Real Pets in London Magazine

PUBLISHER
Kim Boughner
MANAGING EDITOR/
SALES DIRECTOR
Craig Hancock
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Julien Campeau
PRINTING
Wonderland Printing
PET ENTHUSIAST
Adrienne Tufts-Devost
VETERINARIAN ADVISOR
Dr. Laura Palumbo
4
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PET
5
LONDON LOST PETS
6
TYPES OF PETS
8
DOG CHEWING
9
IS YOUR CAT CLEAN?
10
QUESTIONS FOR YOUR VET
12
BENEFITS OF DOG WALKING
14
RILEY, PET THERAPY DOG
In Partnership with:
REAL WOMEN
in LONDON
We all love our pets and Real Pets in London Magazine helps
you with everything you need to make sure you choose the right
pet and enjoy a healthy and happy life with them.
realpetsinlondon.club | realpetsinlondon@gmail.com
MAGAZINE
.com

We have a lot more choices now in pets and our pet often
becomes our best friend and companion. Here are a few
things to do and not to do when choosing a pet:
1) No Impulse Shopping
Try not to adopt or purchase a pet on a whim or inspiration. Make it a deliberate,
thought-out action. Buying a pet at a pet shop because it looks so, so
adorable is not a good way to add another long-term member to your family.
Sometimes we are not the best judges of our needs and sometimes our
desires don’t really fit our needs. You might ask a close relative what kind
of pet might fit your life style. Don’t be impulsive take the time to learn all
about the kind of pet you are considering buying/adopting.
2) Visit Animal Rescue Organizations
Pay a few walk-through trips to your local Rescue Organizations, or ferret,
guinea pig and rabbit rescue organizations and interact with some of the animals
there in a quiet one-on-one basis. Don’t pay too much attention to the
chatter regarding specific pets. Just observe the pet when it is alone with you
and try to make a mental list of its positive and negative points.
3) Match Your Pet To Your Life Style
Are you a night owl or a day person? Some pets, like sugar gliders and ferrets
spend much of the day asleep and are most active at night. Do you work
long hours? Some pets get very lonely by themselves while others are not
bothered by solitude. Do you have children? Are they mature enough not to
be a threat to the pet you choose? If you travel a lot who will care for the pet
while you are away?
4) Match Your Pet To Your
Home Environment
How much free space is there? Is there a
back yard? Is it fenced? How will your neighbors
feel about this new pet? If you rent, what will
your landlord think about this pet?
5) Decide If This Is The Right Time In Your Life To Get A Pet
You need to consider if this is really the right time in your life to own a (another)
pet. If you already have other pets how will they get along with the new one?
How stable are your human relationships? How good is your health?
6) Decide How Long You Want Your Pet To Live
How long do you expect your pet to live? Average dogs and cats live 12-16
years – some longer. Tortoises and goldfish have indeterminate life spans that
approximate our own. Small parrots live 8-14 years; larger ones 35-60 years.
Mice, however, are old at two years.
7) Cost
Besides the initial cost of the pet, you will incur considerable expense in purchasing
the pet a suitable home or cage. Over time, the cost of a good diet will
far exceed whatever you paid for the animal. It may need expensive veterinary
care, grooming, medications, and pet sitters as well.

Follow Us!
@LondonLostPets
When a furry family member becomes lost, it can be terrifying for both
the animal and the pet parents. There are many dangers that lurk in
the city, especially to a frightened and confused animals, so a local
pet clinic decided to implement and fund a community-based strategy
in order to help bring these pets home as quickly as possible.
Neighbourhood Pet Clinic created London Lost Pets in 2012. The
online initiative uses the power of social media to quickly broadcast
a lost pet’s information to community members in the London area.
When an individual reports a lost or found pet to londonlostpets.ca ,
the website automatically posts to Facebook and Twitter, and notifies a
staff member who quickly also puts the information on Kijiji.
Every post submitted is archived on the website so that anyone who
has found or lost a pet can view reports that have been made. One staff
member who plays a major role in the organization estimates that the
website receives 14-42 submissions every week, and that the volume
increases substantially in the summer months.
Community members can help these pets find their way home by
following London Lost Pets on Facebook or Twitter and turning post
notifications on, so that they will be automatically updated when a pet
goes missing or is found in their community.
The staff members behind London Lost Pets are incredibly thankful
for their more than 5000 current followers across all platforms. London
Lost Pets hopes that this community will continue to grow and that, as
a result, more scared and lonely pets can find their way back home to
their loving families.
Provided by:
Danielle Hutchison

DOGS
are still a favourite
pets. Most are intelligent,
loyal, happy and obedient.
They bond closely with their
owner (s). But they do require
a lot of your time if they are to
remain healthy and happy.
RABBITS are often sold as
pets. They are adorable when they are
babies. But as they mature their needs
increase and they may become aggressive.
Some owners just love their pet
rabbits and they do well in households
with cats.
BIRDS
like parrots
and Cockatoos, Parakeets
and Cockatiels are the most
affectionate of all birds that
are commonly kept as pets.
They usually bond to only one
member of the family – which
can be a problem. Generally,
the larger the bird species,
the longer they live. They can
be quite noisy and cockatoos
in particular produce large
amounts of dust.
CATS
have been desirable
pets since the days of
the Egyptians. They are more
independent than dogs and
may thrive better if they must
endure long periods of the day
alone.
GUINEA PIGS
are gentle
affectionate pets. They can
live in small quarters. They are
economical to feed and, when
well maintained, have little
odour and produce very little
dander. Unfortunately they
only live for 5-8 years. They
almost never bite. They do not
make good pets for children.
If you live in a cool environment
and want a longer living
rodent, purchase a chinchilla.
WHAT TYPE
OF PET
SHOULD I
CONSIDER
Besides the initial cost of the pet, you will
incur considerable expense in purchasing the
pet a suitable home or cage. Over time, the
cost of a good diet will far exceed whatever
you paid for the animal. It may need expensive
veterinary care, grooming and pet sitters
as well.
FISH
have qualities in
common with plants. They are
both beautiful to look at and
add an air of comfort to any
home. As with plants, some of
us have a “green thumb” with
fish as with plants. They need
regular, methodical continuous
care in order to thrive. It is
hard to develop a one-on-one
relationship with a fish but
they will come and become
“happily” agitated when you
feed them.
RODENTS
like rats, Mice, Gerbils and
Hamsters all make good pets
if they are handled from the
time they open their eyes. Rats
live 4-6 years; mice 2-3 years.
They are economical to buy
and maintain and can be quite
affectionate. They do have a
rather strong odour –especially
if their cages are not cleaned
frequently enough. The most
odoriferous of this group are
hamsters; the least are gerbils.
REPTILES + AMNIOTES
Turtles, Tortoises , Lizards And Snakes are all
basically “observational” pets. That is, you can
watch them, handle them and pet them but they
do not generally return affection. The most affectionate
of the group are tortoises. All have
very long lives, which can pose a problem as
our life situations change. If you choose to have
one, pick a common, native variety. The ones
sold at pet shops are usually exotic species from
far-off places and the pet trade has driven many
of them to near extinction.
FERRETS
are very desirable
pets. They are about as
intelligent as a cat. They are
nearly noiseless and do well
on a commercial diet of ferret
or kitten chow. Ferrets are
curious and affectionate. They
have short attention spans.
They generally live 8-10
years. Some people find their
odor undesirable. Most of the
day they will be found asleep
but they don't appear to mind
being woken up and cuddled.

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UESTIONS FOR THE
ANSWERED BY DR. LAURA PALUMBO
As a veterinarian I often get asked the same questions by many different caregivers.
What should I feed my dog?
A species appropriate diet is key. I always remind
people of what would take place in nature. A wolf
would hunt for it’s dinner, it would be consumed raw.
A diet is only as good as it’s ingredients. It’s key to
find a veterinarian that is open to alternatives and able
to support choices you make if it doesn’t put your
pet or you and your family in danger. Always make
a list of pros and cons with respect to lifestyle. Are
there young children around? Can you practice safe
hygiene with handling raw food? Issues regarding
Salmonella are documented with use of packaged
kibble as well. Keep in mind there will always be a
genetic component and an environmental component
to health. If raw isn’t something you are comfortable
with, do your research and ask your veterinarian for
options.
VET
Is crate training cruel?
Crates should not be used to discipline your dog. It
should be a safe haven and a place where they feel at
ease, like a den in the wild. You can feed your dog
in the crate and make it a routine to be in and out of
the crate several times a day. Dogs are an animal of
habit and routine. Instilling good behavior and positive
reinforcement and conditioning is key. We have
domesticated these beings and it’s important to offer
shelter that they can relate to and adjust to.
Do I have to vaccinate every year?
A healthy immune system is key. Know that there
are options and that you should feel comfortable discussing
vaccine -related questions and concerns with
your veterinarian. If you feel your pet is at low risk
with respect to exposure eg. Your dog will not be at a
boarding facility or your cat is a senior and resides indoor
only, then the kennel cough vaccine for your dog
and the leukemia vaccine for your cat are not likely
required. Remember, getting your furry friend vaccinated
doesn’t mean they will never get the diseaseie.
most vaccines do not induce sterilizing immunity
against disease. 3-year vaccines exist and titre testing
is also a valid option to consider. The principles of
‘evidence-based veterinary medicine’ suggest that
How should I budget for being an animal guardian?
Being a responsible guardian to our animals means
being able to provide them with the medical and supportive
care they require to maintain optimal health
and well-being. Bi-annual examinations, preventative
blood work screens, parasite screens and urinalysis
should be considered on a regular basis (at least
once a year, preferably twice) How about a special
account for our pets? What might help make things
less stressful with respect to cost of being a animal
testing for antibody status (for either puppies or adult
dogs) should be better practice than simply administering
a vaccine booster on the basis that this would
be ‘safe and cost less.
Guardians need to work with their veterinarians to
determine the best protocol for their pet. This will be
dependent upon individual situations such as history
of reaction, allergies, and susceptibility to immune
dysfunction. Remember 80% of the immune system
resides in the gut. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and
a healthy lifestyle are among many things that help
prevent and fight off disease. Be informed and ask
questions.
guardian would be setting aside money monthly to
budget for unexpected health-related issues that may
arise as well as money for routine preventative care.
Pet insurance should also be considered. Do your
research and find a company that fits best for your
needs. There are companies such as Trupanion that
cover alternative and holistic veterinary care. If this
is important to you than choose wisely and find a plan
that is flexible and receptive to your needs.
Do I have to brush my cat or dog’s teeth?
Maintaining good oral hygiene just like in human’s,
is very important in our feline and canine friends. A
healthy mouth helps keep the rest of the organs functioning
properly. When bacterial levels buildup and
odour is present, this bacteria can enter the blood
stream and create problems with other organs. If you
have a new puppy or kitten, get them accustomed
to you brushing their teeth. There are pet friendly
toothpastes as well as toothbrushes. There are also
safe oral sprays that combine with saliva enzymes
to cause breakdown of tartar and decrease bacterial
loads in the mouth. I use a product called Leba III.
If you have a pet that already has a large amount of
tartar and plaque on their teeth, a trip to the vet is essential
to address a proper dental cleaning. Once the
teeth have been scaled and polished, there are products
that can be used to help slow the progression of
buildup again.
Written by: Dr. Laura Palumbo
www.drlauramobilevet.com

year-round activity
Dogs require regular daily exercise and attending to this encourages dog owners to be truly active at
least twice every day with a simple WALK! It takes little effort for owners to walk their dogs on a
sunny day, but a different attitude often emerges on cold wintry days when most would rather stay indoors
hibernating. Those walks can be as invigorating or gentle yet relaxing as one wishes, resulting
in a healthier lifestyle for both animal and owner! After work in colder weather, conscientious dog
owners don warm mitts, toque, jacket and boots to hit the outdoors with their pups! The same holds
true for wet weather as owners, dressed for the conditions, head outdoors to expend their own pent
up energies with rambunctious dogs.
early risers
Many dog owners enjoy a refreshing early start to their day with a brisk walk with Fido before their
workday begins. This early morning walk will be a great kick start to your morning – even more
effective than your first cup of coffee! It gets you moving, your heart rate rises and depending on
how quick your pace, you can even work up a sweat before hitting the shower as a welcome start to
your workday.
SOCIAL Time
Socializing with other dog owners during your walks is of enormous benefit, either one-on-one, or in
an organized group activity! Dog walks provide a great way to make new friends, socialize your pet,
while getting in some vigorous exercise all at once!
Challenge yourself
Returning to the same paths or streets can become tedious and less interesting. Simply changing
your routes often, encourages you to walk for a longer time since you made the effort to go there! As
well, different routings provide owner and dog opportunities to extend that walk for longer
distances, increasing endurance and overall good health. For variety, owners might wish to choose
scenic routings which provide both owner and dog more challenging terrain, trails with hills and
rocks that work unused muscles! What a great feeling of accomplishment as the daily stresses are
shed in a vigorous climb!
Relax
Dog walks provide a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of daily stress with a happy companion
alongside. Some people prefer to meditate as they walk while absorbing the quiet tranquility of
nature around them. For others, getting lost in an audio story or article while walking is of immense
value as dog and owner walk off pent up energies of the day. Either way, walking your dog can
provide that much needed mental and physical activity needed to face tomorrow! Walking is a
win-win situation for both animal and owner!
Written by: Danielle Guetter

Riley – THERAPY DOG
Ombra May, a resident of Royalcliffe Retirement
Residence has always felt a need to give back to her
community, and did so for many years along with Riley,
her beloved pet therapy dog. Riley is of German
breeding dating back to the 14th century, a rare breed
known as Lowchen, a small dog recognized for its
intelligence, unique caring personality and its ability
to respond to special needs, often more attentive than
most dogs.
With this background, his owner, Ombra May, enrolled
him as a puppy into a therapy training program, basic
requirements of which Riley met: healthy, obedient,
have endurance and a calming temperament. Reaction
time tests determine an animal’s potential to be a therapy
dog and Riley met them all with flying colours.
According to the Medical Administrator at Parkwood
Hospital, Riley was the best dog she had seen in 26
years – “He cared about people and I couldn’t ask for
anything more”.
Riley continued to bring comfort to many residents at
Parkwood Hospital for 4 years. During one visit a gentleman
was most distressed and staff unable to calm
him down so that nursing staff could attend to the
man’s physical needs. His daughter was by his side,
crying and most distressed herself, also unable to calm
her father. In came Riley who was gently placed in
the gentleman’s bed, and instantly the gentle animal
and man bonded. The warm body of hair and comfort
of the little dog consumed the man’s attention so
that nurses could resume their care of the gentleman.
As Ombra reached down to pick up Riley, the gentleman
looked up and said: “I think this little dog RE-
ALLY likes me!” Such were the many comforts and
de-stressing situations this “little lion dog”, (as this
breed is known), brought to so many.
In his life, Riley changed many lives including his
favourite companion, Ombra.
RIP, Riley. You are a hero!