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Pets

Reptile, amphibian fans ready for annual Edmonton show

I need to get a better view of the meeting. ... Jazzy, a three-year-old green iguana, climbs on owner Carmen Daniel at the monthly membership meeting of the Edmonton Reptile and Amphibian Society at Ritchie Community Centre.

Kelley Jensen has a favourite saying — snakes are people, too — which is to say he thinks they make awesome pets. Consider this, says Jensen; not only are they non-allergenic, they’re low maintenance, too. You can leave a snake alone for up to three days if they have enough water, plus — and here’s the kicker — snakes don’t scratch at the door at two in the morning when it’s -40 outside.

Animal Attraction

Photo Gallery

Gallery: April's baby animals

Prepare to be overwhelmed by cuteness!

Hornby Island eagles hatch two more chicks

While many Canadians spent the last week glued to their televisions watching the Royal Wedding and the federal election, bird-watchers have been engrossed by another broadcast event. The famous "Eagles of Hornby Island" hatched their first two eaglets of the year.

Hairy episode for greyhound

Amanda Cayer welcomed the chance to share stories about her pets; her problem was choosing which one. She and her husband Paul own two beautiful Italian greyhounds, a breed that is not at all fond of winter.

Great Dane plays mom to 30 chicks

Playing with sweet, fuzzy baby chicks is an Easter ritual for many children.

Animal rights group gives royal couple "cruelty-free silk" gift

An Indian animal rights group hopes their wedding gift to Kate Middleton and Prince William, a set of traditional wedding garments made of artificial silk, will help raise awareness of how cruel traditional versions of the fabric can be.

Surrey couple adopts dog abandoned at animal shelter in Japan

A Surrey couple is adopting Belle, a red-haired dachshund that was abandoned after Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Terrier wasn’t so keen on pancakes

Let’s call it the Pancake Caper. Teresa Graham responded to my call for cute dog stories, and has won Petmate’s Clean Response Swivel Bin and Rake unit — translation: it’s a pooper scooper — which was voted one of the best products at the recent Global Pet Expo.

Pets' lessons in love

Re: "Insight from a sight-" " less pet" (Gazette, April 18)

Gallery: Felix, the German therapy pig

Physiotherapist Daan Vermeulen uses Felix, whom he has specially trained, to provide emotional therapy for the elderly and for handicapped children in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He claims contact with the pig stimulates curiosity, activity and even alertness among elderly people and helps them to awaken from the passivity that often sets in when they become older. Vermeulen says he helps those patients who react with fear to the pig to channel the emotion into a positive experience.