pet connection

Peggy Frezon is a writer whose blog I check in on from time to time, and always enjoy. She also has just about the cutest dog in the world. She came to my attention as one of the contributors to our book, “The Ultimate Dog-Lover.”

She has a thoughtful little piece on the Guideposts Web site, on being thankful for what our pets give us:

I’m thankful for the way my dog Kelly greets me at the door, as if my return is the best thing that happened to her all day.

I’m thankful for her soft reddish fur, and I’m especially thankful that she loves me every day.

Although we express our gratitude for our pets by feeding them, loving them and playing with them, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to remind ourselves just how lucky we are.

Rest the rest, and tell us what you’re thankful for about your pets.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, check out the recipe for Turkey and Cranberry Savories from Lucy Postins, the top dog and nutritionist behind The Honest Kitchen pet food company. Several of the PetConnection bloggers use Honest Kitchen, which is why I invited the company on as an advertiser, figuring they’d be a good match with our readers, too. (Lucy was also a fantastic source of “industry insider” information during the pet-food recall.) Visit  their YouTube channel.

Last year, I put together a list of classic and wonderful new books about animals — fiction as well as non-fiction — and this year, I’d like to know what Pet Connection readers think should be added to the list for 2009.

What great books about animals have you read this year? It doesn’t matter if they’re nature books or novels, children’s books or adults, about companions animals, farm animals, or wildlife.

I get deluged every year with pet books, and thre are few I read beyond the first few sentences. Only a couple this year have really jumped out at me. Have you had better luck? What treasures am I missing?

And one more question, since I’m sure none of you has anything better to do than answer me… what animal book would you like to read, but it seems no one has written yet?

Our Dr. Marty Becker will be visiting Sacramento for an event at the VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center on Sunday, Oct. 18. His talk will focus on what pets do for us. He calls it “The Bond,” and there’s plenty of peer-reviewed evidence of all the ways that having pets makes our own lives better. Come find out!

Dr. Becker and PetConnection executive editor Gina Spadafori will also be signing copies of their latest best-sellers, “The Ultimate Cat-Lover” and “The Ultimate Dog-Lover.” The VCA folks will have free refreshments and tours of the facility.

The schedule:

2-3 p.m.: Tours of the VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center. Free refreshments.

3-5 p.m.: Hear Dr. Becker and get your book signed. Bring your own copies of his books or buy them there.

The VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center is at 9801 Old Winery Place, Sacramento 95827. Phone: 916-362-3111

Click for a map

Click to download the flier

Some of us, including myself, grew up afraid of snakes. It’s sadly common. If I’d been able to read this new book  –  Katie of the Sonoran Desert/Katie del Desierto Sonorense –  I might have grown up with an understanding of and empathy for snakes. Maybe I wouldn’t scream when I see a harmless corn snake, although I’m sure I’d still falter at seeing a live western diamondback rattlesnake anywhere outside a zoo. To help prevent your children from being terrified of snakes, read this book with them.

Written by herpetologist Kate Jackson, author of the fascinating Mean and Lowly Things: Snakes, science and survival in the Congo (a bit terrifying for timid sorts. I couldn’t believe what she did in the field, as this woman doesn’t grasp the concept of fear or inability), the new book is based on a true story about a western diamond rattlesnack that Kate tagged. It’s written in third person from the snake’s point of view. You see her get tagged, attacked by a couple of predators, have babies and protect them, and get rescued.

The story is good, but the detailed illustrations by Natalie Rowe are simply breathtaking and make this book a candidate for a classic. The illustrations aid empathy for snakes as much, if not more, than the text. The pencil drawings are wonderfully intricate and many animals and plants are shown.

The bilingual aspect is handled perfectly. Rather than have the story appear in one language and then the other, the English and Spanish text are adjacent. Thus a book that provides empathy for a snake is also a language-learning tool for English-speaking people learning Spanish and for Spanish-speaking people learning English.

The story is only half of the book. The second half is full of information about the animals and plants depicted in the book, studying herps, what herpetologists do, tips on how to become a herpetologist, herpetological techniques, and so on. A glossary defines words shown in bold in the story. The stunning illustrations are used throughout the book.

While it’s a children’s book, it’s not meant for the wee ones. The story is told in large paragraphs of text using large type. I estimate the book to be appropriate for mid or upper elementary school children. But even if the text is too much for your kids, they will certainly love the illustrations.

I predict the publisher, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson, will sell this wonderful book for many years to come. It has made me less afraid of snakes  –  why not you?

My mom is an awesome cook but I didn’t inherit that talent. Cooking is something I do to put food on the table. However, when I was researching my two treat cookbooks for pets (The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook and The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook) I discovered that I really enjoyed making treats for my dogs and cats. I guess a part of it is because they are such an appreciative audience and even ate my failures!

I made one of my dogs special treats today – a hot weather treat all three of my dogs really enjoy.

Frozen Chicken Treats for Dogs

Makes 12 individual treats.

2 cups cooked chicken; leftovers are great

1. Finely diced or shred the chicken. Smaller pieces are best.

2. Place a paper (not foil) muffin or cupcake liner in each spot in a 12 muffin tin so you can make 12 treats.

3. Place the chicken in the liners, dividing it equally.

4. Add just enough water to cover the chicken.

5. Put the muffin tin in the freezer until fully frozen; usually at least a couple of hours.

Variations: Add a pinch of grated carrot, grated zucinni, broccoli flowers, or other veggies to the chicken before you add the water.

When you give the treat to your dog do so outside, on a towel, or an easily cleaned floor as it can be messy. You can peel the paper off the treat or let your dog peel it off. The paper also easily dissolves and won’t be a problem if your dog eats it.

For cats, find some small paper liners like those used for making chocolate candies. Use tuna instead of chicken or cooked salmon, trout, or any other deboned fish that you may have as leftovers. Add just enough water to cover. The amounts will differ as the liners come in a variety of sizes. Just as with the dog treats, freeze until solid. Serve on an easily cleaned surface.