May 10, 2016

Helping Animalsin distress

ClinicsGroomingPet Lovers LaneCheck it out, lots more inside

DogsCatsBirds Horsesand more

AnimAL TALka Comox Valley Record publication

2 ANIMAL TALK 2016 comoxvalleyrecord.com

Dr. Andrea Plaxton &Dr. Anne Marie Guillemaud

250-218-66101111 Braidwood Road

Courtenay, BCAVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCIES 24/7

Serving Parksville - Comox Valley - North Island

eponaequinevet.com

Gelding

Soft Tissue Surgery

On-site Digital Xray

Ultrasound

Dental Floats

Wellness Exams

Parasite Control

Vaccines

Lameness Exams

Pre-Purchase Exams

EIA Testing (Coggings)

Ducklings and Cats Do Not Mix!Spring has arrived with

Nature’s precious gifts of fauna and flora. Among the newborns are the flocks of ducklings scurry about on land and water as they discover their new homes. However, danger may be lurking as cats, racoons, eagles, and oth-ers are waiting to strike.

This was evident this week in Comox as I was trying to reunite a lone duckling who was franti-cally in search of the fam-ily. Mom had decided to nest with her babies. As they rested I stood guard to keep predators away from the nearby literal-ly lost sitting duck. When the family resumed their search for food and play

my presence herded them for a successful reunion.

During this mini rescue I saw a cat waiting in the bushes to attack ducklings wandering into shallow waters. I shouted and chased the cat away while Mom did her best to fend for her young. After a few tense moments over 2 hours the owner came and took the cat home.

I volunteer with the Life-force Foundation, a ani-mal rights/ecology orga-nization formed in 1981 to raise public awareness of the interrelationship of hu-man, animal, and ecology issues. In this case while wildlife will be wildlife we can prevent human made threats. Loose cats are also

susceptible to various dis-eases when they kill mil-lions of birds. So people can help all life as wildlife protectors if you:

1. Keep cats indoors or on leashes.

2. Keep dogs on leashes. It’s the law.

3. Do not chase or get close. They may come to

you if you watch peaceful-ly.

(It is a violation of the BC Wildlife Act to interfere with wildlife. You would be subject to fines.)

Peter HamiltonLifeforce Founding Director

604-649-5258lifeforcesociety@hotmail.comwww.lifeforcefoundation.org

Photo by Peter Hamilton

comoxvalleyrecord.com ANIMAL TALK 2016 3

Polly want a potion?

Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©Canine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.ca

250.898.3173 • [email protected] Sturgess Rd. Black Creek, BC V9J 1G7

Jane M. Neve Trainer/Behavioural Coach

Puppy Classes & Adult Dog Classes Agility • Clicker Training • Workshops

Private Training Packages • Behavioural Solutions

Puppy Classes & Adult Dog ClassesAgilityClicker TrainingWorkshopsPrivate Training PackagesBehavioural Solutions

Jane M. Neve250-898-3173Trainer/Behavioural [email protected]

Need answers to behavioural or training questions? Call Jane! Make sure to visit her booth at the

Pet Lovers Lane Tradeshow, at Simms Millennium Park on June 18th.

Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©





Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©

Call Jane! Make sure to visit her booth at the





Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©Jane M. Neve





Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©Canine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.ca





We have a Wall of Fame in our pharmacy. It’s actually a pho-to collection of many of our furry four-legged patients, and even a two-legged one named Polly - a parrot pa-tient.

Now, why would a parrot need to come to a pharmacy?

There are a number of reasons that pet owners will bring veter-inary prescriptions into a com-pounding pharmacy. One of the most common is - surprise! - pets don’t like taking pills.

Anyone who has tried to convince a cat to swallow a tablet will appre-ciate the bene� ts of a well-made compound. Often, a medication can be just as effective when absorbed through skin as it is when swallowed. A certi� ed compounding pharmacy can grind up measured doses into super� ne powder, then mix it into a

cream. It’s then applied inside an animal’s ear where it’s easily absorbed through the skin. Compounding techni-cians also mix up delicious � sh oil concoctions which cleverly cover the taste of unpleasant prescriptions - making it much easier to mix into Fido or Fluffy’s food.

O u r 70 year old parrot friend ap-parently prefers the taste

of green beans, and al-though we were unable

to � nd that particular � a-vour in our compounding

cabinet, she did approve of raspberry. Mixed into a liquid with a non-steroidal anti-in� ammatory, it was just what her doctor ordered to help ease arthritis pain!

So next time you’re given a pre-scription for an uncooperative pet, consider asking the vet if a com-pounded formula might help the medicine go down.

Living Room Pharmacy204-1530 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay

250-338-5665

We have a Wall of Fame in our pharmacy. It’s actually a pho-to collection of many of our furry four-legged patients,

Now, why would a parrot need to come to a pharmacy?

There are a number of reasons that pet owners will bring veter-inary prescriptions into a com-pounding pharmacy. One of the most common is - surprise! - pets

Anyone who has tried to convince a cat to swallow a tablet will appre-ciate the bene� ts of a well-made compound. Often, a medication can be just as effective when absorbed through skin as it is when swallowed. A certi� ed compounding pharmacy can grind up measured doses into super� ne powder, then mix it into a

cream. It’s then applied inside an animal’s ear where it’s easily absorbed through the skin. Compounding techni-cians also mix up delicious � sh oil concoctions which cleverly cover the taste of unpleasant prescriptions - making it much easier to mix into Fido or Fluffy’s food.

O u r 70 year old parrot friend ap-parently prefers the taste

of green beans, and al-though we were unable

to � nd that particular � a-vour in our compounding

cabinet, she did approve of raspberry. Mixed into a liquid with a non-steroidal anti-in� ammatory, it was just what her doctor ordered to help ease arthritis pain!

So next time you’re given a pre-scription for an uncooperative pet, consider asking the vet if a com-pounded formula might help the medicine go down.

204-1530 Cliffe Ave, Courtenay

4 ANIMAL TALK 2016 comoxvalleyrecord.comANIMAL TALK 2016 comoxvalleyrecord.com

Just keep moving! It seems that many, many dog issues can be de-es-calated simply by mov-ing AWAY from whatever caused the issue. Issues such as pulling/lunging on leash; barking; refusing to go forward. Moving away from scary and/or fun thing is one of the kindest ways to help your dog learn self control.

Why move away? It is a safe default movement for your dog to learn. Would you prefer your dog to turn away from a distraction or pull you towards it? If your dog is fearful and you force your dog to “go say hello” and your dog gets to feeling so stressed and frightened that he has to choose a bark/lunge to communicate his fearful-ness then you are teach-ing your dog that the bark/lunge works. Think about it: your dog wants that scary thing (other dog, person, bike, etc.) to not come any closer. Your dog wants physical distance from that scary (to him) thing. If your dog barks/lunges and you pull him away or scary thing moves away then your dog has just learned that barking/lunging creates distance from scary thing. Your dog wanted to be at a distance from scary thing to start with...he has now become trained to bark/lunge be-cause he was rewarded with scary thing moving away and therefore giving him exactly what he want-ed. Remember, a reward is

de� ned by what the DOG wants at that moment.

When to move away? Just before that very mo-ment you and your dog are no longer emotionally connected. Hanging onto a leash for dear life is not emotionally connected. Being emotionally con-nected means you can whisper your dog’s name and your dog will look at you, come into your space, can easily and immediate-ly do a simple behaviour such as “sit” or “touch”. If you � nd yourself arguing with your dog by saying “sit, sit, sit” then you and your dog are no longer emotionally connected. Swallow your pride and move away. After you have moved away, ask for that “sit” again; it will probably happen. Be proud of your-self for remembering to help your dog learn how to stay connected with you.

What if fear and distance is not the reason your dog is pulling? If your dog is pulling you over to some-thing he wants and you al-low him to pull you to that something he wants...you have just rewarded pull-ing!

Move away. Allow the leash to slide through your one hand until both hands end up on the handle of the leash. A quiet “this way” or “leave it, let’s go” will teach your dog that when he pulls, you will simply head off in the opposite di-rection. He will follow you. Trust your dog! He wants to be with you, he just tem-

Effective Leash Skills

• Daycare

• Walking

• Boarding

• Grooming

A different breed of kennel!

4704 Forbidden Plateau Rd.Courtenay

250•334•2600

www.doggydo.org


SERVING ALL ANIMALS, large and small of the North Islandsince 1998

www.tsolummobilevet.com

From the largest of herds to the smallest of kittens our clients enoy a talented, dedicated team that provides the most in-depth care for all animals.

We welcome you to contact us by phone or to drop into our clinic to say ‘Hi!’ All are welcome. We look forward to meeting you.

We invite you to visit our online store for pet health care products, food and treats delivered right to your door!

Find us in person beside the Merville General Store,6635-B Old Island Hwy North, Courtenay

778.428.6401

Check usout on

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Just keep movingporarily forgot that you are the best thing in his life. When he follows you and the leash is loose again stop and praise and tell him “let’s go say hello” and move to-wards what he wants. Move quickly! Zig-zag, avoid moving straight towards what he wants. Remember, you are teaching your dog to stay connected with you even though you are moving towards what he wants.

Start with easy distractions such as snif� ng a bush. If your dog disconnects and pulls because he wants to go and sniff that bush then let him know you are changing directions and move away. Check your connection: can your dog do an easy behaviour such as “sit” or “touch”? If yes, then reward with “let’s go see” and moving quickly to that bush.

Provided by Jane M. NeveCanine Conduct

[email protected]

canineconduct.ca

250-702-HOME (4663)[email protected]

Susan McLean

www.OnePercentRealty.com

One Percent Realty Vancouver Island

Full MLS® Service at a Fraction of the Price

Proud supporter of the

& 2013

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Boarding care for your dogs and cats with a delightful

difference.

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7491 Cougar Smith Rd, Fanny Bay250-335-2378

www.bestfrienddogcare.comwww.blackberryhillkittycottage.com

www.facebook.com/BestFriendDogCareAndKittyKottage250-339-2026 • shamrockvetclinic.ca

1896 Guthrie Road, Comox

SHAMROCKVETERINARY

CLINIC250-339-2026 • shamrockvetclinic.ca1896 Guthrie Road, Comox

Dedicated to providing excellent health care for your pet

SHAMROCKVETERINARY

CLINIC

• Preventative Health Care• Surgeries including Orthopedics• Rehabilitation Medicine• Digital Radiography & Ultrasound• Dentistry including Rodents• Laboratory Diagnostics

Open until 8 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.Cats Only evening every third Thursday of the month!

• Cancer Treatment• Compassionate End-of-Life Care• Reproduction• Emergency Services• House Calls

Dedicated to providing excellent health care for your pet

When it comes to horses there is a lot to consider for their basic care

Robyn Pendak of Hoof Picks Photography

When it comes to horses there is a lot to consider for their basic care. Horses re-quire access to forage such as hay or grass, access to clean water 24/7, regular mucking of their stalls and or paddock areas to help reduce � ys and keep a clean living area for them. Horses digestive systems are sensitive and they re-quire adequate amounts of feed based on their work load. For example and trail horse may not require the same feed/grain as a show horse. Though they do re-quire a minimum of 2% of their body weight in hay a day to maintain a basic body condition. A hard working horse requires this plus grain, supple-ments and depending on the horses workload an in-crease of the hay. Keeping a safe paddock/stall area is also important ensuring fencing is always in good

repair and always checking the horses paddock/stall area daily to ensure there are no places that they can hurt themselves on such as nails sticking out, fenc-ing down, etc. Horses also require regular farrier work to keep their feet trimmed and or shod generally this is every 6-8 weeks de-pending on a horses hoof growth. Before and after every ride we will clean the horses full body with a va-riety of brushes and check for scratches or any other possible injuries. We also pick out their hooves with a hoof pick ensuring they are clean and free of debris especially rocks. Owning a horse and caring for them is a full time job but one that is truly rewarding ev-ery day!

Submitted by Sprout Meadows Farm

sproutmeadows.com


It may surprise you that birds as pets are the third most popular choice for pet lovers. Large parrots can live up to 60-90 years; even the smaller ones - cockatiels and conures live over 20 years.

Parrots are long-lived and it takes commitment to welcome one into the rest of your life. Of course, many will outlive us. A well-loved parrot will need four or more good homes in its life. That is why we encourage you to “adopt - don’t shop”. Our role as caregivers is to pro-vide safety, security, balanced nutri-tion, enrichment in independent

play and socialization with people and other parrots.

F.E.A.T.H.E.R.S., an informal group that wel-comes visitors and par-rots, with members from Campbell River to Victoria. We “supports parrots and their people”. They meet

monthly in Nanaimo.All events are posted

on FB (feathersinbc) and www.feathersinbc.com. At each meeting we share our knowledge of diet, recipes, training tips and many funny stories.

If you are interested in a parrot check out the vari-

ous species to see which one would � t your life-style.

Parrot ownership is sometimes like enter-taining a toddler - bois-terous, messy and if un-supervised destructive! Parrots are considered ex-otic pets because they are only a few generations from their wild homelands and should never have

been captured in the � rst place.

If you have time, some disposable income, pa-tience and willingness to learn and grow into the wonder of their world, you will be richly rewarded!

Parrot passion is a soul-enhancing experi-ence, which promises to bring you laughter, con-nection, joy and love with each new day.

to welcome one into the rest of your life. Of course, many will outlive us. A well-loved parrot will need four or more good homes in its life. That is why we encourage you to “adopt - don’t shop”. Our role as caregivers is to pro-vide safety, security, balanced nutri-tion, enrichment in independent

Parrot Tales

Reservations for all locations:call toll free: 1-844-219-0731

Reserve early to avoid disappointment

Travel with Peace of Mind

www.toocrazybirdyhotel.

Long Stay & Family RatesPre-boarding visits

welcome!

*Comox Valley (8030 Memory Lane, Merville)

* Victoria *Nanaimo

Reservations for all locations:call toll free: 1-844-219-0731

Reserve early to avoid disappointment

Birds & Only BirdsParrot BoardingBudgies to Macaws

www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com

*Long Stays & Family RatesPre-boarding visits are very

welcome!

Provided by Diana Slater

Too Crazy Birdy Hotel Parrot Boarding

www.toocrazybirdyhotel.com

8 ANIMAL TALK 2016 comoxvalleyrecord.comcomoxvalleyrecord.com

9th Annual Pet Lovers Lane

Thanks To Our Community Partnerships: Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Organized By:

Teaching The Human End of The Leash.©Canine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.caCanine Conduct.ca

“Pets and their People” Saturday, June 18, 2016 from10am to 3pm

Simms Millennium Park, 50 Old Island Hwy. in Courtenay (near 5th St. bridge)

“Furry Fun Zone”

2016 marks the 9th year for Pet Lovers Lane! What is it, you ask? Pet Lovers Lane is the largest Pet Trade Show of the year. For the shopper in you, many vendors set up to tell you all

about their products and services. For the fun-loving you, all kinds of games sponsored by our very generous local businesses. For the dancer in you, Russ & Lori from Audio Xcellence will be providing the music and entertainment. Prizes, surprises, games, and fun all day. The Trade Show opens up at 10am with 200 bags stuffed with goodies ready to be given out. There is even a place to sit down and have lunch. Bring

your pets, your family and friends and have a wonderful time! See you there!

Furry FunZone

FREE DrawsAll Day

FREEAdmissionWell-mannered

Leashed Pets Welcome

MusicAll Day

Gamesand prizes...Join in onthe fun!!!


Exhibitor spaces are still available (deadline is fast approaching) and volunteers are always welcome. Contact Jane at 250-898-3173. See you June 18!

Audio

XcellenceDJ

Services

Parking Lot

Old Island H

ighway

5th StreetBridge This map not to scale... many more exhibitors!

Furry Fun Zone

Exhibitor Lane

Exhibitor Lane

Simms Millennium Park

PlaygroundArea

SpeakersCorner

Non-

Profi

t Soc

ietie

s


1380 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2K4

250-338-7721

Full ServiceSmall Animal Clinic

Mon-Fri: 7:30am-5:30pmSaturday: 8:00am-4:00PM

24 HR EMERGENCYSERVICES AVAILABLE

Simon sez: “Next to the beach volleyball courts!”

www.courtenayvet.ca

Summer is just around the corner, and as the weath-er warms up and we start switching to shorts and san-dals we also have to think about how best to keep our pets comfortable, aside from putting their adorable winter jackets back in the closet.With the multitude of differ-ent breeds, shapes, and siz-es of dogs and cats out there the question is: Should I shave my pets to keep them cool in the summer?Many breeds of dogs, such as poodles, need to be shaved and groomed year round due to the nature of their coats. But what about our long haired pets, or even pets with shorter hair

that tend to get matted eas-ily?In general an animal’s coat is designed by nature to protect it from all the ele-ments. They are designed not only as a barrier to pre-vent sunburn, but also to help keep them warm in the cooler months, as well as to keep them cool in the warm-er months. The fur coat acts as an insu-lator for all types of weather but it must be kept healthy in order to properly insulate. Matted fur, or fur with a lot of undercoat that has not been brushed out, will not insulate properly as the air cannot circulate through the hair. If a coat is kept healthy with regular grooming most

pets should be able to reg-ulate their temperature whether they have a short or long coat.Certain breeds of dogs and cats are built for naturally cooler climates and have much heavier, denser coats, or coats that mat easily, which may make it more difficult for them to cool down naturally with a full coat. Other breeds have a naturally stockier body build which will also make it more difficult to cool off even with a short coat.Every pet will tolerate warm weather differently, so the best way to decide whether to shave your pet is to pay attention to how they han-dle the heat. Many sources suggest that if you do plan on shaving your pet try to leave at least an inch of hair to protect from sunburn, as well as chilly nights.

Other ways to help keep your pets cool in the sum-mer are:Brush your pets – this will help prevent/remove any thick undercoat or mats, which will allow the air to circulate, helping your pet regulate temperature natu-rally.Provide unlimited access to clean, cool water.Provide access to a shaded shelter at all times.Keep your pets inside when it’s really hot outside.Never leave your pet in a parked car – the inside of a vehicle can become very hot, very fast, even on days that don’t seem very hot, which can become life threatening very quickly.

Provided byCandice Pacholuk

[email protected] vanislevet.com

To Shave or Not to Shave


Saving a Life and Giving Healing TouchDid you know there is such a thing as Pet First Aid? I wonder how many people reading this never really thought that they might one day come across an animal in distress and not have a clue what to do to help them. Believe it or not, knowing pet first aid can actually save an animal’s life! I was out hiking one day when I came across the sound of a faint whimper in the bushes ahead. As I approached cau-tiously, there was a small dog tied to a tree lying on his side. As I stepped slow-ly and calmly closer (you learn this in pet first aid), I was astonished to find a huge gash on his throat. He was bleeding profusely! Quick yet calm thinking and actions had me applying pressure to the wound and treating him for shock. Before I knew it I was transporting him safely to the vet for help! Once at the vet, I stayed with the dog and applied healing touch techniques of Trauma Release and Etheric Heartbeat to

help him to let go of the whole traumatic experience. Last I heard is that the dog had found a new forever home and was happily living out his life!Had I not known these techniques, that dog may not be alive today, and if he did live through it all, he may have suffered continual fear and pain from the whole traumatic experience. I am so glad I knew what to do!

Provided byTracey Kehler

kindredsoulconnections.com

Helping an animal in distress

www.SparklingGraphics.com 250.871.3323

Specializing in small businessbranding and book design for

self-publishing authors

Proud Sponsor of the9th Annual

Pet Lovers Lane

Tracey Kehler, BSWHTA Practitioner, AuthorAnimal Communicator & Education

[email protected]

Healing Pets & Their PeopleThrough Each Other

kindredssoulconnections.com


Compounding for pets

Pet owners are faced with a unique problem when trying to medicate their animals. We custom make drugs to suit each animal’s taste.

Preparation of specialized veterinary drugs requires chemicals and equipment that are not available at most pharmacies.

Certified by the PCCA – Professional Compounding Centres of America

#7-2225 Guthrie Rd., Comox (beside Quality Foods) Customer Service 250-339-4563 OPEN: Monday to Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-5 • Sunday and Stat Holiday 11-5

www.comoxvalleypharmasave.com VISIT US ON

Children often dream of waking up one morning and finding their own horse or pony in their yards. Some people are able to make this dream a reality and own these beautiful animals. Whether raising a horse for pleasure or profession, it is important to know that caring for horses can be la-bor-intensive. The reward for properly taking care of a horse is a healthy and well-trained animal. But horse ownership is a significant and expensive responsibil-ity, so it is important that prospective owners under-stand what they are getting into before they make any final decisions.

BreedThe first to consider when mulling horse ownership is the breed. If you are unfa-miliar with horses, it is best

to research different breeds online and visit horse breeders and owners. Per-haps workers at a stable or farm nearby can guide your choice. There also are fo-rums devoted to horses and care. Some recommended breeds for first-time own-ers include quarter horses, paints, and morgans. How-ever, all horses are individu-als and may have their own unique personality traits.

Acreage and housingHorses are large animals and will need room to exer-cise and roam. They require a corral or pasture to stretch their legs, so a potential horse owner will need a rel-atively large property to give a horse the space it needs. In addition to the corral, the horse will require a shelter from the elements. A shed or stable should be at least

10 to 12 feet in both width and length. The height of the stable should be a minimum of 8 feet. This stable will pro-vide shelter in both the cold and heat. When establishing a pas-ture, be sure it is fenced in with a highly visible fence that is tall enough so that the horse cannot easily jump it. The fence should be clearly visible so the horse does not mistakenly try to go through it, risking entanglement or injury.

FeedingThe average saddle horse weighs roughly 1,000 pounds if not more. The an-imal can eat anywhere from 17 to 26 pounds of feed per day. Feed is a combination of grain, hay and pasture, but salt also should be made available to the horse. If the weather prevents grazing,

supplemental hay will be needed.Keep in mind hay bails can weigh up to 85 pounds. They also will take up con-siderable space. This is something that needs to be factored into the space re-quirement for a horse. Feed and water troughs can be purchased at livestock supply stores or be made from repurposed buckets and barrels. Horses need plenty of fresh water to drink and the water trough should be checked and cleaned reg-ularly to maintain a sanitary environment.

Tack and saddlesDepending on how you use the horse, you will need saddles, reins, bits, stirrups, cinches, spurs, ropes, and collars. Saddle bags and cushions may be needed if you will be on the horse

Tips for prospective horse owners


250-337-5207

PROVIDING QUALITY, SAFE LESSON AND

LEASE HORSES TO THE COMOX VALLEY

KIDS CAMPS

2016 DATES

• 1 day camps $75• 3 day camps $175• 5 day camp $400 (specialized program)* registration form along with a deposit is required, the registration form must be completed and sent in with deposit or full payment prior to camp start date. * minimum 5 kids required for camps to run

March 21 - 25: Horse Show Prep Camp: 9a-2p daily (must be coursing 2’ plus)March 28 - 30: Three Day Kids Camp: 11a-3p dailyJuly 5-7: Three Day Kids Camp: 11a-3p dailyJuly 19: One Day Kids Camp: 11a-2p July 26-28: Three Day Kids Camp: 11a-3p dailyAugust 9-11: Three Day Kids Camp: 11a-3p dailyAugust 16 : One Day Kids Camp: 11a-2p

NEW PARENT AND TOT RIDING LESSONSParent Participation Required ages 3yrs-6yrs

$120 plus GST for 4 sessions/per child

RIDING LESSONS starting at $25

Check out our website for full details. www.SproutMeadows.com

for long periods of time. If a horse tack retailer is not nearby, many items can be ordered online and shipped to your home. In addition, pitchforks, shovels, brushes and grooming supplies will be needed to keep the stable and horse clean and com-fortable.

ManureA large animal who eats several pounds of food per day will produce a lot of waste. It’s key to have a plan in place to manage manure. You may want to convert manure into organ-ic fertilizer. Check to see if there is a way to dispose of manure in your area or donate it to be used for gar-dening or vegetable coop-eratives. Some people will purchase manure to use in their private landscapes. Establish a strategy for manure usage or disposal before buying a horse, as manure can accumulate rapidly and attract flies and other insects.

Veterinary careResearch and develop a re-lationship with a veterinar-ian prior to purchasing a horse. Horses require rou-tine vaccinations and exam-inations, and deworming is necessary to control internal parasites. Hooves will need to be trimmed regularly, so

it behooves owners to es-tablish a relationship with a qualified farrier. The vet may recommend farriers in your area.Horses are magnificent ani-mals that can bring joy and companionship. But those interested in owning a horse must recognize that such ownership is a significant responsibility unlike more traditional pet ownership.

If you are a committed horse person, getting a horse is an investment in your happiness.

24Hr Emergency on Call Service

250-334-8400

www.vanislevet.com

250-334-8400

250-334-8400

250-334-8400

See youat this years’

Pet Lover’s Lane!


Your pet is unique...

Why isn’t their medication?Ask us about customized medication today.

www.livingroompharmacy.ca 204 - 1530 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay • 250-338-5665

I was tired of going through one dog bed after another that offered little support for my aging coonhound, I set out to make an ultra-durable and supportive dog bed that would last. After a ton of research and logistical hur-dles, I launched the ecoDai-sy orthopedic dog mattress – a luxurious eco-friendly dog bed that provides the support and durability of a pillow-top mattress….sup-port that will actually last! Developed as a solution to the disposable nature of most dog beds on the market, the ecoDaisy bed is made from thick, pillow-top mattress foam upcycled from major mattress man-ufacturers. The supportive pillow-top foam eliminates pressure points alleviating joint issues, a huge relief for dogs with arthritis. Most dog beds are made

in China filled with flim-sy stuffing that flattens in no time. Built to last, the pillow-top foam will hold its form for years to come protected by a removable, liquid-resistant cover made from ultra-durable upcycled outdoor sports fabrics. Given its unique upcycled nature, each bed is hand-made with care right here in the Comox Valley in Cum-

berland. These eco-orthope-dic mattresses are a hit at local pet stores like Woofy’s and sell online across Can-ada. Finally a bed that is good for your dog…and the environment.

Provided by Teresa Waddell

ecoDaisy Orthopedic Dog Mattresses, Cumberland

www.ecoDaisy.ca

ecoDaisy Orthopedic Dog Mattresses

A luxurious eco-friendly dog bed that provides the support and durability of a pillow-top mattress that will actually last.

Orthopedic Dog MattressMade from brand new recycled pillow-top mattresses with washable, water resistant cover

LOCALLY MADE

from 100% upcycled materials


LOCALLY MADE



LOCALLY MADE



LOCALLY MADE


Made in Cumberland from luxurious pillow-top mattress

foam with washable, water resistant cover

Email for pickup special: [email protected]


Vancouver IslandAnimal Crematorium

~Compassionate, Caring & Respectful ~

• Private Cremation• General Cremation• Memorial Products

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How to litter box train your bunnyRabbits can make wonder-ful pets. If you want a pet but cats and dogs aren’t for you, a rabbit can fill the void. Although rabbits may need less interaction than a dog, they still require a lot of responsibility and commit-ment. The task of caring for a rabbit is made easier by training your rabbit to use a litter box.Many people have pet rab-bits, and after a little training, these animals can roam the house just like other pets. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits aren’t dirty. In fact, this reputation often stems from inattentiveness and lack of cleaning on the part of the pet parent. In reality, rabbits are “prey” animals who will instinctively keep a clean home to prevent the build up of odor that would reveal the location of their dens to potential predators.Rabbits can be raised as so-cial animals that like to in-teract with human handlers. Whether a rabbit is sociable is not breed-specific. This is largely dependent on the care and handling from the owner. Raised from a kit, rabbits can be accustomed to handling any human interaction and be very companionable pets. What deters many people from rabbits is unfamiliarity with one as a pet and the pros-pect of many droppings be-ing left around the house.Unlike other mammals, rab-bits and other lagomorphs produce two types of drop-pings. Fecal pellets are the commonly found ones that are round and dry. These can be seen in piles and can number in the dozens. Rab-bits will also produce ceco-tropes, which are formed in a region of the rabbit’s digestive tract. These ceco-tropes contain important nutrients and healthy bac-teria and fungi, which are essential to the health of a rabbit. Rabbits will eat the

cecotropes as they exit the body. Fecal pellets are not usually eaten and are the droppings that will need to be contained.It has been said that rab-bits can often be litter box trained and seldom have ac-cidents outside of the box. Rabbits prefer one or two places to put their waste. To start the process you will need patience.• Buy a litter box that the rab-bit can easily access. Stan-dard cat litter boxes often work well.• Confine the rabbit to one room and place the litter box in the cage with the rabbit.• Observe where the rabbit likes to relieve itself. If it’s in the lit-ter box, this is a great first step. If not, sim-ply move the litter box where the rabbit is doing its business. • Once successful, give the rabbit a little bit of freedom at a time. Try letting the rabbit out of the cage in the confined room with the litter box nearby.• Gradually give the rab-bit more freedom, luring it to the box with treats and praise. Make sure the pet is aware of the litter box’s lo-cation.• If the bunny continually makes mistakes, it could be a signal that the rab-bit would like the litter box moved to a different spot closer to where the acci-dents are occurring.• It may take locating a few boxes around a large space before a rabbit grows ac-climated to using the litter box. Then you can gradually reduce the number of box-es.Rabbits can take time to catch on to litter box train-ing, and even when you’re fairly certain the training is complete, you may still find a few pellets left near the box.

Some people overlook rab-bits as pets because of fear of the unknown and the idea of droppings all over the home. However, rabbits can make affectionate and agreeable pets for families that have the time to devote to training.

Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box, making it easier to care for this cud-dly pet.


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May 10, 2016

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