By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Aroostook Republican
Santa Paws has arrived, pictures taken and happy pets and their kids sent on their merry ways, but he will be back for a repeat performance at the Central Aroostook Humane Society on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you weren’t happy with your pictures that you had done on the 4th we will re-do them on the 11th at no extra charge. Our employees have done an AMAZING job at decorating, so come join us and have some free refreshments! Come see Santa; he is waiting to hear your Christmas wishes!
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Adian Kelley, the 4-year-old granddaughter of Bonnie Bray, of Woodland, got her picture taken with Santa Paws during a visit to the Central Aroostook Humane Society on Saturday, Dec. 4
If you want to take a look at the doll house that the Central Aroostook Humane Society is raffling off, you can now see it and buy tickets at the Aroostook Centre Mall. The doll house is located beside First Choice Wireless and our friends at First Choice Wireless have agreed to sell tickets for us, so you can purchase them there. This is a great way to help the homeless animals and get a beautiful doll house! What little girl wouldn’t want a fully-furnished, hand-made doll house for Christmas? Or better yet, donate it to a child who may not get any toys for Christmas and make this Christmas extra special.
“My dog was so mad when I left, he chewed up my shoes!!” We hear this comment a lot, especially from people who have puppies. Dogs do not think the way we do, they don’t get mad or try to get back at you for things you have done. Dogs use their mouths just like we do with our hands, to explore their environment. A bit of chewing may turn into a compulsive behavior and most often chewing happens when we are not home, so correcting the behavior can be difficult. A lot of times dogs will chew because they are bored. So, to help fix this issue, be sure you dog gets lots of exercise; a tired dog is a good dog. Next find a way to confine your dog using a small area of your house or a crate. Dogs feel safest in small areas that resemble their “den.” Then give him/her dog-appropriate things to chew. I love using Kong toys, you can stuff them with yogurt and kibble, freeze it and it gives your dog something to keep his mind off being bored and alone and is appropriate for him to chew.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Timothy McGraw, of Caribou, and his dog, Buddy, smiled for the camera, getting a quick photo with Santa Paws during the annual appearance of the Jolly Old Elf on Dec. 4 at the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle.
When you leave in the morning, put your dog in his crate with his toys and leave, don’t fuss or feel guilty, just leave. The more fuss you make, the more it will stress your dog out. To fix issues like chewing you must think like a dog, not a person. A lot of people refuse to use a crate, but it may save your dog’s life. If he is allowed to roam the house looking for interesting things to chew, he may get into poison or eat something deadly that could block his intestines. Trained correctly, your dog will go into his crate when he isn’t told but the door is left open, it is his space, and as you know, we all need our own space.
I have been blessed to have dogs in my life for many years. For many years, I did not agree with crating my dog, I felt it was like a jail to them. Then one day a dog came into my life who was crate trained, who loved spending time in her crate and I realized that crating could be a good thing. Now, my own dogs will seek out crates with open doors and I can find one or two dogs per crate snoozing quietly at any given time. They feel safe and protected, not to mention warm and cozy. (Be careful when you crate a chewer not to put blankets or towels in the crate that they might choke on.) Crates are also a great way to housebreak your puppy or adult dog.
Cats galore! There are cats and kittens everywhere at the Central Aroostook Humane Society and we want homes for them now! It just makes us wonder what part of “spay” and “neuter” people don’t get. These cats are wonderful and loving, some playful, while others are relaxed and laid back. No matter what kind of kitty you are looking for I am sure you will find it at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Our cats are all up to date on shots and litter box trained! Many are altered and some come to us de-clawed. Won’t you open your heart and your home to one of our wonderful cats and kittens this holiday season?
Merry Christmas and please have your pets spayed or neutered.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
Moochie, owned by Bonnie Bray of Woodland, sat quietly for a picture with Santa Paws during a Dec. 4 outing to the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle.
