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THE COMMERCE (GA) NEWS, WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 27, 2008 - PAGE 5B
Wacky Facts
■ March 1, National Pig Day
Vermont has the highest ratio of cows
to people in the country,
■ A group of leopards is a leap,
■ Cheetahs run about 70 mph.
— World Atmannc for Kids
Chatter Box
Dogs feej vej-y stixmgly that they should
always go with you in the car, in case the need
should arise for them to bark violently
at nothing right in your ear.”
______ — Humorist Dave Barry,
on thinkexist.com.
Just because you can get a pet
doesn’t mean that you should
By Emjue LeBeau
Chicago Tribune
Wouldn’t it bo groat? You come homo from school and
your new dog is waiting at the door to greet you. Or you
have a bad day and then your new kilty plops down in
your Lap to cuddle.
Having a pet is a dream for many kids. And finally
Mom and Dad have agreed. But just because you can get
a pet doesn’t mean you should.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals says kids are ready for a cat or dog once they're
10 years old. Want to know if you’re ready to become a
pet parent? Here are five signs:
■ You have the time. Kids who are planning a lot of
afterschool activilies, summer vacations or sports prac
tices shouldn’t gel a new pel. Heidi O’Brien of The Hu
mane Society of the United States says pets need
attention every day. “You need to know' you have a set
amount of time every day to give the animal the attention
[ilj deserves,” O’Brien says. Pets also need lime to adjust
to their new home, so O’Brien says kids shouldn't get a
pet and then take off for vacation.
■ You have happy fish. If Bubbles is swimming in a
dirty lank, you’re probably not ready for another animal
that needs even more care, "How could you have time for
another animal?” O’Brien says.
■ You have the space. This issue isn’t about where
to put the litter box. Kids who live in rental apartments
also have to consider whether their family plans to move.
O’Brien says. Not all buildings
allow animals. Then what
will happen to your pet?
■ You’ve thought
of everything. Many
kids get excited about
pets and they don’t
think of potential
problems. So before
adopting a pet, kids
also should ask: Can
1 exorcise a big dog every
day? What will happen if someone becomes allergic?
Have the answers before you adopt a pel, so there is an
other good home available if there is an allergy or time
problem, O’Brien says.
■ You’re ready for the routine. Cats and dogs like
to have a routine. That means feeding Socks or taking
Dutch for a walk at the same time
every day, “It makes them feel se
cure " O’Brien says. So kids
need to work feeding, cam and
play time into their daily
schedules.
ILLUSTRATIONS 8Y CHRIS WAREt
HttLAltHT NEWISPAPERS
What causes the
sneezing and
wheezing
Allergens. In the case of pets, a
protein found in the dander (dry
skin), saliva (spit), urine (pee) or
other things from some animals.
If you're allergic to animals, you
might have to give up that wish for a
little puppy of your own. If you can't
do that, talk to your doctor. He or
she might suggest that you try al
lergy medicine or shots. Kids who
have allergies are mom likely to have
a breathing problem called asthma.
So allergy medicine, in addition to
your regular asthma
medicines, can help
control any asthma
flare-ups.
You also can
take steps to
keep your bedroom free of al
lergens and reduce the allergens
in your home, such as:
■ Keep your pet out of your
room (even if it’s a small pet, like a
bird or gerbil), If possible, keep
your pet outside.
■ For caged animals, have some
one else clean the cage.
■ If there’s a pet in your class
room, let your teacher know about
your allergies.
■ Play with your pet, but try
not to hug or kiss the animal.
■ Wash your hands when
you’re done playing with
your pel.
■ Get rid of any rugs or
wall-to-wall carpeting in your
room.
■ Clean your room so it’s
free of household dust.
■ Have someone else wash and
biush your pet every week (cats as
well as dogs).
— compiledfrom kUtsheailh.cotn
In The News
HANDOUT
Wildlife zoologist Alan Rabinowitz, center, is
shown during a past visit to Myanmar
Against all odds
Alan Rabinowitz knows tough. Asa young zoolo
gist, the di rector of the Wiki life Conservation Soci
ety’s science and exploration program would go
anywhere to map the shrinking habitats of big ani
mals. He end uied disease, leech attacks and 500-mile
hikes through pure jungle. Today, at 53, he still looks
like he could wrestle a boa constrictor and win.
But when it comes to saving
wild animals, what really sets Ra
binowitz apait is his patience. He
has tirelessly worked with foreign govemmenls lo get
them U> set aside land lo protect endangered species
— especially big cats, like jaguars and tigers. In
1984, he conv inced the government of Belize, in Cen
tral America, to create the world’s first jaguar pre
serve.
INTO THE VALLEY OF DEATH
For more than a decade, Rabinowitz has pushed to
save the dwindling tiger population in Burma (also
known as Myanmar). The Southeast Asian country
has one of the most oppressive military governments
in the world. Last fall, it brutally cracked down on
pro-democracy protesters.
h an effort to create a wildlife sanctuary, Rabi
nowitz met with everyone from generals to rebels. He
hiked deep into the Hukawng Valley, a remote moun
tainous jungle on the border with India. In his new
book for adults, "Life in the Valley of Death,” Rabi
nowitz makes clear how difficult it was to set up the
haven for tigers.
Net only did Rahi-
nowitz need help from
Burma’s leaders, but he
also needed help from
local people. Over years of
meetings, he managed to
convince many of them to
stop hunting tigers anti the
wild game tliat is the ani
mals’ main food source.
“Animals and conser
vation can do more to
bring together cultures
and social classes than any (speeches), or aggressive
actions between nations,” he says.
Rabinowitz has been criticized for meeting with the
generals who run the military government. But he says
that their cooperation was the only way to ensure the
Hukawng Valley Tiger Reserve would be protected.
Today, the reserve, which is about the size of Ver
mont, is almost complete, Rabinowitz hopes that over
time, tiger numbei's will strengthen and the sanctuary
will be seen as a model for future conservation eiforts.
& 2008 Tin* (rig AJi Righltt Ru*ft*d
TIME FOR KIDS and TmetoTkkla.cofii are registered tademarks of Time Inc.
MGT
Help I
Try This |
Pet peeves
DEAR AMERICAN GIRL: When my friend
comes over, the only thing she wants to do is
play with my dog. I feel like she comes over
to play with my dog, not with me. —Lonely
■ If your friend doesn’t have her own dog, it
must be haid to icsist youi's. .
Tell your friend how you A m ir* q n fli rl
feel and find ways to get in /AITltTlCdll LjITI
on the fun. Play hide-and-seek: You
and your friend get a dog treat and
hide together. Quietly call your dog’s
name, and when she finds you, give
her the treat. Or lake your dog for a
walk together. If you still want to see
your friend without your dog, make
plans to meet somewhere else.
DEAR AMERICAN GIRL: / want a pet, but
my parents won t let me because my sis and
my mom are allergic to animals that shed.
— Pet Problems
■ Cals and dogs aren't the only pets around
— thera are lots of pets
that don't shed. A bird,
hermit crab or fish might
be good choices. Read about what each pet
is like and see whether you think you’d
enjoy having one. Then pick a good time to
ask your parents. They should still check
with an allergist to make sure any pet
you get will be safe to live with.
Visit americangirl.com to get or give
advice. ©?0GS1 A/nertMnGiri. LL.C All nyllli
Curl up some quilled cuties
Learn Ihe art of quilling, a
decorative paper-rolling
technique, then round up a
set of these message-bearing
spring icons.
Bor each, start by
culling a few dozen
inch-wide strips of
colored paper, each at
least 4 inches long. Curl
each strip tightly around
a toothpick.
Next, cover
a rounded, 3-
inchcard stock
body with glue
and attach the curls. Cut oul
a card stock face and ears,
adding googly eyes and
other facial features, and
glue them all in place. Allow'
the glue to dry. For the legs,
which also serve as note
holders, glue 2 clothespins to
the back of the body.
Stand the critter on a
table or attach magnetic
strips to the back and
slick it to your fridge,
then post your message in
the clips,
— FamilyFun magazine