Spring and summer are finally within reach, and with the temperatures rising you may be looking for some activities to make the warm seasons cool. Here are a few ways to make the most of your Spring and Summer with your pup. Go For a Stroll, Hike, or Run Activity Intensity Rating: 3/10 - 9/10 We all know how much dogs love to embrace the outdoors! Whether it’s through a walk, hike or run, such activities are possible nearly everywhere anytime! Some great trails your dog will love in Minneapolis and St. Paul are the Minnehaha Fall Lower Glen Trail, the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park, and Winchell Trail. You can Google “hiking trails'' for a list in your area. Whether you head for a wooded trail or walk around your neighborhood, spending time outdoors is a great way to get some exercise and have quality time with your dog. Dog-friendly Dining Activity Intensity Rating: 2/10 Outdoor dining in the Spring and Summer are great, bringing your dog along with you to your favorite patio is even better! Two great options with dog-friendly patios in Minneapolis and St. Paul are Eagle Street Grill and Aster Café. If you’re looking to feed you and your dog head over to The Howe Daily Kitchen and Bar where dogs are welcome on the “pawtio” and have their own doggy menu; yappy-hour is from 3:00pm-6:00pm! Take a Swim Activity Intensity Rating: 2/10 - 5/10 Splish, splash, or take a bath! In the land of 10,000 lakes finding a body of water for your pup to splash around in is hardly a problem. Whether you’re wanting to play with your dog or just enjoy watching them, taking advantage of the water is a great way to cool off on those warmer days. Make sure you check for postings about sewage leaks, algae blooms, or other contamination that would make the water unsafe for your dog before letting them swim. Enjoy a Treat Activity Intensity Rating: 2/10 Whether it be a pup cup, lick of ice cream, or homemade dog dessert, your dog will love a sweet treat to enjoy on beautiful Spring and Summer days. Pup cups can either entail a small cup of custard or whip sold at numerous fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, and Starbucks. If you’re looking for a DIY activity, countless dog dessert recipes can be found on Pinterest. What better way to show your dog how much you love them than by treating them with sweetness! If your dog has never consumed these treats make sure to offer them in moderation. Dogs are lactose intolerant and if they eat too much of these delicious treats, their tummies may not be too happy! Offering them ice cubes or other hard frozen treats can cause cracked teeth that then need to be addressed by a veterinarian, softer options are better. Some dogs are very sensitive to dietary changes, checking with your vet before trying these treats would be a good choice. Yard and Outdoor Relaxation Activity Intensity Rating: 1/10 Sometimes the best ways to spend time with your dog are more peaceful and laid-back activities. For this activity all you really need is a cozy spot in your yard or local park! Hot days are inevitable this summer, make sure your dog takes breaks from play and has access to plenty of water and shade to avoid heat exhaustion and potentially life threatening reactions.
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Cats have a reputation as being aloof, but if you know what to look for, they are often trying to communicate with their human! Read on to find out about what your cat is trying to tell you when they verbalize! Cats do not meow at other cats unless they are kittens and want their mother, so when your cat meows at you, you know that you are special! But what are they trying to say? They’re saying hello. They could be greeting you when you get home or come out of a room to say hi. Usually, this meow is not super loud or high pitched, they sound excited to see you. They want to be fed. Often, a cat that is meowing constantly thinks it is time for some food! They can be incredibly insistent at mealtimes or whenever someone is near their food. These meows are often repetitive and can be longer in duration. They want your attention. Cats will meow at their owners to get their attention and affection. Just like humans, some cats crave touch, play, or other forms of attention. This meow is often repetitive until you give in! It can be a shorter meow versus a drawn out one.
They are an elderly cat. Just like humans as cats get older and can have some diminished cognitive function, they can become lost or confused more easily. In this case, your cat is probably looking for you or a comfy place to nap but can’t find it. This meow is often loud and frightened sounding. They are looking for a mate. If your cat is not neutered or spayed, they are more likely to produce a loud drawn-out howl to attract a mate, usually it’s the females calling for males. The best solution for this is to get your cat spayed or neutered. Chirping: Have you ever heard you cat make a chirping or trilling sound? Cats make these sounds when they are happy and to tell each other to follow them! If you cat is making this sound as they look out the window at a bird, they are having fun watching it. If they make the sound at you, they often are trying to get you to come to them or follow them.
Hissing: Hissing is a cat’s way of showing they are scared or angry. They often hiss at other cats or animals if they feel threatened. If your cat is hissing unprovoked it could be a sign that they are in pain and need to be taken to the vet especially if the behavior is new. Written by: Helen North According to Zippia and the database of 30 million profiles they researched and analyzed, there are over 49,434 veterinarians currently employed in the United States and 62.9% of them are women. Today, ACF would like to acknowledge a few of those women who have been especially influential and have paved their way in the industry. Dr. Annie Harviclicz Dr. Annie Harviclicz, who graduated from the Virginia Tech School of Veterinary Medicine, is the Chief Medical Officer of the Animal Wellness Centers in LA. This foundation works to ensure that when the “last resort” of a low-income family or kill-shelter seems likely, they are not forced into euthanizing an animal. Instead, they can call the Animal Wellness Center and they have another option. Dr. Harviclicz made it the mission of the foundation to find “forever homes” for these pets across the U.S. They have since saved hundreds of pets from the LA area. She has received multiple awards for her work such as the Sherrie Clark Compassion and Caring Award and the Tobey Award which recognizes her for aiding deserted, lost, or homeless dogs. Annie has also been a part of the national leadership council of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Justine Lee Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC, who graduated from Cornell University, is a board-certified veterinary specialist in both emergency critical care (DACVECC) and toxicology (DABT). Her passion for all-things animal and veterinary medicine shines through not only this, but also through her business VETgirl. She is the Director of Medicine and founder of this subscription-based online veterinary continuing education service for veterinary professionals. Dr. Lee is a well-known speaker, scientist, blogger, and author throughout the emergency, critical care, and toxicology veterinary world. She was the co-host analyst on Nat Geo Wild’s Animal ER LIVE. Dr. Lee has written two books geared towards the average pet owner to help them learn about how to keep their animals safe, with a good dose of humor thrown in. Her impact on the veterinary world and the lives of countless pet owners is clear. Dr. Jane Hinton Dr. Jane Hinton, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1948, became one of the first two African American women to earn a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, she worked as a small animal veterinarian until 1955, and later that year, joined the Department of Agriculture as a federal government inspector who researched and responded to outbreaks of disease in livestock. Prior to earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Hinton was a pioneer in the study of bacterial antibiotic resistance. When she worked at her father’s laboratory at Harvard as an assistant to John Howard Mueller, she co-developed the Mueller-Hinton agar, a medium that isolates Neisseria, which is the bacteria that causes gonorrhea and meningococcal meningitis. Dr. Hinton passed away in 2003, but leaves behind an inspiring legacy of scholarship and perseverance.
Written by Olivia Gullickson References: https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/extraordinary-female-veterinarians/ https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/news/the-history-of-women-in-veterinary-medicine-in-the-u-s/ https://be.chewy.com/meet-the-badass-women-whove-redefined-veterinary-medicine/ https://easy-anatomy.com/famous-female-veterinarians/ https://www.zippia.com/veterinarian-jobs/demographics/ https://www.animalwellnesscenters.com/dr-annie-harvilicz https://drjustinelee.com/about/ https://vetgirlontherun.com/team/dr-justine-lee/ https://rmamp.colostate.edu/people-of-color-in-stem-jane-hinton/ Bogey was in need of his annual wellness exam and his vaccines. His human had already spent a significant amount on a surgery he needed and could not afford this additional care. Thankfully, because of the generosity of our member clinics and donors, Bogey received the care he needed and is home playing like a good dog.
The importance of wellness care, vaccines, and screenings cannot be overstated. By doing these exams and tests before there is a noticeable issue, health problems can be discovered before they become life threatening and steps can be taken to mitigate the chance of catastrophic issues. Not only does this care avoid unnecessary pain and suffering for the pet, but it often proves cheaper to address the medical issues before they become bigger! This allows ACF to use those saved funds to help even more animals. |
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