Discussions

Care of your Pets from 50 years ago.  
 
GET THE BURRS OUT  
Work oil into the tangle, or crush the burrs with pliers to release their hold and comb them out.  
 
“GET OFF THAT COUCH!”  
If you are having trouble training your pet to stay off the furniture, tape balloons all over the corners and on the edges of your couch and chair. One claw into an inflated balloon and Pow! If the noise of the exploding balloon doesn’t do the trick, (it keeps me off the couch) hide cotton balls soaked in oil or cloves among the pillows to discourage dogs: mothballs will dissuade cats.  
 
QUIET TIME  
If you find that your puppy doesn’t respond when you raise your voice to discipline him, lower your voice. Speak almost in a whisper: He may think your load voice means you want to play.  
 
HOW NOT TO PICK UP A CAT  
Never pick up a cat by the nape of the neck. To keep from injuring him, and make him feel more secure, always support his front and behind quarters.  
 
BATH TIME  
When bathing your pet, stuff a steel wool pad into the drain opening in the tub to catch shedding fur and prevent clogs in your sewer system.  
 
PILL TIME  
Coat pills with butter, place them on the back of your dog’s tongue, then hold his jowls together and stroke his throat to encourage him to swallow. Coat kitty’s medicine with butter also, put in her mouth and quickly touches her nose with something wet. She’ll instinctly reach for her nose with her tongue and swallow the pill.  
 
GET THE PICTURE  
Keep a coloured photograph of your pet handy for more than sentimental reasons. Should Rover or Spot stray or Romeo Rome, you can show the picture around to help find your wandering companion.  
 
HIGH TYPES  
 
Cats appear to prefer a high-pitched voice to low tones. Lower, deeper voices often spook Kitty and scare her away.  
 
FOOTWORK  
If you live in an area where you walk your pet on city streets, be sure to wash your animal’s paws regularly, especially in the winter months when streets and sidewalks are covered with salt and other ice dissolving chemicals. These products may be painful, drying our tender pads and even damaging their nails. Also if your pet licks them off, they could prove fatal.  
 
Source: Daly House Museum Archives.