TERRE HAUTE — The holiday season is fast approaching and with it comes potential hazards for your pet. The excitement of the activities and the smells and tastes of the foods this time of year may intrigue your pet. Even though this is a busy time of year, take care to remember to be extra vigilant regarding your pet’s activities.
Items that can make your pet sick are ribbons, wrapping paper, ornaments, tinsel, extension cords and gifts. Kitties are particularly fascinated with shiny strands of tinsel, which can be deadly. The ingestion of tinsel or other string-like items (often called linear foreign bodies) can cause serious damage to the intestines. A pet with foreign bodies can become ill with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, belly pain, and frequently, fever.
Holiday lighting attracts pets. Electrical shock could occur from pets chewing on the cords. Check cords for bite marks, loose or frayed wires, or evidence of short circuits. Use three-prong grounded extension cords and follow manufacturers’ recommendations for usage. Electrical shock can cause burns, labored breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, loss of consciousness and death. If your pet has been injured by electrical shock, call your veterinarian.
Pets are usually interested in new sources of water such as the toilet or the Christmas tree stand. Be careful when adding chemicals meant to keep your tree fresh longer. Read the label and make sure it is “pet safe.” Another attraction for your pets is potpourri; make sure the pots are covered or inaccessible to pets.
The holiday season is about sharing with family and friends, but sharing holiday foods with your pet can cause an upset stomach, or worse, pancreatitis. In order to control the excessive food intake by your pets, set aside a plate of treats for your pets and let your guests “treat” the pets. To make it more festive, mix some of your pet’s regular food with water and make dough that you roll out and cut into shapes. Bake them until crunchy. Give your pets some “personal space” to get away from the commotion in a bedroom or den. Sometimes pets will respond to a lot of hubbub by eliminating on the floor.
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without chocolate! But keep in mind that chocolate can be toxic or even fatal to cats and dogs. Chocolate poisoning occurs most commonly in dogs but others are also susceptible. Theobromine is the toxic compound found in chocolate. Symptoms that can appear within 1 to 4 hours include vomiting, increased thirst, diarrhea, weakness, difficulty with balance, hyperexcitability, muscle spasms, seizures, coma or death. If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate, call your veterinarian. Typically, the treatment for poisoning is the most effective if begun soon after eating the poison and before large amounts have been absorbed into the blood.
Mistletoe can be very toxic to your pet. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet has ingested any part of the plant. Mistletoe can cause vomiting, severe diarrhea, difficult breathing, shock and death within hours of ingestion. Various species of holly berries and leaves can cause vomiting, belly pain and diarrhea.
An adorable puppy or kitten may seem like the perfect Christmas gift, but unfortunately after the holiday season, animal shelters explode with these “surprise gifts.” Owning a pet is a lifelong commitment that not everyone can make. Please give careful consideration when deciding on that new pet.
Rona
Breed: Chow Chow mix
Size: Medium
Age: Adult
Sex: Female
This place is a lot bigger and busier than I ever imagined. Hi, I’m Rona. I’m a short, full-grown 2-year-old trying to figure out why so many dogs end up here like me. I’m cute, fun, lightweight (37 pounds), easy to take on trips and most definitely deserving of a good home. I see lots of people walk by but no one seems to be looking all the way down here where I’m standing. I may have to start barking for attention … but that’s really not my style. Well, for now, I’ll just keep to myself and hope someone comes looking for me soon. I’m here … waiting for my rescuer to come find me.
Valley Life
PAW PRINTS: Beware of health hazards involving your pets during the holidays
- Valley Life
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Turning wrenches: If something’s broken, Joe Preston fixes it
Vintage photos of race cars — of the compact “midget” style — hang on the wall inside Joe Preston’s garage.
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Birthday: May 27, 2012
Shirley Ann Kaperak of Terre Haute will observe her 80th birthday Monday.
An open house is scheduled 2 to 5 p.m. June 24 in the home of her daughter at 6971 E. Rosehill Ave., in Terre Haute.
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Valley Life: May 27, 2012
• Terre Haute Children’s Museum to host volunteer orientation session
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WEDDING: May 27, 2012
• Ummel-McMichael
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Tried ‘N’ True: Try this crock pot stew for busy days
We are getting busy with outside work, cleaning yards and planting our gardens, picking berries and also hunting mushrooms. I can’t go out anymore. But I hope you all have found a bunch. This recipe is an easy one to fix. Get your slow cookers out and have a great meal when you are tired. Everyone will think you are full of energy.
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ENGAGEMENTS: May 27, 2012
• Majors-Seneviratne
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GRAPE SENSE: The story behind the consistent, easy to appreciate 7 Deadly Zins
The story behind one of the best tasting and most successful value wines has good winemaking, gratitude to terrible sweet wine, and a long family history of fruit production to credit for its success.
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PAW PRINTS: Don’t take a chance with you pet and heat
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has made recommendations for your pet during the summer heat. Don’t take a chance with your dog or cat. They, too, can suffer from overheating, dehydration, and sunburn.
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Bridge Column: May 27, 2012
The Bridge Club is happy to welcome Linda and Richard Easton back from Florida.
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ANNIVERSARIES: May 27, 2012
• Mr. and Mrs. John R. Edwards
• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Cooper
• Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. McMullen
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The sky’s the limit
Backyard astronomers stare at the night sky, trying to remember how to find the North Star, the Big Dipper and Mars.
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TRIED ’N’ TRUE: Whip up a rhubarb surprise cake
This recipe comes from Ruth Baker. She sent a lot of rhubarb recipes. I have been putting them in the paper for the last three years. I’ve almost used most of them. Some I have used more than others. Mary Hunter also had this recipe. I have made this a lot. Gene really likes this. I use sweetener and yellow or white sugar-free cake mix. The only sugar I put in this recipe is in the marshmallows. Adjust for this. Our grandkids also enjoy this cake. Thanks to Ruth and Mary.
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Resource helps with child care search
Hoosier families now have a digital tool to assess child care facilities for quality, safety and other benchmarks, and can take virtual tours of select facilities. Child Care Online is a free Internet search tool designed so consumers can easily and conveniently compare child care programs and can identify a range of high-quality care choices.
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PAW PRINTS: Heatstroke can harm, kill pets
Spring and summer temperatures in the Midwest often reach into the high 80s and 90s. Some people wouldn’t consider sitting out in the heat until the sun went down.
- GROUPS AND GATHERINGS: May 20, 2012
- ANNIVERSARY: May 20, 2012
- VALLEY DATEBOOK: May 20, 2012
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Ferguson land gift strikes conservation note
Gov. Mitch Daniels recently accepted what is believed to be one of the largest private land conservation gifts in state history — 1,500 acres of the Ferguson farm near Springville in Lawrence County.
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Chi Omega chapters raise $7,600 for Make-A-Wish
The Chi Omega chapters at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Indiana State University raised $7,600 for Make-A-Wish, which will help grant the wish of a 6-year-old girl named Sandy.
- WEDDING: May 20, 2012
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BRIDGE: May 20, 2012
The Terre Haute Bridge Club is fortunate to have a successful Monday Evening Fun Bridge game with at least six tables, and one couple has decided to stretch their game to include other games throughout the week.
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Vermillion Mega Park open for Memorial Day visitors
In observance of Memorial Day, Vermillion Rise Mega Park, with the assistance of the Vermillion County Sherriff’s Department, will accommodate cemetery visits between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 26 through May 28
- ENGAGEMENTS: May 20, 2012
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YOUR GREEN VALLEY: Oil in your backyard: Track where new wells are planned
The Indiana Division of Oil and Gas well records show there are 72 existing oil wells in Vigo County.
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Summer Sidewalk Sale set
Marshall Main Street’s Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9.
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Mother's Day stories: Amazing, Loving, Patient, Faithful, Friend, Brave
It’s merely one word, yet the conjunction of those six letters conjures up so many meanings and feelings. While teaching us both the simple and profound lessons in life, mothers somehow can instill morals and memories. They can guide us on our journey, pick us up when we fall, and let go when we must find our own strength.
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VALLEY LIFE BRIEFLY: May 13, 2012
Senior Citizens Picnic scheduled at Forest Park
New group offers support to moms
Edgar Extension to host edible centerpiece workshop
Style show features Wabash Valley celebrities
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PAW PRINTS: Kitten-proof the home before bringing pet home
It’s kitten season at the Terre Haute Humane Society. Come and take a look at all the many colors currently living at the shelter. Fall in love with the adorable babies, and take advantage of the sibling discount and adopt two. Kittens are so much fun. They’re inquisitive, playful and loving.
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TRIED ‘N’ TRUE: Rhubarb, strawberries, cherries ready at same time
With rhubarb, strawberries and cherries being about ready at the same time, this recipe is so easy.
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GRAPE SENSE: Finding a 100 percent Carignan will be worth the effort
It’s a long path from Louisville, Ky., to Saint-Jean-de-Minervois in Southern France. But that’s the journey Brown University graduate John Bojanowski took in transformation from literature major to Languedoc winery owner.
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