- Karyn Stratton
In This Issue:
A Note From The Editor:
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Here ' s an idea that ' s certainly worth stealing, and possibly even life saving! In parts of Europe, abandoned mailboxes are being repurposed into mini dog shelters. Volunteers have lined the interiors with thick layers of padding, and elevated the boxes to prevent moisture from seeping in. These renovated structures are positioned near areas that are frequented by strays- near water sources, restaurant parking lots, and wooded trails- and now offer warmth and shelter to lost and stray dogs and cats in harsh winter weather.
As I sit here writing this, it ' s ten degrees outside with about twelve inches of snow. At night, the wind chill has temps dropping below zero. I worry about all the stray animals and lost pets that have to endure this and wonder how they ' ll make it through these life-threatening conditions. Structures such as these could provide comfort and warmth until these animals are off the streets, and it wouldn ' t even have to involve abandoned mailboxes. A lot of kind-hearted folks repurpose styrofoam coolers for stray cats. Maybe we could upgrade that a bit... use wood from pallets that are often just discarded, make the structures larger, and insulate them to provide a cozy nook for furry guests to stay safe and dry. In some European cities, the structures are stocked with kibble by kind-hearted caretakers, and several are even GPS-tagged for vet services and feeding routes.
So many good ideas are circulated on social media- this is one that deserves to go viral!
- Karyn Stratton
In This Issue:
Pet Calendar of Events............................................. page 2 Upcoming Pet Events............................................... page 3 Around the Hydrant: News You Can Use............... page 4 Pet Dental Month..................................................... page 4 Liberty Cat................................................................ page 5 Breed All About It- The Mini Aussie Shepherd..... page 6 Health Highlights- Spay / Neuter Month................ page 7 Cute & Crazy Critters.............................................. page 8 Adoption: A Loving Option.................................... pages 10, 11 Pawsitively Delicious................................................ page 12 Ask the Groomer- Frostbite in Dogs...................... page 13 Win a Lamb Chop Plush Dog Toy........................... page 13 Help Birds Weather the Winter............................... page 14 Subscriptions- Let Us Fetch Your Next Copy........ page 15
On our cover: " Pebbles " Thanks to Lisa-Marie Carriere of Dowling, Ontario, Canada for providing us with her photo!
February
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