Learn new tricks to train Fido

Does training your dog seem hopeless?

Professional trainer Angie Neal will answer your questions at a program in the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region's Education Room, 610 Abbott Lane, 9-11 a.m. Aug. 2.

The class is for humans only. The $15 registration fee will benefit the shelter's homeless animals.

To register, call 473-1741 or visit www.hsppr.org.

Canine body language

If you have trouble reading your dog's mind, you might want to check out his body. A wagging tail doesn't always mean he's glad to see you, and baring his teeth doesn't always mean you'd better run.

The intricacies of dog signals will be explained in Reading Your Dog's Body Language, noon-2 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Lucky Dog Resort and Training School, 2801 Janitell Road E.

The event costs $10 and benefits Black Forest Animal Sanctuary.

For more information, call 494-0158.

Pet food needed

The Pet Pantry has doubled the amount of donated food it is providing for hungry animals and still can't keep up with the demand, says President Darlene McCaslin.

In the past three months, the group has provided nearly 2,400 pounds of pet food, 400 pounds more than during the previous six months.

"We are having to ration some pet food, especially dry cat food, because need is outpacing donations," she said.

The organization provides free food on an interim basis to pet owners. It is thought to be the only local group devoted solely to offering temporary petfeeding assistance.

For information on where to drop off donations or how to obtain food, call 217-9528 or visit www.pikespeakpetpantry.org.

Dealing with aging pets

Move over baby boomers, the "pet boomers" are here. These are cats and dogs ages 7 and older, and they face some of the same health issues as older humans, according to Scott Line, a veterinarian who is editor of the new book "The Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health."

The book is hefty - it must weigh more than a Chihuahua. And it is full of all kinds of health information on a variety of pets.

Line says when an animal gets older you should monitor these changes:

• Weight gain: 50 percent of senior pets are overweight. In the 1970s, only 9 percent of dogs and 3 percent of cats were chubby, he states.

• Teeth and gums: Watch for periodontal disease. Infections can lead to other health issues.

• Stiff joints: Arthritis hits 30 percent of pets. It is treatable.

• Skin and coat: Look for bumpy tumors that may be signs of cancer. Almost half the deaths of pets over age 10 years are caused by the disease.

• Eye problems: More than 97 breeds have inherited forms of cataracts. Glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in adult dogs. Both can be treated.

For more information, go to petboomers.com.

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Contact the writer: 636-0371 or carol.mcgraw@gazette.com  

For more pet news, see Pet Pourri online at gazettepetpourri.blogspot.com.