Non-Profit News

Dear Porky & Buddy: I am an enthusiastic gardener, but also a pet lover and I worry all the time that the "stuff" I use in my garden, even though I try to use mostly organic products and controls, might harm them. But they are always outside with me and roaming around and investigating every new smell and I just worry. Do you have any advice? Signed, John

Dear Porky & Buddy: Now that it's almost summer, I wonder if you could say something about all the dogs I see riding in the back of pickup trucks. Sure, it looks like they are having a good time, but it can't be safe. Is it even legal? Signed, Martha

Dear Porky & Buddy: Last week you talked about dogs in cars and that was all well and good, but what about cats in cars? I would love to take my cat Bernie to Florida with me in the winter, but if I even put him in the car for a few minutes to take him to the vet he howls the whole time as if I was torturing him. If there a way to get him to enjoy or at least tolerate car trips. I hate leaving him with a neighbor every winter. Signed, Pete

Dear Porky & Buddy: My eight year old tabby, Sid Vicious (it's a long story—he's really a sweetie pie) has suddenly started peeing outside the litter box—not every time but often enough that it's becoming a problem. What should I do? Signed, John

We are pleased to announce that Oswego High School junior Jenna Ballard will present a solo piano recital at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 7 at the Church of the Resurrection, 120 W. Fifth St., Oswego.

Dear Porky & Buddy: I have just decided to switch from a mostly vegetarian diet to a strict vegan diet. It is a big change for me, but, after much research and thought, I have decided that it is both a political and an ethical imperative. So that is fine for me, but what about my best friend, Oscar, my ten year old cat? Do you think it's hypocritical for me to take this step for me but keep feeding him regular cat food which has a lot of meat in it? Is it even possible to switch him to a vegan diet too? Signed, Jim

Dear Readers: No kidding around this week. This is serious and we need your help. The New York State Senate just passed a bill sponsored by Senator Terrence Murphy intended to prevent those who abuse animals from committing similar acts in the future.

Dear Readers, We have written about this issue many times in the past, but it NEVER hurts to say it again. It's getting into the dog days of summer--we know our readers would never leave their dog(s) in a car because they are aware of the dangers of overheating and death.

Dear Readers: We received an email from the ASPCA this morning and decided to pass it along to you in its entirety. It's something that we did not know about a plant that you can buy here in Oswego County now, the Sago Palm. It's a nice looking plant, but, unfortunately, deadly to pets. Here is what the ASPCA has to say: