

6-Dog Bite Prevention: Sensible Advice (AVMA)

 

Monday, May 27, 2013, is Memorial Day in the United States. Always the last Monday in May, this American holiday honors military men and women who died while serving our country in all branches of our military. The original name for this holiday was Decoration Day, created after the Civil War to honor those who lost their lives during that engagement. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. While we often celebrate the holiday with outdoor activities with family, friends and pets, this holiday has a much more serious side; therefore we encourage you to take a few moments of silence to honor all of our soldiers past and present, but especially those who lost their lives for their country.

Dogs have been members of the military for years. They play a vital role in keeping our soldiers safe and over time, the canine soldiers’ presence has increased during periods of deployment. So, this holiday during your moment of remembrance, let’s also think about the many dogs who also lost their lives in combat, fighting alongside our human soldiers, both of whom put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and us. We should respect all the soldiers who serve our country so proudly.

Because maintaining a healthy weight is fundamentally important for your pet’s overall health, we want to reward you for it! When your pet weighs in at a healthy weight any time in May, we’ll treat him or her to one of our special treats to take home. After all, playing is a form of exercise so, help your pets maintain a healthy weight by playing with them as much as you can. Have fun!

Questions? Call us at 978-454-8272/978-454-0044 or email us at info@wignall.com.

The best way to assess if your pet is overweight is to take your pet for annual or biannual exams and ask your veterinarian if what is the ideal weight for my pet? Your veterinarian will give your pet a body condition score (BCS), which involves observation of your pet from above and from the side, as well as palpating over the ribcage. You should see a noticeable “waist” between the back of the rib cage and the hips when looking at your pet from above. Viewed from the side, there should be a “tuck” in the tummy, the abdomen should go up from the bottom of the rib cage to inside the thighs. Dogs who fail these simple tests may be overweight.

The body condition scoring is a scale from 1 to 9. A score of 5, means the pet is a normal weight. Overweight is a BCS score of 6 or higher and obese is 8 or higher. Once you have determined that your pet is overweight, the next step is devising a weight loss plan with your veterinarian. Your dog is meant to be at a healthy weight and you will see a difference in agility as the pounds come off and energy and vitality return.

Weight Loss Tips for Dogs

• Daily exercise is not only important for weight control, but also for optimizing the functioning of your pet’s health. Exercise keeps your dog’s muscles strong, strengthens the cardiovascular system and regulates metabolism.. Walking, running, playing catch or hide-and-seek and making play dates with other pets are all great ways of getting a dog moving. A healthy dog should get at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
• Knowing the correct serving size of food for your overweight dog is imperative for success. Companies often place information on labels or include charts on their web sites. Many variables, such as pet size, are factored into determining what is right for your pet; get advice from your veterinarian on how often and how much to feed your dog. Also be sure to discuss serving size as the items you use to measure out “a cup” are not all equal to a cup.
• We all sneak treats to our dogs, but an entire family is sneaking treats adds up quickly. Instead, create a snack bowl. Take a pre-measured amount of treats or a portion of your dog’s dinner rations (decrease dinner by the same amount), put it in the snack bowl, and have everyone in the family give your dog treats from there. When the snack bowl is empty, no more treats.
• Good low-calorie treats include small chunks of raw carrots, green beans or other vegetables. Stay away from toxic foods such as; onions, peppers, avocado, grapes, raisins, cherries, and prunes.
• Remember, your dog is much smaller than you are and require less calories. A one ounce block of cheese for a small dog is the equivalent to your eating an entire cheeseburger!

Weight Loss Tips for Cats

• While we may take our dogs out for a brisk walk or jog, our cats aren’t designed to perform that sort of activity well. Cats have short bursts of energy. Use feather toys, flashlights, laser pointers, paper bags or balls, anything that your cat finds interesting to chase. Try to engage your cat for ten minutes twice a day.
• Play “Find the Food”. Move the food bowl upstairs or downstairs and rotate it so that the cat always has to walk to get to its food bowl.
• Feed small meals frequently. Divide the total volume or calories into four to six smaller meals throughout the day. This way, your cat feels fuller longer.
• After you’ve put your cat on a weight loss program, it’s critical that you determine if it’s working for your cat. Bring your cat to the vet for regular weigh-ins.
• Remember, a 15 pound domestic short-haired cat is equal to a 5’4″ woman who weighs 218 pounds or a 5’9″ man who weighs 254 pounds. Check with your veterinarian for your cat’s goal weight and aim for a 2% per week weight loss. So, a 15 pound cat should be losing no more than 5 ounces per week or 1.2 pounds per month.