Lisa Nyren TVN Staff

All puppies are cute, and we had a difficult time choosing a winner for the TVN’s Cutest Pet Contest this month. But the office staff came to a consensus that Shasta was the cutest animal of them all. Upon arriving at Shasta’s home, however, we found that Shasta has a brother who is also very cute. The 16-week-old yellow labrador and border collie-mix pups have boundless energy and are clumsy in that I’m-still-growing-into-my-body way.

“They’re so big and floppy,” Erin Kearsley, the pups’ owner said at her home in Victor.

The Kearsleys have an array of pets including the new pups, an old beagle mix dog, a cat, some chickens and horses.

Erin’s son, Clay, 6, loves playing with the dogs “and training them,” he said.

Shasta has a white nose and short, Labrador-esque fur, while Simba has a fluffier coat. They’re both irresistible; when they play together it’s difficult not to vocalize an “awww.”

The pups are well behaved and love to follow Clay around the yard. They have also taken to the Kearsley’s 11-month-old daughter, Adalyn. “They love her,” Erin said.

A baby … and puppies … does it get any cuter than that?

To contact Lisa Nyren e-mail editor@tetonvalleynews.net.

Lisa NyrenTVN Staff

Clyde is one lucky rooster … and not just for winning the TVN’s Ugliest Pet Contest sans competition. Clyde is a turken (half turkey, half chicken), a species bred specifically to make it easier for chefs to pluck them. Turkens have no feathers on their necks, and they’re known for their unusual appearance. But Clyde doesn’t have to worry. He’ll never be plucked and eaten, and his looks have only made his owners, Bobby and Teresa Albertson of Victor, adore him that much more.

“He may be the only turken in the Valley,” Teresa said, while urging Clyde and his harem of hens out into the sunlight.

The rooster made Victor his home just a few weeks ago, when the Albertsons rescued him from an unknown fate in Utah. Clyde, then called Hawn (with his hen friend Goldie) lived in Farmington, Utah in a subdivision where his cawing was violating the neighborhood’s covenants, conditions and restrictions. Hawn had to go.

Through a friend of a friend Teresa heard about Hawn’s need for a new home and when asked if she would take him in, she agreed.

The Albertsons live on a sprawling lot in Victor and have a dog, horses and hens, so a rooster seemed like a fitting addition to the family.

Goldie and Hawn’s owners, however, had to make sure the rooster’s new home was adequate. He was their pet, and they even held him in their laps and petted him like you would a cat, Teresa said.

So Hawn and his owners made the four-and-a-half hour drive from Farmington, Utah to Victor. His loving parents were sad to leave him, but they knew he was in good hands.

“I had to promise we’d never eat him,” Teresa said. The Albertsons raise their chickens for eggs, not meat, anyway. And besides, Clyde is entertaining, and the Albertson’s children, Caden and Jesse, enjoy playing with him.

Teresa submitted Clyde’s photo to the TVN contest because “he’s annoying and he looks funny,” she said. “He crows all day long. He’s just more obnoxious in the morning.”

101 YEARS

The pet contest winners will receive a $50 gift certificate to Longhorn Corral

Ranch Supply in Driggs.

Pets are Family Too

Two cute: Shasta and Simba

Clyde, the rescued rooster

CutestPet

UgliestPet

TeTon Valley news - JUly 29, 2010 - Page C1

101 YEARS

(ARA) - Ever get the feeling that your dog knows what you’re thinking, without saying a word? Many canine parents report that they’ve had an entire conversation with their dogs despite the obvious language barrier. From “can I have a treat” to “let’s go for a walk,” dogs have a special way of sharing their feelings. According to a new survey, it’s the wags, not words that tell the story when it comes to canine communication.

The survey, conducted by Kelton Research for Pup-Peroni dog snacks, revealed that most canine pet parents believe that they can communicate with their dogs even though they don’t speak the same language — giving a new twist to the old adage, “silence is golden.”

Pet owners feel confident that they know what’s on their pups’ minds, even without the benefit of words. Almost 3 in 4 (74 percent) respondents believe their dog’s body language or facial expressions better indicate how their pet is truly feeling than barks or other sounds. They also estimate that they know what their dog is thinking nearly half of the time.

70 percent of respondents say there have been times when they shared a meaningful look with their

canine companions. “Dogs have an uncanny ability to pick up on

even the subtlest cues from their owners, enabling them to ‘read’ humans like few other animals can,” said body language expert Patti Wood. “Even

something as minute as a glance from their owner has meaning for a dog.”

Wood also points out that our modern dogs’ ability to communicate with us seems to be a product of millennia of interaction.

“Research shows that, over time, there has been a deliberate selection of dogs with the ability to pick up on cues from humans,” she said. “It shows just how important nonverbal communication between dogs and people has always been.”

For many pet parents, the special bond they share with their pooch is one of the most important relationships in their lives. Without ever having to say a word, their pups are there for them through the good times and the bad, acting as confidants, therapists and most importantly, their best friends. Maybe it’s because of that unspoken connection between canines and humans that people feel their dogs are just as good a source of comfort and companionship as their human friends — or

maybe even more so. With a smile and a wag, dogs just know — how many people can say that about their best friend or significant other?

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Pet owners understand extra cleaning is part of the deal when bringing a puppy into their homes and lives. Cleaning up after a dog is enough work in itself, so the last thing any owner wants is a pooch that is agitated by the sights and sounds of cleaning. There are several techniques that can help your dog stay calm when you reach for your sponge and Swiffer.

“Your attitude and approach to cleaning up after and around your pet is critical,” says Cesar Millan, renowned dog behavior specialist and host of the Emmy-nominated series, Dog Whisperer. “If you are stressed or frustrated when you pick up a cleaning tool, your dog can pick up on this negative energy and associate the cleaning tool with negativity. This can create instability and can result in problematic behaviors.”

Millan offers his top tips to create

a pet-friendly environment, from combating pet hair to preparing for a new puppy at home:

If you feel yourself getting frustrated, take a step back and recharge for five minutes before starting, and reconsider your clean-ing tools. Tools that can do two things at once can make you more relaxed about the process — and dogs pick up on that.

Cleaning introduces new smells into the environment, and a dog’s sense of smell is its strongest sense. If your dog gets tense or upset when you clean, pay attention to the scents you are using. Try clean-ing products that are available in a lavender and vanilla scent, which can be soothing to your dog.

Focusing on efficiency and multi-

•

•

•

tasking can make cleaning chores easier and more expedient. Supplies that accomplish more than one task can save time and avoid agitation, especially tools that handle all kinds of pet messes. Try the newly rede-signed 2-in-1 Swiffer SweeperVac, which tackles all messes, vacuuming pet food and clumps of hair, while trapping crumbs, dirt and dust to get floors thoroughly clean in one quick and easy step.

When you first bring home a puppy, involve the entire family in the process. Even younger chil-

•

dren can participate in the various responsibilities by making sure there is fresh water in the dog’s bowl or accompanying a parent on the puppy’s walks.

One important part of the house-breaking process is cleaning up after your dog has an accident. If he’s had an accident in an area once, he’s more likely to go there again because of the odor. The best cleaning methods eliminate both the mess and the smell.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

•

Conquer your canine cleaning

challenges

A wag is worth a thousand words

Boarding & Grooming

208-354-25711778 S. 1500 E.

Driggs, ID 83422

Over one acre of securely fenced exercise area for all dogs with individual and small group playtime

Separate cat, exotics, and special needs room.

Medications are no problem.

Heated indoor/outdoor individual runs for dogs

Jackson Area pickup and delivery

The Best Veterinary Recommended Boarding and Grooming Facility in

Teton Valley

Trail Creek Pet Center

Page C2 - July 29, 2010 - TeTon Valley news

101 YEARS

he Targhee Animal Shelter had its first birthday in

February of this year. And we have done so, first and foremost, because of your

support and, secondly, we have come through it well and looking forward to our second birthday.

In 2009, we spayed and neutered almost 100 cats and dogs, which eliminated up to 1,300 additional animals in the Valley. We adopted out almost 200 dogs and cats, affording loving homes to the animals and companionship to families. We took in 45 surrenders from Valley residents, helping reduce costs for financially strapped families while providing a safe place and good future to their animals. We helped people across the Valley capture feral cats, spayed/neutered the animals, then released them — again cutting down on unwanted animals as well as the spread of disease.

This amount of work was no small feat and we rely on a superb staff and dedicated community to get it done. In 2009 we participated

in five fundraising events, were awarded five grants, received city and county funding for the first time in the history of the shelter, and raised

a total of $85,650 — approaching $100,000 during our first full year in operation. We did not do this with a few large donors, but with a large number of small donors. And we did it with support, commitment and a trusting relationship with local government.

In 2010 we look forward to building on this momentum, continuing to work with the community, the government and other nonprofits. We are also hoping to go from renter to owner, looking for solutions to finding a permanent home for the shelter. As we move into our second year we will continue to work hard with donor dollars and rely on a team effort for volunteers and foster homes for animals.

Thank you for your support and know the board, staff and animals of Targhee Animal Shelter appreciate it.

Targhee Animal Shelter celebrates its first birthday

TVN file photos

Visit the Targhee Animal Shelter for your next

Forever Pet• Rescuing Homeless & Abused Animals

• Cat & Dog Adoptions

• Education and Assistance with Pet Care

• Foster Families Needed

Open Tues - Sat, 10 - 4 pmA NON-PROFIT, No-Kill Shelter

PO Box 150715 S 1750 E

Driggs, ID 83422208-354-3499

Targhee Animal shelter is always lookng for people to volunteer as dog walkers.

To see a list of available pets, go towww.petfinder.com and type 83422

in the zip code field.

OPEN TUES-SAT 10-4PMSUN 10-2PM

Rescuing Homeless & Abused AnimalsCat and Dog Adoptions

Education and Assistance withPet Care

PENNIES FOR PETSPlease give to T.A.S. donation

boxes found at local businesses.

Donations needed!

Dog walkers andcritter cuddlers appreciated!

P.O. Box 150715 South 1750 East, Driggs

(208) 354-3499targheeanimalshelter.org

A NONPROFIT, NO-KILL SHELTERPET OF THE WEEK

MandyMandy is a sweet, shy little girl, with a cute little face. Mandy would do great as a farm dog or with someone that understands the breed and willing to socialize her. Mandy is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered.

Submitted by Targhee Animal Shelter

TeTon Valley news - July 29, 2010 - Page C3

Page C4 - July 29, 2010 - TeTon Valley news 101 YEARS TeTon Valley news - July 29, 2010 - Page C5

Wrangler

BearDottie

EmmitHailey Esther Elderberry III

Hendrix

Jasper

Lefty

Max and Callie

Max Ozzy

Simba Winston

Sunny Sunshine Kuehn

Allie

Anja

Bugsy BooChica

Edgar

Boo

Thanks to all our cutest pet contestants!

Henry “Tornado“

Jake

Kelly

Pooper

101 YEARS

Mr. Meow Meow lumbered softly into the kitchen looking for his afternoon snack of num num tasty bits that his owner Gladys Feedemlots had set lovingly on the table by the window. Gladys had strategically placed the bits on the table so that they would be out of reach of her very large black lab Big Bob who loved to sneak in and clean up any food within reach.

Mr. Meow Meow made a valiant leap to gain the top of the table but unfortunately due to his recent expansion of 2 pounds (equivalent to 45 pounds in an average person) he fell short, only managing to knock over the waste basket and land head first in Bob’s water bowl followed shortly thereafter by a fragrant mixture of paper towels, garbage and a tin can.

Bob ran in, smelling an opportunity to feast, and Gladys, hearing the ruckus, followed closely behind to discover her poor kitty soaked to the bone with a can stuck on his head. She dropped to her knees, gently removed the tin can from his head and exclaimed, “oh my poor snookums, you poor thing, here let me give you a bowl of rich cream to make you feel better.” As the corpulent feline happily lapped up the delicious drops, Bob caught Gladys’ attention with his best attempt at the sad brown eyed I’m totally-starving-look. “Oh you poor dog, I know you were only trying to help, here’s a big juicy piece of last night’s steak for you.”

Gladys sure loves her two little babies, she would do anything for them. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that she is killing them with kindness. A recent 14-year lifespan study done by Purina showed that dogs that were overweight lived an average of two years less than normal-weight dogs. In 1995 it was determined that 1 in 3 dogs and cats seen

by veterinarians was overweight and some surveys suggest today it may be as much as half of all pets. Why is this happening? As we all know our pets cannot open the refrigerator on their own (at least most of them can’t). We the owners control what our pets eat and for some reason we feel that if our pets are begging for food, we would be bad owners if we didn’t feed them. We need to know that the natural feeding behavior of dogs and cats is opportunistic, gluttonous feeding; their ancestors didn’t always know where the next meal was coming from.

Actually modern day pets probably are begging more for attention rather than because they are truly hungry.

Obesity really is a result Of three factOrs

1. Pet factors (age, breed, genetics, health such as hypothyroidism)

2. Owner factors (amount fed, snacks, activity level)

3. Diet factors (palatability and nutrient density)

Therefore helping your pet lose weight is a multi-factorial effort and must begin with recognizing if your pet is overweight. Veterinarians have a chart called the Body Condition System. (see next page). Pets are rated on a scale of 1 to 9, one being emaciation and nine being morbidly obese.

Evaluate your own pet to see where they fall on the chart. If he or she comes in at a 6 or above, a visit to the vet is in order.

Why is it so important to get your pet’s weight under control and why do overweight pets tend not

to live as long as their svelte counterparts? Many studies have shown that excess body fat affects your pet’s health in the following ways:

1. Osteoarthritis – the ability of your pet to move without pain is directly proportional to his body fat. Not only is there more weight on those fragile bones and joints, but it has been shown that fat tissue itself produces inflammatory mediators that can cause joint inflammation and pain leading to arthritis.

2. Chronic illness – dogs and cats are much more susceptible to developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances if they are overweight. Obesity is like having chronic low level inflammation which can affect every organ in the body.

3. Increased anesthesia and surgical risk.

4. Exercise intolerance and overheating.

Does this fur makeme look fat?

continued on the next page

Driggs Veterinary Clinic354.2212

Dr. Donald Betts DVM

Providing Care For All Your Animals

Monday ‐ Friday 8am‐5:30pmSaturday 8am‐12pm

• Large & Small Animals• Surgery• Medicine• Reproduction• Vaccinations• Hills Science Diet

Submitted by Victor Veterinary Hospital

Page C6 - July 29, 2010 - TeTon Valley news

101 YEARS

Gladys had an eye-opening visit to her veterinarian when she noticed Meow Meow was drinking excessive amounts of water and Big Bob was having a very difficult time getting up from his nap. Meow Meow was showing signs of diabetes and Bob had early osteoarthritis. She discovered that feeding them all those extra nummy treats was actually making them sick.

Gladys bemoaned “But I just hate to see them go hungry, I feel like I’m torturing them! I feel so awful that I made them sick.”

Her veterinarian reassured her that her intention was good, just a little misguided. They were going to work together to help Meow Meow and Bob become much healthier and happier.

They decided to first put them on a prescription diet low in fat and high in protein to help stimulate their metabolisms (kind of like the old Atkins diet). They also talked about

snacks that would be much healthier like frozen green beans and carrots. Gladys learned that really they just want her attention and don’t need to always get a fatty treat.

If you think your pet is overweight, have a discussion with your veterinarian. Have your pet evaluated for general health including a blood screen and possibly thyroid testing. Also have him evaluated for arthritis so that you know how much exercise is safe for him. If everything checks out OK then you and your vet can develop a plan of diet and exercise that will lead to a safe reduction in weight.

Your pet looks to you as the sole source of nourishment and love; he will eat anything you give him. Make sure you show him the utmost love by providing him a healthy diet and exercise, and you will reap the reward of having him around to play with and love for many years to come.

continued from the previous page___________________________________________

TeTon Valley news - July 29, 2010 - Page C7

101 YEARS

To see a list of available pets, go towww.petfinder.com and type 83422

in the zip code field.

OPEN TUES-SAT 10-4PMSUN 10-2PM

Rescuing Homeless & Abused AnimalsCat and Dog Adoptions

Education and Assistance withPet Care

PENNIES FOR PETSPlease give to T.A.S. donation

boxes found at local businesses.

Donations needed!

Dog walkers andcritter cuddlers appreciated!

P.O. Box 150715 South 1750 East, Driggs

(208) 354-3499targheeanimalshelter.org

A NONPROFIT, NO-KILL SHELTERPET OF THE WEEK

RubyRuby is about 3 years old and is a mini Aussie. She gets along with male dogs but doesn't seen to like females, Not sure about cats. She needs training with coming when she is called. She is definatly NOT good off leash as she will run from you until she is ready to come back! She was rescued from an abusive situation so that is probably the reason for her behavior. She just needs a nice family to love her. Ruby is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.

• Doggie Day Care in the Barking Lot

• Overnight Boarding

• Holistic Pet Food & Supplies

www.rallyspetgarage.com307-733-7704in the K-Mart Plaza520 S Hwy 89 • Jackson, WY 83001

• Self Service Dog Wash

• Full-Service Pet Grooming

Mon-Fri – 8-6Sat – 10-5Sun – 12-5

Page C8 - July 29, 2010 - TeTon Valley news