june/july 2010 issue of pet me! magazine

AT ONE OF TWO

VERY SPECIALUPCOMING

EVENTS!

NEW COVER TO COME

JUNE/JULY2010RATTLESNAKE

SEASON:Protect Your Dogs

IT TAKES A TEAM TO SPAY A CATGo Behind the Scenes of Your Cat’s Procedure

GARAGE MAHAL IN THE SCVTV Show Makes Local Animal Lover’s Dream Come True

MATTERS OF THE HEARTHow to Spot and Prevent Heart Disease in Pets

PICKING THE PERFECT KENNEL

What you should look for in finding

your pet’s “home away from home”

TURTLE TALESHow to make your

home turtle-iffic!

FREE TO GOOD HOMES!Pet Me!Is Always…

PetMe_JuneJuly2010.indd 1 5/25/10 3:47:21 PM

FROM THE PUBLISHERWow! It’s already summer in the SCV! Time to get outside and en-joy the great outdoors with your family and friends - two-legged and four-legged. We are so lucky to have the variety of outdoor environments so close to our community. Within a short drive you and Fido can hit the beach, climb a mountain, jump in a lake, hit the dusty trail, or just stop and smell those flowers!

While there’s nothing like hiking with our favorite pooch, on some of Santa Clarita’s favorite trails, you may come across an unwanted guest. Yes, its rattlesnake season, find out how to be prepared and what precautions you can take in this issue.

A couple of kind reminders for these heated SCV summers, take care to make sure your pooches paws are protected. Some people think that a pups paw pads are immune to hot pavement, this is not true, they are extremely sensitive.

Also, keep in mind that while you are in a tank top and shorts, your pooch is still wearing his winter coat. So take notice, have some fun and take advantage of the great weather we have right now

with lots of outside activities. That way when those Dog Days of Summer in August hit, you can sit back and chill out - either at the lake or beach. You can always end you day by treating your pooch to a fabulous doggy spa to get out the sand and a summer haircut, what the heck treat yourself to one too!

As always, our magazine is geared to providing the most helpful, current information for pet owners, lovers, and advocates. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.

Sincerely,

Bridget AlvesPublisher, Pet Me! Magazine


FEATURESJUNE/JULY 2010 Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ 3

ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

Direct: 661.255.9979Fax: 866.259.9201

General e-mail: [email protected]

Web-site: www.petmemag.com

Annual Subscription: $10

PUBLISHER AND EDITORBridget Alves

ADVERTISING/MARKETINGShayna BarrazaSandie Allaway

PRODUCTION/GRAPHICSANi4 DESIGN

PUBLISHED BYPet Me! PublicationsCONTRIBUTING WRITER

Shayna Barraza

Find Us On Facebook - Search for Pet Me! Magazine

4 It’s Rattlesnake Season – Protect your DogsVaccines are now available to prevent harm Dr. Terry Dayton, Ph. D, CAS, VDT

5 It Takes a Team to Spay a CatMaking sure your feline is treated well during her surgery - both before and after By Dr. Tracy McFarland

6 Garage Mahal In The SCVTV show turns garage into animal shelterCourtesy of Kyle Harris and Castaic Animal Shelter

7 Matters of the HeartHow to spot and prevent heart disease in petsBy Dr. Grewal

10 Resource DirectoryInformation on pet supplies and services in and around the SCV

12 Puppy Diaries: Saving TobiThe art of choosing a rescue puppyBy Shayna Barraza

13 Picking The Perfect KennelWhat to look for in finding your pets “home away from home”By Shayna Barraza

16 Turtle TalesHow to make your home turtle-iffic! Courtesy of Drs. Foster Smith

17 Kids & PetsFun things for kids, art & poems from readers

18 Furry Friends Help Sell Cars19 Awesome Adoptables!

“ Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth!”

~ANNE TYLER, The Accidental Tourist

“Most pets display so many humanlike

traits and emotions it’s easy to forget they’re

not gifted with the English language and

then get snubbed when we talk to them

and they don’t say anything back. ” ~ STEPHENIE GEIST


FEATURES

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Pet Me! Magazine™ JUNE/JULY 2010

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4

Rattlesnakes are found in wetlands, deserts, forests and mountains, they are California’s only venomous serpents. We have six varieties that can all be found here in south-

ern California. Snakes are most active in warmer seasons. Because Santa Clarita is already warming up- we have already had several reported cases of rattlesnake bites. Baby Rattle-snakes are considered even more dangerous then adults so do not let the size of the snake fool you. Rattlesnakes are born fully fanged. Young snakes have not learned how to control the amount of venom it releases. Most rattlesnakes contain hemotoxic venom that can causes tissue damage, shuts down organs and prevents the body’s blood the ability to clot.

Treatment of a Rattlesnake bite is expensive. The average cost to treat a dog bitten by a rattlesnake is between $1000 to $5000. Treatment can include hospitalization, intrave-nous fluids, anti-venom treatment and other medications. The anti-venom that is used on animals is the same treatment used on people and is regulated by the state. The manufac-tures of the anti-venom only sell a limited amount for the use of animals making it difficult to get at times and increasing the cost.

The best way to protect your dog is to vaccinate your dog with the rattlesnake vac-cine that can be obtained at your local veterinary clinic. The vaccination can reduce the

overall effects of the snakebite, reduce or eliminate the need for anti-venom and decrease your veterinary treatment costs. The vaccine is safer then anti-venom treatment. The vaccine builds protective antibodies in your dog that starts neutralizing venom immediately. The average antibody in a recently vaccinated dog is comparable to the treatment of three vials of anti-venom. The vaccine does not mean that your dog does not need treatment if bitten. Only your veterinarian can determine if your dog is sufficiently protected and if further treatment is needed. The effectiveness of the vaccine is influenced by the location of the bite, the type of snake, the amount of venom injected and when the dog was vaccinated. Even Snake bites from non-venomous snakes are painful and can cause infections. Some breeds of dogs are considered a higher risk at being bitten the other dogs. Those dogs are hunting breeds and terriers. You may also want to consider attending a rattlesnake avoidance class as well.

Dr. Terry Dayton, Ph. D, CAS, VDTSeco Canyon Animal Clinic

It’s RattlesnakeSeason!!

Protect Your Dogs



Pet Me! Magazine™

FEATURES

5

In order for a cat to have a safe, comfortable spay (ovariohyster-

ectomy) so that she will not experience periods of estrus or become pregnant, it takes a team of skilled, experienced professionals and lay staff at your veterinarians office.

First there is your phone call (or even an email) requesting informa-tion about the spay procedure. You might ask about how long your kitty will be in the hospital, what vaccines she will need ahead of time and what pain management she will receive. You might also ask what the fees will be. A receptionist will answer these questions and then schedule your cat’s procedure. He or she will explain the steps you need to take at home to prepare your cat, such as withholding food for several hours beforehand.

The day before your cat’s surgery appointment, a receptionist will pull your file and prepare a written estimate of fees and surgery autho-rization for you to see the morning of surgery.

The morning of surgery (or at some offices the night before) you will drop off your cat and sign the sur-gical authorization. The receptionist or assistant will take your cat and bring her into the treatment room where she will be weighed, her tem-perature taken, and she will be made comfortable in the hospital ward.

Before her surgery, a veterinar-ian will examine her, which includes listening to her heart and lungs and palpating her abdomen. The vet-erinarian also verifies she has had

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appropriate vaccines and is ready for surgery. A veterinary technician may take a blood sample and run several laboratory tests to make sure your cat’s kidneys and liver are healthy since they will be working to remove the anesthetics and other drugs from your cat’s body after surgery.

Depending on the patient and veterinarian, your cat may have an intravenous catheter placed by the doctor or technician to provide access for life saving drugs should an emer-gency arise, as well as the intravenous anesthetics that help your cat “sleep” through her operation. Pre-anes-thetic medications such as pain meds and tranquilizers may be given once the intravenous drugs are injected to cause loss of consciousness, an endo-tracheal (breathing) tube is inserted into your cat’s trachea (windpipe) by the veterinary technician or veterinar-ian and gas maintenance anesthesia is started and will continue until the spay is completed.

Your cat is placed on a warming pad on her back to maintain body temperature, her abdomen is shaved, her bladder is gently expressed (emptied) by the technician and then our patient is transferred to the O.R. (operating room) and again placed on a warming pad.

The veterinary technician and veterinary assistant work together to “prep” the surgical area with surgical scrub (soap) and alcohol rinses, while the surgeon dons a cap and mask and thoroughly scrubs his or her hands. The doctor is assisted by the techni-

cian or veterinary assistant to put on a sterile surgeon’s gown and gloves, the patient is draped with a sterile cloth, the sterile pack of instruments is pre-sented to the surgeon by the techni-cian and the operation proceeds, with the technician monitoring anesthe-sia, including using advanced instru-ments to measure oxygen saturation and blood pressure.

The technician will assist the sur-geon with suture packs and anything else he or she might need. Once the last suture (stitch) is placed, the vet-erinary technician monitors the cat until she is awake enough to have her breathing tube removed. She is then placed in a recovery ward and the technician or an assistant monitors her until she is fully awake.

She will spend the night in a quiet, comfortable cage with towels or blanket to cushion her sleep. Some spay/neuter clinics have spay patients go home the night of the surgery, in which case she will need to rest qui-etly in a small room.

The Cat Doctor & Friends prefers to keep our spay patients overnight so

they can get additional pain manage-ment as needed post-op and even the next morning. A kennel attendant will provide food, water and a litter box for your cat while she recuperates and a technician or the doctor will check her incision and temperature the next morning. She can then go home and after the doctor completes the surgi-cal write up and progress notes, a receptionist will prepare the file for check out. If she has external sutures or staples she will need to return in 10-14 days to have them removed by the doctor or technician. At The Cat Doctor & Friends, we use a subcuticular clo-sure with no external sutures, so this additional visit is not needed.

As you can see, it really does take a team to spay a cat!

Dr. Tracy McFarland

It Takes a Team to Spay a Cat


FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


6

Water Fun for Exercise & Therapy For Your Dog!


Trish Cohen • 661-618-6628 • www.hasshaus.comCerti�ed in Canine Water �erapy Since 2007

In Home Boarding: $30 per night • $15 for 1/2 dayRound Trip Pick-Up and Drop-Off $20

When Kyle Harris of Canyon Country saw

six-foot-four, 275 pound Bill Goldberg tear up, she knew the right crew had arrived. And what was the former NFL football player and professional wrestler choked up about? The same things that both-ered the professional pet sitter: brutalized and neglected dogs and cats.

While Harris has been running a pet sitting ser-vice and assisting the Castaic Animal Shelter with its overflow of ani-mals for the past six years, Goldberg has been a spokesperson for the Hu-mane Society of America. So when Harris told her story to the reality series Garage Mahal, it just so happened that Goldberg was the host of the show. “It was a slam dunk,” said Harris.” I still can’t believe it. But the DIY network

show and what we are trying to do here were a perfect match.”

Beside the dogs, ani-mal shelter volunteers Clare Storey, Hsiawen Hull, and Debbie Rosato regularly descend upon Harris’ garage, bringing needy animals and help-ing her with problem animals and clean up.

Shelter officers often show up in uniform with a needy dog in the Animal Control truck. “It is a team effort”, Harris stressed. Thirty-one puppies have been fostered in this garage so far this year. Harris is also very active in spay/neuter education and anti-puppy mill legislation.

In three days the Garage Mahal was com-plete. “I was amazed. When Bill Goldberg led Jim (Harris’ husband) and I in for ‘The Reveal’ on day three, I cried,” said Harris.

And for good reason. She had storage shelves, feed bins, elevated cages on a specially built kennel, a large dog door, electrical works, two new energy efficient washer/dryers, cabinet tops, and a deep sink for washing ani-mals. Instead of a porous garage floor, there was newly polished floor with

a soy-based sealant. “They even put in a special drain for speedy clean ups,” said Harris.

In addition, Steve Gold-berg, the host’s brother and owner of Muttropo-lis , donated many dog supplies, such as kennels, beds, bowls, and leash-es to the project. Fresh painted green walls are

GarageMahal

AnswersFosterMom’s

Prayers

InThe SCV

Host, Bill Goldberg, and Kyle is holding Lily, a puppy mill survivor.

The crew has a little playtime with Lily, a puppy mill survivor.






Trish Cohen • 661-618-6628 • www.hasshaus.comCerti�ed in Canine Water �erapy Since 2007

In Home Boarding: $30 per night • $15 for 1/2 dayRound Trip Pick-Up and Drop-Off $20

accented with the white storage shelves. A spe-cially cut logo on one wall says Kyle’s Critter Care.

“We’re making the en-tire space functional and seamless,” said Goldberg. “I’m ecstatic because it’s an-other way to give animals a voice. This is something that will definitely make a difference. She’s [Harris] a

very worthy person. You can tell her passion. In a day and age when people only think of themselves, it’s great to see someone

helping [others]. It’s very rewarding.”

Garage Mahal airs Fri-days on DIY network at 9:30 p.m.

If you are seriously con-sidering fostering dogs for the Castaic Animal Shelter, please visit Kyle’s website at www.kyles customcrittercare.com. Volunteer classes are forming NOW!

To download volunteer applications, please visit

http://animalcare. lacounty.gov

GarageMahal

AnswersFosterMom’s

Prayers

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• Internal Medicine• Intensive Care• Orthopedics

• Animal Dentistry• In-House Lab• Vaccinations• Spay & Neuter

• Surgery• Flea Control• Rattlesnake Vaccine• Microchip

• Ultrasound• Emergency Care• Private Cremation

Getting to grips with the jack-hammer is Jim, Kyle’s husband.

Officer Taylor and Officer Harrison, returning the puppies after being

spayed and neutered prior to going to their forever homes

Kyle talks with Garage Mahal about her dream to help shelter

homeless animals.

PET SUPPLY SANTA CLARITA26831 Bouquet Cyn. Rd.Santa Clarita, CA 91350At Bouquet and SecoPH: 661-296-2654FAX: 661-296-5414Owned and Operated by:Kathi and Chris

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A Tip From The Pros..

If using your central AC/heating regularly, air filters must be changed monthly to maintain a healthy &

efficient indoor environment for you and your pets. Dr. Air Care specializes in air quality & odor control for homes with pets. We offer a number of tools to help you maintain a clean indoor environment. If you feel sick while leaving in your home it may very well be the air that your breathing.

For a limited time you can receive a free dander & allergy test for your home. Call Dr. Air Care today for a free over the phone or in home consultation at 888-401-VENT.


FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


8

MANY DISEASES OF PEOPLE ALSO OCCUR IN PETS. A PROBLEM THAT IS COMMON IN PEOPLE, DOGS, AND CATS IS HEART DISEASE. WHILE THESE DISORDERS HAVE SOME THINGS IN COMMON, MANY AILMENTS OF THE HEART IN PETS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT OCCURS IN PEOPLE. RECENT SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT 11% OF ALL DOGS HAVE HEART DISEASE, AND UP TO 20% OF ALL CATS MAY HAVE SOME DEGREE OF HEART DISEASE.

The statistics change depending on the age and breed of pet. Approximately one-third of dogs 13 years of age and older will have heart disease. Some breeds of dogs have higher rates of heart disease than others. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the breed with the highest rate of heart disease, most commonly degenerative mitral valve disease.

It is a genetic disease that causes a heart valve to become deformed. Some veterinary cardiologists say this disease may occur in 80 to 90% of Cavaliers. Other breeds of dogs with higher than normal rates of heart disease include Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, and small breeds in general. Cat breeds predisposed to heart disease are Maine Coon,

Ragdoll, American Shorthair, and Per-sians; these also have a genetic basis.

Heart attacks are common in people but do not occur in pets because pets do not have coronary vessel disease. High levels of cholesterol and plaque clog the arteries supplying the heart muscle in some people; when the

muscle reaches a critical point, a heart attack occurs. Pets process cholesterol differently than people do; pet’s blood vessels do not become occluded.

Heart disease in dogs can be divided into three types, in order of prevalence, as valve disease, cardio-myopathy, and congenital heart deformities.

Valve disease occurs as the pet ages, and causes the valves to become thickened and irregular so they leak. In a normal heart, as the heart contracts, the valves fall into place and create a seal so the blood can go only one direction as the heart squeezes. When the valves leak, some blood can go backwards, and cause problems because there is over-distention of the




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Heartworm disease is a common cause of heart and lung disease in both cats and dogs. This can cause congestive heart failure, fluid build up in the abdo-men, weight loss, coughing (especially in cats), or sud-

den death. All dogs and cats should be on a monthly heart-worm preventative. For all these heart diseases, except heartworm disease, the best method of diagnosis or evaluation is by an echocardiogram (a cardiac ultrasound) that looks inside the heart to evalu-ate the chamber sizes, valves, and direction and qual-

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upper heart chamber. Eventually, as the valve leaks more, more blood goes backwards, and fluid builds up behind the poorly functioning pump (heart), and the pet goes into congestive heart failure.

Cardiomyopathy is more common in the larger breeds of dogs, especially Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes. Most frequently this is in the form of dilated Cardiomyo-pathy, where the heart muscle be-comes thin and flaccid, and can’t contract well. This is a very serious dis-ease with a poor prognosis. When people have this problem they are commonly put on the heart transplant list.

There are many different types of congenital heart deformities, although none are especially common in pets. Some of these are serious and some will never bother the pet. Patent ductus arteriosus is one of the more common congenital heart diseases in the dog.

Cats rarely have valvular or congenital heart dis-eases. Cardiomyopathy is by far the most common heart disease in cats. There are several different types of Cardiomyopathy, but Hypertrophic Cardiomyopa-thy (HCM) is by far the most common form. With this disease, the heart muscle becomes very thickened, to the point it decreases the amount of blood that can come into the heart, and the heart wall becomes stiff so that it can’t pump well. HCM cats are prone to forming clots in the heart that are then flushed to other areas of the body; symptoms depend on where the clot goes. The most common event is for the clot to be washed down the aorta, and to lodge where the aorta divides to go into the rear legs. These cats are presented because they suddenly can’t use their back legs and are in pain. HCM cats can also go into con-gestive heart failure, or they can have acute death. The most frustrating aspect for the veterinarian is that one-third of HCM cats do not have a murmur.

• Coughing • Fluid build up in the abdomen• Difficulty breathing, using the

abdominal muscles to help breathing• Increased respiratory

rate (not panting)• Weakness• Poor or gray color

of the gums• Exercise intolerance• Collapse• Fainting spells which

may look like a seizure

SIGNS OF HEART DISEASE IN PETS


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Pet Me! Magazine™

Pet Me! Magazine™ JUNE/JULY 2010 FEATURESJUNE/JULY 2010 Pet Me! Magazine™


PET CARE RESOURCES RESCUES & MORE

Pet Friendly Property Management

Full Service Real Estate Group27943 Seco Canyon Rd. #518

Santa Clarita, CA 91350661-255-9979

[email protected]

Best boarding

facilities in the SCVCanine Country Club

20341 Blue Cloud Road, Santa Clarita

661-296-0566www.cccofscv.com

Castaic Canine CampNorth Ridge Route Road,

Castaic661-257-0957

www.castaiccaninecamp.com

Great Groomers in SCV

U-Wash Doggie(3 locations)

23013 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita

(661) 255-960024144 Lyons Avenue, Newhall

(661) 284-360029469 The Old Road, Castaic

(661) 257-0695www.uwashdoggie.com

www.petwash.com

Valencia’s Dog House27674 Newhall Ranch Road,

Valencia(661) 702-0507

www.valenciasdoghouse.com

Perfect Pet PortraitsPaw Prints Pet Portraiture

818-887-9010www.pawprintspictures.com

Pet Friendly Happening HotelsComfort Suites

25380 The Old RoadStevenson Ranch

661-254-7700www.choicehotels.com

Best Western Valencia Inn27413 Wayne Mills Place, Valencia

661-255-0555www.book.bestwestern.com

Friendly Fish

StoresNatural Wonders

Fish & Pet Supplies28018 Seco Cyn. Rd. Santa Clarita

661-298-2740www.naturalwondersfish.com Remarkable

Rescues Bunnyluv

16742 Stagg Street, Suite #104 Van Nuys • 818-988 – 4488

www.bunnyluv.comBrittany Foundation

Agua Dulce • 661-713-5240www.brittanyfoundation.com

Forgotten Angels Cat RescueActon • 661-273-9822

www.forgottenangelsrescue.orgSecond Chance Rescue

Acton • 661-269-1041Villalobos Rescue Center

(Agua Dulce) • [email protected]

Dynamic Dog TrainersCanine Water Therapy

Trish Cohen(Certified)

661-618-6628www.hasshaus.com

Linda Chisholm661-257-0957

Dogone-ItMobile Dog Training

By Marlee661-251-3873

Residence Inn25320 The Old Rd.

Santa Clarita661-290-2800

www.marriot.com

SCV Pawpular Pet Suppliers

Pet Supply Santa Clarita26831 Bouquet Canyon Road


www.petsupplysantaclarita.comPet Stop

16522 Soledad Canyon Rd.Canyon Country661-251-3867

Knock-out Nutritional Supplements

Vetraceuticals888-585-6722

www.myvetra4pets/com

Perfect PetfinderBarkcode

310-806-2000www.barkcode.com

Pampering Pet SittersDogone-it • Marlee

661-251-3873Jennifer Bisbee

661-714-2839

Loving Care Pet Sitting 661-443-0078

Animal SheltersCastaic Animal Shelter

31044 N Charlie Canyon Rd., Castaic

661-257-3191www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

Lancaster Shelter5210 W Avenue “I,” Lancaster

661-940-4191www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

Kern County Animal Control201 S. Mt. Vernon

Bakersfield661-868-7100

www.animalcare.lacounty.gov

Trusted Vets in the SCV

PET CARE RESOURCES RESCUES & MOREAnimal

EncountersGibbons

Gibbon Conservation Center661-943-4915 or 661-296-2737 • 19100 Esguerra, SaugusTechnically an ape, these animals are smaller than a chim-panzee and do not have tails. The forty gibbons at the Gibbon Conservation Center live as families in outdoor enclosures on the 2.5-acre site located across the street from Lombardi Ranch on Bouquet Canyon. The gibbons will entertain you with their beautifully pitched voices and acrobatic antics. Call ahead and join a scheduled tour, or reserve a private tour. The center is always looking for volunteers, age 18 and over. Because the center is not open to the public except by appointment, please call ahead. Admission is tax deductible. Also check their website Tours page for upcoming tours.

Farm Animal Rescue

The Gentle Barn661-252-2440

15825 Sierra Hwy, Canyon CountryThis animal rescue shelter opens its doors to the public Sundays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. Teaching kindness and compassion to animals, you’ll have an opportunity to not only interact with the pigs, but to brush the horses, hug the cows, hold the chickens, hang out with a turkey, and pet the

goats and sheep.

Animal Acres5200 Escondido Canyon

Acton, CA 93510 • Ph: 661-269-5404E-mail: [email protected]: www.animalacres.org

Rivendale Animal Sanctuary

661-268-1133 • Agua DulceThe passion of this sanctuary is to save ponies, horses and donkeys. They have also rescued other abused animals. All of the animals here are not suitable for adoption. The public is welcome to visit by appointment. Location will

be provided when you call.

BisonWilliam S. Hart Park

Museum Information: 661-254-4584Park Information: 661-259-0855

24151 San Fernando Road, NewhallSeveral bison roam the hillside near the William S. Hart Mu-seum, donated by Disney in 1962. Park the car in the lot and walk up the drive toward the mansion. They can be difficult to spot; look for the chain link fence ‘feeding area’ to your right just before you reach the mansion. They are usually there every day between 6:30-noon, and then again at 4:00 pm for feeding. Free. While there, stop in for a tour of the

mansion, offered Wednesday-Sunday, hours vary. Free.

Barnyard ZooWilliam S. Hart Park

661-259-0855 • 24151 San Fernando Road, NewhallChickens, horses and other barnyard animals await your visit at the small zoo in William S. Hart Park, just to the right of the Big Hall. Admission is free. Open daily sunrise to 6:00

pm (summer), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (winter).

Snakes & TarantulasPlacerita Nature Center

661-259-7721 • 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd., NewhallGet up close and personal with some of the scariest insects and reptiles from our area. Saturdays at 1:00 PM the Placer-ita Nature Center staff bring out these creatures to give you an opportunity to touch them. The Junior Ranger program for kids 6-12 takes place the last Sunday of the month from 2-4 in the afternoon all year long. The Nature Center is open

every day, 9-5. Free.

Birds of PreyVasquez Rocks Natural Area

661-268-084010700 W. Escondido Canyon Road, Agua Dulce

On the first Sunday of every winter month, the rangers at Vasquez Rocks bring folks closer to the magnificent birds in our area. Check the link above at our Calendar of Events for exact times, but do note that programs are cancelled due to inclement weather. (It can be beautiful here in the Santa Clarita Valley and quite nasty at Vasquez Rocks, and vice

versa, so call the park to confirm the presentation.)

MacawsGreen Landscape Nursery

These brightly colored parrots can sometimes be heard throughout Green Landscape Nursery. It’s located at the corner of San Fernando Road & Cinema Drive. Head past the main building into the shaded area on your right, to-ward the giant steel cages. But watch your fingers! Note: At any given time, there are about a dozen Morning Dove nests and 30 or more hummingbirds scattered throughout the nursery-including the very beautiful Costa. The cheerful staff is more than happy to point you in the direction of the living creatures on the property. This is also one of the very best sources for quality plants and expert info on what will

grow in your yard here in the SCV.

Horse SanctuariesAnimal Safe Haven Foundation

661-268-1879 • Agua DulceHorses, livestock, cats and dogs reside in this sanctuary for senior animals who’s owners can no longer care for them. Visitors are welcome Saturday and Sunday by appointment.

Location will be provided upon calling.

Exotic Animal EncountersHollywood Animals

Exotic Animal Training School323-665-9500

Get up close to animal actors during a one day seminar, or ride an elephant during a private animal encounter.

Please note that while many of these rescues and sanctuaries do not charge an admission, most are run by volunteers with very little fund-ing-if any. They all appreciate your donations, and many seek volunteers to love and work with the animals. Also, many are located at personal residences, so please call ahead as requested.

In TheSanta Clarita Valley

June 6 • 12pmSpa Day at Bunny Luv (fundraiser)

16742 Stagg Street Suite #104

Van Nuys, CA 91406

June 18th • 12pmGentle Barn Golf

TournamentRobinson Ranch

Golf CourseSanta Clarita, CA

June 27, 2010

Hawgz4Dawgz3748 West Nickels Ave

Acton [email protected]

Saturday, June 1911 a.m. - 3 p.m. Shaggy Chic Pet

Boutique642 Lindero Cyn. Rd.

Agoura

Sunday, June 277 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Brittany Foundation’sFamous Bake Sale & Adoption Event

Santa Monica AirportAntique Market

South Side • Airport Ave. off Bundy

(Visit our adoption booth from

9 a.m. - 2 p.m.!)

Sunday, July 18Pet Supply

Adoption Day11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

26831 Bouquet Cyn. Rd. Saugus

NOW HIRING ADVERTISINGSALESPEOPLEIf you love pets and love to sell we need you!

Please email your resume to:[email protected]

or Fax it to 866-259-9201

Ongoing Adoptions:

PetsmartEvery Sat 10-3pm

West Palmdale Petsmart39523 10th Street,

Palmdale Petco

(Castaic Shelter)Every 2nd Sunday

26501 Bouquet Cyn.Rd.Santa Clarita, CA

GreySave Meet & GreetAdoptable Greyhounds

Fourth Sunday of each month.

Northridge Petco Noon-3pm

8800 Tampa Ave, Northridge

Adoption Events:

Stevenson Ranch

Veterinary Hospital

25832 Hemingway Ave.


www.srvc.aahavet.org

Valencia Veterinary Center

23928 Summerhill Lane,

Valencia661-263-9000

www.bestvalenciavet.com

VIP Veterinary Hospital.

26111 Bouquet Cyn Rd.

Saugus

661-222-PETS (7387)

www.vippethospital.com

Seco Canyon Animal Clinic

27935 Seco Canyon Road


www.secocanyonanimalclinic.info

The Cat Doctor

26055 Bouquet Canyon Rd.


www.catdoctor.com

PetMe_JuneJuly2010.indd 10-11 5/25/10 3:48:53 PM

FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


12

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We had already spent hours researching about dog breeds, personalities, and which were best for families with children.

Based on that information, we had a general idea of what kind of dog we want-ed. When we decided to rescue a dog from a shelter rather than purchase one from a breeder, all of that kind of went out the window. Not entirely, but there is a limited selection to choose from, thus you may go in wanting a Chihuahua and come out with a German Shepherd. No, really. It happens. Reasons for this vary, yet most of us in this situation are motivated by the perfect combination of peer pressure and a hint of guilt. With our objective in place, the rescue mission (or should I say hunt) began.

SAVING TOBI - THE ART OF CHOOSING A RESCUE PUPPYDuring our first visit to the shelter, we found a little puppy that we kind

of liked. We weren’t crazy about him, but figured we would learn to love him. I mean, at least we were rescuing him, right? (Here’s that combination of guilt and peer pressure I was telling you about). We soon came to our senses and remembered our vow to commit to keeping our next puppy forever. In the end, we decided to wait and find one who really pulled at our heart strings. Not what we really wanted to do in the passion of the moment, yet it seemed right. Of course the kids were crawling out of their skin, waiting to get their hands on a puppy to call their own. You can imagine their disappointment when we broke the news that we were going to have to go home empty-handed. Needless to say, our first trip to the shelter didn’t turn out how we’d hoped it would.

But one long week later, we piled into the car and drove an hour to give one more attempt at finding the perfect puppy to love. At the shelter, things hadn’t gone so well this time either. As we took one last stroll through the ken-nels before leaving, we spotted her. She hadn’t been there just a few minutes earlier; at least we hadn’t seen her. She stole my heart at first glance. When I saw her, I immediately made up my mind that we had to take her home (of course I didn’t tell anyone, but that was my secret plan). I pointed her out to the family and everyone was enamored. She was just sitting there, perfectly posed, at the front of the kennel staring outward. Her fur was a soft apricot color, with a black muzzle, and her floppy white paws were too big for her tiny body. She had the most hopeful look in her eyes. After all of three seconds, we unanimously agreed we wanted to take her home.

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We went to the front to get some information about her; it was a miserable wait. It took 30 minutes for us to finally speak with the woman behind the desk. Let me remind you that we are talking about waiting 30 minutes in a small crowded room (that didn’t smell like roses), in the middle of summer, with flies harassing us the entire time. The things we do for love! As it turned out, she had just been spayed three days earlier, which meant this was the first day she could be released. This was great news. Unfortunately, we had to get back in line to fill out paperwork, etc. We picked another number and waited 40 minutes this time, but the entire wait was worth it. We paid our small fee, loaded her up into the car, and we were off.

On the way home, Tobi was jittery, but it was to be expected. She was only three months old and had no idea what was happening. A few minutes down the road, we found the closest grassy area, and took a pit stop for Tobi. We hooked on her leash and gently placed her on the grass. She was so fragile. As she clumsily walked through the grass, she reminded me of Bambi when he first tried to walk. Remember how his legs kept folding under him and all the forest animals were laughing? It was just like that. She hobbled around a bit, but never went to the bathroom; all the way home I was hoping she didn’t have an accident on my lap. Though you could feel the wonder and excitement in the air, it was a quiet ride as each of us sifted through our thoughts and expecta-tions of how we could best accommodate Tobi to her forever home. Sadly, our euphoria would soon be replaced by feelings of frustration, helplessness, and disappointment. Just a short time had passed since we brought Tobi home, and we weren’t sure whether this new little puppy would be with us very much longer. Until next time….

Shayna Barraza is a freelance writer based in Santa Clarita You can contact her at [email protected]

Let’s face it, when it comes to your canine children, you want the best for them. A place where the love and attention they need and want is guaranteed.Castaic Canine Camp sits on 17 pristine acres of land adjacent Castaic Lake. Castaic Canine Camp o�ers boarding, daycare, training facilities, and services for all ages, breeds and sizes of canines.Castaic Canine Camp accepts furry guests for a day visit or extended stay, and o�ers inter-action with other dogs or separate accommodations according to your pet’s special needs...and your needs for them.

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FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


14

TAKE A TOUR Call your place of interest and ask to make an appointment for a tour of the facility. This is pretty much standard procedure for most places now, so you shouldn’t have a problem. If there is a prob-lem, recognize that as a red flag and take your dog elsewhere.

TAKE NOTE As you’re walking around the facility, keep your senses attuned to what’s around you. Are you overpowered by the smell of urine or feces? Does the place look like it is cleaned regularly? How about the dog food bowls, bedding, and crates? Also, note the demeanor of the other dogs. Do they seem com-fortable and well cared for?

ASK QUESTIONS Don’t forget to ask a lot of ques-tions about how your dog will be cared for. You’ll want to ask how often he’s walked, how much time he spends outside, if he’ll be interacting with other dogs, which vaccinations other dogs are required to have, and if they have access to a veterinarian for sick dogs. Another important question to ask is whether dogs are required to have a flea bath before they can

be boarded. Not all places require this. If they don’t, consider giving your own dog a flea bath before you take him or after you pick him up (or both if you prefer).

TAKE FIDO FOR A VISIT It makes sense to stop by and let your dog visit before he’s left there overnight or longer. With the management’s consent, take your dog around the facility. Let him sniff around and inter-act with the caretakers for a little while. Some places charge for this and others don’t. Either way, it’s well worth it to familiarize your dog with the kennel and have peace of mind while you’re away.

Once you’ve found a kennel with which you’re com-fortable—congratulations the footwork is done. Now that you have a reliable place to leave your dog while you’re out of town, you can relax. Well not ex-actly; now you have to say your goodbyes. Pet him, hug him, scratch behind his ears, and then be on your way. He already feels comfortable and doesn’t have anxiety about it, neither should you. Enjoy your trip.

Shayna Barraza a freelance writer based in Santa Clarita. You can contact her at [email protected]

When you have to go out of town and your dog can’t tag along, where do you find someone to watch him? Though we’ve all found ourselves in a crunch at one time or another, scrolling through the yellow pages as you frantically lug your suitcase down the stairs, isn’t exactly the best way to choose a place for your dog to stay. If you want your dog to be safe and happy – and not hold a grudge when you return – put in some effort ahead of time to ensure he’ll be well taken care of.

So, let’s go back to the yellow pages. No, they’re not bad, but try asking around first to see if you can get some referrals. Ask your veterinarian, friends, family, or even people at the dog park to give you recommendations or share their experiences with you. Once you have a few names and numbers, start calling around and asking questions. Follow our quick tips below, to help you choose the best kennel for your furry friend:

Four Quick Tips for Picking the Perfect Kennel

Sending Your Pet On A Sleepover




Four Quick Tips for Picking the Perfect Kennel

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Since the early maritime years the British have been called “Limeys”—a nickname rooted in their habit of taking citrus onto the high seas to prevent scurvy. Caused by vitamin C deficiency, scurvy can be fatal if left untreated long enough. In its early stages skin is unhealthy, hair falls out, bones ache, and the immune system is weakened, making other diseases more likely.

Today we don’t see many people afflicted with this ancient disease. But the veterinary world still does, and one common patient is the pet

guinea pig. Unlike most domesticat-ed animals, guinea pigs need vitamin C to survive. Without enough of it they develop scurvy just like those sailors.

Most people believe that the store-bought pelleted food they feed their little piggies is ideally formu-lated to maintain the health of their little friends. And they may be, but because vitamin C is light sensitive the vitamin can degrade by the time the guinea pig eats it—either in the bag or in the bowl.

To counter

this, many people add a vitamin supplement to their guinea pig’s water supply. However, twenty minutes after the light hits the vitamin C it becomes worthless col-ored water. Even supplementing your pig’s diet with fresh items may not be sufficient. I have seen many piggies with classic scurvy signs even though they ate fresh items.

Preventing scurvy in your guin-ea pig will nearly always require oral

vitamin tablets. Guinea pigs require between 50-100 mg of vitamin C per day. Good choices are either chil-dren’s chewable tablets quartered to give 50-100 mg, or specially-made Oxbow brand apple-flavored tablets available at specialty stores or exotic animal veterinary hospital. You can give these orally, as treats, or dissolve them with a little water and admin-ister it immediately with a syringe or dropper. Most piggies really love the flavored treat and will live a longer, healthier life because of it.

by, Amber Wheelbarger, DVM

Avast ye mateys!My guinea pig

has scurvy!


FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


16

There are many different types of aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles that you can keep, such as red-eared sliders, paint-

ed turtles, mud turtles, musk turtles, and Florida cooters. Each species will have its own specific housing requirements that are necessary to promote proper health. However, there are basic guidelines that all aquatic and semi-aquatic turtle habitats adhere to, and the following tips will help you pro-vide your aquatic turtle with a safe and comfortable habitat.

Enclosure/Cage Aquatic and semi-aquatic

turtles should be housed in long, low aquariums

that allow them plenty of room to swim, bask,

and move around. The size of the aquarium will be dependent on the size of

the turtle, and you should always purchase with consid-eration to how big the turtle will be when it is full grown. Turtles must have a carapace length of 4” to be sold in pet stores, but some can grow as big as 12” in diameter. One to two small turtles can fit in a 20 gallon aquarium, but a turtle that has a carapace length of 8” will need at least a 20 gallon aquarium to itself, and most adults will need an aquarium that is larger than 20 gallons. If you own multiple turtles, each additional turtle will require, at the least, an additional 10 gallons worth of space. Use a wide-spaced mesh lid to provide proper ventilation and allow UVB light through.

The aquarium should be divided into a land area and a water area. The ratio of water to land will depend on the species. The majority of semi-aquatic turtles will need no more than 50% of the aquarium dedicated to a water area. Most aquatic turtles will need the majority of the aquarium devoted to a water area, with no more than 25% of the aquarium dedicated to a land area. The water should be deeper than the turtle’s shell is wide, so that the turtle can be completely submerged and swim freely. You will need to use a filter to keep the water clean.

The land area will be used for basking, and it can be made from aquarium gravel, soil, or sand. Again, which substrate is best will depend on the specific needs of the species that you are keeping. Land areas can also be cre-ated using a large dock or ramp or some smooth rocks, slate, or driftwood that stick out of the water. The basking area should slope gently down into the water to ensure that the turtles are easily able to climb out of the water and onto land.

The size of the basking area will depend on the size of the turtle, the species, and how many turtles are in the terrarium. Larger turtles will need a larger basking area, and aquariums housing multiple turtles must have a basking area large enough to accommodate all the turtles at once. Additionally, some semi-aquatic turtles, like red-eared sliders, are more terrestrial than others, and they will need a larger land area to move around on.

Substrate such as gravel or sand can be used in the water area, but it is not recommended as it will make it more difficult to clean the enclosure and maintain cleanli-ness. If you wish to use a substrate, select a substrate that won’t be easily ingested by your turtle, to help prevent possible impaction.

Landscaping/Aquascaping Semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles generally do not need many landscaping items in their aquarium, but such items can be used to make them feel safe when they are on land and to make the environment more natural. You can use logs and terrestrial plants to provide them with a sense of security. Aquatic plants can also be used in the water areas to provide hiding places and improve or sus-tain the quality of the water. Worn driftwood or smooth flat rocks can be placed in the basking area. You can also place a wooden enclosure in the basking area if it is large enough to provide your turtle with a hide spot.

It is important to note that many turtles will eat plants, so we recommend that you use a combination of real and artificial plants to cut down on excess waste. Using only real plants works best if you have a very large habitat for your turtles. Using only artificial plants or a combination of real and artificial is better for smaller hab-itats. If you see that your turtles are frequently nibbling on the artificial plants, remove them from the habitat and replace them with real plants. When using real plants, choose carefully - by researching the plant or consulting a veterinarian - as some plants can be toxic to turtles.

Temperature There are two temperatures that are important in a semi-aquatic or aquatic turtle’s habitat: the temperature of the water and the temperature of the basking area. The water temperature should be approximately 78°F, though it can vary slightly by species. You can maintain this temperature using under-tank heaters or submersible aquarium heaters.

The temperature of the basking area should be ap-proximately 80° to 85°F. This can be achieved with the use of overhead 60 watt basking lamps with reflectors.

Use a thermometer to monitor temperatures to avoid over- or under-heating your turtle’s habitat. Improper temperatures can result in a lack of appetite, illness, and even premature death.

Lighting Semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles need full spectrum light, so you must use both UVA and UVB bulbs in the tank. UVA light encourages proper activity levels, ap-petite, and breeding. UVB light contributes to Vitamin D3 production and simulates their natural environment, decreasing stress. UVB heat lamps should provide the main lighting, and basking heat lamps should be used in the basking area.

We recommend the use of a timer to achieve natural light cycles. Most semi-aquatic and aquatic turtles need a natural light cycle of 12 to 14 hours of light followed by 10 to 12 hours of darkness. The length of the light period should be longer in the summer and shorter in the winter.

Humidity Humidity needs vary widely by species. The more terrestrial turtles will need a lower humidity, while those who spend more time in the water will need a higher humidity. Speak with your veterinarian about what the proper humidity levels are for your turtle, and monitor levels with a hygrometer.

The substrate you use in the basking area will contribute to the humidity levels, so turtles that require less humidity should have drier substrate such as sand and dry mulch in their habitats, while turtles that need more humidity can use moister substrates such as damp mulch, soil, sphagnum moss, or peat moss.

Cleaning & Filtration Turtles produce a good deal of waste, so a filter is an ab-solute necessity to keep the water clean. Without a filter, you’d have to do water changes almost daily, and proper filtration ensures that your turtle’s habitat will stay as clean, safe, and sanitary as possible between water changes.

There are a number of filters that you can choose from. We recommend that you use a larger filter, such as a canister filter, that will not be easily clogged by your turtle’s solid waste. While canister filters are more expen-sive, they are a worthwhile investment that will decrease the amount of work you have to do, keep your turtle’s habitat cleaner, and keep your turtle healthier. Whether or not you opt to use a canister filter, remember that the bigger the filter, the more effective it will be, and the less you will have to clean. If you decide to use an internal fil-ter instead, consider using two, rather than just one, for cleaner, healthier water. No matter what filter you choose, always remember to change the filter media regularly to optimize your filter’s performance. How often you will have to clean the water in your aquatic turtle’s tank will depend on a number of considerations. These include how big the tank is, how ef-fective your filtration system is, and the number and size of the

turtles in the tank. Another factor that you may not have considered is how you feed your turtle. Be careful not to overfeed your turtle, as this will create excess waste, and always remove uneaten food to prevent it from fouling the water.

We recommend performing large water changes at least every two weeks, replacing with water of the same temperature. The exact water change schedule should be based on the above factors. If you are unsure of when you should clean the aquarium, consult your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after washing the tank or handling any of the accessories to prevent possible transmission of salmonella.

Housing Multiple Turtles You can house more than one turtle if you choose to. However, always remember that the 4” turtles you are bringing home can grow to have a carapace length of 8”, 10”, or even 12”, and the size of the enclosure will need to be large enough to accommodate their adult size. One large semi-aquatic or aquatic turtle can require a 30 or 40 gallon aquarium, and multiple turtles will need an aquar-ium larger than that. Increased size will also entail higher setup and maintenance costs. Carefully consider whether or not you have the room or the finances for a multiple turtle aquarium before purchasing additional turtles.

©2009 Drs. Foster and Smith, Inc. Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from

DrsFosterSmith.com (http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com) Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

A: Fresh Air Screen CoverB: Dome light and black

or red reptile bulbC: Fluorescent Strip Light

with UV Bulb, on a TimerD: For a more streamlined look,

consider using a combina-tion heat/light fixture like “The Slider” Reptile Hood or Zilla Combo Fixture.

E: Thermometers for both air & water temperatures, and Hygrometer

F: Real or Artificial PlantsG: Filters) (Internal or Canister,

the larger the better!)H: Under Tank Heater (UTH)

or Submersible HeaterI: Basking/Land areas, such as a turtle

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Kids & Pets

MY KITTYClawing on the couch

Dipping her toe in the sink waterSniffing all around

Nipping at my toesFinally she curls up to sleep

My kitty is the best

Lauren T. • Age: 10*Hey kids, do you want to see

your work in Pet Me! Magazine?Send a drawing, poem or short story (less than 100 words) about your pet or any pet you know, to 27943 Seco Canyon Rd. suite 518, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 by July 9, 2010. Submit your work on a blank sheet of white paper and include an index card with your name, age, address, and telephone number.

Q: Why did the poor dog chase his own tail?

A: He was trying to make both ends meet!A: A mockingbird!

Q: What do you call a very rude bird?


FEATURES

Pet Me! Magazine™


18 Sammy & Max

Jazzy

ChrissyJazzy is a great combination of playful, outgoing and a dash of feisty thrown in just to keep it entertaining. While Jazz does love to play with the laser toy, anything catnip will do as a runner up.Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue, Inc.(661) 273-9822

Chrissy, a blonde bombshell malti-poo rescued from the

Bakers�eld Shelter, is about two years old and a total charmer. She's a�ectionate with people

and loves other dogs, as well as going for walks. Chrissy would

make fantastic canine compan-ion for just about anyone.For more info on Chrissy,

contact The Brittany Foundation at [email protected] or

call (661) 713-5240.

Sinbad

If you’re looking for a SUPER SWEET – VERY AFFECTIONATE – PLAYFUL boy then you’ve found him, IT’S ME.Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue, Inc.(661) 273-9822

Harley

We were born Dec. 21, so we’re almost 4 months old. We

would love to be adopted with one of our brothers or sisters,

we like to cuddle together and groom each other. We like grooming you too…you’ll

know we’re doing this when we kiss your hands or feet…that’s

when we really trust you and make take some time.Contact Bridget Alves

661-255-9979

Sinbad is a one-year old male pit bull that is fun personi�ed.

This big handsome fella lives to play and go for walks, gets

along well with most other dogs, and is very a�ectionate. Sinbad

loves belly rubs and giving kisses, but would love a home of his own

most of all. Pit bull experienced person or family preferred.

For more info on Sinbad, contact The Brittany Foundation at

[email protected] or call (661) 713-5240.

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If you’ve ever been to Valencia Acura or

seen its advertising, then you know why the dealer-ship owned by Don and Cheri Fleming was the nat-ural choice to be the Pet Adoption Sponsor of the SCV Pet & Family Expo. To the Flemings, their family dogs are a whole lot more than just pets. Spark Plug and Bumper are Valen-cia Acura’s Official Greet-ers and a friendly, tail-wagging presence in the showroom every day.

“It’s been that way since we opened - be-cause we’ve always looked at our dogs as family members,” said Cheri, “So it made perfect sense to bring them into the family business.” Don added, “Now if customers don’t see them running around the place, they always ask us where they are – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Not surprisingly, both dogs have a slightly dif-ferent perspective on the relationship.

“Don’t let Don and Cheri fool you. We are the real masterminds behind Valencia Acura,” assert-ed Spark Plug. Bumper continues, “They’re well-

TWO FURRY REASONS VALENCIA ACURA IS “The Friendship Dealership”

trained, but do you really think they could run a world-class organization like this on their own?”

Everyone agrees the family dynamic has worked very well for the dealership. The dogs have helped enhance the friendly atmosphere in the showroom. As a result, many customers have become friends and Valencia Acura is now known as “The Friend-ship Dealership”.

Valencia Acura has often featured the line “It’s not just a dealership, it’s a friendship” in its ad-vertising. But it’s clear

those words are meant to be much more than just an ad theme. The entire team considers it to be their personal commit-ment to every customer – and it has apparently

worked very well.Earlier this year, Va-

lencia Acura was awarded Acura’s most prestigious honor – the Dealership of Distinction award – which is reserved for only those dealers that excel in pro-viding “an exceptional customer experience”. Then in February, their award-winning service department achieved the highly coveted posi-tion of Number One in the Nation for Customer Satisfaction.

Cheri proudly con-cludes “We’ve been num-ber one in our district and zone many times – but being number one in the nation is especially grati-fying for everyone here.”

FOR MORE INFORMATIONCheri Fleming • (661) 255-3000

[email protected]


Sammy & Max

Jazzy

ChrissyJazzy is a great combination of playful, outgoing and a dash of feisty thrown in just to keep it entertaining. While Jazz does love to play with the laser toy, anything catnip will do as a runner up.Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue, Inc.(661) 273-9822

Chrissy, a blonde bombshell malti-poo rescued from the

Bakers�eld Shelter, is about two years old and a total charmer. She's a�ectionate with people

and loves other dogs, as well as going for walks. Chrissy would

make fantastic canine compan-ion for just about anyone.For more info on Chrissy,

contact The Brittany Foundation at [email protected] or

call (661) 713-5240.

Sinbad

If you’re looking for a SUPER SWEET – VERY AFFECTIONATE – PLAYFUL boy then you’ve found him, IT’S ME.Forgotten Angels Cat Rescue, Inc.(661) 273-9822

Harley

We were born Dec. 21, so we’re almost 4 months old. We

would love to be adopted with one of our brothers or sisters,

we like to cuddle together and groom each other. We like grooming you too…you’ll

know we’re doing this when we kiss your hands or feet…that’s

when we really trust you and make take some time.Contact Bridget Alves

661-255-9979

Sinbad is a one-year old male pit bull that is fun personi�ed.

This big handsome fella lives to play and go for walks, gets

along well with most other dogs, and is very a�ectionate. Sinbad

loves belly rubs and giving kisses, but would love a home of his own

most of all. Pit bull experienced person or family preferred.

For more info on Sinbad, contact The Brittany Foundation at

[email protected] or call (661) 713-5240.

Smokey & Grayson

To Adopt One Of These Perfect Pets

Please Contact the Agency

Listed or Visit Our Website:

www.PetMeMag.com

worked very well.Earlier this year, Va-

lencia Acura was awarded Acura’s most prestigious honor – the Dealership of Distinction award – which is reserved for only those dealers that excel in pro-viding “an exceptional customer experience”. Then in February, their award-winning service department achieved the highly coveted posi-tion of Number One in the Nation for Customer Satisfaction.

Cheri proudly con-cludes “We’ve been num-ber one in our district and zone many times – but being number one in the nation is especially grati-fying for everyone here.”

FOR MORE INFORMATIONCheri Fleming • (661) 255-3000

[email protected]


“Pet’s Are People, Too!”A Full Service Pet Hospital

Emergency & Critical Care Facility• Latest Surgical, Medical & Emergency Care • State-of-the-art Facility

• Latest Diagnostic Equipment • Quality Care at Affordable Prices

Dr. B. Grewal & Associates23928 Summerhill Lane

(on the corner of McBean Pkwy. & Decoro Dr.)

661-263-9000

www.bestvalenciavet.com

Valencia Veterinary Center

$50 OFFDENTAL

CLEANINGIncl. Anesthesia,

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june/july 2010 issue of pet me! magazine

Documents

magazine pet

pet owners

pet supplies

favorite pooch

heart disease

summer haircut

local animal lovers

castaic animal shelter