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Inside:
March 2016
Baby
by Maureen Dayal
Im on loan, like a museum painting. I am staying at Chez Pet, a pet food store, Always ready to pitch in, I make myself available to help when deliveries arrive
until I find a permanent home. I became displaced when my owners moved and As soon as boxes are opened I jump in, fearlessly screening for explosives. When
neglected to mention it to me. I am a female tabby and if my animal shelter bi- my work is done and I am tired, I still do not rest. I monitor the activity at the outography is to be believed, I am 5 to 6 years old. Thats close enough for me. A lady door bird feeder. I sit in the window, and to keep order, I hit the window when I
never tells her age. My name is Baby but you can call me Babe, cuz Im hot.
see unacceptable behavior at the feeder. If I whack once on the glass it means to
I was delivered to Chez Pet with all of my supplies and an oversized dog crate to stop errant behavior. Two whacks and an opened mouth hiss mean possible death.
keep me safe until I settled in. Are you kidding me? I felt like a sitting duck, es- It keeps the line moving.
pecially when dogs came into the store and sniffed at me like I was dinner. I was
I dont know why the humans worried I would get stuck or lost somewhere in
very quiet in my crate until customers were present. Then I complained loudly the shop if allowed to roam freely at night. Have a little faith. I am, afterall, a cat.
about my incarceration and gathered much support for my release.
Finally, my day of emancipation from the dog crate arrived. I watched with great
The shop owner has a Boston Terrier who comes to work each day. This dog has excitement when the crate was folded up and taken to the storage room. I was
issues. She doesnt bark like a regular
free! I would be able to stay up as late as I pleased,
dog. She makes noises that would be
maybe even put in some overtime. Its good to show
more at home in the jungle. Her gas is
gratitude. My excitement was short lived, The first
My shelter biography states that I like
unbelievable. I hope and pray there is
night the humans did not make allowances for the
some money in petty cash for a hazmat
fact that I would be moving about when they set the
other cats and dogs. In your dreams.
suit for me. I pretend to like this dog, and
alarm system. They are nice people but lets face it,
then, in my passive aggressive way, I spit
not too bright. Fortified with a generous helping of
in her water bowl at every opportunity.
top grade organic catnip I was making a heroic jump
My shelter biography states that I like other cats and dogs. In your dreams.
from a cat tree to the counter when I tripped the alarm. The noise was awful. I ran
My first night at Chez Pet the owner came back into the store three times with like hell to the back office. There is a bookcase I hide behind when a dog comes
that annoying dog trailing behind. She changed my water for the umpteenth time panting and drooling into the store. I took refuge.
of the day and muttered to herself about not wanting to leave me alone. Just what
The owner returned to the store and quickly stopped the screaming alarm. A
I need, a foster mom with OCD and a neurotic dog.
local police officer came to save the day. I heard the owner explain that the alarm
My bowls, litter box and blanket were kept in my crate. As I got longer and must have been set off by the store cat but still the officer insisted upon having a
longer periods of freedom my bowls were placed outside of the crate, followed by look around. After a few minutes he entered the office shining his flashlight up and
my toys and so forth. By the third day the only thing left in the crate during store down the walls. Was he looking for an intruder or Spiderman? I held my breath
hours was my litter box. A real conversation piece, a litter box behind bars. and stayed very still, Look at me, a bonafide cat burglar! I felt so proud,
Humans, you gotta love them.
In one of my earlier lives, when the Sunday newspaper came with colorful funny
I used the time I was allowed to roam around the shop to make myself helpful. pages, my favorite comic strip was called Potsy. It was about a police officer, who
I eagerly took on the responsibility of quality control. I am not paid for my hard in the vernacular of the day, was called pleasingly plump. The officer who stood
work but I dont mind. Im dedicated to the greater good. I bat toys around the the before me was officially fat. And the harsh beam of his flashlight was getting on
store and sleep test the dog beds. They are piled one on top of another in a large my nerves. Move along buddy, there are no donuts here.
stack. I love to burrow in between two beds and wait for a customer. I know just
The owner came into the office, switching on the overhead light. The officer
the moment to stick my head out for the greatest reaction. After the customer turned off his flashlight and announced that there was no sign of a breakin. I
screams I run away, like I am the one who is scared! I am also conducting a could have told him that. The owner thanked him for his trouble, She reached
contest for the best tasting pet food. I have clawed open several different bags for between the shelves of the bookcase and patted my head before following Potsy
testing. It is long and tedious work but I am committed. I have not yet announced from the room. Yeah, I think Im gonna like it here.
a winner,
Animal Life
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On Shelter
Work
Part I
Three years ago, I began working at Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) as the
Humane Educator and then the Community Outreach Coordinator. Since then,
when I tell someone about my job, the all too frequent response is How can you
do that work? I could never do it.
In many ways, such a response is warranted. From post-traumatic stress disorder
to compassion fatigue and everything in between, studies have documented the
many challenges involved with shelter work challenges that inevitably contribute
to the high turn-over rate in the animal welfare field.
So, day after day, year after year, how exactly does the staff at BHS do that work?
Here are just a few thoughts from both our behind-the-scenes and front-line
employees at BHS.
Mary A. Koncel
Community Outreach Coordinator
Erin Starsja
For me, the biggest challenge of working at BHS revolves around the surrender
of so many animals who have been disrupted from the family or home they know. Becoming part of BHS is the best decision I have ever made. Matching families
I certainly understand there are times with a new companion animal and then watching both the family and the pet fall
when a pet needs to be surrendered due
in love is one of the most rewarding feelings you
the health issues of their guardians or an
can have.
elderly guardian going into a nursing
Sure, there are challenges seeing animals
home. However, a good majority of surcome in sick and injured, taking in animals who
renders are pets who didnt get what they
have been abused and cast aside from people
needed in their home.
they relied on. However, knowing that I can help
The second challenge is watching a wonthem feel safe and loved again makes any sadderful pet stay in the shelter environment
ness or stress I may feel survivable. Simply put,
for a long time. Yes, it is a beautiful shelat the end of the day, I know I made a difference
ter, but its not home. And normally the long-term pets in our care are the senin the lives of every animal Ive encountered,
iors, the black cats and dogs, and the pets who dont show well. To me, these are
and I am extremely lucky for that opportunity.
the pets who will give adopters the most once they trust and feel loved again.
They will be their best friend.
The rewards of being part of BHS are countless. The best is watching shy, frightened pets realize that they are in a safe, warm environment where they receive
everything they need and more. Other rewards are helping people who need temBecoming part of BHS is the best
porary help feeding their pets, working with staff who care so much about the
homeless pets, and being part of an organization that does so many positive things
decision I have ever made.
to help the pets, children, and people in the areas that we serve. I feel that being
part of the BHS family is a privilege, and I am proud of our organization because
we are always there and will never close our doors to any pet in need!
Brett Dalzell
Animal Life
training
413-212-8585
PLAYYARD
The
jessesalas69@hotmail.com
www.therightendoftheleash.com
Training Services
518-325-9807
Taiz
Shepherd
Kennel
Every time I go out for a long afternoon or evening I come home to a big
puddle on the floor. I think my dog does it because hes mad I left him alone.
Not true. Getting even and being spiteful are human qualities but thus far there is
no scientific evidence that dogs share this complex reasoning ability. So no matter how much it might seem like hes urination to get back at you for leaving him
home, there are several more plausible reasons why you return to an accident.
1. Your dog is not fully house trained and when no one is home to manage his
schedule, he goes where he is. If this is the case, then go back to basics-supervising, restricting areas of the house and rewarding when he does go outside.
2. You have left him alone longer than it is reasonable to expect him to hold his
bladder. Puppies need frequent opportunities to empty out--every 2-3 hoursand senior dogs are often less able to hold their bladders as long as they used to.
3. Your dog has a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection and needs
to go to your veterinarian for an examination.
4. Your dog may have Separation Anxiety, a behavioral condition that causes
extreme distress when left alone--enough stress to urinate, defecate and also
be destructive. If you think this might be the case you will need the help of a
professional behavior consultant who will work with you and your veterinarian
to design a training program to gradually help your dog reduce his anxiety.
Medication may be necessary, especially if you have to leave your dog alone daily.
5. And finally, if by chance you have just recently moved or your house is under
construction, this might cause your dog some stress or confusion about where
and when to go.
As you explore which of these reasons most likely fits your dog, also remember
never to punish him when you come home to that puddle. Punishing after the fact
and for a reason he has no control over is abusive and will only cause more stress.
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
Since 1972
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.
Learn with a
Dedicated Professional
413-445-8843
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
Put SPRING
In your step!
Spring Tune-Up
4. Stretch it out!
Strength cannot be full attained without flexibility. While your dog is playing in the yard, do a few slowly held
stretches for your neck, spine, arms &
legs. Learn to do some short safe
stretches on your dog. These can be
cookie exercises, active range of motion and or passive range of motion.
Combine this with a short (or long)
massage and your canine friend will
love you forever. Look for fun classes
that teach there techniques or contact a
Canine Rehabilitation Therapist or
Massage Therapist.
Penelope is a certified Yoga teacher and has been teaching Yoga for almost 10 years.
She combines tools and techniques from ancient Yoga techniques to everyday life,
healing, and recovery with animals. She works to rescue animals big and small and
also works at Fitter Critters as an Aquatic Therapist.
Reliable
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What is
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by Peg Munves, CPDT-KA, Nose Work instructor at Step In Time Training LLC of New Lebanon NY
the most effective methods for motivating their dogs to search independently while at the same time build
critical observation skills to recognize
when the dog is in odor. We look for
changes in body language, like speeding up and slowing down, rapid
changes of directions, tail still or wagging, breathing and sniff rates that increase or decrease, and a distinctive
head turn from your dog when s/he locates the scent.
Animal Life
10
Animal Life
Iris Bass
Jane, held by Purradise staffer Ashlee, shows off her colors while gazing at Scruffy.
Photo 2016 by Sheila Heflin.
or cheese!
or liver
retrieving dropped items to more emotional ones, like waking a veteran from
a nightmare and providing a sense of
security out in public.
As for Don Jarvis, he teamed with a
Delta Dog named Mocha in the summer of 2013. Don and Mocha trained
diligently for more than a year and are
now inseparable; they graduated from
the training program in late 2014. Recently, Don learned that yet another
Army friend had committed suicide.
But Don says he feels like a different
person: happier, calmer, and even social, and he credits Mocha with his
turnaround. Today, hes not only working, driving, and seeing friendshes
also speaking to small and large groups
about his experiences with TBI and
PTSD and trying to help other veterans.
He even ran for Selectman in his hometown last year, and now serves as
OpDDs Veteran Outreach Coordinator.
Within weeks of getting Mocha, people said I was more cheerful, Don
says. They saw positive changes in
me. Rescuing Mocha from almost certain death at a shelter, he adds, has
made the experience even more powerful. Whos helping who? Don asks.
Am I helping the dog, or is the dog
helping me? Or are we helping each
other? I think were helping each
other.
www.LvipRx.com
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Camp Unleashed
What: Camp Unleashed (www.campunleashed.com) announces their 2016 calendar of 4-day retreats for dogs and their people, held at traditional children sleepaway summer camps in the Blue Ridge mountains of western North Carolina and
in the Berkshires of western
Massachusetts.
The mission of Camp Unleashed
is to give dogs freedom to be
off leash in nature. Swimming,
hiking, off leash living, scent
games, canoeing, canine water
sports, agility, dock diving,
flyball, behavior clinics, tricks,
canine massage how-to, natural
nutrition and holistic canine
health care. All activities are non-competitive and led by dog professionals
specialized in positive reinforcement learning to engage the dogs senses, instincts,
and cognitive abilities. The retreats are designed to help people see the world
through their dogs eyes and explore and deepen their relationship.
Why: Dogs need vacation from the human world, a place where they can be free
from the leash and be their dog selves, socialize with other dogs in nature, and
get lots of fresh air and exercise. People need a safe place in nature where they can
take a vacation that is fun for both them and their dog.
Where: BCC YMCA Camp Becket, Becket, MA 01223
Camp Tekoa, Hendersonville, NC 28739
When:
May 27-30 and September 2-5, 2016 in Massachusetts
October 13-16, 2016 in North Carolina
Contact: Annie Brody, Founder & Chief Woof Officer,
annie@campunleashed.com, 518-781-0446, 413-344-3423 (mobile)
CampUnleashed.com
where dogs & their people ruff it together-in nature, free from the leash!
(Named in Top 20 Best Adult Camps by Parade Magazine, Time Magazine, and Chicago Tribune)
Animal Life
Animal
Life
CONNECTICUT
Diesel traveled to The Little Guild of Saint Francis animal shelter from West Virginia, where he was also in another shelter. Coming in at 60lbs, Diesel is quite the
hound dog with his long ears and keen nose who loves being able to run freely
in the Guilds fenced in yards. Its hard to believe that such a big guy could be
such a mush!
Without the staff knowing much about Diesels background, we had figured out
that he could be quite skittish. In new environments and with new people, we
knew we had to start working with him right away to build up his confidence. As
time progressed Diesel went from knowing no commands to learning sit, down,
touch and still working on more! We found that in situations if he felt anxious,
the staff could use these commands not only to make him look like the superstar
he is, but it would help bring his anxiety down as well
He became a favorite amongst the volunteers when they found out how well he
walked on leash. Diesel enjoys long hikes, one on one playtime with his person,
learning new tricks and playing fetchoh and butt rubs! He does well with other
dogs but prefers a calmer playmate. At 4 years young, Diesel is just waiting for
his person to come into the Guild and take him home for good!
company of other dogs really helped warm her up to people. Hours of playtime
with other dogs in the fenced in play yard showed the siblings a new way of life.
These dogs went from scared and shaking in the kennels to living how a puppy
should. They found trust in the staff and volunteers as well as comfort.
Then Mozzarella and Gorgonzolas dreams came true, the perfect families came
in to adopt them. Mozzarella went to a wonderful couple and has a new brother
to play with and show her that the world isnt such a scary place. Gorgonzola
went home with a young man where they will be spending their time running, hiking and snuggling on the couch.
Its dogs like these 4 that really make shelter work so rewarding. If they did not
find us, they may still be seeing life as a dark, scary place. Cheddar and Parmesan
(now Alani) are both in foster homes currently waiting for their happily ever after.
Diesel
Weve had an extremely rewarding month this past February, Mozzarella and
Gorgonzola were rescued with their 2 siblings, Cheddar and Parmesan, from a
West Virginia shelter. Before being surrendered at the West Virginia shelter, these
siblings lived in a small area without much human attention which made it almost
impossible for them to trust.
After weeks of socialization work with the cheeses, we began to actually see
the changes in them. Gorgonzola was the first to really come out of his shell,
when normally hed be running away from people if they came into his kennel,
he began to come up to the staff members. He started to investigate us and soon
he was giving us small kisses on the nose. Mozzarella took a bit longer but the
14
Animal Life
by Tobie Petkus
HI Everyone,
Cat Lovers, have I got a toy for you!!! The Catit Senses 2.0 Circuit is a
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413-243-1220
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Did you
know . . .
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10 Depot Street,
Dalton, MA 01226
(413) 300-0052
www.scruffymutts.com
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Adoptions
in the tri-state area
Goldie
Please call
Thor
I am the mighty and sweet Thor! I am a loving, social and mild mannered boy. I am house trained. I like to go for walks, play with soft
squeaky toys, and hang out with my human friends. I can get a little excited and jumpy, but I am working on sitting for polite greetings. I am
looking for a home without any other male dogs. I have socialized with
kids. I am starting to get more comfortable with car rides. I have started
a food trial to see if it will help with my allergies. The cause may be
food or environmental. I have had a few ear infections, but I am on the
mend.I would love to meet and get to know my new family soon. I love
to be the center of attention and snuggle.
At the
At the
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Sponsored by:
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Zoe
Sadie
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Lenox, MA
ycc01240@aol.com
Sadie, a sweet 9 yr old pedigree Black Lab was the beloved companion of
her elderly owner who recently passed away. This friendly girl loves people
and gets along with other pets. She Is playful and used to a backyard in
Florida and leashed walks. Sadie is spayed and healthy, but does require
prescription diet food and arthritis meds.
veterinarians
Elizabeth Tullett
DVM
289 Dalton Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201
413-443-4949
Certified in
Veterinary Acupuncture
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat. 8-12
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cattle, horses, goats, sheep, llamas
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ahf^hiZmar%iarlb\Zema^kZir%[hZk]bg``khhfbg`'
Meet Petey
House Calls
on
Tuesday!
413-528-8020
www.vcaallcaring.com
boarding
413-447-7878 www.berkshirehumane.org
214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA
BowMeow Regency
The Playyard
grooming
Dalmatian Rescue
Harriet Koss
(917) 670-3892
hckoss@aol.com
413-448-9800 www.sonsinianimalshelter.org
63 Downing Parkway, Pittsfield, MA
(508) 243-3622 MA
NE Pyreness Rescue
413-300-0052
www.scruffymutts.com
413-528-4940
Chez Pet
413-637-0800 www.chezpet.com
Meow Growl
Purradise
veterinarian services
413-443-4949
Berkshire Ambulatory
Veterinary Services
Yoanna Y. Maitre, DVM
413-243-1220
DART
volunteer
BensDotters Pet
Scruffy Mutts
pet stores
veterinarian services
www.berkshirelargeanimal.com
413-637-2223
413-664-4570
413-499-1580
pet times
8:00pm
Zip Stohr
Comedy Show
benefit
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FREE Event at
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Humane Hero WORKSHOP
BIRDS
RADIO-A-THON
benefit Berkshire Humane Society