As we transition from winter to spring, I find myself torn between reaching for familiar, comfortable media and seeking out something new. It’s so much easier to rewatch The Office on Netflix for the fifth time than to click on something unfamiliar. Or to reread a favorite book instead of walking down to the library for something new.
My mom has an 80-pound collie named Teko who’s basically a small horse. When I was home from college on Christmas break one year, Teko knocked the olive oil my mom had set out on the kitchen counter onto the floor and ate all of it. We were out shopping and didn’t find the mess until a few hours later. When we realized what had happened, my mom tried to scold the dog and ended up scolding my sister and me instead—we couldn’t stop laughing because the dog was just staring at my mom and smacking his lips, totally unfazed by her anger.
According the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an estimated 6.5 million dogs and cats end up in the shelter system every year. Though nearly half are adopted, some 1.5 million are euthanized due to illness or lack of space.
Lynn Serri has seen too many animals surrendered to a shelter because their owners no longer can afford to feed them. The former volunteer for the county dog pound already had been helping multiple families by sharing her dogs’ food with them, but she was in search of a solution that could help pet owners across Stark County.
Dog parks have grown in popularity in direct response to busy pet owners seeking safe and structured areas for their best fur friends to run and play. Today, most municipalities offer dog parks at no cost. There also are a few privately operated parks.
Perhaps the most satisfying words that can be said about a new pet is, “It’s a rescue.” Renewing a life in the canine or feline world is a project well worth undertaking. Both the families who adopt such pets and their new best friends almost always emerge better from the experience.
If you have to leave you pet behind when you take a trip, it’s important to secure a place where he or she will feel comfortable. Here is a list of some local kennels: Sugarbush Kennels, 1300 Applegrove St. NE, Plain Township. Features indoor and protected outdoor kennel runs; bedtime snacks, optional services (grooming, tooth brushing, specialized care for older dogs, etc.). Pickup service also is available.
If you’re new to dog ownership—and new to having a pet you need to get groomed—here are some tips on how to prepare for your dog’s first visit to the groomer. • Make sure your dog is used to being touched, especially on the paws and ears.
Ohio might not have the most patio-friendly weather, but at least it has dog-friendly patios. State law gives restaurant owners the freedom to allow patrons to bring their dogs with them while they dine—as long as the dogs stay outside. (The law doesn’t apply to service animals, which can come into restaurants.)
As the name of their veterinary practice would suggest, Sarah Copar and Mandy Company are identical twin sisters. The doctors opened CoTwins Veterinary Care in 2012 and moved the offices to 2439 Whipple Avenue NW in 2017. Natives of Tuscarawas County, they graduated from Tusky Valley High School in 2005, earned bachelor’s degrees in biology from Kent State University, then attended the Ross University of Veterinary Medicine.
