[ PET OHANA ]
HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
Thanksgiving-inspired outfits worn by Marnie McClain's cat Hobie and dog Mozart, earned them a spot on the Hawaiian Humane Society's 2004 "Pets in Paradise" calendar. Sales of the $10 calendar will go toward caring for the shelter's animals. Calendars are available at humane society, Hawaii Doggie Bakery at Ward Warehouse, Bark Avenue in Hawaii Kai, Crazy Canine in Aiea, Dino's Doggie Deli in Kailua, and Yuppie Puppie in Salt Lake.
Holiday season can
be hazardous for pets
Thanksgiving marks the start of the holidays, and for pet lovers, that means sharing the love and spirit of the season. But while focusing on good cheer, many are unaware that the holidays can also bring hazards that can pop up virtually everywhere: on the table, around the tree, in holiday lighting.
We encourage pet owners to keep companion animals' safety in mind while decorating and celebrating. Here are some things to look out for:
Foods
Too much fatty, rich or even new types of foods can give your pet an upset stomach or pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, a gland that produces enzymes that help digest food, as well as hormones that regulate sugar and amino acids, sometimes with life-threatening results for dogs and cats.So it's best to leave the "people food" on the table. Don't give in to that pleading look in your pet's soulful eyes, except with an appropriate pet treat.
>> Bones: These can tear or obstruct your pets' insides. Never give your pet leftover bones, especially turkey bones, which can be easily broken and swallowed. Even steak bones can chip with disastrous results.
>> Onions: Often found in turkey stuffing, onions can destroy a dog's red blood cells, leading to anemia. Keep all onions out of pets' reach.
>> Chocolate: If your pet gets into the chocolate candies, the result can be vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. Baking chocolate can actually kill your dog, so keep all candies well out of reach.
>> String and gift ribbon: Sometimes used to tie the turkey during roasting, strings can tie up your pets' insides if ingested. Wrapped gifts placed under the holiday tree offer a challenge to unsupervised pets who might open the boxes and accidentally swallow the ribbons and more.
Decorations
>> Tree ornaments: When it's time to put up a holiday tree, anchor it securely so the pets cannot tip it over, then use only unbreakable ornaments within reach of the animals. Be careful with tinsel, ribbons or food garland decorations that can also be a cause of harm.>> Lighting: That mass of electrical cords behind the tree can be an attractive chew toy. Keep cords covered and away from the reach of curious paws and teeth. Check your connections periodically to make sure the wires are not being chewed. Unplug the lights before you leave home.
>> Holiday greenery: Pine needles that drop to the floor might be chewed by curious puppies or kittens. When swallowed, the sharp needles can puncture their intestines. The milky sap of poinsettias can give your pet gastric distress; holly and mistletoe are also toxic.
>> Candles: Place decorative candles up and out of reach of your animals, and anchor them securely. Extinguish any candles when you leave a room. If you share your home with curious kittens, puppies or birds, candles are risky decorations. Consider other lighting options.
Other hazards
>> Parties and ID: Guests coming and going during the holidays mean your door is opening and closing more than usual. Protect your pet from escaping, especially during the excitement of a holiday gathering, by making him comfortable before the party; put him in a quiet room with his bed, some food and water, and the soothing sound of a radio. Make sure all your pets are wearing their collars with identification every day.>> Painkillers: If holiday stress brings on a headache, treat the pain, but keep your human painkillers away from pets. Cats are especially sensitive to acetaminophen (Tylenol), which causes liver failure in one to three days. A toxic reaction to ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) can cause vomiting and loss of muscle coordination; high doses can be fatal. Naproxen (Aleve) can also be lethal to dogs and cats. Even aspirin can be dangerous. Don't add these to the water under your live holiday tree if you have a pet.
The best pet treat
To show your pets how thankful you are to have them as part of your family, give them a treat of their own, whether its a little catnip pouch, a special chewy treat or a tablespoon of peanut butter stuffed in a hollow Kong toy.Thank your companion animals for their unconditional love by giving them some special attention during the holidays. Pet your dog or cat quietly while watching TV, or groom your animal gently. Keep your pet's exercise and feeding schedule as normal as possible. Purchase a new interactive toy and then play with it together. You may also wish to make a donation in your pet's name to the animal welfare organization of your choice.
"Pet Ohana" runs the first and third Fridays of the month. The Hawaiian Humane Society is a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. They are at 2700 Waialae Ave. Call 946-2187.
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[ PET BRIEFS ]
Paws on the Path
The Paws on the Path hiking group will meet at Peacock Flats Trail in Mokuleia on Nov. 29.The hike for dogs and their owners will be led a Hawaiian Humane Society volunteer at the paved trail named for the peacocks that live there. Meet time is 8:30 a.m., with the hike beginning at 9 and ending at about 11 a.m.
For details, call Kelli at 946-2187, ext. 217.
Paws for fashion
Hawaii Doggie Bakery marks its fifth anniversary with a "Paws for Fashion" show at noon tomorrow at the Ward Warehouse amphitheater stage.Accompanying the well-dressed pooches in the free show will be local celebrities modeling human apparel from Roxy Quiksilver, Calista by Cotton Cargo, Blue Ginger and Local Fever.
For more information, call 521-7297.
Pets on film
"Pets in Hawaii" has been selected as the theme for Canon USA Hawaii's annual Amateur Photo Contest 2004.Entries will be reviewed and judged by a panel of photography and media professionals. Photos will be evaluated on visual impact, technical skill and how well they reflect the theme. Only prints will be accepted, at a maximum of 8 by 10 inches.
Application forms are available at the Canon USA Hawaii branch at 210 Ward Ave. Suite 200, KGMB-TV and KRATER Hawaii 96 Radio. The deadline for entries is Feb. 29. Winning entries will be displayed at the Canon Photo Gallery in April.
For more information, call 522-5930.
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