animal life

Tri-State Area Pet News

Your pet. Our purpose.

Inside:

Pig in Kindergarten page 3

Preventing Lyme page 5
14th Humane Race page 7
Shelter Work Part 2 page 12
Complimentary

April 2016

A Pig
Goes To
Kindergarten

It was 1988 when I introduced the first Kindergarten Puppy Training classes to the Berkshires.
But never in my wildest dreams would I have
thought after 28 years of teaching them, I would
have a Potbelly Pig as a student! Your eyes arent
deceiving you . . . yes, I said Potbelly Pig!
Her name is Magnolia, who is 3 months old, and
weighs 20 lbs. As adults, Potbellies can weigh up
to 200 lbs., but she will most likely end up at 140
lbs. She is owned by Cara Petricca, founder of
Bluebird Farm Animal Sanctuary and Wildlife Rehabilitation in Cheshire, MA. Magnolia arrived at
the sanctuary because she was taken from her
mother too soon, so it is paramount for her to learn
behavioral skills and manners from her owner. Just
like puppies, pigs can develop issues without
proper socialization and training.
I have to confess that although I am considered
an expert in puppy obedience and behavior, Ive
had to take a crash course on Potbelly Pigs. Ive
learned they are a novelty and many people just
cant wait to own one. The sad truth is once they
become adults, they end up in rescues. Sort of like what happens to many puppies and kittens.
They are very intelligent, affectionate, loyal animals, and definitely can be obedience trained. Ill go even further and state they can become certified therapy animals. Basically, the same training methods that are used with puppies/dogs can
be used with them, although I may have to deviate my class curriculum a bit.
They can do agility, rally obedience, and even have performed in freestyle dancing. Potbellies learn very quickly and will remember what theyve learned for
years. Magnolia and Cara have already visited local schools together, educating
children about this breed of pig. Her goal is to become a certified therapy pig, and
Caras long range plan is to offer an educational program at Bluebird Farm. This
program will utilize animals in a therapeutic way. She plans on having a full program for both children and adults.
On her first day of class Magnolia was happily greeted and accepted by her 5
classmates. Each puppy came up to her nose to nose, and you could tell by their
curious expressions that some of them thought she was a funny looking puppy.
Magnolia took it all in stride as she strolled among them with a smile on her face
while continuously wagging that cute, little curly tail. At one point Magnolias
harness became detached from her body. The class was warned by Cara that once
she was picked up in order to put it back on her, we would hear a squeaking fit.
She wasnt kidding, as Magnolia went into a full blown loud temper tantrum!
Not one puppy seemed to be bothered by her actions & the class went on as normal. I am convinced this puppy class may be the smartest, and most socialized
in years!
You may be thinking to yourself that it would be cool to own a Potbelly pig, and
you may even want to go out and get one. My advice is to think long and hard
beforehand. They need stimulation, entertainment, and have mood changes. They
pout when scolded, and wont have anything to do with you. There needs to be
strict rules in the household as they will become unruly. Unruly to the point of
eating your furniture and as another local owner reported, her Potbelly even tried
to eat her refrigerator! Most people have them as indoor pets, but they need outside time. They need to root in the soil (dig with their nose), to receive important
nutrients from grazing on grass or rooting. It is a must they obtain sunlight which
produces vitamin D. Dont even think about having a nice manicured lawn because they will eat all your shrubs, bushes, and grass. Ideally they should have
an outside pen, as I routinely recommend to my canine students. But because of
their tenacity, it seems Potbelly Pig owners find themselves continuously trying
to reinforce outside enclosures. It seems no pen is too strong for these little piggies! Additionally, you will need to research your town by-laws and zoning re-

strictions as they are classified as a farm animal in

Massachusetts.
It is a big responsibility to become a dog or cat
owner, but the Potbelly Pig will incur extra special
Veterinary care and dollars. They too, need regular Veterinary check-ups, but additionally require
their hoofs to be trimmed. They need to be
wormed twice a year, and the males need to have
their tusks trimmed.
If you think you can be a responsible Potbelly Pig
owner, and have the proper environment, I would
suggest going to a rescue to obtain one. The rescues are overwhelmed by these animals, and as
stated above once the novelty wears off, thats
where they end up.
I am delighted to have Magnolia in my KPT class,
and I am looking forward to her graduating from
the next two levels of obedience with her classmates. I am convinced she will become a great addition to the therapy world and help many children
and adults!
Her progress will be documented on Canine Connections face book page, and in future articles in Animal Life.
After all these years of teaching dog obedience classes, perhaps I will now have
to change my profession? Stay tuned!

Gloria McClay
Gloria is the owner/operator of Canine Connection, Cheshire, MA. She has been
a member of the Great Barrington Kennel Club since 1981, and serves on the
Friends of Eleanor Sonsini Board of Directors.

Recall Exercise

Donations for Magnolia can be sent to

Bluebird Animal Sanctuary, Cara Petricca,
631 Outlook Ave., Cheshire, MA 01225
Or to: gofundme.com6q9qyqz8

Social
Skill
Exercise

Reward
Exercise

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 3

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Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com

Hi Everyone,
My brother and his wife recently rescued a shelter dog in California. As
they have no children, they dote on this sweet mutt, snapping photos of him
in costume and sending out instagrams of "Stormy" doing assorted cute
things. Stormy accompanied them on a road trip which turned disastrous,
when they were T-Boned by a negligent driver. It was a very bad accident,
but luckily, they had received a doggie seat belt as a gift and had Stormy safely
strapped in.
Thankfully, everyone survived, but it really got me thinking.
How many times have I piled my labs into the suv and not belted them in?
This month, perhaps the best gift idea for your dog should be a safety seat belt
or harness.
There are many different types of safety devices,
from simple belts that strap into the regular car
seat belt to all types of harnesses, to seat buckets
that strap into the car. Some have much better
safety reviews than others. With a minimal
amount of research, you should be able to decide
which type would best suit your dog's situation.
Subaru, which is known for being very dog
friendly, recommends the Sleepypod CLICKIT
UTILITY harness for their cars. This harness
has won several awards including Top Performer
of the Year for 2013, Dog Fancy's Editors Choice
award and the Pet Business Industry Award.
At least eight states have passed restraint laws
already, and other's are considering them. Keep
in mind you could be charged in some states with a distracted driver offense
if pulled over with an animal on your lap or obstructing your view. Looking away for a few seconds nearly doubles your chance of getting into an accident.
Kurgo's Fit Smart Harness got excellent customer reviews and these can be
purchased locally at BensDotter's Pets in Great Barrington. Scruffy Mutt's
in Dalton also carries the type of belt that fastens into the regular seat belt.
And please remember, warmer weather is coming- Cars are like ovens. Your
dog doesn't need to go to the grocery store with you. Get her list and shop
for her!

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
Krista Wroldson Miller
Mary Koncel
Rebecca Stanard The Canine Critic
Leea Foran. The Canine Mind
Circulation, John Depaoli

Cover photo by Kim Arre-Gerber

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.

Preventing Lyme Disease in Dogs

HOW CAN WE PREVENT LYME

DISEASE IN OUR DOGS ?

Use tick preventives. It is important to

prevent ticks because they spread Lyme
disease as well as other diseases, such
as Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more. Ticks that
are carried into the house by pets also
pose risk of infection to people. A
wide variety of safe and effective tick
preventive products are available today,
such as collars, topical liquids, and oral
medications. Flea and tick collars are
not all created equally. Some of the
newer collars are very safe, long last-

ing and effective. The long lasting

collars may work for you if
you have trouble remembering to apply a product monthly or give a
pill regularly. Topical products are
usually
applied
once per month and
can also be very
safe and effective.
Some of the topical
repel a variety of insects as well as kill ticks
and fleas. There are also
long lasting oral medications.
These are a good option for people that
do not want any product on their animals or if the animal has a skin sensitivity issue. Please talk with your
veterinarian about the many options for
tick prevention and what would work
best for your pet.
Check your dog for ticks. Checking
animals for ticks every day can prevent
the spread of disease. The sooner the
tick is removed the better. It takes several hours of tick attachment to transmit infection. Ticks are large enough
to be seen with the naked eye. They
can range in size from the size of the
period at the end of this sentence to the
size of a large raisin. Do a visual inspection while parting the hair down to
the skin. Check also by feeling all over
the animal for any bumps on the skin.
If you find a bump, look carefully in
bright lighting. Ticks are round hardbodied insects that have legs. Become
familiar with what they look like. Pet
stores and vet hospitals often sell inexpensive tick pulling tools that are useful
for easy and complete removal of the
tick. If you do not have anything special to pull the tick, you can also use
tweezers. Try to grasp the tick right
down near the skin where it is attached.
It is not dangerous to the dog if the
head of the tick is not removed completely. Just clean the area with soap
and water. Call your vet for advice if
the area develops a local irritation or infection. Once the tick is removed it
should be killed by placing it in rubbing
alcohol. Dont crush it in your fingers,
because it may be carrying infection.
Vaccinate your dog against Lyme
disease. Vaccinate your dog before it
becomes infected. Lyme vaccines can
be started during puppyhood. After the

initial two vaccine series, dogs will

need annual booster vaccines
to remain protected. The
technology of this type
of vaccine continues
to improve making
them even more effective. Ask your
veterinarian about
the best vaccination
protocol for your
dog.
Lyme disease has become very prevalent in
the Berkshires and is seen
in both humans and animals.
Fortunately, we now have many tools
available to us through veterinary medicine that can help prevent this disease.
There is now a wide variety of tick preventives and the vaccine technology
continues to improve. Since our animals go where we go, by protecting
them, we are also protecting ourselves.

Animal Life

Please talk with your veterinarian about

what system will work best for prevention of illness in your animals.

Dr. Michelle Looney,

Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital

A wide variety of
safe and effective tick
preventive products
are available today,
such as collars, topical
liquids, and
oral medications.

What exactly is Lyme disease and how

do you get it? What does it mean if my
dog tests positive for Lyme? Lyme disease is a relatively common illness in
the Berkshires and it can affect both animals and people. Although much
about Lyme disease yet remains unknown, we are constantly learning
It is important to keep up to
more.
date on the latest information on how
to prevent this disease in animals. By
protecting our animals, we are also protecting ourselves.
Borrelia burgdorferi is the scientific
name for the Lyme bacteria. The infection is spread through the bite of a
deer tick. Dogs can develop Lyme disease after being fed on by a deer tick
that is carrying the Lyme bacteria.
About 10% of dogs that are exposed to
the Lyme bacteria will contract the disease. The remaining 90% of dogs will
test positive, but the immune system
handles the infection, and so the dog
will not become ill.
Signs of Lyme disease in dogs are different from those in people. Dogs do
not develop a skin rash (bulls-eye
rash) as can be seen in people. Symptoms take longer to develop in dogs-2-5 months after a bite from an infected
tick. The most common signs of Lyme
disease in dogs are fever, lethargy, and
joint pain. This form of the disease can
usually be taken care of by a course of
antibiotics such as Doxycycline or
Amoxicillin. Rarely, dogs can develop
a potentially fatal kidney problem after
acquiring Lyme disease. Because of
the rare chance of serious kidney disease, dogs that test positive for Lyme
infection should be monitored via periodic urine and/or blood testing.

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 5

training
The

PLAYYARD
Training Services

For appointment and/or

Upcoming Class Schedule
call

518-325-9807

Susan & George Clark, ABCDT sadsam12@hotmail.com www.foryourpetshealth.com

The Right End

of the Leash
Private K9 Training & Behavior Problems
Obedience, Behavior Consultation, Aggression,
Fear, Phobias & more!

Jesse Salas, Certified Dog Trainer & Instructor

413-212-8585

jessesalas69@hotmail.com
www.therightendoftheleash.com

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.

the canine mind!

myth &truth about dog behavior

My dog is about a year and a half old and all of a sudden he is acting aggressive
to visitors and people on the street, he bit someone the other day. We took him to
classes as a puppy and he did fine with everyone and the other dogs. We need some
helpfast. Is it best to go back to the trainer who taught our classes since she
knows us?
Maybe, but you need to know a little more about your trainer. There are entirely different skill sets, experiences and certifications for someone to be a dog trainer/instructor than to be a behavior consultant or specialize in behavior problems. All well
trained obedience instructors learn about basic problems like house training, jumping, barking, etc. so they can help their students with simple issues and address classroom questions. A behavior consultant or behaviorist, which you would need for
your situation, has gone through rigorous training and is qualified to safely address
aggression issues and other complex behavior problems. An ethical trainer will tell
you up front if they are qualified to handle your behavior problems. Some, but not
all trainers wear both hats--obedience instructor and certified behavior consultant. If
your teacher has experience and is certified in both areas then by all means contact
her since you have the advantage of her knowing you and your dog from classes. But
if her primary expertise is as an obedience instructor, then look for someone more
qualified to handle these complex issues. Now, how do you know who to choose?
There are varying educational requirements and qualifications, here are 3 examples:
A veterinary behaviorist is a DVM who has specialized in behavior issues, like an
MD might be a psychiatrist. A CAAB (Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist) is a
PhD equivalent level of certification. A CDBC (Certified Dog Behavior Consultant)
through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants IAABC, has
had to undergo testing and peer review, in 7 areas of proficiency to qualify. These
are 3 different levels of skill base, any of which could help you. Lesser certifications,
especially from on-line learning centers may not provide the experience you need.
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

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

Learn with a
Dedicated Professional

BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS & PRIVATE TRAINING

GROUP CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

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With 36 Years of
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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
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May 14th

The 14th Annual Humane Race

It couldnt be more perfect! Saturday, May 14th is the date of the 14th Annual Humane Race in Williamstown, MA. As in past years, the 5K Fun Run and Dog
Jog or 1 Mile Walk will benefit the work and mission of Berkshire Humane Society (BHS).
According to John Perreault, Executive Director of BHS, The Humane Race has
become such an important event for the welfare of all our shelter animals. To
date, we have raised over $140,000. That means more animals receiving the care
they need, more animals being spayed and neutered, and more animals finding
the homes they deserve.
Besides fundraising for the homeless animals at BHS, the Humane Race is a
great way to spend a fun morning with your favorite dogs and dog-loving people.
Of course, runners and walkers without dogs are welcomed too. While runners
take one route, walkers take another through Williamstown and Williams College.
The race is not a timed event, so you can enjoy a leisurely pace or work on your
own personal best. Start time is 10AM, with Check-in and Race Day Registration
beginning at 8AM at 16 Water St.
Once again, Christa Abel, Owner of Bark N Cat in North Adams, is the Chairperson of this popular North County event. Its extremely important to me to
support Berkshire Humane Society, she says. They are a vital and unique resource in this county because they operate at all levels to prevent homeless pets.
They provide educational programming to children, they work with a variety of
community agencies, and they get as many grants as they can for low-cost spaying and neutering programs. Their focus on prevention is as important as providing shelter for homeless pets.
On-line registration for the Humane Race is available now at Humanerace.org.
Or you can pick up a form at Greylock Animal Hospital, Bark N Cat, or BHS, and
either mail in your registration or drop it off at Bark N Cat. Registration is $20
for adults and $15 for children 12 years old or under. Registration the morning of
the race is an additional $5.00. Of course, dogs are free. The first 150 runners and
walkers to register will receive a race T-shirt. All dogs will receive a commemorative bandana.
Want to raise additional money for BHS and be eligible to win some special
prizes? Then you can collect pledges online at Humanerace.org or pick up a
pledge form along with your registration form. (Visit the Humane Race website
to learn about those prizes.) And, if you want to support friends or family members who are participating in the Humane Race, you can make a donation on their
personal fundraising page at Humanerace.org.

Besides fundraising for the homeless animals

at BHS, the Humane Race is a great way to
spend a fun morning with your favorite dogs
and dog-loving people

Finish line festivities at the Spring St. parking lot include music, refreshments,
games, canine contests, and the awarding of pledge prizes. And, as Christa explains, Because the race usually wraps up around noon, therell be plenty of time
to spend the rest of the day visiting the fantastic shops and restaurants in beautiful Williamstown.
In 2002, Alex and Brian Cabral created the Humane Race and continued to run
it for many years. So far, this years Title Sponsors are Greylock Animal Hospital and Donovan & OConnor, and its Platinum Sponsors are Orthopaedic Associates of Northern Berkshire, Gallivan Corporation, West Oil Company, The
Berkshire Eagle, and Bella Baby.
BHS, Christa, her friends from Bark N Cat, and the other organizers send our
appreciation to the Selectboard of Williamstown and Williams College for their
ongoing support of this important fundraiser for the animals.

For more information about the Humane Race,

visit Humanerace.org or call 413-664-7777.

Since 1992, BHS has been providing refuge for homeless animals, free humane
education programs for the community, low-cost spaying and neutering options,
and foster care for pets whose families are in crisis. An open-admission shelter,
BHS receives no state or federal funding and relies on donations, fundraising, and
memberships to continue our important work of helping pets and their people.

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 7

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413-446-0684

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(in MA & NY)

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We cover Great Barrington, Alford, Egremont,
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Nora Hayes, MSW, Owner & Trainer

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

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NEW EMAIL: mhyattreliablepetsitting@gmail.com

We
Like
to

Party
...

We are always having fun and making the

best out of every holiday event.

I grew up in Berkshire County. I attended Mt. Greylock

High School right up the road from where I currently live
and operate The Greylock Canine Club. Things have really come full circle in my life since starting and running
this business. It is so great to be a part of such a wonderful community. Before I purchased the property with
my husband I was working as a director of a doggie daycare in Southern Vermont. We were expecting our first
child and knew that the home would be a great place to
start our family. I went on maternity leave and we closed
on the property several days later.
In an effort to care for my son and still fuel my passion
for doggie daycare, I decided to open The Greylock Canine Club. It started out with two or three dogs per day.
Enjoying the beautiful summer days and keeping a close
eye on my son. Fast forward almost two years later and
my son is a beautiful healthy and rambunctious toddler
who attends daycare, and my business has become an
amazing place where we care for 20 dogs per day. It
something I never could have dreamed of. It truly is a
story about following your passions, caring for the ones
you love, and having as much fun with life as you can.
As the owner of the eighteen-acre puppy paradise, I
knew that my doggie daycare had to be all about fun for
the dogs who attend. I have developed a daily schedule
for the dogs that attend the daycare program. It provides
plenty of time for active play, passive play, rest, and oneon-one time. We are highly selective in the dogs we
choose for our program here. This ensures that we can
have the best time in a safe environment.
When it comes time to incorporate a themed party into
the daily schedule I really let my imagination run wild!
My staff loves helping come up with fun ideas. We

utilize pinterest and regular human daycare activities for

the themed parties and then figure out how to convert
them into dog friendly parties.
I wanted to have fun with it. I love celebrating holidays.
Its a time for reflection, making special memories, and
simply being present in the moment. Since I am the
owner I wanted to incorporate my love for holidays into
my business. I wanted to make the holiday times special
with the dogs. So I decided to start these parties at The
Greylock Canine Club. They can feel our excitement and
they know something is up! When it comes time to take
a cute themed photo, make an art project, or enjoy a
puppy themed treat, the excitement becomes contagious!
Who doesnt want to party at work every once in a while.
Here at The Greylock Canine Club we like to party!
When you think of doggie daycare do you think of
themed parties, doggie deserts, paw print art, and costume contests? If you dont, then youve never experienced a season at The Club! We are always having fun
and making the best out of every holiday event.
If you follow The Greylock Canine Club on Facebook,
than youve surely seen pictures of dogs romping with
friends or basking in the sun. You have probably also
seen dogs dressed up for theme photos, having fun with
agility, or playing in kiddie pools on beautiful summer
days. During any major holiday you are more than likely
to also see dogs having a Halloween costume party, an
ugly sweater party, a luau party, puppy parfaits, and the
list goes on and on! The Greylock Canine Club truly is a
haven for dogs. The pup parents absolutely love seeing
the activities that their dogs participate in. They love
sharing the photos of their dogs on Facebook with silly
captions related to the hype of the holiday.

Animal Life

RUN-BARK-PLAY!
Berkshire Countys Premier
Dog Enrichment center!

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 9

this side of purradise

In my last column, I mentioned how a

mother cat may produce variously colored offspring. Lo! on my very next
visit to Purradise, on March 23, I found
just such a family in residence at the
shelter: a beautifully patterned new
mom and her six kittens!
Three-year-old Jezebell is a dilute
calico: instead of the more usual bright
orange and black, she boasts a chain of
peach and gray patches along her white
fur, right up through her forehead. No
two of her childrenthree boys and
three girlslook alike, though everyones genes relate to Moms tricolors.
All blue-eyed in babyhood, they will
likely inherit her yellow-green eyes as
well.
When I first entered the Sunshine Spa
where the family was snugly enclaved,
I found two bicolor kittensthe delicate and shy gray-and-white runt of the
litter and her sturdier black-and-white
brother finishing a quick snack at their
mothers tummy.
Meanwhile, the other two boys,
sprawled on separate fleeces several
feet above floor level, had inherited
Jezebells red gene: one mostly white
with bright orange patches, the other
buff (pale ginger) with white paws. It
was literally striking how the latter
(who I immediately dubbed the engineer) aimed perfectly to hit at one
blow the bell I dangled before them,
whereas his sibling was not yet as well
coordinated, taking swings enthusiastically yet connecting at random. Interestingly, the more adept of the two
courteously held back to let his brother
get in a few dings before reaching for
the bell again himself. Later on, when a
number of the kittens (as many as four
at one point) had moved on to a circular
ball-in-a-track toy on the floor, our little engineer understood how it worked,
while the others were still figuring it
out. It was then that one of the girls, an
almost perfect carbon copy of Mom,
noticed the floral print on my skirt.
Mesmerized by its pattern, she climbed
right on top of not only the toy but her

10

Animal Life

A Spectrum of Sextuplets

ball-engaged siblings, just to get a

closer look!
Their dynamics as a group demonstrated how, besides being of different
colors and even sizes, they were at different stages of development, though
exactly the same age. Some were also
markedly more outgoing or timid than
others. Staffer Ashlee (who stepped in
briefly to cuddle several, one at a time,
to help socialize them to human touch)
confirmed to me that the buff youngster
was way ahead of the rest, in terms of
smarts and coordination. As the remaining calico girl snoozed, oblivious
to the others, nearly everyone else gathered for a while to play (and teethe on)
a long fabric cylinderplaying peek-aboo through its multiple openings, batting at a toy mouse that lay inside,
leaping on top of it, and sometimes
wrestling one on one within it (only to
break apart and play again companionably moments later)variations on a
silent flute!
Free of her nursing duties, Jezebell
was still very much on alert as their
mother, periodically padding through
the room to check everyone was accounted for, yet without interrupting her
childrens antics, not even to discipline
any of them during rougher play. For
their part, well fed and secure, not a one Snack time
felt the need to run back to Mama during the hour I was there. When I left,
one was intrepidly circling the porch
along its low, three-wall inner windowsill, already taking an interest in the
greater world outside.

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.

April 2016 animallifeonline.com

Iris Bass

Mother and son,

watching the birds

Ooh . . . is that lady

wearing calico?

Photos 2016 by Sheila Heflin.

The

Canine Critic
Rebecca Stanard

Treats, Toys, and Fun!!

One of my favorite things to do is to go for a ride in the car. Another one is to get
new toys and bones. There is an amazing place that is a short car ride away where
they have sooo many wonderful things for my friends and I. A trip to this special
place involves lots of window watching and wind in my fur. And when Mama and
I get there, I can hardly contain my excitement! Chez Pet in the Lenox Commons,
Lenox, Ma. is a favorite place for all of my friends. Inside the door there is a whole
world of wonderful products for animals of all breeds, colors, sizes, and shapes.
They have speciality food for those of us with food sensitivities, including the grain-free
kind that I eat! They also have all natural products for my itchy, sensitive skin and
ears. Mom feels good knowing that the products are good for me and contain nothing harmful for my skin, and I feel better after getting a nice bath that soothes my
skin! Along one wall they have a large selection of beds, all different sizes and shapes
so that everyone can find their perfect napping spot! They also have many sweaters,
jackets, and raincoats to keep us warm, dry and cozy. Leashes, collars and harnesses
in all styles and colors guarantee that everyone stays safe while outdoors. Some even
glow in the dark!!! This is a great idea if you go outside at night. But my favorite
place in the whole store is the wall of bones and treats!!! They have sooo many different sizes, shapes, flavors, and brands. They sell products that are all natural and
made in the USA, which is very important to my Mama. Today she bought me a
bacon flavored bone, which I am laying with now, even as I write this story! There
is also a large selection of toys for dogs and cats of all ages. They have one of my
favorite squeakie toys, a stuffed Lambchop! Mama wont let me take that one home
though because I already have 3!!! Another amazing thing about Chez Pet is the
worker who hangs out on the counter. His name is Mikey and he is a cat!!! Can you
believe it????? How lucky is he to be able to work in such an awesome place!! He
has his own blanket and toys and greets everyone with a smile (except the dogs like
me who try to jump up on the counter)! Then he gives us a little swipe and hiss. But
I love him anyway!!! Mama left me home today when she visited Chez Pet, I think
because sometimes I cannot behave myself in there. I get so excited to see all of the
amazing things, smell all of the wonderful food and treats, and sniff everyone and
everything! But she never forgets me when she goes. Today I got the bacon bone that
I mentioned before (excuse me while I stop and take a lick), and next time Im keeping my paws crossed that she brings me back the huge Lambie that I have my heart
set on!! Hint hint Mama!!
I highly recommend taking a trip to Chez Pet!
I give it 4 paws up!!!

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Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 11

On Shelter
Work
Part 2

Some Thoughts from

the Staff at BHS

So many of us who are employed at animal shelters are frequently asked by

friends, family members and curious others, How can you do that work?

In this second part of On Shelter Work Some Thoughts from the Staff at
BHS, here are a few more responses from both our behind-the-scenes and
front-line staff.

Danielle Hammell

Shelter Manager at Purradise Feline Adoption Center for four years

Everyone always asks How can you do that job! My response is I dont know
why it took me so long to realize my true passion in life animal sheltering.
Making the decision to work at Berkshire Humane Society was the best decision I have ever
made. There is not a day that goes by that makes
me question if I have taken the right path in life.
There are a ton of misconceptions that revolve
around working or volunteering at a shelter.
While its super fun to snuggle all the pups, it can
also be emotional and difficult at times to work
with animals in need. I admit that I face some really tough days, not just physically but especially
emotionally. Most of the staff go home fatigued
and carrying the weight of the world on their
shoulders.
But through all of this, I am also reminded of the beautiful work that people can
do when they come together. While seeing cruelty and neglect is painful, its also
the medicine that keeps me going. A shelter is like a well-oiled machine. On any
given day, you can walk through a shelter and see everyone tending to their duties walking the dogs, cleaning their cages, doing laundry, feeding and medicating the animals. Every day I get to save an innocent animals life. Every day
I am reminded that I get to help animals overcome pain, stress, fear, and neglect
and facilitate in finding a perfect home that will love them forever. It makes it
all worthwhile when I see the smile on a familys face as they leave the shelter
with their new pet.

Mary A. Koncel

Community Outreach Coordinator

Terry Bissaillon

Volunteer Coordinator at Berkshire Humane Society for eight years

What could be better than meeting people who

love animals? When someone comes to the
shelter wanting to help homeless animals in their
free time, I always give them a tour so they can
see what volunteers do throughout the day and
how much they impact the lives of our
charges.
Two questions that I hear fairly often are Dont
you want to take all the animals home? and
Isnt it depressing to work here? I answer
No to both questions. Its not like I havent
adopted from Berkshire Humane. I have three
cats and a dog. Theyre my family. How can I
say No to another one? Easy we adopt about
1,000 animals each year. During their stay, we make them comfortable and safe,
teach them good manners, and keep them healthy. Then theyre off to their new
homes. It feels wonderful knowing Ive changed the life of an animal not depressing at all!
The hardest part of my job is telling someone that there isnt an opening during
the time they can give. Our volunteers are like unpaid staff. We have schedules
to ensure volunteers help staff with the animals throughout the day, and the animals come to rely on this structure too. Some people wait months for another volunteer to give up a spot, and some spots have been filled by the same person for
over ten years. Thats dedication!

Roberta Townsend

Supervisor of Kennel Services at Berkshire Humane Society for eleven years

This is not an easy job. Shelter work is not playing with animals all day long like many people may expect. Working at an
open-admission shelter you see everything! There are surrenders of elderly dogs, puppies, crazy adolescent dogs who are out
of control, aggressive, dirty, matted, flea infested, skin and bones, morbidly obese, and extremely shy as well as some purebreds and designer dogs formerly called mutts. There are good days and not so good days. Sometimes we have to find something humorous to keep us from crying.
We take care of them all through teamwork. We have staff members, vets, groomers, volunteers, and eventually potential
adopters all working to bring out the best in every dog. What keeps me going is the marvelous transformations that I see in
the dogs. Some of the shy and timid dogs blossom and gain confidence to form strong bonds. Some of the skinny and matted dogs gain weight, get groomed and have a flourishing coat and personality to match. Some of the ones with behavior issues make huge strides and do much better. Seeing the dogs go home and have another lease on life is truly amazing.

12

The long and short of it is the transformations I see in the dogs and the
great adoptions I witness are the best rewards!

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com

Trapping Feral Cats

Pamper
Shop
Nibble

10 Depot Street,
Dalton, MA 01226
(413) 300-0052

Barking Beauties

www.scruffymutts.com

Three were female,

so we feel confident that
we averted a significant
increase in the cat
population of that
neighborhood.

attempt to find the feline family.

Thats my canoe!, Gail said. In the
fall, I watched the mother cat move the
kittens from one place to another, and
she would bring them to the canoe at
our house to drink water that collects
under it. Gail had started feeding them
when the mother disappeared, and they
had been living primarily in her yard
ever since. We recently fixed those
cats. Three were female, so we feel
confident that we averted a significant
increase in the cat population of that
neighborhood. What happened to the
mother cat? She may have met her demise, or still be somewhere in that area.
We cant know for sure, but were still
on the lookout.

Carol Lew
TNR Coordinator
Animal DREAMS

Staci A. Barrett, Owner

  Always
 Available

18Years of Experience Gift Certificates

165 Water Street, Lee, MA 413-243-2626

D ALL ORGANIC-NATURAL
DOG
& CAT
FOOD C
 



SELF
SERVE

Dog Wash Stations!

NAIL TRIMMING

call for date & times

$7 per cat or dog

59 Main Street
Lee, MA

413-243-1220
www.Meowandgrowl.com

D ASK ABOUT OUR DELIVERY SERVICE C

Poochinis
located at Copake Lake,
Craryville, NY

518-325-4150 518-821-3959

D LEASHES, COLLARS, BOWLS C

Salon for Dogs & Cats

TNR (Trap Neuter Return) is a successful way to humanely keep feral cat
populations from getting out of hand,
and its the primary mission of Animal
DREAMS. Its not too difficult to trap
cats when someone is consistently
feeding and caring for them; These cats
tend to stick to a predictable feeding
schedule, and with the help of the caretaker we almost always catch the cats
were hoping for.
For cats with no known caretaker,
TNR can be more difficult. This was
the case with a cat in a northwest
neighborhood of Pittsfield, an area very
familiar to Animal DREAMS volunteer
Diane Goodrich. In the summer of
2015, Diane offered to canvas the area
seeking information about feral cats
that could benefit from our spay/neuter
grant from Petsmart Charities. She
located one caretaker, and Animal
DREAMS partnered with her to fix the
feral cats she was feeding. Throughout
the neighborhood, Diane was hearing
rumors about a white and orange cat
that must have had a stomping ground
covering several blocks. She even
found a person who had fed the cat at
one time before it moved on. Later, the
neighborhood hairdresser said she saw
the cat passing through and it looked
pregnant; some time after that, she didnt look pregnant anymore. One lead
led Diane to a canoe on the side of a
house, where someone had momentarily spotted a kitten. Diane saw the
canoe and tried to get word to the tenants of the apartment building about
our TNR program but did not successfully make a connection with anyone
living there. She posted flyers around
the area, which she discovered were removed soon after they were posted. It
was a mystery we though we would
never solve.
In March, we received a phone call
from Gail, a caretaker in this neighborhood, who regarding four 7 months old
cats. She had been feeding them for
quite some time, and she was worried
about them reproducing. I wondered if
they might be the kittens we had been
looking for. We made a plan to trap and
fix them, and then I told her about the
orange and white kitten, and Dianes

grooming

D TOYS, CARDS, UNIQUE GIFTS C

The Business of

Top Dog Styling

Bubbles & Brush
Dematting
Transportation
dog walking
a La Carte items
special services
Accepting most major credit cards
Fully Insured
Member of PSI and ASPCA

Dawn Gardina, Owner

poochinipetsalon@gmail.com
poochinipetsalon.wix.com/home

april & may happenings

1-30

th

1-30

th

11th

10

th

Coffee Hour Speaking Series

Kitten Baby Shower Back in Black Event Living with Coyotes

Black Pets taking center stage. Black pets
A Donation drive for
our furry new arrivals.

214 Barker Road, Pittsfield

413-447-7878
www.berkshirehumane.org

14

one year and older will have their adoption

fee waived.

John Maguranis - The Coyote Project

860-672-6346 www.littleguild.org

www.berkshirehumane.org

285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike,

West Cornwall, CT

17

th

th

Spring Tune-Up
Sunday 11:30am to 1:00pm

Smooth Moves
Change your range
Revitalize

Lasagna Dinner
4:30pm to 8pm

Tickets sold at the door

Crissey Farm, Great Barrington
Benefit for Purradise

may

Class fee is $25, Call For Pre-Registration

413-243-0253

in the classroom.

214 Barker Road, Pittsfield

14th

14th Annual

214 Barker Road, Pittsfield

413-447-7878

18

th

Celebrating Animals
in Poetry
7:00pm

214 Barker Road, Pittsfield

413-447-7878
www.berkshirehumane.org

14th

New Leash on Life

Humane Race Obedience Classes

5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Walk

Registration at 8am, Race 10am

16 Water St.,
Williamstown, MA
Humanerace.org

MEMBER FDIC MEMBER DIF

Trainer: Donna Gleason, CPDT, CDBC, MA

Cost: $180 for 6 weeks

$100 for Little Guild recently adopted

285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike,

West Cornwall, CT
www.littleguild.org

EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

simple, direct and personal banking

1-800-843-4100 www.leebank.com
14

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com

Whiskey, Wine
& Whiskers

featuring: Pickey Bastards

7:00pm
Methuselah Bar & Lounge
Pittsfield

28th

Paint & Sip Fundraiser for

Sonsini Animal
Shelter
Dog Under the Blanket, 16x20 Canvas
$35 per person
To reserve seats call 413-205-8346 or
go to berkshirepaintandsip.com

Polish Falcons Club

32 Bel Air Ave., Pittsfield

21-22

Hudson River Air Dogs

Affiliate Club of Ultimate Air Dogs

Spring into
Ultimate Air
Dock Diving Event

1091 County Rt. 10, Hudson, NY

www.hudsonriverairdogs.com

Animal
Life

CONNECTICUT

A Message from Little Guild of St. Francis

Hi, I am Cheddar. I know I am

quite handsome, but you need to
know that I am more than a pretty
face. I am a bit of a complicated
guy, with many layers and facets. I
am quite smart, and house trained
in one week. I come when I am
called most of the time, and can be
bribed with "cookies". But I started
life in a terrible situation, and because of that, I am painfully shy
and very, very sensitive. I am fearful of new things and situations, but
if allowed the time, with patience,
learn quickly that I don't have to be
afraid. I know it sounds wimpy, but
I need to be treated very, very gently and patiently. I am a bit of a
clown, and I have to be honest: I like to steal shoes and things to chew on, so it's
smart to load up on good doggie toys to keep me busy and out of trouble; just
sayin! My foster Mom says she can't take her eyes off me.
I love going in the car, and will snuggle my foster sister and be quiet and behaved
in the car for hours without complaining while we run errands. I don't really like
being left alone so this works out well for all of us :-)
I love, love, love other dogs, all
sizes shapes and colors, absolutely no
preferences at all. I need to be with
another dog or two to snuggle and
feel close to. Cats worry me so I have
to bark at them to let them know I am
watching them closely, but honestly,
if they look at me, I run. Sneaky animals, cats. Children terrify me, probably because I have never been
around them. I probably should go to
a house that doesn't have small children to be on the safe side.
All in all, I am an amazingly sweet,
sweet boy who just needs to feel safe and secure. I have so much love to give,
and snuggling is actually my strongest talent.
I hope I can find a forever home soon, so I can settle in and get on with my job of
growing up feeling loved and cared for, and loving my people with all my heart.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of The Little Guild of St.Francis is to save unwanted, abused and
neglected cats and dogs, provide medical care and enrichment to make them
more adoptable and, through our pet adoption center, match them with homes
where they can thrive.

ALittle History

The Little Guild of Saint Francis for the Welfare of Animals, Inc., the only nokill shelter in Northwest Connecticut, was founded in 1960 by Muriel Alvord
Ward and Eleanora Kleinschmidt. The current 3,000-square-foot facility
accommodates 20 dogs and 40 cats comfortably at any time. 2015 was a year
of transformation for the Guild.

Cheddar

Do You Have the Ultimate Dog?

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 15

wags

&

animal lifes

brags

If you have something to WAG about, please send me an

email: aladvertising@aol.com subject: Wags and Brags. I will try and
get it in the next issue. Please keep word count to under 300.

Promotion Announcement

The Board of the Friends of Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter is pleased to

announce the recent promotion of Danielle Lapointe to Manager of our
facility. Danielle has been with the shelter for many years, since beginning
her career volunteering as a child with her mother. Danielles experience,
knowledge and animal sense is immeasurable. We are honored that she has
accepted this position and will be guiding our staff at Sonsini. In addition,
Danielles capable assistant, Emily Chasse, has also accepted a promotion
to Assistant Manager. Both women are incredibly devoted to our animals
and have shown amazing teamwork and dedication throughout their tenure
at our organization. We are honored to have them and look forward to
continuing to work with these amazing women.

CONSTRUCTION

This month there is construction occurring behind the shelter. The city is installing solar
panels on their property. We would like to caution visitors that there are large construction
vehicles entering and exiting the shelter. This project should wrap up mid-June, but until then,
we ask that all visitors use caution entering the facility

Haddad Subaru ...

Love SPRING Event

HADDAD
SUBARU

Open Mon-Thu 8am-8pm; Fri-Sat 8am-6pm

652 East Street, Pittsfield, MA

(413) 997-7272

16

Animal Life

www.haddadsubaru.com
April 2016 animallifeonline.com

Adoptions

At the

Berkshire Humane Society

Bomber

I came to shelter when my family could no longer care for me

as to what was happening in their lives. I am sometimes
nervous with new people, especially men. I would feel more
comfortable without any cats. I am house trained. I like to play
with balls and rope toys. I am a bit sound sensitive, sudden
loud noises make me jump. I would do best with an older teen
to adult household. Please call or stop by the shelter if you
think I could be a good match.

in the tri-state area

Clarice

Sponsored by:

Locations throughout
Berkshire County

Please call

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

413-448-9800

At the

At the

Berkshire Humane Society

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

I came up from a southern shelter to find my new

home.I would appreciate a home where someone is
home most of the time or can break up the day. I am
learning to walk well on the easy-walk body harness.
I panic in the crate, so I need more space to feel comfortable. I am working on becoming less protective of
my food bowl, so an adult household would be best. I
would make the best companion for someone that
appreciates lots of canine company.

Capone is a very handsome boy who is looking

for an adult only home. He loves going on hikes
and playing ball. He is a gentleman on the leash
and walks nicely. At this time we are looking for
a home with no other animals. It may be possible
with training and slow introduction for him to live
with another dog in the future.

36 Pittsfield Road
Lenox, MA

36 Pittsfield Road
Lenox, MA

Cooper
Sponsored by:

At the

ycc01240@aol.com

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

Zeus

Zeus is new here and not quite ready for adoption but we are taking applications. He is a 9
month old Shepard mix who will need an active
family with a lot of time for him. He is good with
other dogs and great with kids but is very jumpy
and needs to work on his manners. Because he
is so young he lacks basic obedience skills and
will need a lot of training but he is eager to learn.

Sponsored by:

Merrill Road,
Pittsfield

info@berkshiremm.com

Capone
Sponsored by:

D Dog of the Month! D

ycc01240@aol.com

Each week HADDADSUBARU will be sponsoring a Dog of the Month.

If that dog is adopted during that week, Haddad Subaru will pay $50
towards the adoption fee!

THIS WEEKS DOG IS:

Kija

Hello, I am the small but mighty Kija. I came up from the Atlanta
shelter in the hopes of finding my forever home. I seem to be
house trained. I may need a little patience and confidence
boosting. I sometimes get overwhelmed when new people try
to hook me up on leash and I may submissive urinate. I am as
sweet as I am cute. Just take a look at me, I am all ears! I am
ready to try and listen and make you proud to be mine. What
do you say?

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

veterinarians

%(5.6+,5($0%8/$725<
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TreatingVKHHSOODPDVDOSDFDVDQGWKH
cattle, horses, goats, sheep, llamas
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Dr. Sharon Lynch, Veterinarian

Fred Davis III, CVT

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Comprehensive Veterinary Services

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

ZZZEHUNVKLUHODUJHDQLPDOFRP

)DPLO\9HWHULQDULDQ&HQWHU
%XG$OOHQ06'905RELQ.DUOLQ'90

9(76

0DLQ6WUHHW
+D\GHQYLOOH0$
EZk`^lfZeeZgbfZea^Zema\Zk^\ebgb\%ahnl^\Zeel%
_Zkf\Zeel%ZgbfZe\abkhikZ\mb\%Z\ning\mnk^
ahf^hiZmar%iarlb\Zema^kZir%[hZk]bg``khhfbg`'

Open 7 Days
a week

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

289 Dalton Avenue

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-4949

Bilmar Small
Animal
Hospital



www.allenheights.com

Meet Petey

Full Service Hospital


 
Drop Off Service

Housecalls




VCA All Caring Animal Hospital

Looking for housecalls?




Call Dr. Blanchard for details

Conventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine

& Acupuncture

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



440 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

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


  Call for appointment

House Calls
on
Tuesday!

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

The Playyard

Day Care Boarding Training

88 County Rt. 21, Hillsdale, NY

www.theplayyard.com
Susan & George Clark 518-325-9807

grooming

Bluebird Farm Animal Sanctuary

413-446-3345

Dalmatian Rescue

Harriet Koss

(917) 670-3892
hckoss@aol.com

Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter

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

(toll free) 877-528-0637

www.nepyresq.org

Quality Foods & Supplies, Raw Diet Specialists.

940 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA

www.BENSDOTTERS.com

413-528-4940

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

413-637-0800 www.chezpet.com

Meow Growl

Purradise

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

413-243-1220

301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

413-717-4244 www.berkshirehumane.org

veterinarian services

Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital

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

413-443-4949

Berkshire Ambulatory
Veterinary Services

Berkshire Disaster Animal Response Team

Reducing risk for pets during disasters and more!

Corrine McKeown, Director www.WMDART.com

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.

North County Veterinary Hospital

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

& Dr. Lindsay M. Cermak, DVMs

838 Curran Memorial Hwy, North Adams, MA

413-664-4570

SAVE THE DATE

JUNE 12TH, SUNDAY
1st Annual
Shamrock Pack Walk for Veterans

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

Sunday 12 - 4pm

413-637-2223

A listing of upcoming events in

the Tri-state area

RADIO-A-THON
benefit Berkshire Humane Society

www.berkshirelargeanimal.com

pet times

CAUSE for PAWS

Yoanna Y. Maitre, DVM

All organic-Natural Dog & Cat Food

Self Serve Dog Wash Stations!

413-499-1580

Live 95.9 and WHOOPEE 100.1

Little Guild of St. Francis

NE Pyreness Rescue

www.scruffymutts.com

John C. Reynolds, DVM, Madeleine Hoog-Crellin, DVM

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

APRIL 5TH, TUESDAY

6:00am to 6:00pm

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

Closed Mondays

(508) 243-3622 MA

413-300-0052

DART

24 Hour Emergency care, animal chiropractic, acupuncture and dental care.

Dawna Hartman, Intake Coordinator,

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

10 Depot Street, Dalton, MA

volunteer

Pittsfield Veterinary Hospital

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

Sun. Afternoon 1 - 4pm Closed Mondays

NE Basset Hound Rescue, Inc.

Pamper Shop Barkery

BensDotters Pet

Berkshire Humane Society

285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, W. Cornwall, CT

860-672-6346
www.littleguild.org

Scruffy Mutts

pet stores

veterinarian services

benefit Veteran Organizations in our area

1.5 mile walk, Pittsfield.
More information or to be a sponsor please call
Paula, at Shamrock Dog Grooming
413-443-9700

classifieds

Line listings available for pet related items for sale.

20 words for $15.00 per month.
Pre-pay is necessary.
Please call for details or send
your ad to: aladvertising@aol.com.

for sale

PLE
M
A
S

Large Dog Crate with plastic tray liner. Great for a

large breed. Does not fold down, very strong.
Asking $50.00
Call: xxx-xxxx after 6pm.

Calling All Job-Hunting Animal-Lovers

Animal Life, the Tri-State area pet newspaper, is

seeking a highly-motivated, Part-time Advertising
Sales Representative. You'll maintain and develop
new accounts/clients, focusing on new business
development in Southern & Northern Berkshires and
Columbia County. Excellent communication and
organizational skills required.You're a friendly,
creative, and professional team player with a laserlike attention to detail. Proficiency with ad layouts is
a plus. Commission based, sell more make more.
Interested?
Send your resume to aladvertising@aol.com
and tell us why.
Students and Seniors are encouraged to apply!

Animal Life

April 2016 animallifeonline.com 19

BENSDOTTERS PET

413-528-4940

940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230

CONVENIENT LOCATION - AMPLE PARKING

- ON ROUTE 7 JUST A MINUTE SOUTH OF GUIDOS MONDAY-FRIDAY 10AM-6PM

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 10AM-4PM

Join us June 12th for our Pet Wellness Series event

sponsored by Vital Essentials and featuring
veterinary nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton.
But between now and then, qualify your

April and May Vital Essentials purchases

for our June 12th Customer Loyalty Draw that could bring you

$100 of free Vital Essentials product

of your choosing. Stop by the store for further details!