The hills are alive…

This year’s unpredictable and prolonged “off-again, on-again" weather had the hills and fields gloriously blooming with what must been every plant in the area.  And beautiful though it was, the tall green grasses and other plants have dried out and become a danger to the unwary hiker and in particular their four-legged trail buddies.

The lure to tramp through the open spaces will invite a lot of dog folks, and exploring the natural wonders we are so fortunate to have in our area can be a great experience to share with your dog. Unfortunately, while out there enjoying nature myself, I’ve seen dogs unthinkingly allowed by their guardians to behave in ways that put them at serious risk.

So before you hit the trail, it’s important that you look at those golden hills and fields with an educated and wary eye.  Much of the grasses covering the area are comprised of dangerous foxtails, with ticks lurking in bushes and tall grass, and that inviting cool stream often abounds with Giardia, a harmful parasite that can infect your dog and possibly you not to mention messy digestive tract results and pricey vet bills to correct the problem.

Trail Basics 101 –

Foxtails - Many people are unfamiliar with hazards to their dog from these opportunistic seeds. But if you’ve ever hiked during the dry season months, you’ve probably pulled a few of these nasty critters from your socks They are the wheat-like seeds of the drying or dried grasses that detach from the plant and stick to a person's clothes or an animal's coat. They can easily become lodged in between a dog’s toes, in his ears, and in his eyes. Since the seeds or awns are barbed like a fish hook, they can be very difficult to remove. Once embedded, they can travel through their body causing severe pain, infection and abscesses, even puncturing an eye or ear drum. ..and, again, expensive vets costs to remove them before they cause greater damage.

Depending on the location of the sharp pointed awns, symptoms can include persistent sneezing or coughing, headshaking, or compulsive licking and biting at a paw or around the groin or tail area or whining and crying with no obvious or acute injury. In addition to causing pain and localized infections, foxtail seeds can migrate and lodge in the spine, in the lungs and in other internal organs. They enter through the nose, ears, paws, eyes, and urethra or just through the skin and travel through the body. The seeds are small, making locating them difficult and the procedure expensive. Depending on where a foxtail seed has traveled to inside a dog, it can even be life threatening, requiring prompt surgical removal.

Stream water hazards - Giardia can infect a dog that drinks from a stream where feces from cattle or wild animals have come to drink. A dog becomes infected by eating or drinking the cyst form of the parasite. In the small intestine, the cyst opens and releases an active form that attaches itself to the intestinal wall and reproduces by dividing. After an unknown number of divisions, at some stage, this form develops a wall around itself (cysts) and is passed in the feces. The Giardia in the feces can contaminate the environment and water and infect other animals and people.

Often Giardia infections show no symptoms but when it does the usual sign is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be acute, intermittent, or chronic. Usually the infected animals will not lose their appetite, but they may lose weight. The feces are often abnormal, being pale, having a bad odor, and appearing greasy. In the intestine, Giardia prevents proper absorption of nutrients, damages the delicate intestinal lining, and interferes with digestion; it can be very resistant to treatment.  Basically, not a fun thing for your dog or you.

Blood sucking critters -Ticks must be one of Nature’s bad jokes. They are disease carrying parasites that hide out in grass and attach themselves to the unsuspecting passerby. Crawling up to bare skin or digging for it, if on a dog, the tick will bury its head under the skin layer and proceed to drink all the blood it can get.

We live in tick-country so during the summer season a body check after a walk is essential. Rub your hands all over your dog's body, and your fingers through his fur, applying pressure, enough that you can feel any abnormalities in the skin. If you feel a small lump, pull the fur apart to investigate it further. An embedded tick will look like a small black or brown pimple, sometimes flattish, depending on location, and sometimes legs are visible. Check with your veterinarian beforehand on the method of proper removal.  It’s good to check yourself out too; ticks carry Lyme disease, a serious health threat that can infect dogs and humans alike.

Weather dangers - Consider the temperature before you set out. A warm morning means that it will be a trek back in the hotter part of the day.  Never walk or hike with your dog mid-day when the weather is warm, keep to early morning for any kind of exercise.  Carry enough fresh water, rest frequently, and make sure there is shade along the way for a rest stop.

Remember that snub-nosed dogs like Pugs have difficulty breathing in warm weather, and older, over-weight, or heavy coated dogs are more subject to heat exhaustion. Don’t set out on a long hike if your dog isn’t physically able to handle the distance – work up to longer walks. Out of loyalty, dogs will over-extend themselves to keep up with their human so it’s up to you to give careful consideration to their well-being. Don’t be so taken with the scenery that you forget that half your journey is the trip back and it’s going to be hotter.

People don’t often give much thought to the fact that our four-legged companions can also get sun-burned. White and lightly colored animals can suffer sunburn from too much exposure to the sun and long-term sun exposure can lead to skin damage and in some cases skin cancers. There are sun blocks that are suitable for animals but check the labels carefully to be sure.

Many of our parks have cattle/wildlife grazing. For the safety of your dog and out of respect for the cattle and wildlife – leash your dog when you encounter them. You are a visitor in their home.

Safe hiking tips summary:

• Make sure your dog has a complete health check at the beginning of the year.
• Where possible avoid walking through tall dry grasses.
• Check thoroughly for ticks and foxtails immediately after your hike.
• Carry enough fresh water for you and your dog. Avoid streams.
• Prevent heat stroke by leaving and returning early
• Don’t ask your dog to overextend himself.
• Leash your dog when encountering cattle or wildlife.

Happy Hiking!

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Tri-City Voice article (Archives) by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society.

Photo's courtesy of: www.picdrome.com 

Yahoo! supports the killing of Whales and dolphins

Whales and dolphins are among the most intelligent species on the planet and many countries have officially recognized the dangers to the survival of these incredible creatures due to human activity. Actions that have placed whales on the protected and endangered species list.


Numerous countries that have hunted them in the past, and corporations that have profited from the sale of whale and dolphin meat, have taken the path of responsibility and discontinued killing and selling products from their flesh; yet Bay Area based Internet giant Yahoo! negligently and shamefully continues to reap profit from their Japanese affiliate Yahoo! Japan that offers the sale of hundreds of whale and dolphin meat products on their web sites.


Take Action and urge Yahoo! to be accountable and pressure Yahoo! Japan to permanently ban the sale of whale and dolphin meat on their websites and urge them to stop supporting whaling before more species are lost forever.


Corporate offices:


Yahoo! Inc.
701 First Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
Tel: (408) 349-3300
Fax: (408) 349-3301



For more information on how to participate, please follow on the link below:


http://www.hsi.org/issues/whaling/tips/#Take%20action


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Photo's courtesy of: www.geekphilosopher.com/GeekPhilosopher.com/photos/photos.aspx

Building a brighter future, one squirrel box at a time

Compassion for animals is a concept we adults are familiar with. Many of us support animal welfare through donations and volunteering; others lead by example through acts of kindness or lifestyle. Providing humane education to children helps them to establish a lifelong respect and empathy for all living creatures. We recently collaborated on a project with a local Junior Girl Scout troop who wanted to make a difference for wildlife. The efforts of these young ladies have had a far-reaching effect on our community... and it all began with a humble squirrel box.

We first met Junior Girl Scout Troop #30323 when they visited the Ohlone Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (OHS WRC) to earn their Wildlife badge. The girls so enjoyed learning about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation that they decided their Bronze Award project would benefit animals. They conferred with David Anderson, OHS WRC manager, and decided to make screech owl and squirrel boxes from scratch.

After the girls approached local vendors for materials, Dale Hardware and Hulbert Lumber responded with generous donations. Both companies were so tickled by these young gals taking on a construction project that they gave the troop more than the usual allowance. Then during meetings at OHS WRC, the girls tackled challenges which included reading design plans (yes, there are patterns for owl/squirrel boxes!) to cutting and assembling plywood parts under the watchful eye of David.

For most of the girls, this was their first time handling power tools and they did a fantastic job with assistance from David as well as Saundra and Ankit, OHS WRC volunteers. The troop completed their project by creating a tri-fold poster board and doing an oral presentation to qualify for the Bronze Award. Success! The Junior Girl Scouts' parents, especially troop leader Liza Hintzman, are to be commended for enabling these gals to meet challenges that build self-esteem and expand their potential. Truly, the sky is the limit!

The first to benefit from the owl and squirrel boxes (the designs differ only in the placement of the holes) were three orphaned baby squirrels at the OHS WRC. After spending time in an incubator and then an indoor carrier, the squirrels matured to where they could be moved to an outdoor pen. David installed one of the Junior Girl Scout boxes so the babies would have a snug and safe haven. When the squirrels were released back to the wild, their box went with them along with a plentiful food supply for the first few days to make sure they acclimated to their new surroundings. A resounding success!

Ohlone Humane Society was invited to participate in the Girl Scouts of Northern California's centennial celebration, the One Hundred Fun Hundred. 20,000 Girl Scouts from 38 states and five other countries converged on the Pleasanton Fairgrounds for a day of activities, education and fun. We joined other animal welfare organizations such as Muttville and SaveABunny in the "Critter Corner," introducing Girl Scouts to different animals and humane programs. This was the perfect venue to feature Troop #30323's presentation and boxes! Indeed, Girl Scouts, troop leaders and parents from different parts of the U.S. and the world were inspired by their presentation and are considering animal welfare projects for their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards!

The owl and squirrel box project has had a ripple effect through the community, beginning with the girls and spreading to their family, friends and other Girl Scout troops. While benefitting wildlife, constructing squirrel boxes has also meant building a brighter future through humane education for our children. Compassion for animals can start with the simple act of hammering a nail into a piece of wood.

For more information about Ohlone Humane Society and our programs, call (510) 792-4587 (Advice Line) or email Info@OhloneHumaneSociety.org.


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Tri-City Voice article by Lauren Kawakami, OHS Social Media Coordinator, Ohlone Humane Society

Cruelly trapped wildlife need your immediate help

It's pretty safe to say that not everyone feels that sharing their abode with wildlife is an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately for the animals, removing them by commercial trapping has become a business that has often employed means of cruelly disposing of those unlucky enough to be captured, a practice that has increasingly come under the scrutiny of animal protectionists.

Customers of trapping services usually have little idea what happens to the animals they wish removed from their property. To address this omission, California Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) has authored legislation Senate  Bill (SB) 1480 that would mandate that consumers using commercial trapping services must be provided with a written contract stating these details so they can make informed choices regarding the removal of wildlife when they become "nuisance" problems or create property damage.

The bill would also prohibit specific barbaric methods of killing animals like raccoons, opossum, skunks and other wild creatures. Currently, commercial trappers have little, if any, supervision on the methods used to destroy captured wildlife. SB 1480 would make it illegal to kill any trapped mammal by intentional drowning or injection with any chemical not specifically sold for the purpose of euthanizing animals. Killing by the injection of solutions such as chemical solvents, sodium cyanide and even fingernail polish remover, toxic products that have been used in the past and caused an excruciating death; or by thoracic compression, commonly known as chest crushing would be illegal.

Senator Corbett stated "This bill helps consumers find legitimate and experienced trappers," Corbett said. "It's time we quit turning a blind eye to the inhumane practices used by some wildlife trappers."

In 2003 a law was passed that required individuals offering commercial wildlife trapping services to the public to be obligated to obtain a license from the state Department of Fish and Game. However, because of  insufficient resources to enforce the law, Fish & Game has not issued any regulations that would act as guidelines for commercial trappers. SB 1480, if passed, directs the Department of Fish and Game to maintain a list of licensed trappers on its website, requires trappers to provide a written contract to consumers, and forbids cruel methods of animal killing.

SB 1480 is co-sponsored by Born Free USA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to end the suffering of wild animals in captivity, rescue animals in need, protect wildlife in their natural habitats, and encourage compassionate conservation and is partnered by the San Francisco Wildlife Center. Monica Engebetson, the senior program associate for Born Free USA stated "This important bill will increase protections for wildlife, reduce the chances of family dogs and cats being inadvertently killed in traps and will help consumers make informed decisions. Our organization has worked for many years to address this issue, and we are grateful to Senator Corbett for introducing this bill."

Ohlone Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, whose mission is to save orphaned and injured wildlife, can attest to a number of orphaned baby mammals coming into the Center every year whose mothers have been killed by for-profit trappers. In an effort to address this tragedy, SB 1480 incorporates specific regulations and guidelines that for-profit trappers must follow to insure the protection young animals still dependent on their mothers for survival. It states, "The bill would require a class II trapping licensee to make a reasonable effort not to leave dependent young animals that are orphaned as a consequence of the trapping and killing of their mother, to die within an area of a home or business that is inaccessible to the licensee." It would also mandate that all trapped lactating females be immediately released to care for their young.

People who hire commercial trappers to remove animals from their property not only need but deserve to know what will happen to animals they pay to have removed. They also have the right - and yes - the obligation to know how the animals will be killed if it is considered "necessary."

SB 1480 successfully passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, and will be heard next by the Senate Appropriations Committee (SAC) possibly this coming week. I recently spoke with Senator Corbett's aides in Sacramento, and they emphasized the importance of continuing public support and urged that in the remaining days before going before SAC, possibly just days after this is published, that they ask supporters to call SAC committee members and urge their support of SB 1480. Please take a moment and let your representatives know that you support the humane treatment of wildlife that are presently at the mercy of commercial trappers.

Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Christine Kehoe (Chair) (916) 651-4039
Mimi Walters (Vice Chair) (916) 651-4033
Elaine Alquist (916) 651-4013
Bob Dutton (916) 651-4031
Ted W. Lieu (916) 651-4028
Curran D. Price, Jr (916) 651-4026
Darrel Steinberg (916) 651-4006

For assistance in humanely discouraging wildlife from "homesteading" at your residence, call the OHS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for information: 510-797-9449.

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Tri-City Voice article by Nancy Lyon, President, Ohlone Humane Society, dated May 22 2012.

Adopt a Rubber Ducky and Help Ohlone Humane Society

The Ducks for Bucks benefit raises money for local school groups and non-profits like OHS. Adopt a rubber ducky for $5 OR get a free bonus duck with every $25 five-duck entry. Then join in the fun at Lake Elizabeth on Sat, April 30th when the featherless flotilla hits the water (winners are not required to be present at the race).

The Kiwanis Club of Fremont has put together some amazing prizes, including the car of your choice from any Fremont Auto Mall dealer (up to $30,000 in value) or $1500 in cash!

TO ADOPT A DUCK:

1. Print the Ducks for Bucks Flyer (note: OHS members will be receiving this flyer in the mail).

[Instructions for printing: go to the grey Scribd toolbar. Click the "download this document" down arrow button, 3rd from the left. A File Download window will pop up ("Do you want to open or save this file?"). Click the Open button. The Ducks for Bucks flyer will pop up and you can print it.]

2. Fill out the form and mail it with a check—made out to Ducks for Bucks—or money order to OHS. You'll receive your Lucky Duck number in the mail. Send form + payment (NO CASH, please) to:

      Ohlone Humane Society - Ducks for Bucks
      39120 Argonaut Way, PMB 108
      Fremont, CA 94538

OR:
3. Simply pick up an official Ducks for Bucks brochure at the Tri-City Animal Shelter on Stevenson (behind the Fremont Police Dept). Fill out the entry form and mail it in with payment or credit card info. That way, you'll get your Lucky Duck number right away!

OHS gets $3 out of every $5 donation for the first 250 ducks sold; after that, we get $4!

**DEADLINE: Form + payment must be received by OHS no later than Monday, April 23rd, 2012.

Fish and Game in the Crosshairs

"The mighty hunter with luck and pluck hopes to outwit a duck." - Ogden Nash

When California Fish and Game (F&G) Commission President Dan Richards proudly posed dancing with a dead mountain lion, the picture went viral and the public went ballistic. The person we depend on to protect our wildlife and enforce our laws went to an Idaho hunting ranch and hound hunted a mountain lion who, if in California, would be protected. California voters had passed an initiative banning sport hunting of mountain lions in 1990 and defeated another initiative in 1996 to repeal it.

There were calls for Commissioner Richard’s resignation or removal and 41 legislators sent him a letter saying he was "eroding the public’s confidence and trust in their government." Richard’s response was that "There is zero chance I would consider resigning." Ultimately, no legislative action was taken possibly because not only was the hunt legal in Idaho but Richard’s term is up next year and any hearings now would be a shoot-out in the Capitol halls filled with hunters and animal advocates.

I’ve attended Commission meetings for 30 years all over the state. Every Commissioner hunts. They always have. They even have an Advisory Committee to promote hunting named after Albert Taucher, a long gone commissioner and avid advocate for the "consumptive" use of wildlife. It was a good ole boys hunting club and it still is.

Former President and current Commissioner Jim Kellogg was equally avid refusing to let me testify on a hunting bill he was asking the Commission to endorse sight unseen. He maintained that he only took recommendations from the Albert Taucher Committee of which he is a member. Before him was Mike Flores, a bow hunter, who said he was not interested in any land that didn’t allow hunting. Where’s a John Muir Advisory Committee?

But Commissioner Richards may have shot himself in the foot. His timing could not have been worse. Right now the F&G Department and Commission are being heavily scrutinized by the California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision headed by Secretary of Resources John Laird and formed after the passage of AB 2376 authored by Assemblymember Jared Huffman. Many recommendations are being considered and some may become legislation. Ironically, one of the members on the Strategic Vision represents landowners of the Tejon Ranch in California that was recently fined $136,500 by F&G for illegally killing at least 11 mountain lions.

One of the recommendations that has already become legislation is AB 2293 authored by Assemblymember Tony Portantino to change the name of the F&G Department to Fish and Wildlife Department. AB 2402 authored by Assemblymember Jared Huffman would also change the name and establish an independent scientific advisory panel. The Department’s broader responsibilities need to be reflected in their name.

In addition to hunting and fishing, the Department deals with endangered and threatened species, non-game animals, marine protection, wildlife in captivity (zoos, aquariums, circuses, breeders, sanctuaries, laboratories, etc), wildlife rehabilitation, live animal markets, pet trade, land and water conservation and restoration, depredation permits, "nuisance" wildlife, fur trapping, animal dealers, management of state lands, wildlife research, deer farms, and our overworked, understaffed, underfunded wardens. More legislation is expected from recommendations by Strategic Vision, hopefully, such as reforming the makeup and qualifications of the F&G Commissioners.

Under current law, wildlife belongs to all of the people of California though many of us would argue that they belong to themselves for their own intrinsic value whether or not they are used for "consumptive" or even "non-consumptive" use.

Current law also requires the Commission to "consider the welfare of the individual animal." This was put in after F&G had given a permit for captive elk to have their antlers cut off in velvet, a very painful and bloody process. I, and other animal protectionists, had to put in a bill to ban it. We also had to ban alligator farms after F&G wanted to permit them even though the non-native alligators would wreak havoc if escaped or released. We have been waiting and working for years for the Commission to take definitive actions on inspections of wildlife facilities, lead shot, and live animal markets where millions of non-native turtles and frogs are imported devastating wild populations in other states.

There are numerous bills affecting wildlife now being heard in the Legislature. Among them is SB 1221 by Senator Ted Lieu to ban the hound hunting of bears and bobcats, unsporting and cruel to both wildlife and hounds. AB 1773 by Assemblymember Mariko Yamanda recognizes the importance of the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds.

The Flyway is our wildlife corridor in the sky. SB 1358 by Senator Mimi Walters gives F&G and Game wardens more bargaining power as law enforcement officers. Wardens endanger their lives everyday while protecting wildlife. SB 1480 by Senator Ellen Corbett establishes minimum standards for trappers of wildlife who are damaging property and prohibits their cruel killing.

Governor Jerry Brown needs to step in and speak up. His silence has been deafening. Two Commissioners’ terms expired months ago (Jim Kellogg, Richard Rogers) but continue as Commissioners until the Governor replaces them. Dan Richards’ term is up in January 2013. It’s past time for the Commission and Department to represent those of us who want wildlife alive, not just gun fodder.

Contact information:
Governor Brown
c/o State Capitol
Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160

Tri-City Voice article by Virginia Handley, Ohlone Humane Society Legislative Advisor

Ratatouille and Quinoa Recipe

Colorful and healthy, ratatouille and quinoa are a delicious twist on the classic combo of eggplant, zucchini, tomato and bell peppers. This dish delivers vegetables and a complete protein in one meal!

INGREDIENTS:

1 large yellow onion - quartered and thinly sliced

5 to 6 ripe plum tomatoes - cored and sliced

2 zucchinis - stem and ends removed, cut on an angle into ½" slices

2 medium eggplants - peel left on, stem and ends removed, cut on angle into ½" slices

1 red pepper - cored and seeded, cut lengthwise into strips 2" wide and ½" thick

1 green pepper - cored and seeded, cut lengthwise into strips 2" wide and ½" thick

2 to 3 cloves garlic - thinly sliced (more if desired)

At least ½ cup olive oil

1-2 tbl dried Herbes de Provence or to taste

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste (freshly ground, if possible)

1/3 cup red wine (optional)

Sprinkling of cayenne pepper (optional)

¼ cup pine nuts - lightly toasted

Fresh minced parsley (optional)

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2. In 9"x13" oven-safe dish, layer vegetables beginning with eggplant. Add onion, zucchini, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle wine (if used) and scatter Herbes de Provence evenly over the vegetables as you layer them. Salt and pepper layers to taste. Add cayenne if desired.
3. Bake for about 40 minutes, pressing down vegetables and stirring as they reach desired softness. Vegetables, especially zucchini, should be tender but not mushy and retain their individuality.
4. Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water plus 1 cup of quinoa, with salt and pepper to taste, to a boil.
5. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 15 minutes.
6. Serve quinoa topped with ratatouille. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and minced parsley (if used).

Note: The ratatouille can be prepared a day ahead which gives flavors a chance to blend. Reheat slowly in 325ºF oven to desired warmth and serve over quinoa.

Serves 4

Variation on a recipe from The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)