{"id":8124,"date":"2017-10-19T20:57:33","date_gmt":"2017-10-20T00:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/miserybay.usanethosting.com\/indylite\/?p=8124"},"modified":"2017-10-19T20:57:33","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T00:57:33","slug":"features-105","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/2017\/10\/19\/features-105\/","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Homecoming Parade lineup<\/strong> &#8211; an album<\/p>\n<p>by Maralyn Fink<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ySgBHvLA4fc\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Celebrates 100th birthday<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/fredmayers.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"181\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-8127\" \/>On October 25, 1917, Louis Frederick (Fred) Mayers was born in DeWitt, Michigan to Louis and Ethyl Mayers. The family moved to St. Johns and resided in Clinton County from then on.<\/p>\n<p>Fred married Claribel Wilkie in 1940 and they remained married 73 years until her death in 2013. Fred was a dairy farmer and raised 3 children on the farm. <\/p>\n<p>David (Carolyn) Mayers of Fairfield, New Jersey, Phyllis (Steve) Thornburg of South Bend, Indiana, and Darlene (Howard) Bowers of Luther, Michigan, will be hosting a birthday party to celebrate his 100th year of birth in Lakeland, Florida, where he presently resides. The celebration will be held at the clubhouse annex at Citrus Woods on November 4th from 2 PM to 4 PM.<\/p>\n<p>If you will be in Florida, join the children to help celebrate Fred&#8217;s special day. If not, you can send a card to wish him well at: 1610 Reynolds Road #294, Lakeland, Florida 33801<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Benny and Jessie\u2019s Pet Info<\/strong> &#8211; How to Stop Your Dog from Rolling in Poop<\/p>\n<p>Your dog comes running up to you covered in mud. Then you take a closer look\u2014and smell\u2014and realize that mud would be preferable to what\u2019s all over your dog. Yes, your furry best friend has rolled in poop, and it\u2019s everywhere\u2014even trapped in the folds of her collar. It\u2019s not just time for a bath, it\u2019s time for a decontamination.<\/p>\n<p>So why do dogs like to roll in smelly things like animal carcasses and waste? While there\u2019s no concrete evidence that points to a single reason, there are a number of theories as to why dogs anoint themselves with bad odors. It\u2019s suggested that dogs might do it to mask their own scent in a throwback to their hunting ancestry, or as a way to bring the scent home to the rest of the pack to allow others to track back to it. But the most likely reason is that they like the stench. Remember, dogs are fascinated by things that we consider disgusting, like urine on the mailbox post and the nether-regions of other dogs. Much like humans wear scents that we enjoy, like rose or sandalwood, it\u2019s possible that dogs like being associated with the smell of fox poop.<\/p>\n<p><em>Preventing Poop Rolling Behavior in Dogs<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not easy to prevent poop rolling, particularly if you have a large yard or you allow your dog to hike off-leash. Wild animal waste can be well camouflaged, especially rabbit and deer droppings, which tend to be pellet sized and spread out. That said, most dogs have a few obvious \u201ctells\u201d that they exhibit right before they get ready to roll. The first step to preventing poop rolling is recognizing what happens right before it begins, and then short-circuiting the behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Most dogs hone in on the odor before they dive on, so if you notice your dog focusing on a patch of ground with greater than usual intensity, it\u2019s possible that a roll is imminent. Some dogs will even do a pre-roll pose, meaning, they rotate their face to the side and gradually descend down to the pile, almost in slow motion. (Although animal poop can end up anywhere on a dog\u2019s body, most dogs start their roll by putting the side of their face and neck in it, which results in a very messy collar.) Once you see the signs of a potential poop roll, you need to act quickly with a strong \u201cleave it\u201d cue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLeave it\u201d means \u201cmove away from the item of interest,\u201d and is helpful in a number of everyday situations. If your dog picks up street garbage like chicken bones during your walks, you can ask him to \u201cleave it\u201d before he has a chance to put it in his mouth. If your dog wants to \u201chelp\u201d on laundry day by grabbing socks and taking off, you can tell him to \u201cleave it\u201d rather than chasing her down to retrieve the contraband. And when it comes to poop rolling, a well-timed \u201cleave it\u201d will prevent a very messy clean-up.<\/p>\n<p><em>Teaching Your Dog to &#8216;Leave It&#8217;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Before you can use \u201cleave it\u201d to prevent a poop dive, you need to train it in a variety of controlled situations. To begin the process, take a dry treat and present it to your dog at nose level in a closed fist so that he can smell it but can\u2019t get to it. Your dog will likely nose and nibble your fist thinking it\u2019ll make you open your hand, but ignore all interactions until your dog backs away from your hand. (It might take a few minutes the first time.) As soon as he moves away from your hand, say \u201cyes!\u201d or click with a clicker to mark the behavior, and give your dog an extra special treat like chicken or cheese from your other hand. The treat in your fist represents the contraband you want your dog to move away from, so never reward her with it.<\/p>\n<p>When your dog is reliably backing away every time you present your closed fist, you can begin to name the behavior by saying \u201cleave it\u201d right as your dog moves away. It\u2019ll take about 20 repetitions before the phrase is anchored to the behavior and your dog understands what it means. At that point, make it more challenging by placing the dry treat on the floor under your shoe. Your dog will probably go through the same nibble-lick-paw process initially, but the second she backs away, say \u201cyes!\u201d or click and reward your dog from your hand.<\/p>\n<p>Repeat this process a dozen times, rewarding each success and work up to adding the phrase \u201cleave it.\u201d Once your dog is consistently moving away from the treat under your foot, try a few repetitions where you move your foot away from the treat so your dog can see it (but be ready to cover it back up again if your dog makes a dive for it). Reward your dog for the same movement away from the treat. You can also try a few surprise training sessions by dropping something your dog finds intriguing, like a crumpled up paper towel or sock, and asking her to \u201cleave it.\u201d These unexpected sessions help to generalize the behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, take your training outside. Set up a gauntlet of mildly interesting items a few feet apart like toys, used napkins, socks, and food wrappers. (If you\u2019re concerned that your dog might grab the items before you have a chance to cue \u201cleave it,\u201d put her on a leash, and consider revisiting the initial training steps.) Stroll with your dog toward your planted items, and right as your dog starts to zone in on it, say \u201cleave it.\u201d At this point, the cue should have such a strong and positive association that your dog will quickly orient to you in order to get the reward. Don\u2019t forget to praise your dog lavishly.<\/p>\n<p>To finalize the training, envision what a preempted poop roll will look like in your yard or on the trail. More than likely, your dog will be at a distance from you, so practice this critical part of the process by cuing a \u201cleave it\u201d when your dog isn\u2019t right next to you. Praise her when she looks up from the object of interest, then kneel down and encourage her to run to you for a goody. Because rolling in poop is so rewarding, preempting it is a big deal, so give your dog lots of love for a job well done, and try to find a poop-free zone to hang out to avoid further temptation.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Letters <\/strong>&#8211; Street millage and more from Sam Coffman<\/p>\n<p><em>Improved Street Condition Reduces Clinton Transit Repair Costs<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Clinton Area Transit System (Clinton Transit) needs good roads and streets to operate efficiently. There is a higher cost for repair and maintenance with poor streets and roads. As public transportation, we have no choice but to fix our buses and pay these higher costs. Clinton Transit services all of Clinton County with public transportation service, so it is difficult to determine the exact cost of maintenance due solely to the poor condition of streets in the City of St. Johns. <\/p>\n<p>I am pleased that the City of St. Johns is continuing to repair their streets. Investment in maintaining good repair for the streets will not only help Clinton Transit, but also the homeowners and businesses in St. Johns. Good transportation and good streets encourage growth in our community. <\/p>\n<p>I encourage voters to support the St. Johns Street millage on the November 7th ballot.<\/p>\n<p>Sincerely,<br \/>\nDawn Benson, General Manager<br \/>\nClinton Area Transit System<\/p>\n<p>******<\/p>\n<p>Taxes. No other word causes moans and groans from citizens like that one. Most of what we pay in taxes is spent in ways that we cannot easily see. <\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, November 7th we will be able to vote on something we can see \u2013 our streets. The modest (actually reduction) millage will continue the work to make our St. Johns streets safe and smooth. The money will be spent on the streets and related improvements and only for that. Ultimately it is a small price to pay for big improvements that benefit all of us. <\/p>\n<p>Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 7th and join me in voting \u201cYes\u201d for our streets.<\/p>\n<p>Terry Clarke<\/p>\n<p>******<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/coffman.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"255\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/coffman.jpg 500w, https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/coffman-300x153.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I attached a picture of myself speaking to 30 students in the SJHS auditorium last week. Teachers Kathy Heystek and Jaclyn Charneski had their classes attend my one hour talk on October 4. <\/p>\n<p>Sam Coffman<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Maralyn&#8217;s Pet Corner<\/strong> &#8211; 5 Ways to Help a Hiding Cat<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to say if Garfield started the stereotype of the mischievous, anti-social cat, but he certainly reinforced it, and to be fair, there\u2019s some basis in truth.<\/p>\n<p>While some cats are friendly and cuddly, many others spend their days in dark enclosed spaces and prowl the house at night.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA lot of cats lead nocturnal lives,\u201d says Myrna Milani, DVM, an author and veterinary scholar in the fields of pathology and anthrozoology.<\/p>\n<p>If your cat usually spends its day hidden, that\u2019s generally fine and normal, Milani says. The problem arises, however, when social cats suddenly start hiding. This behavior is often indicative of stress, fear, a medical issue, or some combination of these.<\/p>\n<p>Continue reading for tips on identifying problematic forms of hiding behavior in cats and what you can do to resolve the underlying issue.<\/p>\n<p><em>Allow Your Cat to Warm Up to Visitors<\/em><\/p>\n<p>One of the primary causes of stress in cats is a change in their environments, and one big change that often induces hiding is the addition of a new person to the household.<\/p>\n<p>Whether this is in the form of a temporary visitor or a permanent resident, cats are naturally inclined to assume a new person is a threat to their territory. (The same goes for the addition to a new animal.) As such, you might find your feline hiding or marking areas with her scent.<\/p>\n<p>Milani says it\u2019s important to give a cat time to adjust to the change and accept the new person on her own terms. \u201cThe worst thing you can tell the new person to do is play nice and \u2018kissy face\u2019 with the cat,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, short-term visitors can sit near the hiding spot and let the cat come to them, maybe coaxing her out with a treat or a toy that will boost her confidence and make her feel more like predator than prey.<\/p>\n<p>Milani suggests longer-term visitors or new permanent residents rub themselves all over with a dry towel or washcloth. Then, leave the towel in the middle of the floor overnight and allow the cat to explore the scent on her own time and at her own speed.<\/p>\n<p>The cat should start feeling more comfortable the next day, though if the towel has been peed on, \u201cThat\u2019s a message, and you need to keep being patient,\u201d Milani says.<\/p>\n<p><em>Try to Normalize a New Environment<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Another cause of this type of stress is a move. It might take your cat a while to adjust to the new house, and that\u2019s made worse, Milani says, the more you change things around. Trying to give your cat normalcy in a new house\u2014whether that\u2019s setting up her cat tree by a window or avoiding clutter with empty boxes\u2014will help your cat adjust.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know it\u2019s not what people who move want to hear, but the best thing you can do for a cat after a move is to unpack everything and settle in as quickly as possible,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p><em>Give Your Cat a Safe Space<\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for cats to be fearful of visitors or changes in their environments or routines. Fear in cats is often marked by prey behavior, which includes running away and hiding.<\/p>\n<p>Dilara G. Parry, a certified cat behavior consultant, says \u201csafe spaces\u201d are an easy way for the owner to make sure that the hiding that\u2019s taking place is healthy and safe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA sturdy cardboard box, turned on its side with a nice blanket placed inside, can be an alluring hiding space that is safe,\u201d Parry says.<\/p>\n<p>Milani adds that cutting a cat-sized hole in an upside-down cardboard box is another great DIY safe space because the cat can face the opening and know nothing is coming up behind her.<\/p>\n<p><em>Monitor Your Cat\u2019s Behavior Changes<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hiding behavior in cats could signal an illness or serious medical condition, and owners need to pay attention when this behavior emerges and is out of the ordinary.<\/p>\n<p>Milani says if a cat begins hiding, it\u2019s paramount that the owner monitors the cat\u2019s eating, drinking, urinating, and defecating. She recommends blocking off the bathroom to the cat and marking his water dish with a marker so you know exactly how much water is being consumed every day.<\/p>\n<p>Other easily observable signs of an illness or condition that\u2019s forcing hiding are discharge from the eyes or nose, limping, and non-specific diarrhea.<\/p>\n<p><em>Make an Appointment With Your Vet<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If your cat is suddenly hiding, and seems more antisocial than normal, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended to rule out any medical issues. After all, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSometimes, the first indication to the guardian that their cat is sick is hiding behavior,\u201d Parry says. \u201cI have seen this in cases of urinary blockage, which can quickly turn fatal if untreated, so I definitely urge guardians to take hiding behavior seriously, especially if it is not \u2018par for the course\u2019 for that particular cat.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Homecoming Parade lineup &#8211; an album by Maralyn Fink Celebrates 100th birthday On October 25, 1917, Louis Frederick (Fred) Mayers was born in DeWitt, Michigan to Louis and Ethyl Mayers. The family moved to St. Johns and resided in Clinton County from then on. Fred married Claribel Wilkie in 1940 and they remained married 73 <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/2017\/10\/19\/features-105\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8124","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8124","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8124"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8124\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8124"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8124"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/indylite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8124"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}