Your pet and the holidays

[DEC. 23, 2000]  In the midst of all the holiday hoopla, don't lose sight of the perils the season can hold for your pet. Decorations, electrical cords, holiday greenery, and even gifts and "people food" can pose a hazard to your four-legged friends!

The PetSmart website, http://petsmart.com, is full of useful pet safety information. Here are some of the highlights:

 

—Electrical cords: Dogs and cats (especially kittens and puppies) may find electrical cords a tempting chew-treat. Secure or cover exposed electrical cords to prevent this danger and unplug them when you're not around.

—Christmas trees: If you have an active dog in the house or a house kitty that likes to climb, make sure the tree is securely anchored to keep it from being knocked or pulled over.

 

—Greenery: Mistletoe and holly are toxic to pets, especially the berries. Poinsettias are not as toxic but can result in severe stomach upset. Pine needles, if swallowed by a dog or cat, can cause severe intestinal distress or intestinal perforation.

 

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—People food: The rich treats we indulge in during our holiday celebrations are a big no-no for our pets. Rich foods, especially greasy foods, can give dogs and cats severe gastrointestinal upset or can lead to pancreatitis. Small bones or fragments can cause choking or intestinal blockage. And watch out for chocolate! It contains theobromine, which can be fatal in large doses. Don't leave treats lying around within your pet's reach, for their safety.

 

Another useful website for pet owners is the National Animal Poison Control Center, http://www.napcc.aspca.org/. This site has detailed information regarding the dangers and toxicity levels of several holiday-related pet hazards, from plants and decorations to gifts and art supplies.

Please take the time to make sure your home is safe for the holidays, for both you and your pets. Merry Christmas!

[Cherie Rankin]


Storing your holiday ornaments

[NOV. 27, 2000]  Since many people are spending a small fortune collecting expensive glass ornaments to dress up their Christmas trees, necessary precautions must be taken to store them properly. According to Country Living magazine, there are three essential steps to storing ornaments: Choose the right box, wrap them properly and find an ideal location at home.

A firm box with compartments or dividers is key to preventing delicate ornaments from hitting each other and breaking. Acid-free corrugated board or other archival materials are the ultimate storage, but divided boxes that glass ornaments are sold in will also work when placed inside a larger box or drawer. Avoid placing ornaments in plastic storage boxes because they prevent airflow and trap moisture inside.

Proper packing materials give cherished collectibles an added buffer. Experts prefer acid-free tissue, Bounty microwave paper towels (the only acid-free paper towels currently on the market) and 100-percent-cotton fabric. Don’t wrap ornaments in plastic bubble wrap or newspaper, which can transfer ink onto smooth surfaces, or cram too many items in a compartment.

Closets in the main living areas of the house are ideal, where temperatures and humidity levels are usually stable. Cupboards, chests of drawers and high shelves are other options. If the basement is the only available storage space, place boxes on high shelves and install a dehumidifier to control moisture.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

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Animals for adoption

 

These animals and more are available to good homes from the Logan County Animal Control at 1515 N. Kickapoo, phone 735-3232.

Fees for animal adoption: dogs, $60/male, $65/female; cats, $35/male, $44/female. The fees include neutering and spaying.

Logan County Animal Control's hours of operation:

Sunday    closed

Monday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tuesday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday    8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday  –  8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday  –  closed

Warden: Sheila Farmer
Assistant:  Michelle Mote
In-house veterinarian:  Dr. Lester Thompson

DOGS
Big to little, most these dogs will make wonderful lifelong companions when you take them home and provide solid, steady training, grooming and general care. Get educated about what you choose. If you give them the time and care they need, you will be rewarded with much more than you gave them. They are entertaining, fun, comforting, and will lift you up for days on end.

Be prepared to take the necessary time when you bring home a puppy, kitten, dog, cat or any other pet, and you will be blessed.

[Logan County Animal Control is thankful for pet supplies donated by individuals and Wal-Mart.]  

        The animal shelter currently has about 12-15 dogs ready for adoption.

          
[Very playful, quite intelligent, needs a lot of attention. This male 6-month-old black golden retriever/Labrador mix is looking for a caring home with lots of room to get his wiggles out.]

 

 

Know an animal lover and don't know what to get them for Christmas? James Herriot's animal story books will tickle their animal love. Herriot is the writer of " All Creatures Great and Small" (became a PBS TV series), " All Things Bright and Beautiful," " All Things Wise and Wonderful," " The Lord God Made Them All," and " Every Living Thing," and, particularly appealing to those with cats and dogs, " Cat Stories" and " Dog Stories."

You can find these books at any good bookstore. Prairie Years in Lincoln does not have any in stock but will be happy to order them for you.

 

 

 

 

        
[Yogi is a male 3-year-old reddish husky/Shar-Pei mix. He's housebroken, good with kids, a good watchdog, and has his shots.]

        
[This very large male 10- to 11-year-old is named Louie. He's housebroken, neutered, very sweet, and has a greeting for everyone.]

Ten reasons to adopt a shelter dog

 1.  I'll bring out your playful side!

 2.  I'll lend an ear to your troubles.

 3.   I'll keep you fit and trim.

 4.   We'll look out for each other.

 5.   We'll sniff out fun together!

 6.   I'll keep you right on schedule.

 7.   I'll love you with all my heart.

 8.   We'll have a tail-waggin' good time!

 9.   We'll snuggle on a quiet evening.

10.   We'll be best friends always.

Meador Investigations

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CATS

[Logan County Animal Control is thankful for pet supplies donated by individuals and Wal-Mart.]  

 

Know an animal lover and don't know what to get them for Christmas? James Herriot's animal story books will tickle their animal love. Herriot is the writer of "All Creatures Great and Small" (became a PBS TV series), "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All Things Wise and Wonderful," "The Lord God Made Them All," and "Every Living Thing," and, particularly appealing to those with cats and dogs, "Cat Stories" and "Dog Stories."

You can find these books at any good bookstore. Prairie Years in Lincoln does not have any in stock but will be happy to order them for you.

 

 

 

 


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