Be sensitive to your pet's feelings

You may have often heard and seen the phrase 'dog is man's best friend.' Perhaps, most of you have dogs as pets and know through experience that the dog is indeed a protective, loyal friend.

The association between dog and man goes back in time and today it has grown to as perfect a relationship as one could ever be, between a human and an animal. In ancient times, it was the wild dog that became man's best friend, but today there are so many different breeds of dogs we could choose as our beloved pets; our protectors and companions.

We know that the protective nature is a dog's very fibre. It may be more pronounced in some breeds than in others. However, when selecting a pet don't ever expect the dog to have the same qualities you have seen in another dog of the same breed. Even though certain general characteristics of the canine family would be common to all breeds, each and every dog is an individual creature and differs in some respect from every other member, even in its own breed.

The behaviour of our canine friends are similar to that of humans. Even dogs show jealousy, anger, fear and affection just like we humans do. The more sensitive ones may even have moods. So, don't think all dogs are the same and treat them alike. Watch them closely and study their individual characteristics to know your pet better.

Then, you would know why your canine friend is jealous or in a 'mood'. Your pet may not be able to express itself in words, but if you are careful enough to study its facial expressions, you may see its inner feelings mirrored in its eyes.

Don't take your pet for granted. Be sensitive to its feelings too, just like you'd be with a human friend.

Memories are for ever

Ever loving pet, Blackie

Four years have passed

Since you left us

But still you live,

In my heart, as in the past.

Yes, you were just a dog,

We kept you as a pet,

But with time you became close,

More than merely a pet,

You became a friend.

And the guardian of our home,

You served us as best as you could,

You barked with a deep sound,

Indeed, it was a ferocious bark.

Your shiny black furry body,

Watchful, bright, mischievous eyes.

Your little soft, black ears,

And the funny rolled up tail,

You really had a lovely podgy image,

We all adored.

Blackie, though you had to leave us,

You know 'memories are for ever',

And you'll live in our hearts,

And vanish from our minds never,

Blackie our friend we love you for ever.

Chathuri Anuradha Withanage,

Grade 11A, Taxila Central College, Horana.

A kitten's plea

Oh! Lord;

Grant me the tiniest corner in some house,

Where I can shelter by a cosy fire,

I promise them no trouble, not a mouse,

To be their faithful friend is my desire.

Never shall I unpleasant be, or rude,

Accepting all their goodness with thanks,

A saucerful of milk, a share of food,

A garden for a sleepy hour-or pranks,

You know that there are thousands more of us,

Who plead on many doorsteps, but in vain,

Give me this chance, protect this faithful puss,

From cruelty, neglect, from cold and pain,

My days are not as long as human kind,

Swiftly the years will pass - I shall be old,

No longer, nimble-footed, maybe blind.

Oh! find me refuge from the winter's cold,

And when my race is run, and it is written,

That I shall fall asleep and never waken,

Remember them, dear lord -they loved a kitten,

Forsake them not, as I was not forsaken.

Sent by:

D. Gunarathna

The pet I like to have

The pet I like to have is a squirrel. My sister had a squirrel. It was ash in colour. It ate nuts and fruits. It was very pretty. It lived in a cage. When my sister let it out, it played with us.

Once during play it scratched me.When the squirrel is let out of the cage, it runs about freely. However, it always comes back to our house. We looked after it very well. Its cage was near the gate.One day I went to see it, but the squirrel had died. I was very sad, but I was also happy because it had given birth to a baby squirrel. It was very small and cute too. I wish I too had a pet squirrel like my sister.

Amandi Kaluaddaarachchi,

Grade 6, Yasodara Devi Balika MV,Gampaha.