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National Post
14 minutes ago
- National Post
How to create a "petio" for your furry friends
You may have already heard of catios — enclosed outdoor areas where felines can frolic while enjoying fresh air. Cat owners love them because they give indoor cats extra enrichment while keeping them safe. Catios can also decrease conflicts among multiple house cats as well as eliminate cat-related disputes among neighbours. Article content Now, the catio concept has grown to include outdoor spaces for other species. Dubbed 'petios,' these house add-ons are becoming increasingly popular. Article content Article content Article content 'In fact, 65 per cent of pet owners say they've made outdoor design decisions based on their pets, and many have created spaces that allow pets to interact with nature while still being protected,' Melissa Handy, senior vice president at Lowe's, told Real Simple. Article content Areas for dogs are a given, but other pets such as birds, rabbits and guinea pigs may benefit from a petio — as long as you take into consideration their safety, health and natural behaviours. Here are some things to keep in mind when designing a petio: Article content 1. Decide on the petio's purpose. This will give you an idea of what items to include and how much space you need. An area for dogs to roughhouse will look different from a climbing maze for cats, for instance. Dogs may enjoy a kiddie pool, but cats? Not so much. Article content House Digest recommends adding pet relief areas, shade structures and water features to encourage hydration. Pet beds and hiding spots are also good ideas, as is human furniture if you plan to join your furry friends outside. Article content Article content 2. Guard against escapees — and intruders. Ensure that the edges of your petio are secure enough that animals can't dig under, climb over or break through any materials. If you have a cat, or cats, this could look like wire mesh completely enclosing the space. For a dog, a fence might be more important than a roof. 'Many pet rescues require a six-foot high fence, especially for large or very active breeds,' says Real Simple. Article content 3. Focus on the floor. Make sure that flooring materials are durable and easy to clean. 'Artificial turf can be a good option for most pets,' says House Digest. 'Those with avid diggers might opt for tile or stone instead, which is easy to wash and remains cool in hot climates.' Other options include pet-safe gravel or mulch. Don't forget to account for adequate drainage if you choose artificial turf. Article content 4. Pick plants carefully. Research what's poisonous to your pet and avoid it. On its website, the BC SPCA has a starter list of problematic plants: among them are lilies, poison hemlock, branching ivy, oleander, tulips, cocoa bean mulch and castor bean plant. Article content On the other hand, you might want to include safe plants for your pet to enjoy. 'Some pet-friendly plants include herbs like oregano, lavender, rosemary, and thyme; camellia, crape myrtle, forsythia, sunflowers, and petunias,' says Real Simple. 'For cats, a patch of catnip or cat grass would be a welcome addition to their space.' Article content
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
TV show celebrates bond between children and service animals
Article content Not all heroes wear capes — some of them have hoofs, snouts, feathers and manes. Service animals take the spotlight in the docuseries Collar of Duty Kids, which shows how they make a difference for children with disabilities. Article content A spinoff of Collar of Duty, it airs Mondays on AMI-tv and streams on AMI+. Executive producer Laura Lillie spoke about the series. Article content Q: How would you describe the bond between animals and children? Article content Article content A: It's symbiotic. When adults give a child a chore like setting a table, it's quite authoritarian. But when it's their animal bestie — who is literally opening doors for them or bringing them joy — it's more of an exchange between equals. The animals then gently reflect the child's potential for greatness back to them. Article content Q: What did you learn about lesser-known service animals, like chickens? Article content A: Emotional support chickens were a surprise — especially since they were for a girl with Type 1 diabetes. But when you experience the story, it makes sense. We also feature a girl in New Brunswick who has ADHD and has found confidence and purpose through her birds — chickens, ducks and the most affectionate and cuddly turkey I've ever witnessed. Article content Q: What story impacted you the most? Article content A: A trans teen on the East Coast might be our most important story. When I think about how dark it can get for some young people because of bullying and alienation, nothing is more important than finding a lifeline. For this teen, it was goats — and one goat in particular. This goat had also been bullied by other goats. And these two kids, pun intended, found each other. Article content Article content Q: What's the biggest challenge in the animal service field? Article content A: Service animals are skill based, whereas emotional support or therapy animals are more about offering comfort and companionship. Certified service animals are trained to detect low blood sugar in people with diabetes, respond to seizure activity, or open doors, remove clothing, and bark for help for people with mobility challenges. The biggest challenge I see are claims that an animal has a service designation when it doesn't. Article content
National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Flight attendant sues Delta for US$75M over upside-down plane crash in Toronto
Article content The crash happened when the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft bounced and rolled on landing at the Toronto airport, ending up on its roof. A wing was ripped off and a fire broke out. All 80 passengers and crew survived, although more than 20 people were taken to hospital. Article content The lawsuit says Miles was rendered unconscious while hanging upside down from her seatbelt after the plane came to a stop. When she awoke she 'found herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke, putting her at grave risk for chemical burns, asphyxiation, and death.' Article content The suit says she suffered 'severe and permanent injuries, including … fractured left shoulder/scapula, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome with headaches, dizziness, and other cognitive difficulties, bilateral knee injuries, back injuries, exposure to jet fuel and toxic fumes, and psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.' Article content In April, Miles was one of four recipients of the C.B. Lansing Memorial Award, given by the Association of Flight Attendants 'to an AFA member who displays heroism beyond the call of duty in aviation.' The award was established in memory of Clarabelle Lansing, a flight attendant who was killed in 1988 when the flight on which she was working suffered an explosive decompression over Hawaii. Article content The organization notes that the award is 'the highest honor a member may bestow upon a fellow member.' It was given to Hollie Gallagher and Rebecca Palazzola, the flight attendants working on the downed aircraft, and to Miles and Alita Parker, 'deadheading Endeavor flying partners who assisted.' Article content Article content A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released in March does not disclose a specific cause for the crash, but it does mention that two additional airline employees who were on the flight as passengers helped evacuate the rear of the cabin. Article content Madeline Sinkovich, one of Miles' lawyers, told the Post: 'Our complaint alleges that basic safeguards, training, and evacuation procedures failed — and that corporate decisions put cost and schedule ahead of safety. The case proceeds under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for passenger injuries arising from onboard accidents. Ms. Miles continues to recover from significant injuries; we respect the Transportation Safety Board of Canada's important work and will pursue full accountability in court.' Article content The final report by the Transportation Safety Board is expected next year. According to the CBC, there are at least 16 additional lawsuits that have been filed by passengers related to the incident. Article content
