Did You Know?

Of Dogs and Cats

It appears that dogs domesticated themselves some 15,000 years ago, looking for food in our scrap piles. Smart dogs.

Cats were a harder sell. They finally decided that we might be of service to them around 7,000 years ago when our granaries attracted a nice supply of rodents. Since then they have fairly successfully trained us to meet their needs.

There are 701 kinds of pure breed dogs, only 100 breeds of cats. (Does this mean that cats are naturally so wonderful they didn’t have to be bred to be any different?) The only domestic cat native to North America is the Maine Coon.

The expression "three dog night" originated with the Eskimos to describe a very cold night - so cold that you have to bed down with three dogs to keep warm. And it has been scientifically proven that stroking a cat can lower one’s blood pressure. So snuggle up with your favorite dog or cat and keep healthy and warm!

JOIN PHA

When you can’t shop local and turn to Amazon, go to

Read about the program and name the Petersburg Humane Association as your charity. Then shop at smile.amazon.com. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to PHA at no cost to you.

Calling all pet owners!

Don't forget the deadline for the 2023 Petersburg Pets Calendar is July 8!

Give us your best shot! Email high-resolution images along with the pet's full name (either its "real" name or what you call it, plus the family name) to mjjones at ak.net. Then make out a check for $10 per picture to Petersburg Humane Association and mail it to Merrily Jones, Box 206, Petersburg. Indicate on the check that it's for the calendar. This year's cover will feature a pet that is not a dog.

Tips for a good picture:

• Make sure the pet is in sharp focus. A lot of things can be corrected, but not fuzzy!
• A close-up is best. This is a pets calendar, not a beautiful Southeast calendar (beautiful as Southeast is).
• Remember that each animal in the photo is named on the photo, so it's best to limit the number of animals to 1 or 2 (especially if they have long names or more than 1 family name!) We want to be able to (1) read the names and (2) see the pets around the names!
• Finally, shoot early and shoot often. Then send in your favorite(s).

This is your chance to show off your fabulous (and gorgeous) pets! Remember to get your pix in by July 8 and your money in as soon after as possible. Payment is needed before a photo can be used so a delay in paying means a delay in creating and printing your 2023 calendar.

Have a Pet You Can't Keep?

Taking animals "out the road" and letting them go is sentencing them to a cruel death. If you have animals you can't find homes for and can't keep, please call 907-518-1091 and give us a chance to help.

Catnip Cat Mats

These mini-quilts feature fun cat-print fabrics and a "secret" pocket for the included organic catnip. Cats love them, cuddling, kicking, chewing and generally whooping it up with them before curling up on them to sleep off all the activity. The mats are available for $20. Contact PHA by phone or email. All proceeds go to the new shelter construction fund.

Hand-made dog toys

Made of rope and tennis balls, these toys are good exercise for both dog and owner. They can be thrown or just used for a rousing game of tug-of-war. The toys are available for $10. Proceeds go toward PHA's operating expenses, including spay/neuter scholarships and shelter costs.

Flock a Friend

Every April, a visiting flock of (plastic) flamingos visits Petersburg, looking for good yards to rest in and prepare for the rest of their journey. For $10, you can send them to the yard of a friend or neighbor (or anybody else) for one day. They can donate $10 to have them removed or an additional $10 to send them to another yard. All proceeds go to helping our companion animals.