All Creatures November/December 2019

LATELY I’VE BEEN THINKING about an arctic fox’s epic journey from Norway to Canada across 2,175 miles of mostly open sea ice in just 76 days. Researchers in Norway were tracking the young female to better understand her local migration patterns. Boy, were they surprised when she ended up in Canada! The scientists surmise that the little fox was seeking a better breeding habitat due to changes in the climate back in Norway. I was struck by the vixen’s courage to undertake such a perilous quest for the sake of her future young. Nature is replete with examples of animals demonstrating astounding bravery. Well known is Balto, the Alaskan sled dog, who in 1925 battled the elements to bring lifesaving serum to Nome, which was in the throes of a…

Heaven, a blind calf, was rescued from a dairy farm and brought to Saving Grace Animal Society in Alberta, Canada. The two-month-old was skittish around other animals, so the staff set up a private pen for her in the backyard. There she met a pit bull named Sweetpea, the sanctuary’s gentlest resident. “Sweetpea took to her right away and showed her the ropes, as she often does with the dogs that need extra medical attention,” Saving Grace executive director Erin Deems told CBC Radio. The staff believes that the instant best friends understand each other because of their similar rough pasts (Sweetpea was saved from an underground dogfighting ring). The pair likes to roam the grounds and sunbathe together. “They’re both going to live out the rest of their days…

› Bovine Buddies You’ve heard of animal therapy with dogs, cats, horses, birds…but cows? On farms in the U.S., the Netherlands and other countries, cow cuddling (koe knuffelen in Dutch) is helping people feel better. Not every cow is suited to the job, but many have calm personalities that invite a warm embrace. Some even lie down, allowing folks to get closer. A farmer, a therapist or a handler shows visitors how to approach and greet the cows and oversees the session to ensure it’s a safe interaction. › Canine Conservationists In 2017 the worst wildfires in Chile’s history destroyed 1.4 million acres of forestland in the central Maule Region. Three border collies named Das, Olivia and Summer trotted in to help. Wearing special backpacks filled with native seeds, the…

ON A JUNE afternoon in 2005 I felt the urge to visit the local animal shelter. That’s where I saw him, a white kitten with just one eye. When he looked at me, I could see his soul. I felt his love and had no doubt that Wink was coming home with me. As a child, I tried hard to get along with our family cat, but it didn’t work out. Wink was different, and we grew close. A few years after I adopted him, my son, Jimmy, was born. The two of them were like brothers. Wink watched over Jimmy, always sitting next to him. As they got older, Wink let Jimmy carry him around the house—and even into the pool. Our cat loved to swim! With age Wink…

THE HOLIDAYS ARE a busy time of year: shopping, cooking, traveling. But the spirit of the season is really about being together and giving to those in need. What better way to show that spirit than to welcome a shelter dog into your home? For the second consecutive year, people in Columbus, Ohio, will have the opportunity to do just that. When Kaye Persinger, director of the Franklin County Dog Shelter, spearheaded the Holiday Sleepover campaign in 2018, she and her staff were seeking more than just a way to get the word out about adoptable animals. The holidays are a slow season for pet adoption, and they wanted the dogs to receive enrichment, companionship and comfort in a home setting, even if it was temporary. Still, Persinger was shocked…

Q My cat licks the sap and nibbles on the needles of my Christmas tree. I also love lighting scented candles during the holiday season but worry about her inhaling the scent. Is she in danger? —Katie T., Denver, Colorado A Christmas trees are usually spruce, pine or Douglas fir. The sap of these trees is mildly toxic to pets and may cause drooling (because of the unpleasant taste) or even vomiting if ingested in sufficient quantity. Ssscat could be a successful deterrent. Perhaps a new cat tree or bed will distract her from the Christmas tree. But if your feline refuses to keep her distance, you may want to consider an artificial tree. Your instinct about scented candles is spot on. Most commercial-grade scented candles are made from paraffin…