I keep a compost pile—actually two—in my back yard. They’re very basic and simple, but they work for me: four sturdy metal fence posts wrapped twice in fine mesh fencing. The wire mesh is sunk six inches below the ground, and it’s three feet high and about three feet wide in any direction.
One compost pile is within the bounds of my garden, which is also fenced in, but the other is close to the...
Constipation? Diarrhea? Maybe your veterinarian has suggested that you increase the fiber in your pet’s diet by giving pureed pumpkin to either bulk up the stool or loosen it. Both cats and dogs usually love it, plus it’s inexpensive and a natural, healthy choice.
In either case, you probably went to the grocery store, searched around, and finally found a big can of 100% pure pumpkin—not pie...
Eventually, a beloved pet becomes very old, seriously ill, or badly injured to the point that his or her end is near, and it may be time to make some very difficult decisions. This isn’t an easy subject for most animal lovers, but I’ve had to tackle it several times, unfortunately. The first time was the worst because I just didn’t know what to do or what was right for me.
If you’re...
Even the most dedicated cat lover may find that “pilling” a cat is trying, at best. A few cats are agreeable, but most of us learn just how sharp a cat’s teeth and claws actually are when we try to give him a pill.
No matter what technique you use, here are some helpful tips:
Do check with your veterinarian on all aspects of your cat’s care.
Do make pill-time a positive experience. Pick a...
As you probably know, so-called swine flu is primarily a human disease, and it doesn’t come from eating pork or being around pigs. Unfortunately, though, it looks like pigs might be able to contract the influenza, known in medical communities as H1N1, and local pot bellied pig enthusiasts, like the owners of Ross Mill Farm, are taking precautions.
I’ve never had any kind of a pig—pot bellied or...
