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Companion Magazine - Spring/Summer 2012
Pet Valu's Companion Magazine
} Getting A Bird? What You Need To Know P.6 Pet Valu YOU Have a qUestiOn? We'll find the answer p.3 Spring/Summer I 2012 Your Pet. Your Life. Your Store INSIDE Flea vs. Tick Insect Showdown Adopting & CAring For Your guineA pig Bathing, Brushing, Ears & Nails grooming essentials 4 toP Kitten We'll Help You make the right Choice p.8 The Big Question: or Cat? PRODUCt in-stORe Something new for your Cat FIDO FILES 4 brEEDS arE In thE hOt SEat neW Spring Cleaning Fun With Fashion Getting Your Pet Road Trip Ready Find out more p.13 editors page in this issue 3 new In-Store Experts & ask the Pet 4 6 8 W elcome to the 10th issue of the Companion � and my 1st issue! Spring is a time for a fresh start and new challenges, for me this meant a new career. For you, it may mean you have chosen to adopt a new pet. Whether cat, kitten, guinea pig or lovebird, we have it covered in this issue. How about a fresh start for the pets you already have? Consider trying a new eco-friendly litter this spring or transitioning your pet to a healthier food. The nice weather means more outings, road trips and additional visits to the dog park. It also means muddy paws, our dogs discovering puddles and flea & tick season. In this issue we have tips, tricks, products and information to help you. New to the Companion is "Ask the Pet Experts". Email us your pet questions and perhaps in the next issue you may see the answer to your question in print! Also look for the Lucy Loves icon, as these products are tried and tested by my own yellow labrador. I am excited to be part of the Companion team and thrilled to share my pet stories and pet experiences with you. Happy reading, We want to hear from you! new holistic Food for Pets Pronature Holistic is healthy & convenient. how to Choose the right bird A pet bird may be the perfect pet for your family. Cat or Kitten? Questions to ask yourself before you adopt! Fido Files 1 Investigating 4 popular breeds. 0 Litter box Envy? 13 Litter that is healthy for your cat & the environment. 1 Flea vs. tick wins our showdown! 4 Wait until you see who top 15 Spruce4upGrooming Essentials your dog this spring with these helpful tips & tricks. 16 17 18 20 road trip Travel tips for you and your pet. Fat Cat Syndrome How to keep cats slim in a multi-cat household. Oh Guinea Pig, My Guinea Pig Discovering why guinea pigs are fantastic pets! Fun with Fashion Spring clothes have arrived, check out the latest styles. Spring Cleaning 21 Spring cleaning made easy for us pet owners. editor Kellie McCutcheon 22Ingredients & Dog Park Etiquette 23 p.15Bath Day! and dog park etiquette. Information about pet food ingredients Puzzles & More Challenge yourself with these fun activities! �TM Trademarks used under license. CanaDIan EDItIOn EDItOr DESIGn COntrIbutOrS KellieMcCutcheon DanielCullen DavidSummers,Ph.D. CandaceEberts TeraCashen Kellie McCutcheon, Pet Valu Companion, 130 Royal Crest Court, Markham, ON, L3R 0A1 contact us For advertising opportunities e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com Product availability will vary by store location. Products may not be exactly as shown. Not responsible for typographical errors. Prices listed are in effect until May 31, 2012 and thereafter are subject to change without notice. Please note that the suggested retail prices referenced in Companion magazine are merely suggestions and may differ in stores. �2012 PET VALU www.petvalu.com Follow us on new Products in-store ASSorTED PrICES & ProDUCTS Premium nutrition for small animals. oxboW small animal food, HaY, treats & aCCesories 53307 � $24.99 Your dog will go bonkers as treats are launched into the air! absolutelY neW treat launCHer 53106, 53109 � $11.99 Durable chew toys! bonus: Bionic rubber floats, great for trips to the lake this summer. bioniC dog toYs atHens Cat rHinestone Collars 10"-12" Assorted Colours � from $13.99 Your cat deserves a stunning new collar. ASSorTED PrICES & ProDUCTS Perfect treats and rewards for your small animals. broWn's small animal & bird treats Pet naturals of vermont dog & Cat suPPlements ASSorTEd PrICES These natural supplements are made with premium ingredients and are 100% additive free. 63141-63149 � from $21.99 Furminator has done it again! Their new tool line is already getting rave reviews. furminator tools A s k t h e pe rt s ! Pet Ex den? upyourgar omdigging yourdogfr litterbox? e �Can'tstop opusingth whenheld? tsuddenlyst getpanicky �Didyourca guineapig adopted �Doesyour customers tohelpour beingable ERTSwould rselveson urPETEXP Weprideou problems.O ,safetyand ated alth withpetrel aboutthehe erquestions lovetoansw ofyourpet. well-being your alu.comwith and panion@petv com ralquestions Emailusat featureseve panion. andwewill question oftheCom urnextissue answersino Lucy Loves h ea L oo k fo rwa rd to ri n g fro m y ou ! swered. edwillbean bepublish nsthatwill sidence. re Onlyquestio eandcityof deyournam Pleaseinclu Lucy Love My Labrador, Lu cy, has tried a lot of pet prod her life. Workin ucts in g in the pet ind ustry means th toys to treats, at from she has put th em all to the te Of course, Lucy st. and I both have our favourites we want to shar and e with you our most loved pet Look for the Lu products. cy Loves circle throughout this issue for my pe rsonal recomm endations from one pet owner to another. 49184 - medium CHuCkit! laun s Chuckit! L auncher � $17.99 CHer 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 3 new food Introducing PRoDU In StoCtS RE nEW W by kellie mcCutCHeon e all know, the healthier our food, the healthier our pet. it's easy to say, but has not always been easy to do. Fortunately, the number of healthy, holistic, balanced diets available for you to serve to your cat or dog is growing, and feeding your pet healthy food is no longer difficult. pronature Holistic is leading the pack, making it simple and convenient to feed your pet a natural, nutrient rich, organic diet. PronatureHolisticcombinesablendofcarefully grownandselectednaturalingredients,includingmostly organicfruits,vegetables,spicesandfineherbs.Thefirst ingredientinalloftheirrecipesiscarefullyselectedfresh meat,whichmakesitirresistibleforyourpetandsatisfies theirinnercarnivore. PronatureHolisticbelievesthatourpetsdeservethe best,includingthebestnutritionpossible.Pronature Holisticofferscatsanddogs5uniquerecipesmade specificallyfortheirlifestage. PronatureHolisticPuppyandKittenformulas,bothcalled Chicken&SweetPotato,arefocusedongrowthandproviding yourpetwiththeextraprotein,vitaminsandnutrientsneeded fortheiroptimaldevelopment.Freshchickenisthenumber oneingredientinbothrecipesasitishighlypalatableanda greatwell-balancedprotein.Ifyournewkittenorpuppywas onadifferentfoodandyouaretransitioningthem,transition slowlytoavoidanydigestiveupset. Which Pronature Holistic Formula Is Right For Your Pet? Chicken & Sweet Potato - GRoWtH PuPPY: 27% Protein/17% Fat � 2-12 MTH kitten: 30% Protein/20% Fat � 2-12 MTH Atlantic Salmon & Brown Rice - SkIn & CoAt dog: 22% Protein/12% Fat � 1-7 YrS Cat-indoor: 28% Protein/20% Fat � 1-10 YrS Duck � l'orange - GRAIn-FREE dog: 30% Protein/20% Fat � 1+ YrS Cat: 33% Protein/20% Fat � 1+ YrS turkey & Cranberries - InDooR & oUtDooR dog: 24% Protein/14% Fat � 1-7 YrS Cat-indoor: 28% Protein/18% Fat � 1-10 YrS oceanic White Fish & Wild Rice MAtURE or LESS ACtIVE dog: 18% Protein/10% Fat � 7+ YrS Cat: 27% Protein/12% Fat � 10+ YrS PuPPY training tiP Use kibble as training treats for your new pet. Kibbles are small enough for your puppy and very economical. It's also a great way to introduce a new food! 4 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 new food drY skin tiP Think about how your skin can become dry. The same thing can happen to our pets. A great indicator to determine if your pet suffers from dry skin is an increase in scratching and itching - you may even see pet dandruff! If this is the case, think about switching your pet's food to a salmon recipe and try to avoid excessive bathing. If a bath is a must, use moisturizing shampoo. Pronature holistic Pet Food includes natural functional ingredients that support the overall health and well-being of your pet. these ingredients include: chicory Root A natural source of inulin, which helps maintain normal intestinal bacteria The adult formulas for both cats and dogs include Atlantic Salmon & Brown Rice, Duck � l'orange, Turkey & Cranberries and Oceanic White Fish. atlantic salmonisanexceptionalproviderofomega3&6fattyacids, whichmakeyourpets'coatshinyandsmoothandisfantasticfortheirskin. Ifyourpetsuffersfromdryskin,foodwithsalmonasthefirstingredientcan help.BrownriceprovidesvitaminBtoyourpet'sdietandisahealthy, fibre-richwholegrain. Duck � l'orangesoundsdelicious,doesn'tit?Yourpetwillthinksotoo! Thisisagrain-freeformulameaningitiseasytodigestandprovidesaholistic, grain-freeoptionforpetsthathavesensitivitiesorallergies.Theoranges providepetswithahealthydoseofvitaminC,whichisgreatfortheirimmune system.Naturalsourcesoffibreareincluded,suchasdriedtomatopomace,to easedigestionandpromoteintestinalhealth.Yourpetwillfindtheducktobe delicious,sodon'texpectanykibbletobeleftintheirbowls! Sea Cucumber, Crab & Shrimp Meal and new Zealand Green Mussels Natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine, which help support strong and healthy joints Organic Quinoa A tremendous source of protein taurine Promotes healthy eye and cardiac function in cats Organic Kelp A natural source of iodine and of vitamins A, B, D and E Wemayonlygetturkey & cranberriesacoupleoftimesayearbut thatdoesn'tmeanourpetscan'tenjoyitmoreoften.PronatureHolistic Turkey&Cranberryformulaprovidesaperfectbalanceofproteinandfat which,withregularexercise,helpsyourpetmaintainahealthybodyweight andsubsequentlyavoidfuturehealthissuescausedbybeingoverweight. Cranberriesareanexcellentsourceofantioxidantswhichhelpsboosttheir immunesystems.Thisrecipealsopromotesfreshbreath,asitcontains spearmintandparsley.Thedistinctive,crunchytextureofthekibblekeepsteeth andgumscleanandhealthy. oceanic White Fishisarecipespecificallymadeforpetsintheirgolden years.Aspetsbecomeolderandlessactive,theybenefitfromalow-fatand low-caloriediet.Theirseniordietscontaindriedtomatopomaceanddried beetpulp,whicharenaturalsourcesoffiberthathelpmaintainyourpet's optimalweight.Driedchicoryrootandyeastextractareincludedtosupport intestinalhealth.Thesekeyingredientswillkeepyourpetshealthyandhappy astheymature. Sea cucumbers are considered a delicacy in many countries around the world. PronatureHolistichasarecipeforeverycatanddog,nomattertheage,breed orlifestyle.Buyingorganicandholisticfoodforyourpethasneverbeensoeasy. Pronaturetrulybelievesthatyourpetsoughttohavefoodthatisaswonderfulas theyare,andwecan'targuewiththat. 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 5 domestic birds They may have tiny voices, but budgies can become very good talkers! Budgies How to Choose Right Bird the Female canaries don't sing so if you want a singer, make sure your canary is male! Canaries by CandaCe eberts D omestic birds make fantastic companions. With such a variety of shapes, colors and personalities, finding the right bird is essential to having a happy and healthy relationship with your new pet. The following questions should be taken into consideration before purchasing a feathered companion. What size bird is best for you? All birds have different behaviours and temperaments, which one suits your household? Nutrition and maintenance are important elements in bird ownership, how much do you know? Budget and finances should be taken into consideration as well as your commitment level � some birds can live for quite a long time, some for 50 years or more! Below are some helpful pieces of information to help you plan for a great new friend. big bird or tweety bird When choosing a pet bird, consider what size of bird you can handle. Large birds make amazing pets, however they require more care and a bigger commitment than smaller birds. As larger birds are messier, more demanding and often louder than smaller birds, it is recommended to start small as a first time bird owner. Smaller breeds, such as parakeets, budgies or cockatiels are smart, loving and easy to tame. Small Pets with big Personalities With so many birds to choose from, it is wise to consider the behaviours and temperaments of each species before making a decision. Some birds, like lovebirds, adore companionship while others prefer to be seen and not touched, such as finches. Others sing beautifully while some birds squawk and screech! If you are looking to add a bird to a family with children, a gentle child will do well with a budgie. If your children are too young to handle a bird, choose one a bird that prefers to stay in its cage such as a finch or canary. It is important to note that different birds exhibit different behaviour patterns and dispositions so do your research before you bring one home! Zoomax shred slice 41419 12" $6.99 try this Polly and her Crackers Bird nutrition is very important. Each bird species has nutritional requirements that should be researched and understood thoroughly by the pet owner before purchasing. Pellet diets are among the most popular way to feed your bird as pellets are nutritionally complete. Feeding a pellet diet with lots of snacks for variety is a great way to keep your bird interested in its food. Along with seeds, you should offer your bird a calcium and mineral source to snack on, such as a cuttle bone or mineral block. Birds love them and they are fantastic for their beaks. Well-raised lovebirds enjoy being handled and carried. Lovebirds birds & budgets Birds can be expensive pets. The expense is largely determined by the type of bird involved. Some birds have a high purchase price before general cages and accessories are factored in. Annual veterinary check-ups are required, as is the case with all pets. Birds can also 6 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 domestic birds extreme Chili Peppers 50228 1.5 oz $7.99 50229 1.4 oz $5.99 extreme orange slices try this Cockatiels can be great talkers, but are even better whistlers! Cockatiels be very budget-friendly compared to other pets. Their grooming needs are minimal and they are inexpensive to feed. Toys and cage accessories require frequent replacements to keep your pet happy and healthy, but bird toys and accessories are not in the habit of breaking the bank. These should all be taken into consideration so that you end up with an affordable pet. Quick! there is a bird in my house! Some bird species require daily exercise, lots of interaction and time outside of their cages. That being said, they do not require a large space to stretch their wings, which makes them a perfect pet for anyone in a smaller home, apartment or condo. Supervision is mandatory when your bird is out of his cage as most birds are quite curious and will investigate everything from the wiring of your stereo system to the pot of boiling water on the stove. Birds can become very attached to their owner, and will often choose to stay perched on your shoulder, even as you do your outdoor spring cleaning! Birds are wonderful pets and can provide a long, loyal friendship to those who are willing to meet their needs. Each type of bird, whether they are small, medium or large in size has specific requirements, temperaments and commitments to consider. Do your research to carefully select the best bird for your lifestyle, personality and budget requirements. Once you make a decision, you will thoroughly enjoy having a bird as a companion. domestiC birds 1. Parakeet & Budgies 2. Cockatiels 3. Finches & Canaries 4. Lovebirds 5. African Greys toP five royal Cuisine spray millet 31137 5.3 oz $4.99 try this 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 7 Look for these Nutritional Lafeber's products at your favorite PetValu store. Two Generations of Veterinarians Caring and Working for the Health of Birds TM � Lafeber Company 800.842.6445 LafeberCares.com adoption tips Kitten or by kellie mcCutCHeon Adopting a new cat is very exciting but before you go and pick up your new pet you need to decide if you want an older cat or a kitten. Both are loving, wonderful pets but they have different needs based on their age and maturity level. Let's look at the key differences between the two so you can make a well-informed decision. Cat? Financial Impact Botholdercatsandkittensneed certainitems�suchasalitterbox, litter,collar,toys,treatsandfood. Justmakesureyoubuytoys,treats andfoodthataresuitableforyour cat'sageandlifestyle.Forexample, whilekittensloveatoythattheycan bataroundandchase,oldercats needalittlemoreenticementtoplay, soacatniptoywouldbeappropriate. Eitherway,youwillneedtopurchase someessentialsforyournewpet. Anotherfactorthatwillaffect yourwalletisveterinarybills.While akittencanbegivenacleanbillof health,therearestillexpensesthat willcomeupinthefirstfewyearsof yourkitten'slife,suchasvaccinations andspaying/neutering.Oncethose vaccinationsarecomplete,the financialcommitmentdecreases significantlywithanewkitten. Witholdercatstheinitialmonetary commitmentcanbemuchless.Most oftentheyarealreadyuptodatein vaccinations,spayedorneuteredand sometimesdeclawed.Downtheroad therearepotentialhealthconcerns witholdercats,suchasbadgums ordiabetes,butyoucanhelpprevent somehealthissueswithcertain foodsandregularexercise. Inbothcases,forkittensand oldercats,preventionisthekey tokeepingthemhealthyandthe veterinarybillstoaminimum. Keepinguptodatewithvaccinations andannualveterinaryappointments isagreatwaytopreventanyfuture healthissuesandensureyourcat livesalong,healthylife. Ball of Energy Kittenshaveenergytoburn.Theybringlifeinto ahousewiththeirconstantrunning,chasingand playing.Kittenswillhaveyoulaughingastheychase theirtailsforhours.Theyarebundlesoffuntoplay with.Kittenscanbemischievousthough,sotheyneed tobeproperlysupervisedtoavoidbreakinganything inyourhomeorinjuringthemselves. Ifyoupreferaquieterhouse,anoldercatisa betteroptionforyou.Oldercatsarecalmer,quieter andnotasrambunctious.Anoldercatwilladjust moreeasilytohisnewhome,willoftenbemore affectionateandwilllovetositonyourlapforhours. Ifyouhavesmallchildreninyourhome,anoldercat maynotwanttoplayasmuchasyourchildrendoand mayhavelesspatience.Youneedtodeterminewhat worksbestforyourfamilyandforyournewpet. try t h is "Cat fanciers' approved" kitten House mouse 52108 $4.99 filled 'Hot stuff" Pepper 51779 $5.99 try t h is 8 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 adoption tips simplicity litter Pan starter kit 58231 $14.99 Making New Friends Ifyoualreadyhaveapet,whetheritisacatoradog,bringinghomeanewfamily membercouldbestressfultoyourresidentpet.Bepatientwithyourexistingpets; theymaytakeawhiletoadjusttoanewcatorkittenintheirhome.Eventuallythe petswilllearnhowtocohabitateandhopefullybecomelifelongfriends.Anew, adoptedoldercatcanholdits"personalspace"whenlearninghowtoadjustto otherhouseholdanimalsandyournewoldercatmayendupbeingthe`dominant' oneofthehousehold. Bringinghomeanewkittenmaynotimpressyourresidentpetsinitially, especiallyiftheyaresignificantlyolder.Thekeyistointroduceslowlyandshow yournewkittenandexistingpetsequalattention.Thekittenshouldhavehisown foodandwaterbowl,andlitterbox.Akittenisalwaysupforplaying,sooncethe petsarerelativelyadjusted,trytoplaygameswiththemthattheycanallplay together.Teachthemthattheirnewhousemateisfuntobearoundandagreat newplaymate. try this Wherefore Art Thou Litter Box? Oldercatsareoftenalready trainedtousealitterbox.While thetypeoflitteryouusemaybe differentthanwhattheyareused to,theyknowthattheirbusiness shouldbedoneinsidealitterbox. Whenadoptingyourmaturecat, besuretoaskwhattypeoflitter theyareusedto(clay?clumping? wheat?scented?)andslowly transitionyourcattowhatever litteryouwillbebuying. Kittenswillmostlikelyneedto betrainedtousethelitterbox. Initially,whenyoubringyourkitten home,immediatelytakeherto thelitterbox.Ifshedoesnotstart digginginthelitter,helphermove herlittlepawsinadiggingmotion. Catsinstinctivelywillburytheir wastesosimulatingdiggingwill letherknowthatthisiswhereyou wanthertodoherbusiness.Some kittenspickuponitrightawayand somekittenstakeafewweeks;try tobepatientasthisissomething completelynewtoyourkitten.If yourkittenistakingalittlelonger, itmaybesmarttopickupsome Stain&OdorRemover! Botholdercatsandkittensbenefit fromtheirlitterboxbeingplacedina safe,quietandprivateplace,butyou alsowantittobeaccessibleforboth youandyourcat.Trynottoplace itnearyourcat'sfoodandwater bowlsanddon'tforgettoscoopitout frequently.Makeuseofthesetips andyouandyourcatareonyourway tolitterboxsuccess! Tall, Dark & Handsome Doyouhaveyourheartsetonagreyandwhitecatwith blueeyes?Oranorangecatwithgreeneyes?Youwould notbealone,mostpeoplearepartialtowhatcolourand sizecattheywant.Witholdercats,youknowwhatyouare getting.Oldercatshavealreadygrownintotheirlooks, sizeandpersonality.Wantacatthatisquietandkeeps tohimself?Oldercatsalreadyhavedistinctpersonalities soyouhaveabetterideaofwhoyouwillbesharingyour homewith.Likehumanbeings,theoldertheygetthe moretheyaresetintheirways;thebenefitofoldercats isthatyoucanpickacatthatfitsintoyourlifestyleand matchesthekindofpetyouwant. Kittenscanbeunpredictableinmanyways,including theirphysicalappearance!Youronceblue-eyedkitten canturnintoabrown-eyedcat.Theruntofthelitter maynotturnintothemostpetiteadult.Someofthe funinwatchingkittensgrowisthatyougettoseethem physicallymatureaswellasdeveloptheirown,unique personalities.Ifyouhavethechancetoobserveyour kittenwithitslittermates,youwillprobablybeableto distinguishdifferencesitspersonalitiesalreadybutthe realenjoymentcomesfromwatchingitscharactergrow withyourfamily.Thereisnoguaranteethatakitten's personalitywon'tchangeagain,andthemostoutgoing kittencouldturnouttobeareservedadult cat.Whetheryouadoptanoldercat orayoungkitten,youwillloveits individualpersonalityandknow thatit'swhatmakesthemsucha specialpet. Whether you choose an adorable, spritely new kitten or a beautiful, mature cat, you will discover that the love they give is equally unconditional. Enjoy your new family member. 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 9 ido Files F dog breeds Let's investigate some of our ines. favourite can breedwas camefromandwhatthe Knowingwhereyourdog ohow ewonderfulinsightint veyousom primarilybredforwillgi edoes.These yh yhemaybehavethewa yourdogthinksandwh roundsandwere mefromdifferentbackg ffect 4popularbreedsallco ns.Allofthosefactorsa ifferentreaso originallybredforveryd duringour bored hydoesmyboxerseem howtheybehavetoday.W hhisnoseto pendhisentirewalkwit les . walks?Whywillmybeag dseewhatwediscover ethesebreedsan theground?Let'sexamin Yorkshire Terrier " Two F in g e rs" Te rrie Te rry Beagle r WANTED: Yorkshire Terrier, better known as "Yorkie". SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Small, belongs in the terrier group, hypoallergenic, minimum shedding, silky coat. Makes a wonderful pet. M.O.: Originally bred to catch rats in clothing mills, today they make great companion dogs. RELEVANT FAMILY HISTORY: Prone to dental issues, Yorkies need regular dental hygiene to promote healthy gums and fresh breath. LAST SEEN: At the groomer! Yorkies need to be regularly groomed, especially if their hair is kept long. Their hair (as opposed to fur) can get greasy if left too long between grooming appointments. WANTED: Beagle, small to me dium hound dog with an excellent sense of smell. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Lar ge appetite, very friendly, able to track a scent extrem ely well. Distinctive "white tip" on their tails so they can be seen when they are tracking a scent. M.O.: An established huntin g hound, beagles are driven by their noses and their sto machs! A way to a beagle's heart is through food and rew ard training. RELEVANT FAMILY HISTO RY: A preferred breed by British Royalty, the beagle wo n the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Showdog sho w. LAST SEEN: Playing hide and seek! Beagles can be kept busy by playing games like hide-and-seek with treats or by being allowed to sniff and dig out their toys in a sandbox after you've bur ied them. y " Bu n g le s" Bea g le Bo b b 10 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 dog breeds WANTED: Boxer, a headstron g German working dog with an incredible amount of energy. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: A distinctive underbite, smart, energetic, playful and good with children. M.O.: The boxer is an extrem ely hard-working dog. They were originally bred to seize large prey, protect it and hold onto it until the hun ters arrived. Boxers were also a valuable messenger dog , pack-carrier, attack dog, and guard dog during World War 1. RELEVANT FAMILY HISTO RY: The boxer is a distant relative of the Old English Bul ldog. LAST SEEN: Playing! To kee p your boxer from getting bored (and therefore getting into trouble!) you must stimulate the working side of the toys, games like fetch, compan ir brain with durable ionship with humans and other dogs, as well as regula r exercise. Boxer a xt e r " Big Boy" Bo B German Shepherd xer a n " Gu m ba ll" Sh e p h Ge r m e rd WANTED: German Shepherd, a large breed dog that is fiercely loyal and protective of its owners. SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: Most often tan & black or red & black, the German Shepherd has a double coat which means they shed all year long. German Shepherds are longer than they are tall, very muscular and possess a very noble and dignified, appearance. M.O.: The German Shepherd was originally bred to herd and guard sheep, but because of its muscle, brainpower and training ability, the German Shepherd is used as a military and police dog all around the world. RELEVANT FAMILY HISTORY: They have a love of show business! German Shepherds have been featured in a variety of hits such as Rin Tin Tin, I Am Legend and The Littlest Hobo. LAST SEEN: Working! German Shepherds are the leading choice for police, guard and military dogs. Their ability to learn and perform a new command is astonishing. They are used to track scents, give warnings of danger and lead search and rescue teams. 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 11 under 9 lb? Royal Canin Ad DOg Is your Health Nutrition Nutrition that notices the very small dog. Scientific research shows that very small dogs (under 9 lb) require targeted nutritional solutions to support an increased frequency of constipation, cardiac disease, and dental sensitivities. X-SMALL Health NutritionTM helps to support the needs of very small dogs in all stages of their life. TM Complete nutritional program 10 months Lifestages 8 years 12 years � ROYAL CANIN SAS 2011. All Rights Reserved - Photos: � Duhayer - 2011 Does your cat suffer from litter box envy? by kellie mcCutCHeon make Your Cat's litter box sparkle Cats are clean by nature. as cat owners, we need to do our part in keeping their litter box clean. to prevent accidents and unwanted surprises, here are some tips to help keep your cat's bathroom as fresh as possible: Scoop your cat's litter box daily. Empty and clean the litter box every 1-2 weeks (more frequently if you have multiple cats). After cleaning the litter box, let it dry completely before refilling with litter, especially clumping litter! have a very sensitive Cats sense of smell, so avoid cleaning the litter box with harsh cleaning chemicals. Strong odors can deter a cat from using their litter box. Hot, soapy water and a thorough rinse works perfectly. Although cleaning your cat's litter box is not a glamorous job, it is a great way to keep tabs on your pet's health. If you notice changes in consistency, smell, or quality of waste, call your vet for advice. G ood news. Fresh4Life has enhanced its look and formula to keep up with the needs of all cats at every stage. Fresh4Life has raised the bar with its clay litter formulas by including the ODOR PROTECTOR SHIELD in all of the fragrance-free options. Their Eco-friendly litter line is the perfect partner to their traditional litter, offering environmentally friendly options for every cat and household. Eco-friendly litters are great for families that are looking for their bag of litter to last longer than it normally does. Eco-friendly litter is gentle on paws and the environment. Fresh4Life uses different natural resources, such as pine (great natural scent!), paper, corn and wheat, to make litter that cats and owners love. Silica, the newest evolution to the Fresh4Life line-up, is non-toxic, safe and has highest absorbency of any litter. Silica can absorb an extremely large quantity of liquid, which is great for smaller houses that have litter boxes. The most common litter is clay litter. It is convenient, economical and readily available. If your cat prefers clay litter, Fresh4Life has an assortment for you to choose from including Clumping, Scented and MultiCat. Fresh4Life Clumping litter is available fragrance-free or lavender scented. Clumping litter is extremely cost-effective, as you only have to remove solid clumps and the remaining litter stays in the box. The popular Multi-Cat formula has double the deodorizing agents as standard litter, perfect for households whose litter boxes are frequented by more than one furry friend. Sharing a home with a cat is wonderful but sometimes sharing that same home with their litter box can be trying. Fresh4Life knows that with their family of litter products, you will be able to find a product that works for you and your cat, so you can spend less time worrying about the litter box and more time petting, cuddling and playing. "A cat is the only domestic animal I know who toilet trains itself and does a...impressive job of it." - joseph epstein � No additives � No chemicals or toxins � Locks away moisture � Naturally controls odors � Low tracking formulas recycled Paper 12411 $13.99 PRoDU In StoCtS RE nEW Pine 12541 $12.99 Wheat 12753 $13.99 Corn 12548 $23.99 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 13 health & nutrition The Ultim ICwd LEA vse.cTShoK own F ate Ins t ferences are? t do you know what the dif d into the same group, bu u are trying mbine pending on what insect yo Fleas and ticks are often co as the treatment varies de they differ they fare! It's important to know how versus tick � let's see how t and home of. So it's flea to rid your pe Ticks od. When t feed on your pet's blo Ticks are arachnoids tha s Flea your small raisins. Ticks are the size of that feed on ernal insects Fleas are wingless, ext almost are so tiny that they are pet's blood. They hout food for several wit invisible. They can live , the lay eggs and reproduce months but in order to . female flea needs to eat engorged, can be can spread our pets because they ive in especially dangerous to when they bite. Ticks thr iva disease through their sal e tall grass. damp and hav areas that are wooded, The fact that tick . ar winner in round one pets makes fleas a cle NER: F diseases WINs can spread toxicLEAto our detecting Ticks breeding osed to areas that are If your pet has been exp e when you're home to brush sur grounds for ticks, make does not ck for ticks. If your dog dogs your pet carefully to che d and lightly feel your ved han like a brush, use a glo nd behind the ears, ks tend to be fou . If skin for any bumps. Tic chin and in their armpits of the neck, under the the nape r and see what it is. use, part the hai you feel a protrusion, pa detecting Fleas g, itchy, constantly scratchin If your pet is extremely re is a chance he has fur, the can chewing and licking his sure, a great test that you t fleas. If you still are not test. Rub a piece of we paper do at home is the white When finished, if your pet's fur. white paper towel over -red flakes (flea feces) per there are brownish on that pa fleas. certain that your pet has then you can almost be NER: as they k WINeasier to detectticare Ticks are ners. more visible to pet ow Treating Fleas Treating Ticks s immediately. Treat all pet Upon confirmation, treat spray or shampoo that flea in your household with d including their eggs an immediately kills fleas, h spray and powder. se wit larvae. Treat your hou r launder all fabric in you a Vacuum all floors and tible to fleas, consider cep home. If your dog is sus the preventative to reduce flea collar or a topical . tion odds of another infesta ice. rs or a tick removal dev ty. Remove ticks with tweeze ove the tick in it's entire you rem Be patient; make sure s with a shampoo, r dog for tick tact. Once removed, treat you remaining ticks on con cream that will kill any spray or abit, consider a as that ticks inh ticks. If you are often in are lar to continually repel topical or flea & tick col regular r ly wa to av it is one! :netheThe one y isoid nto prevente.it. WINNER cessary evil. k fre a home flea & tic Treating fleas & ticks is ep your pet and your ives this summer to ke Use preventat 2 /SUMMER 201 14 Companion SPRING grooming the top four grooming essentials for a happy, healthy & handsome pet! by CandaCe eberts grooming is an important part of pet care. dogs and cats require regular grooming to keep them healthy in their domestic environments. one of the major benefits of regular grooming is that you become familiar with your pet's body, allowing you to quickly recognize any health problems. grooming is a fantastic way to bond with your pet, and a great way to spend quality time with your loyal companion. Bathing, brushing, ear cleaning and nail trimming are all important steps in maintaining a happy, healthy and handsome pet. Lucy Loves try this 63141 $22.99 furminator nail Clipper Conair Pin brush 79821 $8.99 1. Bathing Bathingcanbequiteanadventureforpetsanditisagreatwaytoridyour pet'scoatofanydirt,danderanddebris.Beforeabath,brushyourpet'sfur tohelploosentanglesandstimulatetheskin.Alwaysuseashampoothat isdesignedespeciallyforyouranimal.Shampooforhumansisnotmadeto properlycareforourbelovedcompanions.Itcanbeharmfultotheirskinand destroyitsnaturaloils,resultinginitchy,flaky,irritatedskin.It'simportantto usethecorrectshampootomakebathtimeafunandenjoyableexperience. Onceyou'vepre-rinsedyourpet,latherhimupwithyourpet-friendlyshampoo. Makesuretosaveyourpet'sfaceforlastanduseadampclothtocleanaround theeyes,earsandnose.Afterathoroughscrub,makesureyourinseyourpet reallywell,assoapresiduecancauseskinirritations.Bepreparedwithlotsof towels!Rubyourpetdownwithatoweltoabsorbanyexcesswaterandfinish himoffwithagoodbrushing. 2. Brushing Brushingisanothercommongroomingroutinethatshouldbedoneona regularbasis.Brushingisessentialtothehealthofyourpet'sskinandcoat, asitremovesdeadhairandskin,preventsodorsandspreadsthenaturaloils intheircoats.Itisoneofthesimplestroutines,yetmostnecessary.Brushes areavailableinawidevarietytoaccommodatedifferenttypesofpetsandcoats. CheckoutyourlocalPetValuforbrushesthatbestsuityourpetsneedsand askoneofourPetExpertsforexcellentproductrecommendations.Remember: themoreoftenyoubrushyourpet,thelessoftenyouhavetobathethem! 3. Ears tropiclean shampoo 44013 20 oz $12.99 Earsareplacesthatcancollectdirtandareaprimeplaceforinfection. Keepingyourpet'searscleanisagreatwaytokeephimhealthyandprevent illness.Doregularearchecksathomebylookinginsideyourpet'sears. Takenoteofthecolor.Theinsideofyourpetsearsshouldbeahealthypink. Wipetheouterearusingpetearwipesandbecarefulnottotouchwhatyou cannoteasilyseewhencleaningtheinsideoftheears.Symptomsofpoor earconditionsincludesensitivitytotouch,brown,blackoryellowdischarge, shakingorcontinuousheadtiltingandfoulodor.Thesesymptomsshouldbe treatedimmediatelybyyourveterinarian. tropiclean ear Wipes 44029 1.4 oz $10.99 4. Nails try this Grooming is a fun and healthy activity for both pets and owners. remember to praise your furry friend during your grooming routine to establish a positive experience. Treats are always welcome afterwards as a tasty reward! Enjoy the quality time spent together and remember that a clean pet is a happy, healthy & handsome pet! haVe fun Nailtrimmingisimportantforbothcatsanddogsaslengthynailscanput unnecessarypressureonyourpet'sfeet.Itisimportanttoplaywithyourpet's pawstogetthemusedtothefeelofhavingtheirpawshandled.Itisimportant tousenailclippersdesignedespeciallyforanimals.Catshavebrittlenailsthat caneasilyshattersoitisbesttouseanailclippersuitedforcats.Dogshave strongernailssoastrongernailclipperisnecessary.Analternativetoanail clipperfordogsistouseanailgrinder.Thismaytakesomegettingusedtobut agrinderwillleaveasmoothfinish,whichisgreatonhardwoodfloors!Here's anexcellentstrategyforthefinickypet:trimyourpet'snailsoverthecourseof afewdays.There'snorulethatsaysithastobedoneallatonce.Thiswillhelp reducestresslevelsforbothyouandyourpet. 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 15 tips & tricks travelling with your pet this summer? Whether it is a road trip or a lengthy vacation, we love to bring our pets with us. taking a trip with your pet requires some additional packing and planning, but with the right preparation you can have a fun and adventurous trip that includes your furry family member! Get There Safely Getting to your destination is the first part of your trip. Everyone needs to buckle up, including your pet. Keeping your pet secure in your vehicle not only protects them, but protects other people in the car should you make a sudden stop. Make sure, before heading out on that road trip, that your pet can be properly secured in your car. Be sure to take plenty of bathroom breaks, give everyone the opportunity to stretch their legs and grab a drink of water. Not sure if your pet gets carsick? Don't find out the hard way. If your pet has a sensitive stomach, avoid large meals before you get in the car. kurgo travel bed Petmate vari kennel 64967 from $79.99 76086 $64.99 kurgo Harness & Zip line 75982 from $21.99 Solutions pet travel Keeps Fido in his place Universal fit Wander Hammock Skybox Booster Seat try this try this to protect your whole pack Prevents driver distraction Rugged construction Checking In Regardless if it is a campsite, a family friendly cottage or a hotel, prior to packing up your pet, call and confirm your accommodations are pet friendly. Once you arrive at your destination, set up your pet's food and water bowls in a spot where they can easily be found. Do a quick check to make sure the space is "pet proofed". Don't forget to bring along your pet's regular bed, as they will appreciate the familiarity of it in a new environment. Change is Good Tru-Fit Smart Harness Change of scenery is great for everyone, including our pets. While on vacation though, we do not suggest changing their food and treats. Changing their diet can sometimes cause digestive upset, which can prove to be messy. Something you do not want to worry about on your trip. As well, for pets with sensitive stomachs, we suggest bringing water from home as water can vary from place to place. Don't forget to pack any medication or vitamins that you give to your pets. Travelling with your pet is a lot of fun; it is exciting to watch them discover new places along with your family. Pets can be wonderful travel companions and the more you bring them along, the easier it gets. We wish you, your pets and your family safe travelling this summer! 16 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 GO TOGETHER Visit your local Pet Valu to see the complete Kurgo line healthy eating Fat Cat Syndrome by david summers, Ph.d. What to do? No more free-feeding your cats. The nibblers will need to learn to meal feed. If your cats have had a communal feeding dish, the first step is to get separate dishes. A feeding schedule has to be established where every cat has their own dish and their own space. With some cats it is best if they can be fed in separate rooms. Most often, the cats can still be fed in the same area, but don't line their dishes up all together. To separate the dishes you may need to get a partition, like a baby gate. If you have an aggressive-overweight cat, you can try a feeding crate, where the entrance is small enough so the overweight cat can't get into the crate or box. You could also go vertical. Most cats love to climb and will feel quite at home feeding in an elevated spot. Initially you will have to supervise their entire feeding, but your cats will soon learn when and where to eat. Start by having the food available for 30 minutes and then pick up any uneaten food. As your cats learn to meal feed, pick up their dishes after they walk away, don't leave the food down. Feeding a Multi-Cat Household Way back in my rookie years, I had a telephone call from a customer who was complaining that our weight loss cat food wasn't working for their cat. After three months the cat still hadn't lost any weight. I started to explain that changing the food alone may not achieve weight loss for all cats, and that the amount of food that they feed may have to be reduced for their cat. She responded with "Well if I do that he will just eat the other cat's food." "Other cats? what other cats?" "I have three cats, two are OK, and one is overweight. The overweight cat finishes his food and then goes and eats the other cat's food." I have had many stories of similar situations repeated to me over the years, and because of the first incident I started referring to the situation as Fat Cat Syndrome. It involves a multi-cat household where one cat is overweight. For some reason, it often involves a household with three cats. The problem is how to control the food consumption of an overweight cat when there are other cats in the house. The natural eating habits of cats are significantly different than dogs. Dogs evolved eating in packs, where there was competition for food, so even with all the alterations in their genetics most dogs still eat their food rapidly, at one meal. Cats evolved as solitary hunters eating many small meals in a day. To use animal feeding behaviour terms, dogs are meal eaters, and cats are nibblers. In today's cat population, the majority of cats nibble at their food if it is left out during the day. However, at least a third of all cats meal feed. The problem in a multi-cat household is free-feeding the food, which works for the nibblers, but it does not work if one or more of the cats are meal eaters. The meal eater, especially if he is dominant, will gladly eat everyone's leftover food. Slow it down To slow down your fast meal eating cat, try using a bigger dish where the kibble is only one to two layers deep. This will make it harder to pick up the kibble and therefore force him to eat more slowly. If you are feeding wet food, add some water to the food to slow down their consumption, but not so much that they turn away from their food. Sometimes separate rooms, partitions, or elevated dishes are not practical or possible. There are foods which can help in these situations, because the same food can be fed to all cats. The most common are multicat foods, which have carnitine which helps burn more fat in an overweight cat and is still very healthy for your other cats. Recent research has shown cats fed lower carbohydrate foods are better at controlling their appetite, much like the Atkins diet for humans. The carbohydrate level is not something you will see mentioned on the label of a cat food. However, what you can find is the guaranteed protein level. For almost all foods there is an inverse relationship between the level of protein in the food and the level of carbohydrates. Therefore, higher protein cat foods typically have less carbohydrates. High protein foods often also have higher fat levels, which may seem counter intuitive to what we normally think of for a weight loss food. The amount of the food fed has to be less than for a weight loss food, but because the carbohydrate level is lower, the appetite is suppressed. For this reason many cat parents have had success in feeding or supplementing with wet foods that have high meat protein and moderate fat content. There are also dry cat foods which also have higher protein levels. Look for the ones that are high in protein and low in fat. The Performatrin Ultra Slim Care is a weight loss food that is formulated to be lower in carbohydrate to help reduce appetite. In addition there is a blend of fast and slowly absorbed carbohydrates to stave off a spike in blood glucose after eating. To help the overweight cat burn more calories, included in the recipe is Carnitine and green tea extract. try this Performatrin ultra Cat slim Care 17989 - 6.6 lbs from $28.99 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 17 small animals Oh Guinea Pig, My Guinea Pig by tera CasHen G uinea pigs are amazing creatures. Though not the most popular pets for children, they are one of the best pets you will have, as their sociability and activity level make for hours of fun. Guinea pigs are members of the rodent family. They are extremely social and live in large groups in the wild of South America. When the Spanish conquerors came to South America, guinea pigs quickly became domesticated as pets and were brought to Europe. They are easy to tame, quite captivating and very smart. home Sweet Guinea Pig The most important factor in owning a guinea pig is its home. Plastic cages with very good ventilation are the best for a guinea pig, as cages with wire floors can harm their paw pads. The size of the cage should be determined on the basis of how many guinea pigs there are; each should have enough space to sleep by themselves in a clean area, as well as room for food, toys and hide-aways. Guinea pigs have a tendency to stand in their dishes so a water bottle attached to the cage is the most practical for keeping them hydrated. Bedding is very important as well. The best bedding does not contain harsh oils, a great example being aspen softwood. Pine softwood is also suitable in a wellventilated cage. The bedding should be a couple of inches thick to provide enough comfort during sleeping and to absorb their waste. Waste can be scooped every day, or the bedding changed every three to four days. The best location for guinea pigs is on a small table away from direct sunlight, drafts, and the pesky noses of other pets. Extremes in temperature can be harmful, so moderate temperatures are best. guinea faCts � Baby guinea pigs look like miniature versions of their parents. They are born completely furred and can eat pellet food from birth. � Because guinea pigs shed their fur, children can sometimes become allergic to them. It is best to keep them out of a child's bedroom to avoid allergies from developing. Diet A healthy diet is very important to your guinea pig as there is one particular dietary need that guinea pigs must receive - Vitamin C. They cannot produce Vitamin C themselves, so their food must include an appropriate amount of Vitamin C. Pellets are best as these ensure that guinea pigs are getting the proper nutrition. If using a seed mix, make sure that there are pellets in the mix and that the guinea pigs are eating them. If needed, Vitamin C can be added to the food. Hay should be given daily. It gives them fiber and helps them to wear down their teeth, because rodents' teeth are constantly growing. You can also give them carrots, broccoli or other green leafy vegetables. Give only a few treats per day alongside the hay, as too many can cause digestive upsets. Grooming Like cats, guinea pigs shed their fur, so they groom themselves frequently. If they suddenly stop or their fur becomes matted, then it could be a sign of illness and they should be taken to the vet. Once they become acquainted with you, they should be groomed with a soft-bristle brush. This helps to maintain their coats' shine and keep their cage clean of shedded hair. With long-haired guinea pigs, it is doubly important to brush them as they cannot reach all of their hair to clean it. Toenails should also be trimmed frequently to prevent overgrowth. 18 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 small animals Saying `hello' Bringing home a guinea pig can be exciting, but it can also be stressful for the guinea pig. Because they are prey animals, they are prone to be quite nervous. Keep children away from the guinea pig for a few days, and keep loud noises to a minimum. It is always best to keep guinea pigs in pairs, especially with another from the same litter. Their stress decreases when they are together and interaction with each other will keep them from being bored, so consider adopting two! Guinea pigs have very good memories, and will learn to recognize their owners' voices and scents. Win their trust by speaking to them soothingly and offering them treats. When the guinea pig willingly comes up to accept a treat, pat them gently. Soon, you will be able to tempt them out of their cage. Hold and pet them every day, and in time they'll be ready for cuddling. guinea faCts � To pick up a guinea pig, place one hand under the chest and one hand under the rear. � They love dandelion greens, but don't give too many as these treats contain a lot of calcium and protein. Caution: Guinea Pig at Play As with any animal, activity is important with guinea pigs. It keeps them fit, healthy and alert. Chew toys are an excellent way to provide stimulation as chewing helps to keep their teeth filed down and exercises their mind. The best way to provide activity is to have an indoor or outdoor enclosure for them that has lots of activities. Using an exercise playpen, an enclosure can be made to let them roam around indoors or brought outside. Guinea pigs can run through mazes to find treats, or run in and out of hollow logs. Challenge your guinea pigs to reach their treats by suspending a food ball from the top of the cage, or make a chew tree with different-sized branches containing various treats. If you decide to let your guinea pigs roam around indoors without a playpen, ensure that they have supervision, and block off access to electrical cords, poisonous plants or small openings. A heavy plastic sheet can be laid down to protect the floors from droppings. `Pop-Corning' and Other tales As social animals, guinea pigs use body language and vocal sounds to communicate. Learning these signals will help you to better understand them. When frightened, guinea pigs freeze. This helps them to evade the attention of a predator and to assess the situation. Young guinea pigs often jump straight into the air, which is called "pop-corning", and is a way for them to stretch their muscles and express excitement. Guinea pigs can be quite vocal, once they get used to their owners they will often squeak. Squeaking is also a sign that they want food or treats, and if you are a well-trained owner, these are readily given. When exploring, they make softer squeaks, like `chutting'. They also coo or purr when excited or seeking physical contact. try this vitakraft slims with alfalfa 50141 1.76 oz $3.99 tidy feeder 73901 12 oz $5.99 Variations on a Guinea Pig There are a few types of guinea pigs, mainly grouped into length of hair. Smooth-haired guinea pigs have shorter hair and don't require as much grooming. Long-haired guinea pigs can look like little mops, and need more attention paid to their fur as they cannot groom their lengths out themselves. Abyssinian guinea pigs can have short or long fur, but the fur is whorled like rosettes, so the hair goes in different directions. An Abyssinian can have one rosette or many, and attention should be paid to grooming in the direction of the fur. Partially hairless guinea pigs, also called skinny pigs, have tufts on their heads or bodies. Completely hairless guinea pigs are dubbed Baldwins, and look like little hippopotamuses. Both varieties of hairless guinea pigs need more temperature control, and they must eat more to sustain a suitable body temperature. 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 19 super Pet natural tree trunk 74151, 74152 sm-lg $4.99-$12.99 spring/summer clothes Fashion Fun with The warm weather is here! If you thought pets only needed clothing in the cold weather, think again. Here are 4 great reasons for having lighter pieces in your pet's wardrobe. PRoDU In StoCtS RE nEW Prevent a Sunburn Dogs with light fur or little to no hair are vulnerable to getting sunburnt. Protect your dog with a light piece of clothing, like a t-shirt, to ward off the sun and keep your dog cool. Do not worry about the clothing making it too hot for your dog. Your pup does not release heat through his skin, but rather through his mouth when he pants. How to fit your dog for clothing Itisalwaysbesttobringyour dogintothestoreandtrythe clothingon.Thiswillensurethe clothesfitproperlyandthatyour doghasfullmobilityoncehe iswearingtheclothes.Store staffcanalsoshowyouthe easiestwaytoputonanddo uptheclothing. Ifyouarenotabletobring yourdogintothestore,take theirmeasurementsathome. Measurethelengthofyourdog fromthebaseoftheirneck, approximatelywheretheircollar sits,tothebaseoftheirtail.That lengthisthemeasurement mostclothinguses.Ifyou haveamaledog,andthe clothingdoesnothavea cut-outunderneath,shorten thismeasurementslightly todecreasethelikelihoodof yourdogurinatingonthe undersideofhisclothes. Spring is Wet While your dog may have fun playing in the puddles, cleaning up after a muddy dog is not as enjoyable. A spring t-shirt or slicker helps keep your dog dry and your home clean. If your dog has longer hair that is prone to matting, consider putting a piece of clothing on her, to prevent her hair from getting wet and tangled. Get Dressed Up Spring and summer means BBQ's, trips to the park and socializing with friends � all with your dog. Putting a new accessory on your dog for these events, such as a bandana, is a great way to show off his personality and dress him up for all the dog friendly occasions you will be attending. You want to look your best, don't you? So does your dog! Prevent Skin Allergies Consider using spring clothing to help protect your dog from coming in contact with common allergens. In the nice weather, our dogs are exposed to weed killer, fertilizer and insecticides � all of which they can be allergic to. Spring clothing will physically prevent your dog from making contact with the above list and many other common allergens. neW spring apparel from $12.99 neW spring bandanas from $7.99 20 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Spring Cleaning a 44402 $12.99 Lather, Rinse, Repeat Yourhome,thatis!Thisisamustforuspetowners.Fabric gathersplentyofdustandgrimeoverthewintermonths andasmuchaswevacuum,ourrugsneedagoodscrub. Upholsteryandrugscanalsolockinodorssoifyoufind youcannotgetridofthat"petsmell"inyourhouse,a goodcarpet&upholsterycleaningmightbeexactlywhat yourhomeneeds.Carpetcleanersareavailabletorentor purchaseandyouwillfindmanyofthecleaningsolutions thatyouputinthemachineshaveacleanerspecificallyfor pets.Openyourwindowstohelpthecarpetsdryfaster! s the warm weather approaches, so do thoughts of cleaning up our house and yard. We all want a fresh start for spring, but as pet owners our priorities are a little different compared to those without animals. A season's worth of shedding, dingy carpet and a yard full of poop makes for unpleasant spring cleaning for pet owners. even though we cannot do the work for you, here are some tips to help get through this spring, and perhaps give you some ideas to reduce the cleaning for next year! Pawganics Cleaners 44403 $7.99 Tumbleweeds of Pet Hair Everyspring,petsshedtheirwintercoatsfortheir lighter,springcoat.Thismakesspringcleaningeven moreimportantasyourhomeislikelytobefilledwith pethairthistimeofyear.Vacuumingmoreregularlyis key,includinggettingallofthosehardtoreachplaces, likeunderfurniture.Whileyoucannotstoptheshedding, youcanmakeclean-upeasieronyourselfwithregular brushingandgrooming.Whentheweatherisnice,brush yourdogoutsidetokeeptheloosehairoutofyourhome. Takingyourpettoagroomingsalonisalsohelpfulas groomersaregreatatremovingthewintercoatanddead hairinyourpet'sfur. Pawganics stain & odour nature's miracle advanced stain & odor remover 44391, 44393 $14.99 try t h is try t h is Extra Large Load Aremindertowashyourpets'blankets,bedsandanything elsetheysleepon.Allwinteryourpets'bedsandblankets havegathereddirtandgreasefromtheirskinandfur.No bettertimethanspringtothroweverythinginthewash tocleanandfreshenthemup.Dogbedisn'twashable? Nexttimeyou'reshoppingforapetbed,trytolookfor somethingwitharemovablecoverforeasywashing. Poop Be Gone! dog gone smart dirty dog doormat 58891-94 sizes M, L $39.99-$44.99 try t h is It'sspring.Thesnowisgoneandallthat'sleftis...poop. Lotsofpoop.Cleaningupthepoopisadreadedjob,but itmustbedone.Thereareavarietyofheavydutyscoops availabletohelpyoucleanupafteryourdog,allwith differentfeatures,includingonewithabagdispenserbuilt rightin!Ifthesmelldoesn'tgetyououtsidecleaning,then rememberthatifleftalone,petfecesisahealthhazard. Somepetsalsotendtoeattheirownpoop(coprophagia) whichisnotonlyextremelyunhealthy,butstomachturningtowatch! try t h is Poop Patrol 76055, 76058 $26.99 Lucy Loves Cleaning up after our pets is part of being a responsible pet owner. It is something that the entire family can help out with � from gathering our pet's blankets to vacuuming under the couch. here is hoping some of these ideas inspire you and your family to have a fresh, clean home and yard this spring! 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 21 tips & tricks Ingredients the nice weather is here and with nice weather comes increased trips to the dog park. Here are some do's and don'ts to make your dog park experience great for you and your pet. good to knoW! Our ingredients column shines a light on your pet's food and helps you read and make sense of the label, ultimately make the best decision for your animal. Below are some of the items you WANT to see in the ingredient list on the back of your pet's food. Fresh & Whole Vegetables An indicator that your pets are not getting the leftovers from human food production. Having fresh & whole fruits & vegetables means the food includes natural vitamins, minerals and fiber. Protein Your pet's digestive systems are designed to eat meat, so make sure meat is high on the ingredient list of their food. Protein such as chicken or turkey is a vital part of your pet's diet. Protein can also be found in fish, eggs and soybeans. High Quality Grains (GRAIN DIETS) If your pet requires a diet with grains, try to find a food with multiple high quality grain sources such as brown rice, oatmeal and barley. These grains are carbohydrates and all carbohydrates are digested differently. Each carbohydrate provides your pet with unique benefits. Fat In moderation of course, fat provides the number one source of energy for your pet and helps with the absorption of many vitamins. Fatty acids are important in decreasing inflammation in your pet's body. Of course, fat content needs to be monitored and, if properly regulated can be extremely beneficial to your pet's overall health. Vitamins & Minerals Our animals need certain vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. Make sure your food is a complete and balanced diet, meaning that it contains everything essential to your pet's health. Supplements and preventative vitamins can be added to your pet's food for specific reasons, but only do so under advice from your veterinarian. DO DObring poop bags. Even though you are in a fenced off area, you still need to scoop. It's always nice to bring a few extras and leave them there, in case someone else forgets to bring a bag. DObring lots of water for your dog. With all that playing, they get thirsty quickly. Pack an extra bottle in case your dog meets a new friend and happily shares his drink! DOsupervise your dog at all times. Sometimes dogs take a little longer to warm up to other dogs and it's best to keep a watch out for questionable behaviour. and interact with your pet. Use this time to strengthen your bond between you and your pet (try to avoid bringing your smartphone!). DOtake an active role in their exercise by bringing a frisbee or ball to play DO use the dog park as an area to observe other breeds if you are looking to adopt another dog. It's a great environment to watch other dogs and determine their energy level and how they play and socialize with each other. try t h is stainless bottle 75794 $19.99 Lucy Loves Poop dogs 44411 $1.99 DOn't try t h is DON'Tbring a dog with behaviour issues to the park. Start by socializing your dog in a smaller, more controlled environment such as a backyard. Once your dog is comfortable with other dogs, start bringing him to the park during off hours when there are not as many dogs around to ease him into it and observe his temperament. should have all their vaccinations before being exposed to so many other pets. DON'Tbring a new puppy to the park, as much as you may want to. Dogs DON'Tworry if your dog does not automatically run off and play with other dogs. Some personalities and breeds prefer to walk or run by themselves or play a game of fetch with their owner. to get dirty. Even if your dog does not jump, there is no guarantee another dog won't try to greet you face-to-face! can be knocked down and hurt accidentally by running dogs. There are often seats or benches on the other side of the fence where they can safely observe the dogs playing and avoid injuries. DON'Twear your fanciest clothes to the dog park, as you are bound DON'Tbring very small children or older adults to the dog park, as they 22 Companion SPRING/SUMMER 2012 www.petvalu.com /companionanswers KiD Zone: FinD the ansWeRs at Connect the Dots Don't Get Lost! Start! K I D Z O NE W r Jumble od U n s c r a m ble t h e s e p et e s s You made it! WEHC SYTO _ _ _ _ OOAPHSM _ _ _ _ _ TTHOOBHURS _ _ _ LOALCR _ _ _ _ _ _ EDB _ _ _ ETSRTA _ _ _ _ _ _ ODOF WLBO _ _ _ _ ASELH _ _ _ _ _ RUBHS _ _ _ _ _ RTEAC _ _ _ _ _ e nt ia ls, u s in g ____ __ _______ This is not the answer! a ll lette rs p ro v ide d . ____ u n sc ra m bled, n ce a ll words a re O le d letters to a rra n ge th e ci rc ! so lve th e p uzz le _____ _____ 2012 SPRING/SUMMER Companion 23 All pets need this! PASSIONATE ABOUT PETS? READY FOR RETAIL? Join Canada's Largest Chain of Specialty Pet Supply Stores. A pet specialty franchise can help you turn the growing pet industry into your own successful business. As Canada's largest pet specialty retail franchise chain, we can support your success from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Pet Valu has a loyal and established customer base, a recognized brand and is part of a growing market in Canada and throughout North America. Take our established business model and turn it into your own thriving success story. The next store opening could be yours! We Offer Our Franchisees: � Best-in-class inventory control and more than 200 vendor relationships � Purchasing and warehousing of more than 7,000 national and premium pet foods and supplies � Marketing and advertising support (local and nationwide) � Pet Valu's own successful private label program For more information about this opportunity, contact: Mark Sonik, Franchise Director Pet Valu Canada Inc. 905-946-1200 ext. 3214 1-888-254-7824 firstname.lastname@example.com Visit petvalu.com/franchise for details


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Results tagged ' Ruben Amaro Jr. '
Fire Sale Looming
On the train to DC this morning I crunched some numbers and came up with a few thoughts about the Phillies, who seem to be headed nowhere fast following a 4-7 homestand, which included their first no-hit loss since 1978 and four losses in five games to the Mets.
The Phillies are 9-17 since they were 15-14 on May 4. It's the worst record in the National League in that span.
They are 24-31 overall. They were 26-29 at this point last year, when they were on their way to 89 losses.
I'm typically one to preach patience during a 162-game season because it is difficult to draw concrete conclusions about a team a little more than two months into it. I often remind people about the deficits the 2007 and 2008 Phillies overcame to win the National League East: seven down with 17 to play in 2007 and 3 ½ back with 16 to play in 2008. But those teams did at least one thing very, very well. Those teams had the best offense in the National League. They hit the cover off the ball. They also had a very good bullpen down the stretch in 2007 and a great one throughout 2008. They also played good defense.
But the 2014 Phillies don't do anything well. You can't say, "This team has fantastic starting pitching, so if they can just add a bullpen arm and get Domonic Brown going they should be OK."
There are holes everywhere.
Brown is hitting .206 with six doubles, one triple, four home runs, 27 RBIs, 15 walks, 36 strikeouts and a .557 OPS through the team's first 55 games. It reminds me of Pat Burrell's 2003 season. Burrell's struggles were a huge story that year. Fans wanted him sent to Triple-A, like Brown. I got emails from people asking about Burrell's eyesight or other ailments that might be affecting him at the plate. But through 55 games in 2003, Burrell was hitting .204 with 13 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 25 RBIs, 31 walks, 64 strikeouts and a .751 OPS. Amazing. Burrell's OPS was nearly 200 points higher than Brown's is today.
Don't Expect Franco Soon, Utley Trade Rumors
It sure doesn't sound like Maikel Franco is an option to play third base while Cody Asche is on the disabled list.
"He's just not playing good enough baseball yet," Ruben Amaro Jr. said today at Citizens Bank Park. "He's not really ready to be a big-leaguer yet."
Franco returned to the IronPigs lineup yesterday after missing a couple days with an upper respiratory issue. He is hitting .231 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and a .669 OPS this season after a poor start, but he has hit .292 with an .851 OPS in 27 games since April 22.
But in those last 27 games, he is hitting just .125 (3 for 24) in his last seven.
Asche is on the DL with a strained left hamstring. The Phillies said they hope Asche can return June 7, when he is eligible to be activated. If that happens, it means there are just 10 more days for Franco to get a call up.
That isn't much of a window to suddenly become a big leaguer in the eyes and minds of the Phillies front office. Meanwhile, Cesar Hernandez continues to play third base in Asche's absence. He entered Tuesday hitting .129 (4-for-31).
"There's no reason to bring Franco unless he's ready to be a big leaguer as far as I'm concerned," Amaro said. "If he puts together a few days. Offensively, he's made some adjustments, he's made some improvements better than in the earlier part of the season, but he's not really going on all cylinders now. We're still contemplating it. We'll see how it goes."
Are there Chase Utley trade rumors? If not, there will be soon, unless the team begins to play well.
"They surface because he's a good player and we're not in first place, that's why they surface," Amaro said.
But Amaro downplayed the suggestion the Phillies would trade one of their more iconic players.
"First off, no one wants to trade Chase Utley and No.2 I don't think Chase Utley wants to go anywhere and he has the power to decide what he wants to do," Amaro said. "The point is kind of moot. The same with Jimmy (Rollins). The same story."
Bullpen Needs to Step Up, Help on Way?
The Phillies have their three best pitchers on the mound this weekend against the Nationals: Cliff Lee, A.J. Burnett and Cole Hamels.
Ryne Sandberg will hand the ball to the bullpen at some point, and it is possible he will do it with a small lead or deficit. If the Phillies have a lead, will the bullpen hold it? If they're down a run or two, will they keep it close to give the offense a chance to come back and win?
It has been a crap shoot all season.
The Phillies bullpen has a 4.84 ERA, which is the highest mark in the National League and the fourth-highest mark in baseball. It has allowed 1.45 home runs per nine innings, which is the highest mark in baseball.
Jonathan Papelbon has 10 scoreless appearances since blowing a save April 2 in Texas. What has hurt the bullpen has been the ineffectiveness of the young pitchers the organization thought had turned a corner. It has been the story the past two seasons. Pitchers like B.J. Rosenberg, Justin De Fratus, Phillippe Aumont, Jeremy Horst, etc., have pitched well late in the season, but haven't followed up on that success. Jake Diekman, who remains in the bullpen, has been hurt by the long ball. He has allowed three homers this year, helping him to a 7.30 ERA.
As a result just three of the seven pitchers in the bullpen (Antonio Bastardo, Diekman and Mario Hollands) are homegrown. The others (Papelbon, Mike Adams, Shawn Camp and Jeff Manship) signed as free agents or Minor League free agents.
A lack of homegrown production from the bullpen is not a new thing. From 2004-13, the Phillies have had 15 different relief pitchers throw 50 or more innings in a season with less than a 3.50 ERA. Just four of those relievers were homegrown: Ryan Madson, Brett Myers, Geoff Geary and Bastardo. The others the Phillies acquired in trades (Billy Wagner and Brad Lidge), signed as free agents (Clay Condrey, Jose Contreras, Chad Durbin, Tom Gordon, Chan Ho Park, J.C. Romero and Papelbon), claimed off waivers (Aaron Fultz) or selected in the Rule 5 Draft (David Herndon).
But Phillies fans looking for outside help shouldn't hold their breath. If a team has a good relief pitcher there is almost zero chance they will trade him in May. But there are unsigned relievers still out there like Ryan Madson, Kevin Gregg and Joel Hanrahan, although there has been some buzz around baseball Madson might not pitch again.
"We've had contact with all of those guys," Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "We'll see."
Double-A right-hander Ken Giles is throwing 100 mph and dominating hitters in the Eastern League. He has allowed eight hits, two earned runs, four walks and has struck out 25 in just 13 innings.
"He consistently throws very hard," assistant general manager of player personnel Benny Looper said. "But there are a couple things he's working on. One, commanding the fastball low in the strike zone. He's throwing too many pitches up, belt high, that are hittable in the big leagues. The other thing is commanding his slider. He's got to have that second pitch. It's a good pitch and he's making improvements with it, but he's got to have a couple pitches he can go to. If big league hitters are sitting on his fastball and it's thrown belt high they're going to catch up with it. He's making great progress. We love his arm and we love where he's headed. But he's where he needs to be right now. At some point we'd consider getting him against more veteran lineups like you'd see in Triple-A. That would happen at some point."
In the meantime, the current relievers need to perform and the ones sent to Triple-A (Rosenerg, De Fratus and Brad Lincoln) need to show enough consistency to warrant a call back.
"It's trusting their ability because they all have big league talent," Amaro said. "It's a matter of putting it together when it's time to ring the bell."
Rollins Unfazed By Report
The Phillies had just started batting practice this morning at Bright House Field, when Ruben Amaro Jr. called over Jimmy Rollins to a spot in shallow left field.
They spoke for a couple minutes with Amaro concluding the conversation with a pat on Rollins' back.
Amaro and Rollins declined to discuss the conversation, but they most certainly were discussing an ESPN.com report yesterday that said there is strong sentiment within the Phillies organization that it would be better served trading Rollins as soon as possible. It followed Ryne Sandberg benching Rollins three consecutive games last week and offering a pointed "no comment" when asked about Rollins' influence in the clubhouse this spring.
Rollins said he isn't bothered by the report.
"Because I can't be traded," he said before leaving for Dunedin to play the Blue Jays. "It doesn't matter. I don't care which way it is tried to be twisted or said, or if it is exactly how it was said, or even if it was said, I can't be traded. It doesn't matter. If I was tradable it may have weight because that means I could be moving soon. But I am not tradable and so it doesn't matter."
Amaro repeatedly called any suggestion the Phillies want Rollins out "silly" or "silliness."
"Absolute silliness," he said. "Jimmy Rollins is our shortstop. One of the ways we're going to be able to win is with Jimmy being Jimmy. … We have no intention of moving Jimmy. We need Jimmy to play for us to win. It's as simple as that."
Asked if he believes Rollins needs to be a better leader or if that is an issue, Amaro said, "I don't have any issues at all with Jimmy."
It must be noted the Phillies have explored trading Rollins the previous two Trade Deadlines and again this past offseason, just like there are some that have grown weary of things like Rollins not running hard to first base, etc., so the idea the Phillies would trade Rollins at the right time with the right opportunity is correct. But Rollins has stated multiple times over the past year he has absolutely no intentions of waiving his 10-and-5 trade rights.
He is not going anywhere.
Rollins said he is not troubled that somebody could be trying to make him look bad.
"It might be a little late for that," Rollins said. "That's probably happened years ago. You're persecuted long before the day you're sentenced. You're already found guilty or innocent by the people, so it's a little late for that.
"Everybody wants to be loved or liked. But good or bad, right or wrong, people are going to love you and some are going to hate you regardless. You can't change their opinions to swing either way."
Amaro reiterated several times the Phillies need Rollins to play and play well if they expect to return to the postseason for the first time since 2011. But one thing that could be a distraction to Rollins is if he believes the front office doesn't like him.
"Nobody, there's nobody that is upset with Jimmy," Amaro said. "Jimmy Rollins is our shortstop. I'm happy to have him. Like I said, we need to have Jimmy be as good as he possibly can be for us to win."
Rollins had the worst season of his career last year. He said he isn't worried the hammer is being dropped because he is not performing like he had in the past.
"That's OK," he said. "Am I coming off a bad year? Yes, that part is true. I've never hid from the truth. That's OK. They can't be harder on me than I am on myself. It's OK, it's OK, it's OK. I'm looking forward to a great year."
Amaro Encouraged with MAG
The Phillies have tempered expectations for Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez since they signed him to a $12 million contract in August.
He allowed two hits, one run, walked four and struck out two in 1 2/3 innings yesterday in his Phillies and Grapefruit League debuts against the Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. His fastball hit 93 or 94 mph once, depending on the radar gun, but otherwise sat in the 89-91 mph range. He showed some quality offspeed pitches, particularly his breaking ball, but couldn't command his fastball.
It was his first time pitching in a game in two years.
"He was rusty and he wasn't throwing a lot of strikes," Ruben Amaro Jr. said this morning at Bright House Field. "But I think stuff-wise it was encouraging. He probably threw better with his stuff as far as his velocity and breaking ball since he's been in camp. It's a process. We've got to let him develop from there. But I was encouraged by his poise. I was encouraged that his stuff was better than it had been in his sides. And hopefully it will continue to progress in a positive way."
Scouting reports before Gonzalez signed said he threw in the mid-90s.
So where is the heat?
"I think he's still building it, just like all these other guys," Amaro said. "It just takes time for guys to build arm strength. I'm not as concerned about the velocity as I am the command and making sure his stuff is consistent. It'll build."
Amaro said Gonzalez had some tightness in his arm earlier in the spring, but said Saturday it was not an issue.
"There have been no issues with him thus far," Amaro said.
It's An Old Age Question
If you have not read the story yet, the Phillies held a press conference last night to announce Carlos Ruiz's three-year, $26 million deal. Ruben Amaro Jr. discussed the risks of signing Ruiz, who turns 35 in January. But last night's news conference was old news. The story broke Monday, and Ruiz's agent Marc Kligman (@MLBAgent) confirmed and discussed the deal on Twitter and elsewhere. By the time the official announcement came, most people already had their fill of how the deal went down.
The real news is what's next for Amaro? I wrote the other day that unless he makes a trade to free up a spot in the field, Marlon Byrd and Ruiz could be the only tweaks to next season's lineup. (And Ruiz can't be considered much of a tweak because he isn't new.) So here are Amaro's answers to questions about the team and what's next.
Q: Could there be more changes to the lineup?
A: It is possible. We've had a lot of dialogue with a lot of clubs. We've kept our minds and our eyes open as far as our lineup is concerned. We hope to try to continue to improve it, or change it, somehow.
Q: Five of the eight everyday players will be 34 or older on Opening Day …
A: I think we can win. It's really a matter of getting the guys on the field. If they're on the field, they will produce. Unless something drastic happens over the next several months, I fully expect these guys to be on the field and performing.I also think we have some better depth because we have some kids who got a chance to play last year. If we do have breakdowns, I think we have better depth to fill in some spots. Yes, they're older but they're also very good when they're playing. That's important. I think it was (Yankees general manager) Brian Cashman who said, 'I don't care about the age so long as they're good.' I believe in our players even though the core group is getting older. There's no question about that. I can't deny that. We hope to get them on the field. And if they're on the field, they'll produce
Q: So what's next?
A: Well, I think we are still – as we talked about before – the pitching remains a priority for us. If we can still improve the rotation and our bullpen, we will try to do that. We're still looking for ways to maybe improve, tweak our lineup. We're looking for more depth in the outfield, some athleticism. We're just trying to get ourselves so we can cover all the bases a little better than we did last year when we had breakdowns in the infield and outfield. We had a lot of six-year free agents pitching in the rotation, so we're going to try and create some depth on the pitching side and in the field as well.
Amaro: We've Already Made Offers
The free-agent market opened yesterday and Ruben Amaro Jr. wasted no time.
"We've already made offers on several players," he said from Arizona, where he is watching some of the organization's top young talent in the Arizona Fall League.
Amaro declined to divulge names, but he can be aggressive. He moved quickly in Nov. 2011, when he signed closer Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract. Knowing there is a lack of power hitters available, perhaps Amaro is making a push to sign one. They need right-handed hitters in the worst way.
Nelson Cruz, 33, fits the bill. He hits right-handed, although he served a 50-game suspension last season and is not a defensive stalwart. Amaro has stressed the Phillies need to improve its outfield defense.
Carlos Beltran and Mike Morse also are free agents. The Phillies have tried to acquire them in the past. (Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said yesterday on SiriusXM that one team already has made an offer to Beltran.) The two biggest free-agent outfielders are Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo, but they are expected to sign elsewhere.
Amaro said in September resigning catcher Carlos Ruiz was a top priority, but he couched that possibility this week.
"Well, we're fortunate now that it's kind of opened up," Amaro said of the free-agent market. "There are several candidates that could be our catcher next year. We'll see what happens. I mean, we're in the open season."
If the Phillies cannot resign Ruiz, there are options like Brian McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and A.J. Pierzynski. But McCann hits left-handed and seems destined to join an American League team. Pierzynski also hits left-handed, and Saltalamacchia is a switch-hitter that has a career .599 OPS hitting from the right side.
The Phillies could sign a less expensive catcher like Dioner Navarro, which would allow them to spend money elsewhere. But Ruiz seems like the best of the bunch, although he turns 35 in January and is coming off his worst offensive season since 2008.
The Phillies also are trying to upgrade their pitching staff, but if Amaro is trying to be aggressive, improving an anemic offense – the Phillies tied for 26th in baseball with just 610 runs scored – might be the place to start.
The Phillies have hired Scott Freedman to be their analytics guy.
UPDATE: Wanted to clarify something about Freedman. He is not a full-time Phillies employee. MLB is paying his salary as part of a partnership with the Phillies, although the Phillies have the opportunity to hire him permanently once his externship concludes before the beginning of the regular season.
Roger, Roger: Pitching Coach Search Heats Up
Ruben Amaro Jr.'s search for a pitching coach is heating up.
Pitching coach Roger McDowell's contract with the Braves expired at midnight Thursday, which allows the Phillies to formally contact him.
It is a near certainty they have.
MLB.com reported as early as Oct. 22 the Phillies and McDowell could get together. The Braves have invited McDowell to return next season, but he still has not signed a contract. (Sources said McDowell is one of the lowest-paid pitching coaches in the game.) Meanwhile, the Phillies have interviewed at least six candidates for the job, but the fact they have not hired anybody indicates they have been waiting to speak to somebody.
That somebody is McDowell.
MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote yesterday that McDowell met this week with Braves general manager Frank Wren. Bowman wrote "the meeting did not lead to an immediate resolution." If the Phillies make McDowell an offer, he certainly can circle back to Wren, get a much-deserved raise and return to Atlanta.
But the Phillies are going to make a run at him anyway.
It would be a nice coup for the Phillies, who are replacing Rich Dubee after nine seasons. McDowell, who pitched for the Phillies from 1989-91, has been Atlanta's pitching coach the past eight seasons. The Braves had several notable injuries to their pitching staff this season, but still posted a big-league best 3.18 ERA.
Former Phillies prospect Adrian Cardenas wrote a great essay for The New Yorker about why he quit baseball. The Phillies traded him to the A's in July 2008 as part of the Joe Blanton deal.
Finding a Numbers Guy
Ruben Amaro Jr. grabbed the attention of Phillies fans last month when he mentioned the team planned to hire an analytics person to help with player evaluation.
Sabermetrics had not interested the Phillies in the past, but Amaro said they "owe it to ourselves to look at some other ways to evaluate."
Amaro said recently they are getting close to hiring somebody.
"I think it's just a matter of getting more information," he said. "I don't know if it's going to change the way we do business, necessarily. We still plan to be a scouting and player development organization, but I think it's important to get all the information and analyze not just what we're doing but how other clubs are evaluating players when we talk about possible trades and other sorts of things."
The Phillies have been working with the Commissioner's Office during their search. Major League Baseball's Labor Relations Department works closely with teams and has helped make personnel recommendations in the past. The LRD also has developed resources for baseball operations staffs, including former employees like Pirates president Frank Coonelly and a number of assistant general managers.
Asked if he looked back at recent personnel decisions and wondered if analytics would have helped steer him toward or away from particular players, Amaro said, "Not specifically, no. Again, we believe in our scouts and the things that they recommend. We're not going to be 100 percent right all the time. But we want to be more right than wrong. We just have to do a better job of targeting the right guys."
How much the Phillies use analytics or value the new hire's findings remains to be seen. But there will be plenty of information to consider.
As an example, when the Phillies signed Delmon Young to a one-year, $750,000 deal in January, they mentioned he had 74 RBIs in 2012 hitting behind Tigers sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, the implication being Young "produced" and would have had more RBIs had Cabrera and Fielder not taken RBI opportunities from him. But if they had examined the numbers more closely they would have discovered Young actually ranked 20th in baseball in 2012 with 415 runners on base when he came to the plate. He knocked in just 13.5 percent of those runners, which ranked 96th out of 135 qualifying players.
In other words, he had a ton of RBI opportunities in 2012, even with Cabrera and Fielder in the lineup, but did a poor job knocking them in.
That is just one small example of how numbers can help. Maybe regardless of those numbers — including Young's low on-base percentage (21 points lower than the average outfielder from 2006-12) and OPS (29 points lower than the average outfielder from 2006-12) the Phillies sign Young anyway because it was a low-risk deal. Or maybe they say, "Hey, the odds are against Young helping us like we need him to help us," and they look in a different direction.
Will they delve deeply into Roy Halladay's numbers this offseason? Doc's 5.15 ERA the past two seasons ranks 161st out of 169 qualifying pitchers in baseball. Fangraphs.com found pitchers over 35 — Halladay turns 37 in May — who went on the DL for any sort of shoulder injury only averaged 59 innings the rest of their career. Halladay pitched 27 2/3 innings following right shoulder surgery in May. Do the Phillies consider those numbers and pass? Or do they believe Halladay's reputation as a "gamer" and hard worker is enough to beat the odds?
It will be interesting to find out.
Random things from the past week:
- I've plenty on Twitter today about Domonic Brown wearing a Cowboys jersey at yesterday's game at the Linc. (Gasp!) I think what's funny is absolutely nobody noticed Mike Adams standing over his right shoulder.
- Everybody has seen the photo of Bryan Cranston wearing a Phillies jersey during an outtake of Breaking Bad. Once the photo hit Twitter word quickly spread (with plenty of Philly-based news organizations picking it up) that Cranston wore the jersey because he is a Phillies fan. Of course, a simple Google search showed Cranston is a diehard Dodgers fan. I contacted AMC publicity about the photo. Its response: "The shot was taken during the World Series of 2009 (Yankees vs. Phillies). Bryan is definitely a Dodgers fan, but I believe he was rooting for the Phillies in that series. As a gag, (while shooting ep #307 "One Minute") he did a take with the jersey on."
- A report the Phillies resigned Michael Martinez is not true.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported the Phillies will interview bullpen coach Reid Cornelius for their pitching coach vacancy. Former Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee interviews tomorrow with the Orioles.
Amaro Feels the Heat, Talks Future
Ruben Amaro Jr. settled into one of the blue seats a few rows from the field Saturday afternoon at Turner Field. He munched on sunflower seeds as Scott Proefrock, one of his assistant general managers, sat in the row behind him.
The Phillies had two games remaining in their disappointing 2013 season, their first losing season since 2002, but it seemed as good a time as any to look back at the team's misfortunes and discuss ways they can improve the future. In a wide-ranging interview with the team's traveling beat writers, Amaro discussed everything from the heat he is feeling from fans, increasing the organization's use of analytics in player evaluation, finding an everyday right fielder, payroll and making sure they do not enter next season crossing their fingers and hoping a multitude of things go perfectly to have a chance to win.
"I always feel under the gun," Amaro said. "I put myself under the gun. I don't listen to a lot of it. But listen, I'm the GM of the club, so I fully expect to take heat for it. I'm the one making the decisions on player personnel. I'm accountable for the things that have happened. I didn't have a very good year; our team didn't have a very good year. I think we win as a team and lose as a team. The fact of the matter is that I should take a lot of heat for it. I need to be better, and our guys need to be better. We need to evaluate better, we need to make better decisions and try to create a little better mojo overall."
The front office has missed in its player evaluations in recent seasons. Once Jayson Werth left as a free agent in 2010, the Phillies entered subsequent seasons counting on Ben Francisco, John Mayberry Jr. and Delmon Young to be productive right-handed bats in the outfield.
Since they signed relievers Chan Ho Park and Jose Contreras to one-year contracts before the 2009 and 2010 seasons, respectively, free-agent relievers Danys Baez, Chad Qualls, Chad Durbin and Mike Adams haven't panned out. The Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million contract a couple years ago, but they found no takers before the July 31 Trade Deadline as his velocity and performance have dipped.
In the midst of that, the Phillies released reliever Jason Grilli from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2011. He has been a force in the Pirates bullpen the past three seasons.
"We're going to make some changes," Amaro said. "I think we're doing some stuff analytically to change the way do some evaluations. Look, we are going to continue to be a scouting organization. That said, I think we owe it to ourselves to look at some other ways to evaluate. We're going to build more analytics into it. Is it going to change dramatically the way we go about our business? No, but we owe it to ourselves to at least explore other avenues. We may bring someone in from the outside, but we have not decided that yet."

subset: commoncrawl


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I saw a girl today perform burlesque dressed as Rorschach.
I'd rather have nothing than have a lie.
Say my name and his in the same breath, I dare you to say they taste they same.
''Ricardo Rodriguez is the best character on WWE TV.''
2x HWA Supremacy World Champion
2x JBW WARfare Tag Team Champion (with thedag and Ryusuke "Shuriken Blade" Serra)
JBW WARfare World Heavyweight Champion
AWF IronMan Champion
Worked for IWA, EWNCW, HWA, SWA, JBW, EWA, ICW, and AWF
EWN E-Fedding Hall of Famer
A proud member of the EWN E-Fedding Community
''Ricardo Rodriguez is the best character on WWE TV.''
I will never forget you, CBot. You will always be my one true love.


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Getter Robo: Armageddon - Salvation (DVD 4)
Title: Getter Robo: Armageddon - Salvation
Volume: DVD 4
Running time: 75
Distributor: ADV Films
Release date: 2001-12-04
Suggested retail price: $29.98
Age rating: 15+
The valiant Getter Robos – human-controlled giant robots – face their darkest hour in a final apocalyptic battle between the forces of good and evil.
The colossal Getter Dragon threatens the Earth with its terrifying power. Its only weak spot rests deep within its enormous, well-protected metal frame. The heroic Getter Robos have no choice but to enter the "belly of the beast" to destroy Getter Dragon and save humanity. It is a nightmare scenario that is guaranteed to claim the lives of many before the horrifying battle is won.
(added on 2001-09-27, modified on 2002-01-12)
- Reviewed by Bamboo Dong (February 1, 2003)
- Encyclopedia information about Getter Robo: Armageddon (OAV)


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Here is your SEC Recap for March 23rd
#16 Arkansas 3 McNesse State 2
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Brett Eibner had two hits and scored the eventual game-winning run, while the Razorback pitchers totaled 11 strikeouts Tuesday night as the No. 16 University of Arkansas baseball team held off McNeese State, 3-2, at Cowboy Diamond in Lake Charles, La. TJ Forrest picked up the win in a relief appearance and Jeremy Heatley earned his first career save. The Cowboys had the game-winning run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth but Blake Ellender grounded into the game-ending double play to send Arkansas (14-5) to victory.
"It was a well-played game," head coach Dave Van Horn said. "They were one big hit away from beating us and we were one big hit from taking a three- or four-run lead. We took advantage of the few hits we got. Both teams played solid defense and made a couple of nice plays."