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December 2007

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It feels like the year has gone by so fast. Many people are again looking for that special gift for their loved ones... but please remember, pets are not good gifts! If you think a friend or family member would love to get a pet, ask your local humane society or pet rescue organization if you can purchase a gift certificate. If gift certificates aren't available, hand-make one or design one on your computer. Gift certificates allow the recipient to choose a pet that suits their household, personality, and lifestyle. Anyways, it's better to wait until after the stress of the holidays is over in order to introduce a new member of the family. I'm not sure who said it, but this quote says it best: "Pets are for life, not just for Christmas." Have a happy holiday season and see you again in the New Year! -- P.S. As always, your pet photos are welcome! Please send them along and we'll include some of the best in next year's issues.

PET QUOTES

"My dear old dog, most constant of all friends." (William Croswell Doane) "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." (Anatole France)

PHOTOS FROM PROUD PET PARENTS - RESCUED PETS
"This is Yoda, adopted from the BCSPCA in Burnaby, BC. He was found neglected and wandering the streets. I got him in Feb 2006 & he has been a loveable wee angel ever since. I think he looks so proud in this photo. I would recommend anyone looking for a pet to go to a shelter." - Dorothy M.	"This is Harley, our 3-year-old Daschund. We rescued him from a shelter in Northern Quebec at the tender age of 9 months! He had been in the shelter for 3 months!" - Theresa from Highland Creek, Ontario
"This is Zali our new little princess, and Nimo our little prince, both adorable shih tzus, adopted from SOS dog rescue in Quebec. The second photo is of our 3rd baby from the SOS rescue team, and he's 7 months old according to the vet, we are not sure if he's a shih tzu or a Lhasa Apso, but he has a great personality. He just had a hair cut because he was in real bad shape. He was abandoned over the fence of the dog pound in Quebec, the operator of the pound found him the next morning... and now the sad story has a happy ending! - Amira & John, Etobicoke, Ontario
Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos!

A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM A HUMANE SOCIETY

Many loving and deserving pets wait for a second chance at humane societies and pet rescue organizations. All pets go through an adjustment period in their new homes, and some will need training, but those who adopt will often attest to how happy they are with their new companions. Here's one reader's story. "We adopted a wonderful dog from the Cochrane Humane Society two and a half years ago and now we can't remember our life before her. Maggie Belle (picture shown) was 6 years old when she came to live with us. Her previous people moved from BC to Alberta and could not find a rental property that would take her. So they surrendered her to the Cochrane Humane Society. She was there for about a month before a co-worker of my husband's put her info on their internal internet. Inviting her to live with us was one of the best things we have ever done. We have never regretted a single minute. She has not destroyed a thing; she has not had any accidents in the house; she does not get into the garbage or dig in the yard. Her prevous people must have loved her because it shows. She is not timid or nervous. She is confident and loving. We have spoiled her - we had the windows in both cars tinted to prevent her from getting too hot while travelling. She could not manoeuver the back seat of our small truck so we bought a bigger one. We were building a small camper trailer when we met her but it was too small for three so we bought a new camper trailer so she'd have her own bunk. Crazy dog people :-) Cheers, Renee, Ken and Maggie Belle"

HOLIDAY HAZARDS FOR PETS

Eat, drink, and be merry... but be safe, too! Here are a few tips on how to help keep your pet safe and happy over the busy holiday season. Try to keep your pet on his regular diet. Ask guests not to feed your pet tidbits -- too many snacks of the wrong type can cause severe illness. Some food items to watch out for include: Alcohol. Chocolate: toxic to many animals, even in small amounts. Leftovers and fatty foods: greasy, rich foods can cause severe discomfort or illness, or diarrhea in your pet. Make sure your pet can't get into the garbage either, as cooked bones may splinter and cause injury to your pet if he attempts to eat them. If you want to give your pet a treat, try offering some fresh veggies or a bit of grilled or boiled meat instead. Many excellent dog treats are available at specialty pet stores as well - why not try something new? Keep inappropriate items out of harm's way. Some pets, for example, may decide that aluminum foil or plastic wrap (especially when "seasoned" with food juices) are good things to eat. Likewise, they might swallow tinsel from the tree. It's easier to keep these types of items out of reach rather than rush your pet to the emergency room. Also keep holiday plants such as poinsettias, lilies, holly berries, and mistletoe out of your pet's reach. These plants are toxic to pets and can cause distress distress if ingested. Make sure your pet doesn't escape out the door. With so many people coming and going, a pet could easily slip out the door undetected. Give your pet his own comfortable, quiet place. Many pets enjoy the excitement of the holidays, but others find it stressful. Watch your pet for signs that he's had enough excitement. Christmas tree water can contain nasty chemicals that can cause illness in pets. Use a stand that has a cover for the water so that your pets cannot access it. Get a sturdy stand for your Christmas tree. One good tail wag may cause the tree to wobble or even tip over!

A RESCUE DOG'S CHRISTMAS POEM (Author Unknown)

When Found ... Now in a Happy Home! 'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town, Every shelter is full... we're lost, but not found. Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare, We hope every minute that someone will care. They'll come to adopt us and give us the call, "Come here, Max, or Sparky, come fetch your new ball!" But we sit here and think of the days... We were treated so fondly... we had cute baby ways. Once we were little, then we grew and we grew... Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new. So out the back door we were thrown like the trash, They reacted so quickly... why were they so rash? We "jump on the children," "don't come when they call," We "bark when they leave us," "climb over the wall." We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed, Now we suffer the consequences of the errors THEY made. If only they'd trained us, if only we knew... We'd of done what they asked us and worshipped them too. We were left in the backyard, or worse, left to roam... Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home. They dropped us off here and they kissed us goodbye... "Maybe someone else will give you a try." So here we are, all confused and alone... In a shelter for others who long for a home. The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat, With so many to care for, they can't stay or chat, They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer... We know that they wonder how long we'll be here. We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads... Of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds. Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears... Our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear. If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn... Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin? We count on your kindness each day of the year... Can you give more than hope to everyone here? Please make a donation to pay for the heat... And help get us something special to eat. The shelter that cares for us wants us to live, And more of us will, if more people give. # # # Please consider making a donation to your local SPCA or pet rescue organization. Your donation can help provide a homeless animal with nutritious food, a warm place to sleep, and a chance at a new life. Thank you for caring.

UPCOMING PET EVENTS

Dec 9 & 16: Etobicoke, Ontario: The Etobicoke Humane Society invites the community to join them at “Paws and Claus”, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, at Cloverdale Mall - Hwy 427 & Dundas St. W., Etobicoke. Get great photos of Santa with your four-legged love ones, have fun and support your local Humane Society. Dec 9/07: Calgary, Alberta: the Calgary Humane Society's 28th annual Christmas Party for the Animals will include favourites from the past such a visit from Santa, refreshments and tasty treats, plus some new activities. More info If your non-profit pet organization is holding an event, please send us the details!

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