CBD is a widely popular wellness product for pets. Cannabinoids in this compound offer a plethora of health benefits for your pet dog. If you are considering CBD oil for your dog, here are some questions you need answers to.

#1 Is the Pet CBD Oil Exclusive?
CBD oil for dogs is exclusively formulated for your canine friend. The product contains the appropriate level of CBD and other cannabinoids to suit the needs of your dog. It is highly recommended to avoid human CBD products for dogs and other pets. CBD products for humans contain a higher level of THC and have many benefits, but can cause adverse reactions for dogs.

#2 How Safe is CBD for Dogs?
Scientific studies have proved that CBD oil for dogs is 100% safe. Most pet dogs do not experience any side effects. However, some may go through a few episodes of nausea or diarrhea. Some dogs feel drowsy after consumption of CBD oil. In any case, the side effects of CBD oil are less intense than other modern medicines. You can use it safely to treat canine anxiety, arthritis, and seizures.

#3 What is the Recommended Dosage?
Administering the correct dosage of CBD oil is essential to achieve the desired results. However, the dosage differs based on the weight of the dog. For instance, a chihuahua and a mastiff cannot benefit from the same dose of CBD oil.

The general rule is to give 1 mg of the oil for every 10 pounds. You may want to start small, observe the results and increase the dosage as needed. Discuss dosage with your veterinarian before you take the plunge.

#4 How Does CBD Work for Your Dog?
All mammals, including dogs, have a signaling system called the endocannabinoid system. The system plays a vital role in regulating certain body functions such as appetite, sleep, and moods.

The cannabinoid in the CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid system and helps achieve homeostasis. In other words, CBD oil reacts to balance out the internal processes and supports the body's inflammatory response.

#5 What are the Important Benefits of Using CBD Oil?
• CBD works at the molecular level. It can be used to treat the following conditions.
• CBD resolves mobility issues in older dogs.
• CBD relieves the pet of joint stiffness and pain from an injury or joint pain due to old age.
• Separation from a loved one, fireworks, or changes to routine can make a dog stressed and anxious. CBD can make your pet dog feel calmer during such difficult situations.
• CBD promotes long-term health by supporting neurological functions and cardiovascular performance.

#6 How to Identify a Good Brand of CBD Products for Dogs?
To identify a reliable CBD oil for dogs, make sure the chosen brand satisfies the following conditions.
• Is the product 100% plant-based?
• Have third-party labs tested the product?
• Does the product list all its ingredients?
• Does the product offer proper dosing instructions?
• Is it vet-approved?
• Has the brand used the CO2 extraction method?
• Is the product free of residual chemicals?

Positive answers to these questions imply that you have made the right choice.

The Montana Trout Foundation (MTF) is once again requesting grant proposals from individuals or groups this fall; the deadline for submission of the proposals is December 1, 2021 (preference is to receive applications electronically, PDF is ideal). MTF works to preserve and enhance Montana's one-of-a-kind trout resources through funding scientific research, fisheries education, and trout habitat enhancement.

This year's grant cycle is intended to promote restoration and enhancement of wild trout habitat.

Other funding sources for improving fisheries habitat, such as Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' Future Fisheries Improvement Program, are intended for project implementation. An MTF grant can fund initial project assessment, planning, and design that will qualify a project for additional funding through these other sources. Applications will be reviewed later in the fall and winter, and grants funded beginning in the spring of 2022.

To apply for a grant or for more information about The Montana Trout Foundation, visit the MTF website at www.mttroutfoundation.org.

Celebrate a haunting Halloween weekend with the Bozeman Symphony’s performances of Symphonie Fantastique, a rare sonic event that may not be witnessed in Bozeman again for decades to come. The last time the Bozeman Symphony presented Hector Berlioz’s fantastical masterpiece of human emotion was May 1, 1977. Sergei Prokofiev’s whimsical yet dramatic Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major will open the concert starring brilliant Italian-born pianist Rodolfo Leone. 

Music Director Norman Huynh will conduct Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique as it was intended since its premiere in 1830, with massive bellowing church bells, a dramatic voiceover by Montana Shakespeare in the Park’s Kevin Asselin, two harps, and more, to tell this riveting tale of love and jealousy.   

“We are bringing in 900-pound custom-casted bells that Berlioz scored intending to depict the gates of Hell opening up. Eight years ago, I was in a performance where these bells were used and it was truly spine-tingling to hear,” said Huynh. “I’m so thrilled that Bozeman will be one of the few places in the world to hear this piece in the way it was intended.” 

Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, written in five movements, tells his story as an artist gifted with a lively imagination who has poisoned himself with opium in the depths of despair because of hopeless, unrequited love for Irish actress Harriet Smithson.  
 
“We can all relate to having a crush on someone. Berlioz used those feelings of obsessive love as inspiration to compose this massive spectacle of emotion through sound and music,” said Huynh. 
 
In addition to Berlioz’s iconic finale, Music Director Huynh will open the performance with one of his favorite composers, Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major. Prokofiev’s distinct style will be on display as the Bozeman Symphony musicians and guest pianist Rodolfo Leone perfectly blend rapid and percussive playing with lyricism and rich harmonies throughout the three movements.

“Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is a piece that demands extreme technical skill. There is a point towards the end of the first movement where it is almost as if smoke is flying off the keyboard from the pianist’s fingers moving at a breakneck speed,” said Huynh. Guest pianist Rodolfo Leone will bring these lush melodies and firework machine-like rhythms to life for the perfect start to this explosive program. 

Performances will be held in person on Saturday, October 30th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, October 31st at 2:30 PM, at the Willson Auditorium (404 West Main Street), downtown Bozeman. The Saturday, October 30th performance of Symphonie Fantastique will be livestreamed on the Bozeman Symphony's website, YouTube, and Facebook starting at 7:30 PM. Pre-concert talks with Music Director Norman Huynh will take place beginning at 6:30 pm Saturday and 1:30 pm Sunday at the Willson Auditorium and are available to attend with the purchase of your concert ticket. These performances would not be possible without strong community support and sponsorship. The Symphony wishes to thank David Ross and Risi for their season sponsorship, Thomas J. Scanlin for his supporting sponsorship, and Gary and Margaret Kachadurian for generously sponsoring the livestreaming of the Saturday evening performance. 

Ticketing: Individual tickets are available for purchase online at bozemansymphony.org or by phone at 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Adult tickets range from $27.00-$67.00.  Student discounts are available. Please contact the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org with questions you have regarding performance, ticket sales, venue, seating information, and COVID-19 safety protocols. 

 
Rodolfo Leone, piano - The brilliant 29-year-old Italian-born pianist Rodolfo Leone, whose career is supported by the Amron-Sutherland Fund for Young Pianists at the Colburn School, was the first prize winner of the 2017 International Beethoven Piano Competition Vienna. Described as “a true sound philosopher” (Oberösterreichische Nachrichten), Rodolfo released his debut album on the Austrian label Gramola in May 2018. The all-Beethoven disc features two pillars of the piano repertoire: the “Hammerklavier” Sonata and the “Waldstein” Sonata. His playing has been described as having “impeccable style” and “absolute technical control” (Il Nuovo Amico).

Rodolfo’s recent seasons include a collaboration with James Conlon and LA Opera and debuts with the San Diego Symphony (Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1) conducted by Michael Francis, Pasadena Symphony (Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21) with conductor David Lockington, and Borusan Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven’s Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”) with Sascha Goetzel; he also performed Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in Walt Disney Hall under the baton of Xian Zhang. In May 2019, he gave a recital tour in Austria, culminating in a performance in Vienna at the Brahms-Saal of the Musikverein. He also performed recitals in Los Angeles and Naples, Florida, and appeared on the chamber music series Le Salon de Musiques in Los Angeles. As a 2018-19 Performance Today Young Artist in Residence, Rodolfo’s live recordings were broadcast nationally throughout the United States.


A native of Turin, Italy, Rodolfo made his orchestral debut in 2013 performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano and Trento (Italy). He toured Italy with that orchestra the following year performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Rodolfo made his North American debut in 2014 performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Toronto Concert Orchestra. Since then, he has performed with, among others, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra with Stéphane Denève and the Colburn Orchestra at Walt Disney Concert Hall; and recitals at Festival Napa Valley and the Soka Performing Arts Center. He has also performed chamber music with Lynn Harrell, Fabio Bidini, Andrew Schulmann, and the Viano String Quartet.


Rodolfo has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, and China. These performances include debuts in venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Steinway Hall in London, the Music Hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, the Politeama Theatre in Palermo, the Mozart Concert Hall of Accademia Filarmonica and Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova in Italy, and the BASF Gesellschaftshaus in Germany. A top-prize winner of several major piano competitions, Rodolfo was awarded top prizes at the 2014 Toronto International Piano Competition and the 2013 Busoni International Piano Competition. Pianist magazine described his concerto performance during the 2017 International Beethoven Piano Competition as a “communion with the orchestra” that “was raptly convincing… robust and joyful.”


Rodolfo is currently based in Los Angeles where he previously studied at the Colburn Conservatory of Music. He holds both a Master of Music degree and an Artist Diploma from Colburn, where he studied with Fabio Bidini.  He previously studied at the Hans Eisler School of Music in Berlin, Germany and at the G. Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro, Italy.  

Bozeman, MT— On October 11, 2021 the popular Sourdough Canyon Trail and area will be closed for four weeks as helicopter work begins on City of Bozeman land. The trail and project area will be closed to keep members of the public and work crews safe as tree removal activity, including helicopters flying trees overhead, will be ongoing.

The closure and the associated work is a part of Phase 2 of the City’s Sourdough Fuels Reduction Project, which is a part of the joint Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project (BMWP) in partnership with the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
 
Implementation work in the Bozeman Municipal Watershed has already begun. Project crews working on the Sourdough Fuels Reduction project are already working on the city-owned sections within the project area in preparation for the helicopter logging operations beginning October 11, 2021.  Recreationists who visit the area prior to the trail and area closure can expect to see additional vehicle traffic on the Sourdough Trail and hear chainsaw and equipment noise. 

The work on the city owned lands compliments the work underway on National Forest System lands. 
 
Project Manager and Engineer Brian Heaston says, “Public health and safety are always the top priority for the City of Bozeman. This week we ask that for everyone’s safety, please stay on the trail in these areas, keep children and pets near you, don’t impede ongoing work, and take necessary safety precautions.  As we move towards the trail closure date please plan to find other trails to visit and respect the closure.”

The BMWP is a joint effort between the City of Bozeman and the Custer Gallatin National Forest to reduce forest fuel loads with the intent of maintaining a high-quality, predictable community water supply for Bozeman residents.  The project will help protect Bozeman’s primary drinking water supply in and around the Bozeman and Hyalite Creek watersheds, it will provide for more defensible space in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and just as critical – will increase public and firefighter safety.

For more information on the Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project, updates on ongoing implementation activities, and additional resources visit www.bznwatershed.com To contact the City of Bozeman or the Custer Gallatin National Forest submit a question via www.bznwatershed.com/contact
 

For some entrepreneurs, owning a business is a dream come true. However, without proper stress management, that dream can quickly become a nightmare. What you need to ensure this doesn’t happen are the right stress management techniques.

With the right techniques, you can cope with the stress of owning a business, so that it, your team, and yourself thrive.

Stress Management Is Key
Stress management is a key element of keeping yourself and your business healthy. You should never feel guilty for stepping back to prioritize coping with the stresses and strains of owning your own business.

Stress-related burnout in business owners can affect physical and mental health, and it can slow down the company’s momentum. Managing and coping with stress isn't just better for you, it benefits the business. It can even be the reason you continue to operate or end up closing your doors.

What Is Stress Management?
Stress management involves learning various skills that can help you cope with the various stressors you encounter. Those skills may include time management, relaxation techniques, problem solving, and ways of improving interpersonal relationships.

By implementing those skills, you can transform stressful situations into opportunities for empowerment and growth. With that in mind, let’s explore stress management tips and techniques for business owners.

1. Identify Sources Of Stress
Stress management begins with identifying the stressors (sources or causes of stress) involved in owning a business. When you know what your stressors are, you can start finding potential solutions.

For business owners, a large portion of stressors stems from unsolved problems. It can be difficult to find ways to solve these issues when you’re constantly busy with 101 other things that demand your attention.

Take a step back from the situation and pinpoint the areas that are stressing you out. Next, identify your responses to those sources of stress. This may sound simple, but merely identifying your stressors is taking a step in the right direction. Knowing that you’ve begun to do something about the situation can help you feel better about things—and that’s only the beginning.

2. Identify Your Strengths
Identifying your strengths and areas of success is as important as identifying your stressors. Consider the areas in which you cope well with stress and the techniques or skills you use to do it. When you know what your strengths are in terms of managing stress, you can build on them or adapt them to help you cope with other stressors.

The other upside to identifying your strengths and successes is the positive attitude this can inspire in you. It’s especially helpful to do this if you felt despondent after identifying the challenging aspects of running your own business.

You can put the changes you make and the growth you achieve into perspective by noting areas of progress. No matter how small or insignificant they seem at the time.

3. Say “No”
Entrepreneurs who are trying to build a new business usually tend to say “yes” to virtually every project, commission, order, client, or another opportunity that comes their way. This is perfectly understandable. But it’s not the best approach in the long term. Learn to say “no” to requests that will not help you or your business achieve your goals.

By thinning out the amount of work that doesn’t add meaning to your business, you can remove unnecessary stressors and focus on meaningful projects. The boundaries that you create when you say “no” can help protect your physical and mental health as well as your company.

4. Learn To Delegate
Knowing that your employees don’t have the same level of investment in your business can make it tempting to try to do everything (or as much as possible) yourself. A situation like that is a recipe for stress and burnout.

Delegating or even outsourcing some tasks is an important part of managing stress when you’re a business owner. For example, if you struggle with writing copy for your website, blog, or social media posts, delegate the task to an employee who has the skill to do it. If no one on your team fits the profile, outsource the job to a content creator, freelancer, or SEO company.

5. Create A Strong Schedule
Not having a regular routine for your day or week can leave you feeling like a loose cannon, which can add to the stress you experience. Create a strong schedule to add structure to your day. You should find that this increases your sense of self-confidence that you can take what happens at work in your stride.

Our bodies appreciate routine, as it supports our circadian rhythm, which some refer to as our “body clock.” Take your own rhythms into account when planning your schedule. If you know that your concentration and energy levels dip mid-afternoon, avoid schedule intensive tasks for that period.

6. Find Helpful Tools
Downloadable software and apps, as well as other work tools, can help streamline or automate some of the tasks and processes that might be stressors for you. For example, if keeping track of invoicing and payments are causing headaches, it’s worth using invoicing software to alleviate the burden. Or if tracking employee hours is an issue, time tracking apps can streamline the process considerably.

Finding the right fit for you, your team, and your business may take some time, so prepare yourself for some trial-and-error.

7. Prioritize Time For Yourself
Too many entrepreneurs know that personal time is one of the first and biggest sacrifices they make when establishing and growing a business. Prioritize time for yourself to avoid getting sucked into the trap of all work and no play. Your stress levels will thank you.

Make a conscious decision to separate your work from your personal time. Unplug from your mobile phone, email, and work-related social media accounts. Spend time with family and friends. Indulge in self-care.

Your time off from work should be an opportunity to recharge mentally and physically so you can better cope with the demands of the next week at work.

Be Your Own Champion
Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. But it shouldn’t be a source of debilitating stress. Use these stress management techniques to help you rise above some of the challenges and make your venture a success.

Most people's fear of snakes is determined by the specific species they encounter. Harmless gardens or other non-poisonous snakes, while not a pleasant sight, are not technically dangerous. Most people prefer to avoid the sight of a snake regardless of species, but for many, seeing a snake isn't necessarily a frightening experience unless it's an obviously poisonous species.

Rattlesnakes are one of those very obviously poisonous species. Their notable, rattling tale is a tell-tale sign that you have encountered a potentially dangerous species of snake. However, they are not dangerous by default. Many people are frightened of them and that is perfectly normal, but like many animals, rattlesnakes are as scared of us as we are of them. They will more than likely only attack if they feel threatened.

Keep in mind that If you are concerned about the presence of rattlesnakes or other species on your property, you can contact Complete Wildlife Removal for advice and guidance on how to approach this scenario. Whether you already have some on the property and are looking for removal or you live in an area where they are common and are looking for prevention methods, the professionals can guide you through whatever process you are in.

There are many different species of rattlesnakes and the type in your area depends on your state and what part of the country you currently reside in. Diamond rattlesnakes are a common species throughout the United States and they are one of the largest species. They are most common in the spring and summer after they emerge from their winter homes. You are more likely to come across one at dawn or dusk, but you may not notice them at all if you are on a trail or in an area with brush and other foliage they can easily use as camouflage. They primarily maintain a diet of smaller reptiles, birds, and rodents. Many states have made it illegal to kill rattlesnakes. They are an important part of the ecosystem, so in many states, if you encounter them, you are supposed to leave them be as harming them can result in a misdemeanor depending on the state you live in.

Some people may be concerned that despite their best efforts snakes may find their way into their home through plumbing in pipes. While not impossible, it is extremely uncommon. If you are worried about this, take a look at snaketoilet.com to learn more about this possibility.

Snakes bites are actually extremely rare and they are more likely to happen if the individual was intentionally behaving in a way that made the snake feel threatened. The rattlesnakes will do nearly anything they can to avoid humans, just like most of us do when we come across one of them. If the snake feels threatened because of something you have done, they will do something to protect themselves and that could include a bite.

If you encounter a rattlesnake here are some things to keep in mind to keep you and the snake as safe as possible:
• If you hear a rattle, do not panic. Figure out where the sound is coming from and move away from where it is coming from.
• Give the snake plenty of space.
• Keep dogs on a leash and warn others around you of the snake.
• Do not throw anything at the snake. They will take this as a threat and move forward to protect themselves.
• Move slowly away from either the sound or the visual you have on the snake.

If you were to get bitten by a snake, seek out medical attention immediately. If your dog was the one bitten, seek medical attention for them immediately as well. Dogs are over 25% more likely to die from rattlesnake bites than humans. There are vaccines they can receive ahead of time to help prevent this. If snakes are around your property or trails you regularly spend time on, this may be a smart idea.

Avoiding snakes is easy if you are somewhere outside of your home or property, but what do you do if they've arrived in your space? How do you keep them away?

• Make your home and property unattractive to snakes. Do not provide brush and other places for them to hide.
• Make sure rodents are not present in your space either. They are an easy, natural food source for many species of snakes.
• Keep harmless snakes around. These are not poisonous and can keep more dangerous species from wanting to inhabit the space.

Making it through the working week doesn’t just involve getting your work done. It’s also important to keep yourself looking and feeling fresh and healthy. Staying looking good is both a mental and physical task, so looking after your mind as well as your body is a must. The mental aspect is one that is often neglected as the pressures of work add up. While it might be a struggle at times, if you follow these tips, you will be able to keep yourself looking fresh and be better prepared mentally to get on with your work.

Wash Regularly
It may seem like advice you would give to a child but, when you’re busy, it is very easy to forget to wash or not have the energy to do it. Having a shower each morning or evening will make you feel fresher and more energized. Taking care of your hair by purchasing good quality shampoo and conditioner will also make you feel and look better. Apple cider vinegar shampoo and coconut/avocado oil conditioner packs are the perfect way to revive your scalp. They’re packed with ultra-rich natural ingredients and your hair will look smoother, stronger and flake-free. Don’t neglect your body and hair’s hygiene needs. It will show to others and you will feel worse within yourself.

Sleep Properly
Getting enough sleep is an absolute priority. We should be sleeping at least seven hours a day, any less than that will be detrimental to our ability to carry out tasks. The signs of lack of sleep are obvious in our physical appearances, too. How many times has someone said you look tired? You can take it as an insult, or you can step back and realize that perhaps you aren’t getting enough sleep. Set a time you want to go to sleep during the week and stick to it. Turn off your phone and other devices and allow yourself to relax. Getting a good amount of deep sleep will make you feel more productive, and those signs of lack of sleep can quickly disappear.

Take Up Yoga or Meditate
Finding time for ourselves without distractions is not easy when the pressures of work are monopolizing our headspace. However, you have to take time to relax and switch off. Yoga has the advantage of being physical exercise, as exercise can leave you feeling better. As well as keeping you physically fit, it will allow you to escape from a muddled headspace and, in the long-term, following a routine daily will improve your mental wellbeing. If the idea of physical activity doesn’t appeal to you, meditation is also an option, as it will give you some time each day to clear your mind and become more focused.

Eat Well
We’ve all arrived home from work late, looked in the refrigerator and decided we don’t have the energy to cook so ordering take out becomes the go-to option. The abundance of choices, and ease of using take out apps, has made this an easy choice. What you eat and when you eat will show in your appearance and in how you feel in yourself. Making healthy meals on the weekend that can be easily heated up or eaten straight from the refrigerator when you arrive home after work will stop you from taking the easy way out. Ensure you eat regularly, too. It’s easy to skip meals when work is busy, but always remember if you’re not eating properly, you’re not going to be as productive.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is wrapping up another season surveying for aquatic invasive species (AIS). FWP and partner AIS early detection crews surveyed more than 300 waters around the state, collecting over 2,200 early detection samples looking for new populations of invasive mussels, snails, clams and aquatic weeds.

AIS early detection crews conducted focused surveys for AIS at all fish hatcheries in the state, assessed Eurasian watermilfoil treatments in Noxon Reservoir and supported a state-wide crayfish survey project. AIS staff worked with a variety of partners on Eurasian watermilfoil eradication in Beaver Lake near Whitefish, fragrant water lily removal in Holland Lake and Asian clam eradication in Lake Elmo in Billings.

New populations of several AIS were identified in the state this year including several snail and plant species. New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) were identified at three new locations including Beavertail Pond east of Clinton, Mitchell Slough adjacent to the Bitterroot River near Victor and Big Sheep Creek near Dell. This is the first time New Zealand mudsnails have been detected in Montana’s natural water bodies west of the Continental Divide. The tiny mudsnails are often transported to new locations when snails cling to plants, muddy boots or fishing gear.

Invasive red-rim melania snails (Melanoides tuberculatus) were detected in the Gardner River and in a warm spring near Beaverhead Rock State Park. Melania snails were likely introduced through a dumped aquarium tank.

Survey crews identified a new population of curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) in Big Elk Creek near Two Dot in the Musselshell River drainage this year. Curlyleaf pondweed is an invasive aquatic plant that can grow in high densities that obstruct boating and water flow for irrigation.

Surveys are still wrapping up for the year, but no evidence of invasive mussels has been found in the state so far this season. If no evidence of mussels is found In Tiber Reservoir, FWP will evaluate lifting the mandatory inspections requirements for boats exiting the lake. Final sampling results will be completed by the end of October.

These new detections are a reminder to ensure boats, trailers, fishing gear, waders and clothing are always clean and free of mud, plants and vegetation; all water is drained; and boats and gear are thoroughly dry before entering another waterbody. Aquarium pet owners should never dispose of aquarium water, plants or animals into natural waterways.

The public can report sightings of aquatic invasive species to FWP at CleanDrainDryMT.com or call 406-444-2440.