animal life

Tri-State Area Pet News

Your pet. Our purpose.

Inside:

New Leash on Life page 3

Shake off Winter page 5
Children and
Dogs page 6
Rescue Me page 16
Complimentary

March 2015

A New
Leash
On Life

Four years ago this month,

three homeless dogs arrived at
the doors of the Columbia
County Jail in Hudson, NY,
and were introduced for the
first time to their new inmate
canine handlers and roomies
for the next six weeks.

Charlene Marchand with Paige, a graduate of the program

Thus was the dawn of A New Leash On Life, the first counter-conditioning techniques for passive defense drive
county jail cell dog program of its kind in New York (fear and anxiety) and confidence-building exercises. I
State. The initial group of dogs came from our Colum- also taught skills for dealing with assertive, actively debia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) in fensive dogs that we felt would still be placeable. Weve
Hudson, with occasional individuals from a local rescue had an occasional dog-reactive dog in the program, and
included in the earlier days of the program. At the time, once the handlers knew the drill for their redirection, only
Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison Jr., who birthed two individuals during the first four years have had to be
the concept with then Captain John Davi, was quoted as pulled from the program for their high degree of active
saying, We wanted to give inmates a sense of responsi- defense. Since its inception, we have handled almost sixty
bility.
dogs. Some of them were adopted before the end of their
A planning meeting took place with Captain Davi, our designated stay, but I always felt that a policy to delay an
CEO Ron Perez and myself, to discuss the format and adoption would not be wise. Conversely, weve had some
shared responsibilities of the dog training program before dogs with special needs who exceeded their stay, in order
we moved forward. My pro bono contribution to the pro- for us to better resolve their pre-placement issues.
gram would encompass an iniSince our inception, weve hosted a
tial classroom instruction on
number of county jail officials, some
feeding, management, groomout of state, anxious to learn about the
ing, and the role and participaprogram and its viability in their own
tion of the corrections officers
facilities. Before the Albany County Jail
with regard to getting the dogs
Program was established, those officials
out for bathroom detail and exspent time with us, learning about the
ercise. This session included a
nuances that have made this program so
dog/handler demonstration,
successful. At the time, one of the press
and teaching the approved inreleases from the Sheriffs office was
mates their first formal dog
quoted as saying, It is our hope that
training lesson. I prepared an
this program will not only provide a
informational packet for each
second chance for these shelter dogs,
handling team, including a
but will also allow the inmates particiwritten homework assignment
pating in the program to experience a
for each week of training,
feeling of giving back something posicomplimented by a variety of
tive to the community and gain a sense
training articles (some from Ron Perez, Undersheriff John Davi, and Charlene Marchand of responsibility and satisfaction by
were all deeply involved in the undertaking of making A teaching and taking care of the animal.
my pen), to add depth to our New
Leash On Life Jail Cell Dog Program a success. Stuweekly hands-on sessions. In dents Cody and Paige were among those who gained a great They will also learn job skills in dog
addition, I agreed to provide a deal of knowledge and attention through the program.
training and grooming, which may help
one hour training session for
them once they are released from jail.
each program graduate with their new family members,
That quote says it all! The program continues to exceed
after their adoption and placement. I would be available our expectations. A number of cell dogs earned their AKC
for emergency phone calls regarding behavior problems Good Citizen titles. A number that were initially questhat may arise, and veterinary intervention for the dogs tionable placements are now thriving in their new homes.
would be provided by Dr. Jerry Bilinski and his staff at I have kept contact with now-released inmates, who have
Chathams Small Animal Hospital. Our shelter staff would sent me moving testimonials on their time spent with us
see to the monthly maintenance of parasite prevention, and the dogs. Our beautiful and touching logo was drawn
heartworm meds, and any treatment required for ear in- by one of our first handlers. As we fast forward to 2015,
fections, skin lesions, cuts, nail trimming, etc. All vet ex- we proudly celebrate our 4th anniversary. We are forever
penses would be handled by CGHS/SPCA, and feeding indebted to current Sheriff David Bartlett, Undersheriff
expenses would be covered by the jail. The inmate han- John Davi, and Program Coordinator Sgt. Brian Gardner
dlers eagerly took on the bathing and grooming detail.
for their continued support of this collaboration. It always
We had great breed and temperament diversity. From a takes a village. It is a privilege and gives me great joy to
purebred Norwegian Elkhound, to Boxer crosses, Amer- be a part of this endeavor. I also want to mention and
ican Staffordshire Terriers, Black and Tan Coonhounds, thank one of my most faithful training clients (8 years
Beagles, Cane Corsos, Neopolitan Mastiffs, Labradors, with me) and dear friend Laura Manchester, who has
Lab/Golden crosses, Shepherd crosses, Australian Shep- begun to assist me with in-house training sessions. My
herds, multiple hound mixes, and more are but a sampling memories are so fond of our handlers who have given so
of our great varieties. In our first class, we had a Border very much of themselves. One of our first handlers, and
Collie mix that began with seizure activity soon after his my friend Tim, put it so succinctly: This is good for the
jail arrival. I cant tell you how attentive, compassionate, soul. I know Im doing something good for the commuand caring his handler was during his stay. The dog was nity. Throughout their lives, these dogs are going to bring
moved to a designated block with his handler, and we did joy to thousands of people. Amen, and thank you to
have a couple of cluster-seizure emergency vet visits for every pair of hands that has raised this program up!
this individual while he was in our care.
Charlene Marchand
Our goal for the dogs chosen would be to increase their Chairperson, Board of Directors,
adoptability. We targeted basic good obedience and living Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA
skills, training for motivation and redirection, and I sup- Professional Dog Trainer
plemented these obedience and control skills with Co-Creator of the Columbia County Cell Dog Jail Program

Animal Life

March 2015 animallifeonline.com 3

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March 2015 animallifeonline.com

animal life
Your pet. Our purpose.

Publisher/Owner Kim Arre-Gerber, aladvertising@aol.com

Contributing Writers

Iris Bass
Karen Karlberg
Carol Lew
Yoanna Y. Maitre
Tobie Petkus
Mary Koncel
Circulation, John Depaoli
Advertising Sales, Karen Karlberg
Consultant, Lisa Betkoski
Cover photo by Martha Pope, SHAGGYDOG PHOTOGRAPHY

For advertising rates or information call 413-459-5894

Mailing Address: 9 County Court, Pittsfield, MA 01201

www.animallifeonline.com

A Paw Print Division of Animal Laughter Studio

Shake Off Winter

RUB AWAY
WINTER!

Get Ready for The Trails With Canine Massage

This winter has been long and cold for

all of us, including our dogs. How
about leaving winter behind by learning massage for your dog?
Linda Jackson and Jody
Chiquoine, both owners of local healthcare
businesses, have just
the answer in their
book, "A Dog Lover's
Guide to Canine Massage".
This easy to follow workbook teaches you to give
your dog a massage to get
ready for Spring and increases the bond you already
have
with
your
canine companions.
"A Dog Lover's
Guide to Canine
Massage" came about through
our friendship, our love of animals, and our teaching classes to
fellow dog owner's and caretakers. We met through the
Centre for
Acupuncture
in Great Barrington and forged
an immediate friendship.
We shared the common belief
that as caregivers ,we know our pets
best. Therefore, we are the most important advocates for health simply because we live with them, walk with
them, and touch them every day. We are
the first to know when a visit to the vet
is needed.
Through massage, we can fine-tune
our awareness of physical issues
through intentional and focused touch.
We are committed to teaching people
the useful skills that help us notice subtle changes in our dog's bodies and use
massage to assist improving their
health. In 1998, Linda and Jody
decided to join skills -- Linda's extensive massage experience, both for people and dogs, teaching experience, as
well as her certification in Holistic Animal Care offered the perfect foundation for the book. Jody's Nurse
Practitioner background, Certification
as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
and teaching experience was an added
complement .

by Linda Jackson & Jody Chiquoine

Our workbook is the product of our

friendship, expertise and classes we
have taught. Students who attended our
classes encouraged us to write this book.
Why massage? If you've had a massage, you already know the benefits.
We can give the same benefits to our
canine companions. Benefits such as lower
stress, relaxation,
improved healing
and
recovery
from strain, injury, and surgery, as well
as improved
performance on
the trails, fields,

* Setting the mood, canine

communication, & benefits
of massage
* A massage routine step-by-step

Also available as a companion to the

book is "Giving Back", a CD recorded
by Linda that guides you through a 1520 minute full-body massage you can
do anywhere.

Interested in more? Contact us and

begin your learning today. We have autographed books for $20.00 that you
can easily purchase. In Great Barrington, call Linda @ 413-528-3514 or go
to
www.centreforacupuncture.com
where you can also purchase the CD
companion with your book. In Lee, call
Jody @ 413-243-0253 and check out
Fitter Critters @ www.fittercritters.org.
We look forward to hearing
from you and helping you
begin Spring in health!

and
agility are important
for our dogs health and well-being.
Through intentional touch of massage
the benefits only begin with the receiver. You, the giver, also gain in increased awareness of our dog's body,
lower stress by the release of feel good
hormones. It is this practice of mindfulness which strengthens the bond we
have with our companions.
We created "A Dog Lover's Guide to
Canine Massage" as a workbook with
an abundance of photo's for easier
learning and practice. In the book you
will find:

CANINE MASSAGE

Revitalize For Spring

D Find Muscle-Knots & Rub These Away
D Learn How to Improve Flexibility
D Rejuvinate Overall Energy

Enjoy this Uniquely Special

Experience with Your Dog!

SUNDAY APRIL 12

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10 am to 1pm
$

60*

* You must Pre-Register in order to attend.

For more information or to

register contact

* Massage strokes and how to do them

* Important information about
canine anatomy
* Simple stretches for health and
rehabilitation
* Common problems
for specific
dog breeds

Jody Chiquoine CCRT, MSN, FNP

95 Summer St., Lee, MA

413-243-0253

Animal Life

www.fittercritters.org
March 2015 animallifeonline.com 5

Children and Dogs

The Dilemma

Animal Life

warnings. While jumping on him! This

is where good dogs go bad. All the
signs are there.
Children, even toddlers, need clear
rules when interacting with dogs. They
cannot be allowed to hit, jump on, or
pull the ears, mouth or tails of a dog.
Even very young children can be taught
the appropriate way to introduce themselves to a new dog, but children should
be reminded that they should never
walk up to a dog they dont know. And
of course young children should never
be left alone with a dog; because at the
end of the day, a dog is still a dog, and
kids are still kids and there should always be an adult in the room.
As a mother, I understand the desire to
want to allow your children to have the
friendship that only an animal can provide. The unconditional love of a dog is
one of the greatest gifts this world has
to offer. Dogs help teach us love, responsibility, kindness, compassion,
commitment and ultimately, loss. As a
mother and a dedicated dog lover, I also
understand that there is so much more
to providing that to my children than
just the simple act of actually obtaining
a dog. I know that the responsibility to
teach my children how to treat the dog
is mine. I must teach them how to care
for and treat their dog. I am responsible
for teaching them to read their dogs
body language and that of other dogs
they may come in contact with. It is my
duty to establish and enforce the rules
with the dog and to insist that they do
the same. And if I cant do that, I had
better get my childs next friend at
Build-A-Bear, because I have no business trying to navigate interspecies relationships in my home.

Krista Wroldson Miller

Sonsini Animal Shelter

March 2015 animallifeonline.com

Children, even toddlers, need clear rules

when
interacting with dogs. They cannot

be allowed to hit, jump on, or pull the ears,

mouth or tails of a dog. Even very young
children can be taught the appropriate way to
introduce themselves to a new dog, but children
should be reminded that they should never
walk up to a dog they dont know.

My earliest childhood memories are replete with my mothers lessons of appropriate behavior when interacting
with animals. I recall being taught to
treat our pets with the utmost kindness
and respect. We were not permitted to
jump on them, pull their tails or yell at
them. They were to be cared for and
tended to as members of the family. My
mother never allowed me to approach
anothers animal or to pet it without
asking for, and receiving, the owners
permission. To the best of my recollection, all of my friends were raised the
same way.
A shocking video made its way to my
newsfeed on Facebook the other day. A
young child, perhaps 2, was sitting on
a full grown Rottweiler. The child was
bouncing up and down on the dog as if
he were practicing for a bungee jumping excursion at the Brooklyn Bridge.
This went on for several minutes.
Throughout the video, the poor dog
gave several clear indications that he
did not appreciate either the doggie
Heimlich or the aggressive CPR he was
receiving. His numerous tongue flicks
and whale-eyed stare would have convinced any other dog, and any semiknowledgeable human for that matter,
that he was quickly reaching the absolute limits of his tolerance. However,
the young mans parent allowed her
childs inappropriate behavior to continue unchecked despite the dogs crystal clear warning signs. I suspect she
still to this day remains blissfully unaware that her desire to film something
great for her Facebook friends could
have cost her dearly. Unfortunately, had
he bitten, the dog would have shouldered the entirety of the blame for an
incident whose fault was clearly that of
the adults in the room.
This video shook me to my very foundation. I have spent a good part of the
last year assuming that if we could, as a
shelter, just convince parents that if
they teach their children correctly and
supervise them appropriately that any
potential dog/child conflicts can be
avoided. And then this video appeared.
And there it was. A mom. In the room
with her child jumping on the dog. And
then kissing the dog after his clear

out & about

Finding a fisher is next to impossible

for most of us, but their tracks indicate
they are everywhere in the Berkshire
woods. Usually when I mention the
word Fisher, I hear an unapologetic,
I hate those things, out of the mouths
of my listeners. I then try and educate
them of the importance of fishers and
that they have an unjustified bad rap.
Fishers are a core habitat creature
which means; even if you hate these
beautiful and fierce creatures they are
essential to the healthy, thriving, forest
ecological systems we call home.
The use of the name Fisher Cat is a
misnomer and one of my pet peeves.
The fisher does not fish and it is not in
the cat family. The name comes from
colonial Dutch fisse or visse due to its
resemblance to the European polecat. In
the French language, the pelt of a polecat is also called fiche or fichet. A
fisher is one of the largest members of
the Mustelid family which also includes
weasels, mink, otter and skunk. The
fisher exhibits the typical "weasel"
shape with a long, slender body, very
short legs and furred tail. Even though
it resembles a fox more than a weasel,
the fishers ears and nose placement are
definitely weasel in nature.
Fishers are a secretive, shy and solitary animal who are rarely seen by humans. They are active during both day
and night and do not need to hibernate
during the winter months. Fishers are
present throughout the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, even though they

Finding a Fisher

were trapped to the brink of extinction

in the early part of the 20th century because of the high value of their glossy
winter pelts. Conservation and
protection measures have allowed the species to rebound,
but their current range is still reduced from its historic levels.
Fishers are bounders, their hind
feet land directly in the front
feet tracks as
they bound
through the
snow
displaying diagonally paired
prints. Their
feet are disproportionately larger
than
their
legs, making
it easier for
them to move
on top of
snow packs.
Their nails
are semi-retractable so
they may or
may
not
show clearly
in the snow.
Individual prints tend to not show toes
in the winter. If there is a tail drag in
the snow, it will be brushy.
Fishers prefer a habitat of mixed forest
with a heavy canopy cover so they can

MEMBER FDIC MEMBER DIF

Karen Karlberg

avoid
large
open
areas. Good places to
look for signs of fishers
are near snags, conifers
and areas of boulders or
ledges. They have extremely mobile ankle
joints, allowing them to
move swiftly through tree
branches and climb down
trees head first.
They are carnivores that
primary feed on snowshoe hares, cottontail rabbits, deer carrion and
small to medium-sized
rodents. A fisher is one of
the few predators able to prey on porcupines successfully. They are also
known to eat birds, fruit, berries and
nuts when food is scarce. A fisher kills
its prey with a bite to the back of the

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

neck, except for porcupines of course.

They may cover an uneaten kill or even
stash it in trees for a latter feeding.
Fishers have few predators aside
from humans.
During the month of March there
is a dramatic increase in male
fisher activity including breeding, scent & scat marking and
territorial roaming. Female fishers are also extremely busy in
March and April giving birth to a
litter of three or four kits and within
10-14 days is mating again. A female
fisher can delay implantation in its
uterus 10-11 months after breeding.
Fishers are generally crepuscular, being
most active during dawn and dusk.
Being a solitary creature, they associate
with other fishers only for mating purposes.
Some wildlife biologists think fishers
are scapegoats when it comes to the
demise of cats from the jaws of other
wild animals like coyotes, foxes and
owls. The only foolproof way to protect your cat from any predator is to
keep it indoors.
Till next time, watch for animal
signs wherever you may roam.

Karen Karlberg resides in Becket MA

with her menagerie of rescued barnyard
& domestic animals and her husband
Mark. She is actively involved in conservation efforts as a citizen scientist, is
an accomplished artisan and amateur
nature photographer. Kattailphoto.com

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1-800-843-4100 www.leebank.com
Animal Life

March 2015 animallifeonline.com 7

Exercise

training

Not just for People!

Socialization
Agility
Conformation and
Obedience Classes

Canine Good Citizen Classes

and Testing
10 Lyman St., Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-9700

www.shamrockdoggrooming.com

LEEA FORAN, CPDT-KA, CDBC, CTTP-2

What a long, hard winter we have endured this

year! But as difficult as this winter has been on us
humans, it doesn't compare to the stress the snow
and ice cause shelter dogs.

Animal Life

Proper exercise is essential to all dogsbut even more so to those dogs living
in shelters in winter. These animals
need the stimulation, diversion and cardiovascular benefits that exercise provides. Without it, they quickly
decompensate or "break down," become depressed and begin to have behavioral problems. When the ice and
frigid cold prohibited them from enjoying time in their outdoor kennels,
we knew we had to devise a strategy to
help keep their minds and bodies occupied. Obviously we couldn't bring them
into Planet Fitness and plunk them on
their treadmills... but we could bring
the treadmill to them! So that is exactly
what we did.
Now mind you, we had no idea if any
our dogs would enjoy walking on a
treadmill, but it has proven to be an
enormous asset! Each dog is put on an
individualized training plan where
speed and distance are gradually increased. Just like humans, the dogs
build endurance and stamina and their
bones and joints become stronger.
Staff, board members and trained volunteers all work with the dogs as part
of an overall program which also in-

Day Care

cludes obedience training, behavior

modification and (in the better
weather) structured pack walks. Our
pack walk program has been extended
to folks in the community who want
help safely introducing their dogs to
others. Several "chaperons" are present at each walk to offer handling and
safety tips. You may have seen us
around town. We go to different areas
of town each week, usually on Fridays
and Sundays. We ask for a $5.00 donation each week. More information on
our Pack Walks can be obtained by
email: sonsinipackwalks@gmail.com.
So once the weather breaks, put on
your sneakers and join us!

Gloria McClay. Gloria is owner of

Canine Connection dog training and is
on the Board of Directors for the
Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter.

March 2015 animallifeonline.com

Learn with a
Dedicated Professional

BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS & PRIVATE TRAINING

GROUP CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner II
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Amer Red Cross Pet First Aid Instructor

Training for Real Life Needs

413-445-8843

With 36 Years of
Teaching Experience

www.trainingforanimals.com

I believe that training should bring a smile to your face & a wag to your tail. I will never use
force or intimidation to train your dog. Positive reinforcement and up-to-date scientifically
based behavior modification programs bring positive results and lasting change. Leea

Taiz
Shepherd
Kennel
Since 1972

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

All Breed - All Ages
Specializing in the behavior and transition
problems of shelter and rescue dogs.
Training & Certification for
Therapy Dogs International
Home of:
Select AKC Champions 2000 Canadian Grand Victrix
United States Top Ten Police K-9 Unit Service Dogs
AKC Obedience, Agility and Herding titleholders NADAC &
Schutzhund titleholders Therapy Dogs and Canine Good
Citizens GSDCA Performance Award of Merit Recipients

Charlene Marchand
North Chatham, NY 518-766-3804
Charlene Marchand is a syndicated columnist for training, behavior, and health issues. She is
actively involved in canine rescue and sheltering, and is the co-creator and trainer for Columbia
County Sheriffs highly acclaimed A New Leash On Life Cell Dog Program.

For Kingsley, Friday night is fun night

at Berkshire Humane Society (BHS).
With Adoption Counselor Laura Mertzluft as his partner, he sniffs around a
series of boxes and other containers, or
hides as theyre also called, searching for the treats hidden inside them.
When he finds them, the reward is immediate something delicious to eat, a
huge boost in confidence, and much
satisfaction from a job well done.
Kingsley, a muscular two-year-old
Bull Mastiff mix, and Laura are just
one of several teams participating in
Jen Browns K9 Nose Work class at
BHSs Family Dog School (FDS). Except theres one difference. When the
other dogs go home with their families,
Kingsley goes back to Kennel #9 on the
shelters adoption floor, where hes
lived since July when he was surrendered as a stray.
Like dogs at other animal shelters,
those at BHS who are young and family friendly are always the first to find
their new forever homes. Others, however, including seniors, dogs with special
medical conditions, bigger breeds, or
dogs who have behavior issues, wait a
lot longer, sometimes even months and
months, to find the right person or family who can meet their needs.
So how does BHS help these longterm dogs fend off kennel boredom and
stay mentally and physically stimulated? The answer involves a combination of time, thoughtful training and
enrichment, and a devoted and educated team of volunteers and staff.
According to Roberta Townsend,
Supervisor of Kennel Services at BHS,
all dogs in the adoption program, no
matter how long theyre with us, receive some type of training and enrichment tailored to their age, personality,
and fitness level. The more the dogs
can do and learn, the more adoptable
they are, she says. Our goal is to always keep things new and fresh for
them.
However, keeping things new and
fresh for our long-term residents, dogs
who tend to be the most intelligent and
energetic ones on the adoption floor,
can be a challenge, especially because
time is often in short supply for a busy
kennel staff. Yet, for each of these
dogs, carefully designed programs that

The more the dogs

can do and learn, the
more adoptable they are.
Our goal is to always
keep things new and
fresh for them.

Keeping It Fresh and New:

Training and Enrichment for Shelter Dogs at BHS

combine training and enrichment are a

priority not only to keep them happy
and healthy in a stressful shelter environment but also to make them more
attractive to potential adopters.
To develop these training and enrichment programs, staff members draw
on their strong connection to FDS as
well as continuing education. While
all adoption counselors have participated in basic manners classes, others
have also enrolled in agility, tricks, and
nose work. Some are instructors for
these classes. Equally important, all of
them regularly attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to learn about
the most current, scientifically-based
practices for the care and training of
dogs. The beneficiaries of this knowledge are always the shelter dogs.
Take Kingsley, for example. Like

other dogs waiting to be adopted, his

basic training began by learning simple
manners, such as sit, stay, and polite
greetings.
For Kingsley, though,
addressing other behavior issues was
also necessary. Friendly and gregarious by nature, he could bewell, a little too overexuberant when meeting
new people, in addition to being reactive to other dogs. To help him cope
with these situations, staff is using
counter conditioning rewarding him
with food when he sees a new person

Animal Life

or dog so that he learns to have a positive reaction to them. So far, the results
are encouraging. As Laura explains,
Hes come a long way. Hes so much
better with people and other dogs now.
Additionally, as part of keeping life at
the shelter new and fresh, Kingsley
has been participating in several
enrichment activities, including agility,
tricks, and nose work. By far, however, Kingsley had excelled in the latter
and for good reason. According to
Laura, Nose work is a great for Kingsley and other dogs because it allows
dogs to be dogs. It provides an outlet to
explore and experience their natural instincts to search and find food and
thats exhilarating for them. Although
this activity is valuable for all dogs,
shelter dogs especially benefit from it
because so much of their lives is spent
being controlled by humans or their
environment. As Laura empahsizes,
during class, Kingsley is not taking
any direction from me. Im following his lead and letting him take
control.
In the past, BHS has successfully
placed our other long-term dogs in
loving, permanent, and responsible
homes. Remember, Lexi, our lab/pit
bull mix who lived at the shelter for
a record 495 days before finding her
family in West Stockbridge?
As for Kingsleys forever home,
staff believes hes best suited for active adult-only homeowners who
have no other pets. Given his energy
and intelligence, he will also need
continued and consistent training and
socialization. Staff at the shelter and
FDS would, of course, be available
as an on-going resource.
To find out more about Kingsley
and our other dogs at BHS, please
visit our website at BerkshireHumane.org, or stop in and see them. A
BHS canine adoption counselor would
be more than happy to help you meet
your match!
Mary A. Koncel is the Community
Outreach Coordinator at
Berkshire Humane Society.

March 2015 animallifeonline.com 9

pet sitting &day care

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NEW EMAIL: mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.com

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Best Little Kennel in the Berkshires!
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Boarding Day Care Training

We cover Great Barrington, Alford, Egremont,
Hillsdale, Chatham & more

413-528-0877

Nora Hayes, MSW, Owner & Trainer

email: norahayes3@aol.com www.hayeshappydog.com

Walk In The Park

Dog Walking/Pet Sitting Services In The Berkshires

Member Pet Sitters International
American Red Cross Pet First Aid Certified
Member Berkshire Chamber of Commerce
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Insured & Bonded
Lynn Pfeiler @ 413-655-8721
References
Ly25@verizon.net 413-446-0684

CANINE PLAYCARE MONDAY FRIDAY

Call to set up your dogs interview
Canine lodging 365 days/year
Salon services for canine and feline Monday-Saturday
Serving area pets since 1995

92 Cook Road, Sheffield, MA

www.bowmeowregency.com

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The

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PLAYYARD
Dog Sitting and Training Services

Putting a Smile on Your Dogs Face

ABC Certified Professional Training Classes

No Kennels (APDT) Insured
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Independent Field Representative for Lifes Abundance

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Full service dog grooming-all breeds

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Self Serve Bathing Station: All tools provided,
just bring yourself and your dog!
Frequent Fido Cards-Get your sixth wash FREE
Boutique filled with unique dog items for dogs
and the people who love them!
High Quality Raw (Oma's Pride & Nature's Variety)
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this side of purradise

Discussion of shelter animals often

leads to mention of their need for a
forever home. Just what does that
mean, exactly?
A reading of the profile cards at
Purradise in late February gave a clue
to that statement. Many of the cats
awaiting adoption on that particular day
had been surrendered to the Berkshire
Humane Society on account of their
owners moving to a place that would
not accept pets. A few others had not
been as lucky, picked up as nonferal
strays or found abandoned at a vacated
residence. Even in that short window of
time when they were on their own, they
experienced the tragedy of feeling unwanted. Each of these lovely cats had
once had a home. But not for long
enough to last nine lives.
Far too many landlords have never
had a problem with a renters animal,
yet forbid new tenants to have pets.
Often such a restriction is stated outright in their listing for a house or
apartment, perhaps picked up by rote
from other ads. Or, unhappy with how
one tenants animal behaved, they indiscriminately apply that onus to all.
The result: Far too many folks who
need to move have to choose between
the proverbial rock and hard place: to
struggle to keep their furry friends, or
sacrifice their animals so as to have a
home for themselves at all.
Twin tabbies Chloe and Zoe; likewise,
chatty black and white Thor; and tortie
and white Mittens; and adorably cowspotted Maxine...all had clearly been
cared for by someone, somewhere,
long enough to be healthy and trusting
and eager to engage with humans. For
the time being, they are safely protected from this brutal winter in a warm
and loving placePurradise, where
even as I visited briefly, two volunteers
arrived separately to groom and cuddle
and play with them and their fellow felines, supplementing the regular attentions of the staff.

12

Animal Life

Theres No Place Like Home

Iris Bass

This series follows the special humanfeline bond at Purradise, the Berkshire
Humane Society Cat Adoption Center
at 301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413-717-4244),
berkshirehumane.org. Open Wed., Fri.,
& Sat. 104 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.6
p.m.; and Sun. noon4 p.m.

Iris Bass, coauthor of the Cat Lovers

Daily Companion, shares her Lee
home with five shelter cats..

All fluffed up and no place to go. Photo 2015 Sheila Heflin

Peanut had, if anything, been too pampered previously, in that dual priorities
have been to put this big girl on a reduction diet and encourage her to exercise. I visited her in the get-acquainted
Nook after one of the volunteers, Sally,
emerged bearing various implements of
having given her very long fur
tuxedo the full spa treatment. I found
Peanut purring away, sprawled full
length on the rooms fleece-covered
sofa as if to better show off her combout. It must have been heartbreaking
for whoever shed lived with to give up
this gorgeous, sweet-natured creature...but at least she was brought to an
organization that will do the best it can
to ensure her next domestic relationship
will be permanent.
Have you room in your heartwherever you liveto provide a safe harbor
for one or more of these refugees from
human instability? Your steadfast accommodation will mean the world to
them, truly. Think about it: to whatever
animals with whom you share your
days, and wherever you share it, YOU
are their world. For the luckiest ones,
this is the only world they will ever
know or need. But for those who
learned what it is to be forsaken, a forever home actually means a forever

March 2015 animallifeonline.com

human, far more valuable than any

piece of real estate.

Support Purradise while having an opportunity to dine

with fellow animal lovers (oh, the swappable anecdotes!):

Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 9, from 5 to 7 p.m.,

you are invited to gather at Crissey Farm
(426 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington)
for the shelters annual lasagna dinner,
featuring delicious meat and vegetarian selections and a cash bar,
as well as prize and 50/50 raffles. Adults $12, kids $6.
All proceeds benefit Purradise.

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or cheese!

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help is here for pets & vets!

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hamster is not a happy patientWe can help! Our pharmacists can compound your
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Fewer
Cats

If theres one thing we at Animal

DREAMS get excited about, its spaying and neutering cats. It may not seem
as warm and fuzzy a mission as adopting out homeless animals, but its super
impactful. We get calls on a daily basis
asking for our help with cat issues. The
root of almost all of the problems can
be traced back to cat overpopulation.
We cant solve all of the problems that
exist for cats today, but its very clear
that preventing more births will avert a
lot of suffering.
Though our primary mission is spay
and neuter, we do what we can to help

cats that are currently struggling with

the limited resources we have. There
are many kind animal lovers in the
community who do the same, feeding
and sheltering cats that dont belong to them.
A few weeks ago, a resident of an
apartment building called their landlord
to ask them to board up a broken basement window. That made perfect sense
for the tenant, who pays to heat her
apartment, but four cats that had found
shelter from the cold weather in the
basement were stuck inside. We were
called to help, and within 2 days, all
cats were trapped. Most of the cats, un-

Spot & Fido

Pet Waste Removal

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Call Mr. B at 413-442-0367

visit us at www.spotandfido.com email: MrB@spotandfido.com

14

Animal Life

March 2015 animallifeonline.com

fixed, were released outside; a neighbor

has committed to feeding them (with
food from Animal DREAMS) and a
place where they could find shelter and
protection from the weather was set up
nearby. We plan to return to this area to
trap and fix these cats when cold
weather breaks and we have the funding to do so.
One of these community cats, now
nicknamed Russell, was thought to
have an injured tail, as he seemed to be
in a lot of pain. So Animal DREAMS
took him to the vet and fortunately, he
ended up only having severely matted
hair that needed to be removed. He also
was somewhat friendly. His mats were
so bad that his entire body had to be
shaved right down to the skin. A kind,
generous person donated funds for this
vet work and to have him neutered. Animal DREAMS volunteers are caring
for him until he either becomes reacquainted enough with human companionship to find a home through
Berkshire Humane Society, or until his
hair grows back so he can return to his
outdoor neighborhood.
As much as it is satisfying to help the
cats in front of us, its very rare that
these feral and abandoned cats end up

with an ideal life. There are just too

many of them.
In the months to come, Animal
DREAMS and Berkshire Humane Society are hoping to make a big impact
on cat overpopulation in the City of
Pittsfield with the help of a grant
through PetSmart Charities. Well
know the certainty of the grant in a few
months. That still leaves lots of freeroaming cats in all other areas of Berkshire County who need to be fixed.
Sometimes their caretakers can afford
the $65 vet cost and sometimes they
cant. Monetary donations from animal
lovers who care about this mission are
always welcome and can be sent to:
Animal DREAMS,
P.O. Box 1073, Pittsfield MA 01202
Carol Lew
Trap, Neuter, Return Coordinator
Animal DREAMS

Russell is back from his vet appointment, where he was

neutered, vaccinated, eartipped, and shaved

NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM ANNOUNCES 2015 SEASON

Commemorates the 70th Anniversary of The United Nations Through Exhibition of Rockwells Humanitarian Works

American Illustration Exhibitions

on New Yorker Artist Roz Chast,
J.C. Leyendecker, and
Harvey Dunn

Norman Rockwell Museum today announced its 2015 season, presenting the
enduring legacy of Norman Rockwell
and highlighting the tremendous contributions of Americas illustration
masters, through special exhibitions,
collaborations, programs, events, and
digital initiatives.
In commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of The
United Nations, the Museum is collaborating with the United Nations Foundation to mount a special exhibition of
selected artworks, created by Norman
Rockwell, for public display in the UN
Headquarters in New York City. Opening in their Visitor Centre on June 15,
the featured work will be Rockwells
1953 United Nations drawing and related sketches that served as the inspiration for his iconic 1961 painting,
Golden Rule. Accompanied by additional art and photos that illustrate
Rockwells humanity, the exhibition
will compliment a large mosaic of
Golden Rule, presented to the UN
thirty years ago as a gift on behalf on
the United States by First Lady Nancy
Reagan and the Thanks-giving Square
Foundation of Dallas, Texas. The exhibition will be on view at the Centre
through January 2016, with related activities planned in both New York and
Stockbridge to mark the anniversary.
Norman Rockwell was a keen observer of people and believed that
every person mattered. As he matured
as an artist, his subject matter frequently addressed issues of social
change and our common humanity,
notes Norman Rockwell Museum Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt.
We are honored to be partnering with
the United Nations, at the invitation of
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Elias-

son, to celebrate the 70th anniversary

of its peacekeeping efforts. Eliasson
believes that Norman Rockwells artwork captures the humanitarian aims of
the United Nations and embodies ideals
for all people. Indeed, Rockwells interest in portraying international figures, Americas civil rights movement,
the early work of the Peace Corps,
United Nations, and The Four Freedoms (soon to celebrate their own 75th
anniversary), informed and helped
shape civil society in America, as did
the work of many other illustration
artists of that time. We look forward to
exploring these concepts further this
year through our exhibitions and programs.

J.C. Leyendecker and

The Saturday Evening Post

March 21 through June 14, 2015

Opening this March at Norman Rockwell Museum, J.C. Leyendecker and

The Saturday Evening Post will present all 322 covers created by the influential illustrator, J.C. Leyendecker
(1874-1951), who was admired by
Rockwell as a master in the field. Often
remembered for his beautifully conceived posters and advertisements
particularly those featuring The Arrow
Collar ManLeyendeckers stylized
Post covers reflected the social and cultural history of his time, with commentary on such significant events as World
War I, The Great Depression, and
World War II. The exhibition will include his popular Post covers depicting
the New Years Baby, Santa Claus, and
stylish men and women, which all became his trademark and had a huge influence on twentieth century visual
culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to compare the collection of Post
covers with all 321 created by Rockwell, as well as view a selection of
original Leyendecker paintings loaned
from private and public collections.

Martha Pope, Photographer

Any of my clients who have rescued or

adopted a shelter pet receives a 10% discount
on all products and packages
www.shaggydogphotography.com

A special program will

be
held
on
Saturday, March 21, at 4
p.m., with author/historians Judy and Laurence
Cutler. The exhibition is
sponsored by William
Hargreaves, Valerie and
George Kennedy, and
Carol Konner.
About Norman
Rockwell Museum

Norman Rockwell Museum is the preeminent

museum of American illustration art. Dedicated
to art education and art
appreciation inspired by
the enduring legacy of
Norman Rockwell, the
Museum stewards the
worlds largest and most
significant collection of Rockwell art,
and presents the works of contemporary and past masters of illustration.
The Museums holdings also include
Rockwell's last studio, moved from its
original location to the Museum
grounds, and the Norman Rockwell
Archives, a 200,000-object collection
undergoing
digital
preservation
through ProjectNORMAN, A Save
Americas Treasures Project. The Museum is home to the Rockwell Center
for American Visual Studies, the nations first research institute devoted to
the art of illustration. In 2008, Norman
Rockwell Museum became the firstever museum recipient of the National
Humanities Medal, Americas highest
honor in the field.

Norman Rockwell Museum is located

on 36 park-like acres in Stockbridge,
Massachusetts, Rockwells hometown
for the last 25 years of his life. The Museum is open year-round; closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New
Years Day. From May through October, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily;
from November through April, hours
are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through
Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Rockwells studio is
open May through October, 10 a.m. to
5 p.m. Museum admission is $17.50,
$16 for seniors, $10 for students, $5 for
kids and teens 6 to 18, and free for Museum members and children 5 and
under. Visit the Museum online at
www.nrm.org.

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Animal Life

March 2015 animallifeonline.com 15

rescue me

NE Basset Hound Rescue

Hobie adopted from NEBHR in 2010, Nestor lying with no eyed Brutus also adopted from NEBHR IN 2012, Nestor adopted from NEBHR in 2013

New England Basset Hound Rescue (NEBHR) was founded in 2001 by lovers of the breed that wanted to make a difference. NEBHR is a 501 (c)
(3) non profit organization. We rely only on donations and our annual Woofstock event that you can read about on our website. All of the members of
the board of directors plus all of our foster home and more are 100% volunteer.
Our hounds come to us from all over New England. People turn in dogs to us if they can no longer care for them, some come from shelters and some
were homeless. All the hounds we take I'm go into foster care were they are loved and taken to vet appointments and get ready to go to their forever
home. These dogs get all medical care needed from spay and neuter, to heartworm treatment and teeth cleaning. Once they are given a thumbs up they
are matched with their forever family and go on to be loved and spoiled as they should. If you are interested in donating, fostering, adopting or would
just like to know more about us please visit our website at newenglandbassethoundrescue.org
PO Box 321, Rutland MA 01543 508-243-3622 email us: info@newenglandbassethoundrescue.org

Jill Bamford - President & foster, Jessie Sullivan-Adoptions,

Steph Blanchard-PR, Lisa Donfried-Treasurer, Andrea Macnow- Transports, Lisa Hugo-Contracts, Info, Contact and much more,
Sue Murray-Grage and Johhna Mendoza-Intake.

Sponsored by:

Martin, Oliveira & Hamel PC

Full service law firm

Mary F. Courtney Partner

The Clocktower, 75 South Church St, Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-6455

Martinoliveira.com

16

Animal Life

March 2015 animallifeonline.com

Happy Hounds
Mobile Grooming
Emu oil and oatmeal based oils to soothe-dry & itchy skin.
Paw & pad massage with bees wax ointment for dry & cracked pads.
All products are natural. Hypo-allergenic and Eco-friendly

Call us
today!

413.446.8676
Jessie Sullivan happyhoundsmobile@yahoo.com

veterinarians

-XOLH6KDQDKDQ'90
Julie
Shanahan, D.V.M.
Laura
Aylesworth, D.V.M. 
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Elizabeth Tullett
DVM
Certified in
Veterinary Acupuncture
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat. 8-12

289 Dalton Avenue

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-4949

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Adoptions
in the tri-state area

Part of the package of becoming a

pet parent is assuming the responsibility of
your new family pet in a positive
and loving way. As its guardian you must
see that your pet goes to a veterinarian on a
regular basis as well as when an illness
or accident demands such a visit.

Java

Dr. Sally Umlauf

Open Mon. - Fri. 7am 7pm, & Sat. 8am 1pm

Please call

413-551-7251 450 Pittsfield Rd., Lenox www.lenoxcathospital.com

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

413-448-9800

At the

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

Kahn

This gorgeous 8 month old is Kahn. He's a American

Bulldog mix who is who has eyes that will melt
your heart. He's a large boy but he thinks he's a
lapdog. He has an incredibly sweet disposition
who honestly just wants to snuggle. He likes to
chase tennis balls and play with squeaky toys.

Sponsored by:

Merrill Road,
Pittsfield

info@berkshiremm.com

DESPERATE PLEA
for

Julie & Petey

Julie

!
p
l
e
H
e
s
Plea

Petey

JULIE and PETEY have been advertised for a long time . Their need to find
good homes is now DESPERATE. They are both dalmatian-pit mixes who
love people, all people ! They do not get along with other animals. Recently
their foster parents conditions have changed, making it no longer possible
for them to remain in their current foster homes. PLEASE contact Harriet of
Dalmatian Adoption Inc. ASAP at 917-670-3892 or hckoss@aol.com if you can help
these two dogs by fostering or adopting them. They can be transferred to
your home if your application. references and home visit are approved,
Thank you for considering helping these two affectionate dal-pit dogs.

For questions and an application

Harriet Koss 917-670-3892

email: hckoss@aol.com

Each week

will be sponsoring a
If that dog's adopted during that week,
Haddad Subaru will pay $50 towards the adoption fee!
THIS WEEKS DOG IS:
Fred

I came to the shelter with my brother and sisters to find a kind and
loving home. I did not have very much socialization as a young pup
so I am behind in my development. I will need a patient and consistent owner to help house train, socialize, and teach me the ways of
the world. I would do best in an adult home. I would benefit from
having another nice social dog to show me the way. I am working on
house training, leash walks, and socializing with people and dogs.
Please call or come to the shelter to see about me.

214 Barker Rd., Pittsfield, MA 314-447-7878

animal life go-to directory

boarding

rescues & shelters

Bow Meow Regency

NE Basset Hound Rescue, Inc.

A Boarding Facility for Dogs.

Dawna Hartman, Intake Coordinator,

68dawna@gmail.com, www.nebhr.org

92 Cook Road, Sheffield, MA 01257

Honor S. Blume 413-229-0035
www.bowmeowregency.com

(508) 243-3622 MA

Ginas K-9 Bed & Breakfast

Quality care pet sitting in my safe, comfortable home

349 Farm Road, Copake, NY 12516
Gina 518-329-4675

Happy Dog Kennel & Day Care

Boarding Day Care Training

Covering, Alford, North Egremont, Hillsdale

Old Chatham, Chatham and more!
Nora Hayes 413-528-0877

pet stores

BensDotters Pet

Quality Foods & Supplies, Raw Diet Specialists.

940 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA

www.BENSDOTTERS.com

413-528-4940

Berkshire Humane Society

413-447-7878 www.berkshirehumane.org
214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA

Bluebird Farm Animal Sanctuary

413-446-3345

Dalmation Rescue
Harriet Koss

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

Open Tues.-Fri. 12 to 6pm, Sat. & Sun. 12 - 5pm

Closed Mondays

413-448-9800 www.sonsinianimalshelter.org
63 Downing Parkway, Pittsfield, MA

veterinarian services

Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital

Dog and Cat Grooming

Amanda Bevens, 289 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, MA

413-443-4949

Berkshire Ambulatory
Veterinary Services

North County Veterinary Hospital

Open Tues.- Sat. 10am to 4pm, Thurs Eve. 5 - 8pm

Sun. Afternoon 1 - 4pm Closed Mondays

(917) 670-3892
hckoss@aol.com

301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

413-717-4244 www.berkshirehumane.org

413-637-2223

Meow Growl

rescues & shelters

Open Wed. & Fri. 10am - 4pm, Thurs. 10am - 6pm,

Sunday 12 - 4pm

www.berkshirelargeanimal.com

413-637-0800 www.chezpet.com

413-243-1220

Purradise

Mobile practice providing quality medical and surgical care

for horses and farm animals. Vaccination, strategic deworming,
Coggins & health certificates, custom dentistry (hand & Powerfloat), castrations, dehorning, & more. Serving MA & NY
by appointment.

Premium foods and treats. A neighborhood pet

supply store with everything you need for
a healthy pet. Special orders welcome.
Lenox Commons, 55 Pittsfield Rd., Lenox, MA

59 Main St., Lee, MA www.Meowandgrowl.com

(toll free) 877-528-0637

www.nepyresq.org

Yoanna Y. Maitre, DVM

Chez Pet

All organic-Natural Dog & Cat Food

Self Serve Dog Wash Stations!

NE Pyreness Rescue

Dr. John C. Reynolds, Dr. Laura A. Eiszler

& Dr. Lindsay M. Cermak, DVMs

pet times

A listing of upcoming events in

the Tri-state area

ANIMAL SUPPORT PROJECT

Support the Animal Support Project
Bring your pet in for a photo
EASTER PHOTOS
Suggested donation is $10.
March 28th- 12 - 3pm
Bensons Pet Center, 457 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield

PURRADISE Annual Lasagna Dinner

Support Purradise
Lasagna dinner featuring delicious meat & vegetarian
Cash bar, Prizes and 50/50 Raffle.

Adults $12, Kids $6

April 9th 5 to 7pm

Crissy Farm, 426 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington
Eleanor Sonsini 2015 Calendars
Available NOW!
Beautiful calendar featuring our animals and alumni
by Martha McCusker Pope, ShaggyDog Photography

$20 Each

Get them at Bensons Pet Center,

Dalton Ave., Pittsfield
or www.bensonspet.com/Bensons_contact.asp
DALTON REGISTERED VOTERS May 4th time TBA.

Mark your calendars for the

May 4th Annual Town Meeting.
Come and vote YES for the bylaw to
exclude wild animals in the circus.
Learn more, go to www.mspca.org/circus
Martha Pope, Photographer

Any of my clients who have rescued or

adopted a shelter pet receives a 10% discount
on all products and packages
www.shaggydogphotography.com

838 Curran Memorial Hwy, North Adams, MA

413-664-4570

Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital

24 Hour Emergency care, animal chiropractic and dental care.

John C. Reynolds, DVM, Laura A. Eiszler, DVM,

Michelle P. Looney, DVM, Melinda M. Payson, DVM,
Carmen A. Swinson, DVM, , Lindsay M. Cermak, DVM
Hours: Daily Mon-Fri. 8am to 8pm,.Sat. & Sun 10am-5pm
www.pittsfieldvet.com

413-499-1580

resources

Environmental Police
1-800-632-8075

Massachusetts SPCA
1-800-628-5808

Massachusetts Wildlife
413-684-1646

Dirty Dogs
Done Dirt Cheap
Berkshire Countys only fullyloaded, self-serve dog wash
636 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield

(413) 448-8240

www.dunkingdoggies.com

BENSDOTTERRS PET

413-528-4940

940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230

CONVENIENT LOCATION
O - AMPLE PARKING
- ON ROUTE 7 JUST A MINUTE
U SOUTH OF GUIDOS MONDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-6PM

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 10AM-4PM