HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: palmer@iels05.Kodak.COM (Erika Palmer)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: New Chinchilla, Old Chinchillas
Date: 7 Jan 93 16:56:40 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY

In article <jensen.726281071@graphite10>, jensen@rtsg.mot.com (James D. Jensen) writes:
|> GEN5075@Husky1.StMarys.Ca (CLAIRE MOXON) writes:
|> 
|> 
|> >I have also noticed that the male grey has started making wierd noises in 
|> >the middle of the night, almost sounding like a crow cawing - very loud and
|> >about 10 or 12 of these cawing noises in a row, then quiet for 5 minutes
|> >then some more.  He does this about 5 out of 7 nights a week, for about the
|> >last three weeks to a month.  Any ideas what this means?  Also, any ideas 
|> >about how to get the female to be more receptive to the male's mating
|> >attempts -she usually just clicks at him or bites him on the ear.  The poor
|> >little guy must be getting awfully frustrated...
|> 
|> 
|> I have never totally figure out all the noises these guys make.  At times
|> I think they are lonely, and want attention.  I have heard sometimes the
|> braggart chin will make a noise after a successful mating.  If this is the
|> case, your other worry may disappear.  Also, the female often barks at the
|> male when he tries to mate, but she isn't in heat.  If it just started after
|> getting the new chin, it could be some means of communication between them.
|>

I love those chinchilla noises.  They usually make me laugh like crazy when
I hear them.  Especially if it's in the middle of the night, for no 
apparent reason.
 
|> 
|> 
|> If I get more time this week (work has been keeping me from the net)
|> I'll post some other info regarding possible problems with pregnancies,
|> which I have just recently encountered.
|> 
|> JJ

Ever since my female (gray) chinchilla had her two (beige) babies, she won't
have anything to do with the male (homozygous beige).  In fact, she goes out of her way 
to attack him (she's drawn blood a few times, before we could separate them),
even if he is nowhere near her or the kids.  I'm hoping she's just being ultra-
protective of the kids, and that she'll give it up once we sell them--I'd like
to have her produce more in the future.  She was always very affectionate with
the male before this...any suggestions? (The two adults are currently in separate
cages)


-- 
Erica Palmer
send correspondence to palmer@iels00.kodak.com or ebp4907@ultb.isc.rit.edu
disclaimer: Ha! You think a coop speaks for Kodak?
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: christin@cae.wisc.edu (Christine Haas)
Subject: Ferrets and ne w intorocuductions
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Date: 11 Jan 93 10:08:36 CST

Hi all,

Since the new addition to my family, a wonderful male, I have decided
to post this bit of information that I discovered that may be helpful
to others when adding a new ferret to their family of ferrets.

This has worked when I went from 1 to 2 ferrets and again when I went
from 2 to 3 ferrets.  You may want to try it.  

My ferrets run free around a room of my apartment during the day, and 
at night I put them in a large cage while I am asleep.  When I add a 
new member to my family, I let them get used to each other and make
sure there are no major fights, or personality conflicts.  After the 
initial meetings and confrontations, they seem to fall into one of two
states:  1.  They like each other and kind of follow each other around,
or 2.  They simply ingnore each other.  I've found that this states can
either be mutual, or one sided. 

Anyway, I have found that a good cure for the ignoring stage is to put
them in the same cage for the night to sleep together.  It seems that one
of the ways ferrets bond with each other is by sleeping together (you know
they like each other when you find them piled on top of one another 
sleeping).  Now, I wouldn't do this if you are worried about them fighting
with each other.  This has always worked for me.

Good luck.

Chris. 


-- 


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From: faith@amiganet.chi.il.us (Fred Drummand)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: A Good Home For A Ferret!
Date: 12 Jan 93 01:07:42 CST
Organization: Amiga Network Information Systems



Im In need of another ferret to keep mine company. Please help me locate one.

My Hom eis a happy one! (When they use their litter pan) ;)

Thanks

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Fred Drummand                     I Only Amiga Makes It Possible.         -
-Collumbia College                 I What it Makes Possible I'm Not sure   - 
-Commercial Animation Major        I But I Love My Amiga Anyways....       -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization: University Libraries - Technical Service, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Date: Fri,  8 Jan 1993 08:38:33 -0500 
From: "William K. Gentz" <wg0n+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Pittsburgh Holland Lops?

Well, I finally succumbed to the rabbit fever that my sisters have
already been afflicted with the last few years and purchased a Holland
Lop doe.  Since I raised rabbits in my younger days (for meat -- now I
wonder how I ever did it...) this isn't all new to me but I do have
specific questions regarding Lops since I would eventually like to
breed.  So.....

1.  Are there any Holland Lop breeders in the Pittsburgh vicinity? (my
sisters and their acquaintances are in Michigan).

2.  Does anyone know of a rabbit club in Pittsburgh (specialty or
general)?  Any upcoming shows in the Pittsburgh area?

Any info will be greatly appreciated (or tips on these little critters).

Thanks!
-Bill   
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: christin@cae.wisc.edu (Christine Haas)
Subject: Re: ferret diets
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering
Date: 8 Jan 93 10:32:54 CST

In article <faith.0mzs@amiganet.chi.il.us> faith@amiganet.chi.il.us (Fred Drummand) writes:
>In article <C0ADCp.9J9@news.udel.edu>, graziano@ravel.udel.edu (Lisa Marie
>Graziano) writes:
>>
>>Here's a ferret Q:  do they need more protein than, say cats?  Should they
>>eat kitten food rather than catfood?  Or is there a better way to increase
>>their protein intake?
>>Lisa, Chavelah, and Cheerio
>>
>
Ferrets need *a lot* of protein for 2 reasons:  they process their food
every 3 hours, and they are very active.  They should be fed a high-
protein quality kitten feed until they are 5 years old, at which point
they can be switched to adult cat food.  I would recommmend either
Iams Kitten Food or Hill's Science Diet Feline Growth.

Good luck,

Chris.

-- 


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Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Bunny Questions + misc
From: jlockha@eis.calstate.edu (Jame A Lockhart)
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 05:36:45 GMT
Organization: Calif State Univ/Electronic Information Services

For Christmas, I bought my wife and baby girl a pair o' bunny rabbits (so
it has been about two weeks).  I think they were 2 or three weeks old when
I bought them not from a pet store, but from a lady on the street - risky?
- so am not sure).  Anyway...the questions:

	About how long does it take to potty train them?
	  We gave them our dining space in our apt and they poop
	  EVERYWHERE.

	I know there is variance within the group, but about how long does it
	take for them not to be so skittish?
	  They seem to be finally getting used to the area and are getting 
	  more rambunctious, but are not wanting to be held.

For you ferret folk:
	Being totally ignorant of their particulars (diet, temperment, etc)
	I ask - would they  get along with bunny rabbits?  For that
	matter, will the bunnies get along with them?

BTW, Pepper and Cinnamon are Dwarf bunnies...at least Cinnamon is.  I
think Pepper is.....I suppose I will know for sure in a couple o' months?
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: megm@sco.COM (Meg McRoberts)
Subject: Re: Rabbit nail clipping
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Distribution: rec
Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1993 07:29:38 GMT


In article <PSHUANG.93Jan6221414@ninja.mit.edu> pshuang@athena.mit.edu (Ping-Shun Huang) writes:
==> Anyone have good techniques for convincing their rabbits that yes, they
==> do want to stay stationary for a few minutes and allow you access to
==> their paws to clip their nails? I haven't quite gotten around to it, but
==> I will soon because Harvey's nails are getting rather long. I've tried
==> getting him used to having his paws handled a little bit, but he only
==> squirms out of my grasp within seconds.
==> 
i'm a wimp and let the vet trim Rasta's nails.
from her, i have learned the marvelous trick of
trancing a bunny.  if you hold the rabbit on its
back, put your hand over its eyes, and gradually
let it's head fall back a bit, most rabbits will
go into a trance and you can do almost anything
to them without a fight.  my rabbit has had a LOT
of medical treatment the last couple years, and
has gotten so used to this that sometimes she'll
just trance herself out.  the vet will be doing
something to her bad foot so i'm holding Rasta
on her back already, and she'll just sort of let
her head fall back and be out.  it's pretty funny,
actually.

some rabbits are harder to trance than others, and
it seems the more they are tranced, the easier it
is to do it.  it might be worthwhile to try to trance
the rabbit a few times and not do anything to it, just
to get used to the technique.

i've heard that, for rabbits that are hard to trance,
you can actually press an area right over their eyes
and force them out.  if you use this technique, it
has to be fast, and i think i would leave it to the
professionals.

along these same lines, when rasta had to have a
full-body xray, my vet took a piece of that cotton
casting tubing they use under a cast (like on a
human arm or leg) and put the whole rabbit in it.
the rabbit was TOTALLY inert -- i was scared that
she had died, but as soon as we uncovered her eyes
she was very much alive and alert.  it sure beats
anaesthesia for xray sessions!
From: dugan@cs.WPI.EDU (R. Dugan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Mean Bunny/Bunny Pals
Date: 4 Jan 1993 19:26:19 GMT
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, WPI
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: ivy.wpi.edu
Originator: dugan@ivy

Re: Mean Bunny

My biggest suggestion is patience.  We've found that all rabbits are not alike.
Each one is very different.  Some are more affectionate than others.  When 
you have another bunny already...  you sometimes forget how long it took 
for your first rabbit to become affectionate.

Another suggestion is exposure.  Your new rabbit needs to be around places
where it can see you and be near you ... a lot.  That way it will get used
to you.  The more the rabbit has to deal with you... the more comfortable
it will become with you.

Another one is wash your hands!  When we first got Marylin, Ricochet went
beserk when he smelled her.  If I petted Marylin, and then Ricochet with 
the same hand.. I would get growled at, honked, bit, and clawed.

The Rick & Marylin report:

Well Mary and I had a breakthrough several nights ago...  We've split the
apartment into two zones separated by a hallway.  I decided to get both
rabbits into the hallway because it seemed like a neutral/DMZ area.  Rick
and Marylin almost never go into the hallway so it seemed like a good place
for a meeting.  When I put Rick down on the floor, he spied Marylin and 
sat down... so I started petting him.  Marylin came over to investigate
and Rick just stayed put.  She nipped him a couple of times and I scooted
her away.  Then she let me pet her.  There I was... petting two bunnies
at the same time... they were separated by less than 6 inches!  Last night
was the best... they were nose to nose... again both happy and passive...
so long as I was petting them.

Rick seems to be the most calm about the whole thing... Marylin seems
a bit more scitterish.  It's funny though, because it seems like the 
tables have been turned.  When we got Marylin in August, Rick was the
one who was freaking out...

Breaking the apartment up into two zones was a great idea.  But I think
the thing that is going to get these two furballs together is this
neutral zone hallway.  They both have someplace to run if they feel
nervous, and they have this non-terratorial place to get to know each
other.
-----------------------------------------------------
Bob Dugan	   dugan@maxine.wpi.edu  508-799-5150
Graduate Student   WPI CS Dept., Worcester, MA 01609
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: dugan@cs.WPI.EDU (R. Dugan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Bunny Answers/Question
Date: 7 Jan 1993 16:51:52 GMT
Organization: Dept of Computer Science, WPI
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: ivy.wpi.edu
Originator: dugan@ivy

RE: Thumping

Rick and Marylin both thump and honk.  This usually means they are
scared or pissed off.  We usually try to take this very seriously
(even though it is cute).

RE: Clipping Bunny Nails

We took Rick to the vet the first time we had his nails clipped.  The
vet showed us how to hold the rabbit.  Basically you hold him tight with his
back against your stomach, BOTH hind paws held in one hand, and the
other hand on his chest propping him up.  He tried to struggle a 
couple of times but soon realized it was useless.  It was easy to clip
his nails after that.

I think you should take your bun to the vets the first time and learn
the hold.  Also be careful when clipping the nails... if you clip too
far up it's painful and the rabbit will bleed!


RE: Bunny Trance

Rick's favorite way to be held is like a baby.  He lies on his back,
in my arms, with his tummy up and looks into my eyes... "PET ME!".
When I start petting his head, he closes his eyes and starts leaning
his head back.  Each pet on the head makes him lean further and
further back until it looks like he's being "dipped" (like he's 
hearing some kind of Big Band music or something).

RE: Haircuts

Rick and Marylin give us haircuts too.  I think it's because they
think that they are cleaning us.  Rick not only chews on hair, 
but he also uses his paws to dig through my hair... I really think
he's looking for fleas or something.

RE: Cooking

Rick get really upset when we fry ANYTHING.  I don't know if he
thinks that he's next or what... but he cowers in his cage or
tries to hide as far away as possible.  Nothing that we say
or do seems to calm him down.  Has anyone else had similar
experiences?

Meat seems to produce the worst reaction.  We got Rick from
the SPCA and I'm wondering if he associates the smell with
the Crematorium????
From: gar3@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (GRETCHEN ANN REPASKY)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Help with Irish Setter pup
Date: 11 Jan 93 16:24:44 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

My parents and I have an 6 month old Irish Setter who more than "full of life"
We need some tips on breaking that spirit and settling him down a bit.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Thanks,
Gretchen Repasky
Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: rmura@world.std.com (Ron Mura)
Subject: Re: Papaya tablets for bun.
Organization: The World
	<23011@drutx.ATT.COM> <1i9h8gINNi37@bHARs12c.bnr.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 21:10:55 GMT

In article <1i9h8gINNi37@bHARs12c.bnr.co.uk> agm@bnr.co.uk (Andrew G. Minter) writes:
> 
> I have been unable to find Papaya tablets in any of our local chemists or
> health food shops. However, I did manage to get a small pack on dried
> papaya. Our bun growled at it when I first offered it to her, but she
> eventually checked it out and now she loves it. Does anyone know whether the
> amalayse is likely to have survived the processing?

I don't know, but before we went to papaya tablets our vet
told us to give the rabbits fresh pineapple or fresh pineapple juice--
not canned juice because the processing removed the enzymes.  So,
I wouldn't assume the dried papaya will help unless someone more
knowledgeable than I can attest to it!





-- 
- Ron Mura, Boston, Massachusetts              rmura@world.std.com
From: 2hp5dudac@vms.csd.mu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: ferret diets
Date: 10 Jan 1993 18:09:41 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 2hp5dudac@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsa.csd.mu.edu

In article <faith.0mzs@amiganet.chi.il.us>, faith@amiganet.chi.il.us (Fred Drummand) writes:
>In article <C0ADCp.9J9@news.udel.edu>, graziano@ravel.udel.edu (Lisa Marie
>Graziano) writes:
>>
>>Here's a ferret Q:  do they need more protein than, say cats?  Should they
>>eat kitten food rather than catfood?  Or is there a better way to increase
>>their protein intake?
>>Lisa, Chavelah, and Cheerio
>>
>
>
>That is a good question and id like to know a correct answer too.. For some
>reason I dont think more protein could harm them, that is why i alternate.  One
>time when its time to buy food, ill buy catfood, when i run out, ill buy kitten
>food, then cat food again ect ect.
>
>Dunoo.... Anybody??
>
>Fred Drummand
>Collumbia College
>Graphic Arts Major



A few years ago when I got my first ferrit I asked that question too.  The
answer I found is that they need about 34-36% protein in there staple diet.  
I've feed my two boys Iams kitten food and they are doing very well, however 
any quality food with enough protein should do.  As far as a protein supplement 
I have not seen or heard of any.  I know that if they get meat or dairy
products on a regular basis they tend to get sick, (although these things have
not been a problem as occasional treats).                 


Chester G Duda
Marquette University 
Criminology and Law
                                           
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats,rec.pets.dogs
From: thuyan@ravel.udel.edu (Thuy-An Hartman)
Subject: Puppy/Kitty Mills
Organization: University of Delaware
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 22:32:33 GMT


I was driving through Georgia on my way to Florida last week when I
encountered what was obviously a puppy/kitty mill truck.  (sad details
left out- but use your imagination)

When I got to Florida, I told my friend about the sad ordeal and she
said "What is a puppy mill?"

How can we educate these people?  I really thought more people were
aware of what was going on, but when I pass the pet stores, I see that
they obviously are not.

Any suggestions.

Thuy-An
From: dan@msen.com (Dan Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: SCDOWN
Date: 5 Jan 1993 20:23:50 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

erin@ttisms.com wrote:
: Hi,

: I'm looking to find a persian kitten, preferably a Chinchilla.  

: I live in San Diego, Cal. and don't know where to begin my search. 

: Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.


:                      Thank You,

:                               Erin

There is a cat show in San Diego at the San Diego CF January 23-24.

Karen

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jhoskins@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (James M Hoskins)
Subject: Cat Observes Flying Geese
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 19:16:02 GMT




I spend time on my screen porch with my cat before leaving for work.
This morning, the first honk of a flight of geese moving south caused
her to hiss, scrunch up her body and all her coat hairs to stand on end.
She calmed down and then started to process this new information:
"Hmmm....," she thought, "potential food sources that high up in
the air?"




:
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jonesk@ur.msstate.edu
Subject: re: new kittens for my mom!!
Reply-To: jonesk@ur.msstate.edu
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 18:14:41 GMT

FYI, I believe the character on Star Trek: The Next Generation spells
his name Worf.

Kay Jones
From: maryd@venus.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Mary K. Dichtl)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Cat survives washer!
Date: 7 Jan 93 20:14:53 GMT
Reply-To: maryd@venus.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Mary K. Dichtl)
Organization: NCR Corporation, Rancho Bernardo

In article <1993Jan7.024007.17953@netcom.com> amyk@netcom.com (Amy Kurtzman) writes:
>
>I always do a nose count before starting my washer or dryer. 

     Don't forget the dishwasher!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: srscnslt@telesciences.com (SRS Consultant)
Subject: Re: teaching the beasts about cat doors
Organization: TeleSciences CO Systems, Inc.
Date: Sun, 10 Jan 1993 20:12:22 GMT

In article <ujel2ds@zola.esd.sgi.com> cj@sgi.com (C J Silverio) writes:
>---
>Does anyone have any helpful suggestions about teaching our
>Monsters about using their cat door?
>
>We have the bi-directional kind.  That is, all they have to do
>is nudge it with their heads, same method in both directions.
>No paw tricks necessary.
>
	Just a thought -

	why not paint the doors with some water in which you've soaked some
	catnip?  Take that basting brush you're not using, and just smear the
	stuff liberally over both sides of the door.  Eventually, they'll
	probably push the thing open enough (just by bumping up against it when
	they start to get silly) to realize that they _can_ do it by themselves.


>---
>C J Silverio  cj@sgi.com  ceej@well.sf.ca.us  '92 Seca II  DoD #0526
>"A motorcyclist has to drive as if everybody else on the road is out 
>to kill him.  A few of them are, and many of those who aren't are just 
>as dangerous-- because the only thing that can alter their careless, 
>ingrained driving habits is a threat of punishment, either legal or 
>physical, and there is nothing about a motorcycle to threaten any
>man in a car."  Hunter Thompson

Didn't anybody tell you, CJ?  We _are_ out to kill you guys!!  And if you
stay out of the safe zone (t.b) much longer, we'll know where to come
looking for you!	;)


-- 
Mitch Gorman		srscnslt@telesciences.com	emrys@cellar.org
"You can tell he's doing well by the look in inhuman eyes,
	Better not compromise -
		It won't be easy!"
From: nlp@pacvax.pacersoft.com (Nancy Pilsch)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help needed with stinky stools
Date: 4 Jan 93 19:14:51 GMT
Followup-To: rec.pets.cats
Organization: Pacer Software, Inc

Calvin had the same problem.  I switched to Iams cat food, which worked
wonders!  I have recently changed to Hill's Science Diet, which my cats
seem to find more palatable, and that seems to control the smell problem
just as well.  Good luck!
From: S_KOEHLER@iravcl.ira.uka.de (|S| Tobias Koehler)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: cat smilies
Date: 12 Jan 1993 15:16:30 GMT
Organization: University of Karlsruhe (FRG) - Informatik Rechnerabt.
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: irav1.ira.uka.de
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.23

Hi
you probably know the smilies like :-) -- a happy face tilted to the left.
There are also cat smilies. These are tilted to the right (because otherwise
there would be no possibility to indicate the ears -- as there is no uppercase
greek Sigma in the ASCII charset). With one exception there are four
characters: mouth, nose, eyes and ears.
(<:3 -- "consummatory face": everything is ok, like :-)
(<83 -- listening to or reading an interesting story
()<: -- yawning (the aforementioned exception), e g reaction to a dull joke
)<:< -- flaming (aggressive warning)
)<:| -- reacting to a flame (defensive warning)
(<:< -- making a sarcastic remark (like ;->)
<<:< -- like (<:<, but more extreme
<<<< -- like <<:<, but even more extreme and nearly unreadable
0#:3 -- refusing the contact
O<:3 -- roaring (only for cats who can roar: lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards)
|<|3 -- sleeping
So long
Tobi
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: whitman@watson.bms.com (Debra Whitman)
Subject: Cat Cravings
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Organization: Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 13:11:00 GMT

My cat Opus (2 year old neutered male) loves coffee.  Not brewed, but the 
grounds.  He will beg me to give him some while I'm making coffee.  He has 
gone so far as to put his face in the bag or filter while I'm not looking and 
he literally dives in.  I don't give him any because I don't know if it is 
good for him.  Does anyone know for sure?  He just sniffs and licks it up.
Thanks in advance!

Debbie 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats