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Fall is in the air and the weather for walking with our furry friends is welcome. But we were not the first residents here at Four Seasons, and while we do live in a gated community, there are a few things we still must look out for on our walks. We are all aware of our resident coyotes and bobcats. Homeowners with larger dogs are not as threatened by these wild residents and we may not even realize they are there, as they usually run away when they see a larger animal coming with humans. But, if you own a small dog, there are a few precautions you may want to take in order to make your walks safe. Carrying a walking stick or golf club is a good idea. If you encounter one of our wild neighbors, banging the stick on the ground and yelling should be sufficient to frighten them off. They have quickly learned that there's nothing crazier than an irate senior citizen! Making sure your dog's collar or harness fits properly is extremely important. A frightened pet can easily pull out of a harness or collar that is too loose. Think of it as a belt; too tight and it will be uncomfortable, too loose and your pants will fall down. You should be able to fit no more than two or three fingers under the collar or harness. That is not too tight. Many people use the retractable type leads. These allow the dogs to run about fifteen feet ahead of the owner. Be aware that this offers minimal control of the pet and these leads can be awkward to use. A safer option is a simple six foot lead that will keep your pet relatively close to you. We also have hawks and owls. Keeping small dogs and cats indoors and supervising their outdoor potty breaks assures their safety. And, yes, rattlesnakes live here, too. Prevention is best when it comes to these desert natives, so keep an eye on your yard and look into one of the Rattlesnake Avoidance Classes that are occasionally conducted locally. This short, inexpensive class really works! Raccoons usually will not bother a dog or cat, but they will hang around your home if you leave food outside for your pets. Skunks are local residents, too, and outdoor feeding stations will attract them as well. If your dog experiences the business side of a skunk, don't be tempted to rinse the dog with water. All this will do is spread the foul-smelling, oily discharge around even more. Immediately go to a local pet shop and get a deodorizing product (they have many). Do not be tempted to wet the dog down. Apply the product directly all over the dog and let it sit for the recommended amount of time. This should help pull some of the stench out. You may have to reapply, but it will, ultimately, work. And just know, dogs never learn their lesson about these black and white critters and will go after the next skunk they encounter with a vengeance! ~ Teri DiMarino COMMUNITy NEWS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | OCTOBER 2014 7 Welcome to a new column in the Four Seasons Breeze: "The Four Paws of Four Seasons," dedicated to our furry, four footed companions. This column will contain factual, fun and, sometimes frivolous, information about the care and well-being of our companion pets here in Four Seasons. I am looking forward to sharing my 40+ years of experience in pet care with all of our local pet owners. I would also like to feature questions and answers in this column under a heading called "Dear Tabby." Questions can be directed to me at DearTabby1@aol.com. Furry Friends of Four Seasons