INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Similar to agaves, these kinds of succulents should only be pruned for dead leaves, as well as armament located on the ends of their leaves. Never remove green leaves, as they are necessary for food production, as well as the general growth and health of the plants. Leave dead leaves on the trunk of taller yuccas and nolinas to protect from water loss during the summer and low temperatures during the winter. These succulents have similar growth patterns as yuccas and nolinas. Cutting off dead leaves is not necessary, but good for improving appearance. Otherwise, prune minimally and never cut off green leaves. Don't sculpt these plants into patterns, such as spirals it's unnaturaland can hinder growth. As one of the easiest succulents to maintain, focus on keeping fresh, growing heads and stems. These plants require minimal pruning, so don't trim them just for the sake of it. Never remove flower spikes before they have bloomed (this means never pruning them into squares or balls). Focus on individual stems that are dead or unruly by cutting them back to their base and let remaining stems continue growing to produce flowers. Never cut them off at the top, as it will stunt plant growth and lead to unnatural form and height. Cutting ocotillos too high leads to thin and irregular branches as opposed to sturdy ones. Never trim parts of the pads offalways remove full pads. As a general rule, it should always be easy for viewers to determine where the plant was pruned recently. Remove stems that are broken or diseased. The small cacti characterized by columns, such as Cleistocactus, Echinocereus, and Stenocereus, should always be pruned at ground levelnever the top. This ruins their natural shape and leaves numerous cuts that are susceptible to disease. Never use cacti as hedges, as their armament can cause harm. Cut the tips from the end of the leaves as they unfold. Pruning spines can cause browning on the tip of some leaves, but it's nothing to worry about. Focus on pruning these succulents after they bloom, and only remove the whole leaves if they are dying or dead. Planting agave without any armament on their leaves and planting them away from high-traffic areas can eliminate the need for pruning. If agaves become infested with weevils, the whole plant will need to be removed.

SUMMARY: Cut off damaged leaves from yuccas and nolinas. Remove only damaged leaves from dasylirions. Cut off spent flower stems and dead foliage from hesperaloes. Trim ocotillo stems that have died or become too tall. Trim cacti at the joints where the pads connect. Remove spines at the end of agave leaves.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use a spoon to smooth it out along the bottom of the dish, completely covering it. The layer should be fairly thin. You can also use a large serving plate or bowl. Sprinkle on 3 ounces (85g) of sliced black olives in an even layer, followed by the 2 diced tomatoes. Finally, add a light sprinkling of the 2 diced green onions across the top of the dip. Serve this dip cold with chips. You can make this dip a day ahead, but keep it in the refrigerator. Cover the container with plastic wrap to store it in the fridge. Use within a day or 2, as the avocado will start to taste off.

SUMMARY: Spread the bean mixture in a 7 by 11in (18 by 28cm) baking dish. Create layers of black olives, diced tomatoes, and onions.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If the cat has a microchip, this means that it has had an owner at some point. Ask the vet to give you a copy of the contact details of the most recent owner of the cat or see if the vet can contact them for you. Contact the owner to ensure that they don't want the cat and that they are happy for you to adopt it. A vet will typically charge around $50 for an appointment, but most will scan stray cats for free. Contact your local vet to receive a quote. If the cat won't go into its carrier, place a bowl of food into the cage to tempt the cat inside. Take a photo of the cat and place it on a local community notice board and on social media. Write a detailed description of where you found the cat and note any distinguishing features or markings. Include your contact details on the notice so that the cat's owner can contact you. In many states you are legally required to take practical measures to ensure that a stray cat doesn't have an owner before taking it in, even if the cat isn't microchipped. Keep the cat inside while you look for its owner. If the microchip doesn't exist and the owner cannot be traced, it is safe to presume that the cat is a stray. Avoid welcoming the cat into your home until you are sure that it is a stray, as this is illegal in some localities. Stray cats are often unvaccinated and commonly have fleas. Ask the vet to check for fleas, worms, infections, injuries, and diseases, and to prescribe any necessary medications. Keep the cat isolated from other animals until it is free from any parasites or illnesses. Ask the vet if the cat has been neutered.

SUMMARY: Take the cat to a vet to check if it has a microchip. Post a picture of the cat around your neighborhood to find its owner. Consider that the cat is a stray if you can't find its owner after 7 days. Ask the vet to vaccinate the cat and give it a checkup.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Give them appropriate verbal and physical support. Be loving and let them cry on you if they want to. First, make sure your friend is okay with physical contact! For example, you might say, "Is it okay if I give you a hug?" or "Is it all right if I hold you?". Physical contact can be very comforting, but ask your friend if they are okay with hugging, cuddling, or any other type of touching before you do it. Contact can make people feel better, but if they don't want it, don't do it. Sometimes just sitting quietly, whether it is in prayer or meditation or not, can help calm people and provide some comfort. Doing something active and physical can help your friend release negative physical energy. This can help calm your friend down or distract them from the situation for a moment. For example, take a brief walk, jog, go for a swim, or bike ride. Do yoga, tai chi, or some simple stretching. Sometimes, the only thing you can do is try to keep your friend from thinking about what is bothering them. Offer, or just take them, to do something that they like. Go for ice cream or a movie. Get them involved in a project, for example, sorting clothes to donate or gardening. Find something humorous like a funny meme, video clip, etc. to try to lighten your friend's mood a bit.

SUMMARY:
Don't be afraid to console them. Pray or meditate. Release some physical energy. Distract your friend.