“Dogs are social, emotional beings.


Companionship is far more important than any material object. Interact with your dog, play with him or take him for a walk.”


~ Dr. Clare Wilson, pet behavior counselor, St. Petersburg, Florida


with a sodium-free bouillon cube,” suggests Eileen Proctor, a pet lifestyle expert in Denver. “As soon as the dog sniffs the card, reward with praise and the designated gift. Once the game is learned, there is no need to keep scenting the cards.” Turn up a corner of all the cards for easy pickup.


Purrfect for Cats Cats may like to play it cool, but bring out a laser pointer and they act like kittens again. To mimic hunting instincts, play hide- and-seek with kitty’s food; put holes in a closed box with special bits of dry food inside, then let her paw it out or roll the box. Place a too-large-to-swallow jingle bell inside an empty toilet paper roll and tape the ends shut for a charming-sound- ing toy. An orphaned sock filled with crinkly cellophane and sewn shut makes an intriguing toy to drag around. Improvise a fishing pole from a colorful dowel rod and heavy twine with a pet- and planet-friendly item tied on the end for a pet to chase. Cats love to squeeze themselves into small spaces or relax in larger ones, so pass along gift boxes.


Pretty-Bird Specials


In the wild, birds spend most of their time foraging for food. Mimic a wilderness search by hiding food beneath an unused, unbleached coffee filter or a large lettuce leaf. Cut food in pieces big enough to hold in a claw to help hone balance. Hide seeds in a made-for-birds piñata, available at pet supply stores. Puzzle boxes range from reach-in-for-food versions to slide-a-door or pull-a-knob difficulty levels.


Fun for Fish


Betta (Siamese fighting) fish love to rest near the surface, so provide a leafy hammock, available where supplies are sold. Finned friends get exercise as they chase a laser pointer’s red dot through the water. A new plant or ping-pong ball floating on the surface provides added entertainment. Moss balls are a good place to hide food and also help keep the water clean. A ceramic log lets fish hide inside.


Climbing Crabs Hermit crabs are social animals, both curious and amusing. The gift of a new shell or two during molting season is appre- ciated. Flat-topped rocks with textured sides, large enough to not tip over, provide a different view. Fibers like those used for macramé, hung from the lid of the tank almost to the floor mimic rope climbing. Upside-down terra cotta flower pots, in different sizes and covered with netting, provide more surfaces and heights to explore. “Time spent together is a gift for both the giver and the re-


natural awakenings November 2014 23


cipient,” says Proctor. “It’s more thoughtful than anything you can find in a store. You always get back more than you give.”


Sandra Murphy is a freelance writer in St. Louis, MO. Connect at StLouisFreelanceWriter@mindspring.com.


Pet Precautions


As with kids, don’t shower all the surprises on a pet at once. The choices will be overwhelming. Instead, rotate them while keeping one favorite on hand.


4 Check for loose knobs or small parts on toys and around the house; anything that can break off from a strong bite. Favor smooth, rounded edges.


4 Puzzles and other toys are for supervised play only.


4 Never point a laser light at a pet’s eyes—it can severely damage their vision.


4 Poinsettias can be poisonous to pets—keep them out of reach or out of the house.


4 Because a dog or cat’s tongue is rough, if they chew on tinsel, ribbon, yarn or other textured wrappings or decorations, it’s likely to get swallowed, which can lead to a medical emergency.


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