More and more people are going from owner to 'pet parent'

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Sun, September 17, 2006

Dogs, dogs and more dogs! They're our friends, colleagues, sometimes even our "children." The role of canines in our society has certainly grown in recent years, and that can bring both challenges and rewards. This week, the Sun takes a look at the life of the modern Rover, from becoming part of the family, to working and playing with us, to the final goodbye. We hope you'll paws a while and enjoy our five-part series.

REUBEN AND FIFI are getting married.

Their outfits will be custom-made, the location is already chosen and the guest list almost finalized.

That's right, Reuben and Fifi aren't your average couple -- they're Yorkshire terriers that, according to their owners, share a special canine connection.

"She took to him and he took to her," says Jacqui Sjonger, who operates Creature Comforts, a dog day-care and grooming facility in Ottawa. Sjonger counts Reuben among her household pets, while Fifi belongs to a client.

"They're just like an old married couple," says Sjonger. "They have disputes and then they snuggle."

The idea of doggie nuptials started as a joke, she adds, but soon escalated until the country ceremony began to take shape. The wedding party and about 50 guests will all be canine, a hired (human) actress is to appear as justice of the peace, and a reception will offer doggie delicacies.

"I think it's cute, it's sweet, it's a great idea," says Sjonger, adding the Yorkies will enjoy a honeymoon at the cottage, then have a "separate-house marriage," seeing each other on holidays and special events.

Treating pets like members of the family is becoming increasingly common, as "owners" become "pet parents."

Sjonger says she sees no harm in viewing animals like human beings. "He's my little man," she says of Reuben.

According to the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, more than half of Canadian households own pets of some kind, and each year spend about $3 billion on them, exceeding spending on children's toys, footwear, eye care and dental plans.

A recent OVMA survey of pet owners revealed that nearly 80% gave holiday or birthday presents to their pets, while more than 60% signed their pets' names on cards or letters. A slight majority gave their pets human names.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

While almost all owners talk to their pets, 94% spoke to their pets as though they were human. One-third of respondents spoke to their pets on the telephone or via the answering machine. More than 90% of pet owners believed their pets are aware of their moods and emotions.

In fact, studies show companion animals provide psychological benefits to their humans as sympathetic, supportive and non-judgmental listeners.

Medical studies on the human-animal bond reveal pet owners are more likely to have reduced stress, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. They also experience fewer heart attacks than people without pets, the OVMA says.

Carolyn Clark, founder of the Centre for Applied Canine Behaviour in Kanata, says much has changed regarding pet ownership in the past 10 to 20 years. Empty-nesters and couples deciding to put off or not have children mean pets are becoming "part of the family," she says.

And while the concept of pet parenting is valid, it can also "raise some hackles," she says.

"It's as much work as raising a toddler," Clark says. Managing a young dog until it learns appropriate behaviour, "puppy proofing" the house and disciplining in a non-physical way are all parallels to raising a child, she adds. However, expecting human reactions and emotions from a dog is unrealistic, she says.

"It's unfair to the dog. They're wonderful beings, and have their own culture," Clark says, adding such expectations can stress the dog and cause it to suffer illness or allergies or show aggression.

Another unrealistic expectation is for the dog to be comfortable left alone all day in the house, she says.

"One of the biggest differences in the past 30 years is that nobody is home all day," Clark says. "The dog shouldn't be the greeter for the kids."

Which is where services such as dog daycares and petsitting come in. Lara Willis is the founder of the All Canadian Pet Services Network, a professional organization for petsitters and dog walkers based in Toronto.

She says the trend toward "pet parenting" means people concerned about leaving their pets alone are hiring sitters and walkers, especially in larger urban centres.

"I've personally noticed a trend in the past five or six years," Willis says.

Amy Shannon Leclair started Loving Paws and Housesitting in Ottawa several months ago. She's busy serving a variety of clients, from celebrities with many pets and little time, to seniors, low-income families and apartment dwellers.

"People are taking (pet) ownership more seriously," she says. "Pets are seen as family, not as just another mouth to feed."

SERVE AS RED FLAG

The way pets are treated in a household can also serve as a red flag for situations of domestic violence and abuse.

According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, while the animal welfare movement has long recognized that children who are cruel to animals will grow up being insensitive to people, the body of research linking animal abuse, child abuse and domestic violence is growing.

In 1998, the Ontario SPCA conducted a women's shelter survey that showed 61% had pets harmed or killed by an abusive partner. Also, 48% said they delayed leaving an abusive situation for fear of leaving helpless pets behind.

Studies have also shown a strong connection between elder abuse and animal cruelty. Animals can be used as a manipulation tool against dependent seniors.

Pets can also bear the brunt of changes in the lives of their human families. While people often acquire a pet at a positive period in their life, things likely change over the life of that animal, says Sharon Miko, outreach manager at the Ottawa Humane Society.

"In a 20-year period, most people will go through a significant life change," says Miko, such as moving, starting or ending a relationship, retiring or downsizing. "It's not the same lifestyle pattern as it was 50 years ago, so there are more periods when they can't accommodate pets."

Miko says it's critical to consider the needs of pets in planning any changes, such as moving.

Becoming informed about combining pets and children is also important because there are many myths, Miko says.

Sometimes it's just no longer possible to keep an animal through a life transition, and people shouldn't feel bad about taking it to a shelter.

"There comes a time when keeping an animal is no longer the responsible thing," she says.

GONE TO THE DOGS

- 33% of men said the No. 1 canine quality they wished their women had is "always being in a good mood."

- 66% of dog owners said they wouldn't even consider dating someone who didn't like their dog.

- 18% of dog owners said they either have included (or would include) their dog in their wedding ceremony.

- 60% of dog owners said if they split up with their significant other, they'd definitely get the dog.

Source: American Kennel Club

A proper introduction helps dogs adapt to kids

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Sun, September 17, 2006

Many parents are concerned about introducing a new dog to their child, or bringing a new baby home to meet the family dog.

According to Lynn Young of Ottawa's Dogma Dog Training, dogs do not get jealous of children, but are confused by the change in routine and no longer being the centre of attention. Also, children often don't recognize when a dog is uncomfortable being handled, and may push the animal beyond its limits. Before bringing a baby home, parents should:

- Acclimatize the dog to regular use of a crate, even when people are home.

- Walk with a stroller and encourage people to look in while rewarding the dog for sitting quietly.

- Vary the dog's routine.

- Associate good things with baby noises, such as feeding with crying baby sounds in the kitchen.

- Tire the dog out with a long run before baby comes home. The dog should have a chew toy in his crate as mom and baby get settled.

- When the dog comes out of the crate, he should be dragging a leash; if he gets too excited he can be put back in his crate until he calms down.

Occasionally, Young says, a relationship between the dog and the child will be unworkable. Parents should look for the following signs:

- The dog does not want to stay in the same room with the child and leaves voluntarily.

- The dog turns away from the child and yawns a lot when the child approaches or is nearby.

- The dog growls or snaps at the air when the child gets too close.

- The dog stops eating or starts to urinate in the house from stress, or chews excessively.

These are signs the dog is very stressed about the routine change, and the owners should seek professional help. Until then, dog and child should remain separated, Young says.

Barking up right tree is important

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Mon, September 18, 2006

PROSPECTIVE DOG owners should take a good look at themselves, then at the various breeds of dog, before making a decision, advises Ottawa's James Reynolds, a respected dog show judge.

In February, Reynolds became the first non-U.S. judge since 1930 to select the best in show winner at the 130th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City. The prestigious and influential show is America's second longest continuously held sporting event, behind the Kentucky Derby.

Of the seven groups of dog breed -- sporting, non-sporting, toy, herding, working, hound and terrier -- the sporting group, which includes retrievers and spaniels, is the most likely group in which to find a good family dog, Reynolds said.

"People fall in love with a breed for the wrong reasons," he said.

Before buying a dog, people should think about how much exercise they can give the animal and where they live, Reynolds said. Long-haired breeds also require more grooming and leave more hair in the house, he added.

"Once you've assessed yourself and your location, then look at breeds," Reynolds said, suggesting TV programs, dog shows and on-line resources as good places for research.

Finding out what a dog was bred to do is helpful, Reynolds said. For example, dogs bred for guarding will likely need an owner that can teach discipline and obedience, while dogs bred for working or herding can become bored -- possibly destructive or even aggressive -- if not active.

Also, certain breeds are predisposed to specific medical conditions that potential owners need to be aware of, Reynolds said.

Sniffing out the right dog

Matching the proper pooch and owner is a complex affair

Every dog has its day off

Like humans, dogs benefit from mind and body-testing activities

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Tue, September 19, 2006

What does the president of a busy animal rescue group do to get away from it all?

Goes camping with 100 people and their dogs, of course.

This summer, Sharon McKeil, president of the Bytown Association for Rescued Kanines, or BARK, took 11-year-old Rottweiler Libby to Camp Dogwould, where the older dog was petted, fussed over and treated to touch therapy courses, all while watching her younger counterparts cavort.

The three-day annual camp in Perth, now in its 12th year, features a wide variety of activities for dogs and their people -- from obedience, agility and flyball, to search and rescue, lure coursing and tracking. Owners can even learn to "dance" with their dogs.

"It's a wonderful place for dog people because you meet so many people who think like you -- they're all crazy," says McKeil, whose organization recently brought back to Ottawa a number of canine survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

At Camp Dogwould, pets and their people stay in a resort-like setting that includes a large dining hall, the only place where dogs are not allowed.

"The dogs are present everywhere you go," says McKeil, adding the weekend is like a "blitz campaign" that allows pets and their owners to try various activities.

"You couldn't ask for a better way for dogs to socialize, learn manners and get practical training," says Camp Dogwould founder Judy Sauve. It's also a bonding experience for dog and owner, she adds.

As for McKeil, it's a weekend without hearing the phone ring. "We go for three days and take a break and come back rested."

And Libby? "She's exhausted. By Sunday afternoon she was ready to go home," McKeil adds.

Achieving a happy, tuckered-out pet is a big reason why many owners decide to try a course, camp or even an entire vacation with their four-legged friend.

Markham-based Dog Paddling Adventures offers doggie holidays for every season; from hiking in the spring and fall, to canoe trips in summer and skijoring (cross-country skiing with the dog pulling) and kick sledding in winter. Most of the venues are outside Toronto, and include Algonquin Park and the Haliburton Highlands.

Vacations range from day-long hikes to seven-day canoe trips, and the average group size is eight participants and their pets.

Outdoor adventures

"We provide everything, people just show up with their dogs," says Kathryn Howell, who owns the business with husband Eren. She says the company is unique in North America in providing outdoor adventures for dogs and owners.

When it first started, clients were mostly single women, Howell says. But with the addition of activities such as whitewater rafting and themed trips, more single men, couples and families are showing up, she says.

However, not all participants are the outdoorsy type. "Some say you couldn't pay them $1 million to go on a canoe trip, but it's worth it to see the dog so happy," Howell says.

For others, the idea appeals because they're tired of having to board their dogs at a kennel while on holiday, she adds.

Because participants share a love for dogs, "people just click instantly," Howell says. "The dogs get the best weekend of their life. They're off-leash the whole time. These are the most exhausted animals by the end of the weekend."

Many people arrive swearing their animal will never run off-leash, Howell says. But, once allowed their freedom, hardly any dogs roam and there have been few problems, partly because participants form a pack to which the dogs bond, she adds.

New perspective

As a result, owners often gain a new perspective on their pet.

"A lot of people say this has changed their life," Howell says. "Now they can go to off-leash parks, and they've started trusting their dog."

One of the company's spring hikes features a session with animal communicator Claudia Hehr, who helps clients find out what their pets think using her ability to communicate with animals telepathically.

When speaking with some of the canoe-trip canines, Hehr says she sometimes detects reservations. "Some aren't quite sure about being in a boat, others would prefer a smaller or larger group."

Hehr suggests owners verbally tell their dog all about an upcoming trip or other adventure, much as they would a human companion. Also, it's important to find out which activities a dog likes by "asking him," or reading his body language. For example, Hehr says, if your dog is hesitant to go back to an activity he has already tried, it may be because he finds it stressful, boring or painful. The key, she says, is to try different things to see how the dog reacts, and for both dog and owner to do an activity for fun.

Participating in sports and other activities strengthens the bond between animal and owner, while also providing the dog with stimulation and exposure to new things, she adds.

"What do we do when we're bored or depressed? We go outside or look for a change in scenery. Dogs are the same," Hehr says, adding most dogs don't get enough exercise.

Simple things such as talking and playing with your dog while out walking are also good for bonding, Hehr says.

"Dogs in the wild determine their positions in the pack through play," she adds. "It deepens the understanding."

Sharing canine friend

Owners can also get satisfaction out of sharing their canine friend with others. Therapy dogs visit seniors homes, medical facilities and other institutions, giving comfort to residents and even helping people with physical and mental disabilities.

Camp Dogwould's Sauve is also the president of Therapeutic Paws of Canada, a volunteer-based therapy dog and cat visitation program. She says it's hard to know who gets the most enjoyment out of the program -- the resident, the pet owner or the pet.

"(The owners) are so proud of their dogs," Sauve says. "They know that the dog gives them pleasure and comfort, and they want to share that."

The dog gets lots of petting, praise and treats, she says. "Some do tricks and cutesy things; others are just there."

Residents often can hardly wait for the dogs' visits, and usually have "their favourites," Sauve says. "The doctors and nurses say they can always tell when the dogs have been there," Sauve says, because of the positive impact of the visits.

"Magic sounds too corny a word," says Sauve of the effect of a dog's soft fur or friendly brown eyes.

But not every dog is therapy material. Canine candidates are evaluated on 13 different criteria, Sauve says, but generally should be confident, mature, well-mannered and friendly. They have to accept being touched by many people, take treats calmly and gently, and be comfortable around wheelchairs and other medical devices.

"They can be any size or colour," Sauve says, adding even dogs with their own disabilities are fine, as long as they are not stressed by the job.

Police check

Therapy dog owners undergo a police record check, and provide references before being approved. They must make a time commitment of about one hour a week and keep the dog scrupulously clean for each visit, says Sauve, who has been involved in therapy dog work for more than 10 years.

Sometimes the resident may speak only to the dog, not addressing the handler at all, while at other times it is difficult to leave because the person has become so talkative, Sauve says. "It seems so insignificant to us," but therapy work is a welcome pleasure for people with few visitors, Sauve says.

It can be difficult for both dog and handler when a person they have visited for several years has died. "You become very bonded," she adds.

Sharon McKeil, president of the Bytown Association for Rescued Kanines (BARK),
with her recently rescued rottweiler Princess Leah, in her backyard. (Blair Gable SUN)

They're ahead by a nose

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Tue, September 19, 2006

The nose knows -- especially if you're a dog. K9 Common Scents in Gloucester trains dogs by getting them to use their powerful scenting abilities.

"In traditional obedience training, you are in control and you reward the dog when it has behaved to certain standards," says Alex Debolt, co-owner and trainer. "With scent work, the dog is in control, and the owner learns to trust him" and to read canine body language.

Focus, confidence

Translating scent work into everyday life gives dogs focus and confidence, she says, and can also be used to change unwanted behaviours or improve the relationship between owner and dog. Plus, it comes in handy when you've lost your car keys.

Courses teach everything from obedience, to tracking people or objects, to good trail etiquette. Every breed of dog has "scentability," Debolt says, and the approach can be particularly good for active working breeds, such as border collies, which crave physical and mental stimulation.

"Often when people are out walking their dogs they're always popping the leash, telling them not to sniff this or that," she says. "But using their nose is a natural stress reliever for dogs."

Local canines aren't doggin' it on the job

The working dog

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Wed, September 20, 2006

JETA, SEARCH-AND-RESCUE DOG

For three days last March, Ottawa's Nathalie Fortier and her six-year-old German shepherd, Jeta, slogged through snow and biting winds in northeast Newfoundland.

Three weeks earlier, a snowmobiler had failed to return home, and despite a large-scale search led by the RCMP, there was no sign of the missing man.

Fortier, Jeta and another dog and handler team from the Ottawa Valley Search and Rescue Dog Association were called out at the request of the family and travelled many hours by car and small plane to reach the vast search site.

SPECIAL TRAINING

"The dogs disappeared, the snow was so deep, it was hard for them," says Fortier, a vet in Orleans who volunteers for the association with Jeta, a dog she bought and trained specifically for the work.

Despite their efforts, the missing man has yet to be found.

"He has a website, I still check it every day," says Fortier, 45.

She says she takes comfort in knowing she and her dog performed to the best of their abilities.

Fortier purchased Jeta at 71/2 weeks old from a breeder. She chose the smaller female shepherd as a high-drive dog with a strong hunting instinct that would fit easily into small spaces and be less likely to have health problems.

She started immediately to train the "little piranha" with basic obedience, as well as exercises to bring out her hunt drive and get her used to different environments.

Now, Jeta performs to the standards of the Ontario Provincial Police, and Fortier works with her 10-15 hours a week to ensure she continues to pass the annual testing.

DEMANDING WORK

To keep herself and Jeta in shape for the demanding work, which often has them searching for up to six hours a day, the pair goes backpacking, scootering and skijoring, Fortier says.

The rest of the time, Jeta "snoozes on the couch," Fortier admits, although without an outlet for her natural instincts she would likely become destructive.

When the call comes in for a search, Fortier says she's excited, although "it's always a sad event."

The team is asked to locate victims of suicide and drowning and to try to find missing persons, but Fortier says she rarely worries about what she might find.

"It's a strange thing, but I never think about it."

While most search-and-rescue dogs retire at about age eight, Fortier hopes Jeta will continue for at least a year beyond that. "You know when it's time."

OVSARDA is an Ottawa-based volunteer organization that provides trained and certified search dogs and handlers to official agencies upon request.

ARA, THOR, DARA, ROY AND JED, SHEEP FARM

Werner Reitboeck could not run his 60-acre sheep farm without his dogs. Not only do his three border collies help him move hundreds of sheep daily, but his two Great Pyrenees mixes stand guard 24/7.

Reitboeck says he hasn’t lost a sheep since Ara and Thor have been on the job, even though his neighbour continues to have problems with coyotes and stray dogs.

“(The dogs) round up the sheep and put themselves between them and the danger,” he says, “then they bark like mad.”

The large dogs, mixed with an Italian breed called a maremma, live constantly with the sheep, even though by nature they enjoy human companionship, Reitboeck says.

“They’re not pets, so they can’t get too friendly with humans,” says the Winchester sheep farmer. He does his best to ignore the dogs, feeding and occasionally brushing them and sometimes giving out a quick pat.

The dogs’ genial nature means they will bark at human strangers but not attack like other guarding breeds, Reitboeck says. Plus, they interact well with the sheep and need little training to do their job, unlike the donkeys Reitboeck first tried as sheep guardians, which would kick intruders but didn’t really look after the sheep, he says.

Before Reitboeck put the guard dogs to work several years ago, he could lose as many as 19 sheep in 30 minutes to a stray dog.

While coyotes are skilled at hunting and will kill selectively without alarming the flock, stray dogs chase the animals and cause them to trample each other, leading to multiple deaths, injuries and abortions, Reitboeck says.

Wolf skills

Just as the Great Pyrenees use the skills of a wolf or coyote to protect the sheep, Reitboeck’s border collies use wolf-like techniques to “head” the sheep, or encircle the flock and move them in a certain direction without panicking them.

The border collies’ instinct to herd is natural, but Reitboeck also participates in trials, which originated in the 1800s to test the skills of dog and handler.

“More training means more control,” Reitboeck says, adding that while it’s natural for border collies to bring sheep back, it takes more practice for them to drive sheep away.

The collies start their working lives at 8 or 9 months, and are allowed “off and on” in the house, Reitboeck says.

“They can make fairly good pets, but they need some outlet,” he adds.

Reitboeck says his operation would come to a standstill without the help of his canine employees.

“You can’t run the farm if you usually rely on the dogs.”

OZZIE, CANADA CUSTOMS

When Ozzie the Lab-spaniel mix arrived at the Ottawa Humane Society, his owner could only describe him as “insufferable.”

Originally adopted from the Lanark Animal Welfare Society, where he had arrived as a stray, Ozzie, although a nice dog, had demolished a couch to get at his favourite toy. The “ball-crazy” canine was just too much for the owner, who decided to surrender the animal to the OHS, recalls Tara Davis, one of the society’s dog temperament evaluators.

Davis recognized that Ozzie’s high play drive and desire to “search to the ends of the earth” would not make him a good pet, but did mean he was an excellent candidate for work with Canada Customs, where dogs with the right skills and characteristics are used to search for contraband.

‘Rigorous test’

She placed a call to the federal department’s training college in Rigaud, Que., and a customs official came to the OHS to meet Ozzie. Without any training, Ozzie was asked to search for an item such as a tennis ball for at least five minutes as part of what Davis describes as a “rigorous test.”

Customs dogs are also expected to be stable animals, not fearful of people or noise, while also being friendly looking since they work among the public. “These dogs are few and far between — they’re not easy to find,” Davis says.

Ozzie’s manic search skills passed initial testing, and off he went to the college to prepare for his new career. However, a routine medical test produced surprising results. Apparently, Ozzie had “a rear end full of buckshot” from being fired at with a shotgun, Davis says, something neither the OHS nor the Lanark society had noticed under the dog’s shaggy coat.

No fear issues

“We were worried about fear issues” possibly caused by such an incident, Davis recalls, but Customs officials assured the OHS that Ozzie’s prior life experiences did not seem to be inhibiting him — either mentally or physically — from pursuing his new job.

Seven years later, Ozzie has been a “superstar” at Toronto’s busy Pearson International Airport, Davis says.

He was even instrumental in achieving peace officer status for all the Canada Customs dogs after being attacked by a person whom he had indicated as possibly carrying contraband. When the case went before the courts, the judge deemed the Customs canines had the same rights as their human counterparts.

Now nine years old, Ozzie still works strenuous eight-hour days at the airport and his main reward for success is a good play with his favourite toy.

JOKER, THERAPY DOG

Joker the standard poodle was okay at obedience, not terribly athletic, and had an independent streak, but owner Martina Methot knew exactly what he would excel at.

She had read an article about therapy dog work, and thought Joker’s laid-back style and friendly demeanour would be just the ticket. Even so, when she took the young poodle to Ottawa Therapy Dogs for a battery of tests to see if he really was cut out for the work, she was a little worried.

“When they dropped a tin pan on the floor behind us, I jumped out of my skin,” says Methot. But Joker didn’t bat an eye — “He’s bomb-proof.”

Methot had envisioned taking her dog to seniors’ residences, so when the suggestion of working with adults with disabilities came up, she was not keen.

Proven their worth

“It was not my thing,” she recalls, “but I decided to go and see what it was about.”

Six years and hundreds of visits later, Joker and Methot have proven their worth with the Ottawa-Carleton Association for People with Developmental Disabilities.

“The warmth of the people, both the staff and the clients, won me over,” Methot says. “I just fell in love.”

Helping adults with disabilities such as Down’s syndrome and autism is “a huge stress” on the dog, Methot says. After about an hour assisting often very shy people work on initiative and communication abilities, develop fine motor skills or just maintain eye contact, Joker is panting and worn out, she adds. But he loves his work.

Every Friday, he knows where he’s going and is eager to get there. “Joker can do it all,” Methot says.

In groups or one-on-one sessions, Joker is groomed, hugged and kissed by the adults, many of whom are non-verbal or move in a way that would scare most other dogs, Methot says.

“Some of the people are very deformed, they walk awkwardly and stop suddenly,” she adds.

‘Morbid’ fear

One woman had a “morbid” fear of dogs, Methot recalls, and would scream at the top of her lungs whenever Joker was around.

But after several weeks of watching the poodle with the “pom-pom tail and the big afro hairdo” interact with the others, the woman began to feel comfortable being in the same room with the dog, eventually letting him pass close by, touching him — even allowing the dog to lick her. After that, she was able to join the group games, Methot says.

As Methot comes up on Joker’s last year as a therapy dog — “He’s getting stiff behind and slowing down” — she can’t be sure any of the small advances she and her pet have witnessed will carry through to the everyday lives of the people they have worked with.

“It’s not about breakthroughs, it’s about all the little moments. It’s very humbling.”

Nathalie Fortier helps her German shepherd search-and-rescue dog
Jeta pick up a scent during a recent training session. (Blair Gable SUN)

'Crossroads' in dog health

No dog owner wants to say goodbye to a pet, and many go to amazing lengths to keep them alive

By Anne Howland, Money Editor, Ottawa Sun
Thu, September 21, 2006

WHEN Barbara Greene-Flindall saw the thin, dazed dog wandering loose at a busy Ottawa intersection, she knew he needed help.

And once she and her husband got the frightened animal into their car, it was obvious to her that the dishevelled creature would soon be her friend.

"He looked at me and I looked at him, we had this connection," recalls the 62-year-old, who had never owned a dog.

It was the start of a beautiful friendship for the recent retiree and the big canine with the bad shave job -- "He looked like a poodle in drag," Greene-Flindall says.

"After a couple of days, I just couldn't let that dog go," she says. And so Fergie stayed -- for 10 1/2 years.

Since Greene-Flindall was home a lot, the two developed a special bond. "I spent a lot of time with him," she says. "He was like my buddy." Not only did Fergie help her overcome a fear of dogs, but Greene-Flindall also felt confident walking the 90-lb. Australian Shepherd mix, even at night.

Apart from a thyroid condition treatable with medication, Fergie was a healthy dog until the day he developed a nosebleed. Shortly after that, Greene-Flindall was awoken by the dog to discover blood all over the kitchen floor.

At first, the diagnosis was Cushing's disease, or the production of excess hormones from the adrenal glands, for which the diagnosis can be grim. Then, after a vomiting episode, Fergie was also thought to have pancreatitis.

"It was the worst week of my life," Greene-Flindall admits. After spending thousands on vet bills, the couple decided they could not afford further treatment.

Fergie returned home, but suffered two mini-strokes. He couldn't get up and the couple could not lift him, so they found a vet to come to the house and euthanize their pet.

"We couldn't put him through anymore," says Greene-Flindall, adding the decision to euthanize was a "no-brainer intellectually, but a killer emotionally."

Visions of Fergie -- who didn't much like the vet -- muzzled, shaved for IVs and chained to a wall "like a Turkish prison" haunt her more than a year later.

"I will die with the guilt of what he went through that last week," she says. "He would look at me as if to say, 'Why are you doing this to me?'"

FEELINGS OF REMORSE

Feelings of remorse over how a pet was treated or the decision to euthanize are common, says Rev. Barbara Etcovitch, an interfaith minister who performs pet memorials and funeral services in Ottawa.

"Animals can be a substitute for love, so closure can be very difficult," she says, particularly for women who may feel pressured by a husband or boyfriend to dispatch with their pet.

A professional homeopath, Etcovitch says she saw a tremendous attachment between humans and animals, but a gap in the way pets were treated, especially when they died, resulting in a lack of closure for owners.

People are rarely ready for euthanasia of an animal, she adds, partly because they are not used to this sort of power. "It's a hard call, it's like having your mother on life support."

Dying animals communicate their wishes in subtle ways, she says, but "must receive permission to go."

"They are concerned about the person being left behind."

Because there is not a lot of information about pet loss, grieving owners often ignore their symptoms, and Etcovitch gets a lot of frantic calls from people needing someone to talk to.

For $150 to $200, she performs pet funerals at a gravesite or crematorium, or memorial services, where the pet owner and their friends and family gather around a picture of the animal and share remembrances.

CALLS DOUBLED

Etcovitch deals with a wide variety of animals and advertises in the Yellow Pages and through her website, asabovesobelow.org. She says calls have doubled over last year.

"People are quite likely to spend money on their animals."

Greene-Flindall regrets the amount of money that was needed to help Fergie. "It's more expensive for a dog than a human," she says.

But as vet care does more, it also costs more, says Dr. Bernhard Pukay, senior partner at the Alta Vista Animal Hospital, where a pet MRI can cost about $800 and surgery can range from $1,500 to $5,000.

Pets can also be treated with dialysis and organ transplants, as well as chemo and radiation therapies.

"The level of veterinary care is the best it's ever been," says Pukay. At the same time, people are willing to pay more because of the strength of the human-animal bond, he adds.

The fear is that treatment may become too expensive for some pet owners, Pukay says. "Balancing quality of care and affordability will be the challenge of the 21st century," he says.

"We're at a crossroads," he adds. "Now we don't just put the dog to sleep, we say, 'Let's do an MRI.'"

As a result, pet insurance may become "the saviour" of veterinary care by helping make it more affordable, Pukay says.

Pet insurance providers offer many different levels of coverage that can help owners budget and pay for everything from annual vaccines to more expensive emergency treatments. But it's no different than other types of insurance.

"They will raise premiums or kick you out if you use it too much," Pukay says.

The downside of advances in veterinary medicine is it makes it hard to know when to let a pet die.

"The level of sophistication means more options and owners face difficult decisions," says Pukay. "Do you go on, or do you say goodbye to your dear friend? We advise not to do what's easy for you, but what is best for your friend."

The billion-dollar North American pet industry also provides ways for owners to bury and remember their animals. Products range from caskets and urns -- some in a biodegradable format -- to necklaces and pendants containing "cremains", grave markers and keepsakes.

PET CREMATORIUM

In Ottawa, a 23-year-old family business operates the area's only pet crematorium in Vars. Old Shep Pet Loss Centre in the city's east end also hopes to open a pet cemetery in the region, pending environmental approvals, says Stephanne Chretien, a volunteer at the centre.

The centre offers a variety of urns and three or four caskets, Chretien says. While most people wait for the ashes to be returned to them, some attend their pet's cremation.

"The pet is exposed, and we leave them alone for the last goodbye before putting the pet in the crematorium," he says.

Most all owners are relieved to get their pet's ashes back, Chretien adds, and some also want to be buried with the pet's remains.

Greene-Flindall says she can't bring herself to bury Fergie's ashes at the family cottage, even though other pets are already buried there, because it "would be like saying a final goodbye." Instead she keeps the small urn in a cupboard.

She has, however, welcomed two new mini-Australian shepherds into the household.

"About four months after we lost Fergie, I was on the verge of cracking up," she recalls. "I missed the rapport I had with the dog, and I said, 'I gotta get another dog.'"

Soon Spencer, now 1 1/2 years, was joined by Nigel, 3 1/2 months. Still, the bond with her first dog remains strong.

"I love my two new dogs, but they're not Fergie."