Cat Breeds: The Aegean Cat

This breed of cat originated in the Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea and it is the only native Greek cat. It is quite prolific in Greece, but very few seem to have been removed from that country. There are several references to a fledgeling Greek Cat Fancy Association attempting to commence proper breeding techniques on these semi-feral cats, but extensive research fails to actually find such an association. Perhaps photographer Hans Sylvester's famous photographs of the cats of the Greek Islands prompted such a group to form, but if it did, it appears to be non functioning at present. At any rate, there is a large colony of these cats spread though the islands, and for want of a better name, they have been called the Aegean Cat. This breed of cat is noted for keeping the rodent population under control as they are excellent predators. Most of them live outdoors and obtain their food from handouts given by visiting tourists and cat loving locals. These cats love fish and line up on the shore when the fishing fleet returns each evening. The local fishermen have taken to tossing them fish that are not merchantable.

They are very social cats and get along well with humans. If taken into a home, they adapt well, even to apartment living. They are intelligent, active, lively and communicative, not being afraid to vocalize to get attention.

Their coat is semi-long-haired in winter, but sheds to a lighter coat during summer months. Their coat is either bi-colour or tri-colour with true white always being one of the colours and covering 1/3 to 2/3 of the body. Other colours can be blue, red, black or cream, with or without stripes.

The Aegean Cat is medium sized with a sturdy muscular build. The body is relatively long with strong, round, medium-size feet. The tail is moderately long and straight. Hair covered ears have a wide base and rounded tips and sit widely spaced on a medium-size head that is wide from side to side. Their eyes are Oriental in shape and are always a shade of green.

The Greek Cat Welfare Society (http://www.greekcatwelfare.moonfruit.com) formed in 1992, is attempting to care for these cats with various programs including spaying, neutering and feeding programs. It is not known if any of these cats are available for adoption.

Until next time,

Teia

Cat Breeds: The Burmese Cat

Originally only sable (brown) in colour, selective breeding has produced a wide variety of colours, however, only sable, champagne, blue and platinum are recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). This cat is longer-lived than most purebred cats, with an average lifespan of 16 to 18 years. It is small to medium sized, but much heavier than it appears, weighing 4 to 6 Kg (8 ¾ to 13 ¼ pounds).

The Burmese cat has eyes which are either yellow or gold in colour, and which are large and very expressive. They use these eyes to hypnotize their human family into loving them for a lifetime. They are very intelligent animals and as they mature, they take over running the household. They use their large eyes and velvet paws to aid them in this endeavour. Female Burmese cats take a very active role in managing the house, getting involved in everything that is going on. They frequently voice their opinions on the way things are being done. The males are more laid back in nature and prefer to supervise, occasionally vocally, but more quietly than the females. They like to do their supervision from a laying position, preferably from someone's lap.

The Burmese cat has a short-haired coat which is glossy, with a satin like finish. The only grooming required is a daily petting.

Burmese cats are very affectionate and love human company, often following family members around like a dog. They will “talk” but are not as vocal as Siamese cats and they have a softer and sweeter “meow.”

Because they enjoy human company, these cats are not suited for being left alone for long periods of time. As kittens they are quite clumsy, often landing on their backside with a thump. The usually maintain kitten energy and interests throughout their life. They can be taught to play fetch and tag, again demonstrating some dog-like characteristics. If introduced to vehicle rides as a kitten, they are comfortable travelling in vehicles. They are seldom aggressive, but if attacked by another cat they will vigorously defend themselves. They get along well with children and dogs.

If you would like an intelligent, affectionate cat that displays some dog-like characteristics, then a Burmese cat would be a very good choice.

Until next time,

Teia

DOG COMMUNICATION

Dogs are one of the more intelligent animals kept as domestic pets. We have the ability to communicate with other dogs, other animals and even humans. We communicate using body language and vocal sounds. Our body language involves the use of our eyes, ears, mouth, posture, eyebrows, head position and tail. The vocals we use are yips, barks, howls, growls, whimpers, whines and “dog talk” which sounds like we are trying to imitate human speech. Some of our communications involve using the same gesture, but with a different meaning dictated by the circumstances in which it is used. For example, if we pant, it can mean that we are hot and we are trying to cool down, or it can mean that we are anxious or happy. If it is hot and we are panting heavily, it usually means that we are overheated and we are trying to cool down. If we are in the veterinarian's office and we are panting, it usually means we are anxious or scared. If we are playing with you and we pant and almost look like we are smiling, it means we are happy.

In the wild, dogs live in packs which have a certain hierarchy which is determined by personality, strength and personal confidence. Confident and higher ranked dogs hold their tail high. Lower ranked dogs, or submissive dogs, allow their tail to droop. If you notice that your pet dog carries his tail held high, it means that he is confident and proud. If he carries his tail low, it means that he is submissive and insecure. If you speak harshly to your dog when he has done something you don't like, you will notice that his tail will droop. If you have ever had occasion to observe a dog when it is about to become involved in a fight, you will notice that the fur on his tail is all fluffed out. As well all the hair on his body will also be standing out. This makes him appear larger to his opponent, which may cause the opponent to back down and submit to the larger appearing more dominant dog. (As an aside, if you are ever confronted by a black bear, stand on your tip toes, put your arms out and up as far as you can and yell as loud as you can...this makes you appear very large to the bear and most of the time he will run away. Growing up in the wilds of British Columbia, my dad had numerous confrontations with bears and by using this technique he was never attacked once...mind you he was very careful to never get between a female bear and her young either.)

When I am confused, I wag my tail slowly while I try to figure out what I should do. If I am excited about something, I wag my tail very quickly. If I am confronted by another dog and I recognize that he is higher ranked than I am, I will wag my tail and move my hips also. This means that I am ready to submit to the other dog.

When I become aggressive, I roll my lips back and show my fangs and growl. This indicates that I am ready to bite or attack. If I show my teeth in a smile, it means that I am showing that I am submissive. By observing the number of teeth I display, you can tell whether I am smiling or being aggressive. When I smile, you can only see my front teeth, and when I snarl and roll back my lips, you can see all of my teeth and gums.

My ears are another indicator of what I am trying to communicate. When my ears are erect, it indicates that I am concentrating on something. When I fear something I lay my ears back. When I am happy, I put my ears forward and pant lightly.

When I bark, I'm trying to scare a stranger away and also trying to let my mom and dad know that something is wrong. I also bark when I am playing. When I am excited or playing, my barks are sharp and short. If I am stressed or anxious, my bark is high pitched and repetitive. If I am lonely, I howl mournfully. If I want to communicate with another dog I bark repeatedly in the same mid range tone. When I growl, it is to warn people or other dogs to leave me alone or to threaten my “sisters” to mind their manners. If I am outside and I howl, particularly if it is an undulating howl, I am trying to communicate long distance with another dog I have heard. If I yawn, it usually means I am sleepy, or bored. However, if I yawn repeatedly it means that I am stressed about something, or in pain.

If I lift a forelimb and make a scratching movement in the air, it means I want to play. If I stamp my front feet it means I am excited. If I stamp my front feet and yip, it means that you are supposed to do something for me, usually give me a treat for something I have done that should be rewarded.

If I lift my paw and hold it out to you it means I want to exchange a handshake with you. If I want something, I will scratch it. If I look at something and tilt my head, it means I am concentrating on what I am looking at and trying to determine what it is. If my head is tilted but I am not looking at anything in particular, it means that I am trying to identify something that I have heard. If I go to the door and whine, it means I have to go out. If I go to the food bowl and it is empty, I will either bark while looking at it, whine while looking at it or pick it up and bring it to you. I also use these tactics if my water bowl is empty. If you are eating something and it smells real good, I will lick my lips and I may even bark, whine or yip to try and get you to share it with me.

If I stand facing you with my legs spread apart and my muscles bunched, then I am warning you to either back away or stay away from me.

If I am looking at you and I raise my eyebrows, it means either I am waiting for you to say something or if you have said something, I don't understand what you want me to do. If I draw my eyebrows down into a frown, I'm puzzled by something. If my eyes get big and round and my eyebrows go up, it means I'm surprised or startled by something.

If I want to play with you, I will bring a toy to you and stand there wagging my tail. Many of us can be trained to play catch, to fetch thrown objects, to catch frizzbies, to play fly-ball or to compete in agility competitions. “Mitzi” the first dog mom and dad had after they married, could play hide and go seek, ride a skateboard and a toboggan and stand on her hind legs and dance. Spend time with your dog and you will be amazed at what he or she can communicate to you.

Until next time,

Teia

What You Should Know Before Buying a Parrot for a Pet

It is very delightful to be in the presence of such magnificent creatures as Parrots! Their stunning colour combinations and attention grabbing mimicry create quite an impression on both young and old alike. Mom and dad have owned three Parrots. An orange-winged Amazon Parrot called “Bert,” a lilac-crowned Amazon Parrot called “Rascal” and a blue and gold Macaw called “Bucko.” They purchased “Bert” from a pet store in Ottawa, Ontario in 1981. He loved to go camping with the family and sat on a perch mounted on the inside of the passengers’ window of the car. Once, this proved to be a problem when he decided that he wanted to visit dad while he was driving down the freeway at 100 kilometres per hour. He ran across the dashboard and jumped onto the top of the steering wheel. It’s not easy to steer a car with a Parrot blocking your view of the road. Fortunately, dad was able to safely slow the car and then get “Bert” to climb onto his hand so he could pass the Parrot to mom who placed him back on his perch. When the family moved to Regina, Saskatchewan in 1982, both of mom and dad were working full time and “Bert” got lonely by himself, so they purchased “Rascal” at a Regina pet store so he would have some company. That turned out to be a bad move. The two Parrots got along fine, but neither of them wanted to have anything to do with any member of the family. “They had each other.” Mom and dad's older daughter bought “Bucko” from a Regina pet store in 1988, when he was two years old. He was like having a permanent one and one-half year old child. He got into everything he could think of. Once, he climbed up the shelves in the pantry and removed the labels off all of the canned goods and chewed all of the boxes off the boxed groceries. For weeks the family never knew what was being opened until the lid was off the can. It’s a little difficult to make chili when you open a can of sliced peaches instead of a can of kidney beans. As the result of this incident, childproof locks were put on all of the cupboard doors.

“Bucko” did not like red hats. One day the electrical meter reader, wearing a red hat, entered the back yard. Bucko’s cage gave him a good view of the back yard through the patio doors. He spotted the red hat and let out a blood curdling screech. The meter reader jumped, looked around wildly and ran as fast as he could to read the electrical meter on the side of the house, then ran back out of the yard leaving all the gates open. He never came back again. The family doesn't know if he was assigned a different route or if he quit.

So, have you been thinking about buying a Parrot of your own? Parrots are quite unlike any other pet and they have distinct attributes that make them both loveable and frustrating. Before you choose to own a Parrot, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of their qualities to ensure that they will fit with your lifestyle.

LIFE SPAN

Are you planning to commit to a pet for your entire lifetime? While a dog may average 10 to 15 years and a cat slightly longer, some species of Parrots live up to 75 years or longer. That means that not only will the bird live as long as you, but quite likely it will survive you and its living arrangements will need to be provided for. Many people who own Parrots have them provided for in their wills. If you leave your Parrot to a child or other relative, as you get older, make sure that the person who is going to get the Parrot through the provisions of the will still wants to get it. Circumstances change with time, and you may have to make different arrangements.

Because of their long lives, many Parrots find themselves in new homes several times during their lifetime. Despite your loving commitment, your bird will likely need a new home when you are no longer able to care for it. You don't want your aged bird to suffer the stress of constantly changing homes so determine what arrangements can be made to satisfy your bird's needs.

MESS

Birds are messy - no matter what species. Their natural instinct to spread seed throughout the forest has not disappeared and you will need to deal with the seeds thrown out of the cage on a daily basis. Leaving seeds strewn about can attract rodents and become a source of bacteria.

Parrots will also produce a fair amount of waste every day. Not cleaning their cages and dishes routinely can lead to infections and diseases. It is also not healthy for the humans who live with the bird.

Parrots that are allowed to roam freely can also cause extensive damage to furniture and other items. Large species like the Macaw have a strong bite and can chew furniture, rip wallpaper or knock items over.

NOISE

While you may find their calls and chattering adorable, your neighbours may not. Different species have different vocalizations. If you live in attached or semi-attached housing, you may have to rule out certain species like Cockatoos which are extremely loud. Cockatoos are also very active chewers and cannot be left unattended or your furniture will be demolished.

RESPONSIBILITY

Owning a Parrot is a privilege and with that comes responsibility. Taking care of your bird does not have to be costly if you clean and feed your bird properly but you will have to invest in proper housing so your bird is comfortable. Parrot cages are quite large, so as well as being quite expensive, they take up quite a bit of space. The family that eventually bought “Bert” and “Rascal” converted one of their bedrooms into a bird room. They put in thick wooden wallboard and mounted perches on the walls. Swings and other bird toys were hung from the ceiling. The room contained no furniture at all. When we asked why they were doing this, they responded, “Our kids have moved away and these birds are now part of the family. As family members they are entitled to their own room.” Now that is dedication to your pets!

If you have other pets, such as dogs or cats, you must protect your Parrot from being harmed. Never leave other pets alone with your Parrot. Smaller Parrots could become a meal. However, if you have a Macaw or Cockatoo, the other pets could become a chew toy. Our family was fortunate because all of our pets got along really well with each other. Even so, when the family went out, the birds were locked in their cages and the dogs were confined to another part of the house. As pet owners you are always responsible for making sure that they are always as safe as possible.

Many Parrots will also develop strong attachments for a certain individual in the family. While the growing loyalty may be appreciated by the favoured person, it can cause problems when birds become overly protective of their loved one. On the other hand, a Parrot is a social and intelligent bird which will become easily bored. A home with a number of people that can talk to and amuse the bird or a single owner who has time to give plenty of attention to the bird would be best.

You may find that your Parrot craves the company of another bird. This is particularly true when the bird matures (around 5-8 years for the larger species). When a mate was provided for “Bert” he lost all interest in the family and spent all of his time with his new mate. However, if you decide to provide a mate for your Parrot, you must also take responsibility for the increased care required for two birds and also keep in mind the possible babies that may arrive.

Parrots bring great joy to the lives of individuals who appreciate them despite the work and noise involved. You owe it to your pet to learn as much as possible about its care so you can commit to your pet and provide a loving home for as long as possible.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets - The Capuchin Monkey

Capuchin monkeys got their name from the Franciscan Capuchin whose cowl is similar to the colouration of the monkeys. The Capuchin monkey belongs to the Cebinae family and Cebus genus. Wild versions of these monkeys are found in Central and South America. Also known as Sapajou, they are considered to be the most intelligent of all species of monkeys.

The face, neck and chest of Capuchins are white in colour and the rest of the body is either brown or black. A full grown Capuchin can range from twelve to twenty-two inches in height. These monkeys have hairy tails which are usually the same length as their body. Their average weight is two pounds, although the males usually weigh more than the females. When they live in captivity, they can live up to forty-five years, but in the wild they only live for fifteen to twenty-five years. They stay awake during the day, except for a midday nap, and sleep at night. During the day, they spend most of their time searching for food. At night they sleep on the branches of trees.

Capuchins are social animals and live in groups ranging from eight to forty animals. These groups consist of a mixture of males, females and youngsters. The areas where groups live are marked with urine and smell terrible. Intruders are not welcomed. A strong male controls the whole group and mates with all the females in the group to produce offspring. Male and female Capuchins smell each other to know whether the other is sexually mature or not. A female Capuchin monkey is capable of reproducing every two years. A female's pregnancy lasts from five to six months.

When they are small, the offspring cling to the chest of the mother and when they grow bigger, they switch to the mother’s back. Baby Capuchins rely on their mothers to look after them until they are three months old. Male Capuchins are not involved in raising their young.

The whole group enjoys grooming, both themselves and each other. They also use grooming as a means of expressing their feelings. Capuchins tear millipedes to pieces and then rub the pieces on their body to repel mosquitoes and other insects.

Capuchins are very intelligent animals which on occasion use tools to assist them in their daily life. They drink the juice of palm nuts from the tip and then let them dry. After the palm nuts dry, they will gather them and break them open with a rock and then eat the contents. They have the ability to walk upright on their hind feet and carry food and tools in their front feet. In this endeavour, they look like little people walking on their feet and carrying things in their hands. As well as finding fruit and nuts in trees, they are also clever enough to find food on the ground. Unlike other monkeys, Capuchin monkeys are omnivorous. As well as eating food like flowers, seeds, nuts and fruits, they also eat bird's eggs, small birds, insects, reptiles, bats and even small mammals. Capuchins who live near water also feed on crabs and other shellfish, which they crack open using stones.

Capuchins aren’t fussy about their surroundings, so it is easy to have them as pets. As well as making Capuchins into pets, they are also used as organ grinders and service animals. They have also been trained by many service organizations to help quadriplegics around the house. After they are trained, they can open bottles, microwave food and even wash the face of the patient. They are also safe around children as they are very gentle animals. They can also be taught tricks and some have even starred in movies.

As Capuchins reach sexual maturity they can become troublesome. If you decide to get one as a pet, keep this in mind and also consider neutering the animal before it reaches maturity. Because Capuchins are wild animals, many jurisdictions have regulations about keeping them. Before considering them for a pet, check with local authorities to ascertain what rules apply to your area. You may also find that taking them on holidays with you could be a problem because some of the jurisdictions you pass through or stop in may have restrictions against possessing these animals.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets - Lovebirds

Lovebirds make wonderful pets. Their exquisite colors and animated personalities easily endear them to onlookers. While every bird has its own personality, there are traits common to all lovebirds, which have made them a popular pet and a great choice for a first time bird owner.

APPEARANCE

Lovebirds have perhaps the most varied coloration among the parrot species. Soft pastels or brilliant hues, you can find lovebirds in nearly any color imaginable - blues, yellows, purples, peaches and so on.

Lovebirds are perfectly sized parrots for most people. They are only 5 ½ to 6 ½ inches and about 42-60 grams. Baby lovebirds, when they are available for purchase, will be close in size to an adult.

LIFE SPAN

Like other parrots, lovebirds have a fairly long life span - although not as long as the larger species. They live 15-20 years. Approximately the same life span as a cat. It is important to understand the commitment you have to make before purchasing a lovebird.

ACTIVITY

Lovebirds are very energetic and inquisitive. They will happily fly about, or sit on your shoulder, during daily activities. They love to chew, so watch them closely when they are out of their cage as they will chew on furniture, electrical cords or any other chewable item. They are not nervous about usual activity and can usually integrate with a family of busy, noisy children with great enjoyment. Lovebirds love to play and are comical to watch whether they are playing alone, splashing in their water dish or playing with your hair and sneaking into your collar.

Your best bet is to buy a hand raised lovebird because it will be tamer than a parent raised bird. While lovebirds are quite fearless (so should be supervised closely around other pets) and they do enjoy playing with people. Gentle and consistent handling will help prevent nipping.

Lovebirds, like other birds, are born to live in a flock, so they will challenge authority for the dominant position. Sometimes headstrong, lovebirds need an owner who is patient and firm. However, lovebirds are not overly demanding in most respects and will learn to be well behaved. They are also content to play alone for periods of time as long as they are given proper space and playthings. As mentioned above, lovebirds are great chewers, so be sure that your pet has plenty of chew toys, or your furniture or the bird's perches will be chewed vigorously.

Lovebirds are very intelligent and can even be 'potty' trained to go on a paper or in a trash can instead of around the house. This will make it much easier to allow your lovebird to enjoy supervised freedom outside the cage without the constant clean up required for other uncaged birds.

VOCALIZATIONS

While lovebirds will learn to mimic the sounds around them, including household noises and other birds, they are not known for mimicking human speech as well as other parrot species. One thing you must know about lovebirds is that some of them are very noisy birds. Some will start early in the morning and continue throughout the day.

Despite this, you will find your lovebird to have a strong personality all its own and it will convey its moods and desires quite clearly.

Before buying your lovebird be sure the owner, breeder or pet store can provide training or other assistance in helping you learn the correct procedures for caring for your new pet. If you are a first time owner of a lovebird, you will probably have a lot of questions. So, make sure that the seller will readily provide any answers you need to properly care for your new pet.

Until next time,

Teia