for
EED
HOUGHT
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West Lebanon Feed & Supply’s
12 Railroad Avenue
West Lebanon, NH 03784
(603) 298-8600
www.westlebanonsupply.com
Vol. II Issue III
We sincerely hope that you
are enjoying the new WLFS Feed
for Thought as much
as we enjoy bringing it to you. After
publishing only a
few issues, we have
learned a great deal
and hope that you
have, too!
Reader response
to the monthly coupons has been
outstanding and, because of this,
we are pleased to announce that
we will be providing a bi-monthly
“Super Savers” mailing to you for
additional savings on some of your
favorite items found here in our
store. It will be a great opportunity
to purchase items such as Pet Food
and Supplies, Lawn and Garden
Products, Wild Bird Food, Horse
Supplies, and much more at even
lower prices!
Starting in April, the bimonthly “Super Saver” mailing
will alternate months with Feed for
Thought, which will also switch to
bi-monthly publishing. As always,
we will strive to bring you and your
animals the best possible service,
knowledge, and care. Please watch
for our next issue in May of 2008
and be sure to continue offering us
your feedback, questions, and conversation. YOU are the reason we
enjoy this so much. Happy Spring
and keep on reading!
All the best,
Curt & Sharon Jacques
$1.00
March/April 2008
FACING THE PET TRAVEL CHALLENGE
Tips On Finding A ‘Home Away From Home’ For Your Pets
It’s easy to understand why New England
winter weather causes folks to think about
traveling to warmer climates for a mid-season
vacation. For people with animals that rely on
them, however, making travel plans can be a
challenge. While many vacation destinations
do offer pet-friendly accommodations,
vacationing with pets is either not always an
option or simply not the best choice for both
the animal and the owner. In these cases, it
becomes important for the owner to find care
for their animal that ensures the health, safety
and security of the pet and gives the owner
peace of mind while away.
For many people, an available options is to keep the pet at home and have
someone visit in order to feed and water, administer meds, exercise and care for
the animal. This choice seems to make sense because the pet is kept in a familiar
environment and most pet owners assume that this will reduce stress and increase
the animal’s sense of security during their absence. However, this is not always
the case due to the fact that visiting care tends to be inconsistent, no matter how
well intentioned the helper may be, which disrupts mealtime, exercise, bathroom,
and play/attention habits. In addition, the animal tends to spend the majority of
time alone, which can add to anxiety while the owner is away.
Finding a “home away from home” for the pet is often the best solution to
ensure consistent routines and that the animal receives the care and attention
necessary to minimize the effects of an absent owner. Putting the pet in the
hands of reliable friends or relatives, or hiring the services of a dog-sitter may
be feasible options, but there are several reasons to consider boarding the pet
at a professional boarding facility as the best choice for the animal and the
greatest peace of mind for the owner. A quality boarding facility will be able
to offer comfortable and safe living conditions for the animal, lots of attention
and consistency in the animal’s routine, 24-hour emergency response and access
to immediate veterinary services, and the ability to adapt and care for behavior
issues that may arise from the owner’s absence.
So how does one go about finding a facility that fits? Jenn Barg, local canine
-continued on Page 2
“Don’t knock the weather.
If it didn’t change once in a
while, nine out of ten people
couldn’t start a conversation.”
-Ken Hubbard
INSIDE THIS ISSUE • Excerpts from Our 1963 “Newsletter”
• Recipe of the Month
• Get to Know A WLFS Employee: Caitlin Romeo
• Special Customer Appreciation Coupon
Broccoli Chicken Quiche
Get To Know Our Staff
Cut chicken into small cubes and saute in a pan with
olive oil and salt & pepper. Cut and Steam broccoli
(try putting in water and steaming in microwave.)
• 4 Eggs
Spread pie crust out in a pie pan and coat with a
• 3/4 cup Finely Shredded Swiss Cheese
layer of cheese. Add cooked chicken and broccoli.
• 1 Pre-made Pie Crust
Add another layer of cheese.
• 1 Full Crown Broccoli
In a separate bowl, mix heavy cream, eggs, and
• 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
salt & pepper. Beat well and pour over top of broccoli and chicken in pie shell. Add another layer of
• 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
cheese.
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Cook at 350o F for one hour. Delicious!
• 1 pint Heavy Cream
N
ew among the West Lebanon Feed &
Supply family is an Equine Olympic hope Caitlin Romeo has been riding horses
ful.
since kindergarten and it was soon thereafter
that a dream was born. Blame it on her
grandfather for sponsoring serendipitous $1
pony rides at the local fairs or on sheer fate,
Caitlin has always had a passion for horses.
Caitlin’s specialty is eventing and her hopeful journey to the Olympics has begun. I recently had a chance to catch up with Caitlin
and ask her some questions about her dream
and the road ahead.
When did you first get a horse?
After begging my parents forever, I got my
first horse, “Honey” on my 13th birthday.
What is the name of your current horse?
The horse I currently compete with is Spirit
of the Outback “Jake.”
For readers who are not “horse people,”
can you describe what dressage is?
Dressage, the first phase of competition,
tests the horse and rider’s ability to perform
a series of prescribed classical movements
on the flat in an enclosed arena. You are
judged on the horse and rider’s ability to
perform these movements and the objective
is to get the lowest score and maintain this
low score throughout the competition.
Your goal is to make it the Olympics. Tell
us about this; has it always been your
dream? Is it within your reach and what
will it take to get there?
Making it to the Olympics has always been a
dream of mine. Ever since I was young and
started competing, I knew this was the sport
for me. I have trained and been consistently
in the Area I Young Riders Program, which
has helped me learn a lot more about the
sport and what it takes to truly make it. This
season’s goal is to make Young Rider CCI**
Team which is the Junior Olympics.
Where are you off to next? What is this
next competition all about?
I will be heading to Southern Pines, N.C. for
two months to train and finish qualifying for
the Young Riders Team. My first competition will be the Southern Pine Horse Trials
I at the Preliminary Level. This will get my
season started and then I will be competing
the very next weekend at the Southern Pine
Horse Trials II at the Intermediate Level.
-continued on page 4
-continued from Page 1
behavior consultant, trainer and founder of Understanding Dogs, L.L.C.,
offers several tips to help owners ensure that their pets are properly cared
for, good habits are maintained, and undesirable behaviors aren’t “learned”
while they are away:
Features to look for in a boarding facility
• High staff to dog ratio
• Someone lives on site
• Schedules and routines, including med and meal times, play times, etc.
are adhered to for all pets
• Animals are let out to monitored, fence-enclosed, outdoor areas often
• Kennels or living/sleeping areas look and smell clean
• Adequate bedding is provided that is off hard floors
• There is adequate ventilation, heating and cooling
• Boarding area is relatively quiet when no one is walking through
Questions you hope the staff says “yes” to
• May I contact some references?
• Do you have clear disinfection policies? If so, what are they?
• Can I supply my own food, supplements, medications, toys, etc.?
• Do you log daily behavior information on my pet such as medical
issues, eating habits, behavior issues, etc.? Do you provide a report of
this information upon my return?
• Are you insured?
• Would you contact me immediately if my animal was missing, hurt, or
had significant behavior issues? What else would you do to ensure that
my pet is found or is cared for if any of these circumstances occurred?
• Do you offer “test” boarding and walk-in site tours?
• Do you require vaccination histories, fecal test reports, and behavior
reports from all owners prior to boarding each animal?
Of course every facility is different and nothing will compare to the
security each animal feels when they are at home with their owners. With
careful planning and investigating, it is
possible to place your beloved animals in
the hands of someone who will minimize
the impact of your time away and ensure
that your pet is happy and healthy when
you return.
-Ira Richards
Join our new Green Onion Gardeners Club...sign up is available in our store.
WLFS Featured Product
Maple Sugaring Supplies
For many, maple sugaring is not simply a New England tradition, it’s a way of life. For those already sugaring and for those
who are looking to dabble in a winter-time activity that’s almost
as old as the hills, West Lebanon Feed & Supply now carries a full
line of sugaring supplies to meet all of your needs.
From buckets and spouts to tubing and test kits, we want to be
your one-stop supplier whether you’ve got 30 or 3000 taps. We
have a broad selection of supplies in stock and can special order
those specific, large, or hard-to-find items such as stoves, evaporators, osmosis machines, tanks, pumps, special fittings, washers, and
much more!
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Upper Valley Traditions
Some of our patrons may remember West Lebanon Feed & Supply when it was
known as Wayne Feed Supply Co., Inc. In decades past, the company would
publish an annual calendar with a newsletter of sorts on the back of each page.
Here are some excerpts from the 1963 edition for your enjoyment...just remember
that not all advice is timeless:
MARCH 1963 - “It’s time to dig into the seed catalogues and send off your orders-not overlooking the
seeds you still may have on hand (there are sure to be some). Fruit trees should be pruned by the end of
the month; burn trimmings as you go. Don’t roll your lawn until the first sogginess is out of it, otherwise
you’ll pack grass roots too hard.”
MAY 1963 - “With spring comes the urge to gather a mess of “garden sass”-i.e., a variety of more-or-less
edible weeds to be found in woods and fields this time of year. Few if any of us know what we’re looking
for, and we are likely to browse on Lord knows what. All in all, it’s probably safer to stick to rhubarb and
spinach until the lettuce comes up. By then the madness will have left us.”
JULY 1963 - “Household Hints From 1862 - ‘Castor oil is not good for the hair. Hog’s lard is much better. Need a good substitute for cream? Stir a very little diluted corn starch into boiling milk, say about
one tablespoonful to one pint of milk. It needs simply to boil and it is ready for the table. A very good
imitation lemon pie can be made as follows: Pare and boil a turnip, add a teaspoon of tartaric acid and a
cup of sugar; season and bake as an apple pie. (Warning to Papa: shaving the beard hurts eyesight).’”
West Lebanon Feed & Supply’s
FEED for THOUGHT
This publication is provided to WLFS
patrons and friends for the purpose of
providing information and entertainment.
The reader assumes all risk and responsibility for measures or actions taken in
response to the content herein.
Feedback, questions for our “Ask the Pro
segment, and suggestions are welcome
and appreciated. If you feel you are
receiving this in error or would like to
be removed from the mailing list, please
contact us:
(603) 298-8600
[email protected]
Editors: Jen Jacques and Ira Richards
Contributors: Jen Jacques, Ira Richards,
Curt Jacques, Sharon Jacques,
Jenn Barg, Caitlin Romeo
It’s Time To Order Chicks!
Don’t forget to place your order
for live baby chicks, started
pullets, water fowl, and turkeys.
Call today for details or to
reserve your order.
-continued from page 2
How are you funding your pursuit?
I started out by having bake sales outside of
my parent’s business to pay for lessons and get
more experience. Now, of course, I do a lot
more including working at WLFS and seeking
out sponsorship in order to raise funds. My
parents have been a large help in trying to make
everything work but with the costs involved in
the higher levels of competition I am continually
looking for ways to help fund my dream.
I know West Lebanon Feed & Supply is one
of your sponsors. How do you go about getting a sponsor?
Now that I have developed a strong competition
record and have a horse to meet the challenge,
I have been sending sponsorship requests and
info packets to businesses and people who have
supported me in the past. It has been a hard
road because there are a lot of hopefuls out
there who are looking for financial support.
Pursuing my goals is expensive but I have
worked hard to save for Southern Pines, N.C.
While there I will be bunking with a couple of
friends in order to cut expenses. I am also lucky
enough to have a barn at home to board my
horses, which saves a lot of money.
Do you have a trainer? How do you prepare
to compete?
I began at Hitching Post Farm in So. Royalton,
VT and have started to train year-round with
Jane Hamlin at Pirouette Farm in Norwich, VT.
How do you balance your goals with the other
areas of your life such as school, etc.?
My parents taught me to make school a priority,
but they also encouraged me and never punished
me by taking riding away. Because I plan to
one day start my own Equine Training Facility,
I have taken their advice to heart and recently
graduated from Vermont Technical College with
an associate’s degree in Business Management
and Technology.
-Jen Jacques
Here’s a tip on socializing your puppy from our friend Jenn Barg, canine
behavior consultant, trainer, and founder of Understanding Dogs, L.L.C.:
“As puppy owners, we’re always told to socialize our puppies. But what
does this really mean? Done correctly, socialization makes sure your
pup experiences new sounds, sights, places, other animals, and people
while having a good time. If your puppy puts the brakes on, trembles,
or tries to hide, it’s afraid. Forcing a fearful puppy into a scary situation will only intensify the fear
and it may stick with your pup for life. Look for socialization opportunities that don’t scare your
puppy and help them associate new experiences with good stuff like exciting treats, toys, or whatever
your puppy loves!”
Wow, thanks Jenn! That sounds like great
advice...and the part about associating new
experiences with good stuff sounds like you’re
describing a visit to West Lebanon Feed &
Supply, where dogs (on leashes) are welcome.
HAPPY EASTER
TO ALL OF MY WEST LEBANON
FEED & SUPPLY PALS !
-Bailey