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PETS CORNER
Me and my pet
- If you stare at someone
long enough, eventually you will get what you want.
- Be direct with people; let them know exactly how you feel by piddling
on their shoes.
- When it comes to having
sex, if at first you don't succeed, beg.
- Be aware of when to hold your tongue and when to use it.
- Leave room in your schedule
for a good nap.
- Always give people a friendly greeting; a cold nose in the crotch
is effective.
- Don't go out without I.D.
- When you do something wrong, always take responsibility (as soon as
you're dragged out from under the bed).
- If it's not wet and sloppy, it's not a real kiss.
- When you go out into the world, remember: always take time to smell
the roses.....and the trees, the grass, the rocks, the street, the fire
hydrants......
Tips on Dog Care
“Tick season” will be upon
us sooner than we know it, as early as April as the weather warms up. And
ticks can pass on more diseases to humans than any other bug except the
mosquito.
Small bugs with big bites,
ticks are of course associated most with Lyme Disease, symptoms of which
include fever, headache, fatigue, and a distinctive circular skin rash. Left
untreated, infection can spread to joints and the nervous system.
Modern science has devised
many ways to keep ticks at bay, most involving harsh chemicals with dubious
safety records. Indeed, according to a report by the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC) USA, the majority of tick products on the market
today contain toxins, known collectively as organophosphate insecticides (OPs),
which not only kill insects but can also damage the nervous systems of pets
and people.
Studies have shown that
children exposed to OPs may face increased risk of health problems later in
life, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Is there a safe way to
fight ticks?
Consider these ideas
- Manage the habitat in
and around your home to make it less hospitable to ticks. Ticks are
attracted to humidity, so deep and infrequent watering of your lawn will
let it dry out between applications.
- Vegetation should be cut
below ankle height, the brush along paths and roadways removed, and trees
pruned to let the light through.
- Because pets are
frequent carriers, their sleeping quarters should be vacuumed frequently.
- Wear light-colored
clothing so you can spot ticks more easily if they do get on you. Search
yourself thoroughly, particularly at the base of your skull, and wash
clothes immediately afterwards.
- Ayurvedic drugs have a
distinct edge, as they are non-toxic. Indian Immunological has a spray
that kills ticks and also acts as a deodorant. Dabur has a herbal liquid
medicine, that is found to be effective. Veterinarians say these products
can be used without fear of toxicity, in young, pregnant and even
geriatric patients.
Have a Safe and Fun Summer with your Pet!
Here is a tour of some pet portals!
http://www.kutta.com is
a dog portal for dog lovers. The site addresses the issue of
foreign breeds versus the Indian breeds. The site also offers
a facility where you can find a mating partner for your dog.
The site has
many articles by Maneka Gandhi.
http://www.healthypet.com
This is the homepage of the American Animal Hospital Association,
an organization of more than 17,000 veterinary care providers.
The site provides information on common health problems, the
human-animal bond, nutrition and health, a massive electronic
library of pet care tips, preventive care information, with
guidelines on how to choose a veterinarian for your pet and
links to related web sites. The site is well designed and
colourful, and also includes an FAQ, an email newsletter,
a colouring page for children, and a list of recommended books
for people trying to bone up on pet care.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/
An electronic guide for people who own a dog as a pet.
The site has over 260 articles on responsible dog ownership
neatly classified into subject areas like choosing the right
dog, nutrition, breed profiles, manners and training, aggression
and vacation stories. It is updated frequently with news articles
and links to other pooch-related internet sites.
http://www.fanciers.com/general.html
The site offers a huge amount
of reference material for cat fanciers, including information
on choosing a cat, colours and genetics, and cat care. A glossary
of cat terms is included, and the site also contains links
to related web sites.
http://www.lookd.com/cats/
Offers information on cat anatomy, breeds, diseases
and much more, together with pictures of the most common breeds.
http://www.theaviary.com
This is the site for information on different types of birds, bird
feeders and houses, photography, bird art, bird care, breeding,
books, videos, columns and links to internet resources.
http://www.petfinder.org/
Search for a pet to adopt (U.S only).
http://www.aspca.org
That is the SPCA site. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals is an organization devoted to promoting humane
principles, and preventing cruelty to animals. Among the things
you will find on this site, is a list of animals available
for adoption, an event calendar, and an online shop; a special
Pet Care section tells you how to take care of your pet, and
an issues section educates you on the burning issues of the
day. And of course, the site also lists the names and addresses
of animal welfare groups worldwide, together with links, and
news on their activities.
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