By MIKE BAIRD
Corpus Christi Caller-Times


CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — A Vietnam veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder received an unconventional prescription in July.

"John McGahey needs a service pet," his physician wrote. "He plans on using a cat. This pet is allowed to travel with Mr. McGahey anywhere."

The last part of the prescription has been the toughest to fill. The 53-year-old former medical corpsman has been denied access to some public places with Patch, his 6-month-old white male service cat.

"It's not like I'm trying to take an alligator with me," McGahey said. "I just want people to know service animals can be other than dogs."

McGahey was first diagnosed in the late 1970s after treatment in Philadelphia Naval Hospital. "I have a lot of flashbacks," he said. "I get paranoid in public, and petting Patch helps keep me calm. When I'm ripping the bed apart at night he licks me."

Stress disorder such as McGahey's develops in some people after an event that caused or threatened serious harm or death,...

By AMANDA RICKER
Bozeman Daily Chronicle


BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Bozeman-based West Paw Design’s mission is to appeal to the human desire to reduce their carbon footprint by helping them cut their furry friends’ carbon pawprint as well.

West Paw produces eco-friendly pet beds, toys and apparel. The "green" material employed by the company ranges from old cardboard Dole banana boxes used to store and transfer materials during manufacturing, to soy-based ink and corn-based plastic on the merchandise tags.

And the eco-strategy is working. Today, West Paw Design employs 40 people, double the number it did 10 years ago, said owner and president Spencer Williams. The company ships 10 percent of its products overseas; sales in Montana represent just 1 percent.

"It’s something, I think, a lot of us have in common, this belief that we need to take care of this place," Williams said.

While many manufacturers, from cars to textiles, are struggling in the current economic slowdown, Williams said West Paw plans a 15,000-square-feet...

NAMPA — Anyone seeking a new or a lost pet should call the Pet Haven Shelter at 466-1298 for information, or visit the shelter at 333 Orchard Ave.
Pet Haven’s shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and most holidays.
It costs $50 to adopt a cat. These charges include spaying or neutering the pet, deworming it, vaccination and a leukemia test.
Remember the low-cost spay and neuter clinic at the shelter. Call for times and dates.
All cats ready for adoption are spayed or neutered. Available this week are two manx, a bobtail, orange with orange-and-white and gray-and-brown tabbies.
Find out more online at www.pethavenonline.org.
The Thrift Store at 619 Main St., Caldwell, helps fund the operating expenses of Pet Haven. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10-4:30 Saturday. A bagged clothing sale, $2 for a bag, is from Nov. 11-15. Shoes will be buy one pair, get one free; coats are $3 and up. For more information call 455-1303.
CALDWELL — The Canyon County...

Goldfish (Carassium aruatus) are often the first type of fish that people will buy as pets. They are very easy to care for and are graceful to watch; especially the varieties with the longer fins and tails.
Originating in China where goldfish cultivation is still a very popular activity, the spectrum of novel goldfish types has expanded considerably as a result of intensive breeding programs. Over a hundred varieties provide the purchaser with a spectrum of choice ranging from the simple comet-type fish that you commonly find in the local pet store that might sell for a few dollars, to rare varieties that have elaborate coloring and fins that can cost many hundreds of dollars!
These fish can be very long-lived if fed and “housed” appropriately. Taking time to set up a top-notch aquarium is a bit of an investment up-front, but will help the fish potentially enjoy a full lifespan, which can easily top 10 years.
Aquariums
The goldfish is considered a very hardy species and is tolerant of temperature changes, but it...

Depending on your family’s lifestyle, the responsibility of taking are of a cat or dog may be too time consuming. Left with the desire for a pet but time constraints that aren’t conducive to a cat or dog, some people think that getting a “pocket pet”, reptile, or another exotic animal might seem like the right solution.

Unfortunately, if you have small children exotic pets can be dangerous to your family’s health.

“Pocket pets” are small animals, often rodents that can fit into your pocket such as: hamsters, hedgehogs, mice, rats, and gerbils.
Though they are slight larger, guinea pigs also fall under the “pocket pet” category. Other exotic pets that people often turn to for companionship include baby chickens, baby ducks, and reptiles such as lizards, snakes, iguanas, and turtles.

“If you have kids under the age of 5, you should be extremely careful if you elect to have exotic pets in your home,” states Dr. Sharman Hoppes, an assistant clinical professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine...

NAMPA — Anyone seeking a new or a lost pet should call the Pet Haven Shelter at 466-1298 for information, or visit the shelter at 333 Orchard Ave.
Pet Haven’s shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and most holidays.
It costs $50 to adopt a cat. These charges include spaying or neutering the pet, deworming it, vaccination and a leukemia test.
Remember the low-cost spay and neuter clinic at the shelter. Call for times and dates.
All cats ready for adoption are spayed or neutered.
Find out more online at www.pethavenonline.org.
The Thrift Store at 619 Main St., Caldwell, helps fund the operating expenses of Pet Haven. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10-4:30 Saturday. For more information call 455-1303.
CALDWELL — The Canyon County Animal Shelter is at 5801 Graye Lane, behind the Larry Miller Auto Mall. For information about lost pets or adopting a companion animal, call 455-5920.
All dogs cost $65 for males or females, for neuter or spay, first...

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, with or without infection. Stomatitis means that the inflammation involves the entire mouth. Cats have a disease that causes severe gum irritation that may involve almost all of the mouth. The tissues are infiltrated with plasmacytes and lymphocytes, cells of the immune system. Therefore, this disease is called lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis, lymphoplasmacytic gingivitis, lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis, or lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis.
Contributing factors are tartar formation on the teeth and accompanying bacteria around the teeth and gums are usually present. Although these factors do not cause this disease, they contribute to its severity and must be controlled as part of the overall treatment protocol. Many of these cats develop tartar at a very rapid rate and need dental cleaning every 4-6 months.
This is one of the more common diseases of the mouth of cats.
The cause of this disease is not known. Various theories exist, most of which revolve around the...

As the weather turns colder and the holidays approach, many pet owners
start thinking of the adorable Halloween costumes and cozy sweaters they
can put on their pets. While these outfits can be fun and festive, the
wrong outfit can cause harm to your animal.

Dr. Mark Stickney, Director of General Surgery Services at the Texas
A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical
Teaching Hospital, shares some tips and insight on how to protect your
pet while celebrating the season.

While Dr. Stickney agrees that costumes and clothes are a fun way to
interact with your animals, he emphasizes that the most important thing
to remember when dressing your pet is to monitor them.

“Cute little costumes are fun to put on your animals while
trick-or-treating, but when you are not watching your animals, make sure
to take them off,” said Dr. Stickney.

He also stresses that this also goes for sweaters, jackets or any other
clothing you may put on your pet. While you may think your pets need
clothes to stay warm, they can...

Taking care of our pets is a year round commitment. However, caring for our animals is more than simply making sure they have food, water, and shelter each day. Making sure they visit their veterinarian for regular check-ups is vital to their well being as well.
October is National Pet Wellness Month. Sponsored by The American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health, National Pet Wellness month is intended to promote awareness about the pet aging process, disease prevention, and the importance of pet wellness exams.
Many people adopt the misguided belief that unless you pet is clearly ill or injured there is no reason to take them to the veterinarian. Just because your pet is not displaying discomfort, does not mean it is healthy. Visiting your veterinarian for wellness exams can potentially prevent health problems, lead to early detection of health issues that could become problematic, and find existing problems that may be
corrected.
“Make sure your pets see their veterinarian at least once...

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, with or without infection. Stomatitis means that the inflammation involves the entire mouth. Cats have a disease that causes severe gum irritation that may involve almost all of the mouth. The tissues are infiltrated with plasmacytes and lymphocytes, cells of the immune system. Therefore, this disease is called lymphocytic-plasmacytic gingivitis, lymphoplasmacytic gingivitis, lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis, or lymphoplasmacytic stomatitis.
Contributing factors are tartar formation on the teeth and accompanying bacteria around the teeth and gums are usually present. Although these factors do not cause this disease, they contribute to its severity and must be controlled as part of the overall treatment protocol. Many of these cats develop tartar at a very rapid rate and need dental cleaning every 4-6 months.
This is one of the more common diseases of the mouth of cats.
The cause of this disease is not known. Various theories exist, most of which revolve around the...

NAMPA — Anyone seeking a new or a lost pet should call the Pet Haven Shelter at 466-1298 for information, or visit the shelter at 333 Orchard Ave.
Pet Haven’s shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and most holidays.
It costs $50 to adopt a cat. These charges include spaying or neutering the pet, deworming it, vaccination and a leukemia test.
Remember the low-cost spay and neuter clinic at the shelter. Call for times and dates.
All cats ready for adoption are spayed or neutered.
Find out more online at www.pethavenonline.org.
The Thrift Store at 619 Main St., Caldwell, helps fund the operating expenses of Pet Haven. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10-4:30 Saturday. For more information call 455-1303.

CALDWELL — The Canyon County Animal Shelter is at 5801 Graye Lane, behind the Larry Miller Auto Mall. For information about lost pets or adopting a companion animal, call 455-5920.
All dogs cost $65 for males or females, for neuter or spay, first...

By MARTHA RAFFAELE
Associated Press Writer
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Sammy, a Shetland sheepdog, wouldn't touch his food, retreating to a corner of the yard and devouring mouthfuls of dirt — behavioral oddities his owner later learned came from a lifetime of abuse as a "stud" in a large puppy mill.

The 10 years of caged confinement Sammy endured would have been illegal under a bill signed late Thursday by Gov. Ed Rendell. The governor, who owns two rescued golden retrievers, and other dog advocates hope the new law will help Pennsylvania shed its reputation as the puppy mill capital of the East.

The Humane Society of the United States has counted Pennsylvania among a handful of states where lucrative, largely unregulated puppy mills are concentrated.

The issue caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey after a suburban Philadelphia rescue organization put up a billboard in Chicago begging her to do a show on dog breeder abuse. The movement took on new momentum when, in August, operators of two eastern Pennsylvania kennels shot...

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) _ A man whose dog rescued him from a house fire in Trinidad says the animal died after running back into the burning building.

Trinidad & Tobago Express newspaper quotes Anderson Marcano as saying that he woke up because the dog kept barking and tugging at his pants. Marcano says he smelled the smoke and was shocked to find his house on fire.

The story published Friday did not say why the dog ran back in. Marcano said no one else was inside the house at the time.

Marcano did not immediately return a call for comment.

He said firefighters on Wednesday found the body of his dog, "Rebel," as well as the remains of the family's pet parrot.

In the past few years veterinary medicine has made leaps and bounds in the types of procedures that are available for animals. Pet medical histories are beginning to resemble that of their owners. Cancer treatments, pacemakers and other surgical procedures are becoming more accessible and common for our furry friends.

With the rising costs and variety of pet procedures being offered, pet insurance policies are becoming more logical than ever, and opting for these policies can be beneficial.

“Pet insurance policies, like all insurance, allow you to plan for the event of a major medical condition,” states Dr. Dan Posey, a clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “There is no doubt that veterinarians and pet owners have had to make tough health care decisions sometime in their pet’s life and with pet insurance it makes these decisions easier.”

Before opting for health insurance for your pet it is critical that you research what each company’s plans cover and...

Hurricane season isn’t over yet. In the wake of Hurricane Ike’s
wrath, we are again reminded of the stress and chaos that can come from
evacuations. Though a difficult time for everyone, pet owners have the
added responsibility of making sure their furry (or scaly) friends are
safe.
First and foremost, do not leave your pets behind. If the situation is
not safe for you, it is not safe for them. There is no way of knowing
how long the evacuation will last, or what damage your home might
experience.
“Saving the Whole Family,” a brochure in the American Veterinary
Medical Association’s disaster preparedness series, recommends
planning ahead. Create a disaster kit that you can grab on your way out.
Of course making sure your pet has food and water is the most important
necessity for their survival, but there are a few very important, less
obvious things you need as well.
The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends having these
essentials in your disaster kit:
Identification- Make sure your pet has on ID. Whether it is...

NAMPA — Anyone seeking a new or a lost pet should call the Pet Haven Shelter at 466-1298 for information, or visit the shelter at 333 Orchard Ave.
Pet Haven’s shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and most holidays.
It costs $50 to adopt a cat. These charges include spaying or neutering the pet, deworming it, vaccination and a leukemia test.
Remember the low-cost spay and neuter clinic at the shelter. Call for times and dates.
All cats ready for adoption are spayed or neutered.
Available this week at Pet Haven are several 4-5 month old kittens; two female Siamese mix, a tabby manx male and a orange tabby manx female.
Find out more online at www.pethavenonline.org.
The Thrift Store at 619 Main St., Caldwell, helps fund the operating expenses of Pet Haven. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10-4:30 Saturday. For more information call 455-1303.

CALDWELL — The Canyon County Animal Shelter is at 5801 Graye Lane, behind the Larry Miller Auto Mall. For...

We want to see your PETS in Halloween Costumes!
To enter, post a photo of your furry little friend in a Halloween Costume by October 31, 2008 and enter to win a pair of Disney on Ice Tickets on Nov. 8th.
A panel of pet lovers will choose the best photo on Monday, November 3rd and notify the winner!

The Associated Press

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — The Pilgrim Congregational Church is going to the dogs, and that's just fine with the Rev. Rachel Bickford.

The church launched what Bickford hopes will be weekly "Woof 'n' Worship" services Sunday when parishioners can bring their pious pooches.

Bickford got the idea from reading the Bible. She came across a Psalm that talks about "letting all living things praise the Lord" while her own dogs were at her feet. She says dogs provide so much joy when people struggle with everyday life.

Sara Diem went to the service with her Bernese mountain dog, Chloe. "She's having a couple little health issues these days, so I just thought she could use the extra help," she said.

All breeds are welcome, Bickford said — as long as they are leashed.

By LINDSEY TANNER
AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO — Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.

Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.

That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.

"Many parents clearly...

Hurricane season isn’t over yet. In the wake of Hurricane Ike’s wrath, we are again reminded of the stress and chaos that can come from evacuations. Though a difficult time for everyone, pet owners have the added responsibility of making sure their furry (or scaly) friends are safe.

First and foremost, do not leave your pets behind. If the situation is not safe for you, it is not safe for them. There is no way of knowing how long the evacuation will last, or what damage your home might experience.

“Saving the Whole Family,” a brochure in the American Veterinary Medical Association’s disaster preparedness series, recommends planning ahead. Create a disaster kit that you can grab on your way out. Of course making sure your pet has food and water is the most important necessity for their survival, but there are a few very important, less obvious things you need as well.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends having these essentials in your disaster kit:

Identification- Make sure your pet has on ID....

Cervical neck lesions, also one of the common problems of dental disease in cats, result from a progressive destruction of the enamel resulting in slowly deepening “holes” in affected teeth. Once the sensitive parts of the tooth are exposed, these lesions are intensely painful, and the only available treatment is to extract the tooth. The cause of this disease is unknown; however, poor oral hygiene is suspected to play a role in the disease-process.
If you see that your cat has evidence of tartar accumulation, gingivitis or is exhibiting any signs of mouth pain or discomfort, you should take it to your veterinarian for an examination. You will be advised of the most appropriate course of treatment, which may involve having the cat’s teeth examined and cleaned under short-acting general anesthesia.
The rate of tartar accumulation is very variable between individual cats, and in some cases, this may necessitate professional cleaning on a regular basis (every 6-12 months).
Do not try to remove tartar from the teeth...

KANSAS CITY — Dog & Cat Lovers of America announces that cash and prizes are up for grabs in the Fall Cutest Pet Photo Contest. Prizes include Pet Smart gift cards, tropies and $1,000 in cash.
Pet owners are welcome to enter to win a share of the prizes. Deadline for entries is Oct. 19. Dog or cat photos are welcome. There is a strict limit of one photo per household.
Submit online or by postal mail. Visit www.cutestpetcontest.com or mail send one photograph in full color or black and white of any size. All photo entries must include the photographer’s name and address on the back. Send to Dog & Cat Lovers Fall Contest, PO Box 4470, Olathe, KS 66063. There is no entry fee.

BOISE — Annually the Idaho Horse Board awards grants to projects which benefit the Idaho hose industry in areas of education, research and promotion. Grant requests are now being accepted and must be received by Dec. 1.
Some of the grants have gone to improve public horse facilities, educational programs, to promote the Horse Expo, college research and teaching projects and assisting in funding public television horse productions.
All grant requested must be typed or computer generated. Call (208) 788-7111 for an application or mail your request to the Idaho Horse Board, 803 Canyon Road, Hailey ID 83333 or hymas@cox.net. The application can also be accessed at the Web site: www.idahohorseboard.com

NAMPA — Anyone seeking a new or a lost pet should call the Pet Haven Shelter at 466-1298 for information, or visit the shelter at 333 Orchard Ave.
Pet Haven’s shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and most holidays.
It costs $50 to adopt a cat. These charges include spaying or neutering the pet, deworming it, vaccination and a leukemia test.
Remember the low-cost spay and neuter clinic at the shelter. Call for times and dates.
All cats ready for adoption are spayed or neutered.
Find out more online at www.pethavenonline.org.
The Thrift Store at 619 Main St., Caldwell, helps fund the operating expenses of Pet Haven. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10-4:30 Saturday. However, the store is closed Friday through Monday this week. Next week is the bagged book sale and clothing sale. Also, volunteers are needed through the busy holiday season. Check out the Web site, pethaventhriftstore.net For more information call 455-1303.

CALDWELL — The Canyon...

COLLEGE STATION — Sunday (Sept. 28) was World Rabies Day, a global effort to raise awareness in support of animal and human rabies prevention.  This day was set aside to educate people around the globe about the impact of rabies, how it can be prevented and how to eliminate the sources that contribute to the death of 55,000 humans from rabies worldwide.
In support of this effort, Dr. Leon Russell, a professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, shares some background on rabies and ways to prevent your pets and yourself from infection.
Rabies in the USA is most common in the wildlife population and some of the more common hosts include skunks, raccoons, foxes and bats, says Russell.  In other parts of the world however, especially in developing countries, dogs are the major host for rabies because of inadequate vaccination programs to protect them.
There are different variants of rabies virus that are maintained by different wildlife hosts, and they tend to be located...