Pets are precious in Polk County.
Walking along the many tree-lined parks, dining in outside eateries or driving along the roadways, it is evident that pets have a special place in the hearts of Polk County residents. Dogs, seemingly the most popular pet in the area, might be seen with studded collars, bandanas or extravagant coiffure. They are walked, wheeled and carried to events and outings, occupying a primary spot in the budget and interests of many families.
"We see a lot of different animals," says Dr. Michael Matthews, veterinarian at Lake Wales Veterinarian Hospital. "We see scorpions, spiders, snakes, birds and primates; but by far the most popular pets that we see are cats and dogs.
"We see more dogs than cats; the percentage is about 55 dogs to 45 cats."
Whereas many of the animal hospitals in the area have an unofficial even split of cats and dogs that are seen as regular patients, Michelle Adey of Cypress Animal Hospital agrees with Matthews.
"About 35 percent of our clients have cats while 65 percent have dogs, she says.
"We tell people if you do not a have a lot of time, get a cat. They are not as demanding as a dog. They are less maintenance and they have a different attitude. A dog may come in to see us three times a year; a cat will only need to come in once a year."
Whether dogs are the most popular pet in Polk County, they are certainly the most visible. There are many amenities available to dog owners and several businesses in the area are open to dogs. Clinics can be seen throughout Polk County offering emergency services, dental work, massages, grooming, playtime accessories and costumes for pets.
"My pug, Carter, really gets into dressing up," says Rikki Shannon Johnson of Winter Haven. "I have been dressing him up since he was a puppy. After I got him, I saw all these pictures of dogs dressed up, and I thought, he would look so cute; and he does. He has all sorts of outfits. He loves dressing up. It is funny, because when he dresses up, he puts on this attitude. He walks differently; he sort of swaggers."
Johnson says she often takes her dog to one of the many Winter Haven restaurants that allows customers to bring their dogs and sit in the outside dining areas. Some of these eateries even offer free food to canine companions.
"We do 'Dogs Night Out' the last Monday of the month," says Kristie Carlini owner of KC'S Big Dipper. "We rope off the parking lot and have a cart with frozen custard. With every purchase made, the customer gets a ticket that can be traded for an item from the cart for their dog. It is a great time. People and their dogs seem to really enjoy it."
Pet owners often schedule regular appointments for their animal with care providers, including veterinarians and groomers. Regular checkups and preventative care is strongly recommended by most breeders, pet stores and adoptive shelters. In fact, all dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies, according to Florida law.
"I take my dogs to the groomers on a regular basis," says Sofia Giordano of Winter Haven. "The bigger one, she needs to go more than the little one - her coat comes in quicker. I get their nails clipped and get them bathed and cut when they need it."
Dogs might be seen riding around the Winter Haven area in pickup trucks, SUVs, convertibles, golf carts, baby buggies and infant carriers. The dogs are often as unique as their owners. They are large or small with shaggy or smooth coat; they are working dogs that hunt or herd; and they are petite souls that only want to snuggle all day. Some are pure breed with papers and trophy-winning ancestors, while others are mutts from a shelter.
"I have gotten dogs from a pet store and from a groomer," Giordano says. "I have seen really good dogs in both places. It depends on the dog and how it was treated. Both of my dogs that I have now came from a breeder."
There are many opportunities for adoption through rescue organizations, shelters and humane societies in Polk County. Dogs from these facilities may be wonderful finds and are less expensive than purchasing an animal from a breeder or pet store.
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Rikki Shannon Johnson, 18, adjusts the coat on her 1 1/2-year-old pug Carter, as her boyfriend, Anthony Furcillo, 18, looks on.
Paul Crate / News Chief |
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"We have had pure-bred dogs here whose owners have died and no one is able to take them," says Lisa Baker, executive director of the Humane Society of Polk County Inc. "Sometimes we get dogs and cats dropped off because of economic situations or because of a family change."
Currently at the Humane Society, there is a pair of collies whose owner had to leave her house and move in with a relative. The male and female collies were menaced by the relative's dogs. The woman felt, for the sake of her dogs, she had to find a new home for them.
Adopted pets and their owners often are very happy together. Shelter dogs sometimes seem to have a grateful appreciation of their families. Many owners who adopt their pets would not trade their experience for anything.
"I have four dogs and one cat," says Terri Clement of Winter Haven. "All of them were adopted. I have a thing in my heart, a soft spot, if you will, for animals. My cat is missing one eye and she is blind in the other. I really love my animals. We go for long walks in the country. They are spoiled rotten."
The one thing most of the pets in Polk County have in common, whether they were adopted or purchased from a breeder or pet store, is that they are treasured as family members. Some families even go to the expense of having a portrait done of their pet. It has become common practice for some owners to inter their dead pet in a cemetery with a monument marking their grave.
"I did a portrait for a lady whose dog had passed away," says Joanna Godwin, animal artist. "She had another dog and wanted the two painted together. She gave me pictures of her old dog that had died and I did the piece.
"When she saw it, she cried."
Most people who put the time and money into raising a pet feel that the animals is part of their family; and in Polk County, is it easy to take furry friends on daily leisure excursions and experience a world of fun.
