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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 8, 2007 - 15 Pet of the Week SWEET: Seymor is a very sweet boy who is neutered and declawed and waiting for a family to take him home. For more animals available visit www.oakvillehumane.ca. Be ready for winter weather Parenting Workshop Series for Saturdays! Join up for a couple of hours of great discussion as we explore the answers to many common parenting questions. Learn some new strategies (for children newborn to 5 years) and meet some other parents who are sharing your experiences. You can sign up for just one, or as many as you like. Mark the dates on your calendar and plan to join us! Registration required. Location: 461 North Service Rd W, Unit 17 Saturdays, 9:30 ­ 11:30 a.m. Dates/Topics: Week 1 ­ January 19th ­ Toilet Learning Week 2 ­ January 26th ­ Discipline Week 3 ­ February 2nd ­ Getting Kids to Listen Week 4 ­ February 9th ­ Sleep ­ Is Anyone Getting Any? Cost: Workshops are $10.00 each without childcare Or $30.00 for series of 4 weeks Plus $5.00 per week for childcare Some spaces still available for `Kids Have Stress Too' This 3 week program is designed to help parents and caregivers better understand stress and help teach their children ways to manage it. Starting: Wednesday January 9th, 1:15 ­ 3:15 at our North Service Rd location, $35.00 with childcare/$20.00 without childcare Childcare available for children newborn to 5 years. Registration required. Call 905 849-6366 for more information. T he cold chill of winter weather is in the air. With the drop of temperature and often inclement conditions, prevention is the key to keeping both people and pets healthy and warm. Pets can tolerate cold outdoor temperatures to varying levels. Left outside without a source of warmth, or in cars that become refrigerator-like as the temperature drops, your pet's life could be in danger. To prevent them from freezing, becoming lost or stolen, injured or killed, pets are best kept indoors. If left to their own resources finding warmth can also result in other deadly accidents. "Cats like to sleep under the hoods of cars to keep warm," noted Heather White, Community Outreach and Education Manager at the Oakville & District Humane Society. "When the motor is started the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Banging loudly on the car hood before starting your engine will give a sleeping cat the chance to escape." Open garage doors are also inviting places for animals seeking shelter. Car antifreeze is a lethal poison to dogs and cats if ingested. Keep it stored well above an inquisitive animal's reach. Dogs find warmth in their coats. Never shave a pet down to the skin in winter and bathing is only recommended if you are going to completely dry the dog before going outdoors. Coats and sweaters with high collars covering tail to belly have become fashionable and practical ways to help keep dogs warm. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs White noted, suggesting that it may be difficult to house train as a result. Further she added that if your dog is not a puppy but sensitive to cold due to age, illness or breed type, only take the dog out to relieve itself. When indoors find a warm spot for your pet to sleep off floors and away from drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket is ideal. Keeping warm indoors isn't always appealing for those who enjoy the fun of winter. Spending time outdoors together with a pet in the snow is often a great source of fun. Use caution before and after your outing. Dogs should not be left off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. They can lose their scent and easily become lost. Rivers and ponds that are starting to freeze are also potential hazards. A pet can easily fall through. If you spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase your dog's supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him and his fur in shape. To prevent ingestion of salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals, make sure that fur and paw pads are wiped down after being outdoors. "Wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. Your pet could be ingesting life threatening chemicals in an effort to clean itself," noted White. "Paw pads can also bleed from snow or encrusted ice." "There are lots of safe ways to enjoy the winter with your pet," White added. "Using these tips will keep your animal in good health throughout the cold days ahead." Printwell Services Offered at Drop off your ink jet cartridges for refilling at participating locations as of DECEMBER 11TH 2007 Colour or Black Refill Epson, Canon or Brother $9.99 HP, Lexmark or Dell $15.99 The Centre is a registered charitable organization, that has provided programs and services for families since 1980. Our services are designed to support all families in their parenting role. We also offer early learning opportunities for children 0-6 years. WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY CARTRIDGE REFILL 905-592-0231 WWW.PRINTWELL.CA WWW.PRINTWELL.CA Participating With this coupons only. Limited to available models. Cannot be combined with any other offers. One coupon per customer. No cash value. Applicable on lesser valued item. Redeemed at participating locations. Locations: For more information on programs, parenting and services offered by the Centre please contact us at 905-849-6366 or visit our website at www.op-cc.ca Burlington: 495 Walkers Line, 2080 Appleby Line, 1477 Lakeshore Rd. Oakville: 2423 Trafalgar Rd., 3420 Rebecca St. Milton: 1155 Maple Ave., 1580 Derry Rd. Toronto: 389 Front St. W., 75 Hanna Ave. Mississauga: 3945 Doug Leavens Blvd. (Corner of Doug Leavens & Ninth Line)