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The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)
www.pawfriendly.com (Pet care directory)
November 2009
This newsletter is available by subscription only. To
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PET QUOTES
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"No animal I know of can consistently be more of a friend
and companion than a dog." (Stanley Leinwoll)
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." (Unknown)
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Featured Story: BE MY MAMA
Source: PawFriendly.com - Pet Stories
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"I was in Louisiana. I had just lost my beloved cat of
19 years and was in mourning. I had a large, large yard...
about the size of a football field with a 4-foot chain
link fence. For 5 months I was feeding 3 feral cats,
one mother cat and her two babies. I had been trying
unsuccessfully to capture them to take them to vets
and a no-kill facility to be adopted.
One lovely summer afternoon, I was sitting in a chair
in my yard reading when one of the little ones, a tiny
little thing, began to climb the fence! I was stunned.
I watched as she struggled to get over the huge fence,
falling down several times until she reached the top
and fell over on my side of the fence. I did not move!
She began to 'waddle' toward me, looking right at me.
About halfway across this long journey for her, she
stopped, turned back, and looked at her mother and
sibling - as if to say 'goodbye'. They were watching
her in stunned silence as she chose to leave her wild
family and enter into domestication with a human! What
a decision!
She reached me and began to circle me. She did this
for about 30 minutes as I spoke gently to her. She then
jumped in my lap and began to lick my face! I kept her,
needless to say, and she has been my wonderful little
"wildcat" ever since. She chose to leave her feral
existence and adopt ME. This is very unusual for a
feral cat. She is an amazingly smart and loyal cat...
my best friend.
______________________
Story by Patricia Langston/Moran - Pittsburgh, PA
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PHOTOS FROM PROUD PET PARENTS
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"My loyal and trusty Shih Tzu cross named Boo. He was adopted at the age of 7.
Now he is 13 and a very important part of our family. For anyone that wonders about adopting
- 'saving' a pet, at an older age, it is definitely worth it. Boo has brought so much joy to
our lives."
- Susan
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"This is my daughter's cat Max, he is enjoying his own space."
- Susan P. from Iroquois, Ontario
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Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos!
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MANAGING DEAF DOG PROBLEMS & BEHAVIOR ISSUES
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Some dogs are born without hearing, while others lose
their hearing later in life. Deaf dog problems are to
be expected with this unique situation - but these dogs
still make loving and excellent pets for the informed
owner. Fortunately, there is lots of help available
from dog trainers, other pet owners, and even from
veterinarians and counsellors at pet rescue organizations
(there are even rescues devoted solely to finding homes
for deaf dogs!).
MANAGING BEHAVIOR "ISSUES":
Many of these "problems" aren't really problems, but
instead they just require a new way of thinking and
adjusting to living with a deaf dog. Likewise, several
of these issues are very similar to those you would
encounter with a hearing dog - with just slight
adjustments for a deaf dog.
- Since the dog cannot hear, they cannot respond to
verbal commands. Hand signals, body posture, and
visual cues are used to signal deaf dogs and
indicate to them what you want them to do.
Most dogs will look back at their owners, "checking
in", in a sense. A well-trained deaf dog is no more
likely to misbehave than a well-trained hearing dog.
Because humans are accustomed to using speech as a
communication tool, owners of deaf dogs need to be
"trained" themselves in how to communicate with
their dogs.
- Be compassionate when approaching a deaf dog, and
alert them of your presence. Just like a hearing
dog can be surprised, so too can a deaf dog - perhaps
more so because they don't have the benefit of sound.
You can simply wait until the dog turns towards you;
or flip a light switch on/off; put your hand near a
sleeping dog to let him sense you while he awakes;
or use any other signal.
That doesn't mean a deaf dog is more prone to acting
aggressively by snapping or biting. Hearing dogs get
startled too, and they usually do not respond by biting.
Most dogs, deaf or hearing, will show normal startle
reactions ranging from "jumping" if you really startle
him, or simply turning and looking at you, as if to
inquire what you want.
- If you have children, you will need to teach your
children how to approach a deaf dog as well as how to
"call" him using the same visual cues you use. Just
like with hearing dogs, it's important to teach kids
to treat animals with respect and to supervise pets
and children when they are together.
- Supervise your deaf dog. Although this should go without
saying, anytime you are in an area where there are cars
or other dangers, keep your dog on leash - whether your
dog is hearing or deaf. Even hearing dogs do not
automatically know that cars represent danger (that's
why so many are injured or killed every year)! But with
deaf dogs, it can be a bit more of a challenge since
you can't yell a command if he gets loose. Good
obedience training is a must for every dog.
Be prepared to deal with a few adjustments and you will
be rewarded with a well-adjusted, loving and devoted
companion. Talk to the adoption counsellor at the animal
shelter, to the vet, to other people with deaf dogs (most
will attest to the fact that their dogs are excellent
pets). The more you know, the better prepared you will be.
Deaf dogs can lead happy and normal lives - and enrich
yours!
___________________________
Article courtesy of ScamperingPaws.com,
a collection of tips and articles on dog training,
health, and behavior.
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UPCOMING PET EVENTS
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- Friday, November 6, 2009: Calgary, Alberta --
the Calgary Humane Society's Cocktail for Critters offers
an evening of people and pet art and fashion. Help the CHS
design and build an outdoor play environment where animals
can enjoy sunshine, fresh air, exercise, socialization and training!
More info
- Saturday, November 21, 2009: Winnipeg, Manitoba --
The Winnipeg Humane Society is hosting Shaggy Chic at
The Fairmont Winnipeg. Join us for an elegant evening
of dinning and dancing to the likes of Ron Paley and
Band at the one and only Bow Wow Ball.
More info
If your non-profit pet organization is holding an event,
please send us the details!
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