Pets and Other Animals: A Supplement to Childcraft - The How and Why Library 0716606925, 9780716606925

Citation preview

Pets

and Other Animals 1992

Digitized by the Internet Archive in

2013

http://archive.org/details/petsotheraninnals1992chic

Pets and Other

Animals

©

1992 World Book,

may

Inc. All rights reserved.

This volume

not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form

without prior written permission from the publisher.

World Book, Inc. 525 W. Monroe Chicago, IL 60661

ISBN 0-7166-0692-5 Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 65-25105 Printed in the United States of America

,W«i^Vt^^^)^^^lill^^

Dogs: True Blue Buddies

A Dog's Best Friend—You! • Adventures in Dog Walking • Good Show! • Why Does a Dog? • Happy Homecoming • Pet Puzzler: Help Osgood Get Home • "The Flying Dog" • Henry's Hall of Fame

40

Cats: Freewheelin' Friends

Cats Cats Cats • Cat at Work • Noble Companions • Featured Creature • The Purr-feet Cat Owners • Puff at Play • Pet Project: Cat Mouse Toy

Furry Friends It's

70

a Small-Pet World •

Ham It Up • Pet A Taste of the Good Life,

Hamsters Project:

Hamster Style • Adventures of a Second Grade Guinea Pig • Gerbils on the Move • Down at the Hutch • Featured Creature

Birds

in

the

Hand

94

A Canary Comes Home • Who Wants Seconds? • Pet Project: Make a Treat for Birds • The Keet Report • Duck Walk • Featured Creature • Old Mr. Periwinkle • The Courtship of Tony and Cleo

Wet Pets

126

^^

• Featured Creature • Turtle Talk • At the Salamanders' • Presto Change-0: A Tadpole Turns into a Frog • A Wonderful, Watery World • Dear Mrs. Nugget • When Is a Horse Not a Horse? • The Big Sir Terrence's Tour

Tanks

Farmyard Friends

158

The Horse and Pony Show • Giddyup! • Going Whole Hog • Separating the Sheep from the Goats • Featured Creature • Pet Project: A Lamb You Can Take to School • Penside Manner •

Down

at the Bison Corral

Pets Around the World

My Fishing Feathered Friends • A Kangaroo Fun and Games

Survivor

•

—Dolphin Style • Somalo, an Indian

Mongoose • Featured Creature • The Camel: A Desert Pet • Pet Project: Spin Around the World Game

Pets Outside the Door

218

Butch Speaks Out • Wildlife Hospital • I'm Glad You're My Neighbor • Guardians at the Gate • Featured Creature • Pet Puzzler: A Panorama of Backyard Pets

Books

to

Read

New Words

Illustration

Index

244

247

^

Acknowledgments

Y 250

Editorial

Advisory Board

for Childcraft

—The How and Why Library

William H. Nault, Ed.D.,

Litt.D.,

LL.D.

General Chairman, Editorial Advisory Boards, World Book, Inc.

D. Keith Osborn, Ph.D.

Steven Waskerwitz, M.D.

Professor of Child Development

Director of Pediatric Education and

University of Georgia

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Allegheny Lilian G. Katz, Ph.D.

Kay

Professor of Early Childhood Education

Assistant Professor

E. Vandergrift, Ed.D.

and Director, ERIC Clearing House on Elementary and Early Childhood

School of Communication, Information,

Education

Rutgers University

Campus

Medical College of Pennsylvania Pittsburgh /

and Library Studies

University of Illinois

Urbana-Champaign

Staff Editorial

Art

Product Production

Vice President, Childcraft Dominic J. Miccolis

Art Director

Wilma Stevens

Vice President, Procurement Daniel N. Bach

Administrative Director

Senior Editorial Artist Deirdre Wroblewski

Manufacturing Director Sandra Van den Broucke

Contributing Artists Donna Cook Mary-Ann Lupa

Assistant Manager,

Roberta

Dimmer

Managing

Editor, Print

Maureen Mostyn Liebenson Associate Editor Diana K. Myers

Steven D.

Manufacturing Eva Bostedor

Mach

Patrick Nycz

Senior Editor

Lucy Smith Brenda Tropinski

Vice President, Pre-press Services

Lisa A. Klobuchar

Elizabeth A. Westley

Joseph

Writers

Production Artists

Andrew Chaikin

Kelly Shea Doherty

Production Manager Joann Seastrom

Kathleen F. Kain Patty R. Mullins Bernice Rappoport

Brenda Tropinski

Sheri Reda

Director of Photography John S. Marshall

Permissions Editor

Photographs Editor

Janet

Katharine Nolan

T.

Peterson

J.

Stack

Proofreaders Anne Dillon Daniel

J.

Marotta

Publisher

WiUiam H. Nault Indexers Dennis P. Phillips David Pofelski

Director of Research Mary Norton

Researchers Lesley Martin Brett Sparks

Consultant Kenneth S. Hay, D.V.M. Misener-Holley Animal Hospital Chicago

President Daniel C.

Wasp

Preface It's

nice to cuddle

kitten... or

up with a

romp with a

puppy...

or stroke a bunny's silky, soft

fur.,

or giggle as a frog gobbles a bug.

have a pet of your own, you

If you

know how much joy

it

But your pet needs a

brings you.

lot of

attention in return. Pets

Animals to

tells

care and

and Other

you what you need

to

know

keep your pet healthy and happy.

own a pet. shows you how to "have a

But maybe you This book also

pet" without keeping

don't

an animal

in a cage,

a box, or a tank. You can observe a spider spinning

its

web, or put food out for the

birds in your neighborhood.

Or you can

help care for a friend's or relative's pet.

This book

about

kinds of pets

all

own and

of information

is full

—pets that people

"wild pets" that run, swim,

crawl, or fly free. So take your dog for a

walk,

make a

salad for your hamster, or

watch a squirrel bury an acorn. soon find animal!

many ways

to

You'll

be a friend to an

9»__^/i^iy^

1

^.s^m. :^i?^>

m k

e

i^: -c^i3*!:

If*.

*y^''-4'

»'(i* >- V.

^-•^::w:'

"

'

V.

.-

^

A

Dog's Best Friend You!

—

We

can learn a

lot

from Nellie, the

proud mother of four handsome

puppies.

"When my puppies were

born,

them and kept them and clean. Soon, they will go to new homes. Each will need a friend to care for it. So you want to be the very best friend a dog could have, here's what to do!" I

fed

warm,

safe,

if

>' Pamper your puppy. Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you have prepared a comfortable puppy #"

/'^^

home.

A cardboard box or a cage that is

big enough for the

puppy

to stretch in

makes a

fine bed. Line the box or cage

with

cushions or blankets. Put

soft

newspapers under and around the bed until the

puppy

toys in the bed,

water nearby.

12

is

housetrained. Place

and dishes

for food

and

Pay attention

to

your puppy's feelings.

Puppies have ways of showing you what they hke and don't Hke. Talk to your

puppy

often,

but try not to shout. Don't

cuddle your puppy so tightly that

squirms uncomfortably.

poke or tease Puppies

And

it

never, ever

it.

may need

as

many as

four

small meals every day. Puppies also need

a diet high in protein, a substance that helps the puppy grow. Most puppy foods that you can buy in a store provide this extra protein. You

may also add healthy

table scraps, such as egg, cottage cheese.

^V

/

or lean meat, to your puppy's store-

bought food to make sure protein

it

Pet Pointer

veterinarian within a

have brought

give

gets the

needs.

Take your new puppy

will

it

it

to see a

week

after

you

home. The veterinarian

check the puppy's general health and it

vaccinations,

which are shots that

help protect your puppy from serious diseases. Also, be sure to ask the vet for

bathing and brushing instructions.

A grown-up dog can be a great new family pet. Animal shelters are

full

of

dogs that need good homes. Just make sure you choose a healthy, adult

alert, friendly

dog.

13

You'll

need

to teach

your puppy

behave well indoors and other people.

you when

it

It also

to get

to

along with

must learn

to tell

needs to go outside to the

bathroom. Puppies do not need treats to

The more you work with

learn tricks.

your pup, the more

show

it

what

it

will learn. Patiently

to do over

and over again,

and say "Good dog!" when

it

catches on.

And when your puppy makes a firm "No!"

punish

it

is all that's

a mistake,

needed. Never

by shouting, handling

roughly, or spanking

it

it.

Pet Pointer

Teaching a

^.--^

^

New Dog New Tricks

Puppies and dogs need

commands. This

is

to learn five basic

called obedience

training.

SIT Press gently on your dog's backside with one hand and pull up slightly on its leash with the other while repeating the

command

"Sit."

DOWN When your dog its

lying

same

14

hold

and gently lower it until down. Say "Down" at the

front legs

is

is sitting,

time.

it

At about one year of age, a dog

is

full-grown. Your puppy's stubby face

has taken on a grown-up look. Your dog can run faster and leap higher

than

and

ever. It

tricks

more

knows more commands

and learns new ones

quickly.

But your dog

depends on you

still

for its health

and

happiness.

Dogs

like to follow

a regular

schedule. So try to feed

and walk

your dog at about the same time every day.

HEEL When

your dog pulls ahead or

A grown-up

dog needs

falls

behind, give the leash a quick tug and say "Heel," until the

STAY Say

dog

is

by your side.

and hold one hand flat in front of your dog's face as you walk away backwards. If the dog moves, say "No, sit, stay." Then press back into place. "Stay"

it

COME

After your

walk away from

Remember: The

it

dog has learned to stay, and then call "Come."

dog obeys, the better you can protect Can you think how the command "stay" could save a dog's life? better a

it.

*:•

O

15

(

/

one

or, better,

two meals and one or two

long or fast-paced walks per day.

Many dogs,

especially long-haired

ones, need daily

combing or brushing,

called grooming. If you learn to

brush your dog gently, to love the attention. feel great!

it

will

And

it

comb and

soon begin

will look

Grooming sessions are

good time to check

and

also a

for fleas, ticks, or

other problems, such as dandruff or nails that have grown too long.

A veterinarian

can correct most of these problems. Visits to the veterinarian are

an

important part of dog care. Your healthy

16

dog needs a checkup once a year, without fail.

how much your checkup reminds you of your own

You

dog's

will

Pet Pointer

be surprised

checkup! The doctor looks in your dog's

and

ears, eyes, nose,

veterinarian takes

throat.

its

cry at

night the

week

pulse, listens to its heart

and lungs with

a stethoscope, and gives

booster shots

a new home. Try tucking a hot water

under a pillow and placing a bottle

ticking clock

wrapped to

keep the vaccinations working.

The veterinarian tell if your

dog

is

tiredness, fever,

ill.

will explain

how to

Signs include

runny

eyes,

first

in

The

temperature and

it

A puppy may

runny nose,

in

in

a towel

the pup's bed.

The warmth and gentle ticking

will

comfort the puppy

by reminding

it

coughing, smelly ears, strange body

snuggling with

movements, vomiting or diarrhea, and

mother.

constant chewing or scratching. Always

have the veterinarian's phone number on

hand

in case of accident or illness.

of its

Mrs. Ortega had just moved Mr. and the neighborhood with their

to

beautiful colhe. Molly Martin knocked

on their

door. "Hi. I'm here to offer

my

services as a dog walker," she stated. "I

walk dogs block.

for several families

on the

Every day, rain or shine.

My

"

card

"I'm glad to

meet you," Mr. Ortega

answered. "And here's our dear Silkie."

murmured as long fur. "How are

"Pretty Silkie," Molly

she stroked the dog's

you today?" treat

Silkie

wagged her

tail. "I

my dogs like friends," Molly

explained. "Would you like to go on a test

walk?"

The four

set

off.

"Silkie likes to

have

her walk at four o'clock every afternoon," said Mrs. Ortega.

"No problem," replied Molly.

up a schedule

for all

my dogs,

"I

and

make I

never keep them waiting."

"Would you know what

to

do in an

emergency?" asked Mr. Ortega.

18

always have your veterinarian's

"I'll

phone number with me," Molly answered confidently Suddenly, a dog across the street

barked

excitedly. Silkie tried to

drag Molly toward the misbehaving dog. "Are you strong enough to hold her?"

Mrs. Ortega asked with a worried frown.

Molly tugged the leash and pulled a doggie treat from her jacket. "Come, Silkie,"

she said firmly. Silkie scampered

after her.

"You're the best, Molly!" Mr. Ortega

exclaimed. "Can you start

tomorrow?"

%k

"^

think she's already

started," said Mrs. Ortega,

and they

all

laughed.

Good Show! shows are Dog attend, even

Rows and rows

lively if

and fun

to

you don't have a dog.

of stalls

and cages

contain every kind of dog you can

imagine. Owners and handlers wearing

armbands fro,

for identification

hurry

to

exercising their dogs or signing

for events.

At some

stalls,

and

up

owners

prepare their dogs for competition. They

brush them, check their teeth, or stroke

-'VMMMnjvnj

them

to

keep them calm. In other

perfectly

stalls,

groomed dogs nap contentedly,

waiting for their turn to be judged.

20

At a dog show, you may see some of the world's most unusual dogs. Instead of barking, the basenji

resembles yodeling.

makes a sound that The shar-pei has a

wrinkled face that makes wise old person. You also

it

look like a

may admire

elegant Afghan hounds with silky hair trailing the ground, tiny toy dogs,

such as

the Chihuahua and Pekingese, and such giants of the dog world as the great

and

Dane

Irish wolfhound.

A championship beauty contest

for

show

is

a

little like

purebred dogs.

champion dog must be as

a

A

close as

possible to the perfect size, color or colors,

and shape

for its breed.

Getting a whisker trim Is all in a day's work as an English bulldog and its trainer get ready for competition.

Dogs compete rings. In

This

is

in

open areas called

one ring, dogs pose forjudges.

often called stacking.

Owners

place their dogs in a standing posture

with their feet firmly planted and their

heads held high. The dogs are judged according to

how good they

look and

how

well they stay in the stacking position.

In another ring, the judges watch the

dogs move. This part of the competition is

named for a dog's way it walks. In this

called gaiting. It is

gait,

which

is

the

competition, dogs walk or trot on a leash Poodles that compete in dog shows have fancy haircuts, just like these standard poodles. Here a judge Is fluffy,

examining the dogs the part of the show called the stacking competition.

in

in a variety of patterns

—triangular, T-

shaped, L-shaped, and straight

Many dogs

line.

earn points at the dog

show, and some win awards. The award "Best of Breed"

is

given to the dog that.

In

obedience

trials,

dogs can win awards for being the most well behaved. These dogs are performing the "long sit and stay."

They are not allowed to

move

until their

trainers give

them the

command.

in the judges' opinion, is the

most perfect

to

example of each breed. These dogs continue to compete until one

is

Pet

Words

Know

chosen

v_-'

A purebred

"Best in Show."

Years of training and hard work have

dog

that

is

a

has

ancestors of the

paid off for today's winners.

them now can add a new their

names

title

right to be called

of

before

—the letters Ch. This

stands for "Champion."

titles in

Some

title

A dog earns the

"Champion" by winning

going

back several generations.

A mongrel

is

a

mixed-breed dog, or mutt

several dog shows.

— one that

is

not a purebred. To

A dog show may include other special events, too. Obedience trials

same breed

measure

dogs' skills in following such basic

say that a dog is a mongrel does not

mean

that

it's

dirty,

ill-behaved, or

commands

as "heel,"

"sit,"

and

"stay."

unloved.

Field trials test hunting and tracking skills.

They are held

instead of an arena.

in a

wooded area

A pedigree

is

a

written record of

a

dog's ancestors.

23

Why Does a Dog? Why does a dog wag

its tail?

People often think that

wags

its tail, it's

always saying, "I'm

happy!" But a dog can different

ways

to

when a dog

wag its

tail in

say different things,

such as "Hello," or "I'm top dog!"

Why does

a

dog pant?

Sometimes a dog breathes hard with its

tongue hanging out.

breath or afraid.

Panting

is

It's

It is

not out of

just panting.

a dog's "air conditioning." The

air cools the

dog inside and

out.

Why

is

Pet Pointer

a dog's nose wet?

A cold, wet nose is usually a sign of a healthy dog. Dogs release moisture

through their noses and mouths to cool themselves.

A dry,

chapped nose that

stays

warm might mean the

fever

and needs

How fast can

an unfamiliar dog approaches you, If

dog has a

to see a veterinarian.

don't run away.

Running away may and may chase you and even bite you. excite the dog, it

Instead, stand

the fastest dog run?

Greyhounds, sleek and trim racing dogs, have been clocked in races at

more

at the dog,

quietly to

comes

than forty miles (64 kilometers) an hour. That's faster than a race horse!

still,

and without staring

it

it.

speak If it

closer, allow

to sniff you, then

back away

slowly.

25

^

>r-,

^

mw%;m*'mm ^^^v*fm i>immmmm^'-^ ii

i

ii

Pet Pointer "I'd like

Learn Dog Language

some

please."

Dogs use body language to tell you what they want and how they feel. Here is a dog "vocabulary list."

What does

When

food,

dog do

a

if it

senses danger?

dogs feel threatened, their

bodies "go on alert." Their ears prick up or forward, their legs straighten, their tails

stand straight up or out, and their

eyes stare intently. Trained dogs alert

when

their masters are threatened, too.

Wiiy does a dog

sniff the

ground?

Dogs pick up scents of other dogs, animals, and people this way. Even scents are

dogs can

all

tell

mixed up by wind or

them

apart.

if

the

rain,

When dogs

walk, their paws leave a scent that other

dogs can follow.

26

"I

need

to

go

bathroom."

to the

or "I

want

to

go

for

a walk."

"I'm sorry."

How does

a rabid dog act?

A rabid dog has rabies,

a deadly

disease. This disease causes a dog to

growl and often drool. Rabid dogs also

have a strange, crooked walk. They seem fearless

"mad

and

dogs."

crazy,

and were once

Mad is

another word for

crazy. If you think a

not go near call

it.

dog has rabies, do

Instead, go indoors

and

the police or animal control

authorities to report

What does a dog Please to

called

its

it.

like to

do most?

master. Most dogs try hard

be good pets.

27

Happy Homecoming It

was bedtime, and Kyle wrote

in his

journal. "Today is the saddest day of

my life. fault!

When \,

I I

thirsty

drink.

I

Flash

is

missing, and

it's all

my

went bike riding

this afternoon.

got back home,

was

I

went straight didn't realize

gate. I'm not

I

I

so hot

for the

and

hose for a

hadn't closed the

even sure when she

escaped."

That afternoon, right disappeared.

after Flash

Mom and Dad tried to make

Kyle

said. "Don't

blame

"But what Kyle

"No one

feel better.

if

Mom

is perfect,"

yourself."

she never comes back?"

cried.

"We'll just

have

to

make

sure she

does," said Dad.

Dad lost

Mom helped Kyle

dog notice, and

make up

called the local paper to place a

posters with Flash's picture to put

in the neighborhood.

"Maybe we should ask the mail and the garbage

collectors

carrier

whether

they've seen Flash," Kyle suggested.

"Good all

idea," said

Mom. "And

I'll

call

the veterinary hospitals and animal

shelters in the area

and leave Flash's

description."

"Would

it

help

if

we

told

them

Flash's

dog tag numbers?" Kyle asked. "Sure would,"

added

sadly, "I

"I did!"

so excited

Dad

said. "But,"

he

never wrote them down."

Kyle exclaimed. Kyle had been

when Flash had

first

come

to

29

^

Pet Pointer

The identifying numbers on rabies tags and dog licenses are kept on

record at the animal control

department

f

live

He had

with the family.

written

—

^ -

| ?

down almost everything about her even ^^^ ^^^ numbers— in his journal. Kyle was so worried about Flash that j^^

tossed and turned all night. "Where

is

? ^he?" he wondered. "Is she warm? Does she have enough to eat?"

rj.^^ where you live. | j^^^t day went by slowly The These numbers can - „ c^ 4 family moped all evemng. Suddenly the help identify your ,

dog

if it

is lost

Get a rabies tag

at

the veterinarian's office

when your

dog has

its

rabies

animal control office or your veterinarian

you how apply for a dog can

tell

ljj,gP5g

^ « I »

|

yes!" Kyle heard his

to

^

mother say

"We'll be

^^^^t down!

"Flash?" Kyle asked hopefully "Flash,"

%

shots. Your local

i

-,

phone rang. Everyone jumped. "Yes

and

brought to a shelter.

-,

Mom answered with a grin.

^^^ moment Flash saw Kyle, she ^ wagged her tail so hard that it looked f ^^^^ ^ ^j^^ ^iyle hugged Flash as hard as

f

§ J^

he could and thought he'd never

The man

at the animal shelter smiled.

The happy reunion made him too.

He

let go.

told Kyle

feel good,

and his parents that a

farmer had found Flash romping in his pasture with his

own two

late in the evening.

Flash and

let

dogs. It

was

So the farmer fed

her sleep in the barn.

called the shelter the next

He

day and

reported the numbers on the dog tags.

him the numbers on her tags matched the ones you had given us," he "We

30

told

told them.

down

"And he

offered to bring her

to the shelter right away.

We

phoned you in the meantime." "The nice farmer didn't even leave his

name," wrote Kyle that night. we'll

"I

guess

never meet him. But he's a real

friend.

I'll

never forget him."

"The Flying Dog"

He

streaks across the ground fast as

lightning, leaps,

and catches

spinning flying discs in midair!

wonder

this terrier-beagle

Arizona,

is

named Air

from Phoenix,

Major.

According to his trainer, Air Major showed

No

skill at

Bill

Watters,

leaping and

catching as a pup. So Watters

taught him special

tricks.

In a

trick called the "back vault,"

Air Major springs from the

ground

to Watters'

shoulders and then

high into the air to catch a flying disc.

Watters and Air

Major have competed in

five

world championships. Air Major performs for live audiences across the

United

States and has appeared often on TV.

Watters and Air Major have worked

hard

to

become the

best.

what they know about

They share

setting

and

achieving goals in special presentations at elementary schools.

Henry's Hall of

Fame

Welcome, people, to the Dogs' Hall of Fame. I'm

Bloodhound Henry,

your guide. We're taking this tour

show our appreciation

K'ftr;! t/l/l/l////

ways dogs contribute

many human life.

for the

to

to

Now, please step up and view the sled dog, represented here

by the

Siberian husky. (Some people consider

them handsome

—but look

at those short ears!) Life in the icy

lands of the north would have been impossible without such dogs.

Imagine that you are surrounded

by a howling

blizzard.

You can see

nothing in the fierce whiteness.

Could you trek

for miles pulling

a

sled loaded with supplies? Probably

not by yourself. You'd need the help of the

husky or one of its cousins, the

Alaskan malamute and the Samoyed.

Farmers and herders have depended on dogs

for

thousands of years. Here

the terrier, valued for rats

and other

its skill

is

in killing

pests.

Herding dogs, such as the

collie,

the Old

English sheepdog,

and the German ^

shepherd, have been

tending sheep, goats,

and

cattle for

hundreds of years.

Dogs also have earned their keep by helping hunters. Pointers, setters,

hounds

locate

and

game

with their keen eyesight and sense of smell. Spaniels scare

birds out of hiding.

And retrievers gained

their title because they retrieve, or bring

back,

game

birds that have been shot.

Now let us turn to the

Search and

Rescue, or SAR, breeds. Here

German shepherd in a

we

see a

searching for survivors

burned building.

St.

Bernards,

my kin, the serve as SAR dogs

Labrador retrievers, and noble bloodhounds,

as

well.

may be brave

(The others

enough.

It's

a Pet Fact

But unfortunately, they lack the

handsome wrinkles that adorn

my

Every year since 1954, a large U.S.

'3.

company has named a Dog pet food

Hero of the Year for a special act of bravery. The dogs that have won this award have saved the lives of

many

people and even other animals,

overcoming such dangers as fires, speeding traffic, wild animal attacks,

and

fast-flowing

rivers.

breed.)

Through

history,

rescued people from floods, avalanches,

SAR dogs have

fires,

earthquakes,

and other

Experts have estimated that sense of smell

is

disasters.

SAR dogs'

a million or more times

keener than a human's. They can follow a

many miles. In many one SAR dog and its handler

person's scent for situations,

can do the work of thirty rescuers.

37

Now follow me for a tour of the

Guide

and Companion Dog Wing. Here we honor dogs who unselfishly help people in special ways:

Seeing eye dogs act as eyes for the blind.

They guide and

owners in

traffic

protect their

and other situations

that are difficult for blind people.

Hearing ear dogs help the hearingimpaired. They alert their owners to

everyday sounds, such as doorbells, and to

danger signals, such as smoke alarms

or sirens. Strays often

ear dogs

38

when they

make good hearing

are properly trained.

People in wheelchairs find true friends in aid dogs. These dogs do the

chores their masters cannot do. They

provide protection, as well.

Therapy dogs work with their trainers to brighten the lives of patients in

nursing homes and hospitals.

Ill

elderly patients are often lonely. feel better after petting

and

They

and cuddling

these dogs.

And finally, we honor Everydog. We do not know this dog's name, but it is every dog who has loyally served its master. It may not do anything special.

But

to its family,

hero. Perhaps

it's

it's still

your dog!

a

'*"*^ -sL

^>?S ml^s^ ^^^ j^^rtSJjtn ^iia^"*'^'^'^^B ^^^'" a3i£»*.^Ai.r^^

m

11-11

'irffy

•

-

^^

r;;^*:;:?*:-^-

Ji^lii^i2i«; *?^"^i

ir*lS7g^

IT

*'cPwilt.'*^^''

'

''•

•ia^^^^B3*"iB

^^^^^^^^HbUlkiMiHLj^V/tM

fre

f

A

.

>*i^

«*"^ 2Jll«titfl

-**=*v

'-^^C-V

:3"

^r l .

^^XZT'^^

tl^

'^^':^^

*r'Z.'

Wm

i^

w

^i;^;^S ^^^*,

4 1

•4

w Grandma

cats

Lily,

and most

other Siamese cats for that matter, cannot stop chattering. What a loud voice she has! But what a show cat she is! Look at

those pretty dark brown points.

Grandpa Shabriar, a Persian, is one of the family's oldest longhaired cats. Long ago, a few cats had naturally long hair. Cat lovers spent years breeding more of these cats with beautiful coats.

Owners

of Persian cats

have to brush out the tangles daily.

\...

K ''^^W^"'

j0r j'*

%.

Great-Aunt Conchita, Grandpa's sister, is an oddeyed white Persian. Study her picture closely. You will see that she has a blue eye and a copper-colored one.

Aj

,.*SSi^!ft'

:j;;'«fc'vc>.

Aunt Ling has star

certainly

quality. All

Himalayans do, what with their Siamese coloring and luxuriously long fur. But imagine how hard she works to

groom

herself!

Pet

Word

to

Know

/,

Points are parts

a

of

cat, including tiie

face, ears, legs, feet,

that

and tail, have a different

color than the rest of the body.

Grandma Scheherazade Angoras look a

lot like

is a Turkish Angora. Persians, but Persians have

Angoras probably came from Turkey. They were named after a Turkish city that is now called Ankara.

flatter faces. Early

Great-Uncle Alex, like Grandma Lily, is from the shorthaired side of the family. Like every other Abyssinian, he is a wonderful stalker and jumper.

Cousin Galina is called a Russian blue. The earliest Russian blues most likely came either from northern Russia or Scandinavia.

Louie the Rex is a newcomer to the family.

The

first

Rexes, or curly-haired cats, arrived on the scene in about 1950. But curly hair isn't their only claim to fame. Rexes run faster

and leap

farther

than most other cats.

45

— Ill Sumi comes from faraway Japan. Americans call her a Japanese bobtail. The daredevil of the family, Sumi and others of her breed actually love to swim.

What's different about Max the Manx? Take a

cond

look.

Manx

\cats have no tails, or very short ones. And weird but true they have a rabbitlike hop when they walk.

—

The

earliest

came from

Manxes

the Isle of

Man, between England and Ireland.

w

Cousin Seth lives closer to home. He belongs to the Maine coon breed, which includes some of the biggest cats in the world. Huge, isn't he? bet his owners hitch him up to their sleigh each winter. Ha! Ha! Only kidding, Seth. I

n^f-

Here am! After seeing I

pictures of

my family,

you may have guessed that am a mixed breed. Actually, have inherited I

i

the best traits from all my relatives, don't you think so?

*iH^

^f^

Cat at Work Casimir begins his stretch.

day with a

Then he pads

into

the kitchen to greet Mrs.

Petrowski, his owner, with his

upright tells

tail

waving

her that he

is

gently. This

glad to see

her and his breakfast. After eating, Casimir starts his rounds. First,

he rubs his

head against Mrs. Petrowski.

Then he presses

it

against the table legs and" chairs. Casimir is

releasing scent markers.

Their odor lets other cats

know where he has been and how long ago he was there.

When Casimir

passes through a territory,

he leaves scent markers along the way.

'#-*

..S^

£3^*«iife,r

Once outdoors, Casimir pauses

He

to listen.

slinks toward a

rustling noise.

Then he

mouse scurrying into a Casimir darts after

shed

is

dim

light

Inside, the

it.

than a person

some

can, but he needs

his

shed.

dark. Casimir can see far

better in

his

spies a

light to see

way around. However, to feel way around, Casimir needs

only his whiskers.

Casimir 's whiskers send

messages

to his brain in the

same way that your

fingers

^^

send messages to your brain.

The whiskers on tell

him

enough

if

his upper lip

a space

is

wide

to fit through.

The

whiskers on his chin help

him

feel things

ground.

And

on the

the whiskers

on his forelegs

tell

him

what he has caught

is

if

about

to escape.

Casimir

is

a good mouser. His senses

of sight, hearing,

and touch help him

make

of the

short

work

mouse

in the shed

49

''**

Later, Casimir sits in the

sun licking himself. The saliva on his tongue cools off

and cleans

bristles dirt

and

his fur.

him

The

on his tongue comb out loose hairs.

Suddenly, a dog charges out

from the next yard. Casimir arches his back. out, size.

The

fur on his tail puffs

making the

He

tail

look twice

puts out his claws. The

its

cat's

whole body says, "Don't mess with me."

But

this

and the

dog doesn't frighten easily

closer

it

looks. In a wink,

comes, the bigger

Casimir changes his

mind about attacking and uses to climb a

or

draws

nearby

in,

it

tree.

Then he

his claws retracts,

the claws. (Retracting the

claws keeps them sharp, and Casimir

may need tail for

to wait.

sharp claws

yet.)

He

uses his

balance as he walks out on a limb

The dog seems

to take forever to

go away.

When

the coast

is

finally clear,

Casimir sizes up his situation. Like a

r

person but unlike a dog or a mouse

Casimir has eyes in the

They help

front of his face.

him judge

distances.

decides that he

enough

to the

He

is close

ground

to

jump. Casimir's flexible

backbone curves into

an

arch. His legs

absorb some of the

shock as he lands

on

all

four feet.

But even

if

M-^---/

t^

M \

^> >

67

BiiiM iMia

»

.

I

Pet Project Cat ^Aouse Toy Things You Need:

# scissors • marker • two yards of yarn small paper or

apiece

needle

make

of telt at

square VgO centimeters) v^^^^^ paper ^ wrapping

clip

large yam

Here's a toy you can

1

« one-hole punchleast

y •!jingle

for

bell

a cat you know or own.

Place a sheet of tissue paper over the

on pages 68-69. Trace the outline stitching holes

and the

slits for

mouse

of the body.

toy patterns

Mark the

the ears. Trace the ear

shape. 2.

Pin the tissue patterns for the body felt.

Cut the

felt

and the ears on the

around each pattern.

Punch out the

stitching

holes through the marks

on the cut the i

n mii L i

i

tissue. Carefully slits for

Remove used

the ears.

the tissue you

for tracing. Fold the

mouse body up the

in half, lining

stitching holes.

Slip the earpiece

the

slits,

through

so that one

mouse ear each side

sticks out

on

of the body.

4.

Straighten the paper clip and

bend a hook

at the

end

to hold

the yarn. Or, use a large yarn needle.

5.

Ask someone paper in

6.

clip

to help with

sewing

if

you need

it.

Thread the

or needle with the piece of yarn. Tie a large knot

the end of the yarn.

Lace the mouse through the holes you punched in the felt. Start at the nose and stop before you reach the tail, leaving a small opening.

7. Stuff

the

mouse

with tissue paper through the opening

you

mouse. After you make the last stitch, knot the yarn at the end of the mouse's body. Leave a piece of yarn as long as your hand for the tail. Then cut left.

Then

finish lacing the

the yarn.

8.

If

you have a

jingle bell, thread

your needle with a short

piece of yarn. Thread the yarn through the

bell

and the mouse's nose. Tie a

double knot.

Now

Watch as your

it's

time to play.

favorite cat stalks

the

mouse and

crinkles the tissue. Mttt

69

"vi

Siis*v«;;

It's

a Small-Pet World Ned Ratt Mammal News

Announcer: Hello, this

is

reporting for

MNN,

Network.

a big day here at the

It's

the

United Mammals, or first

This

meeting of the Council

Mammal is

UM.

for

is

the

Small

Our spokesmammal today Ms. Ferrer of Peru, who represents the

guinea

Pets.

pigs.

Ms. Ferrer, thank you

for

the chance to learn more about small

mammal

pets.

Ms. Ferrer:

Thank you, Mr.

hope our meeting

will help

become better friends 72

Ratt.

We

human beings

to their small

mammal pets. As a first step, we have of written a Small Mammal Pet Bill all small, Rights. These are the rights of

fuzzy pets everywhere.

Would you read them for us? With pleasure. "We beheve

Announcer: Ms. Ferrer:

that each and every gerbil, hamster, mouse, guinea pig, and rabbit has the following rights:

1.

To eat

2.

To be fed food free

3.

To have

4.

To

5.

To have toys to play with that keep the mind and body active

6.

To breathe fresh

7.

To be kept warm and free from drafts

8.

To sleep on clean, fresh bedding

9.

To enjoy the care and companionship

fresh, nutritious food every

of harmful

fresh, clean

live in

water at

a roomy cage

in

day

chemicals

all

times

the shade

air

of

humans 10. To be

left

alone sometimes."

73

Pet Pointer 'PSS:?-

Announcer: We're sure those guidelines will

small

Never pick up a small animal by

ears or

tail.

be useful to

its

Cup

all

humans who keep

mammal pets. Now I'd like

to

Haddad

of

question of Mr. Hamster Syria. Mr.

Haddad, hamster owners have

your hands around it

or cuddle

loosely

arms.

in

ask a

noticed that hamsters like to store

away

it

your

food in their cages.

They

also are able to

carry lots of food in their cheek pouches.

How do you explain this?

Haddad: Simple.

Mr.

My wild hamster

relatives live in hot, dry areas of the

world.

They hunt

for food at night,

sometimes they travel a long way it.

So they

eat

collect as

when they need

much it.

and

to find

as they can to

That's really very

sensible. (f&. *^,«*ipa»SBffi;rvs*'*.

Announcer:

Mr. Gerbil Dorj of Mongolia,

most of your relations also

come from dry areas of the world. Are their ^-*d#4-^^

habits just like

a hamster's?

Some wild gerbils store But we are different from

Mr. Dorj:

food.

hamsters in

many ways. For

example, we gerbils can

more

easily in places

there

is little

moisture

water.

where

We get the

we need from

Another difference

live

is

the food

that

we

we

eat.

are friendly

animals. If we are not too crowded,

we

enjoy living together in family groups.

Hamsters

fight.

Announcer:

What

do you say to that,

Mr. Haddad? Mr.

Haddad: I'm afraid

hamsters prefer not

to

it's

true.

We

hve with other

hamsters. But we're gentle with people

when we get to know them, and we make fine pets.

still

Announcer: Ms. Ferrer, we've heard

from our friends from Syria and Mongolia.

What can you tell

your relatives? 76

us about

Ms. Ferrer:

Guinea pigs no longer

live

in the wild. All of them are domesticated.

This means that people have been

keeping

my kind as pets for hundreds

of

years. Distant relatives of mine called cavies

still live

wild in South America,

though. Announcer: telecast.

And

now,

we must end our

Ms. Ferrer, do you have any

closing remarks?

Thank you, Mr. Ratt

Ms. Ferrer: Yes.

and you viewers at home, interest in small

for

your

mammal pets.

Please remember that

we

friendly, gentle creatures.

are clean,

We

ask only for

a healthy living space and some

company. In return, we pledge you our devotion and love.

Announcer: This has been

Ned Ratt

for

MNN. Good night.

A I

Pet

Word

Mammal of

is

to

the

Know

name

animals that have

for the large

hair,

group

a backbone,

and a warm body temperature. Baby

f

mammals get milk from their mother's body. Human beings, dogs, cats, hamsters, and rabbits are

all

mammals.

77

Hamsters

"amie! Joey!

"Come

see

Ham

Come

It

Up

here!" Katie called.

my hamster gym!" Her

twin brothers hurried

in.

"See?

I

emptied

out an old packing box from the

basement.

I left

the top open and cut a

door in the side. Then, just inside the door,

I

put a digging box filled with peat

moss. Look at Goldie!" Katie exclaimed. Goldie, her favorite hamster,

was

burrowing as deep as she could. Goldie's mother,

through a

Mandy, had raced

toilet tissue roll to

crawl across

»ona\)

cottage

You can make a hamster-style salad for with a hamster friend. yourself and share

—

1

.

it

Tear medium-sized pieces from a head of

cabbage and arrange them neatly on a large plate. Top the bed of lettuce or cabbage with young dandelion greens you have them. lettuce or

if

-.V

3.

Sprinkle sunflower seeds

and crushed

dill

or parsley over the salad.

4.

Put aside one tablespoon of the lettuce and mixed vegetables. If you wish,

decorate the rest of your salad with turkey slices or cottage

5.

Spoon a little yogurt into the small bowl. Add the grated orange peel to taste. Use this

6.

cheese.

dressing to top your salad.

Eat the big salad

all

by yourself

—and give

your hamster the spoonful of vegetables

you saved

for

a lunchtime

treat.

^|3na A|6n aM)

:J3msuv

rm^^^mm^M'^

^

:^

^fc£Lrf^i2y^.:0T5*^

'.^^-

^^

Sir Terrence's

Tour

attention, everyone. You say Pay you want a real adventure? Well,

you've come to the right place. I'm Sir

Terrence MacTurtle. Like

MacTurtles before me,

I

all

the

take brave and

curious young people on safaris into the wild. There,

we come

face to face with

the wondrous creatures that live in

ponds, on

lily

pads, and in the damp,

dark spaces under fallen

logs.

r

So climb in

and

let's

Shh.

.

my All-Terrain Turtlemobile,

see .

.

what we

find!

Here's our first sighting.

Point your binoculars over there, toward the shallow water near the pond's edge.

See that big shiny green creature? She's a bullfrog. Does anyone

know what group

of animals she belongs to? Did

I

hear

someone say "amphibian"? That's Notice

how smooth and moist her

right.

skin

She and her amphibian cousins need

is.

to

stay near water all the time. That's

where they lay

their eggs.

129

N^

Now we'll of the pond.

pull over to the

Hold on

\?.

sunny

tight! It could

side

be a

bumpy ride. Ahhh, here we

are.

Look

at those lazy

chaps, sunning on the rocks. They're relatives.

We haven't much in common,

though, except that we're Turtles are reptiles. reptile a reptile,

my skin.

my

all turtles.

What makes

a

you ask? Take a look at

Don't be afraid to touch.

leathery and scaly, doesn't

it?

It feels

That's not

from too much sun! All reptiles have skin like this.

that's like

Most

reptiles live

where we lay our

on land, and

eggs.

But some,

me, also spend time in water.

Lizards and snakes are reptiles, too.

What's that? Look there. See that

handsome green

fellow paddling through

the water with his long, flat tail? He's a

newt. he's

He may be shaped

an amphibian. Look

spots. He's a beauty, to

like

a lizard, but

at those red

be sure. Bet he's

out looking for a juicy fly or a tasty to

worm

snack on.

Climb back into the ATT, and drive into the woods.

Look

we'll

Oh ho! What luck!

at that fat fellow crossing the road.

Can you see his bumpy, brown skin? Does anyone know what he is? Right! He's a toad, another type of amphibian.

But

unlike frogs, toads have dry skin. They don't

need

to

be close to water

time

—only when

And

no,

a toad.

you

it's

all

the

time to lay eggs.

can't get warts

from touching

Who told you that nonsense?

Remember the handsome newt we saw earher?

'-xM

-45

If we're

patient in the

very quiet and

dim woods, we may meet

one of his land-dwelhng relatives scuffhng about in the dead leaves. Wait, there's one now. Notice the

dark skin and

the bright yellow markings. He's a spotted salamander.

Oh

Off he goes, under a

us.

dear, he's log.

He and

his

kind are quite shy. That's the end of our tour. You've

had

a chance to see some of these delightful

animals in the wild.

keep one as a it

a

home

ever decide to

you should try

that matches

environment. in

pet,

If you

its

natural

Now you have

knowing how

to give

a head start

to create that

home!

K

2fc

heard

H"*'*^'

^1

h

WiiL.

..'^''

^^'

A

..1

atured Creatare A

certain hare

But speed

You'd find

what

is it

is fleet I

of foot,

lack.

hard to run, I'm sure.

With your house upon your back.

So when the hare announced, "Let's race!" It seemed to all I'd lose. But midway through, my long-eared friend Stopped

I,

I

to take

a snooze.

meanwhile, plodded slowly on. never did give

in.

passed the sleeping hare And trudged bravely on to win! When the hare woke up, he knew he'd He wore a shameful face. But of me, that wise old Aesop said, "Slow and steady wins the race." At

X

last,

I

Who am

lost.

I?

^^ -..---7

esjoijoj

am :d3MSNV

Turtle Talk :^^ ^ SWEET?"

HOME ^

Where do turtles

SHELL

They

live in all

kinds of places.

swim

live?

Some

in the ocean.

Others roam about in

woods and meadows. Turtles live in ponds,

streams, lakes, and

even in deserts.

What

is

Most

turtles

layer shells. it's

layer

a

-Pet

(^

.^^,

Fact v\fi7 Turtles are the only reptiles that shells.

have

is

is

made

a turtle's shell

of?

have two-

The inner

made

of bone

and

attached to the turtle's

skeleton. layer,

The outer

which

is

tough

made

and hard,

is

dead skin

cells.

of

The

turtle

replaces these cells in

much

the

same way

that you grow hair.

4 134

Where should keep a I

Most small terrarium.

turtle?

turtles do well in a

The amount

in the terrarium

of water

depends on

the type of turtle you have.

A few kinds need

lots of

water

to

swim

in

as well as to drink.

Desert tortoises never swim

and can go

for

a long time

without drinking. Turtles also need a

warm,

dry, well-lit place to rest

How can

I

and bask

tell

if

a turtle

is

healthy?

A turtle's eyes should be open and alert. If you

should pull

pick the turtle up, its

head, arms, and

legs into its shell, or

make

strong

Never buy a ^

Do

turtles live a long

Yes, indeed.

Some

Galapagos tortoises

and box for

time?

it

it

should

swimming motions.

turtle with puffy eyes

or a soft shell.

Pet

Word tto ^ Know k

turtles live

more than one

hundred years!

Tortoise

is

another

name

a

turtle

for

that lives

on

land.

135

At the Salamanders' ,^'-

Well, hello, darlings. I'm Samantha Salamander, and this Lovely, isn't it?

I

want you

is

to

my home.

know

that

the world's most famous terrarium

designer created this perfect living space for

my husband, Salvador and

We come

Salvador, and me. I

are red salamanders.

from the woods of the eastern

United States. Here in our gracious home

we have everything we would have in our natural environment water to swim in, food to eat, fresh air. Where is Salvador, anyway? He should come out and greet

—

his guests!

For a short time, we salamanders can live quite

comfortably in a large jar. But

a spacious terrarium like ours nicer. All

salamanders

the ceiling?

It's

like

plastic

wrap

Look at

air.

See

Other

lid of

wire

are partly covered with

to

keep the moisture

in.

this magnificent piece of

wood. Salvador and it

moist

let air in.

salamander homes have a

Some

much

glass to keep in moisture,

with an opening to

screen.

is

most of the

of furniture

is

day.

I

sometimes rest on

But

my favorite piece

this exquisite rock.

Look at

'

'

ja^^^^^KBSt wk'^ V *-

y'

^^1^1 '^

^^^i'^ ^^^^f*^^^

:'*•-

/:(!-••>"'

"

how

cool

and dark

it is

underneath.

It's

a

wonderful hiding place for a salamander!

And

these leaves and

delightful to crawl

Come,

darlings,

pool. It's a nice soil at

soil

are absolutely

around

in.

and

show you the

I'll

ceramic dish buried in the

the bottom of the terrarium.

husband and

I

My

need water, but we swim

only sometimes. Other salamander friends of ours, especially

newts, like to spend

138

some

all their

of the

time in the

water. Their

homes are made almost

entirely of water. Imagine!

Oh, there's Salvador, hiding behind that fern. He's always hiding. Sal, dear,

come out and greet our

guests. Sal? Sal!

He never listens. All these plants give Salvador so

many

places to hide.

oxygen

for

think they

They

Salvador and

also produce

me

to breathe.

I

make our terrarium more

attractive, don't

you? •

Well,

it

come out

looks as though Salvador won't

today.

I

suppose a salamander

has a right to his privacy. But maybe be less shy next time you

visit.

he'll

•

#

/

•:

*

:.;

/i

pr^Jo^ange-Qi^pRir A TlSiclpole Turns

PipaFrog

^'^-

jft^^

If

you keep an eye on

see one of the

frogs,

you

will

most wonderful magic

acts in nature. It begins after a female

frog lays her eggs, usually in the spring.

In time, the eggs hatch into tiny babies called tadpoles.

A newborn tadpole looks more like a fish than a frog. It has a long tail bulgy,

140

round head, and

it

spends

and a

all its

bullfrog tadpole

time in the water. Like a

fish, the

tadpole has no lungs for breathing

air. It

uses special organs called gills to take

oxygen from the water.

As the tadpole grows, something amazing happens. Hind

legs,

and then

front legs, sprout from the tadpole's sides.

Meanwhile, the tadpole's

tail starts

shrinking. Soon, the lungs finish their

development, and the

gills

Now the tadpole likes

to

llllWPiidWIPIfPWPiWHKWW

disappear.

crawl out of the

water and rest on a rock or a piece of driftwood. In time,

anywhere from weeks

to years, the tadpole turns into a frog. If you live

near a

river, lake, or

pond,

It

takes three years

for

a bullfrog tadpole

to turn into

you can raise your own tadpoles. Have a

grownup take you

to the

an adult

bullfrog.

water in the

spring and help you find a clump of eggs. Collect a few (be sure not to take all)

and put them

them

in a tank filled with

pond water. Soon, the eggs

will

hatch

into tadpoles.

141

'^/

A small tank will hold about six tadpoles.

Feed the tadpoles water plants

or boiled lettuce or spinach. High-protein

dry baby cereal

is

also good tadpole food.

When the water level

in the

tank drops,

add fresh pond water. Some tap water contains chlorine, which fish

and tadpoles.

water, for a

fill

harmful

to

must use tap

a large jar and

few days

As

If you

is

let

the water

sit

to get rid of the chlorine.

their legs

and lungs develop, the

tadpoles will need to climb out of the

water

to rest

and breathe. So put a rock

or a piece of wood in the tank. After the

tadpoles turn into frogs, release

where you found the 142

eggs.

them

If you

want

to

pets, put

them

in a moist terrarium with

keep one or two frogs as

a dish of water. Feed

Many kinds

of frogs

them a varied

hke

crickets

diet.

and

other insects or earthworms.

Remember that frogs food that

is

moving.

If

will eat only

you

can't get live

food for your frog, you have to pretend it's

alive.

Take a

bit of lean

meat and

to

it

in front of the frog, jiggling

to

Word

Know

tie

a long piece of string. Then, dangle

it

Pet

it slightly.

Metamorphosis {meht uh fuh sihs)

The hungry in the wild

frog will do just

—stick out

its

what

it

does

long tongue and

gobble up the food. You can do this

we use

MAWR is

the word

for the

process by which

an animal changes its form, such as a

several times until the frog seems to be

tadpole turning into

satisfied.

a

frog.

143

.:,?S^:--,.i^

The Horse and Pony Show

Pssst!

Hello, friend.

My name is

Moonlight Bright. I'm new here this is

So

my first major horse

far, it's all

been pretty

show! exciting.

Pet

Words

Know

Last Friday, the blacksmith and farrier

to

my hoofs and make new shoes. On Monday, my owner, Carly, came into my stall wearing brand new

Farrier

came

^.^^^k -^^^*^'^

to trim

boots.

name person who is

the

for

a

fits

a horse with

horseshoes.

me and led me out of Carly told me what to expect at

After she tacked

the barn,

the show. She said

horses and ponies.

I'd

see hundreds of

Some

of them

even be Tennessee walkers,

like

would

To tack a horse is to put on its bridle

and saddle or harness.

me!

Carly said we'll compete for ribbons

and

points.

points in

The horse with the most

its division,

or part of the show,

will be declared the winner.

And, friend. 161

I

really don't

we can win

mean

to brag,

but

I

think

this show!

My partner has groomed me well, The

I'm sure to

height of

make

a good impression. This

ponies and horses is measured in hands. A hand is

morning, she massaged

four inches (10

hair.

centimeters).

pony is

is

so

me

with the

curry comb to loosen any dirt and dead

A

my coat clean.

brush

to get

fixed

my tail

a horse that

less than 14.2

Then she brushed me with a hard so

it

Next she

looks like a waterfall!

Carly washed me, head to hoof, with

hands, or 58 inches (147 centimeters), at the shoulder

sweet-smelling baby shampoo. Then she

tall

rinsed

blades.

^

me

with a hose and a sponge and

scraped the water from

my coat.

Finally,

my coat to make it shine. For a finishing touch, she oiled my hoofs. she rubbed

Of course,

this

show

is

more than a

beauty contest. As a Tennessee walker, Carly says,

162

I'll

be judged for

my walk.

running walk, and canter.

show

I

can't wait to

my running walk—just fast enough

to satisfy the

enough

for a

show

rules,

but slow

smooth, easy

ride.

So I'm shining clean, trained, and ready

can

tell

tense. call

to go.

I

Do

I

look okay to you?

I'm excited, but I'm not at just hope

I

stay calm

my name. Wish me luck!

You all

when they

The smooth gait the Tennessee

of

walking horse has

earned it the nickname of "nature's rocking chair."

163

Giddyup! Tracy and Jack got out of the truck and walked over

to the barn. "Hi,

Mr. Mackey," called Tracy.

Jack It's

for his first riding lesson!"

"Glad to meet you, Jack," said Mr.

^.ym^£h

a

brought

"I

Mackey. "This

Sophie,

is

my Morgan

horse. "We'll

Horse shows have

many

and a

kinds of

approach Sophie from the front

bit to the side, so

competitions.

her," said Mr.

English riders

on the

compete in a number of divisions, such as equitation (horsemanship), hunting,

we

don't spook

Mackey. "And

you'll

left."

"How

"She's so big!" exclaimed Jack.

do

I

mount

get on?"

"Just put your

left foot in

the stirrup,

and

yourself up, and

jumping. The

grab the saddle,

Western division has some special

swing your right leg over!

lift

It's

a big step,"

laughed Tracy, "but you can make

it."

competitions, including stock, to

judge steady speed

and

control;

Mr. Mackey watched Jack mount the horse. "Now, sit

up

straight,

with your

back and shoulders relaxed. Keep your

pleasure horse, to

heels down.

judge a horse's gaits;

and

trail,

obstacles and

with

"Take the reins lightly in your

left

hand. You'll need them to control the

ditches.

horse.

But take care not

except to hold back a

little

stop. Pulling the reins

horse's mouth."

164

to pull

on them,

when you

can hurt the

"We do Western "In English riding,

riding,"

added Tracy.

you pull the reins

to

turn the horse's head in the direction you

want

to go.

But

in

Western

riding,

you

just set the reins on the horse's neck.

touch of the reins on one side will

The

make

the horse turn to the other."

165

"But how do

I

get her going?" asked

Jack.

Mr. Mackey smiled. "Just press your legs together gently."

Jack did

it,

and Sophie began

to walk!

"Hey!" he cried. "I'm riding! I'm at the races!"

"Whoa!" laughed Mr. Mackey "You've only learned to walk. You've

still

got to

learn to trot, canter, and gallop. Not to

mention the

fact that

you haven't tried

stopping."

39milimi^is3S^iS ^

^itfCW*^ yfriiCV\.

*^u

v^

.r-7

©

.«,^V:

'-,/'

"

-

1^'

" t^^^-r^T-t-ii

"-\J

\

s

xy

WK^ ™^^iL£^%^

!==^

r K ^

i f'

1

^

W^w^°T^,

q ^1

^" r--^ 7\

Mi

^

1

1

N

i

aL4

-

V

iP'^

the sheep and goats too.

all

La

L

looked the same,

Who was who? What was what?

Just then, both boys came running to greet her. ^5|r

Up

close,

she saw Andy's

crooked grin and Alex's glasses.

"You two sure had said.

"And

me

confused," she

so did your animals."

175

fum'f4tjdimim6.iiimML4m

"Come tell

A ruminant

plant-eating animal that

chews

its

food

such as a cow, sheep, or goat.

you

a goat from a sheep?"

Cory blushed.

a

is

on!" teased Andy. "Can't

"I

can

tell

a sheep that

needs shearing," she replied. "And when I

see a goatee,

I

know

I'm looking at a

twice,

It

chews and

But there must be more

to it

than

that."

swallows once. its

goat.

In

Andy

relented. "Goats

and sheep have

stomach, the

chewed-up plants

a lot in common," he agreed. "They're

form a soft lump, or

both ruminants

cud. Later, the

they need the same kinds of housing and

animal brings the

cud back up

chew 176

again.

to

fencing. That's

same

pasture."

—they chew cud. And

why they can

share the

"They both give milk goat's

—though we use

milk more than sheep's milk,"

added Alex. "And both have coats we can wear. Did you

know

that mohair comes

from goats?

"And then

there's the

matter of

X

horns. Almost all goats have horns,

but

lots of

"Still,

sheep have them,

too."

there are differences, too," said

Andy. "For one,

my goats

are smarter

than the sheep. They never get their

own pasture

or get scared

dogs."

\ lost in

\

by the

\

^«

m

ji'--:m'^-h'>.i t

f«xt^::

Meet my pet mongoose, Somalo. Mongooses are known

for their

fierceness with snakes. Somalo different.

He

is

mongoose, but

him rush I

is

no

a brave and clever I still

worry when

I

see

to fight a snake.

suppose

father tells

I

need not be concerned.

me

that the snake's

My

venom

cannot hurt a mongoose very much.

Anyway, Somalo leaps and dodges

so

quickly that snakes don't have a chance to bite him.

My pet seems fearless when he faces a snake in the garden outside. Like a bolt

206

of lightning, he darts at the snake's neck

and

Again and again he

bites.

the snake dies.

Somalo

Then Somalo

fierce with

is

bites, until

eats

it.

snakes but like a

kitten with me. Inside the house, he naps

my shoulder. Sometimes he tail under my chin and tickles

peacefully on

passes his

me. Then I

give

hunting

When

I

I

laugh until the tears come.

Somalo is poor,

give

bits of

meat when the

but he enjoys eggs more.

him an

egg, he throws

it

under his body and between his hind legs

and cracks

it

dips his front

up as

if it

against the wall.

paw

in the yolk

were honey.

Then he

and laps

My mother doesn't

when I feed raw eggs to Somalo because he makes such a mess. like it

it

The best trained mongoose

I

have

seen belongs to the snake charmer in village. In

the wild,

types of

some

and help out one another. of

Members

these groups

rescuing another

mongoose from attack

«

basket.

They gasp when the mongoose

and the cobra do

their dance of death.

The snake sways and

hisses,

mongoose makes wicked

have been seen

man waves

his flute to lure the cobra from its

mongooses

form close groups

People gather as the

my

and the

clicking noises.

But the snake charmer's mongoose has been trained never to attack the

and

cobra. Still, the people stare breathlessly,

"babysitting" the

—the

young when mother

waiting to see which will win

mongooses are

master's training or the mongoose's

out

searching for food.

nature. After

all,

the mongoose

friendly with people, but

it

may be

remains a

wild creature.

.^f-

t^^

209

The Camel:

A Desert Pet

met Raishu on her

I should

say, "birthnight."

just after midnight.

Or

birthday.

I

She was born

The bright

silver

moon shone

in a perfect black desert sky,

and

twinkled on the sand.

its light

My

we are nomads Sahara. This means that we move

people are Tuareg, and the

in

about constantly, seeking pasture for our herds of livestock.

Raishu was a newborn dromedary, or

one-humped camel, and she had 210

legs

almost as long as her mother's. She stood

up before she was three hours

old.

Raishu and her mother could not rest long after her birth.

My family and their

camels were in the middle of a journey,

and we had

to continue.

stand, but she

father

was

wrapped her

still

Raishu could shaky. So

in a net

my

and placed

her on the back of another camel to carry.

A mother camel fusses and wanders away

if

she cannot see her

calf.

So 211

Raishu's mother followed behind the other camel.

I

walked beside the mother.

Watching Raishu made Most mammals have an allover

walk seem

layer of fat that

By

short.

Raishu and

stores energy that

my morning-long

I

the time she

became

special friends.

was a week

the animal can use

galloping about our camp.

when food

tired,

to find.

of

hard

But a camel

stores fat

on

is

in

a

head

hump

back instead spread all over its

When

scarce, the

food

|

5 her

camel burns the

^;

Camels

do not store water in their humps.

she got

me and rested her

She enjoyed being

Sometimes she would nibble

For two weeks, Raishu's only food was

hump

shrinks because the

for energy.

my lap.

When

she was

my face the way her mother nibbled hers.

is

fat

in

scratched.

its

body.

she knelt beside

old,

mother's milk. Then

her dates and grain.

I

began

to feed

Now Raishu finds

—

f her own food in the desert seeds, pods, % « and even the thorns that tear our clothes if

we pass near them. Raishu can eat such foods because her

mouth and tongue

are tough. But these

are not the only things that help Raishu survive so well. for desert

life.

bottom of each

Even her

feet

were made

A wide pad covers the foot.

The pads keep

Raishu's feet from sinking in the sand.

Sand

in the

wind can be a bigger

nuisance than sand on the ground. Again, Raishu comes prepared. During a

sandstorm, she can shut her nostrils so

no sand blows in her nose. Her long

212

lashes keep sand out of her eyes.

And

Raishu's tiny ears are filled with hair, so

no sand can get into them,

either.

Like other camels, Raishu can go for

months without a drink of the year.

in the cooler part

She gets water from the

plants she eats. Also, she hardly sweats

and passes

little

water in her wastes.

But when a well

is

nearby, a thirsty

camel smells the water and races

grown camel can drink

to

it.

A

thirty-five

gallons (135 liters) in a few minutes.

Raishu

can't drink that fast, but she's

working on

it.

213

.

m

Pet Projec% Around the

world

Game

Take a spin around the world

1

make a

of animals!

Have each

player

paper plate bottom-side-up.

game

like

Draw

shown on

First,

spinner. Turn the

lines to divide

it

4.

into six

card

make a

the one

the next page.

sections, like a pie. Label the

Europe, North America, and

Spend a few minutes looking over the map and at the

South America.

pictures of animals on

sections Africa, Asia, Australia,

5.

216 and 217. Try 2.

Push the pin through the arrow and into the center of the paper plate. Ask a grown-up to bend the pin and tape the point so does not stick anyone.

to recall

many animals as you

Cut an arrow from the index

pages as

can.

card.

it

I

are ready to play. Here

are the rules:

1

.

One

player

keeper. 3.

Give each player a playing pieces.

214

Now you

pile of

the

He

is

the

first

map-

or she turns to

map on pages 216 and

217.

2.

The

player to the right of the

map-keeper spins first. When the arrow stops on the name of a continent, the player names an animal that lives there. The

map-keeper

tells

spinning player

3.

If

the answer

is

is

^^^^^3

whether the correct.

On

correct, the

the

game

a row across by naming one animal from each

player places a playing piece

to

on the game card in a square under that continent.

continent, or

fill

by naming 4.

The spinning player passes

the

spinner to the player on his or her right and

becomes

map-keeper

for the next

one to

fill

six

continent.

fill

a row down

animals from

The

first

player

a row wins.

the

Repeat step number two. Note: a player may not name an animal named on the previous turn. player's turn.

card, players try

More advanced players may

name animals not pictured on the map they can prove that if

their

answer

book or

is

correct with a

dictionary.

i

Tasmanian Devil

^

.vC-\:^^^v.

j^P'''

Platypus

ife^

:0'^-'

IP^IP'

.T^«^

V

#

^v»;->.:r:^^:

':-^^^'^:^

^-

^y 1*- *

'

- •*^^:''X

»>*'*'/«-

^

j^..

%r-

>

T

hey scamper along leafy branches.

They peep out from holes

lawns. They

Who

tree.

flit

in front

on the wing from tree to

are they? They're the animals

that share our neighborhoods.

And

often,

they are unnoticed and unappreciated.

But

if

Butch D'Squirrel, president of

Wild Pals Action League (WiPAL), has his way, things will change.

"There

is

more than one way

pet," says D'Squirrel.

are

meant

to

"Pups and

have a

kitties

be owned and cuddled. But

there are other animals that pets.'

to

we

call 'wild

own these animals. them by observing them

People do not

They appreciate

in their natural surroundings." D'Squirrel's office

is

tucked in the

trunk of a hollow tree in City Park. He 220

/-^'r

We wild

animals

may

not like being caged or cuddled. But

Pen

^

we deserve to be seen and appreciated. We can teach people a

X

lot."

Love ^^i y /^

/^./^y/^

,-^

^J.

t^

=^:;"t

N works day in and day out

WiPAL word, letters

and

sitting

to

spread the

among the

i^

stacks of

leaflets that clutter his desk.

He has some

pointers for those

who want (i

I

to learn to enjoy wild pets. "To start with,

you can observe

us," D'Squirrel says.

III

"Certain kinds of animals seem to look

much the same ways. But they actually may have different habits. and act

in

1

7W^

!i:

/

^

1^

Pet Pointer

"^A

&^

'^

to

be

you ever seen a swallow on the ground?

a friend. Besides, with claws, quills, a stinger, or teeth,

back

to

may'

and

pecking away on the ground. But have

strike wild animals.

animal

birds are alike. Take sparrows

all

you can go outside and see sparrows

corner, tease, or

way

people think

swallows. Almost anytime, anywhere,

Never chase,

That's no

many

"For example,

«^

an

strike

defend

itself.

'%

No

way. Their feet don't work well on the

| ground. They spend almost 5 .1 .

.

i

.

•

all their .

.

,

time

„

U on the wing, catching insects to eat. Photography is another way to get $ acquainted with your wild neighbors, according to D'Squirrel. "Go ahead, snap

o

^^V'^o*.^.

^^^^i^o:^ 0.

away.

We love

that kind of attention."

He

also suggests sketching neighborhood

animals.

"It's

to preserve

an even more personal way

your experience of wild pets."

^Toa,''^

Mount your sketches and photos in a scrapbook and jot down notes along with them. "Or describe what you see us doing in a wildhfe journal," D'Squirrel says.

You can feed animal neighbors, D'Squirrel cautions, however, to

too.

make

sure that you put out only the right kinds of foods. "Veterinarians, zoo officials, or

books can give you pointers," he advises. It

doesn't matter

how you

choose to

know your animal neighbors better. "Any way is okay," says Butch get to

D'Squirrel. "Just do

WT^7/ 0^ >^— r"

sh^vi0rc

it

today!"

Wildlife Hospital

What happens when a wild animal gets sick? Unfortunately, no

doctors are on call in the wild, and sick wild animals never get well.

mammal,

bird,

or reptile or

an orphaned baby animal

and takes

to a wildlife hospital.

It

it

could be an owl, fawn, badger,

otter, ,.,

But

human

once in a while, a kindhearted finds a sick or injured

many

chipmunk, groundhog, or even

a skunk. Let's go inside the hospital to see

what happens

First, the

examining

next.

animal

is

table. If

taken

it is

the veterinarian treats

injured, it.

veterinarian hurries, for

The it is

probably cold and scared.

animal

is

to the

If

the

a baby, the doctor

cradles

it

under his or

her arm or close to the

neck doctor

for

warmth. The

may place

a grown

animal near a heat lamp or in a box with a heating pad under it,

making sure that the animal

doesn't get too

warm.

Next, the doctor makes certain the

animal

is

not dehydrated.

dehydrated when

An animal

is

does not have

it

enough water in the tissues of its body. dehydrated animal

Pet t^-j^)±c^, Pointer jgffi: f

is

in great danger of

dying. So the veterinarian gives the

animal a shot or fluids through a tube in its

mouth. animal

is

warm, calm, and

no longer dehydrated, feeding begins. Veterinarians feed baby animals nutritious formulas

made

especially for

each type of animal. Depending on the

it

and strength, the doctor feeds

with a syringe, medicine dropper, or

baby

baby animal

J

bottle.

Older animals are able to

feed themselves.

Mammals

eat such

to the

wildlife hospital,

L make sure is $ really an orphan. it

j^

J

When the

baby's size

Before you take a

A

jj

Many animal mothers leave

their

babies alone while

% 3 food. the baby g seems comfortable, * do not disturb Its 2 mother probably ^ will be back soon. they search for If

it.

If

"51

you are concerned about the baby, you can check on it the next day to make

^ 5 5 sure

it

is all right.

foods as meat, insects, nuts, acorns, berries, vegetables, wheat, oats,

and wild

grasses.

Veterinarians say that animals raised in captivity

must learn

own kind

they are to survive in the

if

wild. So the

to recognize their

animal spends several weeks

recovering with others like

it

box or cage lined with

warm

cloth.

feel for

the

And,

to give the

soft,

animals a

in a small

outdoors, the doctor takes their cages

outside often.

know that homes and hospitals do not make the best homes for wild animals. So when Wildlife veterinarians

the

M

•

>

--*

animal

is

finally strong

and healthy, the

veterinarian scouts out the perfect spot to set it free.

The area should have the

right kinds of food

and shelter

for the

animal.

At the perfect place at the perfect time, the veterinarian opens the cage

and the animal

is free.

to care for ailing

What

a feeling

animals until they are

well enough to scurry,

fly,

or crawl

away

on their own! 227

Glad You're Neighbor

I'm

My

No

matter where in the world you

call

home, chances are you share

your backyard with a variety of outdoor "pets." Let's travel

throughout North

America and meet some boys and

girls

and their animal neighbors.

—those with trees that lose their leaves in the — cover Deciduous forests

fall

most of New Hampshire. Just beyond

Ben and Gary's backyard

is

a forestful of

wonderful creatures. Their woodland pals include squirrels, chipmunks, mice,

A

Pet skunks, deer, frogs, foxes, hawks, garter

Word to

Know

TiO^^^"'

snakes, weasels, rabbits, salamanders,

and A

habitat

is

a

community of wild creatures. Each habitat has a

all

kinds of birds and insects.

One of the brothers' favorite things to do in summer is to collect insects and watch their behavior. Their prize pet was green caterpillar that turned into a

particular climate

a

and type

beautiful, soft, reddish-brown Cecropia

of land.

Different habitats

are

home

(suh

KRO pee uh) moth with wings six

to

different types of

animals and plants.

228

fat,

inches (15 centimeters) across. They set the

moth

free

on Gary's birthday.

I

Beau and

his family live in Louisiana

warm wetland called a bayou When Beau is not in school, he

in a lush,

{BY oo).

takes his dog, Tinou, and they explore the bayou in his family's boat. Sunlight slices

as

through the trees in golden streaks

Beau

glides quietly along. Sleek

swim through the crayfish,

and

fish.

minks

water, hunting frogs,

Shimmery water birds

called purple gallinules step daintily on

floating plants, while alligators

and

snapping turtles prowl under the water.

Imagine a backyard habitat with almost no trees, where swaying grasses go on for miles. This land prairie.

is

^li^ 5>4

called a

Angie rides with her father

to

check the fences on their ranch in South

m

Dakota. Pronghorn bound out of their

U

way, and turkey vultures perch on the

power

lines.

Angie laughs

prairie dogs play, kissing

to see the

and nuzzling

^^

one another in their prairie dog towns.

Burrowing owls bob their heads and duck into

abandoned

prairie dog holes

Angie and her father get too

when

close.

"»

*.

*^ii%

Susannah and her brother Jesse to discover the

many creatures

love

that

share their desert backyard in Arizona.

Once

in a while, a spiked,

chubby horned

lizard or a big, hairy tarantula creeps

into the backyard.

called roadrunners

Speedy brown birds dash by on their

strong legs, and purple-headed Costa's

hummingbirds flowers. fall

At night, Susannah and Jesse

asleep to the sound of coyotes calling

in the hills.

232

visit their father's

Michele lives with her parents in a cozy

home

in

Echo Bay on the tundra of

Canada's Northwest Territories.

It

stays

cool there the year around. Patches of

grass and trees only about one foot (30 centimeters) tall tremble in the wind.

In the short summer, insects flourish,

and

all

kinds of birds arrive to raise their

young. Water birds, including Arctic

GAN suhrz),

loons,

mergansers {muhr

teals,

and horned grebes gather by the

thousands on Great Bear Lake. Michele throws grain near the house to attract

Canada

geese.

A special treat is a

glimpse of a majestic gyrfalcon

(JUHR

FAWL kuhn) circling on a cloudless day.

Sturdy

musk oxen and

as Arctic hares

caribou, as well

and lemmings,

Michele's tundra home.

also share

home on the Cahfornia Randy and Mehssa have fun

Near coast,

their

exploring the tide pools, with their sea

anemones {uh crabs,

and

NEHM uh neez), starfish,

little fish.

Offshore, sea otters

play in the kelp, and blubbery elephant seals sprawl

make

on the rocks. Flocks of gulls

a racket

when Randy and Melissa

throw them scraps of bread.

Where do you

live?

North or south,

east or west, hot or cold, wet or dry, fascinating creatures are everywhere.

Think about the animals that

visit

your

own backyard, and maybe you'll find friends you didn't know you had! 234

Beth and Brian dreamed of being explorers. All they needed

was a

real expedition. "I

have a

lot of

helpers in the garden,"

Mrs. Chumleigh, their neighbor, said. "They're insect predators that control

garden pests. Walk with

watch them in

me and we'll

action."

The backyard seemed very quiet.

still

and

"Where do we begin?" asked Brian.

Pet

^/)

Word

ijA

Know ^^^^

"We can

is

parted the leaves to reveal a strange-

any

animal that hunts

and eats other animals.

my lovely

hydrangea," said Mrs. Chumleigh. She

looking

A predator

start right here at

this.

mass on the branch. "Look

What

"A

at

do you see?"

light

brown blob stuck

to

a

stick,"

Brian answered. "That's

But

it's

what

appears to be, Brian.

it

more than

that.

It's

a sac of about

three hundred eggs. That praying mantis laid

it,"

Mrs. Chumleigh said.

Beth and Brian jumped in

fright

when

they laid eyes on the long, green insect

with folded front legs peering at them

from the top of a hydrangea blossom. "Nothing to

fear,"

Mrs. Chumleigh said.

"She won't hurt you. She eats

harmful

insects.

all

kinds of

And when her young

hatch in the spring,

they'll help her."

"Boy, with all those praying mantises

around, you won't have any insect pests,"

observed Beth.

"One would think

Mrs. Chumleigh

so,"

sighed. "Unfortunately, mantises often

get carried

away and

the young run

own gardens

away

eat one another. So

in search of their

to protect."

"Yuck," said Brian. "Insect predators aren't very nice."

"They just do what

is

natural, Brian.

And some are quite charming. Why don't we go over to my roses and meet the ladybugs?" suggested Mrs. Chumleigh.

"Ladybugs are so fierce predators?"

cute.

Are they really

asked Beth as they

watched a crowd of round, red bugs with black dots scurrying along the stems.

"Oh yes," "They

replied Mrs. Chumleigh.

tirelessly gobble

aphids don't gobble up

up aphids

so the

my roses. By the

my roses? I'm so proud of my red pinocchios. My husband, Melvin,

way, do you like

planted them when. ..."

Just then a loud buzzing startled

them.

A gleaming green dragonfly,

shaped

like

view. "Oh,

a helicopter, zoomed into

an unexpected

visit

from Mr.

Darningneedle," said Mrs. Chumleigh.

how he carries his legs like a basket? He collects lots and lots of mosquitoes that way— mosquitoes that "See

would otherwise dine on your blood."

"Thank you, Mr. Darningneedle!" Beth called.

238

"Shhh!" Mrs. Chumleigh said.

"Now is

your chance to learn about the royal family of garden predators. Beth and Brian, meet

Queen Garden

Spider."

A fat, yellow-and-black spider rested web that hung between two sunflowers. Her body was nearly the elegantly in a

size of a half dollar. \'

"She traps countless insect pests in

y-

her web," said Mrs. Chumleigh. "And her relatives help, too

—jumping spiders, name who

lynx spiders, and wolf spiders, to few. If it weren't for the spiders,

a

239

m^m

\i,

\

\\

A'^

\

/

knows what have

I

told

my garden would be?

In fact,

you about the time thrips

attacked Mr. Chumleigh's

mums? He

tried—" Just then, the clanging of a bell interrupted Mrs. Chumleigh's story.

"Must be dinnertime," Brian

said.

"We'd really like to stay and hear about the

mums, Mrs.

C."

"Sure would, Mrs. C," Beth added

with a frown. "But we have

to get going."

"We're having liver and creamed peas!" said Brian.

"Why, that's Mr. Chumleigh's favorite dish!" cried Mrs.

and Brian

Chumleigh. But Beth

didn't hear.

They had already

disappeared like two darting dragonflies

through the garden gate. 240

KTOimsmimmmmmfim

Psdtured Creature She wove a round web of strong silken thread.

To save her friend's skin she put some words in that said just what had to be

said.

hung in the barn on Zuckerman's farm. Though the web wasn't big, and said simply, "Some pig," it kept humble Wilbur from harm. It

Who

is

the weaver?

3UO|jeqo :jaMSuv

i^^m

'