CATCH OF THE DAY
Tom Caruso was at Arthur Kunz County Park in his hometown of Smithtown on July 17 when he saw this osprey flying with a fish in its talons and captured the perfect shot. He writes, ‘It flew around for several minutes before vanishing into the woods with its prize.
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MEET BLAZER!
This week’s shelter pet is 1-year-old Blazer who is currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. Blazer assimilated himself into a local feral cat colony several months ago. He was so sweet and outgoing, the caretaker assumed he had a home, but Blazer continued to show up for food daily.
This boy has a beautiful personality to match that handsome face. He is outgoing with people and with other cats and is very adventurous. He will need a home that can commit to keeping him indoors and giving him endless love! He is neutered, microchipped and up to date on his vaccines. If you are interested in meeting Blazer please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Shelter operating 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.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
By Cayla Rosenhagen
In 2011, Stitch, a young Red-tailed Hawk, was flying low over the grasslands hunting for her next meal adjacent to Sunken Meadow Parkway. She could never have foreseen how drastically her life was going to change that day. The hawk spotted a rodent darting out onto the highway and she swooped in. With all her attention focused on her prey, she did not notice the cars hurtling toward her and was struck.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan rescued Stitch, and she found her way to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown to be expertly cared for. The team at Sweetbriar did an amazing job rehabbing Stitch back to health. Although she cannot be released into the wild as a result of losing an eye and part of her wing, she now lives a comfortable and happy life at the Center.
Over 2000 animals, like Stitch, are taken to Sweetbriar every year to be rehabilitated, including various reptiles, rodents, opossums, deer, and birds. The staff at the Center work tirelessly tending to the animals and eventually releasing many of them back into the wild. The dedicated team also cares for about 100 permanent animal residents who cannot be released and often answer 50 to 100 calls a day regarding animals in need. Additionally, they run educational programs and events to encourage the public’s appreciation and respect of Long Island’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.
On July 11th, I attended an event at Sweetbriar hosted by Long Island BIRDtography, a Facebook group made up of local photographers and birding enthusiasts. The fundraiser allowed the photographers to meet and photograph Sweetbriar’s ambassador raptors. Participants heard the extraordinary backstories of the birds of prey and how each one made their way to the Nature Center.
We met Bee, a female American Kestrel who was captured for falconry and malnourished, as well as Nugget, an Eastern Screech Owl who was rescued from a collapsed nest in a storm, and Tiger Lily, a Great Horned Owl who was hit by a car. Other birds of prey we met included Cleo the Harris Hawk, Nebula the Barn Owl, Seven the Barred Owl, and of course, Stitch the Red-Tailed Hawk.
All of these birds are now permanent residents of Sweetbriar because of their inabilities to survive in the wild due to injury or imprinting on humans. In addition to our feathered friends, we were greeted by some furry ones, too. As we were snapping photos of the birds, Charlotte, a very amiable white-tailed deer, sauntered up to us looking for attention. Also, Ricky, an Eastern Grey Squirrel, and Tulip, a Virginia Opossum nearly stole the show with their cuddly antics.
Among the 2 dozen photographers at the fundraiser, Susanne Bellocchio, one of the administrators of BIRDtography, warmly expressed, “It was just a perfect day…Everyone is so kind…I am thrilled…These birds would never be something I could get to photograph.”
The team at Sweetbriar was so welcoming and eager to share their extensive knowledge about the animals. The employees and volunteers I met with greatly expressed how much they love their time at the Nature Center and how rewarding their jobs are.
Veronica Sayers began her career there as a volunteer to care for the baby squirrels and she was later hired as the program coordinator three years ago.
“I love teaching people of all ages about our local wildlife and the environment around them. When I see people excited about what I’ve just taught them, it’s a wonderful feeling. The wildlife rehab part of my job is a passion of mine as well. Nursing an animal back to health and seeing it released back into the wild is a thrill,” Veronica explained when asked about her favorite aspects of working at the not-for-profit organization.
Isabel Fernandes, the Wildlife Care Coordinator, feels it is critical to educate people about wildlife, so they become good ambassadors in their own homes and communities. She loves “seeing kids so excited to see the animals up close and personal.”
Sweetbriar’s many upcoming events can be viewed on their website. They truly have something for everyone. Check out their adult and children programs and the long-anticipated Taps and Talons beer-tasting event, presented on September 19th for those 21 and over. The Center also offers frequent yoga classes in person as well as online.
The Center and Preserve are open for the public to visit daily. The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free of charge to enter. The main house is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m and the butterfly house is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a minimal entry fee. I encourage you to visit the outdoor animal enclosures and walk along the Preserve’s beautiful nature trails.
Sweetbriar Nature Center is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization and therefore relies on the community’s generosity to continue their invaluable work. Make a difference by attending their programs, visiting the Center, or through a donation. Monetary contributions can be given through the Donate Now button on their website or by participating in AmazonSmile and selecting Environmental Centers of Setauket Smithtown to receive donations. They also use Amazon Wishlist to ask for necessary animal care supplies.
Visit Sweetbriar’s website, sweetbriarnc.org, to learn more about their mission, to see complete listings of their programs, and to view heartwarming photographs of the animals they have rehabbed. The site also provides comprehensive resources for what to do if you should find an animal in need.
In the words of Veronica Sayers, when asked what else community members can do to support Sweetbriar, she replied enthusiastically, “Share, share, share! Talk about us and what we do. Let your schools and libraries know we do programs. If you learned something about wildlife through us, please share it. Become a Sweetbriar member. Attend our events! On social media, comment and share our posts. If you have the time and can commit, consider volunteering.”
Cayla Rosenhagen is a local high school student who enjoys capturing the unique charm of the community through photography and journalism. She serves on the board of directors for the Four Harbors Audubon Society and Brookhaven’s Youth Board, and is the founder and coordinator of Beach Bucket Brigade, a community outreach program dedicated to environmental awareness, engagement, and education. She is also an avid birder, hiker, and artist who is concurrently enrolled in college, pursuing a degree in teaching.
By Leah S. Dunaief
Help. I have a strange problem and to this point can’t find the solution. The man who nicely takes care of our pool said that he removed 600 dead frogs last week. That’s more than the previous week, which yielded more than the week before. The problem is worsening as I write. My neighbor’s pool, according to his estimation, had 2,000 dead frogs, and so on at other houses in the area. I suppose there is some comfort in knowing that others are having the same intrusion, but actually not much. Even as I respect and enjoy nature, I would like to have the pool water for my family and not share it with dead amphibians.
The pool guy suggested I call an exterminator, which I did. I happen to know a competent one, who confessed to me after hearing my story that in his 35 years of being in business, he had never heard of such a predicament. “Call a pool guy,” he suggested. So we are right back to square one. He did kindly offer to call an expert entomologist he knew. I was grateful for the suggestion but I haven’t heard anything back from him as of this writing.
I tried to think of someone else who might have dealt with this situation before and finally came up with the answer man (and woman) for any questions concerning our house: the good folks at the local hardware store. Ben at Ace Hardware tried hard to think of a method for dealing with hundreds of frogs and after much thought, gave me a mesh screen to tie to the side of the pool and hang into the water. The theory goes like this. The frogs are dying because they can’t get out. Maybe they hatched in the pool, maybe they just jumped in because it has been so hot. Either way, the smooth sides don’t permit them to escape. So if we give them a way to exit, they will leave. At least, that’s the hope. We’ll try that. I like it because it’s nontoxic.
My son and daughter-in-law looked for a clue to this unprecedented dilemma on Google. They came up with a couple of answers that we will also try. One is to spray the bricks around the pool with white vinegar. Apparently, frogs don’t like vinegar on their feet. Or maybe they don’t like the smell. In any event, we have a gallon of white vinegar and a spray bottle, and we’re going to give it a go. Google also suggested giving the frogs a way out. It even suggested a froggy ladder, which they happened to sell, and we then dutifully bought. Worth a try.
Other suggestions, with our responses:
Turn off the pool lights. Lights attract insects, which in turn attract frogs, who eat the insects.
We don’t use pool lights. We like the insect-eating part though.
Cover the pool.
We want to use it.
Install fence.
We have a fence with posts widely enough spaced for a squadron of frogs to march through. We could, however, put wooden boards or chicken wire at the base to keep them from hopping in.
Keep lawn mowed and free of weeds and debris.
Already do that. Neighbors will bear witness.
Make own DIY frog repellent.
If vinegar doesn’t work, will try a heavy concentration of saltwater. Or a mixture of bleach and water. Maybe all three.
Sprinkle coffee grounds around the pool. Acid in the coffee can also irritate their feet.
Yuk.
Keep pool water circulating. Frogs don’t like to lay eggs in moving water.
We could do that by keeping the filter going all day and night. It’s an expensive solution, however, because it would require a lot of electricity.
Keep the pool heated.
Ditto.
Keep pool sparkling clean.
We try.
When I was a kid, I dreamt of having a swimming pool. The frogs were not in my dream. It could be worse though. Australia is presently undergoing a plague of mice.
Any help for us?
America’s VetDogs, a national non-profit that trains and places guide and service dogs with veterans and first responders with disabilities, hosted a ribbon cutting event on Tuesday, July 6 at their campus in Smithtown to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated, state of the art, training facility.
With the ever growing demand for service dogs, the need for expansion of the training facility will assist in placing more guide and service dogs with veterans and first responders with disabilities. The expansion and renovations were made possible by the support and donations by the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation, Francis & Gertrude Levett Foundation, Manual Barron, Ludwick Family Foundation, Scaife Family Foundation, Van Sloun Foundation, Manitou Fund and the The Omer Foundation.
Notable attendees included New York State Senator Mario Materra, New York State Senator Alexis Weik, New York Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Steven Castleton, Senior Veterans Services Officer for Suffolk County Retired U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard Master Sgt. Melissa Pandolf, Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim, America’s VetDogs Board Chair Don Dea, and VetDogs Board Member and HIA-LI Board Chairman Joe Campolo.
“To increase our capacity to train service dogs, America’s VetDogs embarked on an ambitious renovation of our training center to create additional spaces where more instructors will be able to train their dogs at the same time. Among these improvements is a mock apartment, which includes a kitchen, living room, and bedroom areas that will allow instructors to train their dogs in “real-world” scenarios,” said President & CEO John Miller of America’s VetDogs.
It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of VetDogs’ services are provided at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and service and fraternal clubs. To learn more, visit www.VetDogs.org.
This week’s shelter pet is Chips (also fondly known as One-Eyed Jack), currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. Loving and outgoing, Chips came from a home where he lived with kids and other animals. Chips had severe upper respiratory infections as a kitten that caused him to lose one eye and have significant scarring in the other. He will never see well, but that does not slow him down.
He is neutered, microchipped and up to date on his vaccines. If you are interested in meeting Chips, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in a domestic setting, which includes a Meet and Greet Room.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Shelter operating 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.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
America’s VetDogs service dog in training Tori has completed training and been placed with retired U.S. Navy HM2 Corpsman Chris Roberto. The Islanders partnered with America’s VetDogs, a Smithtown based non-profit that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, to raise and train service dog Tori in 2019. Tori has been trained to assist Roberto, a Bronx born and raised resident, with several tasks and cues to help mitigate her veteran’s disability including PTSD skills such as rest, positional cues such as ‘turn’ and ‘center’, shake and everyday companionship.
The Islanders welcomed their second Puppy with a Purpose ‘Tori’ in conjunction with their partnership with America’s VetDogs following the Isles first pup ‘Radar’, who was placed as a guide dog for individual who is blind or visually impaired. Islanders fans submitted votes to determine the name ‘Tori’, named after Islanders legendary General Manager Bill Torrey.
For the past 18 months, Tori underwent basic training and socialization with the Isles staff, players and public. The Isles hosted Tori at every home game prior to the COVID-19 shut down, as well as select community events, s to assist in raising Tori to be a confident and calm service dog. Following her puppy raising, Tori returned to the America’s VetDogs campus in Smithtown, N.Y. in February 2021, to undergo her formal service dog training with Service Dog Instructor Gabi Lugo. The VetDogs’ assistance dog program was created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities free of charge.
Roberto enlisted in the U.S. Navy reserves in 2003 and was deployed to Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks to assist with the search and rescue help. Shortly after, Roberto was called to active duty as an HM2 Corpsman attached to a Marine Unit in Kuwait and Iraq. After serving five years, he retired from the U.S. Navy and quickly joined the FDNY as a fireman working his way up to Lieutenant of the 3rd Division, Engine 40 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Isles fans were given an all-access look at Tori’s journey through her Instagram account, @nyislespup as well as blog posts on the Isles’ website.
About VetDogs
Since 2003, America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.
POSING IN POQUOTT
Daniel Dunaief discovered this frog friend on an evening walk with the dog in Poquott last week. He writes, ‘The frog, and the dog, stayed still long enough to allow us to get a close up using a phone light on one side and a camera on the other. After the photo, the dog ambled home and the frog hopped away.
Send your Photo of the Week to [email protected]
By Barbara Anne Kirshner
The first time I saw the “dachshund sign” that lead the way up the gravel driveway to the charming Stony Brook cottage perched high on a hill was late March 2012.
The welcome sign depicting profiles of two dachshund pointing the way to the enchanting house gave me a sense of hope even before meeting the owner, Robin Gianopoulos.
I discovered this renown dachshund breeder by researching the Dachshund Club of America and AKC. Both sites named her as an honorable, excellent breeder of dachshunds and that was exactly what I was looking for — someone who loved the breed as I did and cared about breeding so that her puppies grew into healthy, strong dogs.
We had just lost our beloved Madison who suffered from degenerative back problems. She went through two major back surgeries, but on January 27, 2012, at only 7 years 3 months old, the light was snuffed out of my life when my beautiful Madison passed away. She had gone through so much pain; then in the end while she was in my arms, she closed her eyes and she was gone. She took with her all the joy that once filled my life. In its place was a deep sadness that not even her sister or brother could fill. That’s when I started my relentless research for a dachshund of fine breeding in the hopes that we would not experience such tragedy again.
On that fateful day when I met Robin, I was still distraught. Robin understood my sadness and welcomed me into her home that was Disney World for this dachshund lover. At any one time, she housed at least 7 doxies — long-hair, smooths, minis and standards. I was immersed in dachshunds and loving it! Robin became my treasured friend and teacher.
She was a well-known breeder for over 55 years and her dogs were show dogs. She frequented Westminster and a host of other dog shows with her doxies, always coming away with ribbons.
At that charming Stony Brook house, Robin introduced me to a host of other dachshund admirers — people like myself who love the breed and sought her out in hopes of getting one of her prized dogs.
I had no intention of being a breeder, nor showing my dachshund; I was looking for a healthy dachshund whom I could love and welcome into our family. Robin knew that and still she offered me the pick of the litter when my turn came to have one of her dogs.
It was one year almost to the day that I first met Robin, March 13, 2013, when our beautiful Melissa Tulip was born.
Robin made a point of keeping in touch with the people who received her puppies. The first time I brought Melissa Tulip for a visit, I got a quick lesson on the connection Robin had with her pups. As we pulled into that gravel driveway, Melissa Tulip, who had been curled up in her car seat fast asleep, became alert, sniffing the air. When I took her out of the car, it registered where she was and excitement ensued. Robin met us at the front door and Melissa Tulip jumped into Robin’s arms, smothering her with kisses and hugs. I was so happy to see their special connection.
At the time the pups were born, Robin learned that she had cancer and on December 11, 2014, she passed away. Her sons kept their family’s Stony Brook home for seven more years and all the dogs still lived there, being cared for by a dear friend and the sons who commuted from their homes in Arizona and Los Angeles. The sons and daughter became our dear friends.
After 62 years, on May 28, 2021, the Gianopoulos children reluctantly sold their childhood home to people who understood the legacy of the Stony Brook dachshunds. The new owners even presented the Gianopoulos family with a celebratory plaque featuring the house, an inscription and a photo of Robin with one of her beloved doxies. I got chills when I saw that special plaque because the photo that they chose, out of all the photos they could have chosen, was one I had taken of my Melissa Tulip hugging her Granny Robin.
Though the magical house on the hill has found new owners, the legend of the Stony Brook dachshunds lives on through Melissa Tulip and all the wonderful dachshunds that Robin brought into this world.
Miller Place resident Barbara Anne Kirshner is a freelance journalist, playwright and author of “Madison Weatherbee —The Different Dachshund.”
By Matthew Kearns, DVM
When I hear the term “hot spots,” I usually think of free Wi-Fi. However, in veterinary medicine this term refers to a painful skin condition that is common this time of year (hot and humid weather).
“Hot spots” is a layman’s term. Pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis are medical terms for hot spots and refer to rashes that pop up suddenly on the top layers of the skin (by suddenly, I mean within hours). The rashes resemble a human eczema type condition as the rash begins to weep. Patients appear to have been burned, are very warm to the touch, and have this condition more commonly in the warmer months. Therefore, the term “hot spot” is very appropriate.
What causes hot spots? They are usually the result of some allergy or irritation. Triggers included bug bites (including fleas and ticks), matted hair, contact irritations, seasonal allergies/food allergies, etc. The patient develops a focal rash that may be further irritated by self-trauma (chewing, licking, or scratching at the area). The most common sites are the neck and ears, followed closely by the thigh and tail region.
These rashes are commonly complicated by a Staphylococcus bacteria. This Staphylococcus species is considered normal flora, or bacteria that lives on the body at all times. Normally, they do not cause a problem because they are kept in check by the immune system. However, it can be a bit naughty if the conditions are right. When this bacterium proliferates it also releases an exfoliative toxin. An exfoliative toxin refers to a toxin produced by the bacteria that causes the cells of the skin to exfoliate, or fall off (like foliage falling off a tree). The dead skin cells, bacteria, and fluid from inflammation/self-trauma make a gooey mess.
How do we treat hot spots? If they are not too severe, they can be treated topically. Shaving and cleaning the area with antiseptic rinse or shampoo and topical medications (sprays, ointments, or powders) may be enough. However, many times these rashes are too painful (or at least initially too painful) to treat just topically. I will try to shave these areas but, if the patient is in too much pain, systemic medications like anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids, or cortisone derivatives) and antibiotics are needed to resolve these rashes.
If the rash is not resolving, your veterinarian may consider other causes that resemble hot spots and recommend additional testing (a culture or biopsy) to find the cause.
I hope this sheds some light on a condition with a weird name. Stay cool!!
Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine.
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