HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: njl@drutx.ATT.COM (LaRocheNJ)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: bunny's new favorite food...
Summary: Getting interactions from your bun.
Keywords: help! nervous bunny mom!
Date: 14 Dec 92 19:16:34 GMT
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO

In article <Bz081y.5L6@world.std.com>, marty@world.std.com (Marty M HaleEvans) writes:
> 
> I've offered other treats and
> bites of other things, but he's not interested. Is that strange or not?

No.  Bunnies, like people, have their individuality.  In general, when a young
creature is offered a variety of things, they learn to be more adventurous in
trying new things; if kept to a fairly limited menu, they tend to want to stick
to the familiar.  Even so, most bunnies can be taught to be more adventurous by
having something new (and usually enjoyed by other rabbits) offered every day and
left for investigation during alone time; or by being offered one new thing after
another every time s/he turns around.  

> I still can't figure out how to play with him. He sits on me and lets me pet
> him. Sometimes he bumps my ankle, but when I respond he runs away.  Also he
> comes over and digs at my back or arm, but, again, runs away when I turn 
> around or try to pet him.

Ah, but you seem to have made progress.

Try responding by moving AWAY from him, so he stops worrying about this great big
creature's movements toward him.  Make it a game if he comes after you by moving
further away, even running a few feet and if he chases, turn it into a game of
chase all over the house (with him always in pursuit).  

Keep in mind that bunnies fear human hands more than any other part of their
bodies.  They seem to know that no other part is really a threat, so use the
other parts of your body (especially your nose) to approach him.  You can even
turn around when he's chasing you and move toward him gently and after he runs
away, run from him.  He may get the idea that this is all a game and engage in it
enthusiastically.  On the other hand, this may not be his style.

Tuck a bit of carrot green between your shoe and sock for him to find.  Do
this often enough with different treats and he'll start making a beeline for
your foot.  Then change where the treat is hidden, at first moving it only a few
inches away, later some entirely new place so he has to search you.  Give treats
from your fingers without trying to pet him so he comes to associate good things
with you.

Another game is to put the rings from Mason jars on a box that he can climb onto.
If he ever gets on the box (the smell of a banana slice might entice him), he may
decide to throw them off.  Pick them up only after they are all gone, and pile
them up again.

> I made him a new toy that he seems to like, though:
> I attached a big jingle bell to a plastic hanger. He seems to have a good
> time trying to get leverage to throw the hanger (since it's as big as he is),

Great idea!!

I think you're making a lot more progress than you think you are.  Above all,
don't hold him against his will to pet him, but concentrate on coaxing him
until he trusts you.  Keep on keeping on and good luck!

Nancy LaRoche (HRS)
att!drutx!njl
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: teshima@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (A. Lani Teshima)
Subject: Love this bunny talk!
Organization: University of Hawaii
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 07:17:57 GMT

I've been so busy with final exams and finishing the Honolulu Marathon
that I let all the posts in this newsgroup build up. I finally had a
chance to go through it tonight, and what a delight! Bunny posts
everywhere! I didn't know we got so many new bunny-mates on this
newsgroup! 

I miss my two buns very, very much. My parents are in town, and for a
number of reasons my husband and I chose to have our Piglet (Piggy)
and Penelope (Pennie) bunnysat at our friend's place while my parents
were here. I think about them everyday. Sniff. :(

The good news is that we seem to be converting my bunnysitter into a
bunny-friend! I didn't want to impose, so I told him he could leave
the buns in a cage when he wasn't home to supervise them. Well after 5
days, he's given them their very own space in his large bathroom! Yay!
I said, "You don't need to have them there when you're not home." But
he said "Forget it! I don't care if I'm not home--they LOVE it in
there!" He says when he comes home and opens the door, Pennie runs to
him and asks for scratches. Piggy, who's always been the unsociable
one, hides behind the toilet bowl and snorts at him, until he starts
scratching her and then she decides she likes it (It's like "Don't!
Stop! Don't! Stop! Don't...stop! Don't stop!" with Piggy).

He says they're having lots of fun. Good for them, sad for me. Sigh.
We're going away on vacation and won't have the buns back at our house
until January. Sigh.

--
A. Lani Teshima (teshima@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.edu)       o | /_/_/ "Sea Hare"
Student, UH School of Library & Information Studies     o|<0_0>--------*
A small mind is easily filled with faith.                 \=^-| |____| | 
Blessed is a mind too small for doubt.                        \_}B   \_}B
From: bickford@jimmy.dfci.harvard.edu (Paul Bickford)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Sneezing rats
Date: 16 Dec 1992 14:31:05 GMT
Organization: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: jimmy.harvard.edu
Keywords: sneezing, rats

Hi, all. I have a semi-serious question to ask:

I have a wonderful rat, but she has the habit of emmitting little sneezes on
a regular basis. Her eyes/nose are free from discharges, and in all other
respects she is a happy rat. Are her sneezes normal, or are they being caused
by some allergy (too much dust?)? Her living environment is cleaned regular-
ly, too. Anyone else seen similar sneezing in their rodent?

Paul
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|      <include standard disclaimer>         | Paul Bickford              |
| The opinions/information expressed herein  | bickford@jimmy.harvard.edu |
| are Paul Bickford's, and his alone.        | p.bickford@leotech.mv.com  |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute  | "Ahh...we were just talking about you." |
|   division of Biostatistics   | "That's refreshing, Jenner --           |
|      and Epidemiology         |     usually you're screaming about us." |
|       (617) 732-3610          |           _The Secret of NIMH_          |
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: mike@oracorp.com (Michael Meador)
Subject: Guinea Pig owner-to-be; Archives?
Keywords: guinea pig
Organization: ORA Corporation
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 16:54:38 GMT

I'm considering buying a pair of Guinea Pigs as a Christmas
surprise for my 4 and 9-yr-old kids.  Can anyone point to
archives on the subject?

-- Thanks, Michael
-- 
-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->-->--
|  Michael Meador               mike@oracorp.com              607-277-2020  |
|  ORA Corporation              301 Dates Drive           Ithaca, NY 14850  |
From: csc@pilot.njin.net (Sean Casey)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: How to stop a dog from eating its own stool?
Date: 16 Dec 92 21:37:45 GMT
Organization: The Leaning Tower of Patterson Office @ The Univ. of KY

Seems to me you could use one of the capsicum based products on the
stool. Your dog would learn pretty quickly and would suffer no
physical harm.

Sean
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: christin@cae.wisc.edu (Christine Haas)
Subject: Re: ferrets
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Distribution: usa
Date: 17 Dec 92 10:47:24 CST
Keywords: clucking

>
>Does anybody else on the net have a ferret that is "without cluck" ?
>
Oh yes.  Only one of my ferrets clucks and hisses while she plays.
The other one is totally silent.  Never makes a sound.

Enjoy!

Chris.

-- 


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Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: urf@icl.se (Urban F)
Subject: Ferret FAQ diff 0.2 > 0.3
Organization: None. On USENET I speak only for myself.
X-Alt.reply-Address: n.g.u.fredriksson.swe2001@oasis.icl.co.uk
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1992 18:29:00 GMT

Here are the changes since last time:


11c11
< rec.pets ferret FAQ version 0.2
---
> rec.pets ferret FAQ version 0.3
17c17
<           FERRET HEALTH CARE                           (nothing written yet)
---
>           FERRET HEALTH CARE
119a120,167
> 
> Neutering
> 
>   If you're not going to use your ferret for breeding (something
>   this FAQ has no intention whatsoever of dealing with), it must
>   be neutered. To insure the normal development of the ferret,
>   this should not happen until well after they've reached sexual
>   maturity, usually at 5 to 8 months.
> 
>   If you don't neuter females, or breed them, they will die. Not
>   the same year, but since they'll be in heat for up to 6 months,
>   blood cell production will be harmed considerably, so they'll
>   likely won't survive the next year. (If you don't want to breed
>   them this year, but the next, they can be given a hormone shot
>   to make them go out of heat, but this should only be done once.
>   Even if you plan on using them for breeding, they'll have to be
>   neutered after their breeding career is over: You should not
>   get more than three litters of a female, partly for genetic
>   variety, partly because it strains them considerably and they
>   won't survive to an advanced age if they have many litters.)
> 
>   Males should be neutered too, as they also go in heat
>   otherwise, and it's not good for them if they don't get to
>   mate then.
> 
> Descenting
> 
>   Is completely unnecessary and can lead to troubles in that area
>   later on.
> 
>   Ferrets do smell, but hardly more than for example dogs, just
>   differently. Unless: They are frightened or in heat, which
>   normally shouldn't occur very often.
> 
> Vaccinations
> 
>   You need to give your ferrets distemper shots. They shall have
>   the first one at about 8 weeks of age, and repeated 2 weeks
>   later. They shall be given a single shot every year after that.
>   If you can't get a vaccine specially made for ferrets (I
>   can't), those for minks, dogs or cats can be used.
> 
>   If you (unlike me) live in a country where there exists rabies,
>   rabies shots are presumably mandatory.
> 
>   I'm sorry I can't recommend any specific vaccines, because
>   1) I'm not an expert
>   2) The same vaccines aren't likely to be available all over the world
--
 Urban Fredriksson  urf@icl.se  
 (When writing about ferrets, please include "ferret" in the subject line
 as it guarantees I will read it (unless you cross-post to talk.bizarre or
 misc.test: I never see such articles.(If you use nn, I can tell you how.)))
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: singley@helix.nih.gov (Erick Singley)
Subject: Re: Finding a dog im not allergic to.
Keywords: dog
Organization: (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD)
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 20:34:08 GMT

When my mother had to choose a dog without dander (not dandruff! :), sh was
told to go with Dachshunds, Besingis (sp?), or Poodles. She has done
well with your dachshunds for years, although your millage may vary.
--
singley@clinpharm.niaaa.nih.gov
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura)
Subject: Re: Papaya tablets for bun.
Organization: The World
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 03:40:33 GMT

In article <1992Dec18.202356.3261@news.cs.indiana.edu> "Amy Young Leith" <alyoung@kiwi.ucs.indiana.edu> writes:
> 
> Well, I went down to GNC in the mall, and bought some.  This was the
> only place I could find them.  Here's what the bottle has to day:
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
> These tablets are made from ripe papaya melon and papaya enzyme-papain
> (protein digesting enzyme from papaya), protease (protein digesting
> enzyme) and alpha-amylase (starch digesting enzyme from aspergillius
> oryzae).  
> 
> Made with the following:
> Fillers: sucrose
> Binders: dextrose
> Coating: none
> Excipients:  Steric acid, FD&C yellow #6, artificial flavors.
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Someone please tell me these are the right ones.

The bottles we get say:

    ...source of papain, prolase and mylase enzymes.
    Each tablet contains: Papaya melon, papaya enzyme--papain 10 mg.,
    prolase 1.0 mg and mylase 0.5 mg.  Also contains small amounts
    of excipients and fillers.

> I paid $20 for two
> 600 tablet bottles.  They are supposed to be $20 for one bottle, but
> they were mismarked, so he gave me the other bottle.  =) 

They cost $2.19 for 100 tablets at CVS (a New England drugstore chain).

> How many should I give him per day?  

We give our rabbits one a day.
-- 
- Ron Mura, Boston, Massachusetts              rmura@world.std.com

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: christin@cae.wisc.edu (Christine Haas)
Subject: Re: Ferret Hiccups
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Date: 11 Dec 92 18:36:38 CST

In article <1g8be1INN7d4@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> garvey@skybridge.SCL.CWRU.Edu (Heather Garvey) writes:
>	I never knew ferrets could *hiccup*! 


My ferret Nina hiccups all the time.  I think its relatively 
normal.  She doesn't seem overly bothered by it, just that she
makes funny hiccupy noises.  

:*)

Chris.

-- 


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From: sstover@sumax.seattleu.edu (   Wilde Dame)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Fetch-aholic cat
Date: 21 Dec 92 05:30:22 GMT
Organization: Seattle University
NNTP-Posting-Host: sumax.seattleu.edu

>In <1992Dec18.135118.18254@schbbs.mot.com>, Marie Cannizzaro writes:
>
>>My 5 month old Tonk Sam somehow taught herself fetch be bringing me the
>>foam ball one day and since then I am hounded by her to throw the ball
>>so she can get it and bring it back. 

I hate to break this to you, since it can be unsettling and somewhat
disorienting, but she didn't teach herself to fetch.  She taugh *you* how
to play fetch.  :)


-- 
       Sheryl Stover  %  If you ask me what I have come to do in the world,
  & Hemingway & Clio  %  I who am an artist, I will reply: "I am here to
sstover@seattleu.edu  %  live aloud."                    -Emile Zola
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: wd6cmu@netcom.com (Eric Williams)
Subject: Re: Any good cat gif files?
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 20 Dec 1992 04:48:30 GMT

In alt.binaries.pictures.misc, I've posted TWIGGY3.GIF (my third try).  This
is a picture of quad grand champion Shirecats Blue Velvet, aka "Twiggy", a
blue classic tabby Maine Coon.  Twiggy is the mother of my silver tabby,
Vincent.

Twiggy doesn't like cat shows, so her owner had stopped showing her a while
back.  Vincent's birth was a difficult one for Twiggy, so, for the cat's
health, she was spayed last week.  Since her owner would like to raise more
cats to show and doesn't have a very large house, she would like to find a
good home for Twiggy.  (Keep in mind we're not talking about a free cat.)  If
you have fallen in love with the picture and are in the SF bay area, let me
know and I'll put you in touch with her owner.  (No, that's not why I posted
the picture -- I had already planned to post it when I heard the news.)


-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric Williams     wd6cmu@netcom.com  |  Never attribute to malice that which
WD6CMU@WD6CMU.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA       |  is adequately explained by stupidity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Shelter cats
Date: 16 Dec 92 18:58:50 -0600
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

I mentioned about a week ago that I'd been calling shelters looking for
a siamese for friends who weren't finding any in shelters near Valparaiso...
and that cats were a rare commodity in the shelters last week here.

Alas, that golden spell seems to have been broken, and I just made my
very first trip to an animal shelter today to pick up a flame point
siamese -- a very nice gabby cat with all the earmarks of a great
lap fungus.  Nameless is at the vet's tonight, losing an important
portion of his anatomy and getting his FeLeuk shots.

As expected, I cried, because they had 5 nice cats waiting for homes,
and I already have 6... The good news is that 3 were adopted in the
half-hour I was there...

Again, let me thank all the people who volunteer their time at shelters.
You do a marvelous and difficult job.  

I still don't quite understand how I got out of there without offering 
to adopt everyone.  Maybe the extra check I left helped assuage my 
guilt _slightly_. (But don't be surprised to hear I've got a couple 
more cats soon...)

Kay
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: dauphin@adobe.com (Kimberly Dauphin)
Subject: Re: Odd Foods
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 02:56:28 GMT

lhuffman@stsci.edu writes:
>In article <s2l2v9=@rpi.edu>, petitc@nuge111.its.rpi.edu (Christopher Jon Petit) writes:
>> My kitty, Brandy (a Siamese), loves to drink coffee, eat sloppy joes,
>> and Fish'O'Filet sandwiches from McD's.  My question is simple---what adverse
>> affects (if any) would these foods have on him?
>> 
>...about the same as for you...

WRONG!!  Caffeine can be *toxic* to cats.  Mayonnaise (in the tartar
sauce on the Filet O' Fish sandwich) can be way too rich for some
cats' tummies and cause diarrhea, and sloppy joes can be too spicy.  
Some spices can also be toxic to cats, but I've only heard this
through the rumor mill and have not verified it.

Kay Klier, you always have such good info re cats. Can you please comment 
on this cat's food choices?


-- 
__________________________________________________________
Kimberly Dauphin	  	Adobe Systems Incorporated
dauphin@mv.us.adobe.com	  	Mountain View, CA
*********All these opinions are mine, not Adobe's.********
From: kjc7435@ultb.isc.rit.edu (K.J. Cater)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Brushing Teeth
Date: 16 Dec 92 14:43:00 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Originator: kjc7435@ultb

I clean my cat's teeth regularly and I lived with a vet's daughter who
told me how to get the cat into position to do it!!!!  so print this
message out NOW!!!

Get the cat sitting on the floor.  press down on the area between the
shoulder blades so that the cat is flat on the floor.  now,straddle the
cat in between you knees--and squeeze hard with your knees to hold him
there.  (His paws will be in front of him so he can't scratch you in
front, and his hind legs will be behind your body. He'll be wriggling
away, so you have to squeeze him with your knees. this does not hurt the
cat!!!).  the position is:




     tail.......legs.........yourfeet..body(yours)....knees.......paws
				cat's                                cat     head
                                                     held    (cat's)
                                                     HERE

Then, all you have to do is to grab the cat UNDERHAND under the chin
(lifting the head back slightly) and pry the lip open on the right side
exposing the incisor. 
To get at the molars, just move your hand backwards more and open the
mouth.).

when you are finished cleaning the cat's teeth (good kitty!!) (The other
side is done the same way, just use your right hand instead of your left
underneath the cat's chin, and pry open the lip with your thumb and
index finger).


****THIS CAN ALSO BE USED TO ADMINISTER PILLS (in LIQUID FORM) AND
LIQUID MEDICINES****

Let me know how it works!!!!!!!

Best wishes,

Miss Kerry Cater.

e-mail:"kjc7435@ritvax.isc.rit.edu".
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: maxfield@athena.cs.uga.edu (Joan C. Maxfield)
Subject: Shopping  News! I found it!
Organization: University of Georgia, Athens
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 19:30:59 GMT

I just recieved the _Master Animal Care_ catalog in the mail (thanks
Kay Klier for the vaccine info!) and saw some of the things that
people have been asking about.

Kitty Whix Transfer System (potty training kit)
     (for pets up to 10 pounds)  $8.99 

Le Pet Bag (soft sided carrier) $24.99-$28.99

Pet Traveler Car Seat (raised 'basket' hooks over seat)
     (for pets up to 15 pounds) $29.99

Plus lots of other fun pet stuff.
Hope this helps with your holiday shopping!

Joan

p.s. Im partial to the plastic dog sh*t shaped 'hide-a key'.  Now if I
just had a dog!

-- 
J. C. Maxfield				maxfield@athena.cs.uga.edu
DISCLAIMER:  I don't speak for the University, but they often speak for me!
From: dave.yuhas@ggcs.org (Dave Yuhas) 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Pet Store Kittens
Date: 12 Dec 92 17:28:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Golden Gate Computer Society BBS - Marin, CA - 415-927-1216
Reply-To: dave.yuhas@ggcs.org (Dave Yuhas) 

WI>The question about the person wondering what DSH stands for brought
WI>up a question *I* have.  What happens to kittens in the pet stores if
WI>they are not sold?  Once they get too old, I'm sure the store owner


A while ago, an employee at one of the pet store chains alleged that the
store manager would put "surplus" animals in bag and swing the bag as
hard as he could against a wall.

The reason to not buy kittens from a pet store is not that they don't
need good homes, it's to put the kitten mills (usually located in the
Mid-West) out of business.  Unfortunately, not enough people are getting
the message.

Dave Yuhas
---
 . OLX 2.2 . Try the new Zen laxative, All Things Must Pass!
                                                                       
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jessica@wrs.com (Jessica Hart)
Subject: Re: Just an idea
Organization: Wind River Systems, Inc.
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 02:06:02 GMT

In article <1992Dec9.080053.15364@lclark.edu> arkoff@sun.lclark.edu (Gary Arkoff) writes:
>I have gotten holiday gifts for all my other friends and family, so I
>decided to get something for Znoober too.  I will be giving $25 to my local
>Humane Society in her name.
>


What a wonderful idea! Why does this bring tears to my eyes?
What a holiday softie I am!



Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: veburst@contra.enet.dec.com (KSV)
Subject: inexpensive spaying fees in the Nashua, New Hampshire area?
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 02:54:57 GMT


Does anyone happen to know of any low rate (under $50) spaying vets in the
Nashua, New Hampshire area?  One of my cats (not the one with plastic fetish)
needs to be spayed and soon... she urinates on *EVERYTHING* when she's in heat
and her caterwauling is absolutely horrendous, not to mention extremely
annoying...

Any info would be *greatly* appreciated!  Thanks!

-- KSV 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: vicki@steam.atd.ucar.edu (Vicki Holzhauer)
Subject: Re: Odd Foods
Organization: Atmospheric Technology Division/NCAR Boulder, CO
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 19:25:04 GMT

In article <s2l2v9=@rpi.edu> petitc@nuge111.its.rpi.edu (Christopher Jon Petit) writes:
>My kitty, Brandy (a Siamese, no less), loves to drink coffee, eat sloppy joes,
>and Fish'O'Filet sandwiches from McD's.  My question is simple---what adverse
>affects (if any) would these foods have on him?


When you find out, I'm sure Hillary Clinton would be really curious to
see your findings ... :-)


--
Vicki Holzhauer, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado / / / /  vicki@ncar.ucar.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats