Dogs can be incredibly curious about anything new in their environment, and this includes your holiday tree. The challenge is to anticipate your dog’s need to investigate before he gets into trouble.  Nothing can ruin the holidays quicker than a trip to the emergency vet. Follow these tips and help ensure your pet’s safety this holiday season.

Prevent Tipping

Make sure your tree has a steady base. Tipping can be a big problem, and your dog could be injured if the tree tips over on him. Once you have set it up, test your tree to see if it wiggles at all. If need be, you can anchor the base with some large rocks. Depending on where you set up the tree, you might also want to use some fishing line to tie the top of the tree to a banister or curtain rod to give it even more stability.

Cover the Water Basin

If you have a real tree, the water in the stand harbors bacteria and other chemicals. When you anchor the base with rocks, arrange them to cover the basin as well and just leave enough room to add water. Place your tree skirt over the rocks, and this should keep your dog from drinking the water.

Take Care with Decorations

Avoid hanging ornaments near the bottom of the tree where they are easily knocked off and broken. Your dog could cut his feet on the pieces or choke on an ornament if he tries to chew on it.

Tinsel presents another hazard. It can cause an intestinal blockage if your dog eats it, so consider another type of garland that’s not so easy to pick off the tree.

Cover Electrical Cords

If you use an old-fashioned string of lights to light your tree, you’ll want to make sure your dog can’t chew the cord. Make sure the cord drapes off the back of the tree, and tape the excess cord to the floor using duct tape.

Create a Barrier

You can easily cordon off the area around your tree using a portable exercise pen. Just run the panels around the tree to keep your dog away from it, and you can remove the pen when it’s time to hand out your gifts.

Source:  Kelly Roper

Dog Breeder and Exhibitor

November 29,2011

The 18th annual GBBC will be held Friday, February 13, through Monday, February 16, 2015.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.

Everyone is welcome–from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Participants tally the number of individual birds of each species they see during their count period. They enter these numbers on the GBBC website.

Participants may also send in photographs of the birds they see for the GBBC photo contest. A selection of images is posted in the online photo gallery.

WHY COUNT BIRDS?

Scientists and bird enthusiasts can learn a lot by knowing where the birds are. Bird populations are dynamic; they are constantly in flux. No single scientist or team of scientists could hope to document and understand the complex distribution and movements of so many species in such a short time.

Scientists use the GBBC information, along with observations from other citizen-science projects, such as the Christmas Bird Count, Project FeederWatch, and eBird, to get the “big picture” about what is happening to bird populations. The longer these data are collected, the more meaningful they become in helping scientists investigate far-reaching questions, like these:

• How will the weather influence bird populations?

• Where are winter finches and other “irruptive” species that appear in large numbers during some years but not others?

• How will the timing of birds’ migrations compare with past years?

• How are bird diseases, such as West Nile virus, affecting birds in different regions?

• What kinds of differences in bird diversity are apparent in cities versus suburban, rural, and natural areas?

The Great Backyard Bird Count is led by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada and sponsorship from Wild Birds Unlimited.

J&N Feed and Seed is now running a Christmas Sale on Federal Brass 5.56/.223 ammunition, $165 per 500 ct.

This sale will be available until January 1st or while supplies last.

For the hunters on your Christmas list, nothing says Merry Christmas like a gift box full of .223 rifle ammo!

J&N Feed and Seed is now offering Lindner Pig feeds and supplements.

Lindner Pig Feeds-

• Lindner 632 20% Grower/Finisher
• Lindner 685 16% Grower/Finisher
• Lindner 611 23% Specialty Feed

Lindner Pig Supplements-

• Lindner 698 Slop
• Lindner 1113 TNT
• Lindner 1111 System Mechanic
• Lindner 1108 Full Figure 

Stop by J&N Feed and Seed for all your show pig feed and supplement needs!

Tired of dusty shavings? Or does your horse have respiratory issues? Time to try pelleted bedding! J&N Feed and Seed now carries Green Tree Pelleted Bedding.

Green Tree Pelleted Bedding is long lasting. It is also absorbent and cuts down on airborne dust. Try pelleted bedding for your stalled animals and see the difference!

Like to take your favorite drink with you on the go? The Yeti Rambler Tumblers are sure to meet your expectations for keeping your beverage hot or cold. Now at J&N Feed and Seed we offer both the 20 oz and 30 oz Yeti Rambler Tumblers.

These would make a Christmas gift for that special someone on your list!

Make sure to stay warm this winter in your deer stand, workshop or around the house with Mr. Heater! J&N Feed and Seed carries a great selection of Mr. Heater heaters, including the new Mr. Heater portable “buddy” heater. The Mr Heater “buddy” heater is a light weight, easy to carry, propane heater that is great for on the go heating.