PET TIPS

Dog Owners Beware: Cocoa Bean Mulch poses a threat to your pets. This mulch has come on the market as a fertilizer made from cocoa beans used in chocolate production. It has been proven useful to deter slugs and snails and has an appealing scent. However, dogs can be poisoned by it if they eat too much. A love ingestion can cause intestinal upset, but higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and even death. – Frances of Stone Mountain, GA., Corpus Christi

If you lose a pet, visit missingpepartnership.org for helpful pet recovery strategies. – Sherry of Tampa, FL., Most Holy Redeemer

Do you have a chew toy for you dog that is hard? The American Veterinary Dental College recommends that if you would not want the chew toy thrown at your knee cap, you shouldn’t allow your pet to chew it.  – Roger of Columbia, S.C., Our Lady of the Hills

Did you know that parakeets are capable of developing a vocabulary of 200-300 words? – Kathy of Asheville, N.C., Basilica of St. Lawrence

WILDLIFE TIPS

Did you know that Austin, Texas, is the nation’s largest National Wildlife Fund certified community habitat? - Alicia of Austin, TX., St. Mary Cathedral Parish

Sex of baby sea turtles is determined by the climate, namely the heat. With the increased global temperatures, more females are being born than males. Five of the seven species are currently near extinction. - Bill of Amelia Island, FL

GARDENING TIPS

The best way to clean a hummingbird feeder is with a toothbrush. – Carl of Valdosta, GA

Ornamental cabbage is my favorite fall plant. The shades of green, blue purple and white all intensify into the late fall and early winter. I find it is best used to make a dramatic entry to my pumpkin covered front porch as I place some of the pumpkins amid the cabbage. – Sarah of Clayton, GA

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