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Dougal's Pet Corner
The place for your pet stories and pictures, let me have them |
| THE
LAST IN OUR RABBIT SERIES |
Secondly it is important to consider a
rabbit's dietary needs. In the wild, rabbits will live predominantly on grass and nettles
alone and will graze for up to eight hours a day. The chewing action keeps their teeth
ground to the correct level, thus preventing the most common veterinary problem to the
domestic rabbit; overgrown teeth. The mixed cereal or pellet diets that are available
should be rationed as they are not only more fattening but also more filling which means
that the length of time spent chewing is not nearly enough to prevent dental dilemmas. A
constant supply of hay and only limited dried food should be provided in a rabbit's living
quarters, but time spent chomping on the lawn is invaluable. Some rabbits can tolerate a
small amount of vegetables such as carrot or cabbage but these are not essential and can
occasionally cause illness.
Thirdly, the most recent of findings is the effect of co-habitation. Most species benefit
from companionship of their own kind and rabbits are no ixception. The best and most
successful combination is always male/female pairings.
Obviously, in the interest of not increasing an already massively excessive bunny
population, it is essential that both parties be neutered. Same sex pairs can work, but
the risks of fighting in later life are higher and it can be risky to get two adults of
the same sex together. When taking on baby rabbits it is most unwise to get two males,
particularly if you are not intending to get them neutered. The pairing-up of adult
rabbits should be closely supervised and only undertaken after seeking expert advice. The
social benefits of pairing-up rabbits are immense and many people find that their solitary
rabbit only develops a character after it is 'married off' and has a companion to cuddle
up to, groom and play with. The modern-day domestic rabbit owner must take an objective
look at the life their rabbits lead. And ask themselves if it is a life worth living. Let
us all wave a relieved good-bye to the days when keeping rabbits in solitary confinement
at the bottom of the garden was morally unquestioned. Useful numbers: British Rabbit
Welfare Association and the House Rabbit Association; 01403 267658
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If you try
to FAIL and SUCCEED
which have you done? |
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| See in the
Dark! |
One of the useful things about selling binoculars is that
they don't change much over the years. In the last 3 decades the main advances have been
that waterproofing is standard on most mid- and upper-priced models, and that the minimum
focussing distance has decreased, in some cases down to under a metre. On the other hand,
one major technological advance that is now available to the general public is optics that
see in the dark. The technology behind these instruments has obvious military and
espionage use, and film-goers will be able to list many scenes where the eerie green glow
of a 'light intensifier' has added a sinister air of suspense to a movie. Curiously the
intensifiers that are commercially available are all Russian, which perhaps says something
about the current state of spying!
There are now models available at just less than £150 which can be put to good use for
natural history purposes. We have customers who use them to watch badgers and foxes, and
others who watch amphibians and other life around their ponds at night. However the prize
for the most exotic species watched with one of our night scopes must go to the customer
who recently used one to see a snow leopard in Khazakstan. Having successfully 'spotted
the spots on the Snow Leopard' the instrument concerned is back in Glandford to find a new
owner, perhaps someone anxious to have a look at hedgehogs in Holt! A starlit night is
quite a sight through a light-intensifying 'scope, but of course in the pitch dark they
cannot work at all, as there is no light to intensify. Fortunately each 'scope is fitted
with a small torch that illuminates the close distance with infra-red light which cannot
be seen by the human eye. Cley-Spy |
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| BORDER COLLIES
- THE BACKGROUND |
| The Border Collie is renowned as one of the
world's finest sheepdogs and has been used as such for many centuries. Along with breeds
such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Dobermans, their original working role was as a
guard and protector of sheep and other livestock. These breeds, originally bred for
ferocity, have, through careful breeding, now emerged as gentle pets. However it must be
remembered that instincts prevail, and that the majority of dogs in this group are
happiest and healthiest when they have access to open spaces and a job to do. The Border
Collie is the undoubted favourite of obedience trainers and has, not all that wisely, been
taken increasingly into suburban homes in the role of family pet. WHERE IT ALL GOES WRONG!
The breed that mankind carefully created to have the endurance and athleticism to work
from dawn until dusk, and have the incredible intellect and presence of mind to obey
countless commands and whistled instructions, is now expected to be content with one or
two walks a day. It is very difficult to create the kind of mind and body stimulation that
a Border Collie needs to prevent it becoming a bored and therefore snappy and destructive
individual. It is therefore a rare occasion in any rescue centre not to have a Border
Collie in residence looking for a special kind of home. HOW TO PUT IT RIGHT! To create a
stimulating lifestyle in domestic circumstances, prospective collie owners must first look
at their own lifestyle and realistically assess how much time can be devoted to the needs
of their new dog, (a couple of walks around the block each day will never be enough!).
Farm life is still the most successful environment for a contented Border Collie, not
necessarily as a working dog, but as a companion to the farmer, he can still spend all day
roaming the land. In other domestic situations, Collie owners must work harder to meet
their needs. Training classes will keep you and your dog fit and it is a sport in which
collies excel. Long walks are essential, a working Border Collie will travel between ten
and twenty five miles a day. Varying the walks to encounter different animals and their
scents is also important, and going to a safe area where they can be allowed off the lead
to "run off steam" is vital. |
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