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Wolfie

	** IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ANIMAL LOVERS   One of our little Friends of Friends – Oscar the British Blue cat owned by Nicole, has very sadly died from a heart attack aged 4.    This was not from any defect in his heart, but from eating the leaves of a lillium.  It was a very harrowing time for the family and for Oscar’s little brother Ollie.   Vale Oscar.   I report this for the simple reason, that cat lovers must be aware of what can  happen when cats (or dogs for that matter) eat the wrong things.   Any form of Lily or lillium (all the same family) are extremely toxic to cats. This beautiful flower is very popular in posies, sheaths of flowers and baskets delivered for all the right reasons to people who are sick, or have birthdays etc., but they contain a killer for a cat.    A cat usually is very discriminating as to what they try or eat.   Some however, have that insatiable curiosity, others might not have had access to grass (which is essential for their health) and thereby try something else that’s green yet others are attracted by a particular aroma that only they find interesting.      No one knows why Oscar tried the leaves of the lillium, but he did, and he’s sadly now gone.    For people in the Northern Hemishphere – as Winter approaches and along with it Christmas, please make sure any poinsettias you have in the house are kept well away from your cats and dogs.   These too are toxic.    And in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter at it’s worst, there is no way a cat can find suitable grass, so it might be a thought to purchase a tray of ‘cat grass’ or simply plant some in a planter, for use by your cat when you offer it.    Once or twice a week is most likely sufficient.   There is a very large number of plants and foods that dogs and cats should not eat or even be near.   At the bottom here is a link to find out what should and should not be accessible to pets.   After I had read this I thought that we should get a digger in to raze the garden completely, as we have many toxic plants in our own garden, but fortunately all of these are out in the front of our home and our cats and dogs are not permitted to roam freely there as we have no front fencing.   The back garden is a bit of a mess, courtesy of our two dogs. !!   There is nothing there now that would be toxic, however, I accompany the cats outside for their grass, as a couple of them are escapologists and need to be plucked off a fence now and  again. I also watch what they go near and what they eat while out there with them, despite the fact that it is fairly ‘clean’ of nasties.   Winter here does bring up toadstools at the foot of trees, and they must be disposed of immediately for the safety of dogs and cats.   A small case in point.    We have a beautiful ichium which this year has bloomed more than ever before – see photograph.     It is beautiful to us, but is heaven for swarms of bees.   So in the most busy part of the day for bees – sunny morning to afternoon, I keep the dogs away from the ichium to the best of my ability.  Have you ever seen a dog catch a fly ?    Lightening fast they are, and I doubt a dog would distinguish between a bee and a fly !    Bee stings in the mouth of a dog can be very dangerous.    Suffice to say, pets need to be watched like one would a toddler – at all times. Here is the link if you wish to visit and find out what can and cannot be given to or eaten by pets.    Click here for information on all poisonous items - mainly for dogs.