Question: I have recently bought a cockatiel and although she was hand raised, when you put your hand down for her to hop up onto, she usually bites you. Is there anything I can do to stop this habit? Nadine, via e-mail. Answer: Nadine, Your little feathered friend may have previously been frightened or handled […]

Question: From an early age, expose your puppy to having their mouths and feet handled. Always use words of encouragement when handling these areas — perhaps even use a common word so they associate the word with the action. Answer: When we want to look at our dog’s teeth we take her by the muzzle […]

Question: I use essential oils in an oil burner in my home but was wondering how else I can use them? Tara, via e-mail. Answer: Essential oils can be a great pick me up. Read the labels of aromatherapy oils to look for “pure essential oil”. Synthetic oils are very strong and instead of soothing, […]

By Annette Campbell Alana Ziebell learned a lot in her last year of high school — and it wasn’t all from textbooks and classes. Her mother Pauline died from breast cancer on September 13 last year, only weeks before Alana was due to sit her final exams. But amazingly, this determined 18-year-old from Melbourne persevered […]

My grandmother on my mother’s side passed away before I was born, so I never had the privilege of meeting her. She died after a long battle with cancer and my mother and her siblings were devastated by her death. Just six months later, my grandfather remarried. The woman he married was a lot younger […]

Question: Does your cat have bad breath? Answer: I have found that letting your cat or kitten nibble a few sprigs of parsley helps with their halitosis. Vicki, via email.

My sister and I are two years apart in age so we have always had the same group of friends. When she was 18 she started seeing my boyfriend’s best friend and we spent even more time together. My sister and her boyfriend, Will, had been together for about six years when she confided in […]

Question: My six-month-old kitten Lucy absolutely refuses to wear a collar. Every time we put one on her, she goes absolutely mental, running around and acting bananas. I’ve not been brave enough to let her outside yet, as I don’t want to let her out without a collar. I’m also not sure how to go […]

Question: If your dog keeps stealing the kids’ food while they’re eating, leave out a sandwich laced with a bit of curry. The dog won’t get hurt, but will learn that human food isn’t nice. Answer: It worked wonders on my golden retriever and it is nice to be able to enjoy meals without her […]

Question: Little over a month ago, my dog of 16 years was put down due to suspected liver cancer. It is the first pet that I can remember leaving us. Although time heals all pain and I am getting over it quickly, it still hurts me to think she won’t be sleeping on the beanbag […]