Paragon Helps You Save On Grooming This Holiday Season!

January 2012

Happy New Year!

Thank you to our friends, both old and new. We've had a wonderful year with you and look forward to an exciting 2012!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's January and cabin fever has set in. One of the best excuses to get outside, get some fresh air, and a little exercise is to take our pets for walks. As you're putting on your mittens and scarves, it's a good time to think about the colder weather and how we can keep our dogs safe and warm while we're outside.

Did you know that pets are just as prone to frost nip and frost bite as humans? The areas that are most commonly affected will be the ears, paws, scrotum, and tail. Any time your pet is exposed to cold temperatures for prolonged periods, you should beware the following signs:

Swollen, red, painful, hard, or pale skin
Losing skin and hair in affected areas
Lesions that look similar to burns

What to do:

Slowly warm the frost nipped area with wet towels.
Do not squeeze or rub the affected area. This is painful!
Frostbite needs immediate veterinary attention! To avoid permanent tissue damage, pain, and infection, get your pet to your emergency animal clinic right away!

Turkey Jerky

27 Servings

Prep 5 min

Cook 4 hrs

Ingredients

1 lb. ground turkey
1/2 cup grated carrot
2 tbsp. whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 tbsp. EVOO

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 200°. In a bowl, combine the turkey, carrot, cranberry sauce and EVOO. Spread the mixture evenly on a 9-by-11-inch foil-lined baking sheet; bake for 2 hours.
Carefully turn out the meat onto a large cutting board and cut into 1-by- 4-inch strips. Return the strips to the foil-lined baking sheet and bake until completely dry, about 2 more hours. Transfer to a rack and let cool before storing in the refrigerator.

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/pet-friendly-dog-recipes/turkey-jerky

How Will I know If Paragon Closes
Due to the Weather?

Snow, rain, sleet... Michigan sees it all in the winter time. Paragon will remain open during inclement weather and will only close if GVSU is closed. If in doubt, check WGVU-FM 88.5 and WGVS-FM 95.3 and WGVU-AM 1480 and WGVS-AM 850. GVSU closings will also be posted at www.gvsu.edu

What's Under the Hood?

Before heading out in your car, bang on the hood to make sure the family cat isn't snuggling up with a warm engine.

The "cat under the hood" scenario is one that would most likely end in a very gruesome fashion.

"Cats seeking warmth have been known to crawl into engine compartments in cars that have recently been driven," Viney said. "This can be fatal to the cat if the car is started." Bang on the hood and honk the car horn for a few minutes to give a hiding cat time to crawl out.

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/article_d1436eb8-e5b7-11de-9162-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1h14OcVoE

Rules of Life, According to Dogs

Barking

Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark -- a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night hearing you protective bark, bark, bark...

Licking

Always take a BIG drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel.

Holes

Rather than digging a BIG hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig a lot of smaller holes all over the yard so they won't notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they'll think it's gophers. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem.

Dining Etiquette

Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It's also a good time to practice your sniffing.

Going For Walks

Rules of the road: when out for a walk with your master or mistress, never go to the bathroom on your own lawn.

Couches

It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed.

Playing

If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, aim for the flowerbed to absorb your fall, so you don't injure yourself.

Caution! These Common Winter Products Can Be Harmful to Your Pet!

Antifreeze

Symptoms: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, breathing difficulty, panting, shock

What to do: Get your pet to the vet immediately. DO NOT induce vomiting unless directed by your veterinary professional. If the fluid is corrosive or toxic, flush it thoroughly with water, being careful not to flush the material onto other areas of the pet's body.

Windshield Washer Fluid

Symptoms: vomiting, upset stomach

When you contact your vet, make sure to tell them what breed you have, how old your pet is, when the substance was ingested, and have the label of the product handy. Stay calm, cool, and collected and drive safely!

About Us

The Paragon School of Pet Grooming is proud to have you as a valued client. Our full service grooming is provided by talented and caring men and women who are dedicating themselves to learning the art and science of pet styling.

Our students come from all walks of life, near and far. Some juggle work and family schedules in addition to their studies at Paragon. Every student is educated and tested both in class work and practical application of their grooming skills.

In This Issue

Happy New Year@!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Turkey Jerky

What's Under the Hood?

Rules of Life, According to Dogs