Special to the Aroostook Republican
The days are getting longer, so tonight I decided it was time to start walking with my dogs. I wasn’t the only one puffing and panting. We didn’t go far, as it is always good to start out slow when conditioning. It is also best to have a chat with your vet first before starting any sort of exercise program for your pets. I realized that we have all put on a bit of winter weight. This was a long, cold winter and I know that my dogs have been anxious for warmer weather and enjoy spending time out in the warm sun.
Contributed photo
Chrystal, a 6 month-old spayed female currently living at a Madawaska Lake Homeless Cats foster home. She is leukemia tested, has had all of her shots and is parasite free. She loves other cats and is not afraid of dogs or children. Chrystal is free to a good home. Call Norma at 896-5650 with message. Our Goldie, featured last week, has been adopted. We are grateful to everyone who is donating pet food to the Free Pet Food Pantry at the Herschel St. Animal Clinic. Many residents are having a difficult time this winter just to feed their pet. We are currently out of money for more low-income spay vouchers right now, but we are raising more. Call to get on the waiting list. We have done 22 free low-income family spay vouchers (dog and cat) since January, in addition to the cats we have rescued. We need people to donate baked goods and crafts for our booth at the April 4 and 5 Presque Isle Forum Craft Fair. The Madawaska Lake Homeless Cats staff appreciate donated bottles and cans which can be dropped off at the Bennett Drive Redemption Center, as these funds are used for pet programs.
I am very sad to say that our little shelter is overflowing with dogs. You heard it right, “dogs.” Not sure why, but all of a sudden we had people needing to surrender a number of dogs at one time. We are happy to take them but also want you to know that they are here. We have all shapes, sizes, colors and ages to choose from. Be sure to plan for a pet prior to coming to the shelter. Sit down with your family and discuss what type of dog you are looking for. Discuss what amount of time you will have to invest in a pet, that will help you choose an appropriate age of animal to look for or if your family has enough time at all to dedicate to a dog. And believe me, you have to make an “investment” in your pet for them to be a good one. I am talking about taking the time to make them a good pet, training them, vaccinating them, altering them — all investments. It may seem like a burden to take one hour a week to attend an obedience class and then practice your lessons every day, but it is an investment in the rest of your pet’s life.
As spring approaches, we are all thinking about our flower gardens and what we are going to plant and how to beautify our yards. Beware of Cocoa Mulch, it is toxic to dogs. It contains an ingredient called “Theobromine” and it is lethal to both dogs and cats. This mulch smells like chocolate and is very attractive to dogs.
“A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later.” (snopes.com)
Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and various other garden supply stores. Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that, “It is true that studies have shown that 50 percent of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98 percent of all dogs won’t eat it.” So gardener beware! What is good for the garden is definitely not good for your beloved pet or the pets that are owned by your neighbor.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please consider stopping by the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We have many wonderful animals available for adoption. Our business hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or check our pets out online at www.centralaroostookhumensociety.org.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
