Pet Health

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, they’re at it again. The United States House Agriculture Committee has approved the addition of language to the Farm Bill that, if passed, could destroy hundreds, if not thousands, of important animal-protection laws.

If you missed having a Porky and Buddy column last week, we are sorry. But, we have a good excuse. Guess where we are? Australia! Yup. It’s a field trip for us to learn all about Australia’s many unique animals. So far, we’ve seen kookaburra birds, fed kangaroos, held koalas (which are plump and sleepy, not much like a stuffed animal at all, but very cute), ducked to avoid a barn owl flying over our heads, heard tree frogs (which sound just like our peepers in Oswego), heard Sulphur Crested Cockatoos screeching in huge flocks, and saw Dingos in a sanctuary.

Arlo is quite the family man! He loves dogs, cats and children of all ages. Not much can bother this social gentleman. He understands the important role of furniture in a cat’s life and he hopes that you do, too.

Baxter is a grown-up cat and full of love. He is a sweet boy and would make a great addition to a family that can take care of and love him right back. He loves to lay around in the evening, and will come and sit on your lap and fall asleep there. No stupid kitten antics-just a lot of purring.

Did you know that some pet stores in New York sell pets using a financing/leasing scheme that is essentially rent-to-own? Legislation has been introduced in New York State that would ban this predatory lending practice and it needs your support.

This soulful wild-child is looking for someone who is willing to love her on her terms. Like many cats, Cher does not like to be picked up, because she’s, you know, “catty.” She does like you to pet her and sweet-talk her about how beautiful she is. (And don’t we all?)

Dobie is a 10-month-old kitten who, as you can see, loves naps! Most of the pictures we receive from his foster are of him nested in his favorite spot in the cat tree. But don’t let his sleepy eyes fool you.

I am “friends” on Facebook with a guy who talks all the time about his dogs. I say “friends” in quotes because I don’t really know him or even where he lives, but somewhere around here I think. Anyway, he has started to talk about his dogs in a way that makes me worried that there might be some animal cruelty or at least neglect going on. What I mean is that he admits that one of his dogs got Lyme disease (he thinks) but has never taken her to a vet. And he says weird things about alpha dogs that make me think the he doesn’t really understand that concept but is using it to encourage his dogs to fight with each other.

Harry is a handsome gray lover boy, about ten months old. He tries to play with the grumpy older cats in his foster home and he is trying to teach the dog to play like a cat, but she can’t figure it out. So instead he plays with his humans and his endless supply of little plastic balls. But what he really wants is a kid of his own.