8
area news
september13
2011
Creature Comforts: Caring for Your Best Friends
By Michal Smith
With summer reaching it’s
end, many pet owners find themselves
relieved. The challenge of summer for
some includes the quandary of parasites
effecting their beloved pets. The most
prolific and successful in the summer
months can be the dreaded flea. It is not
uncommon though to notice some pets
laze in the sun occasionally flicking
away a passing fly not bothered by fleas
in the least. While others are driven to
the brink of insanity miserably striving
to conquer the little beasts that seem
to blossom like dandelions within the
boundaries of the little animal’s body.
Pet owners shake their heads,
trying every avenue to bring relief. Some
may find relief, and others may continue
frustrated with the cost of products that
don’t seem to bring the desired results.
True some flea products may seem to
work right away, while others may take
months before seeing the desired results.
Then comes the subject of creating a flea
free home and neighborhood which can
prove to be a huge undertaking as well.
So the big question remains.
What is the difference? Why do some
pets appear to attract every parasite
around, and others do not? Of course
pet owners should always consult with
their Veterinarian if they feel their pet is
not well, and routine parasite prevention
is a must for a healthy pet. That being
said, it would be well to take a closer
look at the link between parasites,
immunity, and proper nutrition. There
is no clinical study to prove this theory,
simply because the American Holistic
Veterinary Medical Association doesn’t
have the proper funding to support such
studies. However, observation is that
parasites (internal and external) are more
likely to be an issue in weaker, less vital
animals than in healthy, vibrant animals.
Correct nutrition is one of the key
factors in providing energy and vitality.
Aside from genetic flaws, and neglected
routine parasite control, adjusting
nutrition& proper exercise will improve
health and ability to ward off not only
parasite overload, but disease.
When looking for a nutritious
pet food, what should be considered?
There are two aspects of food that are
very important. First the ingredients
themselves, second is how well the
ingredients are sustained during the
manufacture process of the food. Many
pet foods contain foods that are not
found in the natural diet of dogs and
cats. One ingredient being gluten, and
gluten contained grains are found in
many pets foods today. Dogs and cats
cannot successfully digest gluten.
This ingredient, along with chemicals,
preservatives, over cooked meats and
vegetables cause a strain on the digestive
system, which, in turn can weaken the
immune system. Simply put, the less
the ingredients are processed, the easier
they will be on the intestinal system.
Finding a good pet food these days is
not at all hard, many companies provide
brochures on how the kibble is made,
explaining exactly what the ingredients
are , therefore honoring the pet owner’s
concern.
Pet owners do well to do their
homework when researching pet foods,
and find the best quality grain free pet
food they can afford. Supplementing
with fresh veggies, and fruits can be a
fun way to bring better nutrition into a
pets life as well. Creatures has a variety
of nutritious choices including treats
and foods. An appointment with our
Animal Nutrition Consultant would be a
great place to start sifting through your
animal’s symptoms and your efforts in
order to assist in finding a diet that just
might help your pet find the relief you’re
both looking for. Call 503-429-PETS or
come in and check out what’s available
in person!
Town Halls Gather Feedback on Nehalem Conservation Plan
Come join your neighbors
to provide your input on a draft
Conservation Action Plan for the
Nehalem watershed. This effort is being
hosted by The Nature Conservancy, the
Lower Nehalem Community Trust, the
Upper Nehalem Watershed Council,
Tillamook Estuaries Partnership, and
North Coast Land Conservancy.
We would like to invite the public
to two open “town hall” meetings in late
September. We will be describing the
project, sharing some information about
the watershed, answering questions, and
gathering input on what conservation
actions should be a priority. The first
meeting will be on Monday, September
26th at the Vernonia Community
Learning Center in Vernonia. The second
meeting will be held at the White Clover
Grange Hall in Mohler on Tuesday,
Sept. 27th. Both meetings will run from
6:30-8:00 pm and we will be serving
refreshments from local bakeries. A
map of the town hall meeting locations
can be found on the internet at http://g.
Vernonia
Coffee Roasters
Anonymous
“QUALITP COFFEE ROASTED
TO PERFECTION”
Donor
in
support
of
503.429.0850
503.816.2265
Vernonia’s
Voice
WWW.VERNONIACOFFEEROASTERS.COM
Old,
worn out
and rusty?
Need body
work?
Call...
Meyer’s Auto Body
•493 Bridge St•
VERNONIA
503-429-0248
co/maps/ch3k (Vernonia) http://goo.
gl/64hn (Mohler). Please come join
us on either of these nights or contact
Debbie Pickering at dpickering@tnc.
org or (541)994-5564 if you would like
more information or would like to be
kept informed of the project.
The purpose of this plan is
to develop volunteer conservation
strategies and actions that can be
supported by landowners, conservation
groups and state agencies to help protect
and enhance local ecosystems. The
planning process brought together a
diversity of local citizens and experts
to create an effective watershed-
based conservation plan. Through this
process we hope to identify the highest
priority conservation strategies, develop
partnerships to implement these actions,
and create a broader awareness of the
conservation needs and opportunities for
the Nehalem Watershed.
Senior Center Activities
5-Area Luncheon: Monday, Sep-
tember 26th at the Clatskanie Senior
Center
Center’s front door opens at 9:00, but
the side parking lot door opens at 7:00.
Ah, sweet treats!
Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Fab-
ulous breakfasts are available to the
public on Fridays for a cost of only
$3.50. The event happens at the Senior
Center (446 Bridge Street) from 7:30
to 9:00 AM each Friday. Meal price in-
cludes a beverage, too. Enter through
the side, parking lot door. What a deal!
Thrift Store: Bargain prices can be
found in Vernonia’s Senior Center in
their Thrift Store. The retail store is
open Monday through Friday, from
9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The Thrift
Store provides funds for the Senior
Center’s facility and its many activi-
ties. Donations can also be dropped off
during those same hours, and donated
clothes need to be clean and in good
condition so they are “sales ready”.
We are offering half off during the first
week of each month. Buy locally and
support your local Senior Center.
For after hours drop-offs please con-
tact Pauline 503-429-5810.
Week Day Lunches: The Vernonia
Senior Center offers nutritious and
tasty lunches each weekday for only
$4. These are available to the public,
not just Senior Citizens. (Mealtime is
noon; late arrivals may not be served.)
You can reserve your lunch by calling
by 11:15 AM, or further in advance if
possible, to assist the cooks as they
prepare the day’s meals.
Maple Bars available locally! Con-
nie King, the cook at the Senior Cen-
ter, is making maple bars each day. The
maple bars are available to the public,
too, and only cost $1 each. Availabil-
ity is subject to quantity on hand. You
can assure yourself of a good supply
by pre-ordering them directly from
Connie by calling the Senior Center
(503-429-3912) any week day, from
7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please allow one
day lead time for larger orders. The
Special Days: On the last Wednesday
of the month Wauna Credit Union will
be serving ice cream. On the last Fri-
day of the month we will serve birth-
day cake and ice cream to celebrate
that month’s birthdays.
Membership Dues: Another way to
support Vernonia’s Senior Center is to
pay the $15 annual membership dues.
Checks may be mailed or dropped off
at the Senior Center. Anyone 50 and
older may join.
Questions? Call: (503) 429-3912
