Paw Print

I’ve been infatuated with Samson since his mother Felix was on baby watch, I diligently followed the arrival and naming of Samson and took in every bit of information I could find.  Of course the highlight for me was visiting Samson when he was just three months old and speaking with the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore curator Mike McClure - I was undoubtedly more excited than any of the children visiting.  One of the challenges Mike McClure told us about on our visit was keeping Samson from eating sand (which he wanted to do to help grind in his gums due to teething), apparently that is still something to watch since he is still teething and x-rays showed some sand in his digestive track but not enough to worry about.  Other than a little sand in the belly, Samson is a curious calf that is learning to talk.  On July 30th, Samson “let out his first real elephant trumpet, “ when asked how it sounded Mike McClure said, “ridiculous...I’m used to the big ones.  To hear it from someone his size was just silly.  But I was very proud of the boy.” Aahhh!
Samson also communicates with his mother with infra-sound ( a vibration) heard only by elephants and a voice that is audible to humans -
a deep growl or rumble.  Samson is now five months old and weighing in at a slim 590 lbs., a long way to go to momma Felix’s weight of 7200 lbs.  However, Samson is gaining two lbs. a day from mother’s milk, and he won’t stop nursing for three to five years! 
As the zoo veterinarian and zoo curator continue to monitor Samson’s progress it great to hear “he has been a very healthy calf.”
And, oh so cute!  If you have not visited the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to see Samson and the other great animals please do,
you’ll be glad you did!  http://www.marylandzoo.org/blogs/index.aspx?BlogID=3

How many of us are guilty of over-feeding our pets, after reading this I know I am!  I’ve had Ryder my 10 year old puppy on the new canine diet medicine Slentrol for several months to get a few extra pounds off of him and it works.

Maryland-bound Pet Obesity Awareness Tour Aims to Turn Fat Pets Fit

Think slipping your beagle a 1-oz. cube of cheese is no big deal? Think again.
That seemingly benign treat is the equivalent of 2 ½ hamburgers to humans!

From August 28-September 1, Baltimore-area pet owners can learn more about pet obesity through the PetFit Tour, a mobile resource visiting the Maryland State Fair and Baltimore-area animal hospitals to raise awareness of the health risks associated with pet obesity, the importance of veterinary visits, feeding the right nutrition, and encouraging pet owners to increase playtime with their pets.

Located at the Maryland State Fair, PetFit tour volunteers will be on hand to lead interactive exhibits such as the “Treat Translator,” which gives pet owners a better sense of the health and nutritional consequences of common snacks given to our dogs and cats. Weighted vests that simulate just how much those extra few pounds on your dog would feel on you are also part of the experience.

Small animal veterinarian Dr. Heidi Hulon and her canine companion will be in town on Wednesday, August 28, and available for interview about the PetFit tour and pet obesity. Dr. Hulon will be able to demonstrate some of the interactive features that the public can later experience at the Maryland State Fair.

The PetFit Tour is part of the Alliance for Healthier Pets: Obesity Awareness Program, developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

“The purpose of this Alliance is to provide veterinary health care team members with creative tools that will assist them in educating their clients,” said Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, president of the AVMA. “Through the adoption of proper nutrition, increased physical activity and regular veterinary visits, owners can help their best friends live longer and healthier lives.”

The emphasis will be directed at promoting positive weight management behaviors by combining veterinary health care team communication and pet owner compliance, proper nutrition, daily fitness and regular weight examinations.

“Pet obesity continues to be a condition more veterinary health care teams find during pet examinations, and there is a need to help owners understand the ramifications,” said Christine Jenkins, DVM, DACVIM, director of Academic Affairs at Hill’s. “We are excited to team up with the AVMA to help impact the lives of pets in need of a weight lifestyle change.”

The Oversized Truth
A weight management study concluded that compared with cats of optimal weight, obese cats are more than twice as likely to develop skin conditions, four times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus and five times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary treatment.3 Likewise, another study showed that dogs fed to maintain an ideal weight can live longer, healthier lives.

“If we are to truly help the pets we love who suffer from obesity, the time is now,” said Janet Donlin, DVM, chief of Veterinary Business Channel at Hill’s. “As veterinary professionals, we have an obligation to do our part to help pet owners take steps toward forging a healthier tomorrow for their dogs and cats.”

How Fit is Your Pet?
The 2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit is now available for veterinary health care teams to utilize for their weight management efforts. The kit contains materials which can be used to help initiate dialog with pet owners regarding pet obesity and how to help pets lose weight.

Veterinary health care teams can request their Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit and learn more about the PetFit Challenge and PetFit Tour by calling 1-888-7-PETFIT or by visiting http://www.PetFit.com . PetFit.com also contains celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson’s fitness tips, information on the PetFit Tour’s full schedule, locations and times, success stories from past PetFit Challenge winners Milo and Pumpkin and will soon feature multimedia highlights of tour events as they become available.

Blogs can often be a discussion of one unless they include some element of controversy however, I’ve been fortunate that I have had several people give me feedback via email instead of using the comment field on the blog.  Unfortunately, when they are sent via email everyone does not get to share the message; I received the message and beautiful touching essay below, Dog Lessons, that must be shared!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, thank you for sharing Patricia. 

Dear Claudia,

I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for introducing me to Christian The Lion and Brutus, K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner. I’ve shared your blog with many of my students and friends and family. I teach creative writing at our local community college (HCC) and my students loved your stories. I recently wrote a story about a dog my son rescued. I submitted it to Angels On Earth (a Guidepost Publication). I’m sending along the essay - from one dog lover to another.
Thank you for the stories!

Dog Lessons

His name was Renegade and he had spent his life chained to a country tree. The large, male Rottweiler lived in a rough wooden dog house, had a couple of mismatched dirty bowls, and a dirt circle within which to exist. The rest of the yard and the house could have been a cliché Hollywood movie set; rusting cars, an old refrigerator, peeling paint and a crooked front porch. Sitting in my car the day of the rescue I couldn’t imagine why the dog couldn’t go into that house.

The dog and his story had come to the attention of my son Robert earlier that week. Robert told his younger brother Brian and they both told me. Brian was determined to give this dog a better home.  I thought the idea was a bad one. Six months earlier Brian had moved into a new apartment, had purchased new furniture and worked long hours. I was pretty sure this dog and imported Italian furniture weren’t going to be a good mix.

The dog’s bark was deep and bassy and meant to intimidate. He had a way of narrowing his eyes to show he meant to protect himself and his life. Personally I thought he was convincing. Apparently Brian saw something else. I looked back at the owner, an old guy standing on that falling down porch puffing on a cigarette and wondered why.

The scene unfolded. Brian had spent the last couple of minutes talking to the dog and then finally petting him. He was ready to take Renegade home and I watched in amazement as he took the logging chain off and then opened his car door. After a moments hesitation the dog climbed into the back seat, my son into the drivers seat and this mother’s heart climbed into her throat. It had never occurred to me that Brian would be turning his back on him so soon.

The plan was to immediately take the dog to a local vet who knew the circumstances of the visit. Shortly after following Brian and his dog into the exam room it became evident that Renegade was going to need more than a bath. Turns out he had allergies to everything from flies, grass, pollen, and chicken to all synthetic materials. He also had Lymes disease. His neck was chafed from the chain. Four hundred dollars and a couple of shots later the visit was over.

That Friday afternoon Renegade became Luxor. He was Brian’s first dog as an adult, my first grand-dog and the author of how to embrace second chances. There were a few difficulties in the beginning for this dog who had never been inside of a house; he didn’t understand carpet, cupboard doors, or steps. He was also sure he wasn’t going to get into that bathtub.

Later that night a freshly bathed, sweet smelling Luxor cried to go home. Too his old home.  But both young man and dog persevered until the morning Luxor finally heard his new name. Puzzled for just a moment this beautiful hazel-eyed dog seem to consider what was being offered and because Luxor was not only beautiful but also smarter than a whole lot of people he decided to accept the offer and trust his new master. Luxor was home. The struggles continued but so did the teachings.

Luxor quickly fell in love, first with Brian and then with life. Brian explained and Luxor listened. Together they went for morning and evening walks. Luxor found an old tennis ball and carried it home. Afternoons were for sitting on the deck, paws crossed and thinking. That year he had his picture taken with Santa.

Slowly he helped all of us look at life through his eyes. Old tennis balls were treasures if that’s what you believed.  And going to see a man in a red velvet suit meant first riding in a car. A car ride could turn an ordinary day into a fabulous one. And according to Luxor a visitor was deliriously exciting. The trash can however, held a special place in Luxor’s heart. He checked it daily for finds which he’d then stow in his crate. Perfectly good boxes and wax paper. You could just see the confusion in his face at the things we humans throw away.

Their world was perfect.

Then one day another dog, another male Rottweiler needed a home. Rocky had been abused and had many fears. And fear made Rocky aggressive at times. Brian was Rocky’s only hope. I was sure this adoption wasn’t going to work. Again Brian saw something I didn’t, couldn’t see. Luxor looked to his master for guidance as if asking, is he staying? The son, the master nodded yes and together Brian and Luxor rescued Rocky. The boys became best friends spending their days waiting for their favorite person to reappear. They went for walks and what a sight they were, two large good-looking Rottweilers side by side.

Luxor taught Rocky about his new life and they both went on the BARF diet. Meal time became an exciting event. They were sure their Master was the world’s greatest hunter. Together they went for car rides and Rocky calmed down. Luxor hurt his toe and Rocky, the student became Rocky the nurse. Carefully and thoroughly Rocky tended the wound until Luxor became weary and began hiding his foot.

Then one day when they were home alone Luxor said goodbye and Rocky became an only child. Together they mourned the irreplaceable Luxor. Was it a heart attack? His end remains a mystery but his message continues, treasures are in the eye of the beholder, be careful what you throw away, visitors are always welcomed and car rides can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one!

I think I’m almost recovered from Christian the Lion entry I posted in July “Love has NO Boundaries” or at least I can think about it and not choke up.  It is such a beautiful heart-warming bond between human and animal, I"ve been fortunate to bond with animals in this way (although never owned a lion!) however, it breaks my heart to know that there are people all over the world that have never had the opportunity to experience such a bond of love, respect and trust.  When you get right to it, there are a lot of humans who have not had the opportunity to have love, trust and respect with other humans, including their parents—this is absolutely tragic, and, a soapbox for another blog.
Christian’s YouTube video lead the way for many other Lion experiences to surface, I’d like to share another one that was sent to me.
No need for tissues on this one, just a warm place in your heart.  Enjoy!
If you have seen a particularly touching video or story please share with me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bicIwwQhNtc&feature=related

In a recent copy of Healthy Pet magazine I received from my vet, Dr. Evan Feinberg indicating
it was time for Tahoe’s heart worm blood test, this article caught my eye, “Cool Cats Go To School”. 
They caught me with the headline but then continued to engage me with the subhead, “Training isn’t just for dogs anymore”. 
Not to be a skeptic but, don’t cats really do as they please, when they please, no matter what?

What It’s About?  Kersti Seksel, an Australian veterinary behaviorist began the kitten kindergarten
concept more than a decade ago.  She began offering classes she called “kitty kindy,”
classes exclusively for kittens between 7 and 14 weeks of age.  In just a two-to-four week program,
they teach owners about what normal cat behavior is, how to correct problems before they
become permanent ones, and how to play and interact properly with their fast-growing kittens.

As a owner of a 20 year old cat, Coby, I find this intriguing and am certain if I had taken Coby to kitty
kindergarten when she was a kitten we both would have enjoyed the first 12 years co-existing much more!

Coby is a female tortoise and couldn’t be bothered for the first 12 years with anyone except the critters
outside she’d catch and eat.  Holding her was impossible, petting her was at your own risk - you had to
know when to withdraw or she would draw blood with that quick swat - and yes, as an outdoor cat she has her claws - ouch!

In the more recent years, Coby now 20, has mellowed considerably and has become very talkative, nice lap cat whenever
she can get past my protector canine, Ryder.  Would I have benefited in the first 12 years with kitty kindy, I’m sure!

Little did I know the You Tube clip I posted more than a week ago would get the national talk show coverage it did this week.  I’m not surprised that the amazingly touching video with Whitney Houston’s killer song from the Body Guard on You Tube got the recognition it did but, I was surprised it all happened within the same week, the story and video were from the 60’s!  Much to my surprise one evening I heard in the background a mention of “coming up next,” on Entertainment Tonight, Christian the Lion, which stopped me in my tracks until it came on and again, I choked up.  Then a few friends told me the ladies on The View had discussed it and the following morning on the Today Show!!!  If you didn’t see the full You Tube clip please scroll down to my last entry Love has NO Boundaries, turn up the sound and enjoy.  Christian and his adoptive parents truly experienced a remarkable beautiful story, I’m glad they are making the rounds on TV!

A friend of mine sent me the YouTube link below with no other explanation but subject line:  for your blog. 
So amongst many mundane emails, I opened and viewed this one on my Blackberry and within moments I realized
I had stopped breathing and felt myself tearing up. This is a beautiful compassionate glimpse of love that has no boundaries. 
After viewing and regaining my composure I replied to my friend the best I could,
“WOW!  It made me cry,” and her response to that was, “it made me cry too.”
This video of Christian the Lion, is so touching you can’t help but be filled with emotion particularly if you are an animal lover
and have experienced the ultimate bond and love of an animal.
Before posting this entry I viewed it again and I had the exact reaction, please view while I go get a tissue. 
Let me know if you had the same response or a different reaction—it’s truly A Moment of Love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U Make sure to have your sound ON!

The K9 Congressional Honor Medal Winner is named Brutus,
a military K9 at McChord.  He’s huge - part Boxer and part
British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs.

Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq .
His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents.

Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal
that meant ‘go away but come back and find me’.
The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat
out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door.
He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened.
He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped.

He’s the first K9 to receive this honor.

If he knows you’re OK, he’s a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats.

His handler took the picture. “Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he’s slobbering away!
I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn’t stop, but he did.”

As if the frequent thunderstorms in June were not enough, now fireworks.  With July 4th falling on a Friday this year I would
guess we have the opportunity to hear some variation of fireworks Thursday night through Sunday—oh what joy.

Get out the Zanax for the dogs!
Lock the gates in your yard to assure the dog doesn’t bolt at the first neighborhood cherry bomb or local firework display!
Just a few of the many things to think of before enjoying the fireworks, comfort and protect your pet.

I have two dogs, one is scared to death of thunder and fireworks and the other one could not care less—why is that?
Actually Tahoe, the frightened dog should have been a meteorolgogist, he can forecast a storm coming much better than
the human meteorologists that have a 50/50 chance of accuracy. 

Do your dog a favor, keep them indoors if they are frightened so they don’t bolt and become a LOST DOG poster victim all over
the neighborhood.  And if you have an anti-anxiety medication for them, administer it early enough to give them some comfort.

Just as I was wondering last in this space-- where, oh where, have the lightning bugs gone? I am passed a clipping out Parade magazine
distributed in the Sunday paper for further explanation and who knew?

A reader asks this question to Ask Marilyn:  “I see fireflies in June, they they are gone.  Where do they come from, and where do they go?”

Marilyn replies:  “Fireflies (also called lightning bugs) spend a long time developing into adults who live only a few weeks. 
Many adults don’t even eat.  So what do they do with their limited time?  Reproduce:  females lay their eggs, and most larvae hatch within a month. 
(The larvae is ofter called glow worms.) The larvae feed until fall, when they burrow underground for the winter.
(Some remain there for two to three years.) They surface in early spring, eat until late spring, and then go through their grand metamorphosis,
emerging as adults to light up your backyard for a short time in early summer.

Since today is the last day of June I thought it important to share this information on the so called June firefly lightning bugs! 
This doesn’t really explain why there have been so few this month but it does provide some insight to the short life of a firefly,
appreciate them more next time you see one light the sky!