This week’s Mystery Photo
Where is this?
Can you tell us where this is located? Drop us a line at mail@sjindy.com.
206 N. Ottawa St.
The current owners are George and Dora Sakalas. Previous owners include Scott Mailand, M. Reynolds and S. McPherson, and Michelle Reynolds and Schueller. The Richard Foster family lived there in the 1960s.
A Look Back – Commercial Recreation Softball League
by Barry Bauer
Without a cutline I have to assume these are ball players from a Commercial Recreation Softball League sometime in the 1960s. The players are wearing names of their team sponsors such as Schmitt Electric, Clinton Tool & Engr, Co-op St. Johns, Road House, Osgood, and F-M Rec Fund.
Identified standing left to right: unidentified, Mike Hatta, unidentified, ? Paksi, Morris Sharick, Jerry Sharick, and unidentified.
Squatting left to right: Denny Morrison, unidentified, unidentified, Jim Graham, Bob Paksi, and unidentified.
Benny and Jessie’s Pet Info – How to Exercise with Your Dog
Though it may seem like your four-legged friend loves nothing more than to nap on the couch, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy just like people do. From long evening walks to a daily game of fetch, starting a fitness routine with your pup — combined with feeding them a well-balanced, nutritious diet — will keep them happy and healthy for years to come.
Benefits of Exercise
Similar to people, one of the main health risks associated with a lack of exercise in dogs is obesity, says Susan O’Bell, DVM at the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. Dr. O’Bell also notes that dogs that go without regular exercise may be prone to a variety of behavioral issues, including destructive behaviors like barking, digging or chewing. Aside from preventing these issues, providing your dog with regular exercise supports healthy aging by easing chronic symptoms and allows them to be social and explore their environment.
“Many dog owners report that their dogs seem to be better behaved when they receive adequate daily exercise,” according to Dr. O’Bell. “Additionally, at least one study has shown that dogs who have hip dysplasia show less lameness if they have longer duration of exercise throughout the day.”
When to Start Exercising Your Dog
While it’s important to have your dog exercise throughout his or her life, you’ll want to keep in mind their life stage and fitness level before starting an exercise routine. Puppies under the age of three months, for example, should have off-leash time on soft surfaces such as grass or carpeting; stairs, meanwhile, should only be used sparingly. In fact, Dr. O’Bell points out that retrospective studies have shown use of stairs by puppies at this age may be a risk factor for future development of hip dysplasia in certain breeds. She also recommends saving long runs with your pup until they’re a bit older — between 10 and 12 months of age — to ensure their growth plates have closed.
Finding the Right Exercise Routine for Your Dog
The best kind and amount of exercise for dogs will vary greatly, depending on the dog’s age, breed, and physical condition. Consult a veterinarian to devise the safest routine for your dog, especially with senior dogs, overweight dogs, or brachycephalic dog breeds like English Bulldogs, which are prone to overheating — particularly in warm weather.
There is, however, one type of exercise that both you and your dog can benefit from immediately: multiple walks outdoors every day. “Unless a veterinarian has told you otherwise,” Dr. O’Bell says, “pet owners shouldn’t underestimate the power of briskly paced walks throughout the day.”
Additional forms of daily activity can include swimming, a game of fetch and mental exercise such as food puzzles or basic obedience training. Agility training and competitive events can also be beneficial forms of exercise, but only if you’ve done your homework. “Owners should take time to educate themselves on what agility or other dog sports entail,” says Dr. O’Bell. “…and should participate in gradual training programs, as one would with any sport.”
Lastly, coordinate with a veterinarian on a balanced diet that is appropriate for the exercise routine your dog is about to undertake. This will help boost your dog’s energy level and, if weight loss is also a goal, assist in shedding the excess fat. Now get out there and start exercising with your dog.
Letters – Thanks to Greenbush residents
A heartfelt Thank-You to the residents of Greenbush Township who supported and voted for positive change in our Township. Your vote will not go unnoticed; and we the new board, Lee Thelen, Ramona Smith, Denise Roof, Kyle Graham and Larry Kindal are looking forward to representing you, our residents, in good faith and loyalty along with a great bond of friendship. Many thanks again.
Greenbush Township Board
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Best Ways to Give Your Cat Medicine
Medicating a cat is sometimes one of the most challenging tasks a cat owner must face. But with a little advance preparation, it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Before you attempt to medicate your cat, get all your supplies together. Have the medication handy, along with a treat to make the experience more pleasant for your cat, and a towel for wrapping your cat if necessary.
To give a liquid medication, place your cat on a flat surface, facing away from you with his hindquarters against your body. You should already have the medication drawn up into a dosing syringe. Use your free hand to tilt your cat’s head up slightly. Place the tip of syringe in the back corner of your cat’s mouth, squirting the medication in the space between the cheek and gums. Be sure to reward your cat with a favorite treat afterward.
To give a pill or capsule, hold your cat in the same position you would to give a liquid. Using one hand, steady your cat’s head and tilt it slightly upward. Grasp the pill or capsule between your thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand. Use your middle finger to open your cat’s mouth and slide the pill down the center of the tongue to the back of the mouth, getting the pill as far back into their mouth as possible. It may also be helpful for less cooperative cats, to firmly hold your cat’s scruff while administering the pill.
Alternatively, you can use a pill gun or pill popper (a device used to hold the pill or capsule and place it in the mouth), again placing the medication on the tongue at the back of your cat’s mouth. Continue to hold your cat’s head in a slightly tilted position with the mouth closed until you see your cat swallow. Follow the pilling procedure with a treat for your cat.
If your cat struggles and attempts to scratch, wrap a thick towel around your cat’s neck and front legs to protect yourself from your cat’s claws.
If medicating your cat is difficult, you may try hiding your cat’s medication in food. Liquid medication can be mixed in with wet food or with gravy or tuna juice. Check with your veterinarian first though, to be sure that this will not affect the efficacy of the medication.
For pills or capsules, you can purchase pill pockets which can be used to hide a pill or capsule inside. The pill pocket with the medication inside is then offered as a treat. Alternatively, you can try making your own pill pocket by wrapping the pill or capsule in a bit of cheese or inside of a ball of canned food. However, many cats will simply nibble around the medication, rather than actually taking the medication. If your cat does this, you will need to either manually medicate your cat or find another alternative.
In many situations, there may be other alternatives available. Many medications can be compounded, producing a liquid with a pleasant flavor. This allows cats that are either unwilling or unable to take medication other ways, to still get their medication. There are special compounding pharmacies that can do this if your veterinarian is unable to formulate the flavored medication in the hospital.
Some medications are also available as a transdermal gel, or can be compounded into one. This special medicated gel is able to be absorbed through the skin rather than requiring oral administration. Typically, these medications are applied to the inside of the tip of the ear. Methimazole, a medication frequently used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats, is frequently dosed as a transdermal gel.
Transdermal patches are another alternative that may be an option with some medications. These are patches with medication embedded in them that are affixed directly to the skin. The medication is then released from the patch through the skin in a time-released manner. Fentanyl, a potent pain reliever, is often dosed as a patch.
Unfortunately, not all medications lend themselves well to transdermal applications. However, your veterinarian will be able to help you choose a medication delivery system that is manageable for you and can also demonstrate how to go about medicating your cat.