By Gail Wieder
Board Member
Special to the Aroostook Republican
At this truly special and magical time of the year, all of us at the Central Aroostook Humane Society would like to take the time to thank so many that have helped to keep our doors open over this past year. We have the best employees in the world. They work so hard every day to make sure each animal that comes through our doors is loved and cared for until a new home is found. We also have many wonderful volunteers that are dedicated and we can count on every day.
Our Board of Directors has grown this past year with new and exciting members to add to our team. The support of the 26 communities that contract with CAHS is huge — we couldn’t exist without them. And last but not least the continued support from all of you — people and organizations that donate and give generously throughout the year.
We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for helping us to help all of the area’s homeless animals. We wish you all a beautiful holiday season and Merry Christmas!
Tips from Gail
With the bitter cold — below-zero temperatures that we have been experiencing these past few weeks — here are some steps for ensuring that your dog remains healthy in the winter months.
Cold weather brings its own safety and health concerns for dogs. Give your dog plenty of fresh water; they are as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, and snow is not a good substitute for water. If your dog is outside you may need a heated water dish. If the dog is outside for any length of time, make sure that they have shelter to keep them warm and dry, dry straw and a blanket to curl up in. Remember that if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for the animal. Dogs are as susceptible to frostbite just as humans are.
Snow and ice can be dangerous since they can cut into the pads of your dog’s feet. Keep your dog’s paws dry by rinsing his feet in warm water after a walk, you can even add a little Vaseline to his foot pads to soften them up and prevent cracking. There are also “doggie snow boots” available.
Your dog needs to be well-groomed in order for his coat to provide the insulation it should. Make sure that the fur around his feet are well-trimmed, this will prevent snow from building up between his toes. Towel dry or blow dry your dog if he gets wet from rain or snow.
Don’t leave your dog alone in a car with the engine running, the carbon monoxide emitted from your car’s engine can be dangerous, if not lethal.
Last but not least, keep him away from antifreeze. It may taste good but is a deadly poison. The most likely source of this poison is radiator drainage spots in your garage which you should flush with water immediately.
These facts and more you can find from “Planet Dog,” a Doglopedia by Sandra and Harry Choron. It’s an original and irresistible look at the world of dogs. “Planet Dog” covers the globe when it comes to sniffing out clues and trivia about what makes sharing our lives with our canine friends so good. It really is a very entertaining book.
If you are considering a friend for life, come see us at the Central Aroostook Humane Society or check us out on petfinders.com and Facebook. We have a lot of great animals just looking for a forever home. Our hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch noon to 12:30p.m. Please be responsible pet owners, spay and neuter your pets and keep them safe and warm inside!
