❤ Contents


“They don’t poop on your floor or chew up your shoes”


and Savy could spend hours at their homes, playing with Brewer, or snuggling with Bailey. But bringing home a four- legged, furry friend is lots of work - and responsibility.


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Overcoming separation anxiety .............................. 4 Selecting a family pet ............................................. 5 Products we love .................................................. 6 Is it possible to love siblings too much? ................ 7 Preparing your pet for the new baby ...................... 8 Kids pick favorite pets ............................................ 9 Looking for a family cat ........................................ 10 Saying goodbye to a pet ...................................... 12 Pets boost children’s self-esteem ........................ 13 Are some dogs just meaner? ............................... 14


Yuma Raising


Raising Yuma is a quarterly magazine published by Sun Media


2055 S. Arizona Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364 (928) 783-3333 Publisher: Joni Brooks Advertising Director: Lisa Reilly News Editor: Roxanne Molenar Art Director: Deborah Courtis


In this issue of Raising Yuma, we take a look at how to pick the perfect pet - be it a cat or a dog. And, we go beyond the myths of dog breeds. Does breed always mean a dog will have a specific temperament? Learn more on page 14.


And, in case you have a new baby on the way, we give you some tips and pointers to help your pets adjust smoothly. Read about it on page 8. Animals can be more than just pets, though. Often, they can help children - and adults - deal with a disability or trauma. Learn more about therapy animals on page 13. We also talked with a Yuma veterinarian about helping your


y child often asks about getting a pet. Many of our friends have dogs and cats,


❤ Roxanne❤ Roxanne Molenar


children through the toughest time as a pet owner – saying goodbye to your furry loved ones. Read more on page 12. Also in this issue, we take a look at fish ownership, and we asked a classroom full of kindergartners what they would be if they could be any pet in the world. Their answers are truly entertaining. We hope you enjoy this issue of Raising Yuma. And as always, if you have any questions, concerns or story ideas, contact me at rmolenar@yumasun.com


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Cover art: Ani Sanford, 11 (left) and brother Anthony, 8 wash off their dog, Rosco, after giving him a bath in their backyard.


Photo by Josh Peckler


Raising Yuma


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