Special to the Star-Herald
I was away last weekend, only overnight, but when I got home, my dogs nearly turned themselves inside out; they were so happy to see me. Of course, I was happy to see them, as well. I miss my dogs when I am gone, I miss my routine. It is a good feeling to know that I am missed. I have this silly feeling that nobody can take care of my dogs like I can, even when I am leaving them in the care of my husband. Of course, everyone survived nicely without me, but in my little mind, I really like to think that I was terribly missed.
Many dogs that are at the shelter mourn when they are left. Even with the exceptional care we give them, the change in routine and not knowing whom to trust is stressful. Our staff works very hard to make the dogs comfortable; we use treats and constant handling.
One thing that we are in need of is people to walk our dogs. It is important that they get out of the shelter every day. We do put them out in the playpens, but sometimes that just isn’t enough. Exercise, whether is it a shelter dog or your own dog, is essential for good physical and mental well-being. Even with people, exercise reduces stress.
Are your dogs obese? We, as pet owners, are in control of what our dog eats and how much activity our dog gets. It is our responsibility to ensure that our pets are of a healthy weight. If you are wondering about your dogs’ weight, and before you start a diet or exercise program, please consult your veterinarian. Then be aware of the food you are giving your dog, cut back on some kibble and try adding green bean or carrots, low fat fruits and veggies that do not cause stomach upset. It is hard in the winter with the temperatures below zero to get out and walk; we all put on a bit of winter fat, but in a dog that weighs 20 pounds, an extra 5-10 pounds is a lot. It can cause stress on the limbs, not to mention the heart, so keeping your dog at a healthy weight is important. An obese dog’s life will be shorter than one kept at a healthy weight, and we all want our pets to live long healthy lives.
If your group would like a tour of the shelter, please give us a call at 764-3441. We welcome tours and we also will visit your group and tell you a little bit about ourselves. Meeting the public and educating is a huge part of what we do.
There are many misconceptions about the Humane Society and what we do. For example, there is no time limit on how long we keep animals. We want people to know that the shelter is a place of hope, not a place of despair. We work very hard to place the animals in our care. You can visit us on line at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org and see our animal list. It isn’t easy to keep it 100 percent accurate, but we try very hard.
If you are looking for a friend for life, the Central Aroostook Humane Society is the place to go. We have many wonderful pets just waiting for responsible homes.
This is what we do – it is our job. So visit us often or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered!
