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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 2016)
Wednesday, January 6, 2016 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 9 When the grazing was good... Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist photo by rob windlinx Sisters mule deer are having to work a little harder right now. Choosing a cat or a kitten When folks think about adding a cat to their lives, they seem to automatically think “kitten.” And why not? A kitten is irresistible with her baby face and silly antics, a little fluffball who’ll play all day with you and steal your heart. Kittens are adorable, curious, playful and full of energy. However, they can also be a lot of work, and exas- perating at times, demanding lots of supervision to keep them out of trouble. And with a kitten, you really don’t know what kind of cat you’ll end up with once she outgrows her kitten personality. You’ll need to kitten- proof your home from com- mon household dangers such as electrical cords and house- hold cleaners. Kittens, like puppies, are babies. They make messes because they naturally want to explore and in doing so, they tend to knock things over and get into things they shouldn’t, like that pot- ted plant you had hanging around that you forgot to give your neighbor. When a kitten plays she uses her long sharp nails and may scratch you accidently. Since young children move quickly and like to pick up a pet, they can acci- dently hurt a small kitten, which in turn may bite or scratch when frightened. Kittens and very young chil- dren usually don’t mix well, as kittens can be fragile and youngsters kind of rough. On the other hand, a photo by Jodi Schneider mcnAmee Kittens are “baby cute.” kitten can be perfect for a family with older, more responsible children, or a source of delight to an active older adult. You just need to look carefully at your living situation and consider the problems and pleasures a kit- ten will bring. Adult cats offer some good advantages and few disadvantages — one sim- ply being that they aren’t as “baby cute” as kittens. The right adult cat is more likely to tolerate children and less likely to be injured. Plus an adult cat is generally much calmer and less likely to get into trouble — at least most of the time. If you adopt an adult cat, you know exactly what you’re getting. Body type, coat, and eye color are set. Laid-back or active, quiet or vocal, cuddly or demand- ing, an adult cat has already settled into her own persona. And depending on your age and lifestyle, you may be happier with an adult cat in your family. If you have a quiet lifestyle, work outside the home, or have children under the age of six, give some thought to adopting an adult cat. Another good reason to adopt an adult cat is that many of the cats have little hope of getting a second chance after they hit the shel- ter, no matter how healthy, beautiful, and well-mannered they are. The possible disadvan- tage of adopting an adult cat is that you may be choosing a cat with behavioral prob- lems. A good shelter, rescue group, or breeder will prac- tice full disclosure of any known health or behavioral problems with the cat up for adoption. Many cats are given up for problems that can be resolved with time and patience. Cats with special needs can also make wonderful companions. They might be older, deaf, blind, or have a condition that requires medi- cation, but that doesn’t affect the amount of love and plea- sure they have to give. If you already have pets, you will need to consider them as well before bringing home an adult cat or kitten. Cats, like people, are indi- viduals. No two are exactly alike, whether they’re from the same breed or even the same litter. Some cats are very mellow and will tolerate any kind of handling, includ- ing being dressed in clothes. These cats are perfect for older children. Other cats don’t like being picked up or held and will only come to you for petting when they feel like it. The first step to starting a long and lasting friendship with a cat is choosing the cat that’s right for you and your lifestyle. Once you’ve made a care- fully thought-out decision, be a great pet parent by provid- ing your furry feline friend with everything she needs to live a happy, healthy life. DOT Physicals Hair & Nails Your Care is offi cially listed on the National Registry of Certifi ed Medical Examiners for DOT physicals! $ 25 OFF! Valid through 1-15-16 DUCTLESS HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY Recently, Randall Marchington, an expert Mechanical Estima- tor from Bend Heating, answered questions about the newest high-effi ciency ductless heat pump systems on the market. Q A We have heard there is something new in the world of ductless heat pump technology. Would you mind talk- ing about that? Sure. Carrier Corporation, one of the largest manufac- turers in the heating industry, has recently released the Carrier Infi nity ductless heat pump, one-head system. The fi rst thing that comes to my mind is that as we live in a high, dry, cold climate and this new Carrier Infi nity system will produce heat to -22ºF at 80% capacity output. No other system can work this well for our winters. Q Well, that is exciting! What else is new? Q A Are incentives like rebates and tax credits avail- able when you convert to a ductless heap pump? Q And, about Bend Heating…? Q Is the initial investment expensive? Q A What sets Bend Heating apart from other well-known heating companies? Q How can people contact you for more information? A One of the newest innovations that Carrier has brought to this technology is the sleek and slim look of these indoor units that also come in white or silver, which allows them to blend into the interior of your home. Not the big bulky things hanging on your wall anymore. Because we are approaching an energy crisis in the NW, there are incredibly generous incentives available to ho- meowners that qualify for these systems, totaling as much as $2,700, which can cut your total investment in half, as well as reducing your utility bill by half, plus they have air condition- ing and air fi ltration to boot! A One thing that I like is that Bend Heating was the 1st “Certifi ed Master Installer” of ductless heat pumps in the area and is Carrier’s 1st and oldest factory-au- thorized dealer in Central Oregon. That means every single homeowner gets a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back, written contract from Carrier Corporation themselves. A Not at all, especially when you consider that the money you save on utility bills pays for the invest- ment in as little as a few years in most homes, and the comfort is incredible. Bend Heating is the oldest heating company in Cen- tral Oregon and has been serving our neighbors heating needs since 1953. We are required to be certifi ed by federal, state and local agencies. We participate in rigorous ongoing training that requires us to perform many different tests to cer- tify the installation is correct. We do all the paperwork for you and make sure it is all in order for the rebates and tax credits. A You can contact me at 541-382-1231 or email randall@bendheating.com and I’ll be happy to discuss how and if this might work for your home. Natural & Artifi cial 541-549-6566 484 W. Washington Ave., Ste. B 541-548-2899 3818 SW 21st Pl. YourCareMedical.com 541-382-1231 | www.BendHeating.com Hwy. 126 to Redmond, two turns and you’re there! (Near fairgrounds) CCB#08653 | Copyright © 2012 Bend Heating & Sheet Metal, Inc. All rights reserved. WALK-IN • URGENT CARE• OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE As a trade ally contractor of Energy Trust of Oregon, we can help with cash incentives and state energy tax credits to improve the energy effi ciency of your home.
