The events start April 5 with First Friday downtown, followed by the Wildflower and Nature Festival on April 6 and culminating in the Paws For A Cause fundraiser for the Northwest SPCA on April 7.

First Friday

Downtown Oroville changed April’s First Friday event on April 5 from its traditional Spring Fling theme to Wags and Wildflowers to tie the other two events together to make it a “full weekend of delightful activities for the community” said Robin Zanon, the business association’s vice president.

“The Wildflower and Nature festival and Paws For A Cause are two great annual events,” said Zanon. “We wanted to support both of them so we decided to change our annual April First Friday theme to help promote both events and give the community a head start on the fun.”

During First Friday, which starts at 4 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., participating downtown businesses will be open late and welcoming human as well as well-behaved canine on leashes into their stores. Some will even have treats for people’s pups. The business association will also have a booth located at the corner of Bird and Meyers streets where they will be accepting donations of non-perishable dog and cat food for the Northwest SPCA. Folks who bring a donation will have a chance to win gift cards from Union and Provisions restaurants. Those who spend $20 or more at any participating business may also bring their receipts to the booth to receive a free wildflower and a raffle ticket.

The Feather River Recreation and Park District will be joining the event this year with a booth where they will be handing out flyers with a map and information on the vendors, activities and entertainment at the following day’s festival.

Wildflower and Nature Festival

The 16th annual Feather River Recreation and Park District’s Wildflower and Nature Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. at Riverbend Park, 50 Montgomery St. and runs until 4 p.m. April 6.

In addition to the sights and sounds of nature including spring’s new green foliage and the rushing Feather River at this free event, attendees can also enjoy shopping, education, free activities and food at 70 different vendor booths and food trucks. The Native Sons of the Golden West Argonaut Parlor No. 8 will be hosting a beer garden for those 21 and older. Smokey Bear will be hanging out in the special area just for kids were youngsters may enjoy playing in a bounce house, having their faces painted and visiting with animals from Kirshner Wildlife Foundation.

Live music performances are scheduled in the amphitheater throughout the day with the Feather River Gypsies performing at 10 a.m., the Stringtown Band at 12:15 p.m. and, at 2:15, the Ragtop Rockers will wrap up the day’s live entertainment.

The Wildflower and Nature Festival has grown in popularity through the years with an average of 3,500 people from throughout the county and attending annually.

“The Wildflower and Nature Festival continues to be a favorite among Oroville and Butte County residents,” said Kendyle Lowe, FRRPD executive administrator. “We’re proud to continue to host this family-friendly event that showcases Butte County’s natural resources and homemade products. We’re also excited to see its growth over the past years and are looking forward to seeing it continue to grow this year and in future years.”

Lowe also said FRRPD was also “happy to partner with Downtown Oroville to promote all the weekend’s events” and appreciated Oroville Chamber of Commerce, California Department of Water Resources and Explore Butte County sponsorship of this year’s festival.

Paws for a Cause

Rounding out the weekend festivities, the Union Patio Bar and Grill, 2053 Montgomery St., is hosting the second annual Paws For A Cause benefit for the Northwest SPCA from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 7.

The funds collected from the event’s $5 cover charge plus 10 percent of all proceeds during the five-hour event will be donated to the local animal shelter. The event also includes a “ton of raffles with really big prizes,” said Jordan Vogel, general manager.

“The money from the raffles will also be donated to the Northwest SPCA,” said Vogel. “Last year we raised over $8,000. Our goal this year is $10,000.”

The event, which will be emceed by a DJ playing music throughout the day, features food and beverage specials and vendors including beer and alcohol merchants giving away swag. The Northwest SPCA will also be on hand with dogs looking for forever homes and the winner of the Butte County Pooch Playoffs, an annual bracket-style dog portrait competition that benefits the Northwest SPCA, will be announced.

“We host this event because we’re all animal lovers here at Union. Union is a big part of the community and we want to do our part to help support our furry friends,” said Vogel. “There will be great music, food and drinks in a really fun atmosphere and it’s just a great way to spend a Sunday.”

For more information on the weekend’s events visit www.downtownoroville.com, www.frrdp.com and www.unionfork.com.

“They mean everything to me,” Olson said. “I don’t want to have a day without my babies.”

Canine siblings Dink and Tidd have their own Instagram account, @dinkandtidd, run by their owner who loves them dearly.

Woofstock is a festival that raises money for the Butte Humane Society. The event featured live music, food, various  vendors and “The Play Yard” a beer, wine and spirit garden. Many of the activities took place in an enclosure, with vendors situated outside, though morning rain gave way to sunshine by the time attendees arrived.

The Butte Humane Society is a nonprofit animal shelter, operating since 1911, that provides aid to dogs and cats through various services. The group offers a pet food and supply pantry for those in need, training for animals with behavior issues, and spaying and neutering services, to name a few.

In addition to monetary donations, the best ways to support the Butte Humane Society are to volunteer, donate food and to spay and neuter your pets, said Katie Gonser, president of the Butte Humane Society board of directors.

However, due to veterinary shortages, Gonser said she acknowledges it isn’t so easy to spay and neuter pets right now. Though it may be difficult, Gonser said it is important, and if people were aware of how many animals are euthanized each year, they might care more. According to Shelter Animals Count, 690,000 shelter animals were euthanized in 2023 — 330,000 cats and 360,000 dogs.

Gonser said her job is to advocate for “animals that have no voice and no choice.”

Pets offer emotional support and become like family, and often those who work with animals prefer them over people, Gonser said.

“Besides my children, and mostly my man, I prefer animals,” Kelly Lesser, member of the Butte Humane Society board of directors, said with a laugh.

Above all, Gonser said, the goal of the Butte Humane Society is to find homes for animals that need them and to prevent animals from needing homes.

Most of us don’t pay much attention to the inside of our dog’s ears unless something goes wrong. We catch a whiff of something unpleasant when we bend down to pet him, or we notice he’s shaking his head or scratching his ears a lot more than usual, and we realize his ears could be ailing.

If you’re a long-time dog caretaker, you’ve probably run into an ear infection or two along the way, especially if you’ve had a floppy eared dog like a beagle or Basset Hound. While any breed can suffer an ear infection, floppy-eared pups like these — along with Shar-Peis, Labrador and Golden Retrievers, poodles, and cocker spaniels — are especially prone to ear infections because the long fur around their ear flap creates a moist, warm environment and poor air circulation. Add in the ear canal’s anatomy which tends to hold in moisture, and you have a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Dogs can also develop ear infections due to allergies or food sensitivities, wax buildup, injury, or a foreign body trapped in the ear canal.

If you suspect an ear infection, take a look under the ear flap: if one or both ears are red, have a discharge or significant buildup of debris, or if touching the ear causes pain, you’ve got yourself an infection. These conditions are quite painful for your dog, and require veterinary intervention to make sure they don’t become even more serious and perhaps cause permanent damage.

The key to keeping your furry friend’s ears healthy is keeping them as clean and dry as possible. If your pup loves to swim, make sure to carefully dry out her ears with a towel or cotton ball when you get home; the same goes for after her bath. Much of the time, you can clean your dog’s ears yourself, unless he has eardrum damage or the ear canal is inflamed: in that case, professional ear cleaning by your veterinarian is needed.

If you’re the least bit uncertain about the condition of your dog’s ears, ask your vet for guidance.

To make the job of cleaning your dog’s ears easier, keep the fur around the ear flap clean and trimmed. The ear cleaning itself can take a while, so you might want to split the task into one ear at a time, then take a break. It can also be messy, so don’t wear your good clothes. Finally, never use human ear cleaning solutions or household liquids like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide: use cleaning solutions approved for dogs such as Epi-Otic, available without a prescription.

Start by lifting your dog’s ear flap, and without touching the tip of the bottle to the ear, fill the canal with the solution. Then gently knead the base of the ear between your fingers, moving upward until you’ve massaged the entire canal. A squishing sound will tell you you’re doing it right!

Allow your pup to shake his head, which gets rid of most of the liquid, then use a cotton ball or gauze pad to wipe out the visible ear canal. Repeat the whole process until the cotton ball or pad is clean; then take another cotton ball, pad, or Q-tip and clean the outer folds of the ear. Never use a Q-tip to clean inside the dog’s ear.

Keeping your pup’s ears clean should be part of your regular grooming process — it will leave both you and your furry pal happy and contented, and ready for your next adventure.

Joan Merriam lives in Nevada City with her new Golden Retriever Frankie, her Maine Coon cat Indy, and the infinite spirits of her beloved Goldens Joey and Casey. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a Golden, hop on over to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.

I always figured it would just be too challenging for both me and the dog to get them to tolerate tooth-brushing.

Besides, since I always took my dogs in for regular vet checkups, I knew they’d tell me if there was a dental problem.

Quite honestly, I simply lucked out. All my dogs have had pretty good dental health throughout their lives, and only needed an occasional professional cleaning.

Even before I adopted Frankie, I decided I would change that shoddy practice with my next dog, and I’m pleased to say that I have. No, I’m not perfect: I don’t brush her teeth very day, but I try for at least four days a week.

Let’s start with some canine teeth basics. A puppy’s adult teeth start to push out their deciduous (puppy) teeth at about three months; the process is over by the time the dog is six or seven months old. It’s those adult teeth that pose the greatest health risks — and yes, poor dental hygiene can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.

Plaque and tarter buildup leads to gingivitis, bright red or purple swollen gums which not only bleed easily, but are very painful. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease, and potentially lethal infections which can spread throughout the dog’s body.

Brushing your dog’s teeth can go a long way toward avoiding these kinds of negative outcomes. As far as how often to brush your dog’s teeth, one veterinary professional said it best: the more you brush, the less frequently you’ll need to pay for a veterinary cleaning.

And if you haven’t experienced one lately, dental cleanings can be very expensive, ranging anywhere from $500 to well over $1,000.

Ideally, you want to brush your dog’s teeth at least 1-2 times a week.

If you’re like me, and unbelievably lucky to have a dog like Frankie who loves having her teeth brushed, you have it made. With most dogs, however, it takes both patience and time to get your dog accustomed to having you messing around inside their mouth with a foreign object.

Be sure to use a toothpaste created for dogs, never human toothpaste or baking soda. You may need to try several flavors before finding one that your dog likes the best. I recommend using a toothbrush designed for dogs, since they have long handles and soft bristles.

Start with just your finger touching your dog’s teeth and gums, and slowly progress to rubbing the teeth and gums with a soft cloth in a back-and-forth motion.

Again, be patient: teaching your dog to accept toothbrushing can take weeks.

Once your dog is comfortable with you touching their mouth and is familiar with the toothbrush and toothpaste, gradually switch to putting the toothpaste on your finger, and then to putting the toothpaste on the toothbrush. You only need to brush the outside of your dog’s teeth along the gum line. Work up to at least 30 seconds of brushing for each side of the mouth.

Always include plenty of praise while you’re brushing, and reward with treats at the end. Do your best to make the activity enjoyable by using a happy, upbeat tone of voice, and being gentle in your touch.

If you can’t brush every day, supplement with dental treats or an oral rinse that have a Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval. As always, talk with your veterinarian for their recommendation.

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her Maine coon cat Indy, the infinite spirit of her beloved golden retriever Joey, and the abiding presence of her dog Casey, in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com.

You might think that’s an easy question to answer, but it’s not. While some breeds have lived happily with humans for centuries, much of a dog’s temperament is shaped by the first months of their lives. Think of a puppy like a sponge: they soak up everything around them, both good and bad. Unlike a sponge, however, some things can’t be “rinsed” out of them easily or completely. A puppy that’s been left alone a lot or ignored or neglected by its humans will carry those experiences with them into adulthood. What you end up with is a dog that’s fearful of both people and the world around them, that’s likely to be uncomfortable with touch or cuddling, and that responds to ordinary events with fear-aggressiveness.

On the other hand, a puppy that’s learned how to interact positively with humans, other animals, and the outside world will usually grow up to be the kind of dog you want as a companion: a friendly dog. That kind of dog will typically greet strangers with a wagging tail, open eyes and what every dog caretaker knows as a “dog smile.”

While there are certain breeds known to be more friendly than others, you can help your dog learn how to be more sociable. First, expose your pup to a wide variety of people — men, women, children, older adults — and people with distinctive characteristics such as men with beards, people in wheelchairs or using an assistive device and even people with loud voices. If your dog’s only association with humans is just you, she could end up being wary of anyone that’s unfamiliar.

When people approach your dog, encourage them to pet him under his chin, on his back or side or on his chest, rather than his head. Watch for signs of discomfort like lip-licking, yawning or hard staring: if you spot any of these signs, move away from the person as diplomatically as possible. If your dog is shy with strangers, try giving her a treat so she learns to associate meeting new people with something positive.

All that being said, there are breeds that are predisposed to friendliness and gentleness. (Which doesn’t mean that rottweilers or pit bull terriers can’t be gentle and gregarious. Again, how they were raised is the primary key to a dog’s temperament.)

Many experts rank the golden and Labrador retrievers at the top of the friendly-dog list. Both are known for their benevolent nature, warm personality and unwavering sociability. Also ranking high on the friendliness scale is the Irish setter, a gorgeous redhead that loves people and is eager to show it. Just be aware that all these breeds are quite energetic, so daily exercise is a must.

Another big dog — with an emphasis on big, often tipping the scales at 150 pounds — is the Newfoundland. This cuddly, affectionate colossus absolutely adores people and other dogs. Just be prepared for regular brushing and abundant amounts of slobber.

Medium- and small-sized breeds that tend to be innately friendly include the beagle, a loyal, devoted dog with a strong desire to please. On the smaller side, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a sweet, docile nature, and is an excellent companion for children and families. Border collies, though high in energy, are good-natured and very connected to their humans. One of the most popular small dogs today is the French bulldog, a generally friendly, playful and affectionate breed, although its flat face makes it prone to breathing issues.

In the end, remember that these breeds of “friendliest-dogs” are generalizations, and that each individual dog is unique.

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her Maine coon cat Indy, the infinite spirit of her beloved golden retriever Joey, and the abiding presence of her dog Casey, in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com.

The dictionary defines socialization as the process of learning to behave in a way that’s socially acceptable … and this is as true for dogs as it is for humans. In a nutshell, socialization is the practice of exposing puppies to a wide variety of situations they’ll face  during their lives, which allows them to thrive emotionally as they grow up and experience the world.

Ideally, socialization occurs between three and 20 weeks of age, when the puppy’s brain is most receptive to learning how to be a social member of the dog world. A dog that’s missed this early socialization may lack the ability to relate well to humans and the world around them. They may exhibit behavior like fear aggression, separation anxiety, discomfort with touch, apprehension over new experiences, and an overarching, crippling fear of almost everything. This certainly isn’t a picture of the family-friendly dog that most of us dream of.

One of the first things to focus on when socializing your puppy is handling, where as many different people as possible can hold and cuddle your pup. Don’t overlook small children, but make sure they understand the need to be gentle and calm in their petting and touching.

Get your puppy accustomed to the normal sights and sounds of living: vacuum cleaners, car engines, telephones, doorbells, television, kitchen sounds like dishwashers and garbage disposals, bicycles, delivery people and mail carriers, cars entering your driveway, and large vehicles like waste collection trucks.

Teach your puppy how to be alone: if people are around her 24/7, she never learns that being alone isn’t scary. Instead, when she’s left alone she goes into a state of high anxiety, which can lead to things like destruction of furniture, house soiling, constant barking or howling, and dangerous escape attempts.

During socialization, your puppy should also learn how to not bite humans. It’s perfectly normal for a puppy under five or six months old to bite in play, but he needs to know how hard is too hard. One tactic is when you’re playing and he bites too hard, make a sudden noise like “ow!” and end the game. Never yell or hit him, since that can frighten him and make the biting worse.

Attending a puppy obedience class can be a huge help in the socialization process, since it allows your pup to mingle with new dogs and people in a controlled setting, and helps reinforce the socialization exercises you’re doing at home.

Socialization shouldn’t end with puppyhood, but should continue through your dog’s adolescence and adulthood. Continue handling your dog by petting and brushing him, touching his feet and other parts of his body including his mouth (brushing his teeth regularly can help with this), and walking with him on a leash. Keep exposing your dog to new people, new dogs, new things, and new experiences.

Explore different routes on your daily walks. Take your dog into dog-friendly stores where she can interact with a variety of people and happily accept petting from strangers. At the same time, don’t inflict your dog on people who clearly don’t want to be near her. Chances are, your dog may instinctively avoid these people, but be prepared to gently dissuade her from approaching people who aren’t interested in her.

Finally, don’t hesitate to take a refresher obedience class if you notice a problematic behavior or simply want to learn some new techniques. Just as with humans, dogs benefit from lifelong learning!

Joan Merriam lives in northern California with her new Golden Retriever Frankie, her Maine Coon cat Indy, and the infinite spirits of her beloved Goldens Joey and Casey. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a Golden, hop on over to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.

Maybe you would never consider parachuting out of an airplane at 3,000 feet or going white-water rafting … but would you walk across the street? Drive to your favorite market? Eat in a restaurant? Every one of those activities involves a certain amount of risk: yes, you could get hit in the crosswalk, have a car accident, or get food poisoning … but the odds are that none of these things will happen.

When it comes to vaccinating your dog, however, it’s critical to assess the risk of not vaccinating before you make a decision. Misinformation campaigns and conspiracy theories are around every corner on social media, and that extends to the subject of vaccinating your dog.

You can find hundreds of posts from pet caretakers describing nightmarish adverse and allergic reactions to canine vaccines … but before basing your decision, and possibly the life of your dog, on these comments, look for the evidence behind them. Research legitimate, unbiased scientific studies and opinions before rejecting vaccines.

No medication is without risk, but with very few exceptions, the benefits of vaccinating your dog outweigh those risks. While any dog can have a reaction to a vaccine, just as humans can, in the vast majority of cases, that reaction is mild, and resolves itself with time. In fact, vaccinations protect your dog from devastating and life-threatening diseases, and also protect the lives of other dogs with which your pup comes into contact.

Having said all that, which vaccines do most reputable veterinarians recommend? The so-called “core” vaccines — those that every dog should receive — are adenovirus (which causes canine hepatitis), distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. (Many veterinarians also consider parainfluenza vaccine as part of this “core” group.) All these diseases cause enormous suffering for the dog, and often death. Rabies, as you know, is 100 percent fatal, and vaccination for it is mandatory in California.

There is some disagreement however, even among veterinary professionals, about the necessity of “non-core” vaccines. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) provides guidelines about the advisability and/or necessity of other vaccines for your dogs, based on where they live, their age, and their lifestyle. Before deciding for or against any of these vaccines, it’s important to consult with your own veterinarian.

Here in California, these non-core vaccines include:

— Leptospirosis, which can infect both pets and humans exposed to contaminated outdoor water sources, can cause kidney and liver failure.

— Western diamondback rattlesnake, often recommended for dogs in areas where rattlesnakes are prevalent, including Butte County. The “rattler” is the most common venomous snake in California, and can be found from sea level to the high Sierra.

— Bordetella, which causes kennel cough, is commonly given to dogs that frequent dog parks, are routinely groomed, or interact with other dogs on a regular basis.

— Lyme disease, transmitted by the bite of the blacklegged tick, was once unknown in California but is now endemic in several regions. At one time, dogs living in rural areas such as ours where this tick is especially prevalent were often vaccinated; today, owever, a number of veterinarians discourage it, citing research showing that only 5-10 percent of dogs infected with Lyme disease show any symptoms; in addition, the disease is easily treatable with antibiotics and seldom causes long-term complications.

A better option is for pet caretakers to use preventative flea-and-tick medications, which are highly effective against these insects. My advice? Before you decide what vaccines are right for your dog, talk with your veterinarian. Your dog’s life could depend upon what you do.

Joan Merriam lives in northern California with her new Golden Retriever Frankie, her Maine Coon cat Indy, and the infinite spirits of her beloved Goldens Joey and Casey. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com. And if you’re looking for a Golden, hop on over to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.

Be prepared

No one likes to think about something happening to our dogs, but accidents and illnesses occur, often unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s as simple as a foxtail between your pup’s toes, and sometimes it’s more serious, like your dog needing major surgery for a bowel obstruction. Either way, we all know how quickly veterinary costs can add up.

Some people have an emergency fund set up though their bank or credit union. You could choose to contribute a certain dollar amount to it every month, or just fund it outright with an amount you think you might need.

Another option is pet insurance, which I’m getting for my new dog Frankie. Spend time researching the various companies and the coverages they offer, and check out company ratings on a unbiased websites like Consumer Reports and NerdWallet. The California Department of Insurance also has a list of companies offering pet insurance, including business profiles and their history of complaints.

Keep your dog’s ID current

Just as none of us likes to think about our dog having serious health problems, we also don’t like to think about the possibility of our dog getting lost. But it happens, meaning it’s up to you to keep their ID up to date.

If your dog wears a collar with an ID tag, check that your name and phone number are current, and that the tag is still readable. If your dog has a microchip — and every dog should have one — make sure all the contact information is correct. Remember that microchipping is painless to the dog and relatively inexpensive; in fact, some shelters offer free or low-cost microchipping. Sometimes microchipping can even be covered under your pet insurance plan.

Most animal shelters and rescues scan incoming dogs for a microchip. The scan reveals an ID number and the chip manufacturer, who searches their database and then contacts the dog’s guardian. But none of that matters if the chip information is out of date.

Grooming

No, your dog doesn’t need a bath every week — in fact, doing so can dry out the coat’s natural oils and lead to skin problems. If you’re unsure how often to bathe your pup, ask your vet for her recommendation. But even more important than bathing is regularly brushing your dog, which helps distribute skin oils to the fur, keeping the coat shiny and healthy. It also helps remove excess fur from the coat, reducing the amount of roaming fur-balls under your furniture.

Get your dog accustomed to being brushed and bathed as soon as possible after bringing him home. Many dogs love having their coat brushed: it helps strengthen the bond between the two of you, and also allows you to check for any new lumps or other conditions.

And don’t overlook brushing your dog’s teeth. Nearly 85% of dogs over 3 years old develop dental disease, which can have serious and sometimes deadly health consequences. Dog toothpaste makes the task easier, partly because the special flavoring tastes great to the dog! (Never use human toothpaste for your dog.)

Keep these things in mind, and resolve to do everything you can to keep your precious bundle of fur happy and healthy in the new year.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her Maine coon cat Indy, the infinite spirit of her beloved golden retriever Joey, and the abiding presence of her dog Casey, in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com.

Now their prized poultry is being delivered, not to the Bay Area’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants, but to the county dump.

Avian influenza has barreled through Sonoma County’s historic poultry region, forcing the slaughter of 1.1 million birds and inflicting heartbreak and economic disaster on the Reichardts and other small family farmers in the once-famed “Egg Capital of the World.”

“We’re still in the midst of wrapping our heads around it all,” said Jennifer Reichardt, 34, a fifth-generation farmer who was required by law to euthanize 4,900 of their beloved “Liberty Ducks” after the virus was detected Dec. 7. “There was never going to be a good time for this to hit, but during the holidays it is especially hard.”

At least six neighboring farms in the Reichardt’s bucolic Liberty Valley, on the western edge of Petaluma, are also afflicted. They include Sunrise Farms, a fourth-generation farm and the largest egg producer in Sonoma County, with an estimated 500,000 birds.

The domino effect on other local businesses, including feed stores and trucking, is incalculable.

“It’s disastrous, a big chain reaction,” said Bobby Falcon of Hunt & Behrens Feed Mill and Store, first opened in 1921 along the Petaluma River, which has lost an estimated 40% of its business selling 24-ton loads of corn and soy-based poultry feed to local farms. “What happens to them falls to us, then the grain brokers. … It filters down about 10 or 11 times.”

A state of emergency has been declared by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to help mitigate the effects of the disaster, including assistance for businesses. The county has also designated a special waste section of its central landfill to dispose of the birds, typically killed by sealing up barns and piping in carbon dioxide. State and federal authorities provide expertise, although they’re stretched thin.

Until recently, California’s poultry farms seemed to have been spared from the crisis. Over the past three years, a deadly and highly contagious virus known as H5N1 has circled the globe, taking a staggering toll on birds in more than 80 nations.

After emerging in 2020, the virus triggered major outbreaks in Europe, Africa and Asia. It arrived in the U.S. in January 2022 and stormed through the nation’s largest concentrations of poultry farms in the East and Midwest, pushing up egg prices.

Skipping like a stone over water, the virus landed in Merced County in October, then Petaluma’s Liberty Valley in November.

Despite a swift response — biosecurity measures at farm entrances, the immediate slaughter of potentially infected animals, quarantining of affected farms — the disease has continued to spread.

In only two months, the outbreaks have claimed the lives of an estimated 4.5 million chickens, ducks and turkeys in five California counties. Of these, over 2 million were egg-laying hens, 1.5 million were broiler chickens, and the rest were ducks and turkeys, according to Bill Mattos of the Modesto-based California Poultry Federation.

What’s devastating isn’t just the grim task of killing birds, and huge financial losses, said Mattos. Farmers aren’t allowed to start rebuilding their flocks for 120 days, to prevent repeat infection. Then those fluffy new chicks need weeks to mature. Adjacent farms are under strict quarantine measures, unable to move or process birds, so they lose valuable contracts with buyers. Meanwhile, costs mount.

Poultry was once a prosperous business for this region, where the world’s first incubator was invented in the late 1800s, according to Eric Stanley of the Museum of Sonoma County.

“That really spawned the explosion of the egg industry. There were hundreds and hundreds of farms,” he said. The Petaluma River and nearby railroads offered easy access to affluent San Francisco markets.

But with the state’s road expansion, Sonoma County lost its poultry farms to the much larger and cheaper Central Valley, he said. Trucks’ improved suspension systems could gently ship eggs all over the nation.

The region became famed for what it is today — a monoculture of grapes.

To survive, poultry farmers created a new niche: the Bay Area’s farm-to-table grocery stores and restaurants.

“They are maintaining our legacies and traditions,” said Stanley. “They’re sustaining the heritage things that once gave character to the entire region.”

John Reichardt set out to to raise a meatier, larger and tastier animal. His flock of white Liberty Ducks, a type of Pekin Duck, got off to a modest start in 1992 in his garage, then expanded to a barn, then several barns.

The ducks are antibiotic and hormone-free, with fresh straw for roosting and room to roam. While most ducks are sold at six weeks of age, Liberty Ducks are reared for nine. Lean, but with a distinct layer of fat under the tasty skin, they are prized by restaurants such as Napa’s French Laundry, Berkeley’s Chez Panisse and Kato in Los Angeles.

Experts suspect that the animals were infected by migrating wild birds, although the virus can also be spread by contaminated farm equipment, vehicle tires or shoes.

Sonoma County, with many small and scattered bodies of water, lies along the Pacific Flyway, where populations of migrating birds increase ten-fold in the winter.

“The main reservoir of the virus are waterfowl — the ducks and geese that like the really rich habitat that California supplies,” said veterinarian Maurice Pitesky of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, who studies the spread of avian diseases.The federal government’s surveillance program has detected the virus in wild birds in 14 California counties this migratory season.

New research suggests that California’s shrinking wild spaces are forcing wild birds to congregate in dairy lagoons, irrigation canals and wastewater treatment ponds, he said. California has lost about 95% of its historic wetlands.

“We’re concentrating waterfowl onto smaller areas, which facilitates disease transmission,” said Pitesky. “This also puts those wild animals closer to our commercial poultry facilities. Potentially infected birds are right next to barns and ranches.”

But the poultry farms have also recently attracted unwelcome human visitors: Berkeley-based members of the animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere, which targets farms with demonstrations and organized incursions. Last month, a member of the group was sentenced to jail for protests at another Liberty Valley duck farm and Sunrise Farms in 2018 and 2019.

Sonoma County farm bureau officials say that the group also trespassed onto those farms in November, within the incubation period of the virus. Activists have not been charged in those events. In an email to the Press Democrat, one member of the group blamed the farms for the outbreaks because of the manner in which the birds are housed and other factors.

“You can’t prove it one way or another — but you can’t disprove it, either,” said Sonoma County Supervisor David Rabbitt, who represents the district where the farms are located. “That’s created a lot of anxiety and frustration.”

Until winter recedes, the virus will continue to haunt Liberty Valley. Fear follows workers as they feed healthy birds, wearing hazmat suits and disposable booties. Once-busy farms lie silent, with “Keep Out” signs banning visitors.

“We are staring down our greatest challenge yet,” said Jennifer Reichardt, who has created a GoFundMe campaign to keep their farm afloat while it works to keep its other properties safe. Supporters have been generous in their response, lifting the family’s spirits.

“There’s a huge industry at risk here of disappearing,” said Reichardt. “We are focusing not only on the preservation of our business but of all family farms in the area. We’re hoping to work together, moving forward, to break through and survive.”

If you’ve been following me over this last year, you know that I too faced an acute loss when I made the agonizing decision to let my beloved dog Joey go. Felled by grief, for months I wondered when — or if — I would be healed enough to bring another dog into my life. But week by painful week, month by empty month, I began to feel the pain lessening, began feeling more joy and gratitude at having had Joey in my life instead of desolation at having lost him, and little by little, my heart began to open.

All of us who’ve loved and lost a treasured dog have been down this road. We may have even told ourselves that we’ll never do it again, never have another dog, because the pain of their eventual loss is just too great. Some of us never can move beyond that pain, and for those who can’t, who choose never to allow another dog in, I believe their lives are the poorer for it.

What a dog brings us goes far beyond mere companionship, beyond even their irrepressible, unconditional love. Just by being in our world, they teach us how to live. How to devour each morsel of joy the day holds without worrying about what it might cost or whether it will last or what someone may say. They teach us that even if life doesn’t last forever, love does.

It’s love that took hold of me in November, telling me that I simply needed a dog in my life. And it was love that I found when a beautiful, 2-year-old Golden girl came romping into my life in early  December. Found as a stray in the San Joaquin Valley, she was quickly transferred to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue where I volunteer, and where I adopted both Joey and Casey. Just a day later and totally out of the blue, I decided to drive down to Homeward Bound, where I discovered her, promptly fell in love, renamed her Frankie, and brought her home.

I have no idea how I was so fortunate as to have such a sweet, marvelous dog as Frankie come into my life after having had such a special, remarkable one like Joey . . . but I’ll be forever grateful.

What a wonderful way to end the year!

And speaking of ways to end the year, remember that our dogs aren’t anywhere near as excited by all the celebrations as we are. From exploding champagne corks to eyepopping fireworks, there’s something there to terrify even the most even-tempered dog. If you’ve having a New Year’s Eve party in your home, consider asking a friend or relative to keep your dog for the night. If that’s not possible, then find a safe, quiet room for him, away from the crush of guests and midnight revelry. If your dog is a social butterfly, allow her to mix and mingle for a while, but watch for signs of over-stimulation or anxiety.

May you and your furry companions have a wonderful New Year!

Joan Merriam lives in Northern California with her Maine coon cat Indy, the infinite spirit of her beloved golden retriever Joey, and the abiding presence of her dog Casey, in whose memory this column is named. You can reach Joan at joan@joanmerriam.com.