Surface Creek Veterinary Center July 2019

Surface Creek Veterinary Center July 2019

July 2019 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474

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SEE WHAT’S BEHIND HEALTHY PETS

At Our Annual Open House! When you’re hiking outdoors, do what you can to prevent pets from drinking from streams and stagnant bodies of water. We understand that with most dogs, it’s tough to keep them away from water. Do your best, and if they do drink something and you notice them acting strangely,

One of our gift baskets from last year’s open house!

a dog wash, and fun for all. We’ll have several raffles of pet-related baskets and giveaways too. Plus, everyone who comes in for an appointment starting Monday, July 8 will receive two FREE raffle tickets to enter into the drawings of your choice at the Open House. We always have some great items, including a FREE spay or neuter! There will be a pool for the dogs to get in, and we’ll have shampoo available, so if you want to give Fido a real bath, you can! The kids might have fun playing in the water too. There is something for everyone! Come out and enjoy the fun on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.! We can’t wait to see you there. This time of year, we’re always thinking about ways to keep our pets cool and hydrated. With summer comes heat, and with the heat, there are a few extra precautions you can take to keep your pet healthy. For our bigger animals, that means making sure they have plenty of water and shade available throughout the day. On camping or backpacking trips with your furry friends, bring enough water for them. For larger dogs, that’s usually the equivalent of what a human would drink; for smaller dogs, it will be less, but it does vary. “OUR ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE IS ON SATURDAY, JULY 27, AND WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE!”

give us a call. As with any time of the year, keeping your pets up to date on their vaccines and treatments is important. We get to see many pets this time of year for their annual shaves, which is a great way to help them stay cool for the hot months. We can do a full shave now, and it leaves time for their fur to regrow for the fall. Besides keeping pets cool, a shave will help keep awns — those pesky stickers that grow on many kinds of grass — and other pests off their fur. Awns tend to be rampant in the summer, so keep an eye out after your pet runs around outside. Allergies also tend to come up in late spring and summer, so reach out to us if you think your pet may be experiencing them. Thanks for being part of the Surface Creek Veterinary Center family. It’s a joy to serve you! We love caring for your pets of all shapes and sizes, and we look forward to seeing you at the Open House on July 27! Dr. Susie and Dr. Jeff

Isn’t it funny what summertime means as a kid compared to what it means as an adult? Our kids are excited to be out of school, and we’re excited to not have after-school activities every day! They’re looking forward to sleeping in, and we’re looking forward to getting those extra hours of quiet time! Of course, we stay busy at the Hirsch household keeping up with the yard and our pets, so, even in the summer, there’s plenty to do. And while the kids may be excited to relax, we’re excited to serve you and your pets! When you love what you do, work feels a lot less like work. Something we’re especially excited about this month is our Annual Open House on Saturday, July 27, and we’d love to see you there! Come walk through the clinic and satisfy your curiosity about what is behind those doors! You can explore the rest of the hospital and see all the state-of-the-art medical equipment we have to keep your pet healthy. We’ll have food and drink,

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Summer is full of fun, and, with the right preparation, it can be fun and safe for you and your pets. Whether you’re heading out for a hike or hitting the road for a multiday trip, a first-aid kit is essential to treat any minor issues that may arise. Many of the items that make up a well-equipped kit for humans also make up a great first-aid kit for pets. With a few additions, you’ll both be ready for your next adventure. • Get your pet up to date on their shots, including their rabies vaccine. • Ask your vet if a leptospirosis vaccine makes sense for your pet. • See that your dog gets anti-flea and anti-tick treatment. Pets can get Lyme disease too! • Estimate water needs for you and your pet based on how long you’ll be gone. Typically, the amount of water your pet needs is equal to what you need, but it does vary depending on their size. • Gauze pads and stretchy bandages are great for tending to minor cuts and scrapes. • Ice packs help with bruises or swelling. • A multitool with pliers/tweezers helps remove thorns or other objects. • Hydrogen peroxide is an easy-to-use antiseptic. • Benadryl: Talk to your vet to be sure about the amount for your pet. • Pet aspirin: Talk to your vet about the right dosage and type. First Aid for Your Pets BEFORE YOU GO WHAT TO BRING SUMMER FUN CHECKLIST

We’re nearing the dog days of summer, the hottest, most humid days of the year. These weeks have nothing to do with real dogs; they were nicknamed after the “dog star” Sirius by the Greeks to reflect the hottest time of the year following the star’s heliacal rise. Still, it’s a pretty good excuse to escape the heat with a dog movie marathon. Here are the films we recommend. ‘AIR BUD’ Most people remember “Air Bud” for the wild loophole, “Ain’t no rule says a dog can’t play basketball,” but this movie is about much more than a dog playing ball. After the death of his father, 12-year-old Josh Framm feels depressed and distant from his family. Enter a stray golden retriever named Buddy, who teaches Josh how to open his heart again. The two bond and learn lessons in overcoming loss, fighting for what you love, and, yes, playing basketball. “Air Bud” spawned a number of sequels and spin-off movies, but this first film is a true classic. Dog Movies for Dog Days BEAT THE HEAT WITH A CANINE MOVIE MARATHON

‘LADY AND THE TRAMP’ “Lady and the Tramp” is the classic story of two dogs who come from different worlds: the refined, loyal Lady and the rogue with a heart of gold, Tramp. This movie has music, laughs, and a spaghetti scene that rivals the balcony monologues from “Romeo and Juliet.” One of the few animated Disney classics about animals that won’t have you in tears, this is a movie the whole family can enjoy together.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

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Dog booties protect your pup’s feet.

• A collapsible water bowl is easy to pack and use. Come check out the ones we have available at the clinic.

‘HOMEWARD BOUND: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY’ Looking for a bit more action in your animal movies?

“Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” delivers! After three beloved pets are left behind when their family goes on vacation,

With these items on hand, you’ll be able to handle most situations until you can get further medical treatment. On long hikes and trips, keep an eye on your pet. They can’t tell you what they’re feeling, but they do give you signs when something’s not right.

they trek across the Sierra Nevada wilderness to be reunited with the humans they love. Their adventure has thrills, close calls, and a heartwarming ending that will make you want to hug your pets close. Once it gets too hot to go outside, make some popcorn and enjoy these great movies with your family. Don’t worry, none of the dogs die at the end.

As always, if you notice anything out of the norm with your pet during or after your summer adventures, give Surface Creek Veterinary Center a call. Our dedicated staff will get your pet back on their feet and ready for the next adventure.

On Thursday, July 25, Surface Creek Vet Center is teaming up with the American Red Cross and Impact Cares to save pets and their owners by installing as many smoke detectors for free as we can in one day. Our clients can help in one of two ways. First, we need volunteers. Second, if you know of anybody who is not protected with smoke detectors and would be interested in having the trained Red Cross teams install smoke detectors in their home or trailer FOR FREE WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED, CALL 970-361-3956.

DR. SUSIE’S LIFELONG LOVE FOR ANIMALS TeamMember Spotlight

it’s a love she nurtured as a kid, despite the fact that her parents weren’t as enthusiastic as she was about all the pets she brought home; though, they did let her keep one cat and a couple hamsters. As Dr. Susie says, she’s made up for that now with dogs, cats, and cows, all part of the Hirsch family. Plus, there are three cats taking up residence at the vet center. Dr. Susie’s kids have inherited their parents’ love of animals (though not all of them are as accepting of all the pet hair as their parents are). While all Dr. Susie’s pets get a lot of love, Stevie Wonder the cat may demand the most of her attention. He’s always ready to go in the truck when Dr. Susie is heading out for a farm call, so you may see him riding along. He is a little “special,” as he came to the clinic last year as a very sick kitten, comatose and blind. He has mostly recovered, but still has some

quirks. He is on the shy side, but Dr. Susie and her eldest daughter are his favorite people.

In addition to time with her pets, Dr. Susie likes to play with her kids, go camping, read, and go skiing in the winter and running in the warmer months. Most of the time, though, you’ll find her putting

lients Spreading the Word Thanks so much to these clients who referred new patients to us the past two months! Dr. Susie has wanted to be a vet her whole life. She grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, finished college in two years, and was ready for vet school at Colorado State University. She was one of the youngest people in her class. (Fun fact: Dr. Jeff was one of the oldest.) She loves all animals, and

her warm heart and special skills to use caring for your favorite pets at Surface Creek Vet Center.

Corn is plentiful during the summer months, and this easy-to-make salsa is sure to be a hit at your next get-together. Roasted Corn Salsa

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Patricia and Richard Margis Lavern Dawson Christina and Wayne Frazier Carol Nations Carol Trujillo Linda Dysart Marilyn and Kenny Meyers Carol Nations

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Bruce and Lucinda Stanley LeRoy McLaughlin Gina and Chris Ungerer-Abbott

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Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine

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Diane and Brian Kissner John Sadler Kent and Anna Chavet Annie and Willis Olson Bob Isaacson

INGREDIENTS

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1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped

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2 medium ears of corn, shucked

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1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced

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1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced

Nomi Gray

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Juice of 1 lime

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1/2 red onion, diced

Mike and Christina Varanai

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Kosher salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.

5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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17800 HANSON RD. CEDAREDGE, CO 81413

Our Annual Open House inside this issue

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The Best Movies About Dogs

Puppy First-Aid Kit

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Team Member Spotlight: Dr. Susie

Clients Spreading the Word

Roasted Corn Salsa

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How Goat Yoga Helps You Get in Shape

YogaWith … Goats?!

THIS YEAR’S STRANGEST FITNESS TREND

around your mat and even take the time to climb on your back or lick your feet while you’re in downward dog. Don’t panic though! That’s all part of the process. These interactions are meant to keep you focused, grounded, and connected with both yourself and the nature around you. If you’re looking for a speedy workout, this may not be for you, but if you’re looking for an afternoon you won’t soon forget, you’ll have to find the nearest goat specialist. Everyone who participates in one of these classes ultimately walks away with something a little different. Some shared results are usually reduced stress and anxiety, pain relief, a boost in happiness, and mental clarity. While we’re starting to hear more about it this year, goat yoga actually sprang up in 2016 and has grown into chapters all around the world, capturing the hearts of everyone, even including some big- name celebrities. Advocates for goat yoga continue to rave that there is no better distraction from the perils of work stress, sickness, depression, and political strife than their sacred farmland pastime.

For those who may be looking for a hidden or reasonable meaning behind the term “goat yoga,” you’re out of luck because it’s exactly what it sounds like. In this age of kale smoothies and paleolithic diets, there are few things people won’t try to get in shape. Luckily, as with most fads, there aren’t many downsides to thinking outside the box with your fitness. With a million different ways to stay healthy in this world, doing yoga alongside a tribe of goats may not be so strange after all.

At face value, including farm animals in your therapeutic workout routine seems counterintuitive, but it’s intended to be quite the opposite. With this type of yoga, goats will wander

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