c OLLEGE P ARK Neighborhood Association JUNE 2015 It’s June

That means it’s time to join/renew your

College Park Membership

Our annual dues of $35/year (a little less than $3/month) covers such items as:  Publish & distribute a monthly CPNA Newsletter  Maintain an active & informative website (www.CollegeParkRichardson.com)  Free address number curb painting to ALL resident every two to three years  Award monthly Yard of the Month recognitions  Sponsor neighborhood yard/garage sale with ads in local paper & on web This IS NOT a fundraiser for the association; the proceeds are your own.  Street sign toppers for the neighborhood

 Represent College Park in monthly meeting with the City of Richardson

 Work with College Park Crime Watch to sponsor National Night Out Party

 Send periodic informative/alert emails to all residents with email address

 Hold Annual Meeting with Mayor & members of City Council

The Membership Form is on page 17

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.CollegeParkRichardson.com

Notes from the President Patti Glenn [email protected] 972-900-9188 or 972-699-1615

I am glad the rain has stopped & the lakes are full, but the 90° temperatures came on quickly & the rain has made it VERY humid.

I want to thank all of the neighbors that serve on the board & patrol for the neighborhood Crime Watch. In addition, I want to thank Todd Gurganus for serving as V-P for the last 4 years. The position of Vice-President & Treasurer were up for election this year. John Pantzer was nominated, seconded, and elected as V-P & Lynn Patterson was elected to server another term as Treasurer at the Annual Meeting. The minutes to the meeting are available on the CPNA website.

As many of you know I am an animal lover, A situation came up in the neighborhood that I think needs to be addressed. Over the years as I have had contact with Richardson Animal Control, it has been mentioned a number of times the large percentage of animals that are brought to the shelter and have a chip, but the chip has never been registered or the info is out of date because of move, new phone numbers, new owner, etc. A CPNA resident was very lucky to get Sadie back – she was chipped but not registered. The trail was Richardson Animal Control – Chip Manufactures - Vet that installed the chip – prior owner – CPNA neighbor. Keep your microchip info up-to-date – PLEASE—it may help you get your furry “child” back.

The City’s first dog park (Bush Central Barkway) is located underneath the President George Bush Turnpike just west of U.S. 75. The rains have delayed the opening, which is planned for late June. However, I saw on the news that the White Rock Dog Park has re-opened with LOTS of improvements including a “lake play area for the dogs that like water”. Here is link to the website http://www.whiterockdogpark.org/

From RPD, Crime Prevention Unit - Vehicle Burglaries Just a reminder, please make sure your vehicle is locked at night and everything has been removed from inside. Don't leave ANYTHING inside if possible. Park your vehicle inside the garage if you can. GPS units, garage door openers, gym bags, purses, wallets and car radios are being taken. If you can't park your vehicle in the garage, then make sure you don't leave any property behind. Also remember to take your garage door opener with you so a thief does not break into the car and then have access to the garage and possibly the house.

Our neighborhood is using a private online network called Nextdoor College Park, and I think you'll benefit from joining us. On our Nextdoor site, neighbors share community events, recommendations, items for sale/free, crime/safety concerns, ideas about how to make our neighborhood better, and more. Please join us to build a better neighborhood!

If you have not signed up for the Next Door website site, I highly recommend it. There are lots of good things showing up. You may get to know you neighbors a bit better and help send pets home or even find a cabinet to work on if you are inclined. Richardson Police and the City both post to it to keep us informed on city things going on. You can lurk or participate.

Discussions include things about the wild critters who sometimes visit our backyards. Who to call for tile work? Cleaning the vents? Foundation repair? Selling your stuff? (I purchased by car from an ad on Next Door) Need a babysitter? Police updates? Stranger danger from the neighbors-crime alerts that can travel very fast! Things for sale or FREE Giveaways.

If you are interested, please send me an email and I will send you an invite.

Reminder - you can load Free Classified Ads on the CPNA website such as:

Baby sitting Lessons/Tutoring Pet Sitting/walking Tax preparation Buying/selling anything (i.e. car, furniture, etc)

2 CRIME TIPS YARD OF THE MONTH Crime Tip: Do not leave cell phones, GPS units, DVD players, monitors, laptop computers, wallets or purses Pam Young inside your vehicle in plain view. Unattended valuables are an invitation to a thief. If it is essential to travel with 1202 Dunbarton items such as a laptop, briefcase, purse, GPS unit, etc., hide them in the trunk prior to reaching your next HONORABLE MENTION destination.

Crime Tip: Daily routines are a comfort zone for many, but are a predictable pattern to predators seeking an Mary Ann & Bruce Bitler opportunity. Try to vary your schedule & your travel routes when possible. Doing so can reduce your 1202 Oakmont vulnerability & enhance your safety. Familiarity with various travel routes can also save time & frustration associated with traffic gridlock & construction delays. Our thanks to Callaway's Nursery, located on

Crime Tip: Avoid using a car wash at night. Dim Plano Road, north of Campbell, for sponsoring lighting, solid walls, & blind corners provide concealment for predators waiting for a victim. Instead, CPNA Yard of the Month go during the day when more customers are present.

Congratulations ! Crime Watch Patrol Stats Jeanie & Don Perkins of E Berkeley FOR MAY on the birth of their 1st grandchild Patrol Hours: 59.75 Theodore Fitzpatrick Branch . May 22nd at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas Types of Observations

Open Garage Doors 9 Suspicious Persons 1 Other Property Observations 9 Welcome to the Neighborhood ! Suspicious Vehicles 1 House Checks 5

The following people patrolled this month

915 Dunbarton Dieter Paul, Rick Skaggs, Sara Bostelmann, Carl Dale Len Foster, Dale Klosterman, Ben Parlapiano, Retired – Moved to John Thompson Jackson Casey III, Art Kaplan, College Park from another Patti Glenn, Peggy Williams, John Partlow, part of Richardson Gala Partlow, and Kathy Hill

There were 7 who attended the Crime Watch Patrol Meeting at Target

3 CPNA OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE HEADS 2015-2016

President Patti Glenn 972-699-1615 [email protected] 972-900-9188 cell Vice President John Pantzer 903 720 4795 [email protected] Secretary Sharlee Skaggs 972-690-3172 [email protected] Treasurer Lynne Patterson 972-890-1031 [email protected] Parliamentarian Jerry Silverman 972-231-2300 [email protected] Welcome Comm. Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 [email protected] Beautification/YOM Dale & Hilda Klosterman 972-644-1583 [email protected] Newsletter Helene Levitan 972-519-0270 [email protected] Crime Watch Patrol Kathy Hill 214-533-5295 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Chris Xeros 972-740-4151 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Chieu Mai 972-235-0028 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Peggy Williams 972-680-2863 [email protected] AT LARGE Member Laura Koloc 972-235-6516 [email protected]

College Park Market Analysis CPNA - Dedicated to improving our neighborhood & community Summary as of 6/8/15

Active Listings 11 Membership dues covers June 1, 2015 through (Includes 2 under option & 7 pending) May 31, 2016 Avg list price $215.8K Our College Park Neighbors (All neighbors, not just Avg price/sq ft $95.20 homeowners) are invited to join CPNA! Sold past 6 months 17 Avg sold price $209.1K Mail dues of $35.00 to Avg price/sq ft $94.69 Treasurer Lynne Patterson PO Box 851021 Richardson, TX 75085 Please note this does not include “For Sale by Owner” Properties Questions? Lynne Patterson 972-890-1031

After doing some analysis, I have determined that THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING there is no significant difference between looking at YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD just College Park and combining College Park,

College Park North, College Park East, and Town

North Park subdivisions so going forward I will do the CMA on this slightly larger area to give a better idea of the market in our area.

If you would like additional information or a market analysis of your property, please contact me at 972-900-9188 [email protected]

4 ALLOWAY’S FREE IN-STORE CLINICS C at all stores at 10:15am

 Saturday, June 13th TIMELY TIPS FOR Healthy Green Summer Lawns JUNE GARDENERS  Saturday, June 20th It’s getting hotter & summer time Heat Thriving & Colorful Plants activities are getting into full swing. Take advantage of the longer days  Saturday, June 27th by doing gardening tasks in the Forget the Grocery-How to Grow Delicious morning or evening when it is more Tomatoes for Fall pleasant to be outside.  Saturday, July 18th Hotter weather means grass will be Save Water & Save Money with Drip Irrigation growing faster. Keep up with the mowing so you don’t have to bag the clippings. That may mean mowing every 5 or 6 A Few Tips for Spring Cleaning days instead of every 7 to 10 days. Letting the clippings fall back into the It's easy to disinfect the toilet bowl with lawn recycles nutrients but does not bleach or that blue stuff, but do you worry promote thatch. Mowing frequently at about Fido's bad habit of taking a drink the correct height will promote a healthy, there once in a while? thick turf that is resistant to weeds. Try the powdered drink mix Tang, according to As spring rains slack off & give way to drier days, Woman's Day. A teaspoon of the citrus powder apply supplemental water as needed. The rule of works like a scrubber. And Fido can sip without thumb is to water enough to wet the soil 5-6 inches worry. deep. Do not water too frequently. Shallow, frequent watering promotes a shallow root system If you love plastic wrap for storing your leftovers, but that is more susceptible to the stress of summer heat hate fighting the sticky stuff, try storing your plastic & winter cold. wrap in the fridge. That way the wrap is much easier to handle, according to greatist.com. The best way to conserve moisture in the landscape is by mulching. A 3-4 inch layer over the root zone Choose a warm day & spritz your windows with a retains moisture, keeps the soil cooler & helps mix of dish soap & water. Squeegee them clean for prevent weed seeds from germinating under your a sparkling finish. shrubs, trees & flowers. Move your refrigerator & clean under it.

June is a great month for colorful summer annuals. Check batteries on smoke alarms & clean the unit. In a sunny location try marigolds, salvia, petunias, dusty miller, & lantana just to name a few. Open the windows in the bedroom & flip the Caladiums, coleus, impatiens & bedding begonias mattresses. Spot clean & replace any toppers. are a good choice for shady areas. Summer tropical plants, though they are not freeze hardy, are perfectly at home in our Texas heat & humidity. Plant them in the ground for quick growth or in pots or tubs so you can overwinter them indoors.

5 Routine Maintenance

Air Conditioning Maintenance What does an air conditioner check-up include?  Check your filters every month for efficient system Checks the following components: operation. Clean or replace as needed.  Proper refrigerant (Freon) levels. If a low level is found,  Hire a professional to perform an annual system main- the leak must be found & repaired before adding more tenance service one month before the cooling season be- Freon. gins. Other parts of your air conditioning system, in-  All electrical components & controls, Condenser, Filters cluding the water drain & the outside condenser unit, need to be cleaned & checked as well.  Clean evaporator & condenser coils, if needed.  Keep the condensing unit free of any debris. Keep plants  Oil motors, as needed. & shrubs trimmed near the condensing unit to facilitate  Calibrate thermostat. proper air flow & circulation.  Using a fine comb, straighten any bent condensing unit Plumbing System Maintenance fins.  Repair minor drips & leaks as they occur.  Make sure registers are not blocked by furniture, drapes, or carpet.  Avoid flushing any paper products or other items but toilet paper down the toilet.  Check filters every month.  Using a plunger should solve most clogging problems.  Keep outdoor unit clean & free of debris. Keep one in each bathroom in the home.  Check insulation - replace if it has fallen off of feed lines.  Visually inspect all pipes you can see for corrosion or  Create shade for the outdoor unit. leaks. Common Problems  If your area has bitterly cold weather, allow a faucet to maintain a slow drip to help avoid frozen pipes. What do I do if I have a leak in my walls or ceiling?  Inspect the water heater for signs of leaks or corrosion. Make sure the drain line is not obstructed. Condensation should drain freely.  Check the button of the water heater, the drain pan, & the floor for rust or water staining. What do I do if my unit frequently cycles on & off?  Every year, drain & flush your water heater. Attach a Call a qualified professional, who will clean the evaporator unit garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the water & fan to solve the problem. heater. How can I get my air conditioner to blow colder air?  Soak the water heating element of your electric water  Check to make sure the area around the exterior heater in vinegar to remove corrosion and/or sediment condensing unit is clear of leaves, bushes, or any other build-up. obstructions. This ensures adequate airflow.  Water filters should be changed according to the  Check air filter. Clean or replace, as needed. manufacture's recommendations.  Create shade for the unit. This also serves as an energy Electrical System Maintenance saver!  Be careful not to plug too many appliances or devices  Secure the insulation firmly to the large line (suction line). into one circuit. Being aware of this can prevent power Replace any worn-out insulation. outages. Are regular air conditioner check-ups worthwhile?  Use the self-test button on the ground fault circuit We recommend annual air conditioning check-ups in the interrupter/arc (GFIC) regularly to maintain optimum spring, as well as furnace check-ups every fall. Although performance. check-ups will not guarantee that a unit will work perfectly  Use a voltage tester to make sure electrical connections throughout the season, getting your system inspected will are dead before working with any wires or other electrical reveal most small problems that could lead to bigger, more components. expensive problems if left unattended.  The National Electric Code requires that ground fault

circuit interrupter (GFIC) outlets be used where dampness has occurred (basements, kitchens. bathrooms, outdoors, etc.).  Do not touch plumbing or gas pipes when working with electricity. The pipes are used to ground the electrical 6 system. Continued on next page Routine Maintenance Cont’d Vacation Checklist for Your Dog Sitter Electrical System Maintenance (cont’d) Going on a trip can be complicated when you have a dog,  Do not touch plumbing or gas pipes when working with especially if you can't take Fido with you. You have three electricity. The pipes are used to ground the electrical options – board him, leave him with a relative, or hire a pet system. sitter (or ask a neighbor, relative, or friend to act as the pet sitter). Some pet sitters will live in the house with your pet &  When working with overhead electricity, do not use metal others will come by several times a day to walk & feed your ladders. dog. Here's a checklist to leave for the sitter:  Flip the circuit breakers off & back on again once a year.  Make sure that the sitter has the proper keys & This will help keep them working properly. remember to leave her with all the information about  Rather than overload an outlet with too many devices, hire your security system, including all codes. You can an electrician to install more outlets on a different or new change the codes when you return. branch circuit.  Show the sitter where the circuit breakers are & how to  If you must use an outlet for more plugs than it contains, a turn off the gas & water supply to the house in case of power strip is preferred over an extension cord. an emergency.  Don't put too much stock in a circuit breaker that is part of a  Type out your itinerary & all of your contact information, power string or surge protector. This only protects the including your cell phone number & the numbers to the device itself. You should still be careful not to use too many hotels or homes where you will be staying. outlets or power strip spots on the same branch circuit. Too  Leave the sitter with the name & phone number of your many devices requiring power, with or without surge dog's regular veterinarian, as well as the name & protectors, puts you at risk for overloading the circuit & number of an after-hours emergency veterinary clinic. causing a fire.  Write down the names & dosage information for all of  Do NOT run appliances or extension cords under carpet. your dog's medications & show the sitter how to Cords are designed to be kept cool by the movement of air administer them. around it, keeping it from overheating.  Write down your dog's microchip number & registration Water Heater Maintenance information in case he gets loose & goes missing. Make  Twice a year, drain & flush sediment from the water heater certain your current contact information is up to date tank. through the microchip providers if there have been any moves or phone number changes in your past.  To drain your water heater start by turning off the heater &  Let the sitter know how many visits your dog requires & letting the tank cool; then shut off the water supply. If ask about the duration of the visits. Be sure that you are gravity is on your side, connect a hose to the drain cock & both clear about the feeding schedule, walking run it to a floor drain. If you don't have a drain, send the schedule, & playtime. water to a sink or bucket using a drill pump. Draining 3 gallons is usually enough, but you may have to fill & flush  Leave all food & medication in plain sight & label it a few times until the water's clear. clearly.  Once a year, check the pressure-relief valve. This is a  Leave cleaning supplies in plain sight, including an crucial safety device & it must not become clogged. enzymatic deodorizer & paper towels.  Make sure that the sitter has a partner or a backup plan  A faulty relief valve can -- and has -- caused water heaters in case he or she can't complete the duties. Also, make to blow up! Remember that the appliance is under a lot of sure that you have a friend or relative that can watch pressure. The valves allow a release of that pressure, your pet in case of an extreme emergency. If possible, safely. If they aren't working, however, you could have a introduce the sitter to this person before you leave, & serious problem on your hands! make sure to leave all contact information with the sitter.  Testing the valve is an easy procedure. Turn off the power  Let the sitter know about the areas of your home where & the cold water supply to the water heater first. Next, the dog is allowed or not allowed, & shut off any areas of locate the valves on each side of the tank, plus the one on the house where you don't want the dog or the sitter to the bottom. Place a bucket or other container under the be. valve. Open it up all the way. Release the valve & watch to see if water continues running out. The valve should close For safety's sake, lock up all valuables—don't tell the sitter on its own & stop draining water. If the valve doesn't close, where they are, of course! If you choose to hire a sitter, it must be replaced. make sure that the company is bonded in case there's a problem or loss of personal property. To be nice, buy the  To replace the valve, begin by purchasing a replacement sitter some beverages & snacks & show her where they are valve at a hardware store. Next, drain your tank part way. so that she can snack while she's playing with your dog— Use a pipe wrench to remove the valve. Screw in the new this might actually keep her there longer, & will certainly put valve & turn on the water heater (this allows the tank to you & your dog at the top of her favorites list. re-pressurize). Turn off everything & repeat the test process to make sure the new valve is working. 7 Don’t Throw Out Those Old Electronics - They Could Be Valuable

Bottom Line Personal Eric Bradley, an associate with Heritage Auctions in Dallas, the world's largest collectibles auction house. He is the editor of the annual Antique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide and author of Mantiques: A Manly Guide to Cool Stuff

The old electronic gadgets Apple III in 1980 was the young company’s first signifi- gathering dust in your attic might cant failure. The design of the case took priority over be technologically obsolete, but technical features, including the lack of an internal fan, they still could have value. which led to overheating. It sells for less than $1,000. Vintage consumer electronics have become collectible as the Macintosh 128K from 1984—the original Mac—often generation that grew up with sells for $200 to $300 on eBay. these items waxes nostalgic for Apple iMac G4 from 2002–2003 can sell for $200 to their youth. $300 or more on eBay, even though it is neither new enough to effectively surf the Internet nor old enough to Not every out-of-date electronics device is worth be considered truly vintage. The G4 is desired because of money, of course, but certain calculators, computers, its stylish & distinctive design—a dome base & thin arm telephones, video games, electronic kids’ games, support a flat screen. Some buyers use these so-called calculator watches & more can fetch anywhere from a “flowerpot Macs” to store & play their digital music. few dollars to a few hundred dollars on eBay. Rare models can be even more valuable—an Apple-1 CALCULATORS computer from 1976 recently sold for $671,400 at An out-of-date electronic calculator might seem like one of auction. the dullest items imaginable, but notable models are This could be the right time to sell. Once it becomes collected, often by engineers & other math-minded types. widely known that electronics from the 1970s, 1980s & Calculators in excellent condition in some cases even the 1990s have value, people will from the 1970s often sell for $20 to start digging these things out of their attics & selling $30, & old, rare or notable them on eBay in greater numbers, which could undercut examples can bring considerably prices. more. Helpful: eBay is the best place to sell most col- JCE model ALK-1—a 1970s lectible consumer electronics, but a bricks-and-mortar calculator featuring a red LED auction house can be better for the rarest & most valu- display—recently sold for $365 on eBay. It’s not uncommon able items. Germany’s Auction Team Breker is the for working 1970s-era calculators with red LED displays to leader in high-end vintage electronics auctions bring $100 or more. (Breker.com). Busicom 141-PF was the first commercially available prod- To have significant value, vintage consumer electronics uct to include a microprocessor, the Intel 4004, when it generally must be in working order, have all their parts reached the market in 1971. One recently sold for $19,200 & not be heavily worn or damaged. at auction. Casio FX-10, offered in 1974, was Casio’s first scientific To find out whether your old electronic items have calculator. It typically sells for $40 to $50 on eBay. value, check on eBay to see what items are going for. Check “completed listings” to see what items have actually sold for. COMPUTERIZED KID’S TOYS Here are examples of electronics worth listing for sale… Some computerized toys are starting to be collected by both toy collectors & electronics collectors. PERSONAL COMPUTERS Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, a popular learning toy Apple-1 computers can bring hundreds of thousands of from the late 1970s & early 1980s, can bring $100 or more dollars, as mentioned above, but the odds of finding if it is in excellent condition & in its original box. Well-used one of these are slim—only six working models are examples with no box generally sell in the $20-to-$30 known to exist. But other old computers may have range. collectible value, too. Coleco Pac-Man tabletop mini arcade game sells for $50 MITS Altair 8800 from 1975 was the first personal com- to $200, depending on condition. puter to sell in significant quantities. It can bring $10,000 to $12,000 at auction. Continued on next page 8 Old Electronics - Valuable ? Cont’d

VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS AND CARTRIDGES TELEPHONES Home video game consoles & cartridges from the late 1970s & The typical rotary-dial phone from the 1970s or 1980s is early 1980s are very collectible. unlikely to be worth more than $10, if that—but other Even some from the 1990s have phones do have significant value. value. Extremely rare games Wall phones in colors from the 1950s & 1960s are hot sometimes sell for tens of now & sell for $50 to $100 or more. A 1964 orange thousands of dollars—a game for Western Electric sold for about $130 on eBay. the Nintendo Entertainment Bakelite phones from the 1930s & 1940s can bring System (NES) called Stadium $250 or more on eBay. An Automatic Electric AE40 Events has sold at auction for as desk phone in a rare mahogany color with gold trim much as $41,300. But even fairly recently sold for $2,250 on eBay, for example. common games often have value. Many games for the Atari 2600 or NES bring $5 to $15, assuming that ATC Genie rotary-dial phone dates only to the late they still work. 1970s but sells for $10 to $30, depending on color & condition, thanks to its distinctive oval shape. Helpful: Old video game consoles can be difficult to

attach to modern HDTVs, which can make it hard to confirm that they still work. If you don’t have an old CALCULATOR WATCHES tube TV, find someone who does & ask if you can test Certain digital watches from the your console & games on it before listing these items 1970s are collected. Seiko, Casio & for sale. (Wondering if an old TV is collectible? Citizen are among the most Vintage sets that have very distinctive styling can be desirable, with values typically in the worth perhaps $100 to $200, but tube televisions are $30-to-$100 range. Watches that so heavy & expensive to ship that they can be difficult have either lots of tiny buttons or a to sell on eBay. A local antiques shop that accepts sleek 1970s style tend to be most items on consignment might be a better bet.) prized. Early calculator watches are particularly collectible. Atari 2600. Working Casio CD-401 calculator watch can bring $100 or consoles typically more. sell for $50 to $150, Hewlett-Packard HP-01, considered the first digital cal- but values well into culator watch, can sell for $1,000 to $3,000. Models that the hundreds are still have their original stylus, which should be embed- possible when the consoles are in like-new condition. ded in the watchband, tend to bring the highest prices. Other early game consoles from the 1970s & 1980s, such as the NES, can fetch similar prices. Jack Bros., a 1995 game for Nintendo’s Virtual Boy system, sells for $130 used or as much as $400 in Important Electrical Panel Tips excellent condition. Panzer Dragoon Saga, a 1998 game for the Sega Sat-  You should know where it is urn console, sells for $300 to $500. located in case you need to shut Snow Brothers, a 1991 video game for the NES, can off all electricity in an emergency, go for as much as $400. or if a breaker trips and you need SONY WALKMANS to reset it.

A vintage Sony Walkman played a prominent role in  Do not obstruct access to your Guardians of the Galaxy, the most successful movie of main electrical panel by building this past summer. That could boost the collector’s shelves or storing items in front of it market for these portable cassette tape players. Walkmans in working condition generally sell for just $10 to $25, but models from the 1970s can bring much more. Sony TPS-L2 Walkman from the 1970s—the model featured in Guardians of the Galaxy can sell for $500 to $1,200 on eBay in excellent condition. 9 Does Your Pet Have Separation Anxiety?

If your dog or cat goes to pieces when you leave the house & misbehaves out of stress, there are ways to calm those fears.

Pets are emotional creatures, and some deal better than others with watching a person close the front door & hearing their footsteps grow fainter. When the behavior that stressed pets exhibit from being left alone is a problem — such as incessant barking, howling, chewing, digging, urinating and/or defecating It’s a Wrap or desperately trying to escape — it’s likely they are We now know that hugs are more than signs of suffering from Pet Separation Anxiety (PSA). affection; they can also make a pet feel more secure. Dogs with extreme separation anxiety may cause When you can’t be around to soothe your pet with one, self-injury & household destruction. They may also put a Thundershirt on him/her. Designed to ease a make pet parents feel like prisoners in their own pet’s anxiety, these garments (available in sizes for home, reluctant to leave for fear or what they may both cats & dogs) swaddle the wearer in comfort. return to find. Use a Product that Makes Scents The good news is that there are gentle ways help your Certain scents have the power to relax a pet. The pet cope. company that manufactures D.A.P. (dog appeasing Desensitize Your Dog pheromone) has created a synthetic version of a hormone a dog naturally emits when she is at ease. To use this progressive technique, start by pretending They make it available in several forms: as a collar, a to get ready—pack your bag, put on your coat & grab spray & a plug-in electric diffuser that gently releases your keys—and then sit down with your pet & don’t D.A.P. for up to a month. leave. Instead, stay until he is calm & comfortable. In a few days, when desensitization advances to the Stage a (Gentle) Light & Sound Show point that Fido no longer panics when he sees you get While many pets simply go to sleep when people leave, ready to leave, change up the routine: Walk outside & anxious ones don’t like to be left alone in the dark. So close the door — then quickly come back into the leave a light on & part the curtains so your cat or dog house. can peek through when hearing sounds. It’s also a With repetition, you’ll be able to spend longer & longer good idea to turn on a radio or the audio portion of the stretches of time outside the closed door. Practicing TV. Choose soft music to create a relaxing ambiance. short absences multiple times throughout the day can Also, keep doors & windows shut to buffer loud noises reduce a pet’s separation anxiety—especially if you & secure your backyard to prevent your pet from only leave the house when Fido is relaxed. Eventually escaping. you should be able to leave without alarming your Keep in Mind… pup. Pet Separation Anxiety is not malicious behavior to be Teach that Good-bye = a Good Snack punished. It is a health issue like depression or panic Teach your pet to associate your departures with attacks in humans, which can be managed through times he’ll be rewarded. Here’s how: Every time you patience & treatment. leave, offer your pet a healthy treat. Or provide a food Know that your own behavior can increase or decrease -filled chew toy that will take him a while to devour. your pet’s anxiety. Although you might be sad to leave Only allow him access to it when you’re leaving & your dog to go to work or delighted to see him when remove it upon your return. Note: This approach you return home, avoid making coming & going a big works best with mild cases of separation anxiety since deal. Instead, ignore him for the first few minutes after highly anxious pets often won’t eat when their you return home. Once he is calm & relaxed, call him guardians aren’t home. over for some gentle attention — and soon you’ll be thanking him for being such a good boy while you were away. 10 Walks, Driveways and Landscaping Flea Treatment Options

Walks & driveways may be gravel, asphalt, The flea's life cycle requires a warm-blooded host, so concrete, stone, or the best starting point when trying to get rid of a flea pavers. Regardless of infestation is to protect your pet. Various flea the material, they treatments are available: should be slightly  Collars – Kill adult fleas and some also repel & kill sloped to drain water ticks, and can provide prolonged protection for a away from the house, few months. Different flea collars use different rather than toward it. active ingredients. Improper slopes in  Spot-ons – Provide prolonged protection for some cases, cause approximately 1 month. They can affect both adult erosion and/or frost & immature fleas, freeing your pet & house of damage to building foundations. Where walks or fleas, with repeated use. Different spot-on flea driveways pull away from the building, water can treatments contain different active ingredients. accumulate along the foundation wall. In some cases a drain is required to carry surface water away. The  Shampoos – Kill adult fleas, but do not provide drain should be sized to handle the maximum run-off prolonged protection—just a few days. from rains, or from melting snow, where applicable.  Dips – Kill adult fleas, and sometimes also mites The drain should be arranged to prevent clogging with & ticks. They can provide protection for up to a debris or frost damage to the drain assembly. The week or two. pipes leading from these drains cannot be examined  Oral medications – Are administered directly into during a home inspection. your pet's mouth or mixed into food daily, monthly or quarterly, depending on the product. These flea Shrubs, trees, planters and so on can add to the value treatments either kill adult fleas only, or prevent of a property, but can also adversely affect the building the eggs laid by fleas feeding on the treated pet itself. Shrubs too close to a building can hold water from developing into adults, breaking the flea life against walls, prevent wood components from drying cycle. out & provide pests with good access into the house.  Injections – Which currently only contain insect growth regulators, prevent flea eggs laid by fleas Tree branches can cause mechanical damage to roof feeding on the treated pet from hatching, breaking & wall surfaces, leaves can clog gutters & the flea life cycle. These products can provide downspouts, & roots can clog drainage pipes & in protection for a few months, but don't kill adult severe cases, dislodge foundations. Where the original fleas. grade level has been raised by adding topsoil, there  Powders & sprays – Provide protection for a few are three concerns. The building wall may be subject days to weeks. They can kill both adult & to damage if wood components are in contact with the immature fleas, but have fallen out of favor soil. Water leakage into the building may be because easier-to-use products have become experienced if the soil is above the top of the available. foundation wall. The increased load exerted on the foundation wall can push the foundation wall inward, For optimum & prolonged protection while ensuring particularly in areas where frozen soil conditions may your pet's comfort, be sure to ask your veterinarian exist. about the most suitable product.

Reference:

Blagburn BL, Dryden MW. Biology, treatment, & control of flea & tick infestations. Vet Clin N Am Small Anim.

11 Tick-Borne Diseases Commodes Lyme disease is caused by a tick-transmitted spi- rochete bacteria, and this organism commonly causes disease in humans & dogs. This disease has been reported in all 50 states. Clinical signs of infection include fever, anorexia, lethargy, shifting leg Everyone knows the basic "dos & don'ts" of the lameness related to polyarthritis, and enlarged lymph commode: don't flush any kind of paper other than nodes (lymphadenopathy). Cardiac & renal signs, toilet paper. If a commode starts to back up you can which can lead to death, may also occur. Lyme shut off the water by turning the knob at the back of disease can be difficult to accurately diagnose the commode near the floor - righty tighty/lefty loosely. because some dogs get infected with the organism & develop detectable antibodies but do not develop There are a couple other things to keep an eye on, or signs of disease. Disease may be prevented by an ear out for: see if you can rock the commode back reducing exposure to tick habitats & protecting pets & forth or front to back. If so, you should tighten down with tick repellant products & vaccination against the bolts. There are typically two bolts fastening the Lyme disease. commode to the floor, which are usually covered by plastic knobs. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) occurs in many areas of the United States, but despite the If your commode sounds like it is constantly running name, it is most commonly seen east of the you might need to have a plumber replace the fill Mississippi River, especially in the southeastern U.S. valve. You can also open the back of the commode & The organism causes a wide variety of clinical signs see if the refill tube goes down into the overflow tube - including fever, anorexia, depression, vomiting, it should actually hang just above it. If that is not the diarrhea, muscle pain, polyarthritis, neurological case, you can try adjusting the ballcock or float cup signs, epistaxis (nosebleeds), cutaneous lower & see if that fixes the problem. hemorrhages & death. There is no vaccine against RMSF so minimizing tick exposure by avoiding tick Tick-Borne Diseases, cont’d habitats & applying tick control products are recommended. Canine Babesiosis is a disease transmitted by ticks. The disease organism infects & replicates in Canine Ehrlichiosis is widespread in large parts of red blood cells causing immune-mediated North & South America, Europe, Asia & Africa. The reactions leading to hemolytic anemia & disease occurs as acute, subclinical & chronic hemoglobinuria (blood pigments in urine). If not phases. The acute phase starts with fever, anorexia, treated, the dog will develop icterus (yellowing of dyspnea (difficulty breathing), edema (tissue swell- the skin), & enlargement of the spleen & lymph ing), vomiting, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes. Severe anemia can develop, leading to nodes) & vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). diffuse intravascular coagulation, renal failure & The acute phase is transient, usually resolving in 1-2 death. Tick control is important in disease weeks. Chronic signs of disease include bleeding prevention. tendencies, anemia, severe weight loss & debilitation, ocular & neurologic signs. There is no Canine Hepatozoonosis is unique in that dogs vaccine currently available, so tick control measures must ingest the tick to become infected with this are important for disease prevention. disease. Once ingested by the dog, the infective agents contained in the tick are released & infect Canine Anaplasmosis is found in areas endemic for white blood cell & cells of many other organs. those tick species with high prevalence reported in Clinical signs of disease include fever, anemia & California, Minnesota, Wisconsin & many New Eng- progressive weight loss. Disease can be seen in land states, & occurs in dogs, horses, other ani- dogs of all ages, but is most commonly seen in mals & humans. Clinical signs of disease include fe- puppies. Because there is no vaccine, tick control ver, lethargy, low lymphocyte count (lymphopenia) & is the best form of prevention. low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). There is no vaccine against this disease, so tick control meas- ures are again critical to disease prevention.

12 Continued in next column Teach Your Kids To Be Good Pet Parents Tips for Dog-Friendly Gardens

Although young children shouldn’t be given total responsibility for pet care, learning the basics can keep Spring has sprung! If both them & your pets safe & sound. you’ll be out in your garden over the coming If you’ve recently brought a cat or dog into your home, months, make sure congratulations. Not only can a pet become a child’s your dog is safe. best friend, but exposing young ones to an animal's germs actually may be healthy; a recent study1 found Having a green thumb they help build up kids’ immune system. can sometimes be difficult when you've also got four paws running, Having a pet is also a good way to teach kids ripping & rolling through your yard. But fear not. It's responsibility. How much a child should be involved in still possible to have a garden that's both pet care depends on his or her age. Babies & pets puppy-proof & pretty. To help keep your garden should not be left alone together. growing, the American Kennel Club offers the

Toddlers need lots of supervision as they can be following tips: unintentionally rough. To them, pets are like moving - Strength in numbers. Give more delicate plants a stuffed animals. chance to grow strong by surrounding them with

Megan J., a mother to a mother & pet parent to a 2-year container plants that can be rotated as needed old Siamese cat, says to teach gentleness, “Take [your around the garden. Or consider a shield of hardier child's] hand firmly & guide him through petting the dog/ varieties, such as the more durable French cat. Tell your child, ‘We touch the cat softly. We are nice lavenders or ornamental grasses that will take the to our cat,1 so that he hears positive words to go with first hit & survive. When the protected plants are big the actions.” enough to withstand dog play, you can transplant the hardy varieties & put them to work elsewhere. Teach compassion by pointing out that pets have feelings beyond getting hungry & thirsty. They feel pain. - Beware of poisonous plants. It's better to be safe They feel ashamed if they know they’ve done something than sorry. Try to avoid planting varieties that could wrong & sad if they're ignored. When children don't harm your dog if eaten. make time for their pet, ask them to think about it from the dog or cat’s point of view: Why are you ignoring me? - Save the seedlings. Canine happy-feet can plow What did I do wrong? down even the toughest varieties of annuals. Keep a number of wire baskets handy - the kind you fill Joan R., a mother & pet parent, said, “How children with sphagnum moss & use as hanging planters. relate to animals will be reflected in how they react to Place the empty wire baskets upside down over other human beings, so it's an important lesson even your seedlings, about two or three feet apart. They separate from treating the animal well.” will be camouflaged by the fast-growing annuals, & they'll deflect surprise attacks from yard romps gone (Cont’d pg 14) awry. - Pick plants wisely. Don't invest in flower bulbs - tulips, amaryllis, daffodils & so on - that take 10 Fire Safety months to produce a few delicate blossoms. One raucous play session & they're history. Rather, put in industrial-strength vegetation such as rosemary, If you have small children in ornamental grasses or day lilies - ones that don't your home, make sure one mind being cut back & can tolerate dog-play. window in each child's bed- - Make compromises. Location is important, but not room is easily opened. Chil- nearly as important as relocation. Transplant dren have a tendency to try & frazzled foliage worn out from high-velocity dog open windows instead of activity. A healthy dog garden is always changing. breaking them to escape fire.

13 Best Kitchen Updates on a Budget Teach Your Kids To Be Good Pet Parents (cont’d) Updating your kitchen is one of the best ways to improve your home’s appearance & increase its value. Do’s & Don’ts Upgrade your kitchen without straining the family budget. Do’s Refinish your appliances.  Do make kids part of the pet selection process Tired of your outdated appliances but can’t afford to  Do help your kids understand that a pet is a pet replace them with new stainless steel ones? Give your for life appliances a high-tech look for a fraction of the cost by  Do involve them in preparing for the pet’s arrival applying stainless steel paint. Although there are  Do teach kids not to interrupt a pet who is eating products available in spray-on form, they’re not safe for  Do supervise kids as they learn to walk a dog on hot stoves & toasters, so stick with brush-on paint such a leash as Liquid Stainless Steel. Before you apply any finish, make sure you read & follow the directions carefully, Don’ts clean the appliances & remove or cover all handles &  Don’t let your child punish a pet for misbehaving control panels.  Don’t let kids feed unhealthy treats or table Revive your countertops. scraps to pets Why spend thousands of dollars on new countertops  Don’t make a kid responsible for animal-care when you can paint them yourself for around $100? chores beyond the child’s ability With granite-look countertop paint, you can breathe  Don’t let your child try to ride a dog like a horse new life into laminate, ceramic tile, wood, MDF or  Don’t punish a child by threatening to get rid of cultured-marble countertops in just a few steps. First, the pet clean the surface of dirt & grease, fill in any holes or nicks with wood filler & sand with fine sandpaper. Apply The Bottom Line the supplied primer, let it dry, then dab on the stone “As with anything you introduce to a child, start color with a sponge. Once that dries, give it a light slowly & reward good behavior,” advises Megan J. sanding, apply the topcoat & stand back & admire your “Kids & dogs aren't really that different when it work. comes to teaching them the right way to behave.” Change your lighting. Lighting sets the mood for any room, so switch out your Eliot D., a father & pet parent adds, “Consistency & old kitchen fixtures for something more modern & establishing a routine go a long way. Before my two eye-catching. Experts suggest creating a layered look kids got pets, they agreed that they would be to make your kitchen more practical & inviting. Colorful responsible. Every day they have to do their animal metal or glass pendant lights are quite popular for feeding & watering before the family eats. Once in a kitchen islands. Recessed lighting & adjustable track while they slip up – but the cats have a way of lighting are practical for ceilings. Also, consider adding reminding them!” under-cabinet lights to brighten countertops & cutting areas. Don’t forget to install energy-efficient bulbs to References Park, Alice. Study: Why Dogs & Cats help conserve electricity. Make Babies Healthier. Time Magazine. 2012-07-09. Rework your cabinets. If your kitchen cabinets are structurally sound, there are several inexpensive ways to change their look without Best Kitchen Updates on a Budget, cont’d replacing them. One option is refacing, where only the doors & drawer fronts of the cabinet are replaced with Switch out your hardware. new ones. The exposed cabinet boxes are then You’d be surprised at how something as simple as covered with matching peel-and-stick veneer. Painting changing the hardware on your cabinets can improve the your cabinets a bright color is an even simpler option appearance of your kitchen. There that will really liven up your kitchen. Removing the are many different styles cabinet doors altogether gives the space a more open available, from modern & sleek to feel & allows you to showcase your glassware or dish vintage & ornate. Don’t be afraid collection. to go with something unique to make a statement. Other simple updates that make a difference Continued in next column include replacing your faucet, switch plates & drawer organizers. 14 Common Pests & Your Home

One responsibility that tends to get overlooked until it becomes a larger issue is that of household pests. A household pest is "a destructive insect or other animal that attacks" your home. Pests range throughout the U.S., but the most common pests are those that have become almost commonplace in our lives. Here are some of the most common pests encountered by homeowners throughout the U.S., and what you can do to help prevent pests in your home. Most common Spring & Summer Pests: Most Common Fall & Winter Pests: Termites: Stink Bugs: Termites are generally grouped by their nesting & Stink bugs are found throughout the U.S. and most of feeding habits: subterranean, soil-dwelling, dry the time homeowners don't know they have an issue wood, damp wood & grass-feeding. They feed on until early fall, when stink bugs turn up on the sunny dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, side of homes where they can warm themselves. leaves, soil & animal dung. Termites can cause During the summer months stink bugs live outside, significant structural damage to buildings. Those feeding on fruits, grains & other crops. During the classified as subterranean & dry wood are those colder months, stink bugs will hide inside walls or in that are responsible for the damage to homes. attics & crawl spaces. These bugs get their name from Ants: the unpleasant odor they produce when they feel threatened. Ants are the most common household pests in the north central states. They are social insects & they Rodents: have a wide variety of nesting habits. Ants can build Rodents are warm-blooded & are found throughout the nests in soil, behind moldings, baseboards & U.S. The most common types of rodents are mice & counter tops, and some types nest in decaying or rats. Both rapidly breed & are capable of squeezing moisture damaged wood. Ants will feed on all types through spaces that appear smaller than their bodies. of food & ant damage varies. Most ants cause little Rodents seek warm shelter in the cold months, damage, but carpenter ants can weaken wood particularly mice, who seek food, water & warmth structures similar to termites. The majority of ants within homes. Generally, if one rodent is found, many don't transmit diseases. more are hiding nearby. Flies: How to Avoid Pests: Flies are some of the most annoying pests in the Most home pests can be avoided by doing simple, home. They land on almost every surface & their everyday things. As a homeowner, make sure your diet includes a wide variety of foods: human food, doors & windows are closed, as these are the most animal food, animal carcasses, garbage and common ways for pests to enter a home. Make sure excrement. Flies also carry germs & diseases. They window & door screens are in good repair or working are known to transfer over 100 pathogens, some of order. By eliminating moisture buildup in small areas & which include salmonella, anthrax, tuberculosis & basements you reduce the risk of creating hospitable the eggs of parasitic worms. environments for pests. Sealing openings in a home's Spiders: foundation will help reduce access to your home. Spiders are generally not harmful & they do feed on Trees harbor pests -- by keeping tree branches other insects like flies & other spiders. Most spiders trimmed & away from the home you deter pests found in the home are not venomous, but there are (especially spiders) from having easy access to your some that homeowners don't want to find inside home's roof. Moisture attracts pests -- direct rain water their house. The Black Widow & Brown Recluse are away from the home & foundation to prevent possible two of the most talked about spiders homeowners moisture buildup. If you have fire wood, store it at least do not want to find in their homes. Black Widows 20 feet away from the house. Flies & other pests are can be found throughout the U.S. The Brown attracted to garbage, so ensuring that garbage cans Recluse are predominately found in the Midwestern are sealed tight & all animal deposits are picked up will States, most notably Oklahoma, Arkansas & help reduce the risks of attracting pests into your Missouri. All spiders have the ability to travel to all home. The best deterrent to pests remains a clean, states by ways of hiding in boxes, packages & uncluttered home, where food, crumbs, & anything produce. else that has the potential to attract pests is put away, 15 covered or thrown away. Prepping Your Home for a Vacation

Some of these items are easily overlooked, but could cause major issues when you're away

Vacations are a time to relax & escape from regular Turn Down the Thermostat life. When you're miles from home, the last thing you Your thermostat makes sure your home maintains a want to worry about is the safety of your home. If you specific temperature throughout the day. Before you plan on taking a vacation this summer (or any time leave, set the thermostat to a lower temperature if the this year), here are some simple tips on prepping your house is going to be empty. This will help conserve home for a vacation. energy while you're gone. If you do turn down the Stop Your Newspaper & Mail thermostat, be sure to keep your home at a One sure sign of being absent from temperature that will still protect plants, pets & your home is a pile of newspapers furniture. in the driveway. Contact your newspaper delivery person & stop Put the Water Heater in Vacation service while you're gone. If you Mode don't have a locked mailbox, contact the post office Traditional water heaters heat & have them hold your mail. You can also ask a water throughout the day, even when you're not using trusted neighbor to collect mail, newspapers & deliver- water. Before you head out on a vacation, put the ies & have him/her hold them for you until you're heater in vacation mode. Check to see if your water back. heater has a VAC setting -- which is for vacations. If it Park Your Car in the Garage doesn't, you can turn down the thermostat to the lowest setting. But don't stop at the water heater: turn The last thing you want is to get home from a vacation off water valves to the dishwasher, washing machine & & have your car gone. If you can, park your car inside any sinks. The last thing you want to come home to is the garage, or have a family member park it at his/her a flood in your house because a pipe broke or a hose house. You can also ask a neighbor to park their car burst. in your driveway, making it look like someone is leaving each morning. Tidy Up the Kitchen Put a Light on a Timer Before you leave it's always a good idea to clean out the fridge & dispose of anything that will go bad while A dark house stands out in a neighborhood, especially you're gone. The sink can harbor things that cause bad when all the other homes are lit up. Before you leave, smells -- run a half cup of vinegar & some water buy a timer & install it on a lamp in your home. It's through the garbage disposal to alleviate any potential also a good idea to install a motion-activated sensor buildups & make sure to take out any trash & recycling on an outdoor floodlight that will be triggered should so you don't come home to a smelly house. If you have someone walk by it. You can also ask a neighbor to a trusted neighbor, ask them to put your garbage, turn on the front porch light in the evening. recycling or yard debris bins out on pickup day. Mow Your Lawn Leave Emergency Contact Info with Neighbors Grass can grow pretty fast in two or You may tell your family that you're heading out, but three days. If you have a lawn, make you should also let a neighbor know. Neighbors live sure it's trimmed before you embark near you & can be your first point of contact should on your trip. If you're going to be gone longer than a something happen to your home while you're away. Let week, ask a family member or neighbor to cut the a trusted neighbor know you're going to be out of town grass in the front yard while you're away. -- provide them with information on where you're going, Unplug Small Appliances & Electronics how long you'll be gone & contact information for Small appliances & electronics can be energy yourself & for family members in case of an vampires when plugged in and some are still active emergency. even when they look like they're turned off. Before you leave, unplug those items that won't be used while you're gone (coffee makers, toasters, espresso machines, etc.). It's also a good time to make sure all smoke detectors work properly throughout your 16 home. 17