For years, the 4-H Club has been an integral part of country
living. Many of us have enjoyed watching as our kids worked on
projects or raised animals to show at the Santa Clara County
Fair.
For years, the 4-H Club has been an integral part of country living. Many of us have enjoyed watching as our kids worked on projects or raised animals to show at the Santa Clara County Fair.
My children all were a part of this group. Sarah, Mary and John raised chickens, rabbits and cavies. They also participated in dog-training classes. Through 4-H, they learned the right way to care for their pets, and at the same time they shared a lot of fun with a lot of friends.
The 4-H helps young people learn new skills and gives them a chance to develop their creativity. And this Saturday, the 4-H is having a Field Day so that these young people can publicly demonstrate some of their newfound knowledge. This event is open to the public – a sort-of “Open House” – so others can learn about all the activities 4-H offers. There is a lot more to this club than learning animal husbandry. There is much more than most anyone realizes.
Members can learn anything from dog obedience-training, to woodworking, auto mechanics, painting, stitchery, gardening, even cake decorating. And much more is available as part of this fantastic organization. If you would like your child to share an atmosphere of learning and comraderie with lots of other youngsters, this club is the perfect place to be.
4-H is not just about raising farm animals and showing them at the county fair. Certainly that is where many of us see the club. But for years, this organization has worked with children from elementary through high school age on many other projects. Some kids raise “small animals” – rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, dogs or cats. Some raise a farm animal. Others work in groups on other projects.
And the skills these young people learn help them prepare better for college and for life as an adult. 4-H has been part of the fabric of life in Santa Clara County for many, many years.
So if you have children and are looking for something to do this Saturday, May 3, come join us at the 4-H Field Day. It will be at the San Martin Lion’s Hall.
I’ll be there along with Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay from Tri-County Veterinary Hospital in Gilroy. Together, we will be presenting ideas and answering questions about animals and their health care. Better still, members of 4-H will be there showing their animals and demonstrating some of their skills. All of us will be happy to answer any questions you might have about this very valuable organization. See you this Saturday!
Q: My cat is going bald and I don’t know why! She is only 15 months old. In the places where she is balding, there are some little red spots. The bald spots get bigger every day. Should I be concerned?
A: Hair loss, or alopecia, can be caused by several different disorders. She may have allergies. But the red spots might indicate a parasitic problem. The short list includes ringworm, caused by a skin fungus; flea allergy; and scabies, caused by skin mites.
Any one of these could be at the root of her problem. And all need to be treated properly to be eliminated. No matter what the cause, I think you should have her examined by her veterinarian right away. Ringworm and scabies are very contagious to other animals and to people as well.
Treatment will help minimize the chance of spread. And by the sounds of the way this is spreading on her body, you should get professional help right away before she takes on a whole new undesireable appearance or worse, shares her condition with others.
