Memorial Day, 2018 – an album
SJHS Top Ten named
The St. Johns High School Class of 2018 will graduate on Friday evening, June 1.
A Look Back – Chamber of Commerce
by Barry Clark Bauer
Local businessmen and members of the Chamber of Commerce, Roger Beebee, Ron Huard, and Wayne Hicks, are holding a meeting at what looks like Daley’s Restaurant on S. US-27. The restaurant is now gone.
Roger is still in the insurance business, Ron retired from the newspaper business and a bank, and Wayne was employed at a local bank.
Bennie and Jessie’s Pet Info – Summer Animal Safety Tips for Beating the Heat
courtesy of Dr. Hanie Elfenbein, DVM
When summer temperatures start rising, it is important to keep animal safety on your mind. Higher temperatures pose all sorts of risks to your pets, so it is important to find ways to keep them cool.
Some dogs are more heat tolerant than others due to age, weight, breed and other health factors, so you should consider these factors when deciding how to ensure your pet’s safety in hot weather.
In-Home Animal Safety
As the heat intensifies, even indoor temperatures can rise to uncomfortable levels. The first important step of summertime animal safety is giving your pets access to plenty of clean, fresh water. Air temperature is the next consideration.
Some homes are well-insulated and don’t get much hotter as the day warms up. However, most require active cooling. Healthy dogs and cats can tolerate temperatures slightly warmer than most people find comfortable. But you may notice that they find the coldest spot in the house to nap—dogs often like to lie in front of the refrigerator, and cats might sleep under the bed or in a closet.
If your pet is home all day, your air conditioner should be set no higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Or, if you don’t have air conditioning, blinds should be shut and fans left on during the day.
Ceiling fans are the safest option, because curious pets can get themselves into trouble with fan blades. Kittens and puppies especially should not be left alone with floor fans. They can be kept safely inside a crate with a floor fan on the outside where they can’t reach it, but can still benefit from its cooling effect. In that case, do not aim the fan directly at the crate, but instead create airflow throughout the room.
Dog Cooling Vests and Mats
Dog-specific cooling products have also become available. Some require adding water or keeping the product in the refrigerator before making it available to your dog. The best ones, though, are the ones that require the least planning so that you are always ready to keep your dog cool.
Dog cooling vests work through evaporative cooling. Sweating is a natural type of evaporative cooling, but on their own, dogs can only stay cool by “sweating” through their paws and by panting. That’s where dog cooling vests come in. Some, like the TechNiche cooling coat, work by dunking the vest in water, wringing it out and putting it on. They release water through evaporation to help keep your pup cool throughout the day. Others, like the Ultra Paws Cool Coat, use dehydrated ice packs tucked into side pockets to provide relief from the heat.
Dog cooling vests are not substitutes for drinking water and providing shade and breaks from activity, but they may help your dog stay comfortable for longer. As with any dog clothing, getting the proper fit is important to ensure adequate contact and reduced friction that can lead to sores.
Dog cooling mats are also available for dogs, and they are typically made of a material that stays cool and becomes cool under pressure without needing electricity. However, many reviews complain about durability and longevity, so it’s best to do your homework before picking the mat that is right for your dog.
Vests and dog cooling mats that use refrigerated inserts may initially offer more cooling, but can’t be dunked in the pool or a lake to refresh them in the afternoon. Be sure not to put these inserts directly on your dog.
Keeping Pets Cool in the Car
Pets can make great road trip companions, but you have to plan ahead.
Bring a water bowl so you can fill it at every pit stop along the way. Dog cooling mats can also be brought along in the car and may offer a little extra cooling. However, it is not recommended to leave cooling mats in the car in the sun.
Not all cars have good airflow to the back seat or seat wells where your pet might spend the drive. If vents can’t be redirected, there are hoses available to make sure your pet gets their share of the air conditioning.
Most importantly, plan ahead and always consider your dog’s comfort in the heat. Summer is a great time to bring your dog on your adventures, so get out there, and be safe.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Bringing Home a Kitten to Meet Your Senior Cat
courtesy of Monica Weymouth
How do you introduce a human to a kitten? That’s easy: adopt a kitten, present the kitten, wait 10 seconds, then watch the human fall hopelessly in love.
But what about introducing cats to kittens? That, unfortunately, is a lot tougher. For all the many wonderful qualities that cats possess, they may not be so generous when it comes to sharing their space. If your resident feline is a senior cat, the process could be even more delicate—an older, established cat may be unnerved by a bouncy new roommate.
“Cats’ social structure is very different than ours—they’re solitary survivors, not pack animals,” says Dr. Liz Bales, a Philadelphia-based veterinarian who specializes in felines. “Cats in nature may live in social groups, but these are related groups of mothers and kittens. Cats are very territorial and are not innately programed to accept new cats into their territory.”
If you are thinking of adding a kitten to the family, follow these expert tips to ensure the comfort (and hopefully, approval) of your senior cat.
Carefully Consider Personality When You Adopt a Kitten
Many well-meaning cat parents assume a kitten will be good company for a senior kitty. But cats aren’t like people (or dogs, for that matter), and many prefer to spend their golden years alone.
“Really think about bringing a new kitten into your senior cat’s life,” cautions Dr. Bales, who notes that cat introductions have a 50 percent failure rate. “Most senior cats have some degree of arthritis, and prefer to move, groom and play on their own terms.”
If you do decide to adopt a kitten, try to select the most laid-back of the bunch. “If you find a very rambunctious kitten, which most of them are, then introducing this little ball of energy to your geriatric cat is not a wise idea,” cautions Dr. Jennifer Fry, a veterinarian in Berks County, Pennsylvania, who has eight cats of her own. “The kitten will want to play while the senior will just want to sit and enjoy the sunshine.”
Ideally, if you want two cats, both Dr. Bales and Dr. Fry recommend adopting littermates—the kittens will grow up as playmates and then grow old as like-minded friends.
Prepare Your Home Before Introducing Cats to Each Other
Before you bring home your kitten, you have some work to do. Keeping in mind that cats aren’t usually keen on sharing, plan to double all of your cat supplies. Dr. Fry recommends adding two more litter boxes (a general rule of thumb is one more cat litter box than the number of cats), extra scratching posts, an additional cat bed, double the amount of cat toys and a second set of food and water dishes in a separate feeding area.
While cats always enjoy vertical space, it’s especially helpful when introducing cats to each other. “Vertical space is very important to cats,” says Dr. Fry. “They like watching from above, so you should have a tall condo for each cat.” For additional spaces, consider cat window perches or wall shelves, keeping in mind that your senior cat may have trouble jumping and would appreciate some lower lookout points.
You’ll also want to prepare a temporary room for your kitten that has everything he’ll need (cat food, water, cat litter, toys, a bed, a scratching post and a cat tree) as you slowly work to introduce him into your home.
Week One: Take It Slow
When introducing cats to kittens, slow and steady (and then slow again) is the name of the game.
When you first adopt a kitten and bring him home, Dr. Bales recommends taking him straight to his own room and shutting the door. Let the kitten and resident cat sniff each other through the door, but not actually meet face to face. Once your cats seem relaxed, exchange beds so they can get acclimated to each other’s scent while still enjoying the comfort and safety of their own spaces. During this introduction period, which should last about a week, schedule plenty of time to play with both cats in their respective territories.
You can also discuss holistic calming options with your veterinarian prior to introducing cats to kittens, including calming treats and feline pheromone diffusers like the Feliway MultiCat pheromone diffuser. These types of diffusers may help with the transition for both the senior cat and kitten.
Week Two: Make the Introduction
After a week, Dr. Bales recommends putting a baby gate at the door to your kitten’s room and, while you supervise, allowing the cats to meet through the gate. If there are no signs of aggression, allow them to interact for 15 minutes while monitoring for signs of stress or aggression. If all goes well, increase the number of supervised visits until your cats are relaxed, happy and ready to be proper housemates. Still sensing some uneasiness? Reinstall the baby gate and work through the steps again.
Having a flat piece of cardboard nearby is also helpful during face-to-face introductions in case a fight occurs. Place the cardboard between the cats and avoid using your hands to separate them, as cat bites are very detrimental.
Above all, remember to be patient—introducing cats to kittens is a delicate process, and it can’t be rushed. “For the best chance of success, you are going to have to take your time,” says Dr. Bales.