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

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,...

If your younger dog always deferred to the older dog, but now they fight, one scenario may be that an older, previously dominant dog is challenged by a younger, more domineering dog. This may happen as the older dog ages, or as the younger dog reaches behavioral maturity at 12 to 36 months. This may be an attempt to alter the existing hierarchy but at other times the dog is being a “bully.” Sometimes the older dog will acquiesce and things are fine, but at other times the owners do not want the change and intervene. In some situations, the older dog will not relinquish the dominant role even though it cannot physically compete with the younger dog. This can result in severe, injurious fights.
Breaking up a fight can be a dangerous situation for people and dogs alike. Owners usually try to reach for the collar of the fighting dogs, or if one is small, pick it up. This can result in severe owner injury if the fighting is very intense. If both are wearing leashes, they can usually be pulled apart. If all else fails,...

I have a dog about a year old and she loves to swallow things whole yep she does not even chew them... :)
My vet told me to start giving her frozen veggies to chew on to distract her but she eats those in 5 seconds we call her the vacuum at home she can eat anything in less than a min.
Any ideas?

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...

Anyone who owns a dog or a cat knows that they will typically eat
anything they can get their paws on. While it is not harmful for a dog
to eat a cat’s food, it can be potentially hazardous for a cat to eat
a dog’s food. In moderation, a cat eating a dog’s food is probably
safe, but if the cat is only eating Fido’s dinner, they are probably
not getting the nutrients that are essential to their specific health
needs.

“Cats’ nutrition requirements are different than dogs’, they have
unique needs,” explains Dr. John Bauer, a professor of animal
nutrition at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine &Biomedical
Science. “Your cat is not going to get ill from eating the occasional
pieces of dog food, but if they are only eating dog food, then they are
not getting nutrients they need for a healthy life.”

If you have a cat that prefers to feast on their canine pal’s dinner,
it is important to know that there are five main nutrients, essential
to feline health, that are not balanced properly for proper feline
nutrition.

“First,...

Dogs are social animals whose evolutionary history makes them willing and able to live in groups. Group living enabled wolves to work together to obtain food, raise their young and defend their territory. It would be counter-productive for members of a group to fight with each other and risk injury. That would prevent them from working with the group.
Although domestic dogs are not wolves, they do have a social structure in which each dog is either dominant (leader) or subordinate in its relationship with each pack member. This is a “dominance hierarchy.” The leader or “alpha” dog is the one that has first access to all the “critical” resources. These resources include food, resting places, mates, territory and favored possessions. Assertion of dominance by the alpha is generally communicated through facial expressions, body postures and actions. Fighting is rare, since as soon as the subordinate submits or defers to the alpha animal and the alpha gets its way, he or she gives up the challenge.
Fights between...

The African Grey (Psittacus erithacus) from central Africa is a highly intelligent bird commonly encountered in captivity. This elegant medium-sized bird is entirely grey with a strikingly red short blunt tail. The African Grey has a charming personality and is recognized as one of the best talkers among all the pet birds. With this extraordinary ability to imitate, some African Greys develop extensive vocabularies of words, songs, verses, whistles, sneezes, coughs and electronic sounds such as telephones and microwave ovens. Some individuals, especially if wild or improperly socialized, may have unacceptable vocalizations.
The sound that a frightened, defensive or timid African Grey will make is a characteristic, loud growl. African Greys bond readily, often with one member of the family or specifically with males or females. This bond occasionally leads to aggression towards others. These handsome, good-natured birds make excellent companions and family pets. Most are generally interactive and affectionate....

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...

STURGIS, S.D. (AP) _ Sturgis officials have given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would regulate the owners of pit bulls.
Several people lined up to testify in favor and against the measure.

If enacted by city officials, the ordinance will force pit bull owners to carry liability insurance. They also will have to register their dogs and keep them restrained at all times.

Sturgis Animal Control Officer Curt Nulle says there has been an increase in local pit bull attacks and complaints about them.

Melissa Foxworth of the Humane Society of the Black Hills says other dogs also can be aggressive, adding that owners should be held responsible — no matter what the breed.

Pyometra is defined as a bacterial infection of the uterus. Unfortunately, most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection. Pyometra is most often diagnosed within 1-12 weeks after the end of estrus (“heat”). Pyometra is most often seen in middle-aged bitches that have undergone numerous estrous cycles during their lifetime. There is no known breed predisposition for canine pyometra.
Clinical signs depend on whether or not the cervix is open. If it is open, pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. It may be noted on the skin or hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has been. Fever, lethargy, anorexia and depression may or may not be present.
If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus causing distention of the abdomen. The bacteria release toxins that are absorbed into circulation. These dogs often become severely ill very rapidly. They are anorectic, very listless and very...

Dogs fight for a variety of reasons. Usually there is a dominant and subordinate dog and the owner should not interfere with the relationship.
On other occasions, neither dog is willing to be subordinate. This could be due to a challenge to the hierarchy as a younger dog matures, as an older dog becomes sick or aged, when a new dog is introduced into the home or when one dog is not clearly dominant to the other. You should learn how to recognize canine body language and low-level threats such as eye contact, snarls or low growls. Keep records of threats, attacks or tension-producing situations. An owner must have excellent control over both dogs in order to succeed. To facilitate treatment, decrease the chances of injuries and increase owner control, a remote leash can be left attached to one or both dogs. Often the best form of owner control is to fit and train each dog with a head halter, and to leave a leash and head halter on each dog when they are together (under the owner’s supervision). In other cases,...

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...

Have you ever taken a brand new puppy on its first walk, or to a dog park with other dogs? This can sometimes be a difficult undertaking, seeing as puppies have yet to be exposed to many humans and animals in their young lives. But dogs and cats need to develop social skills just as much as people do! It is important for an animal’s health and well-being to become a socially acceptable pet. “The most important time for puppy socialization is before the age of 12 weeks,” Dr. M.A. Crist, Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, said. “Puppies should be handled from birth and exposed to as many new animals, people, surroundings, and stimuli without causing fear, overstimulation, or avoidance behavior. Puppies should be encouraged to survey and investigate their environments, and these exposures should continue into adulthood to help maintain an outgoing and sociable dog.” Many cats are easily frightened and spend a lot of time hiding and trying to avoid the things they are afraid...

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...

Feline punishment is the application of a stimulus that decreases the chance that a behavior will be repeated. It must coincide with the undesirable behavior, and must be unpleasant enough to deter the cat from repeating that behavior. Keep in mind that you are punishing the behavior, not the cat. Punishment should never be considered unless the pet has the means to satisfy its nature and its needs. For example, the scratching cat should be provided with an appropriate scratching post, before any attempt to punish undesirable scratching is initiated.
One of the most frequently utilized and least successful forms of punishment is where the owner uses a direct swat or hit. Hitting a cat can lead to hand-shyness, fear of the owner and potential injury for both the owner and the cat. The cat will continue to perform the undesirable behavior in your absence since it learns that it can perform the behavior without punishment when you are out of sight. Physical punishment is, therefore, ineffective, potentially dangerous...