Time to bark, meow, chirp, and moo because National Pet Day (Monday) and National Farm Animals Day (today) are upon us! A perfect way to celebrate the animal kingdom is to get your hands on this week’s tribute to all creatures great and small “Do Unto Animals” by Tracey Stewart. It’s available in both print and eBook at the library.
Regular readers of this column know I’m over the moon about our furry and feathered friends, so any excuse to highlight another critter book fills my heart with warm fuzzies. Cats and dogs have been a part of my life since I was born, and every four-legged companion has been a treasured family member. It turns out that author Tracey Stewart feels the same way. In the book’s introduction she writes, “Love of animals was part of me from the very beginning. There are pictures of my mother pregnant with me, a bird on her head, a rabbit in her arms, and a dog at her feet … Our family’s journey with animals is ongoing. I know mine is forever.” It’s only the introduction, and I’m already hooked.
A “passionate animal advocate” and former veterinary technician, Stewart “hope(s) to inspire all animal lovers to learn a little more and do a little more.” The way she does this is both charming and informative. In the book’s first section — “Animals at Home” — she focuses on dogs and cats, sharing personal experiences, clues to interpreting canine and feline moods, massage techniques, and instructions for making toys and treats. Not that my cat-kids need any more toys, but I’m pretty sure if I make a “cardboard play pal,” my Gracie will go kitty-bonkers over it!
The second part of the book pays tribute to backyard wildlife, or as Stewart smartly describes it “my backyard workforce.” If you think about it, all those bugs, birds, rodents, and other denizens of the outdoors really do work as a “landscape team,” and there are ways we can make their jobs a little easier. Or, at least cheer them on! In some cases, a bit of “home remodeling” will do wonders for the workers and your yard. Try making a worm bin or a frog sanctuary, and your soil and garden will reap the benefits. Sometimes the best approach is to just leave a backyard worker alone. Take spiders. It seems that humans either love them or hate them, but regardless of our emotional responses to arachnids, they do good work. So, don’t squish them — even when they’re rude enough to hide under towels in the bathroom.
