By Norma MiltonSpecial to the Aroostook Republican
What do I want for Christmas? A home for Brody.
Poor Brody, our lovable happy hound dog mix, is the best of all personalities. He is housebroken, loves all people, children, dogs and cats. I think he would adore horses.
Did I mention that he is always happy? Brody needs a country home with room to be happy and run those beautiful long legs. If you are considering a new dog, please consider Brody a chance. He has seen so many come and go that he now thinks CPR is his home. But we are not meant to be his home – we are a safe haven for the most helpless of the homeless.
Between the shelter building and our beloved foster homes, we have over 80 kittens and cats purring up a storm hoping that Santa will help them find a permanent home. Some shelters warn against bringing a new pet into a home during the holiday, but I say, “Bah, Humbug!” There is never a bad time to bring a gift of love into any family. My word of caution is togive the new pet lots of quiet time away from the fun and folic of the season. Keep decorations and electrical wires away from those young kittens and puppies. Make sure you do not treat with chocolates and goodies from the table or allow chewing decorations because it is extremely dangerous — you will probably find yourself cleaning up wall-to-wall poo-poo and oops-chuck. I am sure you need no other clarification.
A new pet over the holidays can add spice and lovely memories for the family. Your new puppy needs a solid, safe crate to allow him bedroom of his own he will enjoy his entire life. Make sure it is roomy enough to stand and turn around in easily. Most stores carry training crates for medium to large dogs for about $60 to $75. I always crate trained my dogs. Never use a crate for punishment because it is meant to be his “special” space.
I started out with plenty of newspapers or old blankets that could be tossed when soiled. I kept the play toys on the top of the crate when the family was home. At bedtime or when we left for the day, the toys went in with him with my adding a happy smile and a warm “good night”. In later years, we left the crate doors open until bedtime. When my three old dogs became deaf and blind, they would head for their crates by memory whenever they were tired or people stopped in to visit and they felt overwhelmed about strangers. They never mistook the other dog’s crate and if I checked this by moving the sequence of the crates, they would stop for a second and then move aside to the right one. By then, their blankets did not often get soiled and were washed only occasionally so they knew their crate by the smell or the feel of their own blanket.
If the door had accidentally closed, they would scratch at my leg until I realized the problem and opened the door for them. An additional bonus to crate training is, if or when you travel, your pet is more comfortable and safer riding in the vehicle, and motels are more apt to let you keep a pet in the room if you tell them he will be in a crate. Crates are a win-win for a young pup’s training.
When you bring a new kitten or cat home, always start them out first in a small room like a bathroom. Leave their bed, litter box, food and water in that same area. After a day or so (depending on how nervous the little animal appears to feel) just leave the bathroom door open and he will investigate the rest of the house as he feels able. After a couple of weeks, you can put the food dishes in the kitchen and the litter box in the basement as long as you show him where they are when he needs them. One time of being shown and they generally understand. Why wait for Christmas, you pet is waiting for you now at CPR.
On Saturday, December 1 from 1-3, Santa Claus will be available for “Pet Photos with Santa” at the Caribou Lions Building, located near the Fire Station. Girl Scout Troup No. 240 is providing the Santa opportunity to you as a fund-raiser for CPR. All proceeds will go to the care of CPR pets.
CPR will also have a table of Sheila McKenna’s world famous fudge and Lynn Collins’ awesome homemade pies for sale. I have already placed my order, if you are late, they will be sold out.
Caribou Pet Rescue is located at 6 Richards Rd in Caribou. Mailing address is PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736. Call 498-3800 for information oronline at www.cariboupetrescue.petfinder.com
Contributed photo
Rep. Peter Edgecomb, left, presented the official Maine expression of sentiments on behalf of the 123rd Legislature and the people of Maine to Caribou Pet Rescue founders, from left, Caprice Miller and Norma Milton. Connie Tucker, the third CPR founder, was unable to be present for the photo. Selected as American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter Heroes, the sentiments expressed the gratitude of Mainers for founders’ work on behalf of neglected, abused and abandoned animals in Aroostook County. The sentiments were introduced to the Legislature by Rep. Edgecomb and cosponsored by Sen. John L. Martin.
