Home-made Bird Balls

Give your feathered friends a treat that the kids can help you make!

1 pound of lard

1 jar of peanut butter

5 cups corn meal

6 cups oats

2 cups sunflower seeds

2 cups raisins

Mix everything together (this will be nice and messy, so get the kids to help!). Roll into about 5 or 6 small balls. Roll balls in sunflower seeds and raisins. Place the balls in a bird feeder and watch your feathered friends enjoy their snack. You can also put some netting round the balls to make it easier to hang.

Home-made Dog Treats

Your dog will love these!

2 cups oats

2 cups wheat bran1 cup cooked liver

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

Mix everything together and stir well. Get one spoonful at a time and slide onto a greased cookie sheet with a dull knife like you're making cookies. Drop them about 1 inch apart. Shape with your hand or press down with the spoon. Bake in a 350F degree oven for 10-15 minutes until the treats are browned.

Pet of the Week

Trudy – Downers Grove, IL

Hi, my name is Trudy! I'm a beautiful 3 year old, female, DSH, muted calico/tabby mix. My fur is very soft, and I'm very quiet and shy. My photograph doesn't do me justice because I was really scared when the picture was taken. I came to WSHS when I was young and pregnant. My kittens have all been adopted, but I am still here because I am learning to trust. Things have improved greatly for me in the past few months. I got moved from my cage to one of the shelter's office where I reside with Peggy Sue. The cage was tough for me because there were a lot of loud noises all around and I couldn't see where they were coming from. Now that I am in an office, I have begun to play with toys and I really enjoy talking to the birds outside my window every morning. I like being with Peggy Sue because she gives me courage. Stop in and ask to see me, I'm in the front office.

If you’d like to see me please contact the West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 W. Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL, phone number 630-960-9600. http://www.wshs-dg.org/wshs/


Goldie – Tampa, FL

Hi, I'm Goldie! I am a 7 year old, female, Pekingese mix. I'm a very special doggy because I am blind, but that certainly doesn't slow me down! I love to play and investigate new things. My favorite thing to do is lie on your lap and cuddle with you. Please don't give up on me just because my eyesight! If you're looking for a loving, sweet dog who will always be your best friend I'm your girl.

For more information please contact the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, 3607 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa FL, 33607, (813) 876-7138. http://www.humanesocietytampa.org/

Somali cats

If you are looking for an interactive, intelligent cat, a Somali might be for you. Somali cats are known for being playful and affectionate. They love following their owners around and love to sit in your lap. Somali cats are good with kids and good in a multi-pet home. They are friendly and adapt well to their owners homes.

Somali’s have beautiful long hair, but without the fuss of constant brushing or shedding, though Somali’s do love to be brushed and see brushing as a sign of affection.

A female Somali weighs on the average of 6-10 pounds, while the males are about 10-12 pounds. The Somali coat is said to look like a cat in fox clothing. Kittens tend to be darker and less warm colored. As the Somali matures, about 18 months, his coat will develop into its full color.

Somali cats are not recommended for the elderly as they can be constantly underfoot following you from room to room.

How to put your pet on a diet

If you have more than one pet it can be a challenge putting your pets on a diet. Just like people, some pets can over-eat and stay thin, while others develop a weight problem. To effectively put your pet on a diet may take some creative feeding routines. Try putting your pets in separate rooms during feeding times and allow them a ration of food (check with your vet for the proper amount) and set a time limit, such as 30 minutes,to eat. This solves the problem of sharing food bowls and you can tailor the feeding for the specific pet.

Extra play time with your pet will also help him loose some of the extra weight!

Why do cats get watery eyes?

Watery or weepy eyes are fairly common in cats, especially kittens. If only one eye is watery it can be a sign of a foreign object irritating your cat’s eye. However, it can also be a sign of an upper respiratory infection, or more commonly known as a viral infection, especially if both eyes are watery. It is also possible that your cat had an upper respiratory infection as a kitten and it left her tear ducts clogged or scarred shut.

You should contact your vet when you notice the watery or weeping eyes as viral infections can cause corneal ulcers or more serious diseases if left untreated. If it is a foreign object you run the risk of damage or disease to the eye. Your vet can treat viral infections, remove foreign objects or flush out clogged tear ducts. In some cases watery eyes can be a symptom of more serious problems.

Pet of the Week

Zoey and Blondie – Boca Raton, FL

Pembroke Welsh Corgis. 3 year-old spayed sisters, 20 lbs. each, housebroken.
We're ready to add some love to your home! We're sweet sisters who need to be adopted together, which is a good thing because you could never choose between us. We're quite the cuties, though a bit vertically challenged! We're very well housebroken and good with other dogs and older children and probably cats. Loving and well-mannered, we can move right in and brighten your day!

I'll wait right here at Tri County Humane Society, 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton. (561) 482-8110. www.tricountyhumane.org.

Boxcar – Downers Grove, IL

Hi, my name is Boxcar. I’m a 4 year-old, male, DSH. I really feel it's not bragging to say that I am a huge favorite among the staff & volunteers at WSHS. I have been here since I was a young guy, barely a year old. Here at the shelter, I have shown that I am good with dogs and cats. I love being let out of my cage to run around the office when the shelter is closed. I was never properly socialized as a kitten, so I am a little rough with my play, but I am lots of fun and love to be around people. If you take a chance on me, I guarantee, you won't be sorry.

If you’d like to see me please contact the West Suburban Humane Society, 1901 W. Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL, phone number 630-960-9600. http://www.wshs-dg.org/wshs/