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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2020)
8 Wednesday, March 18, 2020 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider Columnist 2020 goals for your pet Few things in life give us more joy than our furry friends. On top of the emo- tional benefits our pets give us, there are health benefits as well. The new year is well underway, but we can still resolve to make life health- ier and happier for our furry companions. Make this year a fresh start for your pet 4 perhaps a new diet and exercise regi- men or more play time with you. Whether you need to get back on track with his daily walks or make that vet appointment you9ve been meaning to schedule, there are plenty of ideas to help your pet have a happier and healthier 2020. One resolution could be to be more aware of how much your pet is eating. And one way to do that is to measure out their food each day. Many pet parents <eye- ball= their pet9s daily intake and pour that into their food bowl, which can result in overfeeding and weight gain. Try using a measuring cup. Cut down on the amount of treats you dish out or con- sider swapping in a fresh treat instead, such as blueber- ries or small pieces of sweet potato. Another goal is to give your pet more exercise. Exercise is beneficial to keeping your pet happy, active, and at their optimal body condition. Taking your dog for a walk or hike is one of the best ways to release some excess energy. When our lives get busy, it9s easy to let the dog out in the fenced yard to <exercise himself.= Going for a stroll with your pooch instead can be a great stress reliever for you both, not to mention it will get your hearts pumping. Your dog will be endlessly fasci- nated by the smells, sights, and sounds of your neigh- borhood, while you both get a chance to socialize with others. While taking your cat hik- ing isn9t a practical approach to upping the step count of your feline friends, incorpo- rating more playtime defi- nitely is. Cats love the thrill of chasing a laser toy, and toys that trigger a cat9s pred- atory instinct are a great way to get them off the couch and engaged in a little aerobic activity. It9s great fun watch- ing your kitties play and pounce, and if you9re a dab hand with a smart phone, you could end up videoing the next YouTube sensation. Resolve to groom your pet every day. Brushing your cat or dog serves many pur- poses. It removes excess fur from the coat, reduc- ing the amount you find on your clothes and furniture. It helps distribute oils from the skin to the fur, keeping the coat shiny and healthy. It will give you a chance to look over his coat and skin to check for any potential problems. Daily grooming is also a bonding activity that demonstrates to your pet how much you love him by taking care of your pet in a soothing manner. If your dog or cat hasn9t been spayed or neutered, this year is the time to schedule that appointment. There are plenty of health benefits, including avoiding certain cancers and other medical problems. There are behav- ioral benefits as well, espe- cially with neutered male dogs, who are less likely to mark, roam, or hump. You will also avoid adding to the overpopulation of homeless pets in the United States. Keeping a basket of toys for your dog will occupy his time when you aren9t around and give you a chance to play together when you are. Play also keeps your pet9s mind sharp. Even five minutes a day spent tossing a ball or dangling a toy mouse for kitty can mentally stimulate them. Training your dog is one of the kindest acts you can do for him. Well-trained dogs end up spending more time with the family and are welcomed more places than untrained dogs. A trained dog is a pleasure to be around, and he9ll benefit from those positive feelings. Just as people get bored, There’s something special about gathering around a GLOWING FIRE! PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER Exercise is as important for pets as it is for people. pets can get bored with the same old routine day in and day out. Resolve to try a new activity with your pet in the coming year. From hiking to kayaking, camping to run- ning, try incorporating your pet into a new exercise rou- tine. It will get you both out of the house, and both pet parent and pet will reap the rewards of a healthy physical activity. Resolve to bring more joy into your pet9s life this year. One easy way is by setting up pet play dates. Play dates for your dog will help social- ize him and get Rover used to new faces and other animals and people. Call up a friend with a pooch that is similar in size to yours and get together at a nearby park. Interaction with other animals is great for your pet9s mental health and can help improve their social skills. Perhaps the most impor- tant resolution for any pet parent to make is to bring your pet to the veterinarian. Make your pet9s health one of your biggest priorities. Year-round FIREWOOD SALES — Kindling — — — SISTERS FOREST PRODUCTS 541-410-4509 SistersForestProducts.com Serving Sisters Since 1976 oing on g t e g o t Need We’ve ? s t c e j o r spring p ing you need! th FREE got every Local We have many fire pits to choose from! “Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com Delivery Lumber • Hardware • Paint Fencing & Decking • Doors & Windows ows Hours: M-F 8 to 5, Sat. 8 to 4:30, Closed Sundays 440 N. Pine St. • 541-549-8141 • www.hoyts.net It’s time to re-pot your houseplants I help owners of house- plants get to know each plant they adopt. Plants need nutrients. Th ey need to be disease- and parasite-free. Plus, they need attention! CORRECTION Young drummer Frankie Borla was incorrectly identi- fied in last week9s story <Jazz enthusiast launches jam night at The Belfry,= The Nugget, March 11, page 3). He was referenced by the name Frankie Deggendorfer. Frank Deggendorfer is the young prodigy9s grandfather. He is not a drummer. Thriving communities start with healthy people. That’s why Rotary clubs organize health screenings, host blood drives, and connect neighbors to medical sources. Working together to save lives — that’s what people of action do. Learn more at Rotary.org. I off er houseplant decorating, repotting and plant-sitting in Sisters, Redmond, and most of Bend. $15/hr. for fi rst consult Plant Care & Decorating Available A Growing Business Join Rotary Club of Sisters and create your legacy. Be our guest for dinner. Call Hal Darcey at 808-864-5683 Donna Lee Bolt, 541-740-4906 Donn Stay current with the latest verified news on COVID-19