The not-so-subtle health message in this week’s column: Be careful if you decide to take a walk in the woods between now and May 28 because it’s spring turkey hunting season in Connecticut. In New York state, the turkey hunting season begins May 1 and continues to May 31.Hunters are expected to follow all sorts of strict protocols about how, when and where to use their weapons, but accidents do happen. And this is also the time of year when many nature lovers, desperate to eat something fresh from the ground, are poking around in the woods looking for morels and ramps. Foragers should consider wearing something orange on their bodies just in case (hunters are encouraged to wear at least 400 square inches of fluorescent orange). But it’s also a good idea to be wary. And keep in mind that you won’t necessarily be alerted by the sound of gunshots; some hunters use bows instead of firearms.Hunters who don’t want to eat any turkeys they have collected are encouraged to donate them to Hunt To Feed, a national organization with a local chapter. Hunt To Feed makes fresh “legally harvested animals” available to families in need. Paul Bartomioli of Falls Village is the group’s local contact. He recommends visiting the website at www.hunttofeed.com (note that there is no https:// prefix). He can be contacted directly at paul.bartomioli@gmail.com. Most hunters will dress and prepare the turkeys themselves before donating the edible breast meat, Bartomioli said. But there is also a butcher in Falls Village who will reduce his fee if he knows the turkey is being donated to a food pantry or similar organization through Hunt To Feed.The recipe this week should logically be one for breast of wild turkey. However, the details of how to clean and prepare a recently “harvested” bird are a little too grisly for a family newspaper. Instead, this week’s recipe will be two vegan recipes for green beans, which are a traditional American accompaniment to turkey. Wasabi tamari dipThis dip from Moira Hodgson’s “Good Food From a Small Kitchen” adds some snap to fresh green beans. Warn your guests to dip lightly or their sinuses may get a shock. Mix 1 tablespoon of wasabi paste (you can find it at the Sharon Farm Market) with a drop of water and then with 1/4 cup of tamari (which is a thicker, richer version of soy sauce). Steam the beans for a few minutes until they are al dente, cool them in the refrigerator and serve with the dip. Green beans with coconutAlso from Moira Hodgson. I added some raisins and slivered almonds during the last minute of cooking.1 pound green beans, 1 tablespoon peanut or sesame oil, 1 small fresh green chili, seeded and minced, 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, 1 garlic clove, minced, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1 1/2 tablespoons grated unsweetened coconut, salt and pepper to taste.Trim the beans. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan and gently sauté the chili, ginger and garlic until golden. Add the beans and turmeric and sauté for one minute, coating with the oil. Add one cup of water, stir, then simmer for five minutes covered. Add the coconut and simmer, covered, until the beans are tender. Season, add more water if necessary (not too much, though, or you’ll dilute the flavors) and stir frequently.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
Provided
Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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