Cutest Pest of Porter County Magazine March 2020

A Magazine For Pet Owners & People Supporting Local Animal Shelters and Rescues
Porter County • March 2020
5 Ways To Help Keep
Your Dog Happy & Healthy
Why You Should Use
A Professional Pet Sitter
Profile: True North Training Stables

Welcome
Message
It is hard to believe the winter months are almost behind us. We kicked off this
month with one of the largest cutest pet photo contests to-date. I love seeing all of
the participant’s photos!
Jeff Smith
I wasn’t able to spend quite as much time on the magazine this month. However, we
did receive our first writing contribution from a local pet services business owner. It is
a good start. Hopefully, we will see more writers and businesses support this project
in some way, in the future. Due to circumstances beyond our control, many of us may
be home a lot more. So, we shall see how things go over the next few weeks!
For those who are not familiar, Cutest Pets of Porter County Magazine is a
companion project for the facebook group we started last year. The Facebook
group is for folks to show off their furry family members and participate in fun and
friendly photo contests.
The group postings and contests have been a nice escape from a lot of the stuff
happening on social media. In future additions of Cutest Pets of Porter County
Magazine, I hope to present pet owner adoption stories. I also want to put the
spotlight on local organizations, volunteers and supporters. I will do my best to find
helpful information, entertaining stories and, of course, we’ll feature many of the cute
pet pictures that have been provided by group members.
I hope you enjoy the magazine. Be sure to join the fun by visiting our Facebook
group www.facebook.com/groups/cutepetspc
Thank you!
Jeff / Cutest Pets of Porter County Magazine
2 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

Inside:
Welcome Message......................................2
5 Ways To Help Keep
Your Dog Happy and Healthy......................4-5
Cutest Dog Contest Winners........................ 6-7
Contestants.............................................. 8-13
On The Cover
Chesney
Photo By Angel Miofsky Stojkovich
Find Us On Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/cutepetspc/
Cutest Pets of Porter County
Magazine is a monthly publication.
It is supported by advertising from
local pet related businesses and
services.
Publisher / Advertising
Jeffery Smith
CutePetsPC@gmail.com
Why You Should Use a Professional Pet Sitter.14
Directory.....................................................15
Cutest Cat Contest Winners.....................16-17
Contestants............................................18-19
Cutest Critter Contest Winners.................. 20-21
Profile: True North Training Stables................22
A published advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. Cutest Pets
of Porter County Magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising at any time for any reason. In
particular we do not accept advertising relating to the sale of animals; this is an affirmation of our
commitment to pet adoption.
All content in Cutest Pets of Porter County Magazine is intended for informative and entertainment
purposes. For issues relating to animal health and wellbeing, please consult your veterinarian.
Information provided in this issue was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and should be
considered accurate at the time of publication.
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
3

5Ways
To Help Keep Your Dog
Happy & Healthy!
There are many emotional benefits to owning a
dog, such as companionship and unconditional
love, but a pet can also positively affect his or her
owners’ physical health, too.
According to studies from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, spending quality time with
a dog can help ease stress and anxiety for the owner
and can even lower blood pressure and cholesterol
levels. To be able to reap the health benefits of dog
ownership, it’s key to ensure you’re taking proper
care of your dog with quality nutrition and plenty
of exercise.
Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber offers these five simple
ways pet owners can take the best care of their
dogs, because when dogs are happy and healthy,
their owners can be, too. To learn more about how
dogs’ health is linked to their owners’, and for more
tips for feeding your pet, visit IAMS.com.
1. Check the Labels – Creating a healthier life for
your dog starts with the food you feed him or her.
For optimal health, provide your dog a balanced
diet with high-quality animal protein, like chicken or
lamb, a combination of grains and essential vitamins
and minerals. When shopping for dog food, look for
those things on the ingredient panel. Also keep an
eye out for the Association of American Feed Control
Officials certification, which indicates basic nutritional
requirements are being met with the food’s ingredients.
2. Give Them Grains – Grains are an important
component of dogs’ dietary needs. They are a source of
carbohydrates for healthy energy, as well as fiber, which
promotes gastrointestinal health. Some grains, such as
rice and wheat, provide “quick” energy, and others, like
barley and sorghum, take longer to turn into energy.
Dog food that has a combination of these grains, such
as IAMS dog food, can provide dogs a “time-release”
energy source, helping sustain their energy throughout
the day.
4 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

3. Keep It Consistent – While humans can try new
restaurants and recipes on a whim, switching up
your dog’s meals too frequently can cause intestinal
problems. If a dog is doing fine on its current food,
there’s no need to switch foods. However, if you think
a change is needed, consult your veterinarian. If he or
she suggests a change, be sure to introduce the new
food gradually. Start by replacing 25% of the current
food with new food for a couple days, a half-and-half
mixture the next couple days then a mix of 75% new
food and 25% old food for another 2-3 days. Your dog
should then be ready to eat just the new food.
5. Quality Time – Taking good care of your dog
extends beyond nutrition and exercise. A dog needs
attention, interaction and love. After a busy day,
spend some quality time with your pup, whether
it’s a walk or snuggle time on the couch. Your pet
will appreciate having time exclusively dedicated
to him or her. Plus, it’s scientifically proven that
spending time with your pet can decrease your
stress and anxiety, too.
Photos courtesy of Adobe Stock
4. Get Them Active – Just like humans, dogs need
exercise. Walks are an important part of dogs’
days – not just for doing their business, but to
expel some of that healthy energy. Knowing dogs
need daily exercise is an easy health hack for pet
owners. They can take their dogs on walks, runs,
hikes or to a dog park, ultimately helping them
get up and get active, too. Regular exercise and
activity helps keep dogs’ muscles, bones and joints
active.
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
5

Cutest Dog
Contest Winners
6 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

MARCH
Is Your Pet The Cutest?
Join Us On Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/cutepetspc
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
7

Cutest Dog
Contestants
Stevie
Lily
Chesney
Diva
Smudge
Cricket
8 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

2020
Fluffy
Delilah
Ellie
Ava
MJ
Zoey
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
9

Cutest Dog
Contestants
Ollie-Max
Lily
Dixie
Tiny
Delilah
Sadie
10 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

2020
Gracie
Brody
Riley
Beau
Gomorrah
Mama
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
11

Cutest Dog
Contestants
Alfredo
Paco
Chloe
Finnegan
Bella
Ryder
12 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

2020
Fred
Samson
Matrix
Birdie Mae
Princeton
Mazura
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
13

Why You Should Use a Professional Pet Sitter
By Laurie Robinson, CPPS
Leaving pets at home alone, whether it be for daily
work hours or during a family vacation, is never easy
for any pet parent to do. Most pet owners have likely
considered many pet-care options from boarding to
asking a neighbor or family member to help out. But
for pet owners who want the very best in-home care
for their fur kids, professional pet sitters are a perfect
option.
What does a professional pet sitter do?
Professional pet sitters visit the home of the pet
while the pet owner is away on vacation or working
long hours. Duties include feeding and changing
water bowls, walking, exercise and play time,
cleaning litter boxes, cleaning up any pet messes,
medicating the pet (if applicable) and providing
lots of love and companionship.
What is the difference between a professional
pet sitter and someone who
works for one of the pet sitting apps?
The differences are quite remarkable. While
professional pet sitters are experts in their field,
hobbyist sitters (like those who work for selfproclaimed
“tech company” apps) are walking
dogs as a hobby or part-time side job. These “sitters”
are rarely vetted or pre-screened. Conversely,
many professional pet sitting companies employ
an extensive application and interview process.
Professional sitters often undergo background
checks and illegal drug screens.
Another reason that professional pet sitters are far
superior to their tech company app counterparts
is because of insurance and training. Professional
sitters have their own business insurance and
bonding, versus hobby pet sitters who only have
limited coverage under the tech company app, or
no insurance at all. This is important in the case
of pet illness or injury as the professional sitter’s
business insurance normally covers animals under
the care of the pro. Additionally, professional pet
sitters have extensive training in the pet care field
and may even be certified to care for your pet
after undergoing coursework, examination and
continuing education.
What are the benefits of using a professional
pet sitter?
While some pets do fine while being boarded
in a kennel environment, most prefer the sights,
sounds and smells of their own homes. Pets often
experience less stress and are happier being
at home versus in a kennel or boarding facility.
Additionally, pet parents do not have to rely on
untrained or unwilling friends or family members to
care for the pets while the owners are away. Pets,
especially dogs, are creatures of habit, so using a
professional, in-home pet sitter allows for the pet’s
feeding and exercise routines to be maintained.
Finally, there is a minimal risk of exposure to pet
illnesses if the pet remains in the comfort of its own
home environment.
Whether you are heading out of town for the
weekend, or working long hours at the office, only
entrust the care of your furry family members to a
professional pet sitter. You will have the peace of
mind in knowing that your pets are in the hands of
a true professional and your pets will receive the
quality care and TLC that they deserve.
About the author: Laurie Robinson, Owner of
Rover’s Recess, Inc., has been a professional pet
sitter since 2007. She is a Certified Professional Pet
Sitter (CPPS) and she holds a certificate in Canine
Behavior Modification from Purdue University.
Laurie and her staff sitters are bonded, insured and
pet CPR certified. Visit www.roversrecess.dog for
more information.
14 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

Directory
Animal Rescue
and Advocates
Begin Again Rescue Co.
2700 Valparaiso Street
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: (219) 263-0348
Email: beginagainrescueco@gmail.com
Web: www.teambarc.com
Pet Supplies
and Services
Your Company Name Here
Address
City, State Zip
Phone:
Email:
Web:
Independent Cat Society
4061 County Line Road
Westville, IN 46391
Phone: (219) 785-4936
Email: shelter@catsociety.org
Web: www.catsociety.org
Your Company Name Here
Address
City, State Zip
Phone:
Email:
Web:
Lakeshore PAWS
4611 Evans Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: (219) 476-7297
Email: info@www.lakeshorepaws.org
Web: www.lakeshorepaws.org
Porter County Animal Shelter
3355 Bertholet Blvd
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: (219) 465-3550
Email: tbianchi@porterco.org
Web: portercountyanimalshelter.org
Submit Your Listing
Add your business to this directory so people can
find you. We are looking for businesses such as:
• Animal Rescues & Advocates
• Pet Sitters
• Animal Trainers
• Animal Hospitals
• Veterinarians
• Animal Friendly Lodging
• Animal Friendly Restaurants
Contact: Jeff Smith for information
Animal non-profits get a free directory listing
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
15

Cutest Cat
Contest Winners
16 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

MARCH
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
17

Cutest Cat
Contestants
Kiwi
Godzilla
Isabella
Holly
Pumpkin
Winnie
18 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

2020
LUCHI
Have a Story
or Event to Share?
Pet Stories are published free!
Shelter/Rescue News & Events are published free!
Email: CutePetsPC@gmail.com
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
19

Cutest Critter
Contest Winners
20 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

MARCH
Cutest Pets of Porter County | March 2020
21

PROFILE: True North Training Stables
True North Training Stables is a faith-based
organization that provides Equestrian therapy (also
known as equine therapy or Equine-Assisted Therapy
[EAT]). Equestrian therapy is a form of therapy that
makes use of horses to help promote emotional
growth. Equestrian therapy is particularly applied
to patients with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia,
delay in mental development, down syndrome and
other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma and
brain injuries, behavior and abuse issues and other
mental health issues.
True North provides a safe environment where
at risk youth and their families come for training
in life skills and spiritual awareness in an equine
setting. We instruct our students through an eightweek
program covering the following character
qualities: relationship building; teamwork and
leadership; respect;
patience, perseverance
and strength; focus;
communication; critical
thinking, decision making,
discernment, and conflict
resolution; and trust. If we
can help your family, we
would love to.
We are always looking for farm hands, teachers,
and hard workers. If you are able to give back we
would love to have you.
For more information:
Web: www.truenorthtrainingstables.com
Phone: 219.728.7490
Email: truenorthtrainingstables@gmail.com
22 March 2020 | Cutest Pets of Porter County

Have a Story
or Event to Share?
Pet Stories are published free!
Shelter/Rescue News & Events are published free!
Email: CutePetsPC@gmail.com

Is Your Pet The Cutest?
Join Us On Facebook
www.facebook.com/groups/cutepetspc