animal life

Tri-State Area Pet News

Your pet. Our purpose.

Inside:

Good Citizen page 3

Kingsleys Chronicles
page 5

Horse Stories page 10 -11

Events Calendar page 19
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Good Citizen

There are times when our work at the

shelter makes us want to go home,
crawl into bed, pull the covers over our
heads and hibernate while waiting for
our mommies to come and make us
feel better. Dont get us wrong, most
days are filled with many wonderful
people milling about. There are individuals and all sorts of families coming to visit the animals in our care.
There are businesses representatives
and kind-hearted souls dropping off
donations and bags of food off to us.
We are visited by young children who
proudly bring in the money they collected from their birthday party or their
days work selling lemonade to raise
money for the animals. But, every once
in a while there are the days where a
dark cloud descends ever so quickly
over our happy little shelter. Those are
the days that we just want to cry. Why
would we feel this way in a shelter
filled with all these loving, wonderful
animals to work with? Well, most of the
time, we dont, but on occasion, we do.
It happens so quickly. For example, a
citizen arrives with a dog. She says this
petrified little pit-mix who is cowering
behind her with his tail between his
legs is a stray. The poor thing is clearly
petrified of people, so we set him up in
a quiet kennel and proceed to take
some information from the person. The
citizen fills out a form indicating that
she found the dog on the streets of
Pittsfield. She says she would like to
adopt him if no one claims him. Lo
and behold, like so many others, the
dog has no collar, no tags and no microchip. To us, none of this is a surprise. Petrified and clearly hungry, this

young male is unneutered and suffering from a long untreated skin

condition. We post his picture and information on Facebook to see if any of
our supporters recognize this lost pup.
Almost immediately, the shares start.
Fortunately, our Facebook community
never lets us down. Whenever a dog is
lost and looking for his home, our
Facebook fans quickly come to the
rescue, getting the word out across the
county in record time.
In short order, another woman contacted us. It seems that not only is this
pup not a stray, but he is also not a local
dog. The woman is his former owner
and has called us after seeing her former dog posted as stray on Facebook.
She tells us that she recently rehomed
him twenty miles from here with our
good citizen.
We are furious. Not only were we lied
to about the ownership status of the animal, but we were also not given any of
his medical or social history. Unfortunately, stray dogs are always at a bit of
a disadvantage at a shelter. When they
come in, we know nothing about them.
We dont know their name, their actual
age, their medical history, their fears,
their fortes, what they like and dont
like. When a dog is surrendered
through the proper procedure, all of
these questions are asked. This allows
us to do our jobs better. It enables us to
match these animals up with the best
possible home for them when we are
considering applications. While we still
temperament test all of our dogs, observe them and work with them while
they are in our care, no test or shelter
situation can possibly replicate actual

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life in a home. For that information, we

need honest owners telling us the truth
when they surrender their pet.
We understand that circumstances
often arise when people have to give up
an animal. We really do. Divorce happens, jobs are lost, living situations
change. When lives are thrown into turmoil, it is often very hard on the entire
family, and the pets do not escape this
fate. And when that does happen, we
want to help. That is why we are here.
What we cannot understand how anyone can abandon their pet. It breaks our
hearts every time an owner unceremoniously abandons their pet with absolutely no concern as to what that

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animals future may bring. Our saving

grace is knowing that once they are
with us, they are safe. We know that
they will be fed, cared for, given appropriate medical care and found a forever home. And for those of you who
might be concerned; no, our good citizen will not be getting this, or any
other dog from Sonsini.
Krista A. Wroldson Miller
Sonsini Animal Shelter

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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
Leea Foran. The Canine Mind
Circulation, John Depaoli

Advertising Sales, Karen Karlberg, Lisa Betkoski

Cover photo by Martha Pope, SHAGGYDOG PHOTOGRAPHY

Alden Beane
Rosseter Street, Great Barrington

Animal Life

August 2015 animallifeonline.com

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. All original content copyright 2015 Animal Life. Original content
contained herin can not be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Kingsleys Chronicles:
A Great Dogs Search
for a Great Home

Kingsley is on the adventure of a lifetime. In the last few weeks, this big
and gregarious two-year-old Bull Mastiff mix has been visiting all types of
businesses in Berkshire County in
search of what every shelter dog wants
and deserves a loving, forever home.
One year ago in July, Kingsley came to
Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) as an
unclaimed stray. Although his exuberance and intelligence have made him a
staff favorite, finding the right adopter
for him has been challenging as is often
the case with other shelter dogs who are
big and exuberant and intelligent.
According to Claudia Sala and Jessica
Lascoe, canine adoption counselors at
BHS and creators of Kingsleys Chronicles, a few people have stopped by the
shelter to meet or inquire about Kingsley, but the fit was not quite right. So
they decided to try something new
hence Kingsleys Chronicles.
We realized we needed to do something proactive, says Jessica. If people arent coming to Kingsley, hell
come to them.
So Kingsley has hit the road! From
August 1st to September 12th, he has
and will continue to visit local businesses on Saturdays, noon-2:00pm, and
Wednesdays, for two hours between
4:00pm and 8:00pm. So far, Kingsley
has hung out and made lots of new
friends at Sarah's Cheesecake in Pittsfield, aBerkshire Mountain Bakery in
Housatonic, and Bartletts Orchard in
Richmond.
But heres the fun part! Where Kingsley will be next is a surprise. Three
days before his visit, well be posting
one clue a day on our Facebook page
about the next location. The first five
people to identify that location will receive a small prize from that business
and be entered into a raffle to win a
$500 cash prize. On the morning of
Kingsleys visit, well announce where
hell be on our Facebook page and welcome you to stop by and meet him. To
help spread the word about Kingsley,
Claudia and Jessica have made busi-

ness cards for him and leave

Kingsley was here fliers at
each location he visits.
Besides increasing the visibility of Kingsley, Kingsleys
Chronicles is an excellent way
to promote local businesses as
well as interest in adoption
throughout Berkshire County.
Were also working to develop
relationships with new businesses that we havent necessarily worked with before, says
Claudia. Our message is Shop
Locally, Adopt Locally! So
far, participating businesses
have been very enthusiastic.
Sarah's Cheesecake was one of
the first to sign on. As Katrina
Sayers, who works at her
mothers bakery, explains, We
wanted to give Kingsley a
chance to get out and meet new
people, adding that his visits are great
for businesses because he attracts customers.
Katrina is also a volunteer dog walker
at BHS and has known Kingsley since
he came to the shelter. Without question, shes a big fan of his. Hes very
loving and caring and always a sweet
dog, she says.
So what type of home is Kingsley
looking for? Both Claudia and Jessica
agree that hes best suited for an active
individual or adult-only family who has
no other pets and who is experienced
with dogs. A rural setting would be
nice too and the chance to go for car
rides. Lots of time for cuddling would
also be important even though Kingsley is embarrassed to admit this! To
keep him physically and mentally challenged, he would benefit from more
training, including fun classes such as
nose work and agility.
From all reports, Kingsley has been his
usual charming self, and there have
been some inquiries about adopting
him.
Once Kingsley has found his new forever home, Claudia and Jessica are

planning on continuing Kingsleys

Chronicles by bringing other harder-toplace shelter dogs into the community
and showing off their wonderful personalities.
If youd like to follow Kingsleys adventure and his search for a new home,
be sure to visit BHSs Facebook page
at facebook.com/BerkshireHumane and
find the event. To help support Kingsleys Chronicles, you can purchase tickets $5 each for the $500 Grand
Prize Raffle when you meet him. The

winner will be drawn at Woofstock

2015 on Sunday, September 13th at
Onota Lake.
To find out more about Kingsley and
our other dogs at BHS, please visit the
shelter or see them at BerkshireHumane.org. 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.

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Animal Life

August 2015 animallifeonline.com 5

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Woofstock

2015 Is Back!

After a morning of rain and wind forced

us to postpone Woofstock 2015 in June,
Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is
excited to announce that our annual dog
walk has been rescheduled! On Sunday, September 13th, join us at the Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake for a day
of Doggone fundraising and fun for
the entire family.
This was the first time in 20 years that
we had to cancel Woofstock, says John
Perreault, Executive Director of BHS.
But were looking forward to returning to the lake next month, and we
know it will be a fantastic event.
Woofstock 2015 kicks off with the
ever popular pancake breakfast at
8:00am only $6.00 per person. Registration for the walk begins at 10am
with an 11am start time for the walk.
Max, a BHS alum who is now a member of the K9 unit with the Vermont
State Police, will be our Grand Marshal. Yay Max!
Pick up your pledge form at your local
vets office, pet supply stores, BHS, or
Purradise. You can also download your
form at BerkshireHumane.org. Then
ask your family, friends, and neighbors
to sponsor you for walking the day of
the event. Start your own fundraising
page and share it. If youve already
turned in your pledges, you can still
collect more. That money will be
added to your total.
Remember raise $500 or more in
pledges and youll be invited to a luncheon hosted by Steve Caporizzo
WTENs Chief meteorologist and
founder of Pet Connection. There'll be
many other great prizes for top fund
raisers. You dont even need a dog to
participate.

Although Woofstock is a dog walk, all

the animals and programs at BHS benefit from it from providing formula
for orphaned kittens and dental care to
senior cats to offering free humane education to local schools and organizations, temporary foster care for animals
whose owners are in crisis, and a community pet food pantry.
Throughout the day, look for a full
schedule of demonstrations, raffles, and
games for dogs and kids. Once again,
Markis French Fries and Fried Dough
will be providing snacks as well as a
bounce house for kids.
So far, our list of vendors includes
Animal DREAMS, Bark N Cat,
Bensons Pet Center, German Shepherd
Rescue of New England, the Berkshire
Disaster Animal Response Team, and
Fitter Critters. Canine Good Citizen
testing will also be available for a fee.
BHS thanks the following local businesses for their generous support of
Woofstock 2015: Benson's Pet Center,
Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield Veterinary
Hospital, Performance Automotive of
Pittsfield, Onyx Specialty Papers, Inc.,
Pretty Paws, Animal Life, Dettinger
Lumber, West Oil Company, Inc., Bilmar
Small Animal Clinic, BlackJacks Boot
Camp Dog Day Care, Foranimals, LLC
- Leea Foran, Kamp Ketchum, Quality
Printing Co., Smith Bros-McAndrews
Insurance, and Reliable Pet Sitting Co.
For more information about
Woofstock 2015,
call 447-7878, ext. 131,
or visit our website BerkshireHumane.org.

Shelter gets a Facelift

It took a village, but the Sonsini Animal Shelter looks like a whole new place,
thanks to several amazing businesses in town who helped make the improvements to the facility. We will be holding an Open House to share all of this
work with the public in early October.

If you have ever visited Sonsini you know that we are

lucky enough to have 15 outdoor kennels that our
dogs can run around and play in when the weather
permits. Unfortunately, this winter took a terrible toll
on the chain link; essentially destroying it. Todd Storti
of New England Fence is a dog lover and came to our
rescue donating the labor to repair all of the kennels.
The project was labor intensive and Todd and his boys
worked in the blazing sun so that the dogs could use
their outdoor pools and lie out in the shade. Both the
animals and staff appreciate all of the hard work New
England Fence put in here.
John Massery and Jeff Blazick of Elite Crete Systems
East worked with St. Pierre Resurfacing to redo our
old porous concrete floors with an awesome impervious epoxy coating. The new coating makes it so much
easier to keep clean and tidy. Looking at the floors
now, it is hard to believe that we lived with that old
concrete for so many years. We are forever grateful to
John, Jeff and Mike St. Pierre for donating the many
hours this took.
East Coast Refinishing and Berkshire Custom Coating
worked on our indoor kennel doors to make them look
shiny and new. We are grateful for their generosity as well.
Bruce Kruczkowski and the fellas from the Berkshire

County House of Correction helped paint the interior

of the shelter. Ernie Weider of Weider Mechanical for
his sweat and tears help moving. Mc Donalds generously sent over some food to sustain the men while
they worked. Soldier on helped to paint the outdoor
dog houses. Lee Ann Massery brought her cooler and
kept us all hydrated while we worked. Rick Miller at
Berkshire Rooter even brought over his beautiful boat
for the staff to sleep in when we stayed outside
overnight with the dogs the nights when the new floor
was drying. That was an adventure!
Classical Tents put up a large tent out back for shade.
The Berkshire County Realtor Association has sponsored an additional tent to cover some more of the
kennels. Donna Boulanger of Berkshire Fabric and
Wallpaper gave her expert advice on a color scheme
and helped make indoor kennel curtains so the dogs
can take their naps. Central Radio donated a new dishwasher. Turner Auto and City Tire helped revive our
old Suburban. And we cannot forget to mention the
help we get regularly from Pete Sondrini and his city
maintenance crew. They are always helpful and patient. Our animals deserve the very best and with all
of these renovations, they are living large.

Thanks to all of you loyal supporters and dear

friends of Sonsini Animal Shelter for coming
through when it matters most.

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this side of purradise

Early December 1914 marked my first

acquaintance with siblings Cowardly
Lion and Tinman, then supercharged
fuzz balls less than three months old.
Regular readers of this column might
recall my discussing them several times
before. Simply put, although every
shelters ideal is to find its animals a
forever home, adoptions dont always work out. Such was the case,
twice, with these two lovely boys.
As tiny youngsters they were delightfulfriendly and hilarious. When we
met, Tinman, already the leader of the
pair, immediately jumped onto my lap,
plopped down, and began to purr. They
were adopted soon afterward...but were
then returned, as having been too energetic for their new person. (Kittens definitely require extra attentiona
learning experience on both sides, as
you teach them acceptable boundaries
of behavior and space, while learning,
yourself, that these little strangers come
with their own personality that may
take some adjusting to!)
I next caught up with them at
Purradise in March, when they were six
months old. I almost didnt recognize
them, as they had already grown into
their fur, so to speakdisclosing more
of their luxurious Maine Coon characteristics. Their high-octane level had
toned down somewhat with maturity,
though they were still certainly playful.
At that time, a family of four was inter-

Brotherly Love

tions and, if anything, renewed interdependence in

the face of having
been
misunderstood by humans,
these boys had
learned to look beyond their own

ested in them, seemingly the ideal

match. Alas, that didnt work out, either, as now the energy in that home
which included two children and a
dogproved overwhelming to the
CATS! After a trial period of trying to
make it work, back they came to
Purradise.
Fast-forward three more months,
when in June, I observed their interacting within their duplex condo with a
wealth of toys. When Cowardly Lion
(perfectly named, the more reserved of
the two) had had enough and curled up
to sleep, Tinman let him sleep yet appealed vocally to several of us to DO
something about it, indignant that his
brother had withdrawn into the land of
dreams. (No, we didnt wake up Cowardly Lion on his behalf, but I did spend
some time giving Tinman extra attention, so he felt listened to.) That told me
a lot: that despite their misfired adop-

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Animal Life


%XV
5HV

August 2015 animallifeonline.com

Cowardly Lion (left) and Tinman (right).

Photos 2015 Sheila Heflin.

tight feline relationship to our own

species for understanding, even empathy.
Now, as their first birthday approaches, these big, beautiful guys are
still at Purradise. Although they are still
very close, they appear to have made
their own peace with Cowardly Lions
generally being sedate and Tinman,
more active. To give us all some qual-

Iris Bass

ity time together, I sat down on the sunroom floor with them, and they came
right over to snuggle up, Tinman
against my feet, and Cowardly Lion
leaned against my lap. There we enjoyed one anothers company quietly
for a while, until Cowardly Lion decided to switch to a kitty bed for a serious nap, while Tinman, wide awake,
divided his time between my lap and a
nearby cat tree (including at the same
time, half of him on each location!).
Hopefully, the expression The third
time is the charm will hold true for
these gorgeous siblings who, while they
dont lack for loving care in their temporary home, deserve a permanent one
where they will find rewardas do
their counterparts in The Wizard of
Ozin the form of affection and appreciation for both their individual
qualities and their mutual devotion and
dedication as a team.

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.

Churchill Downs Unveils 2015 Official Art of The Kentucky Derby

The Commemorative Artwork by Noted Animal Artist Kimberly Kelly Santini

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, November14, 2014) Churchill Downs today

unveiled an original painting by noted
Michigan artist Kimberly Kelly Santini
as the Official Artwork for the 141st
running of the $2 Million Kentucky
Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. A
special presentation was made at the
track by Churchill Downs officials and
JettStream Productions, which is in its
15th year as the official licensee of the
Art of the Kentucky Derby series.
After participating in the unveiling,
Santini was on hand to sign the new
posters and prints for track guests in the
Churchill Downs Store.
Well-known for her dynamic equine
paintings and strong passion for the
sport of horse racing, Santini uses a dramatic assortment of brilliant pure pigments to create a vigorous depiction of
Thoroughbreds charging down the back
stretch and jockeying for position with
the iconic Twin Spires in the background. In a departure from her normal
blending of colors, Santinis unadulterated use of regal reds, cobalt blues,
bright yellows and other colors in their
purest form, reflects the rugged muscularity of the horses and the intense emotion that embodies Thoroughbred
racing and the Kentucky Derby.
As a passionate horse racing fan, I
have always been enamored with
pageantry, tradition and spectacle that
is the Kentucky Derby, said Santini.
It is an immense honor to have been
selected to create this representation of
the iconic race and a tribute to the many
teachers, mentors, family and friends
who have supported my passion for art
and horse racing throughout my life.

The posters will be immediately available for sale at

the Churchill Downs Store
which is open on-track
through the end of the Fall
Meet, Nov. 30. To ring in
the New Year, a series of
additional officially licensed products including
ornaments, prints, coffee
mugs, mini puzzles, and
magnets will be available
for sale at www.KentuckyDerbyStore.com, as well as
at The Finish Line Gift Shop at the
Kentucky Derby Museum and select retailers.
Based in Lake Orion, Michigan, Kimberly Kelly Santini specializes in painting portraits of animals, pets, treasured
heirlooms and children. With degrees in
art and art history, Santini teaches art
workshops and endeavors to paint daily,
producing a steady flow of commissioned and non-commissioned animal
portraits each week. She also produced
a free art newsletter entitled Painting
With Soul.
Since 2001, a host of notable artists
have created the Official Kentucky
Derby artwork including, Tony Bennett
(2001); Gary Kelley (2002); Laura

CountryTack

Smith (2003); Francis Livingston (2004); Bart

Forbes (2005); Dennis
Ziemienski (2006 Kentucky Derby); Erica Nordena (2006) Kentucky
Oaks); Misha Lenn (2007);
Trish Biddle (2008); Jeff
Williams (2009); Linda Le
Kinff (2010); Lesley
Humphrey (2011); Robert
Joyner (2012), Derek
Gores (2013) and Susan
Easton Burns (2014). Other
past official Kentucky Derby artists
include Leroy Neimann, Peter Max,
Boguslaw Lustyk and Peter Williams.
About Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs, the worlds most
legendary racetrack, has conducted
Thoroughbred racing and presented
Americas greatest race, the Kentucky
Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated
(NASDAQ: CHDN), which offers
year-round simulcast wagering at the
historic track. Churchill Downs will
conduct the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands
on May 2, 2015. The tracks 26-day
Fall Meet is scheduled for Oct. 26-

495 North Main St., Lanesboro, MA 413-499-0277

info@countrytack.com or Web: www.countrytack.com

10

Animal Life

August 2015 animallifeonline.com

http://derbyartgifts.com/index_2.html
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About JettStream Productions

JettStream Productions is an art and graphics-based publisher, located in Louisville
Kentucky and has been the official licensee
for the official Art of the Kentucky Derby
Series, for 15 years. Founded by owner
Clare Jett, the company has provided
award winning posters and products primarily for large scale sporting events such
as the Kentucky Derby. Other high profile
clients include the Muhammad Ali Center,
The Westminster Kennel Club, the
Louisville Convention and Visitors Center
and most recently, the Breeders' Cup World
Championships.

Hungry Horses

Never too soon to think about

Turnout
Blankets!

Nov. 30. Churchill Downs has hosted

the Breeders Cup World Championships
a record eight times. Information about
Churchill Downs can be found on the
Internet at www.ChurchillDowns.com.
About Artist Kimberly Santini
Paring her subjects down to the bare
essentials: personality, attitude, and
bold color, Kimberly Santini has been
a painter most of her life and is represented by numerous galleries through
the U.S. She credits an annual sojourn
to Saratoga Race Track in New York
with a group of female equine painters
as a pivotal influence on her horse racing work, acquiring much of her visual
inspiration used in her paintings during
this gathering. Santini has a BFA in
Painting, a BA in Art History, and has
worked for the J. Paul Getty Trust.

Nicker, by Kimberly Kelly Santini

Now I turn you out so you can run,

all night long it's lots of fun,
then morning comes which brings the day.
Holler holler whinny neigh.

hoof beat

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity/Sweet Itch

During these hot, humid summer days

horses may suffer from a skin condition
called seasonal recurrent dermatitis. Also
referred to as sweet itch, it is an allergy to
the saliva of the Culicoides midge or
gnat. Allergies to other insects may also
be involved and so it is often referred to
as insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH).
Affected horses develop an allergic reaction at the site of the bites, usually
along the base of the mane and tail head,
around the ears and head, and along the
back, center of the chest, and abdomen.
Horses may be agitated and exhibit signs
of restlessness such as tail switching and
stomping at the ground. Itching can be
intense sometimes leading to self-trauma
when the horse rolls or rubs up against
solid objects, resulting in broken hairs,
bald patches, and even bleeding and oozing skin. The resulting round patches are
sometimes confused with hives, ring-

Yoanna Y. Matre, DVM, DABVP

worm or rain rot but are relatively easy to

distinguish for a veterinarian.
The best treatment for insect bite hypersensitivity is prevention of further insect
bites. Turnout during dawn and dusk
hours when midges are most active
should be avoided. Horses should be
moved away from stagnant water sources
(bogs, puddles, old tires, etc.). Pastures
that have access to a good breeze are preferred, as midges are unable to feed in the
wind currents.
Placing fans in the stable creates air
movement that makes it more difficult for
midges to feed. Applying oils (citronella,
tea tree, baby oil) to the coat especially
under the mane can also discourage the
gnats from biting
Fly masks and fly sheets can be used,
though a full body blanket that covers the
belly and neck must be used to be effective. Permethrin and citronella based in-

sect repellents also have variable efficacies. Permethrin based sprays with sunscreen may be longer lasting, but most
repellents must be applied daily.
Treatment of affected horses involves a
variety of topical ointments, sprays, and
shampoos. These may contain a combination of corticosteroid (hydrocortisone,
betamethasone, triamcinolone), anesthetics
(pramoxine,
lidocaine),
antiseptics
(chlorhexidine, benzoyl peroxide), emollients (aloe, colloidal oatmeal), and repellants (citronella oil). More severely
affected horses are treated with short acting corticosteroid injections, tapering
courses of oral corticosteroids (dexamethasone or prednisolone), and anti-histamines. For deeper more generalized skin
infections, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Anecdotally the addition of fatty acids in
the form of flax seed has resulted in improvement of symptoms, although con-

certified judge in hunters, equitation,

and jumpers, Ann is an amateur rider
who trains her own horses and shows
her horse Fred Astaire in both hunter
and dressage competitions. Ann has
judged at the most prestigious shows in
the Northeast and is the author of four
books a series called For the Love of
the Horse. She is a staff writer for
Todays Equestrian.
Riders will be competing for ribbons
and prizes. Ann will also give a
"Judge's Award to the rider who
demonstrates the highest quality of
horsemanship and sportsmanship
throughout the show day. Nikki Kellogg has donated some special prizes
for this honor.
If youve never been to a horse show
before, this is a great one to attendor
compete in, says John Perreault, Executive Director of BHS. We especially appreciate that Sally and Ken
Hart have been so welcoming to Berkshire Humane Society over the past 23
years and have once again graciously
offered their expertise and facilities for

this important fundraiser.

The show begins at 8:00AM. The
BHS merchandise table will be wellstocked, and food and beverages will
be available from our food booth.
An all-volunteer effort, the show is
made possible through the wonderful
generosity of its sponsors. All proceeds from the show stay in Berkshire

23rd Annual Horse Show

trolled studies have not supported these

claims. Allergen specific immunotherapy has been attempted, but must be
started prior to the onset of clinical signs
continued for at least a year. This can be
expensive and results have been mixed.
In summary, horses with insect bite hypersensitivity can be managed with strategic
turnout, environmental management, insect repellants, protective masks and blankets, and dietary supplementation. Once
clinical signs are noted, symptomatic topical and/or systemic anti-inflammatory
therapy is prescribed.

Dr. Yoanna Matre is the owner of Berkshire Ambulatory Veterinary Services, a

mobile clinic that provides on-farm medical
and surgical care to horses and farm animals in Berkshire County and neighboring
areas of New York State.

Benefits Berkshire Humane Society

Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is

hosting our 23rd annual horse show on
Sunday, August 23rd at Overmeade
Farm in Lenox, MA.
From lead line to advanced junior and
adult medal classes, the day will offer
over 30 classes for riders of all ages
and abilities. As the longest-standing
horse show in Berkshire County, it
draws riders from all over the county
and beyond.
This show provides an excellent opportunity to offer a quality Western
New England Professional Horsemans
Association (WNEPHA) recognized
competition for riders and spectators as
well as raise critically needed funds to
support the mission and work of BHS.
Moreover, besides offering a chance
for riders to earn points for WNEPHA
year-end awards, the show will host
WNEPHA specific classes that provide
points toward the associations 2015 finals show in the fall.
Ann Jamieson of Kent, CT is the
judge for the day. In addition to being
a United State Equestrian Federation

Animal Life

County to help support BHSs programs and services.

Overmeade Farm is located at
940 East Street in Lenox.

For information on sponsoring a class

or division, contact Diane Briggs at BHS
413-447-7878, ext. 131
or dbriggs@berkshirehumane.org

August 2015 animallifeonline.com 11

out & about

When the publisher of Animal Life, Kim

Arre-Gerber, told me the August issue
would be about Horses, I said, yeah! I
personally know a couple of Donkeys and
theyre close to horses right? Well I was
wrong, donkeys are different in important
ways to horses; first they are much cuter!
At least in my opinion. So off to Hoplands Farm in Lee, MA I went, to visit
Vito and Charlie, my donkey friends.
Their owners, Carol and Ron Terry, told
me lots of interesting things about these
adorable, sweet creatures.
Did you know that donkeys are quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful, and
eager to learn? Can the same be said for
a horse? As a matter of fact, a donkey is
often pastured or stabled with horses and
ponies because they have a calming effect on the nervous nellies. Here in the
United States and other developed countries, donkeys are mainly used to guard
sheep, for childrens donkey rides and as
pets.
A male donkey or ass is called a jack, a
female is a jenny, and a young donkey is
a foal, like the horse. Donkey breeders

Donkeys are my Friends

do not expect a foal every year like horse

breeders do. Instead they usually plan for
three foals in four years and thats because donkeys have a lower fertility rate
and a longer gestation period than a
horse. Another really neat thing about
donkeys is they can breed with zebras
creating an offspring called a zonkey. I
often thought a donkeys back fur ridge,
called the Dorsal Stripe, looks like that
of a zebras.
I did learn that the biggest difference between the donkey and a horse is the digestion system of the donkey is much
more efficient than that of the horse or
pony. A donkey needs less food than a
horse and cannot eat rich foods like hay
and grains that horses must have. Donkeys are also less prone to colic, a very
big problem with horses. Some farmers
think that a donkey needs to be fed only
straw, supplemented with controlled grazing in the summer or hay in the winter, to
get all the energy, protein, fat and vitamins it requires. Donkeys do best when
they are allowed to consume small
amounts of food over long periods. In

their native arid and semi-arid climates,

donkeys spend more than half of each day
foraging and feeding, on poor quality
scrub proving that the donkey has a tough
digestive system.
A donkeys hooves are more elastic than
those of horses, so they do not wear down
as fast, but regular clipping is still required. A working donkey may still need
to be shod like a horse, and donkey shoes
are similar to horseshoes. As a note, a
donkey will defend itself by biting, striking with the front hooves or kicking with
their hind legs. A donkey has a much
stronger sense of self-preservation than a
horse too.
Did you know that donkeys have larger
ears than a horse, and they may be able to
pick up more distant sounds and they may
also help to cool the donkey's blood? Another interesting donkey fact are the
horny growths that can be found on the
inside of the back legs, horses have them
on all their legs by the way. These
patches are thought to be the remnants of
a vestibular toe. They also remind me of
the scent patches located on my own

I
Karen Karlberg
llamas hind legs.
I have also noted that donkeys are similar to my own llamas in another way; they
both bray very loudly. A bray is a loud
whinny call that can last for twenty seconds or more and is heard over very long
distances. My llamas will bray when
they go into security mode or when something unusual has come into their territory. It is thought that a donkey will bray
to help keep in contact with other donkeys over wide spaces. Since donkeys
are sometimes used to guard sheep, the
braying would come in very handy for
them.
Till next time, get out and about in the
beautiful Berkshires to find your own nature, and remember to watch for wildlife
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 nature photographer
with Kattailphoto.com

Your Neighborhood
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References
Ly25@verizon.net 413-446-0684

grooming

the canine mind!

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myth &truth about dog behavior

My dog growls at strangers and I find that unacceptable so I have yelled

at him and yanked on his collar and he is starting to growl less and less.
Were making progress--right?

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Wrong. We can probably all agree that we wouldnt like to hear our dog growling
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dog guardians make the mistake of punishing the dog when he growls. Growling is
our dogs early warning system. It is one of his way of alerting us that whatever is

going on around
him is too much for him to handle. He is stressed and if it doesnt

change for the better,
he will be forced to escalate his behavior to a lunge, snap, or

a bite to protect or defend himself. By punishing his growling he will learn that
growling gets him in trouble and may stop growling. When we suppress the growling we dont take away the stress associated with it. We might actually increase the
dogs stress in the situation because he now associates your unjust punishment with
 the situation

also. You think he is fine (since he hasnt growled) and continue whatever was happening. Then OUCH, your dog lashes out and snaps or bites you or
someone else. If the dog is growling at other people or animals, quietly and calmly
move him out of the situation. If your dog is growling at you for something you are
doing, stop doing it. This is not the time to show him whose boss! Now that the
immediate danger is averted, be as clear as possible in noting exactly what your
dog was growling at: children approaching, someone trying to pet him, the vet examining a sore leg, a stranger in your home, taking a bone away, etc. The clearer
you are about the triggers the easier it will be to begin a structured behavior modification program with the help of an experienced professional behavior consultant.
Leea Foran, CDBC, CPTA-KA is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and
Behavior consultant and owner of Foranimals, LLC in Lenox, MA. For more
information: www.trainingforanimals.com or 413-445-8843

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&

animal lifes

brags

If you have something to WAG about, please send me an email: aladvertising@aol.com subject: Wags & Brags.

Animal Communicator

After a near-death experience in my

young life, I found my telepathic
awareness suddenly awakened. Since
then, I have been sharing my
gifts for more than 20 years
and have chosen to give
voice to the amazing animals.
I actually hear from
them, those pets. I hear
it during meditation or at
a quiet time. Its like a
movie that plays very fast
and I have to hang on and
concentrate to get the information down. Sometimes I see
images, hear words, sometimes
sounds and very occasionally a smell.
Its all part of the way the animals talk
to me.
Ive heard from animals who dont
like the other animal in the house, and
they point them out; a horse that disliked another horse because he smelled
bad and she showed me that by shooting him a bolt of blue lightening, a cat

Please keep word count to under 300.

who rolls in a red scarf in the closet and

likes to keep it on, a dog who wanted
and needed a job, another dog that felt
jilted, and another dog who
said she likes it here on
planet earth. I hear things
that are totally unexpected
and often very funny. I
heard from a dog who
had a cockney accent.
And another dog who
told me he had plans.
The animals are acutely
aware of health issues, upcoming household changes,
death and dying, food preferences and other animal friends. And
they are delighted to be heard and share
this information with me.
They all love, protect and are greatly
concerned with their human companions.
These animals are unique, beautiful
little souls.
Linda Clayton,
Animal Communicator

SummerFest Pet Parade

Sponsored By: BOWMEOW REGENCY

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Parade begins at 1pm SHARP!
(Check-in 12-1pm)

Main Street, Great Barrington

Show off your pet! Join us for our first annual Pet Parade. Parade route will
be from Berkshire Bank parking lot to the GB Town Hall. Please send your
pre-registration form to the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, PO
Box 810, Great Barrington, Ma. 01230, 413-528-4284, fax 413-528-2200,
betsy@southernberkshirechamber.com

Parade Divisions
DIVISION A SMALL FLOATS AND WAGONS
DIVISION B PETS (no dogs or horses)
DIVISION C DOGS LEASHED OR CARRIED
DIVISION D BICYCLES
DIVISION E HORSES AND PONIES
sWAG Bags for the first 25 Registrants.

SummerFest Pet Parade Mail to: SBCC, P O Box 810, Great Barrington, MA 01230

As part of the K9 Karnival being held September 19-20, 2015,

we will also be trying to raise funds for Fairy DogParents!

If you have not heard of this amazing organization, please check them out!
Their mission is to help keep dogs in their homes, when veterinary costs become too much of a burden and owners are considering euthanasia. They are
based in Massachusetts and staffed by volunteers. All money raised goes to
help Massachusetts dogs! We at Hilltowns Veterinary Clinic have worked with
them multiple times over the last several years and think they are a fantastic
group! We are planning on having a raffle with all the proceeds going directly
to Fairy Dogparents! Please consider donating a raffle prize, even if you are
not able to participate in the K9 Karnival! Feel free to contact us with any questions our number is 413 623 5329.
Sharon Lynch
Hilltowns Veterinary Clinic

"There is just one thing left on her wish list..

Nikki is a 6 year old husky mix that currently resides

at Little Guild of St.Francis animal shelter located in
West Cornwall, CT. Recently she was diagnosed
with terminal cancer. There is no cure and we cannot
be sure how long she has left with us here on Earth.
However, we are determined to make whatever time
she does have left the best shes ever had! To make
sure Nikki had everything she needed we created her
an amazon wish list. The facebook community came
together and nearly everyday boxes of donated items
were showing up at the shelters door. In less than a
week Nikki had received everything registered on
her wish list. There is just one thing left that unfortunately cannot be bought and that is, a home. Nikki
is searching for a hospice foster that will give her a
comfy place to rest her head at night and fill her final days with love and joy.
She will become your best friend, she will accompany you on any adventure,
and she will always bring you back the ball. If you believe you are that special
someone, please fill out an application online at littleguild.org under Canine
Adoption Application and give us a call at (860)672-6346. Her hospice home
should not include children as we are unsure the extent of pain she may eventually undergo. The Little Guild will cover her medical cost and she will also
go home with all of her donated items. If youd like to donate any items to Nikki
the shelters address is 285 Sharon Goshen Tpke. West Cornwall, CT 06796.
If youd rather make a monetary donation for her medication or a day
out for ice cream, you may do so at littleguild.org Any and all
donations are greatly appreciated!"

Animal Life

August 2015 animallifeonline.com 15

Three Friendly Cats

n late June, Animal DREAMS got really busy fixing cats in Pittsfield.
Thanks to our partnership with Berkshire Humane Society and a grant from
PetSmart Charities, we have the funds
to fix 500 cats in the City over the time
period of a year. The goal is to end the
issue of cat overpopulation in Pittsfield
by offering low cost spays and neuters
for free-roaming cats, many of whom
are pretty busy themselves having kittens right about now. Working with
owners who can put their cats in a carrier when its time for their appointment
is not too complicated. Locating and
trapping feral and un-owned cats and
getting them to a predetermined vet appointment is another story!
In many cases, cats who live outdoors
are feral, or they have become unsociable with people because its been
awhile since theyve lived in a home.
With the help of the people who care
for them, we trap, fix and return them
to their preferred outside life. For three
of the cats we fixed last month, it was a
different story.
We first got a call about Francis
from a person who had been feeding
him for two weeks. She had found out

that someone down the street had

moved and left him behind to fend for
himself. He was a distinctive buff and
white cat with amber eyes, and he was
friendly, so she knew she could put him
in a carrier. However two days before
his vet appointment, he was nowhere to
be found. That evening, someone who
lives two blocks away posted a picture
of a buff cat with amber eyes on the
Berkshire County Pet Facebook page
asking: Has anyone lost this cat? Hes
hanging out in my back yard. It wasnt
hard to figure out that this was the same
cat. We contacted the person via facebook and explained our plan for the cat.
She held onto him and we picked up the
cat first thing in the morning. Francis
made his vet appointment, and better
yet, there was room at Berkshire Humane Society, so this friendly kitty is
now there awaiting a new indoor home.
At another location, a caretaker feeds
ten to twenty cats who live in an abandoned house. Most are fixed, as weve
helped many cats in this location over
the years. But several new, unfixed cats
moved there since. Two of them were
friendly; so friendly they could hardly
contain their enthusiasm when volun-

Adoptions
in the tri-state area

Lilly

teers went to the Animal DREAMS

Catty Shack twice a day to feed them
as they awaited their vet appointment.
After they were vetted, both were
brought to Berkshire Humane Society
with the blessing of the caretaker. One
is famous now, having been featured on
Steve Caparizos Pet Connection as an
adoptable pet. But best of all, both were
adopted together into a new home.
We know that every cat we spay and
neuter will have a better future, whether
they remain outdoor cats or find a new
home. But its heartwarming when we
are able to help rehome cats who are
used to indoor living.

Carol Lew
TNR Coordinator
Animal DREAMS

1. Francis waiting for a new

indoor home
2. Francis caught by a concerned
citizen in time for his vet
appointment
3. This kitty and his friend lived in
an abandoned house; the two of
them were adopted from BHS
to a new home together

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.

Dr. Sally Umlauf

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

Please call

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

Berkshire Humane Society

413-447-7878

At the

Berkshire Humane Society

Pixie

I made my way up from the South and I need a home and

family to call my own. I am friendly with all people that I meet.
I like to go for walks. I enjoy playing in a fenced yard. I can
make some vocalizations when I play.I have socialized with
large dogs, but I do play rough and tumble. Due to a strong
prey drive I need a home without birds, cats and other small
animals. I would do best with older children as I have not been
around small kids. I have been good for car rides.

Sponsored by:

36 Pittsfield Road
Lenox, MA
ycc01240@aol.com

At the

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

Maggie

Maggie is a stunning himalayan siamese mix,

who's 6 years old and sweet as can be. Originally
found as a stray this pretty girl is now looking for
a home of her own. Being a Siamese mix she's
quite the talker and enjoys telling you about her
day! She's super sweet to her human companions
but cannot live with other animals unfortunately.

Sponsored by:

Merrill Road,
Pittsfield

info@berkshiremm.com

Adoptions
in the tri-state area

SUCCESS STORY!

Julie found her FOR-EVER HOME!

Harriet Koss 917-670-3892 email: hckoss@aol.com

At the

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

Hunter

Hunter is a wonderful boy looking for a new family to call his

own. He loves long walks, playing ball, going on car rides, and
just lounging around in the sun. Hunter is working on his leash
manners as he can be a little jumpy, and tends to pull, but we
are working on that every day and have seen great improvement already! He would love a family that would take him to
obedience or agility classes where he can learn all kinds of
new tricks!

Sponsored by:

36 Pittsfield Road
Lenox, MA
ycc01240@aol.com

We are waiting for our

Fur-Ever Home
Hershey

It started when Police

found me wandering the
streets of Brooklyn. I was
friendly so they took me to
the shelter, but it was a kill
shelter, too overcrowded
for another black pit bull,
even though their behavior
test showed I was good
with people and other
dogs. When I caught a
cold (kennel cough) they
put me on a list. Do you
know what Euthanasia List
means? HELP!!! I am only
2 years old, 64 pounds,
and I really need some
leash training and a good
kind foster home now!!

A rescue group took me to a vet to cure my kennel cough and get me

neutered. Now I am ready to go but I sure need a foster home now and / or
a forever home ASAP. I do not want to end up in the kill shelter again!

Destiny

Destiny is a young beautiful Dalmatian

mix who has it all. She is friendly ( a little
shy at first) and good with children and
dogs. Destiny, 2 and 1/2 years old and
52 lbs is healthy, spayed, and also up to
date in shots. We are assisting Destiny's
family in their search to find the right
home since they are no longer sable to
keep their beloved dog.

Petey

Harriet Koss, Dalmatian Adoption, Inc.

917-670-3892 email: hckoss@aol.com

veterinarians
Dr. Sharon Lynch, Veterinarian
Fred Davis III, CVT

Comprehensive Veterinary Services

Low Cost Individual Attention
Caring & Compassionate

Washington State Road, Washington, MA 01223 www.hilltownsvetclinic.com

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cattle, horses, goats, sheep, llamas
and
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Bilmar Small
Animal
Hospital



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Open 7 Days
a week
Fridays till
8pm.




Full Service Hospital

 
Drop Off Service

Housecalls
 


Looking for housecalls?





Call Dr. Blanchard for details

413-528-1180 Fax 413-528-1763



Dr.
Dr.
Dr.
Dr.




Claire Blanchard
Donald Gulick
Hanan Caine

Emily Newman




776 Main St., Great Barrington, MA



Hours: 8:30-5 Mon.-Fri, 8:30-Noon Sat.


  Call for appointment







Elizabeth Tullett
DVM
289 Dalton Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-4949
www.allenheights.com

Certified in
Veterinary Acupuncture
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat. 8-12

House Calls
on
Tuesday!

VCA All Caring Animal Hospital

Conventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine

Chiropractic & Acupuncture
440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

413-528-8020
www.vcaallcaring.com

animal life go-to directory

boarding

rescues & shelters

92 Cook Road, Sheffield, MA 01257

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

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

BowMeow Regency

A Daycare, Boarding & Grooming Facility for Dogs.

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

413-637-0800 www.chezpet.com

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

Sun. Afternoon 1 - 4pm Closed Mondays

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

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

Sun. 12 - 4pm

301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

413-717-4244 www.berkshirehumane.org

838 Curran Memorial Hwy, North Adams, MA

413-664-4570

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

Little Guild of St. Francis

Purradise

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

& Dr. Lindsay M. Cermak, DVMs

24 Hour Emergency care, animal chiropractic and dental care.

413-448-9800 www.sonsinianimalshelter.org
63 Downing Parkway, Pittsfield, MA
285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, W. Cornwall, CT
860-672-6345 www.littleguild.org

North County Veterinary Hospital

Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital

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

413-499-1580

veterinarian services

Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital

Dog and Cat Grooming
Amanda Bevens, 289 Dalton Ave., Pittsfield, MA

413-443-4949

Berkshire Ambulatory Veterinary

Services Yoanna Y. Maitre, DVM

Chez Pet

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

Berkshire Humane Society

veterinarian services

Dirty Dogs
Done Dirt Cheap

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.

www.berkshirelargeanimal.com

Berkshire Countys only fullyloaded, self-serve dog wash

636 W. Housatonic St., Pittsfield

(413) 448-8240

413-637-2223

www.dunkingdoggies.com

august & septemberhappenings

1-31

st

august

Double the Love Campaign

All Donations are doubled for the Month

Eleanor Sonsini Shelter, Pittsfield

13 WOOFSTOCK
september

20th Annual

SUNDAY, Sept. 13th at CONTROY PAVILION

at ONOTA LAKE, Pittsfield
413-447-7878, Diane -Reg. 10am, walk at 11am

Pet CPR & 1st Aid Class

10-3pm W. Stockbridge Town Office Community Room

$80 call Faith 518-781-0362

23

30 Pet Fest
august

august

23rd Annual

BHS
Horse Show

Part of Summerfest

Southern Berkshire Chamber of

Commerce-Great Barrington
Pet Parade Pet Photo Booth Contests

30 Classes for Riders of all ages and abilities

Parade at 1pm check-in 12-1pm

Show begins at 8am Info call Diane 413-447-7878

Overmeade Farm, Lenox, MA

19 & 20

september

K9 Karnival

Sat. & Sun., 10am to 5pm

Raffles Music Food Vendors
Disc Dog and Dock Dogs Competition!

29 Maple St., Hinsdale, MA Behind Ozzies

Sponsored by Hilltowns Veterinary Clinic

info: email: betsy@southernberkshirechamber.com

20
september

Bark

for Life

The Common, Pittsfield, MA

11:30am, Walk begins 12:30pm

Day of Registration or online at:

Relayforlife.org/barkberkshirecoma

$20 donation to the American Cancer Society

BENSDOTTERS PET
940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA
Convenient Location with Ample Parking
Z'

Monday-Friday 10a-6p Saturday-Sunday 10a-4p

SHE WAS NOT QUITE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL REFINED.

SHE WAS NOT QUITE WHAT YOU WOULD CALL UNREFINED.
SHE WAS THE KIND OF PERSON THAT KEEPS A PARROT.
- MARK TWAIN -