38 — Sunday, June 27, 1999 — North Shore News Shore news pETs Guard dogs are a weapon Clip and iis Handy Schedule of Canada Day Evenis NEWS photo Mike Waketield Humans’ names: Clare and Georgia Wakefield, age 4 and 7. Pets’ names and ages: Guinea pigs Sprout and Coco, were born to months ago on Georgia's birthday. They join a househoid menagerie which includes a deg, a cat, fish and a stick bug. Favourite activities: The girls’ favourite acitivity is to dress the Guinea pigs in doll clothes. The Guinea pigs’ favourite activity is eating, but they also like to cal! back when whistled at. Favourite treat: Carrot shavings and apole slices. Pet tale: Sprout cot a cold after goirig outside and had to make a $47 visit to the vet. Now her daily routine includes a syringe in the mouth full of antibiotics. if you would like to appear with your pet in Pet Pause, please write to Terry Peters c/o the North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, 8.C., V7M 2H4. Or send’ e-mail to . THE first thing you see as you approach the front gate to my humble abode, is a sign that reads “Beware of dogs.” But what does that mean ... really? My dogs are far from guard dogs. If an intruder did decide to enter the properiy uninvited he would come across Alex my Doberman. His size and faulty hollywoodized reputation may frighten the person off, but in reality, the only damage he might do is knock the intruder to their knees as he spins and thrusts his backside in the air, requesting “pet me right here please!” Harley, my German shorthair pointer, would menacingly bark and maybe growl a little, but soon after search out his tennis ball and toss it at the intruder’s feet endlessly. The intruder would basically be pestered into leaving! is not the case in other households. With the increased need of personal safety there has also been an increase in the desire to have dogs which are out- wardly aggressive or been trained as guard dogs to protect oneself and property. Boy ob boy, is this a time bomb ready to ‘o off 8 Guard dogs or protection dogs are trained by utilizing instinctive territorial and high-level prey drives to fend off intruders and chase away the bad guy. Gnee this natural instinct has been brought to the surface and zewarded as intensely as it is during training, it never goes away. It can See If page 42 Joan ‘jucha canine connection The time has just flown by! It’s har for us to believe, but we’ve had the honor of provid- _ ing quality, compassionate pet care to the $ Nerth Shore community for 20 years. & We've seen amazing advances in veterinary medicine, Jike ultra- * sound, dentistry, and eye care. Advances we've been excited to include in our practice the mo- ment they were introciuced. Ad- vances that allow us to provide your pets with complete care. But what we've enjoyed most of ali is not just caring for your pets, but caring about your pets. Helping them live the healthy, happy lives they deserve. Loving thern as much as you do. Because that’s what our tives are all about. It's our 20th anniversary, but you get che gift! 165 Riverside Drive North Vancouver Gust off the Upper Levels at the Second Narrows Bridge) * Offer avaliable to “ * Offer valid for the next Ge one maw ams oe oe Fs wn