This summary provides information about three dogs and three cats available for adoption: Ellie is a senior black lab mix who is very sweet and well-behaved. She enjoys walks and would love to find a home to keep her company. Caramel is a 2-year-old boxer/lab/terrier mix who is crate trained and housebroken. She gets along with other dogs and cats but prefers a fenced yard. Misty is a 4-5 year old Anatolian shepherd mix who needs an owner who is both mentally and physically strong, as she is large at 115 pounds. She enjoys car rides and would do best as an only pet.

1. Ellie
Meet Ellie,
she’s all
love! Ellie is
a super
sweet
senior that
arrived with
several of
her pals
because their owner passed away and
there was no on to care for them. She’s
a big girl that enjoys just about
everything. Ellie has been very well
behaved since her arrival and would
love to find a home and hang out with
some friends. She’s not your typical
senior. She likes to go for walks and is
very alert. Imagine yourself curling up
with Ellie during these cold winter
nights. She sure would love it. Stop by
and see Ellie today. She has a young
spirit that will just lift your spirits. If you
have kids and/or another dog in your
family and are interested in adopting a
Friendship dog please bring them with
you for a meet and greet. No
appointment is necessary. Stop by
anytime during regular business hours.
Breed: Black Lab
Spayed Female: Shots up to date
Age and Weight: Senior and 90 lbs.
Adoption Fee: $45
Caramel
Gender: Female
Breed: Boxer/
lab/terrier mix
Age: 2 years old
(best guess)
Size: About 50
pounds
Spayed: All
vaccines are up
to date;
heartworm
tested negative
Adoption Fee:
$125
Organization: Hartman’s Hounds
Location: Amherst
Contact Info: Peggy 440-984-7014
or 440-452-1619
Personality: Caramel spent time
living with a professional trainer.
Caramel is crate trained and has all of
her house manners including being
house trained. Caramel does OK with
other dogs after a proper introduction
and we feel the same about cats. She
should be fine with children at least
10-12 years of age. Caramel would
prefer a fenced in yard to be able to
explore at her leisure. Caramel also
comes with a free training session to
a new adopter. She’s a friendly,
happy girl.
Misty
Gender: Female
Breed: Anatolian
shepherd mix
Age: 4-5 years old
Size: Large. About
115 pounds.
Spayed: All
vaccines are up to
date - heartworm
tested negative
Adoption fee: To
be discussed
Organization:
Hartman’s Hounds
Location: Amherst
Contact Info:
Carol 440-774-
1071 or Peggy
440-984-7014
Personality: Misty
is one beautiful girl
who is waiting for
the right caregiver.
She was originally adopted from the Lorain County Dog Kennel
and lived in a home for a few years. Her petite caregiver was
unable to handle her on walks — Misty was simply too strong.
Misty needs to go to a home with a strong leader, both mentally
and physically. We believe Misty would benefit from any type of
training so she may build the self confidence she may be
missing. She would do great with any type of job to do. Misty is
housetrained and has all of her house manners. She definitely
would do best as the only dog. She did live with cats in her
other home. We think any children should be older, at least
teenagers. Misty enjoys car rides and does great in the car. We
would prefer a secure fenced in yard for her to be able to enjoy
at her leisure. Misty will make a wonderful best friend to the
right person. She’s a very devoted dog.
Have you ever wondered why
wet dogs shake or cats knead?
Pets do strange (sometimes
even gross) things that we own-
ers wonder about.
I consulted with Dr. Alex
O’Roark of Elyria Animal Hos-
pital to answer some of the age-
old questions we have about
our pets. Here are his answers.
(Okay, let’s get this one out of
the way first!)
Q.Why do dogs eat poop?
A. Because they like the taste.
Studies have been done to see if
the offender had a nutritional
deficiency or parasites that
would compete for nutrients,
but neither is the case. There
are at least two commercial
products that can be added to
the dogs’ food that taste good,
but change the stool so the
dogs no longer desire it.
Q.Why do cats howl in the
middle of the night?
A. First, see a veterinarian to
rule out any medical problems.
They like attention; cats are
active at night, but every per-
son is sleeping. Cats also see
and hear things people can’t or
don’t, such as another cat wan-
dering outside.
Q.Why do cats purr?
A. Studies have failed to
definitively answer that ques-
tion, but it is assumed that it
means they are happy.
Q.Why do cats knead?
A. It is a left-over infantile
behavior. Kittens knead the
queen’s mammary glands to
stimulate milk let-down.
Q.Why do dogs shake when
they are wet?
A. They feel the weight of
the water and its stimulus on
their skin. If dogs are in snow,
they usually leave it on them-
selves until body heat melts
the snow, when the water
builds up and reaches the
skin.
Q.Why do dogs shake their
heads when they wake up?
A. Probably part of their
routine, similar to stretching
or back scratching.
Q. Do hamsters really eat
their young?
A. Yes, as do many other ani-
mals. The cause is unknown,
but probably an ingrained
behavior. Other animals may
eat the unhealthy, or because
of bad parenting, and possibly
survival and competition for
food.
Q. Why do cats like catnip?
A. It has a stimulating, then
calming, effect. It acts like a
drug in their bodies.
Q. Can dogs really smile?
A. Some dogs show what
looks like a smile, but it is not
due to happiness or joy. It can
happen from stress or be a
learned behavior.
Q. Why do cats like to
scratch things such as furni-
ture, but dogs do not?
A. Cats have retractable
claws; dogs have constantly
exposed nails. Cats do it to
sharpen the nail and exercise
the toes. It feels good, like
stretching.
Q.Why are some dogs fas-
tidious about keeping their
private parts clean?
A. Many dogs just have that
habit. It can also be due to a
medical problem or a psycho-
logical problem such as Obses-
sive Compulsive Disorder or
boredom. Check for drainage
from or a build-up on the spe-
cific area. It may just feel good.
If you have a question that
you’d like to see answered by
O’Roark in an upcoming col-
umn, please email me at cham-
comm@aol.com and I will ask
him. Of course, your own vet-
erinarian should also be con-
sulted to rule out any potential
medical problems.
FUR YOUR INFORMATION
Best in Show
Congratulations to Sky the
Wire-haired Fox Terrier for win-
ning Best in Show at the recent
Westminster Dog Show.
Sky’s win brings the terrier
group’s total Best in Show wins
to 46 since the show began.
This is more than double the
second-place sporting group’s
wins at 19.
Fur Kids calendar
■ Strikes for Strays — 1 to 5:30
p.m. today at Spevock’s Nauti-
cal Lanes, 184 Miller Road,
Avon. Second annual
fundraiser includes bowling,
trophies, karaoke, raffles, after
party, pizza and snacks, $20
donation with proceeds bene-
fitting Love-A-Stray. For more
information, visit
www.loveastray
dog.com/events.
■ Rally to the Rescue 2014 —
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at
Midway Mall in Elyria. Partners
With Paws and Midway Mall
team up for a pet adoption
event that includes animal res-
cue groups, pet vendors, a
guest appearance by Denise
Zarrella of Channel 19 news,
face painting, child IDs, K-9
teams from Lorain County
Sheriff’s Office and Lorain
County Metro Parks displays.
Call (440) 775-2056 for more
information. Proceeds benefit
homeless pets in and around
Lorain County.
To submit items for this column, contact
Karen Uthe Semancik by email at
chamcomm@aol.com (preferred), fax at
329-7282, or mail it to The Chronicle-
Telegram, Attn: Fur Kids, 225 East Ave.,
Elyria, OH, 44036. Please send calendar
items two weeks in advance.
The Chronicle-Telegram Sunday, February 23, 2014 D3
PETS
Cyan D3 magenta D3 yellow D3 black D3
Cyan D3 magenta D3 yellow D3 black D3
PHOTO PROVIDED
Dr. Alex O’Roark of Elyria Animal Hospital.
Why do cats, dogs do what they do?
KAREN UTHE
SEMANCIK
FUR KIDS
Amber
Amber is as
sweet as can
be. Her family
had to give her
up because
they couldn’t
afford to keep
her any longer.
They said
Amber was just a big baby of a dog that
loves people of all ages including kids.
She’s an attention getter who loves to
be petted. Amber has never been
around cats. She loves car rides, playing
with her ball and she will even play
fetch. If you have kids and/or another
dog in your family and are interested in
adopting a Friendship dog please bring
them with you for a meet and greet. No
appointment is necessary. Stop by
anytime during regular business hours.
Breed: American bulldog mix
Spayed Female: Shots up to Date
Age and Weight: 4 years old and 50 lbs.
Adoption Fee: $75
Pebbles
Breed: Boxer mix
Color: Tri-color
Sex: Female
Neutered/spayed: yes
Age: 5 years
Weight: 50 pounds
Pebbles is a very laid back girl. She gets a
long with everyone she meets and lets the 2
year old little girl hook her to a leash and
drag her all over the house. She is
housetrained but would prefer not to be
crated. She would do best in a home with
other dogs or someone that is home all the
time.
Adoption fee: $100
Contact: Multiple Breed Rescue
rescue@mbrohio.com
www.mbrohio.com
Mushu
Breed: Chihuahua
Color: Tan/white
Neutered/spayed: yes
Age: 9 years old
Weight: 10 pounds
Mushu is a little old man who
wants nothing more then to sit on
your lap and hang out. He is
housetrained and is crate trained
but doesn’t really need one. He
tolerates other dogs, cats and kids
but would prefer to be an only. We
do not recommend him to live full
time in a home with kids but
visiting kids that are respectful is
fine
Adoption fee: $100
Contact: rescue@mbrohio.com
Website: www.mbrohio.com
Bandit
Beat it down to Friendship for Bandit!
He is a transfer from another facility.
This handsome boy is super friendly,
strong and will need some training.
Bandit could really use an active family
that will include him in their activities. A
fenced in yard wouldn’t hurt either. With
a little guidance he’ll be a wonderful
family pet. Stop by and spend some
time with Bandit to find out more. Bandit
is with his buddy and APL Volunteer
Aaron.
Breed: Flat coated retriever mix
Neutered Male: Shots up to Date
Age and Weight: One year old and 65
lbs.
Adoption Fee: $75
Spanky
Spanky has lived his entire
life with one owner. His
owner lost his home and
sadly had to say goodbye.
Spanky is a mellow guy who
enjoys walks and his chew
toys. He’s a great
companion pet that likes
everyone he meets including
kids, cats and other dogs.
His owner fed him Bil Jac.
Spanky does experience
hair loss at times due to flea
allergies. With a good flea
medication he is fine. Need
a new best friend? Spanky
sure does. Stop by and you
just may be going home with
sweet Spanky. If you have
kids and/or another dog in
your family and are
interested in adopting a
Friendship dog please bring
them with you for a meet
and greet. No appointment
is necessary. Stop by
anytime during regular
business hours.
Breed: Chocolate Lab mix
Neutered Male: Shots up to
date
Age and Weight: 8 years
old and 65 lbs.
Adoption Fee: $45
Each week The Chronicle-Telegram features pets from area
animal shelters and rescues available for adoption. To inquire
about this week’s pets, call the numbers listed below. For more
pets seeking homes, visit www.chroniclet.com. If you work or
volunteer for a nonprofit pet adoption agency and would like to
see your pets included in Critter Chronicles, please email
skline@chroniclet.com.
CRITTERCHRONICLES
Ronnie
I’m a friendly, good looking girl who keeps her pen
very clean. My hobbies include playing tug (with
anything resembling a rope), chasing balls in the
snow and walking people. I have lots of energy and
would like to find a loving owner who will give me
plenty of exercise. I’ve had canine playmates but am
parrticular about which dogs I’ll befriend. Please
contact Oasis and arrange to meet me at the shelter
or privately.
Breed: Lab/boxer mix
Age: about 3-4 years old
Female: spayed
Size: Medium, about 50 pounds
Adoption Fee: $100
Organization: Oasis Animal Shelter
Contact: 440-775-4101
Friendship APL
of Lorain County
8303 Murray Ridge Road
Elyria-44035
Contact:
adoptions@friendshipapl.org
Phone: 440-322-4321
Website:
www.friendshipapl.org
Snickerdoodle
Snickerdoodle
shares her name with
a cookie and she is
just as sweet.
Snickerdoodle was
rescued by
Friendship APL in
2013. Per her foster
family, she enjoys
scrambled eggs. In
December, Snickerdoodle was diagnosed
with cerebellar hypoplasia, a defect in the
brain that results in a loss of fine-motor
coordination. This affects Snickerdoodle’s
balance and walking. There is no known
cure for cerebella hypoplasia, but with a
little help from friends Snickerdoodle can
make adjustments and lead a happy life.
Due to her condition Snick would do best
in an adult household or one with older
kids.
Breed: Pekingese mix
Spayed Female: Shots up to date
Age and Weight: 2 years old and 10 lbs.
Adoption Fee: $100