Fetch
For the Love of Pets
Winter 2010
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05/18/11The 4-1-1 on Raising ChickensLast year at this time we started our chicken adventure. Did you catch my post about it, Country Legends? What started out as a bumpy ride has turned into smooth sailing over the winter with our chickens. At first we struggled through coop design, deaths, cold and a ‘she’ that was actually a ‘he.’This year it’s official—the City of Hailey allows chickens in your backyard. You can have three hens but no roosters. Your coop has to be in the backyard and will be subject to setback requirements for your home’s zoning district.There is no permit required but these are the guidelines:1. A roof or cover that fully encloses the coop.We had to do this to our coop anyway. It was a little complicated for our space but we had a fly-away last fall that... |
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05/16/11Pet of the Week: HaitiWhat a fun kitty! Haiti is often found day dreaming or rolling around with a toy or pretend critter. A seven month old female medium hair kitty, solid black, Haiti is waiting for a home with room to play and to let her true colors shine! For more information about Haiti or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. |
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05/10/11Pet of the Week: Murphy the German ShorthairHi, Murphy here! I am a 7 year old German Shorthair mix currently residing at the shelter. I am happy go lucky and love to play games! What is Murphy saying in this photo?Please submit your best caption to our Facebook page, Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley. For more information about Murphy or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. |
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05/03/11Ruh-Roh June is in TroubleThe scene.The pantry where the dog food is located.Barricades include: Two kitchen chairs and a child lock on the doors.Inside the pantry is another obstacle: Two stacked Tupperware drawers.The crime.I came home and saw the chairs moved away from the pantry, doors ajar, drawer open, plastic pieces all over the floor and ALL of her food eaten. (In hindsight I should have been happy she didn’t eat the plastic.)June is my buddy. We ride in the car together, run/hike/walk together; she comes to work with me every day. Immediately I thought, why does she do this to me? I guess I'm one of the irrational dog owners that actually thinks my dog does something to spite me. She just wanted the food, right?I know that now, but the moment I said June’s most feared words—‘BAD... Posted at 03:19 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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05/03/11So Much More than a ShelterMost people know the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley as the place to adopt a pet. (In fact, you can check out www.animalshelterwrv.org if you’d like to adopt a pet right now!) Most people also know it is the place to take a pet you’ve found whose owner you can’t seem to locate. We even act as a place to relinquish your pet, if you feel you can no longer keep it. Our services, however, go well beyond just housing animals, and there are many services we provide at no cost for the community.The service I am most proud of, and most actively involved in as a Veterinary Technician, is our no-cost community spay and neuter clinics. Any Blaine County resident can schedule an appointment to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered for free here at the Shelter. While a... |
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04/26/11Pet of the Week: Beau and ByronA Pet of the Week RiddleDescriptions from Wickipedia :A dog once used by royalty for hunting large game. Elegant and athletic, friendly and social. Nicknamed “Velcro dog”, a loyal companion. No walk is too far for this dog who will appreciate games and play in addition. A dog that is not for the couch potato type, although he will expect to lie on your couch. Charcoal blue to mouse-grey in color. Who am I? Answer: Beau and Byron, two wonderful 4 year old male Weimeraners, at the shelter! For more information about Beau, Byron or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. |
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04/19/11Pet of the Week: JordyA two year old female short haired kitty, Jordy the Tortie is worthy of a poem.Roses are Red,Violets are BlueI love this cat and you should too!Sweet as honey.Social too.Jordy waits for someone SpecialPerhaps that is you! For more information about Jordy or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and spay/neuter services. More than... Posted at 09:57 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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04/13/11Spring Showers Bring Mud & FlowersIt’s once again that time of year to clear out the clutter in your home. The sun is shining through the windows and you can see pet hair floating in the air. It’s no secret that pets shed more this time of year. As the weather warms, the fur coat comes off and your housework now takes longer. So here some pet owner tips for Spring cleaning.Prevention Animal shedding is normal. Keep your pet’s diet balanced and healthy. Poor nutrition can lead to excess hair loss. Believe it or not, an egg on your dog’s dry food once a week can improve their coat. Brushing your pet regularly will help keep the fur in good shape and catch the loose hair before it ends up on your floor. At my house, we have what we refer to as a “runway.” This is a towel that leads from... |
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04/12/11Pet of the Week: BentleyBentley has graduated and is ready to start his new life away from the shelter. In Good Dog 101, Bentley mastered his people skills, dog skills, both on and off leash walking, running, hiking and skiing. His happy go lucky attitude is uplifting and contagious and often leaves you smiling and feeling refreshed. This young graduate will be snapped up soon so don’t blink an eye before coming to meet Bentley. For more information about Bentley or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal... Posted at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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04/06/11Volunteers: Giving and Getting LoveThere isn’t an animal shelter in the country that would deny how vital volunteers are to their organization. Our shelter (The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley) is no different—we rely on volunteers to help our animals stay healthy and happy. Our animals are actually quite fortunate because almost every day, at least one volunteer comes to spend time with them.For the cats, this means being brushed, pet and adored (as most cats demand, after all). For the dogs, it means going for hikes, having snuggle time, learning their basic manners, or, if they are really lucky, spending a few nights in a home.We have a variety of volunteer opportunities, ranging from in the shelter with the animals to in the community at events to in the comfort of your own home. If there is... |
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04/04/11Pet of the Week: DoolittleDoolittle, possibly misnamed, for Doo-little can often be found doing a lot! Playful and affectionate, this three year old female black and white kitty would love to be in your home with more space to play. Please come check her out at the Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley. For more information about Doolittle or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and... Posted at 03:38 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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03/28/11Pet of the Week: OzzieMeet Ozzie!Ozzie, a seven year old male Kelpie mix, is ready to move in with you. Housebroken and accustomed to family life, a short adjustment period is all he will need. Ozzie enjoys being active in the outdoors and he loves to relax when indoors. For more information about Ozzie or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal abuse, neglect and overpopulation through community education and... Posted at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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03/23/11In Honor of Old DogsMost of the dogs I watch are older, sweet souls. They are content with a short walk, some pats and a comfy place to unwind. The owners of these older dogs have a strong loyalty to them. I’m not sure at what point the devotion between an owner and a dog switches but it certainly does. Older dogs can get bad reputations for being snappy or grumpy. We had one of those dogs, Scooter, as a kid. In the end, he was just sick of all the teens hanging around and wanted to be left alone. His ‘space’ just happened to be my Dad’s chair!On the contrary, the dogs I spend the most time with are amazingly sweet. They just bring a huge smile to my face whenever I am around them. Bo (or “Bozer” as we call him) was apparently a bit of a terror in his heyday,... Posted at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments: 3 |
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03/21/11Pet of the Week: LucilleLucille is an adorable 1 year old female Beagle/Basset Hound mix. Her ideal home would be one that is lively and would take her out for daily romps to exercise her body and to explore with her nose. Lucille is quite social. She enjoys the company of people young and old and she enjoys spending time with other dogs, too! For more information about Lucille or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified... Posted at 09:51 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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03/14/11Pet of the Week: LotusLotus is a friendly, short-haired, adult female tabby cat who would love to come home with you. Although we have no previous history on her, I guess you could say she has been and indoor/outdoor cat. Indoors because she has been declawed, outdoors because her little ears have been frostbitten. Lotus is not bitter about her past life and is waiting patiently at the Animal Shelter for her new wonderful forever home. For more information about Lotus or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal... |
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03/09/11Pets Welcome: Pet Traveling TipsSpring break is right around the corner. Have you made arrangements for your pets while you are gone? I haven’t yet! Remember, your pets act a little different when you are away. I have a client that swears her dog, Sniffles, never gets on furniture. Guess what? When I watch Sniffles, she is on the couch everyday smirking and giving me her middle paw when I walk in.It is important to list the big Dos & Don’ts for your pet sitter like the following: Food, Diet and Nutrition (meal times/amounts, treats)Health and Well Being (grooming required, any medications, name/number of vet)Play and Exercise (walks on leash or off, where to go)Traits and Behaviors (where does your pet sleep)Rules for your pets (are they allowed on furniture, what to do when I am not... Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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03/08/11Pet of the Week: JakeFinders keepers for this guy! Whoever adopts Jake will have found the Pot of Gold! Jake, a three year old male blue merle Aussie Shepherd is handsome, social, well mannered and fun. A perfect fit for the typical active Wood River Valley resident. Don’t hesitate on this guy for he’ll find his forever home in a jiffy! For more information about Jake or other pets available for adoption, or to find out about volunteering opportunities, please call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified... Posted at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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03/01/11No More Tug o’ WarAs fortunate as we are to live in a community that expects dogs to be off leash, there are times when walking your beloved companion on leash is a necessity. No matter how well trained your dog is, I highly recommend you always have him on leash when you’re walking near a busy road, or when you go to the vet—as you never know who you’re going to run into when you open those doors! And cats (and their owners) tend to have more appreciation for a dog that’s in control. In the spring, when the trails are muddy and still un-passable, I find myself running on the quiet back roads of the Valley with my dog Stella. Stella doesn’t know what “heel” means, and the bird dog in her wants to explore every last inch of the terrain we are running on. I... Posted at 01:33 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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02/28/11Pet of the Week: MurphyMURPHY is a neutered male 8 year old German Shorthair Pointer mix. What he's mixed with we're not sure, but it definitely made for a great dog. Murphy is great with dogs and loves everyone he meets. He's never had a sad day in his life, he's always happy no matter what, and he's sure to bring a smile to your face! For more more information about Murphy or any other other available pets for adoption, or about volunteering opportunities call 208-788-4351 or check out www.animalshelterwrv.org. About Animal Shelter of the Wood River ValleyThe Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, the first “no kill” shelter in Idaho, promotes companion animal welfare by providing temporary shelter for homeless animals, adopting them to qualified homes and reducing animal... |
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02/16/11Every Doggie PoopsUnfortunately for the skiers of the Valley the snow is receding. This time of year makes us notice something almost unspeakable…dog poop, everywhere!As a dog owner myself I almost always pick up my pup's poop. Being a human, I make mistakes. I sometimes think a bag is in my pocket but it is not. Sometimes my dog does two in a row and I only have one bag. In reality, I sometimes get caught with my pants down. I’m guessing the waste all over our Valley is not due to the reasons I just named. I think some people just don’t do it. I’m not sure why… Without getting into it on Fetch I think this might be one of our Valley’s great debates. If you live here you know the debates…idling automobiles, wolves, hikers on Baldy, elk feeding, slow/fast... Posted at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments: 4 |
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02/02/11A Cat & A NoteBob is my neighbor and co-worker. He is also a paid volunteer for Wood River Fire & Rescue. Bob is a good guy. He is passionate about lawn care, U2, Southern California and animals. Bob loves animals so much that in June 2001 he bought a house and got a cat for free. Bob’s story is this…He bought his house and when he got the keys and entered, there was a note. A cat named, Hannah was apparently left behind by her owners.There was no furniture so Hannah scurried across the kitchen and hid in her ‘spot’. Bob discovered this to be an opening in the baseboard near the dishwasher. The plan was this, when she came out of hiding Bob was going to take her to the local Animal Shelter.Over the next few days, however, Bob moved in and Hannah slowly came out of... Posted at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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01/19/11Wacky Stuff My Pet DoesIt’s time for a little Q & A. Does your pet do something that boggles your mind? My six pets sometimes have me scratching my head. I just don’t understand some of their behaviors. I also don’t understand the behaviors of some of my friends, family and coworkers too but that’s a whole other topic! I know (hope) some of my Fetch readers have other pets besides cats, dogs and chickens. I want to hear from you, I want to interview you and your special pet! Q:Why does my dog roll over and expose his belly? A: What your dog is really saying is this, ‘you are my master, I am submissive and I love you’. Or maybe he just wants his belly scratched. A happy dog is a dog that knows his place in the household. Have you ever heard of Cesar Millan? He is... Posted at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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01/05/11Baby, it’s cold outside: Winter Dog Walking tipsThe temperature may have dropped but the bluebird skies are here to stay. Walking your dogs may seem like a chore right now, but it’s necessary to keep them healthy and help them fight mid-winter boredom. In our Valley, we’re fortunate to have so many winter trail options. We can ski, snowshoe or walk our dogs all over! So here are some winter dog walking tips and suggestions.Winter Weather Tips-I walk a sweet, old dog at lunchtime once a week and we’ve tried the booties on him. I’m not a huge fan because they tend to fall off and tear. Unfortunately right now salt, chemical de-icers and snow/ice can be super hard on the paws. A quick and cheap tip is to smear some petroleum jelly on the bottom of your dog’s feet just before you head out. It will... Posted at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments: 5 |
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12/08/10Here Piggy-PiggyVisiting an East Coast Farm Posted at 01:46 PM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
