Grammar Can Be Fun By Judy McCalla

HPPR_February_2014_Newsletter.doc HPPR Newsletter, September 2015 Volume 3, Issue 9 Grammar Can Be Fun By Judy McCalla Grammar Can Be Fun... 1 Purrs of Wisdom... 2 Find Us On Facebook... 2 Free Cats for Veterans... 3 Adoption Specials... 3 Canine Birth Defects... 4 Feline Birth Defects... 5 Mark Your Calendars... 6 Upcoming Rescue Auctions... 7 Yankee Candle... 8 Wooftrax... 8 Happy Chickens, Tasty Eggs... 8 Moon Doggie Coffee & Tea... 8 Chewy... 9 Are YOU on Our Mailing List?... 9 Our Wishlist... 9 Bissell s Partner For Pets... 9 Quiz Answer Key... 10 Were you one of those students whose eyes glazed over at the mere mention of the word grammar? If so, in addition to flunking English class, you also missed out on one of the most interesting and creative elements of language: collective nouns. A collective noun is a term that denotes a grouping of individuals, such as a flock of sheep or a herd of cattle. Still boring? Okay, but it gets better. How about a murder of crows? There are dozens of such nouns, each more whimsical than the last. Try taking our quiz (don t cheat!), by pairing the correct individual noun with its collective noun. The winner will get a personal apology from his/her high school English teacher. Individuals Kittens Foxes Raccoons Tigers Jays Eagles Ducks Crocodiles Doves Squirrels Giraffes Parrots Collective Float Scurry Plump Skulk Convocation Piteousness Tower Ambush Gaze Scold Pandemonium Kindle How d you do? Check your answers on Pages 10-11. 1

Purrs of Wisdom Left: Marley (FKA Jade) masquerading as a Lion. *Roar* Right: Marley s mom states, I came in to the bedroom this morning and found him there and said "I wonder where Marley is?" and he scootched up further under the tablecloth and started purringobviously thought he was putting one over on me :)...and I no longer wonder how the phone on that table keeps ending up on the floor! Curby, FKA Rhythm n Blues (left), is moving through his paces as a Therapy Horse! Way to go, Curby! Find Us on Facebook Snapdragon and Partly Sunny were adopted together, and the two are inseparable! https://www.facebook.com/pages/helping-paws-pet-rescue-inc/136862926387348 2

Adoption Specials! If you are in the market for a cat or kitten and are a Veteran, grab your ID requirements and stop by Helping PAWS to see if we have a furry companion to suit you. If you want to increase your family size exponentially, stop by Helping PAWS and pick out the cat or kitten you want to adopt, then select his or her PAWfect complement. 3

Canine Birth Defects By Randy Stephenson Many healthy puppies are born with little or no health problems, and they go on to live healthy lives. It is an unfortunate fact, however, that many others are born with one or more defects. These defects can sometimes be debilitating or even life-threatening. According to one source, over 250 congenital defects have been identified in dogs. Congenital means that the defect is present at birth. Others may inherit a defect, but it does not appear until later in a dog s life. There are multiple reasons why a dog may be born with a defect: There may be environmental causes, for example. An infectious agent such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites may cause defects. Inappropriate use of medicines during pregnancy can also sometimes result in some or all of the puppies having some sort of defect. In addition to these environmental causes, there may be nutritional imbalances. For example, there may be deficient levels of folic acid or even an excess of Vitamin A. Mutations in the dog s DNA might also be a culprit. Inbreeding increases the likelihood that detrimental genes are passed to the offspring. Sometimes the cause may even be that a process does not take place that normally does. According to an online newsletter published by the AKC, there are three structures that should normally degenerate a few days after birth. These structures are designed to protect the lungs and liver of the fetus but become potentially damaging after birth if they do not degenerate. An example of a birth defect that is often caused by nutritional factors is that of the cleft palate (pictured at right). A cleft palate occurs when the bones forming the roof of the mouth do not grow normally. This means that there is an opening between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Milk will often come out of the nursing pup s nose, and tragically many die from pneumonia or malnourishment. On a more positive note, mild openings in the palate can often be corrected through surgery. Hip dysplasia is a defect affecting primarily large and giant breeds. This is characterized by a femur that does not fit correctly into the hip socket. It is generally considered to be heritable, but research suggests environment may play a role as well. In cases that cannot be fully treated with weight, exercise control and medications, the dog may need hip-modification surgery. There are some birth defects primarily affecting the heart and circulatory system. One example is pulmonic stenosis, a congenital narrowing of the artery going to the lungs. In severely affected dogs, surgery can be performed to remove the narrowing and improve blood flow. Another example is ventricular septal defect, a condition in which the chambers of the heart do not properly develop, resulting in backward blood flow in the heart. Again, in severe cases, surgery is needed to correct the defect. Hydrocephalus or water on the brain is a defect that puts excess pressure on the brain. This may result in blindness or impaired vision. Another defect called wobbler syndrome occurs when the spine in the neck is deformed. Basset hounds, Doberman Pinschers and Great Danes are examples of breeds that are susceptible to this defect that may result in difficulty in walking or the even worse condition of paralysis in all four legs. These are just two other defects that may require surgery to relieve the problem. Cont d on Page 5 4

Canine Birth Defects (Cont d from Page 4) Unfortunately, not all defects are treatable, and sometimes the best option is euthanasia. On the other hand, for many new-born pups, there may be an option for treatment. Our purpose here is to raise awareness of the challenges that exist and to provide some basic educational information that dog owners may use as a starting point for finding answers to those challenges. Feline Birth Defects By Randy Stephenson Dog with Canine Hydrocephalus Unfortunately sometimes kittens, like puppies, can be born with one or more defects. Sometimes these defects can be traced back to genetic factors; however, there are defects that may be caused by humans and the environment that could potentially be avoided. It stands to reason that pregnant cats should not be exposed to harmful toxins. For example, exposure to household cleaners containing harmful chemicals or exposure to environmental toxins outside of the confines of the home could result in deformities. Hyperthermia, while a cat is pregnant, can result in kitten birth defects. Keeping pregnant cats away from toxins or avoiding hyperthermia is particularly critical in the early stages of pregnancy. Likewise, avoiding certain vaccinations or certain medications while caring for a pregnant cat can lessen the probability that a cat will give birth to kittens with defects. For example, many deworming products and flea products should be avoided unless your veterinarian states that the product is safe for pregnant cats. Tapeworm medications can be particularly toxic to pregnant cats as well. Avoid administering live virus vaccines to a pregnant cat. For example, if a pregnant cat is given a live vaccine against panleukopenia, a disease that can be fatal to cats, cells in the developing cerebellum of a kitten could be destroyed. Likewise, administering griseofulvin, which is used to treat ringworm, can cause congenital defects such as cleft palates. In addition to the avoidance of harmful toxins or medications, making sure that a pregnant cat has proper nutrition is also extremely important. Having low levels of nutrients such as zinc, copper or manganese can result in limb deformities. Maintaining a proper weight for a pregnant cat can also help to reduce the possibility that kittens will be born with health problems. As previously mentioned, some kittens are born with defects resulting from genetic factors. As is the case with all pets, reducing the incidence of kitten birth defects can be done through educating oneself regarding the toxins, medicines, and poor breeding practices that need to be avoided. Editor s Note: Remember Helping PAWS very own Laser Lacey who was born with a deformed back leg? She was the victim of a Feline Birth Defect. The preceding two articles are from the MBJungle Foundation, sponsor of the Pet Defects Awareness Day. 5

Mark Your Calendars! National Disaster Preparedness Month Second Sunday in September. National Pet Memorial Day Last full week in September: National Dog Week Last full week in September. Deaf Pet Awareness Week Sept. 13, 2015: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day. Sponsored by the MBJungle Foundation. Sept. 20: Puppy Mill Awareness Day September 20, 2015 September 26, 2015 National Adopt A Less Adoptable Pet Week Sept. 23: Dogs in Politics Day (also known as Checkers Day). Recognizing the dogs of politicians (or, maybe more sensibly, consider dogs as politicians?) Sept. 28: World Rabies Day. Sponsored by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control 6

Upcoming Online Auctions that Benefit Rescues You must sign up at https://www.facebook.com/groups/219006368285775/events/ to bid on these items. An online auction to benefit Helping PAWS will begin October 31. If you have items to donate to our auction, please email. 7

Yankee Candle Halloween Items Are Now Available! To shop in our online store, go to https://www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/scripts/ycfwcgi.exe?_v4=process&_func=enterwebsitegroupemail&frcomp=ycf&cusid=990074736 Helping PAWS gets 40% of the profits from sales made through our special online store, so please patronize our shop. Have YOU Programmed Your Cell Phone Yet? Make Money for HPPR Every Time You Walk Your Dog or Just Go For A Walk! Go to http://www.wooftrax.com/get-the-app/ to get the app. The Wooftrax app can be installed on both Android and iphone devices, and as long as your phone is on while you walk with it, it will track your mileage and support our rescue with periodic payments. Be sure to select Helping Paws Pet Rescue, Inc in Washburn, WI as your supported rescue. After you download the app onto your smartphone, take the phone with you when you walk your pet(s) or simply when you go for a walk. Simply press the Start Walking for button and the app will keep track of your walk. When your walk is stopped it is credited to your selected shelter or rescue. The more people walking for that organization, the more we earn, so please spread the word. Happy Chickens Tasty Eggs! The rescue chickens at Helping PAWS Pet Rescue live the good life and you can see and taste it in their yummy, colorful eggs! These cheerful chicks are giving back to the rescue by producing delicious eggs in a rainbow of colors from green to blue to brown to cream. Even speckled! You can buy these fresh, tasty eggs for only $3.50 per dozen at Country Care Pet Hospital at 939 W. Bayfield St. in Washburn. All proceeds benefit Helping PAWS Pet Rescue. Moon Doggie Coffee and Tea Moon Doggie Coffee Roasters: We have a special brew A Purrrfect Cup of French Roast Joe featuring our own kittens on the label. HPPR gets 30% of the profits when you purchase our special brew (available as beans, several different ground types including Turkish and Espresso, and also in decaf). We get 20% of the profits on every other item made on this site when you enter HELPING PAWS in the comments section at checkout. https://secure.beyondthenet.com/~moon//purchaseproducts.php 8

Order pet food from Chewy.com using our special link: http://www.chewy.com/rp/2780 and YOU save 20% and get free shipping...helping PAWS will receive a $20 donation from Chewy with your first purchase. Are YOU On Our Mailing List Yet? Are YOU on our mailing list? If not, why not? To join our mailing list, please subscribe at http://ourhelpingpaws.com/mailing_list.html. We promise not to spam you, and you can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link within any mailing list email. Our Wishlist Bissell s Partners for Pets BISSELL's Partners for Pets: Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc. is proud to be a Partner for Pets! BISSELL and LostPetUSA.net have teamed up to help organizations like ours raise money, and now you can help too! When you purchase pet products on bissell.com and enter the code ADOPT at checkout, a portion of your purchase will be donated to our organization! If you sign up for their mailing list, you will be notified of additional specials! It's simple. Shop for products at http://www.bissell.com/partnersforpets Enter the code ADOPT at checkout Then select Helping PAWS Pet Rescue, Inc as your rescue of choice. We will receive a portion of the proceeds as follows, based on your purchase price: $1 for products under $40 $5 for products $40 - $99.99 $10 for products over $100 9

Answers to the Collective Grammar Quiz A Kindle of Kittens A Skulk of Foxes A Gaze of Raccoons; an Ambush of Tigers A Scold of Jays; a Convocation of Eagles Cont d on Page 11 10

More Answers to the Collective Grammar Quiz (Cont d from Page 10) A Plump of Ducks; a Float of Crocodiles A Piteousness of Doves A Scurry of Squirrels A Tower of Giraffes; a Pandemonium of Parrots 11