Festival of Lights weekend – an album\nPolice honored at City Commission meeting\nLetters \u2013 Thanks for the pajamas\nMaralyn’s Pet Corner – Should You Worry If Your Older Dog Sleeps All Day?<\/p>\n
Festival of Lights weekend<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to the 2019 St. Johns Light Festival Decorating Contest winners. We appreciate everyone\u2019s help in spreading Christmas cheer.<\/p>\n<p>1st Place: 204 S Baker<br \/>\n2nd Place: 804 S Lansing<br \/>\n3rd Place: 203 W Oak<\/p>\n<p>Congrats to the best decorated business, Bruno’s Bar. Stop by and see their awesome decor inside and out.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Police honored at City Commission meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WAB6sUVJKhI\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>At Monday’s City Commission meeting Officer Kinsey and Sgt. Klaver, along with telecommunicators from Clinton County Central Dispatch, deputies from the Clinton County Michigan Sheriff’s Office, officers from Bath Township Police Department, DeWitt Township Police Department, and DeWitt City Police Department were honored for their involvement in a shooting incident on March 17, 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Sgt. Helms was honored for keeping an individual from jumping from an overpass recently.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations everyone!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Letters<\/strong> \u2013 Thanks for the pajamas<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pjs.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"442\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6728\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Thankful Tuesday for our great friends at Pauli Ford. Tricia organized a great Pajama Drive and delivered to our office.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks you to all who supported the Pajama Drive<\/p>\n<p>Kelly Schafer<br \/>\nThe Voice for Clinton County’s Children<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn’s Pet Corner<\/strong> – Should You Worry If Your Older Dog Sleeps All Day?<br \/>\ncourtesy of Teresa K. Traverse<\/p>\n<p>Ever notice your senior dog sleeping all day? If you\u2019ve ever had an older dog, you know that they like to sleep for long periods of time. But if you\u2019re unsure of what a normal amount of sleep is for a senior dog, or are wondering if its normal that your senior dog sleeps all day, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n<p><em>How Long Do Senior Dogs Sleep?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no one age that automatically makes a dog a \u201csenior dog.\u201d Senior status depends on the breed of the dog and how long the dog lives, says Dr. Ashley Rossman, DVM, at Glen Oak Dog & Cat Hospital in Glenview, Illinois. Larger dogs have shorter lifespans.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a Great Dane can be considered a senior at 5 years old since they don\u2019t live as long, whereas a Maltese is not considered a senior until about 7 or 8 years of age.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe older they get, the more sleep they need, and that\u2019s OK,\u201d says Dr. Rossman. Just like senior citizens need more sleep, an older dog sleeps a lot when compared to their younger counterparts.<\/p>\n<p>On the higher end of the scale, a senior dog can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, says Dr. Rossman. She estimates that the lower end is probably around 14-15 hours per day.<\/p>\n<p><em>Pay Attention to Your Individual Dog\u2019s Sleep Patterns<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t have any research into the number of hours a particular dog needs or should have,\u201d says Dr. Ellen Lindell, a board-certified behaviorist with Veterinary Behavior Consultations, a company based in New York and Connecticut.<\/p>\n<p>Since there are no official guidelines when it comes to how many hours a pet should sleep, observing your dog\u2019s regular sleeping patterns is key. If you notice any sudden changes in sleep behavior, it might be time to call a vet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUse the dog as its own baseline and look for changes,\u201d says Dr. Lindell. For instance, if your dog always follows you around the house and then suddenly stops doing that, take note. Likewise, if your dog is usually excited to play fetch with you and that enthusiasm is gone, pay attention.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne isolated change, I might watch,\u201d she says. \u201cBut if many isolated changes happen at once, then I\u2019d be concerned \u2026 It really is a matter of degree.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Provide an Environment for Sleep<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Lindell says that dogs need a quiet place to nap or escape to if they want that. \u201cMost dogs like a bed of some sort. Bed preference is up to the dog,\u201d says Dr. Lindell. \u201cSome like to curl; some to stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For senior dogs, there are a variety of beds available to accommodate specific needs. Dogs who suffer from arthritis or joint pain might enjoy an orthopedic dog bed, like the Frisco orthopedic bolster sofa dog bed. An elevated dog bed is also a great option for older dogs because the hammock-type style can help to alleviate pressure on their joints and muscles. A bolstered dog bed can give senior dogs some extra support.<\/p>\n<p>Above all, be sure to buy a bed that meets your individual dog\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<p><em>When It\u2019s Time to Seek Out Professional Help<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If your dog\u2019s sleeping habits change suddenly, take note. If it\u2019s just a day or two, you can probably let it go. But if your dog\u2019s sleeping behavior changes for more than a few days and is accompanied by other symptoms, it is time to book a vet appointment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAre they sleeping a lot for them personally?\u201d says Dr. Rossman. \u201cIf they go from being a dog that sleeps very little to a dog that sleeps all the time, something is wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If your dog is having trouble sleeping, it might also be a sign of an illness. Both canine cognitive dysfunction (aka doggy dementia) and many cases of worsening heart disease or heart failure cause night anxiety. This is where the animal does not sleep well and can seem upset and pace around in the evenings. It is not always associated with any other clinical signs.<\/p>\n<p>A change in sleep patterns accompanied by the following symptoms could also be an indication that\u2019s something is amiss, according to Dr. Rossman:<\/p>\n<p>– Having accidents in the house<br \/>\n– Loss of appetite<br \/>\n– Not playing as much as they normally do<br \/>\n– Coughing<br \/>\n– Sneezing<br \/>\n– Vomiting<br \/>\n– Diarrhea<br \/>\n– Vocalizing pain<br \/>\n– Not drinking water<br \/>\n– Drinking a lot more water<br \/>\n– Lethargy<\/p>\n<p>Since these symptoms can be attributed to a whole host of different ailments, only a vet can tell you what specifically is causing a change in your dog\u2019s sleeping habits. Dr. Rossman says it could be signs of a viral infection, a bacterial infection or even cancer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you think something\u2019s wrong with your pet, it\u2019s always better to have somebody look at your pet,\u201d says Dr. Lindell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Festival of Lights weekend – an album Police honored at City Commission meeting Letters \u2013 Thanks for the pajamas Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Should You Worry If Your Older Dog Sleeps All Day?<\/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-6725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Congratulations to the 2019 St. Johns Light Festival Decorating Contest winners. We appreciate everyone\u2019s help in spreading Christmas cheer.<\/p>\n<p>1st Place: 204 S Baker<br \/>\n2nd Place: 804 S Lansing<br \/>\n3rd Place: 203 W Oak<\/p>\n<p>Congrats to the best decorated business, Bruno’s Bar. Stop by and see their awesome decor inside and out.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Police honored at City Commission meeting<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WAB6sUVJKhI\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>At Monday’s City Commission meeting Officer Kinsey and Sgt. Klaver, along with telecommunicators from Clinton County Central Dispatch, deputies from the Clinton County Michigan Sheriff’s Office, officers from Bath Township Police Department, DeWitt Township Police Department, and DeWitt City Police Department were honored for their involvement in a shooting incident on March 17, 2019.<\/p>\n<p>Sgt. Helms was honored for keeping an individual from jumping from an overpass recently.<\/p>\n<p>Congratulations everyone!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Letters<\/strong> \u2013 Thanks for the pajamas<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pjs.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"442\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-6728\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Thankful Tuesday for our great friends at Pauli Ford. Tricia organized a great Pajama Drive and delivered to our office.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks you to all who supported the Pajama Drive<\/p>\n<p>Kelly Schafer<br \/>\nThe Voice for Clinton County’s Children<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn’s Pet Corner<\/strong> – Should You Worry If Your Older Dog Sleeps All Day?<br \/>\ncourtesy of Teresa K. Traverse<\/p>\n<p>Ever notice your senior dog sleeping all day? If you\u2019ve ever had an older dog, you know that they like to sleep for long periods of time. But if you\u2019re unsure of what a normal amount of sleep is for a senior dog, or are wondering if its normal that your senior dog sleeps all day, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n<p><em>How Long Do Senior Dogs Sleep?<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no one age that automatically makes a dog a \u201csenior dog.\u201d Senior status depends on the breed of the dog and how long the dog lives, says Dr. Ashley Rossman, DVM, at Glen Oak Dog & Cat Hospital in Glenview, Illinois. Larger dogs have shorter lifespans.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a Great Dane can be considered a senior at 5 years old since they don\u2019t live as long, whereas a Maltese is not considered a senior until about 7 or 8 years of age.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe older they get, the more sleep they need, and that\u2019s OK,\u201d says Dr. Rossman. Just like senior citizens need more sleep, an older dog sleeps a lot when compared to their younger counterparts.<\/p>\n<p>On the higher end of the scale, a senior dog can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, says Dr. Rossman. She estimates that the lower end is probably around 14-15 hours per day.<\/p>\n<p><em>Pay Attention to Your Individual Dog\u2019s Sleep Patterns<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe don\u2019t have any research into the number of hours a particular dog needs or should have,\u201d says Dr. Ellen Lindell, a board-certified behaviorist with Veterinary Behavior Consultations, a company based in New York and Connecticut.<\/p>\n<p>Since there are no official guidelines when it comes to how many hours a pet should sleep, observing your dog\u2019s regular sleeping patterns is key. If you notice any sudden changes in sleep behavior, it might be time to call a vet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUse the dog as its own baseline and look for changes,\u201d says Dr. Lindell. For instance, if your dog always follows you around the house and then suddenly stops doing that, take note. Likewise, if your dog is usually excited to play fetch with you and that enthusiasm is gone, pay attention.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne isolated change, I might watch,\u201d she says. \u201cBut if many isolated changes happen at once, then I\u2019d be concerned \u2026 It really is a matter of degree.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Provide an Environment for Sleep<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Lindell says that dogs need a quiet place to nap or escape to if they want that. \u201cMost dogs like a bed of some sort. Bed preference is up to the dog,\u201d says Dr. Lindell. \u201cSome like to curl; some to stretch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For senior dogs, there are a variety of beds available to accommodate specific needs. Dogs who suffer from arthritis or joint pain might enjoy an orthopedic dog bed, like the Frisco orthopedic bolster sofa dog bed. An elevated dog bed is also a great option for older dogs because the hammock-type style can help to alleviate pressure on their joints and muscles. A bolstered dog bed can give senior dogs some extra support.<\/p>\n<p>Above all, be sure to buy a bed that meets your individual dog\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n<p><em>When It\u2019s Time to Seek Out Professional Help<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If your dog\u2019s sleeping habits change suddenly, take note. If it\u2019s just a day or two, you can probably let it go. But if your dog\u2019s sleeping behavior changes for more than a few days and is accompanied by other symptoms, it is time to book a vet appointment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAre they sleeping a lot for them personally?\u201d says Dr. Rossman. \u201cIf they go from being a dog that sleeps very little to a dog that sleeps all the time, something is wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If your dog is having trouble sleeping, it might also be a sign of an illness. Both canine cognitive dysfunction (aka doggy dementia) and many cases of worsening heart disease or heart failure cause night anxiety. This is where the animal does not sleep well and can seem upset and pace around in the evenings. It is not always associated with any other clinical signs.<\/p>\n<p>A change in sleep patterns accompanied by the following symptoms could also be an indication that\u2019s something is amiss, according to Dr. Rossman:<\/p>\n<p>– Having accidents in the house<br \/>\n– Loss of appetite<br \/>\n– Not playing as much as they normally do<br \/>\n– Coughing<br \/>\n– Sneezing<br \/>\n– Vomiting<br \/>\n– Diarrhea<br \/>\n– Vocalizing pain<br \/>\n– Not drinking water<br \/>\n– Drinking a lot more water<br \/>\n– Lethargy<\/p>\n<p>Since these symptoms can be attributed to a whole host of different ailments, only a vet can tell you what specifically is causing a change in your dog\u2019s sleeping habits. Dr. Rossman says it could be signs of a viral infection, a bacterial infection or even cancer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you think something\u2019s wrong with your pet, it\u2019s always better to have somebody look at your pet,\u201d says Dr. Lindell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Festival of Lights weekend – an album Police honored at City Commission meeting Letters \u2013 Thanks for the pajamas Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Should You Worry If Your Older Dog Sleeps All Day?<\/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-6725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6725\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}