2009 metro pet magazine august anniversary issue

July/August 2009July/August 2009

Free to ReadersFree to Readers

HappyHappyAnniversary!Anniversary!

JULY / AUGUST 2009 • MetroPetMag.com 3

In Every Issue4 Welcome Pet Lovers

We are celebrating our one-year Anniversary!

10 Dog HoroscopesHow well do you really know your dog?

23 Ask the VetFind out more about flea control.

26 Cat HoroscopesHow well do you know your cat?

28 Ask the GroomerLessons in brushing.

33 Upcoming Events

34 How Cute is Your Pet?This month’s winners of the metropetmag.com contest.

MetroPet Resource32 Brookdale Senior Living

Feature Articles6 Bow Wow-ing for Books

Children find reading to dogs is much less intimidating.

9 Top 10 ReasonsWhy your dog’s grooming costs more than your haircut.

12 Meeting the Evolutionary Needs of Your CatTips for feeding carnivore-friendly foods.

16 On the Road AgainGeneral, the dog, goes on a cross-country trip on a motorcycle.

18 Dog Park EtiquietteFor you and your pet.

20 Dog BitesControlling and handling.

24 Greetings and SalutationsTo meet or not to meet?

30 Barks from BroadwayShelter dogs find new lives as show dogs.

6 10 14 30

JULY/AUGUST 2009

Summer Time Fun!Wow! What a year! Can you believe this is our anniversary

issue!!!! Just one year ago, the first issue of MetroPet arrivedin Kansas City! Since that time we have created a magazinethat people anxiously await and are excited to read!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!Thank you to all our advertisers, supporters, and readers. We would not be pub-

lishing this anniversary issue if it wasn’t for all of you. One simple thank you seemstotally inadequate, so maybe three will send the message of how much we appreciateyou!

Please continue to read the magazine, give us feedback and support our advertis-ers. Readers: please tell our advertisers that you saw their ad in the magazine. Thislet’s them know their advertising dollars are paying off. When you do this, our adver-tisers continue to support the magazine and you get to enjoy it FREE! It is a greatcycle — and it works, so please let advertisers know this is where you saw their ad.

WHAT IS NEXT?Get excited for the rest of 2009! If you thought the last 10 issues were great,

just wait! We will be publishing some dynamite issues this year and will be attendingand sponsoring some terrific events. Just for starters, you will now find MetroPet in arack at the Starlight Gift Store (Ovation). This summer they have two shows that fea-ture rescue dogs — check out the article on page 30.

MetroPet will be attending the MidWest Kid’s Fest! Why, because we are trying toreach pet owners from all over the city. Come see us! We are also working with theWilkes Broadcasting Group on a Fall event, look for details at www.metropetmag.com.

THANK YOU AGAIN! Please continue to spread the word about how MetroPet is the Pet Owner’s

Resource. And, check us out at www.metropetmag.com.

Have a great summer!

Barbara Riedel, Publisher

P.S. FYI, this is the July and August issue The next issue isSeptember. See you then!!

Publisher’s MessageStaff &

ContactsPublisherBarbara Riedel

[email protected]

Editor/ProductionManagerDan O'Leary

[email protected]

Layout/GraphicDesign

Alison [email protected]

Web MasterJon Dunn

[email protected]

Advertising [email protected]

Contributing AuthorsCheryl WyrickHeddie Leger

Dr. Michelle Chappell, DVM, CVAMike Jones

Pat HennessyDr. Sean Delaney, DVM, MS

Suezanne LawWhitney Bodenstab

PhotographerDan O'Leary

Contact MetroPetPO Box 480065

Kansas City, MO 64148Phone: 913.548.1433

Fax: 816.941.4655

Publishing Policy: Articles printed in the MetroPetMagazine express the opinions of the individual authors and donot necessarily represent the formal position of MetroPetMagazine. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarilyconstitute endorsement by MetroPet Magazine.

Articles: Readers are invited to submit articles for considerationfor publication to [email protected]. All materials aresubject to editorial review.

© 2009 MetroPet Magazine. All rights reserved. Requestreprint permissions at [email protected].

MetroPet Magazine is owned and published by ROI MarketingServices, all rights reserved.

4 MetroPet Magazine JULY / AUGUST 2009

L istening is a skill that demands awareness. We must be open tolearning by listening. Successful communication requires not only ourmouths, but also our ears. This is what makes dogs such good part-ners for children learning to read, or struggling to practice readingskills.

Humans and dogs have lived together for approximately 15,000years. We have learned from each other by watching and listening. Wehave teamed up to assist one another in survival through the cen-turies. The interactions have changed through the years according tocultural or societal needs. The last great cultural shift for dogs hascome as our society shifted from one of working on the farm or assist-ing in hunting for food, to one of animals as companions. A new sta-tus has evolved for the partnership of humans and dogs. Our societynow needs dogs to serve in capacities that assist us with health, safe-ty and education. The dog is remarkably adaptable and research isproving the value of dogs in these venues.

THE R.E.A.D. PROGRAMOne such venue is the Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.)

program developed by Intermountain Therapy Animals in 1999. Thereare many scientific studies that validate the physiological benefits to

6 MetroPet Magazine • JULY / AUGUST 2009

by Heddie Leger

Children find reading to ananimal less intimidating...

Who?

Who?

Who Let The Dogs In?interacting with animals, including increased relaxationand lower blood pressure. Children find reading to ananimal less intimidating. It can transform a dreadedexperience into a positive environment in which readingis fun and learning is facilitated. The beneficial resultsare because the dog is an expert listener with uncondi-tional acceptance. The child does not fear being judgedand receives immediate positive reinforcement in theform of petting the dog.

LITERACY ISSUES IN AMERICAThe challenges facing our society regarding literacy

are monumental. The American Library Association esti-mates there are more than 27 million functionally illiter-ate adults in the United States. Teaching children theskills of reading, while very important, is not enough.Leading children to LIKE to read is equally important.Reading experts know that children’s difficulties withreading often cause a vicious cycle where they practiceless, fail to gain confidence and fluency, and despisereading all the more. The National Research Council, ina landmark study resolved that children who have con-sistent access to books and reading outside the class-room perform better in school than those who don’t.

WHAT IS R.E.A.D.?R.E.A.D. is a program that improves children’s read-

ing and communication skills by using a powerfulmethod: reading to a dog. Today there are hundreds ofvolunteer teams going to schools, libraries, health carefacilities, youth detention facilities, domestic violenceshelters, preschools, before/after school programs, andother settings.

BowWow-ing

for Books

Continued on page 8 -->

Madison, Reece, Dylan, Graham, Sam with Hero (the Rottie) celebrate reading.

WHY DOGS? Learning to read is not only about acquir-

ing new skills but also overcoming fears.When a R.E.A.D. dog is listening, a magicalmoment is created. The child’s dread istransformed into eager anticipation, under-standing is increased, vocabulary is builtwhile fluency and comprehension aregained.

WHAT DOES A HIGH

QUALITY R.E.A.D.ING

THERAPY TEAM OFFER? The key to success in this type of

therapy work is focusing questionsto the dog, instead of targeting thechild and putting pressure on them.This nonjudgmental, unconditionalacceptance will keep the child fromgetting a mind block from fear andhelps keep interactions flowing. Ithelps the child develop confidenceand self-esteem because the childsees themselves as helping the dog.This frame of mind makes the inter-actions lighthearted and enjoyablefor the child.

Each moment is a teachable moment and can help build respect forbooks, demonstrate proper care and hygiene for the child and animal, andoffer the opportunity to talk about safety around animals.

WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES TO BECOME AR.E.A.D. THERAPY TEAM?

All participating volunteers and their canine partner must beregistered teams which have been screened, tested and qualifiedin temperament and skills to provide animal assisted therapy.This is important to the health and safety of the children andprotects you and your animal.

HOW CAN I PREPARE MY ANIMAL ONCE THEY

ARE REGISTERED AS A THERAPY ANIMAL? You can simulate the setting by reading aloud to your dog at

home on the floor with a space definer (rug, blanket, etc) sothey can acclimate to what they will experience. Practice thissame skill at other locations (a park, your back yard, etc.) sothat your animal can become accustomed to distractions.Additional commands which are helpful include: Look, Listen,Paw Stay, Carry the Book, Pick Up The Book.

Heddie Leger’s passion for animals began as a country girl inPennsylvania. Her first dog came from a dumpster atschool. She is a Certified Humane EducationSpecialist; and member of the Association ofProfessional Humane Educators; Registered R.E.A.D.Team; a Delta Society Licensed Instructor andEvaluator; AKC Public EducationAmbassador/Canine Good Citizen Evaluator;Professional Pet Sitters Association; Pets for Life andHARRT Search; Rescue and Recovery. She and herhusband own The PawZone Pet Sitting. She can be reached [email protected].

LEARN MORE ABOUT R.E.A.D.PROGRAMS OR BECOME A

REGISTERED TEAM:www.deltasociety.orgwww.rechai.missouri.eduwww.therapyanimals.org/read/www.librarydogs.comwww.dogscouts.comwww.kcpetsforlife.comwww.mo-kanpetpartners.org

Helma Hawkins, Director of Children’s Services,Kansas City Public Library R.E.A.D. Program

816-701-3540 • [email protected]


Faith with Hero (the Rottie) and Tanner with Megan (theSchnauzer).


TOP 10 REASONSWhy Your Dog’s Grooming Costs More than Your Haircut10. Your hairdresser doesn’t wash and clean your rear end.

9. You don’t go for 6-8 weeks without washing or brushing your hair.

8. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to give you a sanitary trim.

7. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to clean inside your ears.

6. Your hairdresser doesn’t have to clean boogies from your eyes.

5. You sit still for your hairdresser.

4. Your haircut doesn’t include a manicure or pedicure.

3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.

2. You don’t bite or scratch your hairdresser. (I hope not anyway).

And the Number 1 reason your dog’shaircut costs more than yours:

1. The likelihood of you pooping or peeing while your hair isbeing cut is extremely slim!

SUMMER TREAT TIPSYour dog will love them!Next time you have left-overs from the

BBQ grill, cut them up into small chunks

and freeze them in ice cubes. Give them as

a treat on a hot day. Grilled hamburger or

hot dogs cut up or, chicken or ribs de-boned and cut up make

good treats. You could put several small chunks into a bowl

and freeze it for an ice dog lick that will turn into a dog

slushy on a sunny day. To make it fun and colorful, you could

also freeze left-over veggies as well: green beans, carrots,

bell peppers, and broccoli are good choices (avoid corn).

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20) The Strong Silent Type A lethargic and sometimeslazy soul, this canine would much rather sleep thanrun around. They truly appreciates a comfortablebed, complete with super-soft blankets and alsoloves to be pampered. This canine is not particular-ly big on exercise and should not be expected to runover the hill and through the woods...indeed, theyprobably wont even want to run around the yard.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) The Yapper the minute the Gemini Dog is asked toundertake anything boring or mundane, he or shewill be overcome by nervous exhaustion and col-lapse into a shivering, twitching, hyperventilatingwreck. A puppy governed by Gemini is sure to bringchaos into any home.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) The Boss-Dog The Leo Dog possesses a strongconstitution with a mind to match but, if anythingdoes go awry, then it will most likely be connectedwith the spine. An owner should take great care toavoid any strain on this area of the Leo Dog’s body.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Helper The Virgo Dog considers being toldwhat to do as a pleasure...it also saves him or herthe trouble of having to think up something. Therewill be no unpleasant surprises for an owner whoreturns home to the Virgo Dog since this canine isthe cleanest and most hygienic of the Zodiac.Physically, the Virgo Dog is strong and muscular butrequires a lot of exercise when in good health.

Canine Signs


Cancer (June 22 - July 22)The Home-Lover The Cancer Dog is a contrary dog who has close links tothe sea and the tides. Thus, this canine is likely to jump into water at every givenopportunity. The Cancer Dog is something of an “up and down” type of creaturewith a strong determination to “stay put.” Indeed this dog is probably the most patientand tenacious of the entire Zodiac.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Shop-Steward A large degree of affection isimportant to the Libra Dog and he or she will go to greatlengths to display such feelings in the hope that theowner will reciprocate. This canine is not prone to beingargumentative and, if tried sorely, will invariably becometoo frightened of upsetting an owner to show what heor she really feels.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Paragon the heart of this dog truly lies with hisor her own kind and this canine is never more delight-ed than when he or she is running with thepack...albeit somewhat erratically. The happiestAquarius Dog is one who has been given as muchfreedom as possible for this dog adores to be allowedoff the leash.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Problem Dog This will be a restless dog...versa-tile, easily bored and totally unfathomable. This canineflits from one interest to another, unable to decide whathe or she actually likes. The Sagittarius Dog experi-ences continual internal conflict with divided loyaltiesand a split personality.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)The Social Climber Unlike most other canines, this

dog understands that there must be authority if life isto be smooth and comfortable. The Capricorn Dog willaccept that humans rule the roost and quickly adoptthe role of a most obedient pet.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Friend They can easily be demanding when itcomes to sought-after knowledge, but can be aggra-vatingly slow if an owner is trying to get from Point “A”to Point “B” in a hurry. Thorough, slow, deliberate andpainstaking, the Aquarius Dog possesses a stubbornstreak that is liable to drive even the mildest of own-ers quite crazy.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Interpreter Deep inside, well beyond control, thePisces Dog will be a good dog who truly desires toplease. This will, at times, be quite obvious and leadto enjoyable experiences. However, in between,when this canine is annoying and inconsistent, thingswill not be so easy.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19) Leader of the Pack On a visit to the countryside,he or she will soon be picking up a scent or actingas a trailblazer. The Aries Dog is prone to accidentssince, by nature, this canine is reckless and daring.Headaches are often a problem for this dog, as issunstroke during the Summer months.



Cats by nature are carnivores with even stricternutritional needs than dogs. In fact, the wrong diet for catscan lead to serious health issues or make certain condi-tions and diseases worse, including obesity, diabetes andkidney disease. Yet, many cat lovers are unaware of theirfeline companion’s need for optimal nutrition.

by Dr. Sean Delaney, DVM, MS

Meeting theEvolutionary

Needs of Your CatTips for Feeding

Carnivore-Friendly Foods

When picking out yourcat’s cuisine, considerwhat he would have eaten inthe wild in combinationwith modern nutrition. Formany domestic housecats, thismeans a low carbohydratediet. The following feeding tipsand strategies might be helpful infinding the right balance for your feline friend.

EVOLUTION OF A CAT’S DIETAs carnivores, the cat’s ancestral diet was predominantly

supplied by meat with calories from protein and fat, but farfewer calories from carbohydrate. In the wild, these animalsbecame locked into being carnivores, in turn giving up theirability to make certain readily-available dietary nutrients liketaurine and vitamin A. This means they are not as metaboli-cally flexible as omnivores, such as dogs or humans.

In their drive for protein, cats are really seeking the essen-tial amino acids found in animal proteins. With up to almosttwo times the demand for these amino acids compared todogs, cats require a higher protein diet to get all their essen-tial amino acids.

ANCESTRAL DIET MEETS MODERN NUTRITIONAs cats became domesticated, their food sources also

evolved. In the place of wild mice and small birds, cats havebeen introduced to dry kibble and canned pet foods. Withthe vast array of products on store shelves today, choosingthe right cat food can be confusing.

Here are a few differences onecan see on labels and packagesof higher quality cat food

• More species-specific meats, high or highest on theingredient list — chicken, lamb, beef, turkey meal, herringmeal, etc.

• Because animal protein is higher than plant protein inthe essential amino acids that a cat needs, look for foodshigh in crude protein from animal sources.

• Foods that have been manufactured through “gentle pro-cessing.” These products are minimally processed to retaintheir natural nutrients and vitamins. (Overcooked proteinscan form additional bonds with sugars in the foods, makingthe amino acids less available for use by the body.)

Since cats do not require dietary carbohydrates due totheir body’s excellent ability to produce sugar from proteinand fat, their nutritional needs can be well met through a


low carbohydrate diet. However, in somecircumstances cats benefit from a dietwith more carbohydrate to enable lessprotein and/or fat to be fed, such aswhen a low carbohydrate diet is not welltolerated or is not preferred or duringcertain illnesses.

It is also important to note that there isno definitive correlation between lowcarbohydrate foods and no-grain foods.No-grain diets were originally developedfor use with pets that have grain aller-gies. While this niche market has grownphenomenally in the last few years, manypet parents don’t realize that no-grainformulas may still contain other non-grain carbohydrate sources at levels thatare close to or comparable to highercarbohydrate grain-based cat foods.

LIFESTYLE CHOICE AND YOUR

CAT’S DIETAs more and more pet parents begin to

incorporate their lifestyle choices intotheir pets’ diets, the concern of unbal-anced nutrition grows. While cats cantheoretically receive the appropriateamount of protein from plants higher inprotein such as soy to create a vegetari-an diet, the essential fatty acid, arachi-donic acid, which is needed for normalreproduction is very difficult to meetwithout using some animal derivedingredient. Similarly, complete and bal-anced vegan diets are not possible forcats given the need for several othernutrients that are essentially only avail-able from animal origins.

Another rising trend in the pet foodmarket has been the raw food diet. Apotentially healthful method of feedingthat is rich in animal protein, the rawfood diet attempts to mimic the ancestral

diet as closely as possible through a basis of raw meats. However, these mealscan be very time-consuming, costly and difficult to prepare, especially consider-ing the potential dangers of bacterial contamination such as Salmonella as wellas incomplete and unbalanced recipes. If you like the idea of feeding raw orhome-cooked food, but prefer a safe, more convenient and cost-effective com-plete and balanced pet food, look for those which include fresh meats and freshvegetables with no cereal grains. The products should include a high meat con-tent, a low amount of carbohydrate and no-grain products. These options will

Continued -->

Another rising trendin the pet food

market has been theraw food diet.


provide your loved feline companions with a naturalfeeding alternative to a raw food diet.

SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CATSo how do you know if your cat is getting theright pet food? Below are a few outward indica-tors that can help pet parents know if their foodis working.

• Coat Luster — Many nutritional deficienciesmanifest themselves in a cat’s fur, decreasing its luster.An overall healthy cat’s coat will have a nice sheen.

• Volume and Form of Feces — Stools should befirm, but more importantly the volume should be min-imized. If volume increases significantly with a newfood, then it might not be as digestible — costing youmore money with less nutrient intake. With premiumbrands, you feed less because the formula containsmore nutrients per cup or can, creating a cost-effec-tive solution.

<-- Continued from 13

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• Palatability — Eating is one of the greatjoys in any life, including a cat’s. Your animalshould enjoy its food and readily finish hermeal.

Other common factors to consider are thedynamics of a multi-cat household, unrelatedhealth issues or a change in the family’slifestyle. Before starting your pet on any newdiets, always consult with your veterinarian.

A wholesome, natural pet food can play avery important role in your cat’s long, healthylife. Whatever diet you choose for your cat,make sure you make the most of your cat’sdining experience.

Sean Delaney, DVM, MS,Diplomate of the AmericanCollege of Veterinary Nutrition,is a board-certified veterinarynutritionist and Chief Medical,Scientific and Nutrition Officerof Natura Pet Products,manufacturer of EVO,California Natural, Innova, Karma, HealthWise, andMother Nature natural pet foods and treats. For moreinformation, visit www.naturapet.com


Eating is one of the great joys inany life, including a cat’s. Your

animal should enjoy its food andreadily finish her meal.


Editors Note: In the first issue of MetroPet Magazine, we chron-icled a ride taken by General and his driver Mike. A year later, wewanted to update you on his most recent ride! This articleincludes the a three day ride to Los Angeles. General and Mike par-ticipated in the annual “Run for the Wall” ride which commemo-rates the military men and women still missing from the Vietnamand Korean Wars. The 10 day ride began on May 10, in Los Angeles,California and ended May 17 in Washington, D.C.

PRE-RIDE, MAY 9General and I departed KC at 6:00 am and rode to Wichita and

picked up 54 to Tucumcari. Not much to report. I should havedressed warmer. Note to self put on more clothes that can be removedas temps rise. Lots of wind. No photos from this leg as they are loadedinto my personal memory.

PRE-RIDE, MAY 10General and Wilson (the soceer ball look-alike from the movie Cast

Away) rolled into Flagstaff and the sun was still very high in the sky

so we pressed on to Kingman. Very nice little town.Main drag with many hotel/motel and food establish-ments. We upgraded tonight and got a Best Western.Part of General’s Ride Rewards card. Good thing wedid not want to stay at the Motel 6 as it was on“FIRE” when we rolled into town. I must say it wasvery nice of the locals to put on a show for us when

by Mike Jones

At the end of the ride - Washington, DC.

In Hollywood on his favorite star’s star!

OOOOnnnn tttthhhheeee RRRRooooaaaadddd AAAAggggaaaaiiiinnnn


we arrived, not many places will go all outlike that!

This morning I stopped for breakfast at anIHOP. Guess what today was. Yes. MothersDay. I had the honor of meeting some verynice folks that had been admiring the Harleyand invited me to sit at their table. Havingbreakfast with those folks will be one of themany highlights of this trip. Very good con-versation and company. Thank you Frank,Merrile and Brad.

PRE-RIDE, MAY 11General and I went to sleep last night in

America and woke up in France. True story.We went for breakfast in the hotel lobby andyou will not believe who was there speakingfluent French. The HOG Chapter from Pariswas in the United States on the Fly and Rideprogram. Who would-a-thought! One of theriders was asking me about some animal theysaw that looked something like a squirrel butbigger. His broken English was a little diffi-cult to get around but I finally figured out itwas a prairie dog.

One small item I neglected from yesterdays’post was that General and Wilson stood on acorner in Winslow, Arizona. Unfortunatelythey did not see a girl in a flatbed Ford slow-ing down to take a look!

We blew through the Mojave today and ontoHollywood Blvd. Wilson had his picture takenwith about 200 stars. Bad part is I had toplace him then pick him up and move ontothe next one. General had his picture taken atLassies and Rin Tin Tin’s star. We must havewalked 3 miles, not good in riding boots.

Well the whole reason for being here is theMission — the ride which starts tomorrow.Those of you post Vietnam Veterans knowwhat I speak of. This will always be an Honorfor myself to help make sure our Governmentnever forgets.

THE RIDEDuring the days that followed, General and

his driver (Mike Jones) endured heat, ill-ness, accidents, rain and the brutal punish-ment of 10 days on a motorcycle. They didaccomplish their mission and joined thou-sands of other riders in DC. The blog of the

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entire trip, totaling almost 5,800 words, can be read online at the following links.• http://www.examiner.com/x-11337-Kansas-City-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m6d8-

Generals-Run-a-canine-motorcycle-odyssey-part-1• http://www.examiner.com/x-11337-Kansas-City-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m6d9-

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• Constantly monitor your dog’s behavior during visitsand be ready to remove your dog from the park (ifsomeone is concerned about your dog’s play or you areconcerned for your dog’s safety)

• Don’t bring small children into the dogs’ play area (theycould easily get knocked down during normal dog playor get severely injured very quickly if play turned roughor they spooked a dog)

• Make sure there are enough human “dog guards” onduty before allowing your dog entry to the dog play area(there should be at least one person for every 2-3 dogs)

• Avoid the use of treats and toys while around multipledogs (to prevent dog conflicts)

• Keep young puppies at home (under 4 months are notfully immunized, and some puppies are just too small orimmature)

• Be realistic about your dog’s personality as to whethershe is a good dog park candidate, and if you observeyour dog not getting along or not having fun she mayjust not like the off leash park experience

• Remove the leash as soon as your dog enters the playarea (remember the fight or flight response — leashesinhibit the flight ability and can trigger a fight reaction)

• Be courteous to other people and their dogs (never dis-cipline someone else’s dog, even if you have to break upa fight — remove your dog immediately for her safetyand report any problems to park management)

• Observe park rules and hours & clean up after yourdog!

Pat Hennessy, is the founder of N2paws, LLC,an organization that provides companion ani-mal attunement through behavior analysis,energy work, and Tellington TTouch. Pat is acertified TTouch practitioner and member of theAssociation of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), theInternational Association of Animal BehaviorConsultants (IAABC), and Animal WellnessAssociation (AWA). You may contact N2Paws via [email protected], phone 816-522-7005, or visit the websitewww.n2paws.com.

DOGS• Must be healthy and current on vaccinations• Should respond to basic cues, such as “come,” “sit,” “stay” and

“leave it”• Should exhibit good manners (no excessive barking, jumping on

people or other dogs, mouthing, bullying, etc.)• Should be relaxed and confident (fearful, reactive or aggressive

dogs are not appropriate at off leash parks — consult an expe-rienced animal behavior trainer to improve confidence)

PEOPLE• Bring your dog the first time during off-peak hours to familiarize

him with the park and always observe dogs in the play areabefore letting your dog loose

by Pat Hennessy

Dog Park Etiquettefor you and your pet

Be realistic about your dog’spersonality as to whether she is

a good dog park candidate...


Q What is a high quality diet?

A There are many words used to classify pet food (andtreats). Beware of terms like “all natural,” which can bemisleading. Corn husks and meat by-products can be“all natural,” but you don’t want your dog or cat eatingthem. Holistic is another word that can be used to gen-eralize the quality of food. The word “organic” doeshave meaning regarding production standards (restrict-ed use of pesticides on vegetation and restricted use ofgrowth hormones or antibiotics on livestock). The mostimportant thing you can do is to read ingredient labelson pet food and treats and know what is best. Ideally youwant a specified meat (lamb, chicken, duck, etc., whichis better than meat meal), as your main ingredients, fol-lowed by vegetables and supplements. You want to avoidfoods that contain by-products, glutens, added proteins,and BHA or BHT preservatives. If your dog or cat is notallergic to grains, then look for whole grains, such asoats or brown rice. There are also wonderful food sup-plements available, to add to your own protein sources,if your prefer making home cooked diets.

Diet Tip


Animal Bites

There are more than 70 million dogs in America — morethan one in every three homes. That’s a lot of dogs. And accordingto the CDC, an American has a one in 50 chance of being bitten by

a dog every year. All dogs haveteeth; any dog can bite.

by Suezanne Law

Controlling and Handling

Posture/Muscle Relaxed and neutral; neither lunging forward nor leaning back.

Eyes Soft and squinty; the whites of the eyes should not be overly apparent.

Ears Floppy and hanging loosely; neutral: neither pricked far forward norpinned.

Mouth Open and relaxed; teeth may be visible, but no effort is made to showthem.

Tail Wiggly or swinging loosely; neutral position: neither high nor tucked.

What you should do If the dog is unaccompanied, leave him alone. If there is an adult present,ask if you may pet the dog. Move closer slowly and calmly. Allow the dogto sniff your hand (children should make a loose fist and curl the fingersunder to allow the dog to sniff the top of the hand). If the dog still seemsamenable to interacting, scratch him under the chin or on the chest.

Friendly Dogs

DOG BITES ARE ON THE RISEIn fact, dog bites are on the rise. Surveys show that

20 years ago, just over 500,000 people sought medicaltreatment as the result of a dog bite; by 1994 that num-ber had risen to 800,000, despite the fact that thenumbers of dogs in America increased by only 2% dur-ing that same time.

The vast majority of dog-bites involve kids andcanines who are familiar with one another, often livingwithin the same home. This unfortunate reality haslead to a plague of breed ban statutes which make theaverage citizen feel safe while doing little to addressthe real issue: dogs are animals who carry dangerousweapons in their mouths, and as such even the small-est of the species deserves the utmost respect.

HOW TO AVOID BITES?Much of the conflict can be easily avoided if humans

would take one simple step: learn dog body-languageand teach it to children. Careful attention to your dog’s

© Pooch images and text, Suezanne Law.

TIPS TO PREVENT DOG BITES

• Train your dog; socialize your dog; andconsider dog obedience classes.

• If your dog bites or even snaps at someone,call a professional trainer or a behavioristright away. A snap is only a bite that didnot connect.

• Keep your dog in a confined or securearea. An ounce of prevention is worth apound of cure.

• Keep your dog under control. Don’t allowyour child to take the dog for a walk unlesshe is mentally and physically ready.

• Never leave infants or young children alonewith any dog.

• Obey all leash and licensing laws. • Muzzle your dog if it is from a large,

aggressive, a member of a fighting breed;doesn’t like children; gets scared easily;likes to fight other animals; etc.

• Make sure your pets have their vaccina-tions on the schedule recommended byyour veterinarian.

• Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered.• Never play aggressive games with your dog

(e.g., wrestling).• Learn more about your dog. What overex-

cites him or puts him on guard? Know hispersonal language, like barks, growls andwhimpers. Learn to read his tail, eyes, earsand body posture.

body-language (body posture and muscle ten-sion) and how the dog carries his eyes, ears,mouth, and tail, will help you to remain safearound dogs.

What follows is an introduction to the essen-tial body-language signals our dogs use everyday. Think of it as a doggie dictionary, aLabrador lexicon, a pooch primer: obviouslyunable to contain the entirety of canine lan-guage, it is meant to simply get the conversationstarted. Fluency is up to you.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT A DOG BITE? If a dog bites you or your child, assess the

severity of the bite. If it is sever, go to the ERimmediately. If you don’t go to the ER contactyour doctor about getting a tetanus shot to pre-vent infection and illness.

TIPS FOR HANDLING BITES• Wash the wound gently with soap and water.• Apply pressure with a clean towel to the injured area to stop bleeding.• Apply a sterile bandage to the wound.• Keep the injury elevated above the level of the heart to slow swelling and

prevent infection.• Report the incident to the proper authority in your community (for example,

the animal control office or the police).• Apply antibiotic ointment to the area twice daily until it heals.

Posture/Muscle Stiff and alert; leaning or lunging forward,taking up space.

Eyes Hard and staring; large crescent-shapedportions of white visible.

Ears Stiff and pricked far forward; alert.

Mouth Puckered, often with teeth showing.

Tail High and stiff; may be swinging with a tick-tock motion, but not wagging.

What you should do Threatening dogs of any size are danger-ous. Move slowly away from the dog if youcan (children should “be a tree” or “be arock” rather than moving away if the dog isloose; see www.doggonesafe.com for moreinformation). Avoid making eye contact withthe dog, but do watch him as you go. Yell,but don’t scream, for help if needed.

Threatening Dogs

Posture/Muscle Tense and low; push-ing away, seeking toincrease the distancebetween you.

Eyes Wide open; dartingfrom side to side searching for an escaperoute.

Ears Tense and held tightly to the sides of thedog’s head; pinned.

Mouth Clamped tightly shut; occasional snake-likemovements of the tongue.

Tail Tense and tucked tightly to (or under) thebody.

What you should do Remember that anxious dogs can be quiteprone to biting. Never approach an anxiousdog. Allow the dog to come to you if he wantsinteraction, but don’t try to reach towards himor pet him. Make all of your movements slowand calm so you don’t further frighten the dog.Move away slowly when it’s time to go.

Anxious Dogs


Sentinel is a once a month heartworm pill that includes theflea birth control. Since it doesn’t weed out the weak fleas,but prevents eggs from hatching, there haven’t been reportsof fleas becoming resistant to this medication. No topicalchemical is good for people that touching the fur, too.

GREEN CHEMISTRYThere is another new medication called Comfortis that is alsoa monthly tablet. It is made from a by-product of rum distil-lation and won a “green chemistry” award — safe enoughthat organic avocado farmers can use it on their trees.

HERBAL SPRAYSFinally, there are many helpful topical herbal sprays for dogs(make sure safe for cats before using these!!) and diatoma-ceous earth powder that can be sprinkled on the coat and inthe carpet and outdoors. This powder makes tiny cuts in theflea’s outer shell and they dehydrate anddie. These last treatments seem to workbest in mild infestations.

You can reach Dr. Michelle Chappell, at MariposaVeterinary Center, by calling 913-825-3330, or byvisiting mariposavet.com.

Q The flea drops that I had been using

don’t seem to be working well. What

else can be done to control these fleas?

A Over time, many flea populations are less susceptible tothe insecticides that once were so effective. The over thecounter pyrethrin based flea drops have even increased intheir chemical concentration, and still the fleas survive.Even worse, these higher concentrations are making manypets sick and for some cats, can even be fatal if the dog for-mulas are used by accident.

OTHER SOLUTIONSFortunately there are still solutions, some of them much lesstoxic, too! Since most of the flea population is actually theeggs and larvae and pupae in the environment — takingcare of this area is critical. Vacuuming daily will kill adultfleas and remove some larvae and eggs. Using borax pow-der on the carpet will dehydrate the eggs and larvae and killthem, too. But, since nothing can kill the fleas in the pupae(cocoon stage), there is still the problem with preventingfleas from laying eggs in the first place!

FLEA BIRTH CONTROLThere are two ways to do that — kill the adult fleas beforethey lay eggs or give them flea “birth control” so they can’tfill up the house and the yard with eggs and new fleas.

Ask the VetAre fleas botheringyou and your pet?by Michelle Chappell, DVM, CVA


Summer is here. Even though it is hot outside, you can still getoutside and enjoy the season.

Getting out and about is good for the body and soul. Feeling thebreeze in your face and the “sunshine on your shoulders” will makeyou happy (thanks Mr. Denver for the reminder). So why not take thelittle sunshine of your life with you? Your animal companion finds thesame benefit as you — fresh air (there are more pollutants insideyour home than outside), and sunlight (purest source of vitamin D).

NEW WALKING GROUNDSDecisions, decisions — you may want to try a new place so your

canine companion can experience the smells and sensations that onlyshe can revel in, while you enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Ourdogs assess everything muzzle-first, and brilliant noses they haveindeed. Trees, lampposts and fire hydrants are an olfactory banquetto our dogs. It is the equivalent of reading People magazine. Theyknow who came by and left their mark, by sex and status. For all we

by Pat Hennessy

To Greet or Not to Greet?Greetings and Salutations

know they may even tell all the other dogs in the neigh-borhood. A comedian summed it up with, “My dog is halfpit-bull, half poodle. Not much of a watchdog, but avicious gossip.”

THROUGH THE WOODS WE GO!Ok, so you and Greta hop in the car and take off. There

is a lovely walking trail that takes you down by the creekand ends at the park. What a beautiful day. You are walk-ing along and you see a man and his large breed dogwalking toward you. His dog is pulling and excited as hesees you and Greta coming their way. The question of theday is — to greet or not to greet? You may know that yourdog is good around other dogs, but you don’t know thesocial skills of the oncoming dog. You don’t want to putyour dog in harm’s way. It is important that you showleadership, giving the other dog plenty of space, standingin front of your own dog (to body block if necessary), andbeing prepared to move your dog out of the situation if itlooks threatening. As the other dog approaches, observethe body language — looking at head and tail carriage

(relaxed and up or forward and stern), eyecontact (soft or hard stare), pos-ture (relaxed or stiff). Ask theperson, before the dog approach-es, if the dog is good with otherdogs (the term friendly can beinterpreted too many ways). If youchoose to let them greet, never letyour guard down and keep an eyeon their body language the entiretime because the situation couldchange in an instant. As the leader it is yourresponsibility to protect your dog. The otherperson may think their dog is “friendly”, butoften a dog on leash may become intimidatedand the normal response would be fight orflight. For a dog on leash, flight is no longeran option so he may feel that fight is the onlyalternative.

BREAK FOR HYDRATIONThe greeting went just fine and you work

your way along the trail. You stop at the parkbench to give Greta a drink and rest for amoment. Hydration is always an importantpart of exercise, especially during warmerweather. Moving right along as you pass theold statue and turn the corner, you encountera couple of Canadian geese. Greta has a hey-day with that, and it gives you the opportunityto test her cues “leave it,” and reward her fornot only responding to you but obeying thelaw, “those geese are protected little girl; let’skeep going.” Next thing you know, you havemade your way to the park. “Oh wow,” Gretasays with her ears up and tail wagging. “Can Irun and play, Mommy? Can I?”

More decisions — should I really let her offleash? There are pros and cons to the off leashdog parks. While your dog can exercise herbody and her socialization skills, she can alsoget injured physically and/or emotionally.There are no life guards on duty. That means,once again, you have to show your leadershipand monitor every move she makes as well asany moves made toward her. It may sound likean overprotective parent, but you wouldn’t letyour child jump into the pool without watch-ing or being in the pool with her.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME TO GOIf you are going to attend off leash dog

parks, it is best to go when there are fewer


dogs (during off hours), and get to know the dogs that participate. It is not atime for you to socialize or relax, becauseif you are chatting or reading a book thenyou are not watching your dog. The idealoff leash dog park would be enclosed andhave a set of rules which would includeappropriate etiquette for both human andcanine members. You and your dog wantto have fun — so let the good times roll.Stay safe and have a great summer!

If you choose to let themgreet, never let your guard

down and keep an eye on theirbody language the entire time

because the situation couldchange in an instant.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)The Earth Mother This cat’s sraightforwardapproach to life will be easy to understand.The Taurus Cat is steady and dependable...always where the owner expects this cat to beand doing what is expected of him or her. Inshort, the Taurus Cat is a creature of habit androutine who will never... ever... do anythingunpredictable and to whom catnaps are thebreath of life.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) Cat On A Hot Tin Roof It is not often that thefeline species will obey a human command, butmany Gemini Cats seem to be the exception.Being the most communicative Sign of the Zodiac,these felines appear to actually understand thehuman language and may even “meow” back as ifin answer.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)The Top Cat The Leo Cat often fares well in theshow ring, frequently blessed with long hair andexceptionally beautiful features... particularly thePersian varieties. This cat is usually a healthy andwell-adjusted creature. However, perfection israre... even in the Leo Cat... and the flaw associ-ated with this feline will be a weak back.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) The Kitten Cat However, laziness annoys thisfeline more than anything and any owner who isnot up with the birds, preparing breakfast for theVirgo Cat, will be left in no doubt as to what thisfeline thinks of such slovenly behavior.Physically, the Virgo Cat possesses an intelli-gent yet critical expression which can create adismal appearance.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) The Crazy CatMotivated by the Moon, the life of the Cancer Cat will be one long chapter of accidentswhich eat into his or her quota of lives. Extreme stress or too much over-excitement willquickly lead to physical collapse and few Cancer Cats live to old age. Relationship with thehome is of vital importance to this feline... something an owner must never forget.

Feline Signs


Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)The Copy-Cat Such studious dedication will bedaunting in one so young, as this tiny felinedevotes hours to careful observations and prac-tice. Most owners soon become accustomed towatching tiny, four-legged images of themselveswalk around, but a few never come to terms withthe idea.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)The Cat’s Pajamas The Scorpio Cat likes tocrawl around inside of objects... such as boxesand cabinets... and, being a born hunter, adoresbeing outside. A Scorpio Cat usually does bestwith a Scorpio owner.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)The Stable Cat He or she will be a popular, ifaloof, feline who frequently refuses to mix withthe “common” type of cat found in the wrongneighborhood. This feline holds his or her tailhigh in the face of evil and finds good in almostevery aspect of life.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan 20)The Cat Burglar Constantly hopeful of improv-ing the personal standard of living, however,there is always a strong chance that this cat willmove out of his or her present home in order toassume residence in a more affluent household.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 18)The Hip Cat Very independent and, at heart, aloner, this feline is infamous for being more thana little eccentric... often preferring chocolate tofish, choosing to sleep in the dog’s basket, oreven displaying great enjoyment in taking a bath.If permitted, the Aquarius Cat will spend hoursexploring nature.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - Mar. 20)The Ship’s Cat Sensitive and blessed with theability to see inside the souls of others, thePisces Cat can be kind, gentle, understanding,aware and able to adjust to almost any given sit-uation. Physically, this feline is usually insignifi-cant in appearance, so small that he or she willhardly be there at all and, when it is possible tosee through the thin, soft fur, there will be a pal-lid and uninteresting complexion.

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)The Stray Cat A temperamental and active crea-ture, the Aries Cat is the most exasperating ofthe Zodiac, whose impact is formidable as he orshe rushes through life, leaving a trail of dement-ed impressions behind. This intrepid and adven-turous soul is constantly busy and considers theworld to be full of new horizons... all within thereach of the Aries Cat.



Ask the Groomer

pain. In my salon, we willtry to detangle only until itis apparent it causes pain.Then it must be clippedwith electric clippers. Theclipper blades will not

magically cut “through” the mat. It clips underneath the mat.The length of hair that is left is determined by the tightness ofthe mat. If you wash a pet with a mat, the soap and water willmake it tighter. If your pet is severely matted, there is a risk ofinjury when we have to “chisel” the hair off. Sometimes thereare sores under the mats that don’t get exposed until the hair istaken off. It must be dealt with before the bath. Clients say theywant a longer style of cut but the dog is matted. What do we do?I try to educate owners and explain we have a limited amountof choices. A shorter haircut might be the only choice or a pre-ventative for matting later, especially if the owner isn’t able tobrush the pet daily. In our busy schedules it is more realistic tochoose a style of cut to meet your needs, not necessarily forbeauty. Try to communicate with your groomer as to what yourabilities and your priorities are. When getting a new pet, doyour research, and ask your Groomer if a particular breed ishigh maintenance. Most breeds with long hair need daily brush-ing and professional grooming monthly. Be wise and choosewhat is appropriate for your household and income.

Cheryl Wyrick has been grooming in Waldo since1989. She currently manages Pampered PawsGrooming, Inc. Wyrick can be reached at 816-333-2522 or by email: Pamperedinkc @sbcglobal.net orat Pamperedpawsgroominginc.com

QDo mats hurt?

A I have been asked repeatedly… Do mats hurt? A mat is a mass of hair that is densely tangled orinterwoven together. This is usually the result ofinsufficient brushing. If you had a little girl withlong hair, could she go a week to amonth without brushing her hair? Howwould it feel to have tangles all overyour body? It feels like tight ponytails. Ibelieve it does hurt. It hurts when wetry to brush the tangles out. Most pro-fessional groomers have a policy inplace to avoid pain. We love animals and do notwant to be the one to cause any stress or physical

by Cheryl Wyrick

Lessons in brushing

If you had a little girl withlong hair, could she go aweek to a month without

brushing her hair?

A mat is a mass of hairthat is densely tangled or

interwoven together


Health TipQ How does a light massage, or gentle

touch, provide health benefits?

A Doing some gentle massage, TTouch, or slowstroking down your pet’s body (through the furwhere you can feel the skin), gives you baselineinformation about your companion animal. You willnotice any reaction to being touched in a certainarea, you might feel a warm or cool spot, you mayfeel a change in the texture of the fur, and you wouldcertainly find any unusual skin surfaces such aslumps, cuts, or even ticks (yes, it’s that time of year).Anything you find can be observed for changes orreported to your veterinarian for further investiga-tion if it is suspicious. For women, it would be com-parable to doing breast self-exams. You can turn thisprocess into a daily or weekly relaxation and bond-ing experience, even adding some meditation, and itwill bring health benefits to both of you.


BROADWAY COMES TO STARLIGHTTwo national touring Broadway musicals, making stops

at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City this summer, featurerescue dogs that have been trained to perform on stageeach night in front of thousands of adoring fans.

The national tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang travelswith 13 performing dogs aboard a custom tour bus. Theshow stops at Starlight Theatre for six performances July28 - August 2. All 13 dogs were rescued and trained byWilson Productions, a family operation in Gibsonton, Fla.

THE STARS OF THE SHOWWhen it became known that the Wilson family loved

dogs and had a hard time turning away those that wereunwanted, word spread quickly. Soon, people were leav-ing dogs at their doorstep. The Wilsons learned quicklyhow expensive it was to care for all of those rescuedpets. Luckily, the family had experience with trainingshow dogs, so they decided to train the rescued caninesand, in essence, allow the dogs to “pay their own way.”

Broadway: bright lights, powerful music, skilled dancing, elaboratesets, beautiful costumes! And rescued canines?

Yes! Broadway musicals have provided a new platform for rescued dogsto strut their stuff and prove their intelligent and willing dispositions.

by Whitney Bodenstab

Shelter Dogs Find New Lives as Show Dogs

Barks fromBroadway

Edison, the dog, on stage with Caractacus Potts and hischildren Jeremy and Jemima. Photo: Ian Ibbetson.

While owner Joanne Wilson hails from Florida, she boastssome Kansas City ties. As children, she and her siblings stayedat her grandparents’ home at Lake Lotawana during the schoolyear, before traveling with her parents and the circus during thesummer months. She also performed as an aerialist for morethan a decade in the annual Shrine circus that stopped inKansas City. In 1971, she trained six dogs and a pony for an actwith the circus and, ever since, she’s applied her love of per-formance to training animals for new productions.

A CASTING CALL FOR RESCUESOne favorite on the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tour is

Samantha, a 7-year-old sheepdog mix. Taken in as an unwantedpet by the Wilson’s veterinarian, Samantha was adopted at onlyseven months old and grew to become a beloved star. Lucky,another pup in Chitty, wandered up to the Wilson’s trailer fromthe desert at a Palm Springs, CA, campground.

The New York Broadway run of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang alsofeatured a “pack” of dogs, but those rescued canines weretrained by the famous William Berloni. Given specific detailsabout the type of dogs to be cast in the show, he searched shel-ters and humane societies all along the East Coast for the poten-tial stars. With encouragement from Chitty Chitty Bang Bangproducers, Berloni even held an open casting call for shelterdogs. “My dream of letting the world know shelter dogs wereworthwhile was coming true,” he said of the casting call eventin his book, Broadway Tails. The show was a big success forBerloni — and his eight dogs.

A CHANCE TO MAKE IT BIGOver the years, Berloni has trained many ani-

mals for Broadway productions, movies and com-mercials. His first training experience was withSandy in the original Broadway production ofAnnie. An aspiring actor, Berlonia was given thechance to be involved with a blooming produc-tion. That “chance” came in his assignment tofind a dog — and train it for the stage. Hesearched many pounds and humane societies forthe ideal dog and, eventually, found the perfectSandy. Along his journey, he saw some very poorshelter conditions and vowed to rescue moredogs from shelters in the future. Berloni, howev-er, did not yet know that rescuing and traininganimals would become his career.

Some of Berloni’s four-legged trainees recentlycame through Kansas City when the national tourof Legally Blonde The Musical opened StarlightTheatre’s 2009 Broadway season. Although thisshow only had four touring dogs, the furry char-acters had prominent roles in the plot.

BRUISER THE CHIHUAHUABruiser the Chihuahua, the lead character’s

flashy companion, is featured in many of theJULY / AUGUST 2009 • MetroPetMag.com 31

tour’s promotional materials and is the star of the tour’s officiallogo. Before Frankie’s Broadway job as Bruiser, he was rescuedby Berloni from a local animal shelter in Meriden, Conn. He istrained to bark five lines in the opening act alone and proves tobe Elle Woods’ ideal companion when he performs a trick thathelps her discover the key clue that leads to her first legal casewin. China, an English Bulldog, plays the role of spunky hair-dresser Paulette’s companion. China was rescued from an inhu-mane breeding situation in upstate New York.

Two canine understudies also travel with the Legally Blondetour: Roxie and Nellie. Roxie was rescued as a stray in Louisiana,and Nellie was turned over to the Humane Society of New Yorkafter a family found a new baby and puppy too much to handle.

Both Wilson and Berloni apply the principles of positive rein-forcement to train their dogs to perform, and both stronglyencourage the act of rescuing homeless pets.

“Adopt an animal, and you may find your own star,” saysBerloni in the very last line of his book, Broadway Tails.

To purchase tickets to see the dogs of Chitty Chitty Bang Bangin action at Starlight Theatre, visit kcstarlight.com or call816.363.STAR.

For more information about the national tours of Chitty Chitty BangBang or Legally Blonde The Musical, visit their Web sites at chittyon-tour.com and legallyblondethemusical.com, respectively. For moreinformation about Wilson Productions, visit wilsondogs.com. To learn aboutWilliam Berloni and his book Broadway Tails, visittheatricalanimals.com.

WHO? BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING

WHERE? SHAWNEE, LEAWOOD, OVERLAND PARK,KANSAS CITY, RAYMORE • PHONE 816-554-4990www.brookdaleliving.com

WHY ARE YOU DIFFERENT? An important part ofchoosing a great Independent Living, PERSONALized AssistedLiving, Long Term Care or Rehabilitation community is findinga comfortable lifestyle. Our Kansas City area Brookdale SeniorLiving communities will make you feel right at home. And,since they’re all pet-friendly, your feline and canine compan-ions will feel the same way.

• Independent Living communities offer spacious apart-ments, vibrant activities and a wide range of services, alongwith abundant opportunities for socialization and participation.This lifestyle is designed for those seeking active engagementon every level, with Exceptional Experience Every Day.

• Assisted Living communities are designed for those whorequire some assistance with the activities of daily living, suchas dressing, bathing and help with medications, along withgraduated levels of care as needed. We promise Respect forIndividual Preferences.

• Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care communities are over-seen by a staff of trained professionals who provide care andactivities for those with various forms of dementia and toensure Daily Moments of Success. These purpose-built com-munities offer features to stimulate recognition and recall in asafe and secure environment.

• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC’s)feature independent living as the predominant lifestyle compo-nent, but also offer multiple levels of care such as PersonalizedAssisted Living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care and skilled nurs-ing.

• Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing communities areapproved by Medicare. They are designed for those who requireshort term rehabilitation after a hospitalization for physical,occupational, and speech therapy, and nursing needs.

• Skilled Nursing Center communities are designed toassist with activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing,eating, and monitoring of medications. We are committed toRespecting Your Choices with Compassion and Competence.We have raised the bar to create a residence home instead of anursing home. See our ad on pg. 25

METROPET RESOURCE



Other EventsMO-KAN Cat Club - Cat ShowSat-Sun, August 8-9Overland Park Convention CenterDetails: mokancatclub.org/index.html

Tails in the Trails LenexaSat, August 15, 9:00 am - 2:00 pmDetails: ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/petfair.html

Art Unleashed Benefits: Humane Society of Greater KCFri, August 28, 7:00 - 10:00 pmDetails: hsgkc.org/eventspage.html

A Night at the CaberetFri, July 177:30 pm Muehlebach Towers 12th & BaltimoreDetails: nmhpkc.com

Westrope Big Dawg Open Event: Sept 9Register: Aug 9Ironhorse Golf CourseDetails: nmhpkc.com

Too Cool To Drool Sat, Aug 29, Olathe, KSBenefits: Animal HavenDetails: campbowwow.com/us/ks/olathe/

MidWest Kids’ Fest Sat-Sun, July 25-26Overland Park Int’l Trade CenterDetails: www.midwestkidsfest.com/

Upcoming Advertiser Events

Links to events atwww.metropetmag.com


How Cute is Your Pet?Snap a photo of your cutie.

Submit the photo at metropetmag.com.Your pet’s photo could land a spot on this page!If your pet’s photo doesn’t make the magazine, check the website!

Wally — I am a retiree who adopted Wally, an adorable4 month old bundle of energy....ahhhhh! The ConsumersReports booklet was titled, Should I Eat This? Since chew-ing is a Wally specialty, he decided the answer was, “YES”he should eat it! He was pretty pleased with himself.Submitted by Mary Lou Chaimers

Sadie — I bought Sadie at Wayside Waifs in January. She isan adorable dog but very nervous of strangers due to beingabused in previous homes. She is slowly trusting me and oth-ers as we take walks, go to training classes, and ride in thecar together. I caught her relaxing on my back yard when Isnapped her picture. Submitted by Barbara Whitcomb

Baby — Baby is extremely intelligent NandayConure. She is very social and has a great personality.Baby is a big part of our family for almost 10 years. Welove her very much! Submitted by Sabina Besic

Whiskers & Leo — Whiskers is 6, Leo is 6 months.Whiskers wants to mother Leo, Leo would prefer to wrestle.This is one of the rare times Whiskers agreed to play with him.They had been swatting back and forth and I snapped the photoat the perfect moment! Submitted by Krisi Durden

2009 metro pet magazine august anniversary issue

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