PetPix Today!

Keep Your Pets Safe in Spring

As trees start to bud, sap starts to run, birds start to twitter and nature renews itself, our thoughts turn to gardening and lawn care. Those of us with pets may already know about and guard against the potential harm some plants and garden additives may have for animals and birds.

Anyway… I’m still chuckling at the bird poop facial segment (yes and no). No, it’s not the birds that get facials. But if you’re involved in the going-green movement, meaning reuse recycle etc., then this new “product” and service found at an upscale New York day spa will perhaps make you go green in other ways… either green with envy or green with nausea.

Some people in the neighborhood have passed out leaflets explaining how peppermint oil liberally applied to deck rails can keep the seagulls and pigeons away… the peppermint is not agreeable to the birds. I will not be doing that. While I do not encourage the birds’ visits by feeding them, I enjoy their visits. Being on the water’s edge means there are many birds about, but it seems that only Fred and his mate visit… and ever so briefly each time. No mess, no fuss, just loveliness.
Seeing the birds busy nesting reminds me of a great story…

Spring and the trees are full of bird song. Birds are doing their mating dances in earnest. Their mating sounds awaoke me this morning… two grey morning doves were loudly courting on my deck railing. When I peered out, the display of flamenco dancing I saw could rival any episode of Dancing With the Stars. What passion and excitement! What elan!