cats

Most Christmas manger scenes include animals, because the Christ child was born in a stable.  And besides Joseph and Mary, they were the only witnesses to the birth of Jesus.  So it seems only natural that we would want to include our pets in family celebrations, especially at Christmas!

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So many pets are waiting in shelters for a home and an owner to love them; and they're ready to love you back, if you will just give them a chance.  What better gift can you give yourself for Christmas than a furry companion to share all your holidays and everydays?!

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Hanukkah, which begins December 6th this year, brings excitement, food, gifts and of course, the beautiful Menorah.  As you enjoy the traditions of this Festival of Lights, keep your pet's safety and well being in mind.

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It is not easy to keep your pet safe from the dangers posed by the Christmas tree.  It may be best if the tree is in a room with a door that you can close, so your four-footed buddy cannot have unsupervised access to the tempting holiday decorations!

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Most of the foods we enjoy at Thanksgiving are not good for our pets, but pumpkin is pet-friendly and healthy!  Make sure you feed your furry friend only the meat of the pumpkin (not the skin, stem or leaves), and use only fresh or pure canned pumpkin.

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This is a time of year when there are fewer puppies and kittens available to adopt.  But shelters still have lots of great adult animals and even some older (senior) pets who need good homes and loving owners!

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If you have a great animal shelter in your community, let them know you appreciate the work they do.  If your shelter is not so great, maybe you can help to make it better, not just for the animals but for everyone.

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As the NAVTA website says, veterinary technicians (vet techs) find themselves caring for a wide variety of animals, some with fur, some with feathers, even some with scales.  They are the nurses of the veterinary world, and can help make sure your pet gets the best possible health care.  So, hug a vet tech this week!

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If you take your pet to a local Blessing of the Animals ceremony, make sure you have it either on a leash or in a cage or carrier.  That way, everyone can be focused on enjoying the special event!

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The animals that are most likely to carry rabies in your neighborhood are raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks.  Do not try to handle these animals and teach your children to stay away from them.

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Can you spot the pets in this house?  Without help, neither can a firefighter.  Knowing where to look and how many animals to find makes it more likely firefighters can rescue pets from a house fire.

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Bubba the School Cat has been with the same group of students through middle school and now into high school.  In 2017, will Bubba graduate with the rest of his class? 

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Bretagne epitomizes the relationship between humans and working animals.  Trained for search and rescue, her first assignment was the World Trade Center on 9/11.  Not only was she very good at her job she also took on the role of comforter for firefighters and other first responders, nuzzling close and letting them hold her and pet her.  She was trained to search, but her love for people made her special.

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The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate America, but it's important to remember that the safety of our family is the most important consideration.  If your family includes a pet, it's up to you to keep them safe to enjoy all the family celebrations for years to come.

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Animals touch us in ways we can't explain or even understand.  Who would think that naming a Calico cat as stationmaster of a Japanese train station would draw not just attention but so many visitors?  Now Tama's likeness adorns souvenirs and even trains!

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Finding the right name for your new feline friend might be easy, or it could be a challenge.  You want something you like, something easy to remember - and nothing too embarrassing if you are calling for it in the unlikely (we hope) event it should it accidentally get out!

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Polydactyl cats have extra toes on one or more paws.  They are often called Hemingway cats.

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A cat is a relatively easy pet to keep in the house, and one that will be a good companion.  Cats are playful and funny and make great snuggle-buddies!

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Keeping your best friend safe in a disaster is easier if you plan ahead.  Put together a kit with all the important supplies, then make sure you take your four-footed companion and get out of harm's way in plenty of time to keep you both safe.

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Nowadays, we can buy pet costumes for Halloween, take our dog or cat out in a pet stroller, board them at pet daycare, even buy veterinary health insurance for them.  We can even adopt (as opposed to "buy") them from our local animal shelter.  Legally they may be considered property, but humans are treating their furry companions as part of the family!

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Be Kind to Animals Week is a great time to celebrate the unique bond between humans and animals.  Whether you focus on taking proper care of pets, or compassion for the plight of animals in need, or simply the enjoyment of the beauty animals add to our world, our lives are enriched - especially so by the ones we call our best friends!

Pet owners should know how to recognize the signs of heat stroke in their furry friend, and how to respond.  It's also good to know the proper way to wrap and dress a wound, and maybe even how to perform CPR on an animal.  (CPR is different for dogs and cats.)  A little know-how could help your pet survive in an emergency

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Dogs are naturally social animals, but during the dog flu epidemic it might be up to you to keep it company.  After all, that's what best friends are for!

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How much do you know about caring for rabbits?  Take this little quiz to see if you really might want a rabbit as a pet because, like it or not, that cute baby Easter bunny will be a full-grown rabbit before you know it!

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How a pet fits into your household and into your life is often an evolving relationship, much like most of the other personalities that fill our lives!

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Puppies and kittens are so cute, and so plentiful in the Spring - too plentiful. in fact.  If you are considering adopting a new pet, this is the perfect time of year because so many are available and looking for a home!

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On the Isle of Man, the home of origin for the Manx cat, some folks still use the term "stubbin" to refer to the felines without a tail.  Throughout their history they have been valued as rodent hunters, but today they are prized as great pets!

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Finding the perfect bed for your cat can sometimes be a challenge.  Often a cat will choose it's own place to sleep, and that may change from one day to the next, or even one hour to the next.  Still, providing your feline friend with a comfortable bed of its own may provide a feeling of security for your furry buddy.

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If you want to help reduce the problem of pet overpopulation, begin by having your own pet spayed or neutered . Once you have done that, perhaps you might be willing to support efforts in your community to spay and neuter strays and feral animals.

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Pet breath may never smell particularly fresh to us humans, but it should not be really odorous.  But good dental health for pets is about more than the smell; it's about making sure your best friend is healthy from nose to tail.

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