simply feeding an average-sized dog has the eco-footprint of building and fueling a Toyota Land Cruiser. A cat’s eco-paw-print is somewhat less: about the same as a Volkswagen Golf.(The book is Time to Eat the Dog? The Real Guide to Sustainable Living, by Robert and Brenda Vale, who, as O’Neill says, “may well be...
Archive for December, 2009
Carbon-Based Life
December 31, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyBooks, Cats, Dogs, General Animals, Horses
A recent article by Terry O’Neill said that, if people really wanted to reduce carbon emissions, they’d take the idea to its natural conclusion and get rid of their pets. Not that O’Neill endorses this – he’s just read about it in a book that claims:
Help Abandoned Animals This Holiday
December 24, 2009 — by Anna P.Animal Rescue Groups, General Animals
This is the season of giving, and some people ponder donating or volunteering time for a charity with a good cause. Why not donate or volunteer for a charity organization that involves animals? Unfortunately, thousands of animals are recklessly abandoned each year, and lots of them end up in animal shelters where many end up being euthanized. Even if you don’t want to adopt a new family friend, there are other ways to help make the world a better place for local cats and dogs, like volunteering your time or even donating things like food and animal supplies. Moreover, there...
Winterizing Your Pets and Their Environment
December 21, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyCats, Dogs, General Animals, Veterinarians
Winterize your pets? Isn’t it enough that they have fur (and maybe a little extra fat this time of year)?
Though nature does equip animals with winter survival gear, there are also some things we can do to make the season a better one for our pets and the other animals around us.
These tips comes from Sheri Bolda, a technician at Ellsworth Veterinary Clinic, on Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota: Read More »
For Kitty or for Myself?
December 14, 2009 — by Jane WangerskyCats, Dogs
Though I don’t like to think of my cats as people, I do like to get them something for Christmas, even if it’s just some homemade cat treats (which explains why I stayed up late one snowy December 23rd, Googling recipes for these things). No, they don’t expect anything, they don’t understand why they get presents, but they’re glad to have them.
This Christmas, though, I’m wondering if some of the gifts I’m thinking of getting them aren’t really gifts for myself. Read More »
First Snow 2009
December 10, 2009 — by MicheleChickens
The first snowstorm of the 2009-2010 winter arrived at the Kuegler mini-farm during the night. Inside the house there were great cheers at the school cancellation announcement. However, outside in the coop, the reaction was quite different.
Entering the chicken pen, I found at least six inches of snow covering the ground. As I opened the coop door, I was greeted in the typical manner with the girls crowding the entry, ready to jump out. However, seeing the white coating on the ground, they stopped short.
Thankfully the chickens reacted quickly, and no one fell out of the coop and into the...