Nature at Her Best - Part 2 (Photos)

Rescued Dogs Take a Star Turn
in 'The 101 Dalmatians Musical'
BY Issie Lapowsky - NY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER


Animal trainer Joel Slaven with the Dalmatian stars of 'The 101 Dalmatians Musical', nine of whom were rescued from shelters around the country.

Rascal was a 4-month-old puppy with a broken leg who had been abandoned by his owners when dog trainer Joel Slaven handpicked him from a shelter. Now, Rascal is bounding across the stage of the Theater at Madison Square Garden each night as the star of "The 101 Dalmatians Musical'.

Slaven selected nine of the 15 Dalmatians featured in the show from shelters around the country. They suffered from heartworm, malnutrition, obesity. Some had been abused. But, Slaven says, they all had one thing in common.

"We needed dogs that, No. 1, were very, very outgoing, high-energy dogs that like to retrieve and play and fetch and play tug of war, because that's a type of reinforcement that we can use for training."

Slaven, 57, nursed the pups back to health and trained them on his ranch in Florida before sending them off in their giant purple tour bus to begin production.

Both the producers and Slaven wanted to use shelter dogs in the show, because so many Dalmatians had been bought and then abandoned after the release of the 1996 film "101 Dalmatians."

"When motion pictures come out that star a certain type of dog or cat, the trend has always been for the public to go out and buy it, and that's not always in the best interest of the animals long-term," Slaven says. "It's not the kind of thing that should be purchased as an impulse item."

During the tour, all of the shelter Dalmatians were put up for adoption, but if you think you're getting your paws on them now, you're barking up the wrong tree.

"They're all adopted. It's wonderful," says Slaven, who will be taking a few of the dogs on the road with him for his next show. Still, he says anyone who is looking to adopt can find the perfect pup at a local shelter.

"A lot of people think that you can't get real good animals at a shelter or you can't get purebred animals at a shelter," he says.

"Nothing could be further from the truth. People just have to do a little research, and they can go find one that really needs a home."

Cat College Resumes
SeattlePI.com

Fun-educational-rewarding! These three words describe the CatChannel.com Cat College. I recently completed the 100 level courses and am returning for more. Cat College is a 3-month curriculum that helps you understand and care for your cats. Cat College just resumed with a new curriculum of 200 level courses. But the good news is you can pounce on these courses whenever you want because they are online and self-paced. All you need to do is officially register (at no charge!!) Then you will have access to the courses until June 30 when the term ends. Be sure to register for the 100 level courses first as they are prerequisites for the second level. The 100 level cat courses include nutrition, biology, physical education, genetics, art history, sociology, language, psychology and zoology.

The 200 level course on how to safely and naturally clean a cat home caught my attention. Some of the other courses I will be studying this term include oral health, feline digestive health and the cat in ancient Egypt. The courses are taught by cat experts and instruction includes articles, charts, videos and quizzes.

If you meet the requirements for graduation, you will earn a Cat Applied Technology diploma. Graduates with top honors will earn a Magna Felis Laude diploma.

Full details on registration, curriculum and graduation are at catchannel.com.

Happy Purrs!

Bark: Confessions of a Dog Trainer
By Rachel Baum TimesUnion.com

Dinner is Served

It used to be so easy, way back when. You bought a metal dog bowl and scooped in some Purina Dog Chow or Alpo. You put the dish on the floor. Your dog wolfed it down, slurped some water and gave a satisfied burp. End of story.

Now, there are so many feeding choices its easy to be overwhelmed. Dry food, canned food, raw food, or homemade? Gluten-free, high protein, senior, small breed, vegan, or organic? Ceramic dishes, plastic, aluminum, elevated, or continuous feed?

Food is usually the highlight of a dog’s day. Then there are those dogs that couldn’t care less about what’s on the menu. As your dog’s chef/waiter, YOU are the source of his basic sustenance. The giving of food is a training opportunity:

•Choose the highest quality food you can afford. Its the foundation of your dog’s general health and well-being, plus the better the food, the more efficiently it will be digested, resulting in less poop to scoop!

•Unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise, dog food should be high in protein. The first ingredient is fish, chicken, beef or lamb. If the food is mainly corn, your dog’s behavior will be fueled by carbs and empty calories.

•Adult dogs should get one or two meals per day. Remove the food after 15-20 minutes. Leaving food out all day creates picky eaters and housebreaking issues.

•Your dog is a working animal. Yes, even your beloved Yorkie. Have her sit and wait politely for her meal. •If you use treats to train, work with your dog before a meal, when his attention and focus are the most acute.

•Its actually okay to add variety to your dog’s food. Find a couple of different brands your dog likes and thrives on, and switch them out. Throw in some peas, unseasoned chicken, baby carrots, and brown rice. Your dog does not need, nor should she have, fettucine alfredo, pizza or potato chips.

•Just because the dog on the TV ad is adorable, or you have a coupon, or the food is on sale, doesn’t mean its good for your dog.

For more information on choosing the right food for your dog, visit Whole Dog Journal.

Cathy M. Rosenthal:
Take the Jump Out of Your Dog
Cathy Rosenthal - MySanAntonio.com

The other day while teaching a pets and babies class at North Central Baptist Hospital for new parents-to-be, I asked the group what their biggest concern was about their pets and babies interacting.

On this day, the concerns were almost unanimous: Everyone who had dogs was concerned about their dog's jumping behavior.

Rambunctious pooches jump because they are excited and want attention. We often are complicit in this parlor game: We use our hands to push them away, which makes them jump on us again. No one likes jumping dogs, though, and when it comes to toddling babies and children, dogs can accidentally knock them over and hurt them. So here are a few tips on training your dog to stop jumping on everyone.

First, hands off. Don't reward your dog for jumping by giving him attention or using your hands to push him away. Instead, tell your dog "no" and turn away. When the dog's front paws hit the floor, turn back, pet him and praise him using a soft voice. (Don't use an excited voice since that will only make him jump again.) Remember, your dog must keep all four paws on the floor to receive your attention. When you walk into the house, walk past your jumping dog and only turn to greet him when all four paws are on the floor.

Second, distract your dog. A dog can't do two things at once. When a dog is barking, you can say "hush" and then call him to you. Once your dog starts running to you, he can't bark anymore. You can do the same thing with a jumping dog. If your dog jumps on a visitor, say "no" and then call him to you. He can't jump on a visitor if he is responding to you.

Third, teach your dog a new behavior. It might be as simple as teaching your dog to sit instead of jump — although this can be difficult for an excited dog to do. Or you can teach him to shake a paw, drop down for a belly rub when company comes over or any other behavior that you think will distract him from jumping.

Here is my example. My golden retriever Brinkley used to jump at the front door. While I could get him to eventually stop, he always had to jump a few times before he would settle down.

So I taught him to jump on command. When he jumped, I used a hand signal and said the word "jump." After a few times, he understood the hand signal and word "jump" meant he could jump. Then I trained him to "sit" after the "jump" command.

What this meant is that when the doorbell rang, he ran excitedly to the door where I asked him to jump four or five times before asking him to sit. He got to jump and I got a calmer dog who let me open the door.

Jumping behaviors require time and patience to correct. But if you are consistent in your training — and don't ever give him attention when he jumps, your dog will eventually learn he only gets attention when he stays on all fours. If you give some time to training, you can have a well-behaved dog.

Send your pet stories and questions to Cathy M. Rosenthal, c/o Features Department, San Antonio Express-News, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio, TX 78297-2171, or cathy@petpundit.com. Cathy's advice column runs every Sunday. You can read her blog, Animals Matter, at www.mysanantonio.com

Pet Relocation –
Tips for International Pet Moving
ApplyandGo.com

Five Tips for Safe and Humane International Pet Relocation

Owning or adopting a pet should be for life, regardless of what corner of the world your career or other circumstances happen to send you. When planning an international move transporting your beloved pet is only part of a long, daunting list of preparations that have to be made. Many people feel forced to find new homes for their animals rather than subject them to a traumatic transportation – however there are steps that can be taken to ensure the journey is as easy as possible on your companion.

1. Contact the local consulate of the destination country: The first step in planning an international trip with a pet should be to contact the consulate of the destination country for your pet’s importation requirements. Some countries require a lengthy quarantine; others have more rigid standards and some only accept pets at certain airports within that country. The most important thing to remember is just like human travel, pets also need additional documentation in order to enter its desired country. Each country is different, as they all require their own documentation when accepting pets.

2. Find an airline that will work with you: Contact the airlines that fly to your proposed destination, select one and then check with them to confirm that they will accept your pet on the day and flight that you prefer. This will allow you to see if this date works, or how you can work around their flight times. As soon as you get on the plane, ask a flight attendant to confirm that your pet is on board. That way, if there’s been any mix-up and it has not been loaded, you have a better chance of getting something done about it. Some airlines will allow you to carry small pet carriers with you in the main cabin, but only if it will fit under the seat in front of you.

3. Visit the vet prior to the flight: Your Veterinarian must be consulted well before your departure date. They will give your pet a full check up and advise you on any potential problems and can also assist you with questions or concerns that you may have. Make sure you have all the required documentation, as noted when you contacted the consulate of your destination.

4. Limit food intake the day before travel: Although they may initially disagree, your animal’s potential for a comfortable trip can be increased by limiting their prior food intake. Prepare your pet for its journey by reducing the quantity of food the day before flying. Allow for normal water access as dehydration is a serious danger. Make sure to walk your dog before you go to the airport and before check in, which should be 1-2 hours before the flight.

5. Equip your pet’s carrier or crate with the vital necessities: The big day has arrived! While your pet is out of your sight and care, make it as easy as possible for airline staff to care for them. Your animal’s travel crate must meet the airline’s standards and be large enough for the pet to lie down comfortably turn around and stand freely in. Mark the crate with “Live Animal – This side up” and include your name, address and telephone number. At least two water bowls and dried food must be attached to the top of the carrier in case there are any flight delays. Any medication that is used for your pet must also be recorded with the name of the drug, the time and directions of administration.

While you can make all the arrangements yourself, nothing is worse than having your pet impounded or lost because of an oversight or lack of knowledge. Make it a point to double-check all requirements and to follow up on each aspect of them.


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Nature at Her Best - Part 2






























"Be who you are and say what you feel....
Because those that matter...don't mind...
And those that mind...don't matter."

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~Winston Churchill


Thanks to Kathy in BHC, AZ



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Me-ew! Cat Warns of Gas Leak, Awarded
msnbc.com

Schnautzie wins the Purple Paw for saving lives with her paw

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A 3-year-old cat credited with saving lives by tapping its owner's nose with a paw to alert her of a gas leak has been awarded the Purple Paw by the Great Falls Animal Foundation. Schnautzie received her award Saturday at the foundation's annual Fur Ball.

Trudy Guy says Schnautzie was just 6 months old in 2007 when Guy awoke with Schnautzie on her chest and a paw on her nose.

In checking the house she heard a roaring sound in the bathroom and found a gas pipe outside the bathroom had broken above the shut-off valve.

She said responding firefighters told her the house could have blown up due to the gas levels.

Money Saving Tips for Pet Owners -
5 Smart Things You Can Do
by Rebecca Quimby - PawNation.com

In today's less-than-robust economy, everyone is trying to find ways to save money, and pet owners are no exception. After all, owning a pet can be expensive. According to an American Pet Products Association survey, we spend over $45 billion a year on our pets. But having a dog or cat doesn't have to be a pricey proposition, here are our top five budget-friendly tips for getting and taking care of that animal family member.

1. Start By Rescuing A Pet
If you are pinching pennies (and even if you aren't), go visit your local animal shelter. They have animals of all ages, temperaments and sizes and often only charge what it costs to vaccinate and spay the animal.

If there is a specific breed that you absolutely adore, you still may find your true love at the shelter as pets of all breeds end up needing new homes. Or reach out to the breed-specific rescue organizations. For example, you might find the perfect pooch at Chihuahua Rescue, PugRescue.com, or French Bulldog Rescue Network. You can also search for dog-breed clubs in your area. They often have rescue or fostering organizations that can help connect you to the breed of your dreams while also giving a home to a pup in need.

2. Take Advantage Of Subsidized Spay/Neuter Services
At your local vet, paying full price to get your dog fixed can cost up to $200-300. But many organizations offer discount services, sometimes charging as low as $45 or nothing at all. Check ASPCA's special search function for low-cost and free resources in your area. SPAY/USA and Friends of Animals also provide great lists of low-cost services.

3. Buy Discounted Pet Food
Sites such as Pets Warehouse, PetFooder, PetFoodDirect and large retailers such as Costco, Petco and PetSmart may offer big discounts on your favorite brand of dog food or even special bulk pricing. You should also check out some of the online coupon web sites such as couponmountain.com, slickdeals.net and fatwallet.com or register at your pet food company's site for email newsletters and discount offers.

4. Shop Around for Vet Services
Clearly you want to give your animal the best care you can afford but vet bills can run you up to $340 a year, and that cost skyrockets if your pet has an illness or accident. Ask your vet about discounts, which may be available if you have more than one animal. Check out PetSmart's in-store vet offices which offer coverage for a flat annual fee that can potentially save you up to 50 percent on your veterinary care or Petco's Vaccination and Preventative Services offerings.

Also consider bringing your pet to a veterinary school clinic for discounted care. Once you've gotten a prescription for medications from the vet, comparison shop online to see if you can get better deals on pharmaceuticals at sites such as PetCareRx and 1-800-PetMeds. For people who are really in a bind, The Humane Society offers a list of services that provide financial aid to pet-owners in need.

5. Practice Preventative Care
Save money on vet and grooming bills by doing basic petcare and maintenance at home. Start by brushing your dog's teeth or cat's teeth to prolong the time between pricey professional cleanings and extend your animal's life. Grooming your own pet will save you lots of money too and there are many videos online to teach you grooming techniques. Also, just like with humans, a sensible diet and plenty of exercise will work wonders to keep the pounds from creeping up and help keep your pet healthy and happy.

Most of all, remember that what your pet wants and needs most is simply your love and attention. And those, mercifully, are free.

Kitty Cat Attacks:
Postmen Refuse to Deliver Mail
USAToday.com

Everyone knows a dog who might lie in wait for the postman, but a neighborhood in Farsley, England, has a cat gaining the celebrity status.

Tiger has repeatedly attacked the postal workers in the town near Leeds in Northern England, according to the Associated Press. Mail drops have been discontinued. Tiger's owner Tracy Brayshaw told the BBC she can't imagine the 19-year-old cat misbehaving. Meanwhile, she continues to pick up her mail from the nearest mail office.

The cat, according to the postal workers, jumps through the cat door and attacks them when they approach. Brayshaw is at work. This is one of those instances where Livestream would come in handy. One of our favorite videos from last year is of the stalking cat. Does Tiger lie in wait like this?

READERS: Have you ever known a cat this protective of its home or owners? I have met one in my lifetime and the thought of visiting my friend was pretty stressful because of her mean kitty.


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Thieves Target Pet Lovers In Scam
ClickonDetroit.com

DETROIT -- Pet experts are trying to get the word out about scams targeting people looking for a new best friend.

Jennifer Dolenic runs Bully For You, a nonprofit English bulldog rescue organization in Auburn Hills. She said she's seen several instances where families have thought they had found their pet but instead found a scam artist.

"Dogs are a huge industry. People look at dollar signs and say, 'OK, how can we make some money,'" she said. "People are just out to make money and you don't know what you're getting yourself into."

Dolenic said many of the new scams target people looking for purebreds.

Police and Dolenic said scam artists create legitimate-looking Web sites full of cute and cuddly pictures of dogs.

"You get attached very quickly, and they sound like they're really desperate to find a good home for them and you want to believe them, you want to help them out," Dolenic said.

Dolenic said the first warning sign of a scam is if the seller comes up with an excuse as to why the potential owner can't meet the dog face-to-face beforehand.

"You run the risk anytime you don't physically see the pet, of not knowing what you're getting yourself into," she said.

Most commonly, Dolenic said, the scam artist will say they're overseas and need money wired to them to take care of shipping and customs fees.

People will hand over the money, but never see the dog.

But it's not only happening overseas. Cathy Lee runs Best Friends Pet Care in Clinton Township and said she's seen the scam first-hand -- on sites such as Craigslist.

"Someone will get that pet and then turnaround and flip it for money," she said.

But to complicate the situation more, Lee said the scam artists are not always being truthful about the dog's history.

"I actually ran into the same dog being resold for the third time. Come to find out, he needed $1,000 worth of surgeries because he was sick to begin with," Lee said.

Pet experts suggest looking for pets in places other than the Internet -- such as the Humane Society, recognized rescue organizations and breeders who have documentation.

Also, ask for vet records and go through them thoroughly.

Managing Dog Allergies:
Answers to a Common Problem
Businessvn.net

Statistics show that anywhere from 60-70% of American households include at least one dog or cat. The numbers also indicate that up to 10% of the population suffers from an allergy to some type of animal. The most common culprit to animal allergies is cats, but the next pet in line is a dog.

Because dog allergies are a common problem, the good news is that there is plenty of information available on how to treat and manage an allergic reaction to your pet. Particularly if your reaction is not severe, and if you do not have other complications such as asthma, you can successfully manage your allergic condition and enjoy many symptom-free days.

Identifying a Dog Allergy

If you suspect that you or a family member is allergic to the family pet, the best way to know for sure is to remove that person from the environment with the animal for a week or two. Removing the animal from the situation may not be an effective means of diagnosis, since pet dander can remain in the environment that the animal lives in for up to six months after the pet is removed.

If this process is too difficult to do, you can also ask your doctor to perform an allergy test in his office to see if you do indeed have a dog allergy. This is usually done through a medical history and a blood test.

Treatment Options

Dog allergies usually come from allergens that are contained within the dander or saliva of the animal. These allergens tend to have the ability to cling to many surfaces, as well as the capacity for a long life. This quality makes it difficult to completely rid a home of the allergens responsible for dog allergies, even if the animal is removed from the environment. It generally will take up to six months for the home to become allergen free once the pet is removed.

The other problem in treating dog allergies is that many pet owners are quite attached to their dog and do not want to be faced with the decision to give it to another home. If your allergy symptoms are mild, you may still be able to keep your pet by following a few guidelines within your home environment.

First, keep your pet out of the bedroom. Since this is where you spend a large percentage of your time, reducing the allergens in this area can greatly reduce your symptoms from your dog allergies. Getting rid of carpet that can harbor the allergens is a good idea.

Instead, opt for bare floors that can be mopped regularly, and throw rugs that can be washed in hot water. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can also be an effective way to keep allergens at bay in certain areas of your house, as long as it is run at least four hours every day.

Dog allergies may be a common problem for many people, but they don’t have to get in the way of your daily life. With some lifestyle choices and treatment options, you can enjoy your life and your pet with fewer symptoms every day.

Your Pet Did What?
ljworld.com

If you have ever had a pet, you most likely have a funny or incredible pet story. Maybe you have seen a friend's pet doing something unbelievable.

On of my earliest funny pet memories was when I was about 9 years old. My parents worked nights and had hired a babysitter for us kids who was convinced our cat would smother us if she let it sleep with us. Our bedroom was on the second floor and there was no sneaking the cat up the stairs under her watchful, ever vigilant eyes. Laying in bed we hatched a crazy scheme to get the cat up to our room. Using belts, jump ropes, and whatever else we could find, we tied it to a clothes basket and lowered it out the window to the ground. We must have put some sort of food in it because I don't know why else the cat got into the basket, but it did. We managed to pull the basket all the way up without losing the cat. Evidently the cat really wanted to sleep in a bed because she always got in that basket.

Many years later I remember that cat when my son's cat got stuck on the roof of our house. I had a ladder, but it wasn't tall enough. I got a milk crate, some food, and got as high as I could on the ladder and held the milk crate above my head. The cat still had to jump a little bit, but he did. You would think he wouldn't do that anymore, but he did. So the ladder and milk crate were always kept handy. Later we moved to a house where he couldn't do that anymore. Five years later we moved to another house where he was able to get on the roof and it started again. Now I know what you're thinking, leave him up there for once and he'll quit doing it, but try telling that to your kids who are convinced the cat is in mortal danger up there.

So let's hear your crazy, or even lovable, pet stories.

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The Responsibilities of Caring for Freshwater Fish
AquaLifeforYou.blogspot.com

Usually freshwater fish are considered the pets for people that are either lazy or don't really want to take care of something They may like the idea of a pet but perhaps one that you don't have to interact with as often as others, underestimating the responsibility of freshwater fish care. Well, fish can be the pet for you but it is wise to understand that fish can't just be tossed into a tank and then left until they die. This is not proper handling of fish and they do require that you actually know a little something about them.

Research is always a great idea when considering a pet--especially fish, as there are SO many types of freshwater fish to choose from. If you're wanting more than one fish in a tank, be sure to find out whether they are aggressive or not, as some fish will literally kill others in the same tank. It is also wise to understand the environmental needs of your fish, such as tank size, whether it requires freshwater or saltwater, and how often the tank should be cleaned (some fish actually eat the "gunky" build-up on tank walls).
"HEY, I was just sleeping!"


Of course feeding the fish must also be done on a regular basis. Talk to the person or store you got your fish from to determine what brand and how often they were fed before you take your fish home. This can save you a lot of trouble and worry later on. You don't want to under-feed or over-feed your fish if you can help it. So again research is an adequate process here like other pets.

Another job that needs to be done semi regularly is the cleaning of the tank. It is usually recommended that 1/3 of the tanks water is changed monthly. This is to guarantee that the fish are getting a fresh tank to live in.

If you remember to follow these steps and act accordingly when purchasing a freshwater aquarium fish, then you will be fine. Your fish should live a healthy life and last as long as they are supposed to.

What Not To Feed Your Pet Bird
Doug Chaffin - ArticlesBase.com

This article offers specific foods that you should never feed to your pet bird. If you have questions concerning a particular kind of bird seed or fruit, consult your veterinarian. Buy your bird seed from a reputable producer like ABBA or Kaytee and read about the native diets of your bird species and supply a diet that includes bird seed, fruit, and vegetables that closely resembles the natural food source of your particular bird species.

Prior to investing in a bird as a pet, read and gather information on specific things to do and not to do. There are numerous varieties of bird that, if cared for correctly, will be lifetime companions and family members.

Every conscientious bird owner should know there are certain foods and certain ingredients that must never be fed to a pet bird. Here's a list of six (6) food items that should not be fed to a bird or caution must be taken in the preparation of the food.

1. Chocolate, unfortunately, is absolutely not for the birds. That wonderful candy bar can have disastrous consequences for your bird. Chocolate is incredibly damaging to a bird's digestive system. Initially, chocolate will cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can then affect the central nervous system resulting in seizures and eventual death. Chocolate and food containing chocolate ought to remain well out of reach of your feathered friend.

2. Though fruits are without a doubt good for birds, there are actually types that should by no means be given to birds. These include apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears. The reason is quite surprising. These fruits have minute amounts of cyanide within their seeds which is an incredibly harmful and a likely lethal substance even in trace quantities. Birds can eat portions of these types of fruit so long as it is cut away from the seeds or core. Also, always clean fruit before giving to your pets, your children or yourself. Damaging chemicals present in pesticides are often detrimental to small animals such as birds.

Avocado is one fruit that should not be given to your pet bird. Skin of the avocado may cause cardiac distress and heart failure in particular bird species. Better safe than sorry with the avocado so don't even bother letting them try it.

3. Certain kinds of vegetables are often harmful. Onions may cause severe digestive problems and mushroom, which is really not a vegetable but a fungus, can cause respiratory distress, kidney failure and death. While some veterinarians and pet owners are concerned about giving pet birds certain vegetables like potatoes and tomatoes, these vegetables are not unsafe if they are cleaned and sliced prior to giving it to your pet. Remember, consult your veterinarian if you have concerns about any food source, including fruits, vegetables and bird seed.

4. Although you may like to have a few, never ask your pet bird if he or she wish to join you for a drink. Alcohol depresses a birds organs which, in some cases, can be lethal. Caffeine is incredibly harmful to birds also. It causes cardiac malfunction in birds and, in some cases, could lead to arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, hyperactivity, and increased heartbeat. Keep alcoholic and caffeinated drinks well from reach and from areas where your bird can access them. Other than water, pure fruit or vegetable juice is good. It can provide additional nutrition your bird needs.

5. Salt or products containing salt should not be given to birds. Like in humans, excess salt often results in dehydration, kidney dysfunction, thirst and death. Due to their small size, it does not require a large amount of salt to have negative affects.

6. Lastly, never give your pet bird dry or uncooked beans. Dry or uncooked beans contain a poison called hemaglutin. Hemaglutin is no longer a concern once the beans are cooked so if you wish to offer beans to your bird, cook them first.

These are 6 food items that you need to avoid feeding your feathered friend. Knowing and avoiding these and other damaging food items will help ensure they will live for a long time. Pet birds can be very expensive. Do not take a chance with your birds health by feeding it food that might be unsafe. So what should you feed your pet bird to keep it fit and happy? To play it safe, provide a good quality seed and pellet diet and supplement with approved fruits and vegetables if desired. By doing this you will keep your bird healthy and happy.

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Cat Gets Head Stuck In Storm Drain
wbztv.com


Rubick The Cat

NORFOLK - Animal control found themselves making a strange rescue today. They were called to Strawberry Lane in Norfolk to help save a cat whose head was stuck in a storm drain.

"Rubick" was found hanging from the grate by her head around 7:30 a.m.

Rescue workers first tried to pull Rubick's head through the grate. After that didn't work, the cat and the grate were brought the Acorn Animal Hospital, where the cat was sedated and freed.

Rubick is expected to make a full recovery.

So how did the cat get there? Norfolk police are guessing that the cat was chased by something, ended up in an open culvert pipe nearby and then tried to squeeze through the grate.

Police say this isn't the first time they've seen a cat in this sticky situation. This is the fourth cat in 14 years to attempt the feat.

Officials are now working to find the cat's owner. Rubick is described as a young, short-haired grey cat.

Anyone with information about Rubick can call Animal Control at 508.440.2816.

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