Page 5 - Palm City Spotlight - December '24

Palm City Spotlight, Page 5

Tip Of The Tail

Puppy “Potty” Training Tips in comfortably, but small enough so that they don’t have This rigid routine can be a few weeks to a couple
room to pee or poop on the floor of the crate. If you’re of months depending on the breed and consistency of
using a plastic crate, make sure it has ventilation holes so training before he or she is officially “potty” trained.
that your puppy doesn’t get too hot or too cold inside of it. Just remember that even the most diligent owner should
Do not use the wire cages because they will feel exposed. expect accidents and should not get upset. If you happen
When the pup wakes up, take him directly outside to the to catch your pup in the act, just say no potty to him or
same spot each time and stand there, do not distract him her to make them stop and take out right away to allow
or her. You can use the cue word “potty” just once so he or your pup to finish and then offer a treat. If you punish
she associates the word with the action. Once he has gone your pup you could cause them to be scared. This can lead
to the bathroom, both pee and poop, reward him or her to him or her sneaking off to go potty in the house where
with a treat. If he or she has not done both pee and poop you cannot see them instead. Just saying no will confuse
then put him or her back in the crate and try again in 15 them. No potty is specific to the situation.
minutes. Once he or she has done both then you can feed Having a puppy is fun but is a serious commitment.
and have a play session. Keep your eyes on your pup at all The potty training process requires, above all, patience
times. Watch for signs of sniffing the ground, wandering and consistency. It will be well worth it to have a fully
Like infants and toddlers, young puppies require an off away from play area. If these signs are noticed, then house trained pup!
extensive amount of time, planning and energy-usually take outside immediately. If less than 12 weeks of age, Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
much more than one predicts. Potty training a puppy, one take him or her outside every 30 minutes until he or she Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
of the most trying tasks, can be difficult. You can make begins going potty outside consistently. Then extend the for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
this process easier by understanding your puppy and the time to 1 hour, then 2 hours and so on until no accidents surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
tricks that will help you train him or her. occur. Always take him or her out about 15-20 minutes medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
First, you should get a crate for your puppy. A crate after eating or drinking, wakes up from a nap or has been Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
is a place where your dog can feel safe and secure. It’s playing hard and then slows down. Also have your pup go medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
important that they have their own space in which they can in the crate for naps throughout the day and go through owners. For more information, call 772-283-0920, visit
go when they need to be alone-it is their den. The crate the same process as in the morning each time he or she www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
should be big enough for them to stand up and lie down is taken out. Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
lOCal GOverNmeNT

Martin County Tax Collector PAYPAL as a new payment option to online property tax
payments.
By Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, The best alternative if the individual needs to make
Martin County payments is the installment plan. This plan almost gives
Tax Collector you the same cost as paying the entire bill at one time,
except you are paying your taxes in advance. The first-
We LOVE To Offer year installments may be a little difficult, unless you are a
Choices! Make The new property owner and choose this option for your first
Right Choice For You! tax bill, but once the property is put on the installment
cycle, this option really gives you almost the same value
People come from all as paying one lump sum, while you make four smaller
walks of life and have payments instead of one large lump payment.
all different types of For individuals who are self-employed or live on
lifestyles. We try to help straight commission, we offer a partial payment plan. On
our constituents have a better quality of life by offering this plan the taxpayer may make as many payments and
different payment options to accommodate their lifestyle, any amount they can afford, as long as the entire amount
relieving their stress and lessening the financial burden. is paid in full by April 1. The downside to this plan is that
Let’s talk about property tax, since usually that is an the individual loses all discounts. part of. The fee charged for an international or business
individual’s largest bill. We also offer several different payment options. The credit card online is 3.95 percent, which we get no part of.
The option that gives you the lowest cost is to pay your quickest and easiest is online. E-checks are $1.50. Visit Payment may be made by mail (postmark determines the
entire bill in the 4 percent discount period in one lump our website at martintaxcollector.com. Credit cards are also discount period), dropped off at our drive-through window
sum; however, some people are unable to come up with offered online; however, the credit card processing company at the Palm City branch, dropped off in our convenient
that large amount of money at one time. We have added charges a 2.75 percent convenience fee, which we get no drop boxes at all of our four locations or in our after-hours
“24/7/365” lock box at our drive-through window at the
Palm City location. We opened a speedy walk-in Payment
Express office at the Willoughby location in Stuart. (Look
EVERY SUNDAY | FLAGLER PARK for the big blue banner.) A taxpayer may walk into any of
our four convenient locations and we are ready to serve you.
9AM-2PM We are here and waiting to serve and help with whatever
option you choose. Make the best choice for you!

Drop Your Property Taxes Off At The Drive-
Live Music Through At The Palm City Branch Office

Fresh Local Produce
Artisanal Foods

Unique Handcrafted Goods
Monthy FREE Yoga
& Wellness Activities

Kids Market (1st & 3rd Sunday Monthly)

Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector,
opens the drive-through tax collector service at the Palm
City location. The window is used for individuals with
handicapped parking placards, license plates, and disabled
veterans. Others wishing to use the drive-through window
SCAN TO will be limited to three transactions and payment may be
LEARN made by cash or check.
“I opened our drive-through service,” stated Ruth “Ski”
MORE Operated by Stuart Main Street Pietruszewski, “to include property tax payments. It has been
one of my goals to make life easier for the busy on-the-go
residents. People have limited time and parents of young
Gift Local this Holiday Season! children, and the elderly don’t want to get out of the car.
We’re bringing customer service to a higher level.”