Take that water bowl. You can always find one to decorate at any paint your own pottery shop. Those are fun, but let’s think outside the bowl. Maybe create a mini bucket, a shallow fish bowl or a dainty serving dish.

Craft stores carry paints and markers that adhere to any surface and can stand up to frequent washing. You can even add some sparkle with glue on jewels, with the right glue. If your pet friend is a bit more macho, try nuts and bolts or other interesting hardware embellishments. Or make a cool bowl stand.

Pet clothing can go well beyond a collar or fancy tag for your cat, dog or pot-bellied pig. The world abounds with patterns for sweaters, hats, vest and holiday costumes for pets of every type. Even if you don’t knit or sew you can find ways to help your pet express their personal style.

Everybody needs a home or at least a bed. You can embellish your kitty’s basket with everything from paint to bells. You can create a hamster house from an interesting container or build a doggie treehouse! Call it art, craft, carpentry or just plain fun.

When is a cat toy not a cat toy? Never! Pretty much anything becomes a cat toy with a little feather or yarn. Of course, you know that’s not quite true. Pet toys must be safe. The old catnip sock is a standby but what if it has yarn whiskers, a felt ears and some dreadlocks.

Even birds can be the recipients of personalized gifts. A chew stick can be made of wooden shapes from the nursery or nature. Instructions include do’s and don’ts to keep the beaked friend’s toys safe and sturdy. Then your just one tiny mirror frame from a decorator cage.

Even our scaly friends from lizards to goldfish can get a bit of your creative attention. Your pet deserves more than a boring backdrop for their tank. You can create one from your own photos, magazine pics and drawings. How about fun furnishings! Rocks, blocks, fancy dishes and foliage.

As you can see the Skye terrior’s the limit when you put your creativity to work letting your pet friends know how much you love having them around.

So get started on those Christmas sweaters and don’t forget the one for Fifi with matching booties for the snow! Check out this booklist for more ideas and instructions.

View complete list

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My dog Ned

If you’re considering a new pet, you’ll be so much happier if you spend a little time researching your new buddy before stopping at the shelter or pet store to pick one out. The type of pet that is right for you depends on how much time you have to spend with a pet, how much clean-up you are willing to do and how much space you have for them. A librarian can help you find the right resource to answer your pet questions. We even have books to help you pick a name for your new friend.

If you have a pet, you know the importance of training. We have videos and books to help you with the training process. Learn from popular dog trainers Patricia McConnell and Victoria Stilwell, and TV dog trainer Cesar Millan. To train your cat we have The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagalschneider and Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy host of the TV show My Cat from Hell. For horse training try Lyons on Horses by John Lyons and What Every Horse Should Know by Cherry Hill. From puppy potty training to pet first aid, the Pets Neighborhood offers unlimited opportunities for you to learn how to care for and teach your pets.

Shannon Eddings’s cat Barney

We can help you decide what to feed your animal amigo. If you want to do a little cooking for Canine West or Kitty Kong, check out The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by Bubba Rose Biscuit Company, The Healthy Hound Cookbook by Paris Permenter or Dinner Pawsible by Cathy Alinovi. You can also make human treats to look like your pet with 100 Animal Cookies by Lisa Snyder.

We’ll get you started on your quest to find a pet and/or keep them (and you) happy and healthy.

Here are some books I recommend with animals as the main character or a strong supporting character.

View complete list

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Kansas State Mariachi Festival

Happy Independence Day to Mexico–September 16th marks the 205th anniversary of the date that a rebel priest started the war with Spain that ended with Mexico becoming an independent country.  Topeka is celebrating with the Kansas State Mariachi Festival, which will begin on September 16th with a kickoff event outside of TPAC and continue throughout the evening with a street party on Quincy St.  The celebration will continue with a Mariachi concert on the evening of September 17th at TPAC and a Spanish language film showing at the Jawhawk State Theatre of Kansas on Sunday September 20th at 3 PM.

What a great excuse to indulge in reading and listening to all things Mexican!  The library has several books, DVDs, and/or audiobooks on Mexican culture and Mexican American life.  Here are some selections:

For a good overview of Mexico’s history try The Life and Times of Mexico by Earl Shorris, a book that weaves Aztec legends and modern-day politics into an enjoyable read that manages to cover 3,000 years.

If you prefer fiction Mexico: A Traveler’s Literary Companion edited by C.M. Mayo is a perfect way to encounter several contemporary Mexican authors.  These include Rosario Castellanos, Laura Esquivel (famous for Like Water For Chocolate), and Carlos Fuentes.

Many of our area restaurants and food vendors will be offering specials on Wednesday, but if you’d like to cook up your own celebration feast the Library has a lot of Mexican cookbooks for me to check out. For example, the pictures and recipes in Tacos, Tortas and Tamales: Flavors from the Griddles, Pots, and Streetside Kitchens of Mexico by Roberto Santibanez make will make your mouth water after just glancing at them.

Mariachi music will be flowing through one’s mind after hearing the bands at the festival, and you just might have check out a few Mariachi CD’s from the library to listen to while you read or cook.  Be careful though, they might make you want to get up and dance instead!

Paws in the Park

The Helping Hands Humane Society will once again host Paws in the Park–the largest pet oriented event in northeast Kansas–from 9 AM-12 PM on Saturday September 19th at Gage Park.  The event begins with a one-mile mutt strut through Gage Park. Following the walk, vendors are open for shopping and browsing along with other activities. Throughout the morning, pet contests will be conducted and, for a minimal donation, pancakes and sausage will be served by Perkin’s Family Restaurant and Bakery.  The event is a fundraiser for the Helping Hands Humane Society, which compassionately cares for and provides world-class medical care for 8,000+ animals each year.  If you have not pre-registered there is a $10 general admission fee (each dog is an additional $5).

I don’t have to go far to get some inspiration on what to read or view after this event–the  many great posts from our pets neighborhood offer tons of tips on how to be a great pet owner.  From how to choose to the right dog to how to walk — or hike — with your dog, we’ve got you covered–including a list of 15 books to help you be a better dog owner.

If you’d like to read some books with your little ones after this event, there are dozens of titles from our children’s collection that would fit the bill.  Here are some favorites:

What Pet Should I Get by Dr. Seuss
This recently discovered and published book by Dr. Seuss will charm the reader with it’s familiar illustration style and the theme of choosing the perfect pet fits in perfectly with Paw in the Park.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Williems
He really, really, REALLY wants one. He’ll take really good care of it! What’s the matter–don’t you want him to be happy?

Not Norman: A Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett
Norman the goldfish isn’t what this little boy had in mind. He wanted a different kind of pet — one that could run and catch, or chase string and climb trees, a soft furry pet to sleep on his bed at night. But could it be that Norman is a better pet than he thought

This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
A moose as a pet?  A young boy learns that moose do not always follow the rules of proper pet behavior.

Have fun attending one or more of our local events.  Perhaps we will even see you at the Friends of the Library annual booksale, which is happening this weekend (Sept. 18-20) as well.  No matter what you are up to, happy reading!

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I like a dog with polite leash manners, but I won’t resort to punishment-based tools like choke collars, prong collars, or shock collars to get this behavior.Scientific research has shown that these tools cause both physical and psychological damage to dogs. Why do dogs insist on pulling? Because it works – it gets them where they want to go. By allowing your dog to pull you where he wants to go, he’s just learned that this is a rewarding behavior.

The way I teach a dog to walk politely on a leash is simple – I show the dog where I’d like him to be and reward him for being there. Show your dog that it pays better to walk politely than to pull you where he wants to go. If the leash tightens, I stop walking. The second my dog looks turns around to see why we’re not moving and offers me some slack on the leash, I give a food reward and we move forward.  The dog quickly learns that tight means stop and loose means go.

Here’s a great video by dog trainer extraordinaire, Emily Larlham, showing how to train a dog to walk politely on a leash using positive reinforcement.

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Living with a pet responsibly involves knowing how to keep it safe from health hazards and what to do in an emergency situation.  Come to the Library at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January  7, and learn more about what you can do to help keep your pet dog or cat safe year round.  Presenter and certified dog trainer Tanya Walsh will be happy to answer your questions.  Handouts and materials from the Pets Neighborhood will be available.

This program is a project of the Pets Neighborhood which promotes responsible pet ownership and offers up-to-date resources to help you keep your pet happy and healthy.

photo courtesy of K. Sain

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Here are some fun events you (and your dog!) can participate in to help raise money for your favorite charity:

Jackson and Nessa

October 1 – 7 is National Walk Your Dog Week.  Walk with your dog, meet new people, get fresh air exercise, and support the American Cancer Society by signing up for the Bark for Life event in Leavenworth on October 4.  Or, sponsor a participant.

Woofstock, an annual outdoor festival for dogs and their families in Wichita, is October 4.  Proceeds will benefit the Kansas Humane Society.

Tails on the Trail, a 5K run/walk event, is a fundraiser in Topeka for the Helping Hands Humane Society.  Take your dog, meet new dog families, and raise money for your local shelter.  Visit their website for registration details.

It’s time for fall cleaning and getting rid of things you don’t need anymore.  Consider helping B&C Equine Rescue, Inc. by giving donations or attending their benefit yard sale near Auburn on October 10 and 11.  See their Facebook page for details.

Contact your local shelter to find out if they can help you plan a fundraising event.  Host your own fundraiser for your favorite charity or for those in need.  Include your pet and be creative.  Plan a Halloween party for your dog friends, dress them up in costumes if they’ll let you, and pass out homemade dog treats.  Charge a minimal “admission” fee.

Remember the Pets Neighborhood at the Library for great resources to help you keep your pets happy and healthy!

Jackson photo courtesy of Tanya and Nessa

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Here are some things to remember before you head out:

1. Make sure the trail is pet-friendly before you go.  Check websites or call ahead.  Not all National Parks allow dogs on trails even though they may be allowed in the park with restrictions.  State parks in Kansas require a day pass fee or annual permit.  Pets must be leashed and are not allowed in public structures such as the cabins.
2. Check out the trail without your dog first.  What are the trail conditions?  Rocky, muddy, steep inclines, or areas with high bluffs? If it’s a lake trail and your dog likes to swim is there a place he can easily access the water?
3. Study the signs and maps at the trailhead.  What is the length of the trail?  Is it a loop trail? What wildlife inhabits the area? Is it also a bike and horse trail?  If so, make sure your dog is prepared to safely meet others on the trail.
4. Are you planning a trip to Colorado? Know the limits of your dog’s breed.  Not all dogs can tolerate high altitude conditions.
5. Don’t plan to hike three miles unless you know he can comfortably hike that far.  Take breaks along the way.
6. Watch for forks in the trail.  Shortcuts or spurs can be misleading and can add more time or distance than you had planned if you’re not paying attention to markers.  If your dog is highly trained to obey all verbal commands and if he’s off leash in a permissible area, make sure he’s trained to stop at forks in the trail.
7. This time of year I prefer wide trails to avoid ticks and poison ivy. Keep an eye on the trail and don’t let your dog venture into tall grasses and shaded rocky areas where venomous snakes such as copperheads and rattlesnakes may be resting during the heat of the day.
8. Keep your dog on a leash while on a trail.  Make sure his collar ID is current.
9. Always bring water for you and your dog.  Buy a collapsible dog bowl that will fit in your pocket. 
10. Don’t expect to have cell phone service everywhere.  Be prepared even for short hikes.
11. Respect the trail and other people.  Clean up after your dog and properly dispose the waste.

Review these trail sites:

• Kansas Trails
• Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism
• Kansas Trails Council
• Perry Lake  (explore the Military Trail)
• Clinton Lake  (try the beautiful North Shore Trail)

Have fun with your pet this summer and don’t forget to check out the Library’s Pets Neighborhood where you’ll find lots of great books and DVDs!

hiking tips and photos by Kim Sain

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How much do you know about Bornean Orangutans?

–Orangutans live in the tropical rainforest on the Southeast Asian Islands of Sumatra and Borneo. They are the largest tree-dwelling animal in the world and tend to be more solitary than chimps, bonobos and gorillas.  In Malay, “orang utan” means “person of the forest” and Bumi means “Earth.”

–Female orangutans have a gestation period of 8 1/2 to 9 months and produce a single offspring.  They give birth about once every 8 years.  The young stays with its mother for 6-7 years, the longest maternal dependency of all animals.  They may live in their natural habitat 35-45 years.

–Bumi will develop large cheek pads when he is about 15 years old.  Males have a large throat sac that enables them to make long calls.

–Orangutans feed primarily on forest fruits such as jackfruits, mangos and figs as well as leaves and shoots. The wild orangutan’s habitat on Borneo is severely threatened, and their conservation status is endangered.  In many areas the natural forest environment is being cleared and substituted with palm oil and timber plantations.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. imports of palm oil more than doubled between 2005 and 2012. Last year we imported about 2.7 billion pounds (source: USDA and NPR.org).

Athena, a Great Horned Owl, is our other adopted Zoo animal. Athena will make an appearance during the afternoon Zoo Animals Live program at the Library on February 6.  The program starts at 4:00 p.m. and everyone is welcome to come and learn more about this powerful bird of prey.

Here are some facts about the magnificent Great Horned Owl:

–Great Horned Owls reside year round in Kansas.  They are usually nocturnal hunters–most active at dawn and dusk–and subsist on a diverse diet, capturing birds and small mammals with their lethal talons.  Sight and hearing are their primary senses.  The “ears” are really tufts of feathers that help with camouflage.  Their eyes don’t move in their sockets, but they can swivel their head 180 degrees.

–Females are larger than males.  A pair will nest once per year in January or February. Both male and female may incubate the clutch of 2-3 eggs.  Families associate until the fall when they typically separate.

–The Great Horned Owl is found throughout North America and in some regions of South America.  Their conservation status is stable and they are protected by federal law in the U.S.

(sources: worldwildlife.org and the Topeka Zoo)

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Mixed breed or purebred? Shelter, rescue or breeder? Puppy or adult? Big, small or somewhere in between? Couch potato or agility champion? So many dogs; so many choices. Cut through the clutter.

Join certified dog trainer, shelter volunteer, and TSCPL Pets Neighborhood Specialist Tanya Walsh as she discusses the various types of dogs and breed-specific behaviors, general canine conduct and body language, and the resources available to help you find the perfect canine companion for you lifestyle.

Topics to be covered: The differences between shelters, rescues, and breeders. The different types of breeders – puppy mill, backyard, and responsible breeders and how to tell the difference between a backyard breeder and a responsible breeder. Basic canine body language so you can “read” a potential pet. Basic human body language – how to approach a potential pet without appearing threatening.

If time allows, we’ll show some great websites that have online quizzes to help prospective dog owners with their choice and a quick lesson in fool-proof potty training because nearly every dog will need this.

While you are here, take a walk through our Pets Neighborhood – all your pet resources in one convenient spot. In this area, potential pet owners will find the American Kennel Club’s Meet the Breeds book, which will help you match a pooch with your family’s personality.

If you have any questions, email me at twalsh@tscpl.org or call me at 580-4551 or even direct a question/comment to me via our Facebook page. I’m good with all of that.

Already a dog owner? Click the image below for a pdf booklist focusing on doggie behavior.

Click for Book List (pdf)

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I want a dog or cat for Christmas.  How many have you seen this on your child’s wish list? Though I’m one to say every child needs a pet, this is one time of the year I would say wait.  The Holidays can be a very stressful time of year for two legged creatures and adding a four legged baby into the mix could mean disaster for all those involved.  Instead of having a live furry bundle of joy under the tree, try a book, a DVD or a stuffed animal about the creature your child desperately wants with the understanding as the season passes you will obtain the new member of the family. Then as the craziness of the season wanes and the weather starts warming up begin your search for your next edition to your family with your child along.  Stop by our Pet’s Neighborhood for many books and DVD’s to help you choose. Your child will get the experience of helping and learning and you will have the time to properly train the animal. Everyone is involved and you have time to adjust to the new family member.  This means less stress for you, the animal and even your child.  For another great gift idea, contact the Helping Hands Humane Shelter and make a monetary donation in your giftee’s name. The Shelter has many wonderful ways to help. Have a wonderful and happy Christmas.

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