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6A Daily News – Saturday, January 12, 2013 Pets health&activities Pit bull; friend or foe? Animal Island: Bunny, guinea pig need own space By RONNIE CASEY At present, the most prolific and victimized dog filling shelters to the brim is the Pit Bull. While many pit bull type dogs live as cherished family members, many suffer from cruelty, neglect, haphazard breeding and the discrimination of an illinformed public. Fabricated stories have displayed these dogs as being vicious and highly unpredictable. In addition, they are often misjudged because of their physical attributes. However, many dogs such as Boxers, Cane Corsos, Bullmastiffs, and English Bulldogs with similar appearance are not held with the same disdain. A Pit Bull is defined as an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier and any cross between the three mentioned breeds. In some regions, the American Bulldog is also cataloged as 'Pit Bull'-type dog. Pit Bulls excel in practically every canine task including herding, guarding, hunting and ratting. A Pit Bull named Banddog Dread holds more canine working titles than any other breed. In years past, used as working farm dogs, they were often referred to as "the poor man's horse." Strength, confidence and enthusiasm are characteristics of this breed. Some of these dogs can be low key, but most need activity to channel their energy. They excel in sports; have become famous as soldiers, as search and rescue dogs, as actors and as therapy dogs. Some notable pit bulls include "Nipper" and "Petey" from the Little Rascals, Helen Keller's dog "Sir Thomas", and President Theodore Roosevelt's Pit Bull terrier "Pete." There is also "Jack Brutus" who served for Company K, the First Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during the civil war, and "Sgt. Stubby" who is the most decorated war dog of all time! More recently, there are Weela, who helped save 32 people; Popsicle, a puppy found nearly dead in a freezer, who later became one of the nation's most important police dogs; and Norton, who was placed in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after he saved his owner from a severe allergic reaction. The American Pit Bull Terrier is intelligent and always eager to please its owner. The dog is an extremely loyal, playful family pet that is excellent with children. Many years ago Pit bulls were called "nanny dogs" because they were a child's favorite companion. Properly raised, they are the perfect breed to tolerate a child's rough play. However, young children should be taught how to properly relate to a dog and should never be left with any dog unsupervised. Properly socialized, these dogs are quite affectionate and very friendly, even with strangers. Severe fearfulness or human aggression is not a characteristic of the breed and a well socialized, responsibly owned pit bull should not display these behaviors. They can form friendships with other pets when given proper introductions and supervision. Pit bulls are terriers, and Jack Russell Terriers have wrestled badgers and other animals for farmers for years. This terrier drive in pit bulls has been and continues to be exploited by unscrupulous entities against other dogs for gaming purposes. Like any breed of dog, pit bulls can run the gamut from being very dog-aggressive to being exceptionally dogfriendly. Any dog has the potential to fight another dog if mishandled. Pit bulls are not recommended for any person, who does not understand ter- rier traits and principal canine behavior. Ultimately, Pit bull temperament, like any other dog, is a result of not only genetic make-up but how the animal is raised and trained. A myth circulating is that pit bulls can "lock" their jaws. There is no evidence of a "locking mechanism" in the teeth or jaws of these dogs. Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia concluded, "We found that American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. . ." The Pit Bull has been and continues to be a loyal, faithful companion. They are superb working dogs, still employed as police and armed service dogs, search and rescuers and therapy animals. They are loving pets not only for children, but for adults too. So, when looking for a new addition to the family, why not consider one of the many Pit bulls that are residing in your local shelter. Ronnie Casey is a volunteer with Providing Essentials for Tehama Shelter.You can read her blog, Mutts & Moggies, at redbluffdailynews.com. FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY Serving South Central Tehama County Community Food Outreach Administered by Los Molinos and Cone United Methodist Churches wishes to thank the Los Molinos Community and surrounding areas for their generous support in helping needy families this holiday season and beyond. Food drive participants included: • Los Molinos Elementary and High School • Lassen View • Gerber • Vina Elementary • Umpqua Bank • NuWay Market • Jill's Market • Country Haven • Frontier Village Farmer's Market • Tehama Head Start Center • Los Molinos Market and Deli • Central Tehama Kiwanis • Los Molinos Chamber of Commerce • Dr. Strawberry Weber • North State Barrel Racing Assn. • Pschyo Gym • our United Methodist Church congregations Local business that set out collection jars included: • Burger Shack • Umpqua Bank • Jack's Restaurant • Latimer's Pharmacy • Los Molinos Market and Deli • Roxie's • Los Molinos Ace Hardware • Sys Auto • Jill's Market • Mill Creek Restaurant • Country Haven • NuWay Market Thank you to I-5 Tire for the use of their trailer & support of our program Special Thanks to all of our supporters and volunteers that helped Food for the Hungry outreach ministry reach 180 families this holiday season. Because of your help we will be able to continue to aid families throughout 2013. 100% of all donations go directly to the families served. All work and travel is volunteered and donated. No donations were used to pay for this thank you ad. Question: My children have a lop-eared bunny and a guinea pig, and when they are out of their cages together, they seem to get along just fine. Right now they are each in their own cage right next to each other. I was wondering if we could just get one larger cage and keep them both in it. We do not have as much free time as we used to, and housing them together would make things a little easier. They do seem to eat the same food, anyway. Answer: Anybody who has seen me on TV knows that getting different species to live together is my specialty, but this is one situation where each pet should have its own cage. Although they may enjoy each other's company when they are out of the cage, I have found that when kept together long term, many rabbits get annoyed by guinea pigs' nudgings and pushes. I also have noticed that guinea pigs will chew on a rabbit's fur when given the opportunity. The diet is also an issue. Yes, they both enjoy fresh greens, vegetables and hay, but the pelleted foods you give to them are different. Although guinea pig pellets and rabbit pellets may look the same, the ones for guinea pigs contain vitamin C, and it's very important for this species. Pellets for rabbits have a lot more fiber in them and, without lots of fiber, rabbits can get all sorts of digestive issues. Both animals have different protein requirements. So, housing the two pets together just isn't the right thing to do. ——— Q: Some members of my family spend entirely too much money on sweaters and coats for our two Maltese, and the dogs certainly do not seem too happy when they are wearing these color-coordinated outfits. Everybody else in my family insists the dogs will be too cold outside without the sweaters. Is this true? A: The Maltese was bred to be a house pet in the Mediterranean, where winters are not as severe as they are here. The breed does have a long, flowing coat, but it is not designed to insulate against cold weather. Naturally, this breed will need some sort of sweater or coat in the winter months. I cannot comment on how much the coats should cost or what color they should be, as long as they keep the dogs warm and are easy to put on and take off. ——— Q: We set up a bird feeder close to our kitchen window and have enjoyed seeing the chickadees and nuthatches. Lately, a small brown hawk has taken to snatching a bird from it every afternoon. The little birds seem to be unaware of what is happening and go right back to the feeder after the hawk is gone. What can we do about the situation? A: The bird in question is most likely a Sharp Shinned Hawk, and, although its daily diet of a little bird may seem excessive to you, this situation is natural, and the wild bird population can handle it just fine, as long as their habitat is secure. I can see how this may upset you, though, and if you want the hawk to move on to another person's backyard for its daily meal, all you need to do is take the feeder down for a week or so. Then, little birds will stop being such easy marks, and the hawk will move on. When this happens, you can then put the feeder up and the little birds will go right back to it. There are so many feeders set up these days that the birds will be fine for the week or so that you have taken yours down. Animal control officer and nun get in tug of war over Chihuahua By Rene Stutzman Orlando Sentinel (MCT) ORLANDO, Fla. — Lori Michelle Holland just wanted her MoJo back. The Polk County animal control officer had raised MoJo, a 1-year-old Chihuahua, but had put him up for adoption before Christmas, saying she had too many dogs. On Dec. 29, however, she decided to get him back. So Holland went to the Lakeland home of the 82-year-old disabled nun who had adopted MoJo and explained, in tears, $ 5,348 94 in Discount Coupons were published last week in the DAILY NEWS RED BLUFF TEHAMA COUNTY … And that does not Count all the ads offering percentage discounts, two-for-ones and Free-with-Purchase offers! Don't miss a Day of it! Subscribe Today 527-2151 It pays for itself. that she loved the pooch, that her 9-year-old son missed him, and that his rightful place was with her. The nun, Rosa DiCesare, however, had already fallen in love with MoJo, too, and was unwilling to let him go. The women argued for 30 minutes, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office report, and when the nun tried to lift the dog from Holland's lap, they both pulled — "tugof-war" style — on the animal, the report said. The nun let go, fearing MoJo would be hurt. But a few days later, she filed a complaint, and on Thursday, Holland was arrested, accused of robbery and burglary. Authorities brought the dog back to DiCesare on Friday, she reported. In the interim, family members got her another Chihuahua, Zeus, she said. And she already had 13-year-old Chihuahua, Sister Girl. "I'm going to keep all three," she said of the pets. Oh Snap! The Daily News wants your photos: Cute kids, Adorable pets, Inspirational sights, Any shot you think readers would enjoy You might just see it in the Daily News Send pictures to editor@redbluffdailynews.com or drop off at 545 Diamond Ave. in Red Bluff. Include a caption. Sierra Sound NEW & USED CD's Special Orders Avail. 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