Pet Health

Assuming there is a grand scheme for things, did you ever wonder where ticks fit in? Think about it. Lots of other “creepy-crawlies,” for lack of a better term, fill an important niche in the ecosystem. But ticks? Do we really need them?

Well, here we go again! Under the Obama administration, the US Fish and Wildlife Service implemented a rule that prohibited certain hunting methods on 76 million acres of federal land in Alaska. On February 17, the House of Representatives passed H.R. Resolution 69, which is the first step in revoking the rule under the Congressional Review Act. Claudia Tenney, John Katko and Tom Reed all voted in favor of the resolution.

Corey is a big handsome lug of a kitty. He’s super friendly and gets along fine with other cats. When you are trying to get some work done, but don’t really have your heart in it, he will “help” by sprawling on your keyboard so you just have to take a break and pet him.

I know it’s still March (and there’s 3 feet of snow on the ground), but I am planning my gardens for this year and I want to plant more things that will attract honey bees and other pollinators. I am concerned about the implications of having too many bees around with my dog, Zippy, who is curious, playful and a little bit stupid, if you must know.

She was the first cat rescued of the Boylston Sweet 16, a group of cats of all ages and descriptions rescued by the Oswego County Humane Society and United Friend of Homeless Animals after the roof of their house collapsed during a blizzard. She is still amazing – beautiful and sweet and friendly and and calm. She gets along fine with other cats, likes people and attention, and she’s getting a little lonely in the “cat room.”

I just got back from my vet with my cat, Charlie, and I am totally confused. I thought that every cat always got the same vaccines on the same schedule. She said it was not so simple – there are four “core” vaccines (FPV, Rabies, FHV and FCV) that almost all cats should have, with a few very rare exceptions. But, there are six more that they can have depending on their “lifestyle.” I ended up just having the core vaccines, I guess because he’s an indoor cat and never travels or gets boarded, but when did it get so complicated?

Did you ever think about how some actresses, as they get older, seem to evolve into almost regal creatures who are both gentle and tough and totally interesting? Think Judi Dench, Jessica Lange, Goldie Hawn. Sandy is like that. At 12 years old, she has a history and an air about her, but at the same time she is totally sweet and friendly.

Sweet Pea is one of the Boylston Sweet 16, a group of cats rescued by the Oswego County Humane Society and United Friend of Homeless Animals after the roof of their house collapsed during the blizzard at the beginning of February. Like most of her housemates she is amazing – a beautiful long-haired tortie, sweet and friendly and perky.

We told you that on February 3, the United States Department of Agriculture suddenly removed all inspection reports and other information from its website about the treatment of animals at federally licensed research laboratories, zoos, dog breeding operations (puppy mills) and other facilities. We urged you to complain vociferously about this unprecedented retreat from government transparency. On February 18, the USDA reposted some of the records.