Animals

A Froglog can save countless animals from drowning.
A Column Promoting a More Earth-friendly Lifestyle

By John L. Turner

John Turner

Countless numbers of wild animals, from chipmunks and mice to raccoons and skunks drown in in-ground pools every year unable to climb out of the water along the pool edge. (Two chipmunks unfortunately drowned in my pool last year the first day I uncovered the pool and before I had placed several water exiting devices I had in the shed). Smaller reptiles and amphibians drown too.   

There are products you can buy to minimize the chance of wildlife drowning in your pool. They are installed or placed on the edge of the pool and serve as a ramp to allow for animals to climb out. Two products come to mind: 1) Skamper-ramp, for larger animals such as mammals (and your pets!) and 2) Froglogs, effective for smaller animals. Even knotted nylon rope hanging into the water can help smaller mammals escape. Four to six Froglogs or rope are recommended for the average size pool (I placed eight of these to be extra safe).

With these devices in place you can have greater piece of mind knowing your pool is only a place for fun and relaxation!

A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

 

A male Buck Moth. Photo by John Turner

By John L. Turner

John Turner

On my way to redeem some bottles, involving some brands of craft beer that were thoroughly enjoyable, I did a double take passing by what I thought was a small bit of wind-blown garbage, moved by a gentle breeze, along the curb in a supermarket parking lot. Something about its movement caught my eye though and upon a closer look this was no multi-colored piece of trash but rather was something alive, fluttering weakly against the curb. Bending down to take a closer look I suddenly realized I was staring, improbably, at a  male Polyphemus Moth (I could tell it was a male by its quite feathery antennae). 

I picked the moth up and moved it out of harm’s way, placing it under a nearby row of shrubs, realizing all I did was buy it a little more time free from a certain death by a car tire or  pedestrian foot. Having no mouth with which it can feed (all of its energy is carried over from the caterpillar stage) a trait it shares with related species, its life as an adult is short-lived. 

The Polyphemus Moth is one of more than a dozen species of Giant Silk Moths found on Long Island. This family contains some of the largest moths in the world and they range from attractive to beautiful to spectacular. 

Take the Polyphemus Moth as an example. Tan colored with bands of peach on the forewings and black on the hind wings, the moth has four eye spots with the two on the hind wings being especially prominent. The center of the eyespots appears cellophane-like and is translucent. The central eyespot gives rise to the species name as it is reminiscent of the eye of the cyclops of Greek mythology with the same common name as the moth. 

A Polyphemus Moth. Photo by Carl Safina

The eye spots also play a role in the family name — Saturnidae, as some eye spots have concentric rings like those of the planet Saturn. And as moths go this creature has a huge wingspan, being as much as five inches from the tip of one forewing to the other. Its caterpillars feed on oak trees. 

The richly-colored brown, olive, and orange Cecropia moth, with its bright orange body, is slightly larger than the Polyphemus and its eyespots are more in the shape of a comma. They have a purple patch of the tip of each forewing that reminds me of the ghosts in Pac-Man, the popular video game. Cecropia prefer cherry trees as a food plant. 

The most tropical looking member of the family is undoubtedly the lime green-colored Luna Moth, a feeder of walnut leaves. The hindwings of the species, also possessing two eye spots, are longer than other Giant Silk Moth members and have a distinctive twist to the two “tails.” The spots on the fore or front wings are smaller, oval and are connected by a line to the purplish/maroon-colored line that runs along the front of the forewing. It is a showstopper!   

A non-native Giant Silk moth has been introduced to Long Island — the Ailanthus Silk Moth also known as the Cynthia Moth. It can be seen in areas of the island where Ailanthus trees commonly grow such as Brooklyn and Queens. 

Two beautiful, closely related silk moths are the Tulip-tree Silk Moth and the Promethea Moth. The latter species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female look different as they are of “different morphs or forms.” The female is a rich blend of browns with an orange body while the male is a deep charcoal grey with olive to tan borders on both wings. As the name suggests, the former species as a caterpillar feeds on the leaves of the Tulip Tree, a spectacular columnar tree that grows in richer soils along Long  Island’s north shore. 

Related to these other Giant Silk Moths is a smaller inhabitant found in the Long Island Pine Barrens — the Eastern Buck Moth. And unlike other giant silk moths, and moths in general, the buck moth is strictly diurnal, flying from late morning through mid-afternoon on days in late September through mid-October. Why the radical difference in lifestyle compared to typical night flying moths?  It has to do with living in a fire-prone environment. Unlike other members of the family, buck moths don’t pupate by forming a cocoon that hangs from a branch because it would run the real risk of being destroyed by fire. Rather, the buck moth pupates in an earthen cell underground, out of harm’s way, waiting until the threat of the fire season lessens. This means a shift in emergence to the fall, and since it can get cold at night, buck moths have shifted their active period to the warmer daytime. 

In the same subfamily as the buck moth is the beautiful Io Moth. This species too is dimorphic with the female being darker than the male’s bright yellow coloration. Both sexes have large eyespots on their hindwings which are revealed when the forewings are thrown forward by a disturbed moth; suddenly the here-to-fore innocuous insect appears to be the face of a mammal which may deter predation or allow the momentarily confused predator to give enough time for the Io moth to escape. 

In yet another subfamily are the remarkable Pine Devil moth, Royal Walnut Moth (which  as a caterpillar is the famous hickory horned devil!), Imperial Moth, three species of oak webworms common in the Pine Barrens, and the Rosy Maple Moth, the color of raspberry and lemon sherbet.   

Unfortunately, all of these species have become less common on Long Island with some perhaps on the verge of extirpation (local extinction), done in by a loss of habitat and the widespread use of pesticides. Their rarity, paired with exceptional beauty, makes seeing a member of the Giant Silk moth family a special visual treat. Good luck!     

A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.

METRO photo

By Matthew Kearns, DVM

Dr. Matthew Kearns

I commonly get this question around this time of year — “What can I give my pet (usually my dog) for all the fireworks before, during and after July 4th?” 

Keep in mind that the fear of loud noises is a natural, instinctive behavior in dogs and cats telling them to seek shelter temporarily, alerting them to potential predators in the area, etc. However, I agree that when a pet is over sensitive to this noise stimulus to the point where they cower, shake, pace, urinate/defecate in the house, destroy furniture, or even try to climb on your lap (not too good if you own a Great Dane), it becomes a big problem.

Supplements: Alpha-casozepine, L-theanine (green tea extract), aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile), CBD are the safest but also have the widest range of efficacy. Owner feedback ranges from “just what the doctor ordered” to “I wasted my money.” My advice is it’s great to try these but have a backup plan.

Over The Counter Medications: The only over the counter medication that has been evaluated for sedation is diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness but I have found that is more effective for dogs that suffer from motion sickness during travel than sedation. My advice is the same. Have a backup plan.

Anti-depressants and SSRIs: These medications can be quite effective the mainstay of anti-depressants in veterinary medicine is a tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA) called clomipramine (Clomicalm®). The mainstay of selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) is fluoxetine (Prozac®). The problem is these medications can take a minimum of three weeks and sometimes up to 8 weeks to get to steady therapeutic levels. That means starting before Memorial Day and most pet owners (myself included) do not think that far ahead.

Benzodiazepines: This medication has been studied extensively for all sorts of anxiety and phobias in dogs. I have been less than impressed with the results with the use of benzodiazepines alone. Benzodiazepines are designed to be used in conjunction with a TCA or SSRI where the TCA/SSRI is a maintenance medication and the benzodiazepine is situational. 

Phenothiazines: Phenothiazines are tranquilizers and the most widely used phenothiazine tranquilizer in veterinary medicine is acepromazine. Acepromazine is wonderful if one is looking to keep them still (and not destroy the house) but it does not address phobias or anxiety. I do prescribe it routinely around the 4th of July because it works so well in a “real time” basis but I do not recommend as a long-term medication. 

Dexmedetomidine:  This medication is the newest kid on the block. Initially used for sedation prior to procedures dexmedetomidine (Sileo®) is now used treat anxiety on a short-term basis similar to acepromazine.  

There are choices for sedating our dogs for noise phobias this July 4th. Please check with your veterinarian to determine which is both effective and safe for your dog. Have a happy and safe holiday. 

Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine. 

Welcome to the 18th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home! 

Meet Donnie

With a name meaning “ruler of the world” (aren’t all Chihuahuas?), this two-year-old fellow is Donnie, currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Witty and intelligent, he’s the perfect partner to have by your side for family trivia night, ensuring your team will come out on top. Always ready for an adventure, he’s hoping to be included in all your plans, adding an element of fun to everything you do together. Loving and loyal, he would be a great addition to most any household, so don’t delay…stop by Little Shelter to meet Donnie and let the games begin! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Levy

The name Levy is associated with unity and loyalty, a fitting description for any canine! This two-year-old Terrier mix recently arrived at Little Shelter in Huntington via the Passage to Freedom Program. While still finding his footing, he is getting braver every day, trusting that his best life is just around the corner. Looking for a family that will be patient with his progress, he knows that he has a lot to offer someone that will give him time to acclimate, provide him with a sense of stability and already has another dog to give him confidence and show him the ropes. Once he opens up, you’ll discover that he is smart, funny, affectionate and the perfect copilot for all your travels and adventures. Stop by to meet this handsome young lad and leave with a best friend! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Wilbur

This tall drink of water is Wilbur. In the prime of his life, he’s a six-year-old Terrier mix at Little Shelter in Huntington who’s looking for a forever home and a brand new start. Described by the kennel staff as “spunky”, he loves toys and has a playful, outgoing personality. Enthusiastic about treats, he’s perfected the “good sit”, hoping you’ll be generous with a tasty tidbit as well as your praise. Always happy to see you, he often does a little tippy toe dance to convey his excitement…everyone deserves such a greeting upon entering a room! Simply the best, Wilbur is the one that will steal your heart. 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Joey Biscuits

This outgoing and playful man is Joey Biscuits, a 2.5 year old grey tabby up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.  Full of love and energy Joey is extremely outgoing and will go up to just about any person he meets. Joey has an affinity for escape which is what landed him in the shelter and needs a home that will provide him with plenty of enrichment. He is far too friendly and lacks a healthy sense of fear; going outside would end badly for him. He would be a wonderful addition to any family. Come meet him today! 631-360-7575 

Meet Winslet

Winslet is a tabby & white cat who was rescued from Georgia and is now at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton waiting for his furever home. He is very affectionate and vocal to the people he loves. He has been described as a big teddy bear of a cat! If you’re looking for a cat who adores his human company, Winslet may be for you. Come on in today and meet him and some of his kitty friends. 631-727-5731, ext.

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Little Shelter Raffle

Take part in Little Shelter’s 32nd semi-annual Mercedez-Benz Raffle 2023 and help them rescue homeless animals! Tickets are $100 each and only 800 tickets will be sold. The winner will drive away in an A Class Mercedes-Benz or choose $25,000 cash. The drawing will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 3 p.m. Ticket holder need not be present to win. Visit www.littleshelter.org for more information.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of July 13.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

Legislator Stephanie Bontempi with pet food and supplies that were generously donated to the drive by residents. Photo from Leg. Bontempi's office

Upon the conclusion of this year’s joint pet food drive with Long Island Cares, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-18th L.D.) took a moment to express her gratitude to all of the generous donors.  This is the second year in a row that Bontempi teamed up with Baxter’s Pet Pantry, which is a program of Long Island Cares dedicated to assisting pets in need.

“Many of us are familiar with the issue of food insecurity here in Suffolk County, but our animal friends are often suffering just like people, but are overlooked,” said Bontempi.  “Whether it is a lack of food or other basic supplies necessary for a pet’s health and happiness, these are things we have to bear in mind.”

The items donated this year ranged from dog and cat food, pet toys and other comfort items.  “Just as humans do not live by food alone, neither do our pets,” added Bontempi.  “Pets bring so much positivity into our lives; we owe the same love and happiness they provide to us.”

To learn more about Baxter’s Pet Pantry, please visit: https://www.licares.org/what-we-do/feed-long-island/baxters-pet-pantry/.

Chela Novak with Buddy. Photo courtesy of LI Game Farm

The Long Island Game Farm has announced the passing of their beloved blue-and-yellow macaw, Buddy. He was approximately 50 years old. The sad news was sent out in a press release on June 1.

Buddy came to the Manorville wildlife park and zoo in 1999, and had become one of first animals to greet visitors as they entered the park.

Chela Novak, whose family has owned and operated since 1970, was particularly close with Buddy and gave him a peanut ever day. She recalls he would say “Shut up, Gomez” when a rescued sulphur-crested cockatoo nearby got too loud. Buddy also loved dancing and would raise his wings for “Big Bird.” 

Education is a critical element of the Long Island Game Farm’s work, and Buddy, along with fellow parrots, provided a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about this intriguing species. He will be missed by game farm staff and visitors alike.

Santiago Smalls

This week’s shelter pet is sweet Santiago Smalls, a little man with a huge heart who loves meeting people, gives out kisses freely to anyone willing to receive them and is simply endearing. 

Santiago Smalls

Santiago is very unsure around other animals; with proper introductions he will likely do well with other pets. He does like to lift his leg, so belly bands may be needed in the beginning. He also is just learning what it means to be walked on a leash but he is a quick learner and a happy soul that any family would be lucky to have.

If you would like to meet Santiago, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting. 

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

Alan Ghidaleson, left, with his wife Diane. Photo from Alan Ghidaleson

By Aidan Johnson

Mount Sinai is saying goodbye to the beloved pet store Feasts For Beasts, as owner Alan Ghidaleson moves onto the next chapter of his life with his wife, Diane.

Ghidaleson, who has owned and operated his shop since 1977, originally started working in building maintenance in Manhattan. “It was fun in the beginning because it was new, but then it just wasn’t my passion,” he told TBR News Media in an exclusive interview. “What I always had a passion for was pets, especially dogs.”

‘I really had a great time doing what I love.’

— Alan Ghidaleson

The industry was suggested to him by a friend who managed a few pet stores in Atlanta. “He said, ‘This is an industry you would absolutely love,’ and I went for a visit,” Ghidaleson shared. “I did like what he was doing, but said, ‘You know what, I’m a New York boy, so I’m going to do it in New York.’ And that’s what I did.”

Ghidaleson found success in his new business, going from operating a single store to, at one point, running 10 locations including a pet hotel by the mid-1980s. “I really had a great time doing what I love,” he said. 

Among its other professional services, Feasts For Beasts handled dog grooming and dog training.

Ghidaleson described his staff as being “the best staff of employees of anybody in any industry,” taking pride from working with some of them from their teenage years to their 30s. 

He also detailed watching his customers progress through the different stages of life, going from teenagers to parents to even grandparents. 

Over the course of nearly a half-century, Ghidaleson had many fond memories, including participating in the annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade. People from across Long Island would come to watch him and his Rottweiler pet riding on his motorcycle.

Ghidaleson also used to raffle off a new car and loved calling people to tell them they had won. “I’d buy a car from Ram, Chevrolet and raffle it off,” he said. “Calling people to say that you won an automobile, I have to say that was very exciting.”

Being in business for as long as he had meant witnessing several tragedies. After Hurricane Katrina, which resulted in over a thousand deaths in Louisiana in 2005, Ghidaleson and a few friends traveled to New Orleans to help out. They managed to save hundreds of dogs over the course of 10 days. 

Ghidaleson’s service to the community did not end at the pet shop. He completed a 68-mile walk from Mount Sinai to Chinatown in 2019 in order to raise money for the New York Warriors, a Long Island-based quadriplegic rugby team. It took him 28 hours to complete straight through, though it may have been shorter if the torrential rain hadn’t forced him to dry his clothes in the bathrooms of multiple Starbucks locations.

Despite his contributions to the community, Ghidaleson only recently realized the effect his business has had through the years. “It’s a feeling that’s hard to put into words,” he said. “It’s magnificent.”

He added, “I didn’t realize what an impact that Feasts For Beasts has had on the community until the past month or so, because I get an abundance of people calling and coming in, and crying on the phone and crying in the store.”

Ghidaleson said he will still be around as he and his manager, Nick Kucharski, transition into the real estate business. While the pet store may be closing, Ghidaleson maintained he will still be there for anybody needing pet advice and information.

Linx. Photo from Smithtown Animal Shelter

MEET LINX!

This week’s shelter pet is Linx, a four year-old Male German Shepherd who was taken in to the Smithtown Animal Shelter as a stray and never claimed. He is highly intelligent, well-mannered and is always in the mood to play fetch! He requires a very active home that will meet his mental and physical stimulation needs. Linx is a good-natured dog that needs a strong owner who will provide him with some structure and companionship. Linx should only be adopted into a pet-free and child-free home with an experienced German Shepherd owner that will respect his personal space.

If you are interested in meeting Linx, please call the shelter to schedule time to properly interact with him in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs, and a Dog Walk trail.

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For  more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

MEET PRALINE!

This week’s shelter pet is sweet Praline who was found as part of the Smithtown Animal Shelter’s TNR program. This little lady is timid and shy, but will warm up and enjoy getting petted once she gets to know you. 

Praline loves other cats and seeks out their companionship. This little beauty would do best in a quiet home with other cats and someone that can give her time and patience.

If you would like to meet Praline, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.

The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). 

For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.