Yesterday morning I had a new experience---    >> Read more

All of my adult years I have owned a maximum of two pet birds but recently added a third to my flock. My first two were a “mixed couple”- a parakeet and lovebird bought on the same day. The third is another lovebird who has taken over the household.    >> Read more

My backyard birdfeeder has been very active lately. I have seen cardinals, titmice, chickadees, wrens, house finches, and blue jays this month. I also have hummingbirds coming to my nectar feeder and a pair of fat squirrels that lounge on the tree limb above the feeder like it’s their living room couch.     >> Read more

I believe that children and animals are meant for each other!  Caring for animals teaches kindness, compassion, and responsibility, and the animal serves as a special friend and playmate for the child.    >> Read more

When I was a kid, like most little girls I was obsessed with horses.  I read all the classic horse books (My Friend Flicka, Misty of Chincoteague, The Black Stallion) which, of course, I checked out at my local library.  (The Landmark Square branch, and boy does that make me feel old!)  I took riding lessons for several years, and I'd love to be able to afford a horse of my own.  For the time being, however, I'll have to be satisfied with the horse magazines we get here at the library.  Luckily, we get a lot of them!    >> Read more

Trips to the veterinarian are fascinating if you are there for a “well bird” visit.

Part of the experience is the reaction from other people. At one vet’s office there were two waiting rooms—one for large animals; I was waiting in the small animal room. There were only two “patients”—the other a small curly white poodle whose owner was a large man. I could hear him telling his dog that a “tweet-tweet” was in the other room.    >> Read more

Everybody's talking about backyard chickens!  Evidently it's what all the cool kids are doing these days, and Columbia's City Council is even now debating allowing people in the city to keep them.  Frankly, I don't see what the problem is - what possible issue can come up that isn't already covered by the noise and animal control laws we currently have?  (And no roosters!)  I won't name names, but a certain city councilman was concerned about "hens impeding traffic".  Think about that for a moment - it's always good to start the day off with a smile.    >> Read more

While scuba diving in search of a baby clown fish, I hitched a ride on the back of friendly dolphin (bribed with food) to the other side of a coral reef and discovered a violent hammerhead shark thrashing about. The shark set its sights on me and charged, but I was quick on the draw with an electromagnetic pulse gun and was able to pacify the shark, which then sailed away. I dove deeper and discovered some gold coins along the floor of the lagoon, then -- tucked away in some anemone -- a baby clown fish and parent emerged!    >> Read more

I confess before you get any further - I don't have a bird.  I don't think I could ever have a bird, what with all the squawking and all.  I do an unbelievable amount of squawking on my own, you see.  Plus, I think their eyes are a little creepy.  On the other hand, I really enjoy other people's birds.  I had a friend in college with a gorgeous macaw that was smarter than most people's dogs - one winter her car started to get hard to start in the morning, and the bird would make the "rrRRRRrrrRRRRrrrrRRRR" sound it made for you all day long.  So I like birds, but I don't know much about them.

Luckily, Bird Talk does!  If you have a bird or have ever thought about getting one, you definitely need to be reading Bird Talk.  It covers all kinds of pet birds, from finches to parrots.  There's advice on bird health, food, training, breeding and more!  Every issue features a species with a lengthy article and a centerfold.  Recently we received the December issue, which is the special shopping issue!  Like many magazines, Bird Talk crams its December issue full of product guides and shopping info, and of course there's a large classified section in the back with breeders and supplies.  It's a great place to look if you want to spend some cash on your cockatiel (or break your budget on your budgie!)

Come on down to the Periodicals department to take a look at Bird Talk.  Remember, in addition to the current issue we'll also have the current and prior year, so you spend as much time as you like reading all about birds!    >> Read more

My favorite time of day is just at dawn in early summer, when there is just enough freshness in the air, enough coolness, to invite me outside. I listen to the sounds and inhale the fragrances of that time of morning, while I walk through our yard or simply sit to enjoy the quiet. You've most likely seen the rays of the early morning sun shine through the leaves and mist, but have you noticed the spider webs?

As many of you may know, Oprah recently got a new dog, Sadie.  My dog is named Sadie, too, so we thought our Sadie might have some advice for Oprah's Sadie.

Your mommy must have good taste because she gave you the same name as mine! Being that we share that “special something,” I thought I would give you a couple of tips on how to live with the human in your life.

1. Play well with others. Being able to get along with other dogs and humans (especially little humans) is a must. Nothing puts you in the dog house quicker than growling at the wrong time.    

2.  Never beg for food. You really don’t have to. Nothing melts a human’s heart more than that “puppy dog” look. Gets them every time…

3. Never ever chew on a human’s shoes!! (Especially the lady humans!) That would really have you sent to the dog house...Maybe worse!

4.  Learn to “go” outside. Not on the rug, on the couch and, for gosh sake, not on the bed!

If your human needs some advice on how to take care of you, RCPL has some neat magazines that she can look at. The current issue of Your Dog has articles on crating, doggie first aid kids and safe dog swimming.  Dog Fancy has a guide to the best cities for dogs and survival tips for your puppy's teen years. Dog World offers a rare breed guide and an article on coursing sports.

Well, that’s all I have. If you use the tips I gave you, you and your human should have a happy, healthy relationship. By the way, tell Ms. “O” I said "hi!"
 

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Most people, if asked to name an animal that hibernates, would immediately say “bears”. Oddly enough, however, the only species of bear that truly hibernates, according to the precise meaning     >> Read more

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Recently our own library had a bird flying around and chirping for several days. Many staff members attempted to catch him and release him outdoors.    >> Read more

Summer, fall, winter or spring, dogs who spend a good deal of time indoors with their human companions need and deserve serviceable housing outdoors.    >> Read more

People looking for tempting recipes and ideas for seasonal cookery can find it in magazines, cook books, television, everywhere! But what about our pets?    >> Read more

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
Groucho Marx     >> Read more

Every March, ruby-throated hummingbird scouts arrive in the Midlands of South Carolina to look for all the best spots to forage and raise their brood.    >> Read more

With the holiday season, several people find themselves going out of town, possibly to visit relatives, or to take a small vacation. Not all vacationing families leave their pets at home.    >> Read more

People accustomed to cats and dogs need patience with a pet bird's adaptation. They don't always come home as instant companions.    >> Read more

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient and rewarding pastime that many South Carolinians enjoy.    >> Read more