Page 22 - Boca Club News - September '21

Page 22, Boca Club News

Nature & Pets

The Environmental Enthusiast: When Worlds Collide

By Tina K. VaLant. Remember Dr. With dad and brother Wade
Doolittle, the man who was able to cheering him on, Bo braved
converse with all the animals? Boca the Blue Monster course, while
Raton’s Tina VaLant, who was named Rebecca and Dooku took a little
Palm Beach County “Animal Friend road trip. They traveled two hours
of the Year,” doesn’t claim that ability, north to West Palm Beach, to
but she does relate remarkably well the Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club’s
to flora and fauna. An avid rescuer Show. It was their first show, and
(known for her beloved Australian they came back with ribbons: Best
shepherds), she serves as a foster home to surrendered pets, of Breed, Owner-Handled and
volunteers with numerous organizations and assists wildlife. Best of Winners!
She raises/releases ten species of native butterflies, for Dooku wasn’t the only new
over 20 years. Recently she garnered worldwide attention dog pal I made while I was away. Leia with Tim, and Molly with Stephen.
with an unexpected animal adventure: reCRABilitation of Rising before the sun, Tim and Both dogs are rescued and now living Dooku, Rene’, Rebecca, Bo and Wade of
HERbert, a limbless blue land crab. For over four decades, Leia usually start work by 5:30 lives certainly every dog dreams of. Houston, TX.
Tina’s award-winning company, Extraordinary Photography, a.m. Tim is the superintendent
captures portraits, pets, weddings, and events. She will (head groundskeeper) of Trump National Doral’s legendary many Trump National Doral employees. No matter what
answer questions at TinaValant.com or (561) 945-6363. Blue Monster golf course, which hosted the PGA tour for her duties are, Leia always has a smile and an abundance
The last two weeks in July, I was hardly “in the rough” over fifty years. Along with her canine coworker Molly of joyful energy.
at my first “back to the real world” of work, covering an (a rescued terrier mix), Leia enjoys free reign of the Blue Her life wasn’t always so idyllic. At five months old, she
international junior golf tournament at Trump National Monster. These dogs take their jobs seriously. was transported from a rural Georgia shelter to the Humane
Doral. I’ve served as the official photographer for The In between keeping squirrels at bay, deterring waterfowl Society of Broward County. Tim and Alba Williams had been
Optimist Junior Golf tournament for over a decade. It was from the greens and discouraging armadillos from rooting searching for the right canine addition to their family–for
cancelled last year, so I was really happy to be back, in the up the course, these working dogs refresh in the sprinkler months. “It was love at first sight,” Tim shared. It seems their
swing of things–pun intended. mist and catch the breeze riding shotgun in golf carts. worlds collided, at precisely the perfect time, too!
Delighted to be at this beautiful resort, I enjoy being Additionally, Leia serves as a happiness ambassador to
outside covering golf, capturing the game, players, families
dogs. One was at grandma’s (my mom), everyone else is You and Your Pet:
and volunteers. But, I was really missing my (five rescued)
home with their dad (the hubs). As I was heading back up
opened, and out lumbered this large, happy, reddish dog– A New Household Risk for Your Pet
to my suite, to upload pics of the day’s golfers, the elevator

right into me. He had to have known I was missing my
pack! By Dr. Tracy Scola DVM, Chief of Emergency Services, all food items—gum, oral health products and candy—away
Dooku is an eight-month-old Rhodesian ridgeback, Calusa Veterinary Center, Boca Raton, FL 33487. (561) from your pets. Accidents do happen to all of us, and many
and the “third son” of the Van Winden family of Houston, 999-3000. www.CVCBoca. pets are constantly on the hunt for things they can eat. If
Texas. I chatted with Rene’, the dad, commenting on his Most pet owners are very aware of the common pet your pet has ingested one of these items, they will need
dog’s handsomeness and great disposition. He was named toxins, such as chocolate, antifreeze, pesticides, human immediate veterinary care at your vet or local emergency
after a Star Wars character. The next day, I see my canine medications, plants, and really anything other then pet food. clinic. Xylitol is such a concern to veterinarians because
friend outside, but this time with his lovely mom, Rebecca. There are, however, new additions to this list that we find there is no known toxic dose. This means that even a large
It turns out their oldest son, Bo, is in the tournament. Talk not all pet owners may know about. This can place our pets dog given two pieces of gum can have significant risk.
about serendipity! When worlds collide! in danger without the pet parent even knowing about it. Xylitol in pets causes low blood sugar and liver failure.
Xylitol toxicity is a newer known toxin because it is a The good news is that if you catch this exposure early the
newer addition to human products. It is a sugar alternative vet can treat your pet in the hospital to prevent low blood
that sweetens products and food. A great innovation for sugar and start therapy that can protect the liver from insult.
humans. Not so for our pets. It can be found in products If you are unsure if the product your pet ate contains Xylitol
labeled “sugar free.” Ingestion is commonly through or any toxin, you can call ASPCA pet poison hotline, your
chewing gum, toothpaste, food and baking items, and the vet or your local vet emergency clinic.
list is growing. The safest way to avoid an issue is to keep

A Free Opportunity

For Animal Lovers ...

Me “toughing it out” after six hours on the sweltering course!
Now Feed 6 Shelter Dogs and Cats
Attention Every Day at No Cost to You ... in Less Than a Minute

Dog Owners ... with just “Click”

Want to feel really good about yourself? If, like most of us, those TV announcements
It is your responsibility to pick up after bring tears to your eyes with photos of sad shelter dogs and cats in small cages, hoping
your dog. It’s the law. Some of you have somehow to be brought into loving homes – when you wish over and over again that you
been negligent in doing so. could somehow bring joy into their lives, here is an act of loving kindness that will cost
Please keep our you absolutely nothing ... and take less than a minute a day.
Boca community beautiful! Visit the website: www.theanimalrescuesite.com and click on the words “Click here to feed a
dog or cat.” A “button” will appear on your screen, and all you have to do is click on it once. Each
time a person clicks on that button, the website’s sponsors provide bowls of food, free, to feed 6
dogs and cats.
That’s all there is to it. In only seconds each day, you can see to it that 6 animals are fed.
The folks who run the website never bother you with tons of promotional e-mails. You
can, if you wish, click on a link that sends a daily reminder to you. I did that; the
reminder is e-mailed, and that is it. No hard-sell follow-ups. And if you realize
how good it will make you feel to be able to do at least something for these
poor, loving creatures who are there through no fault of their own (some have been
rescued from abusive owners), imagine how even bowls of food will help
make the animals feel better.
Please take just seconds a day to lift 6 animals’ spirits ...
and your own. Thanks.