I have two businesses; one of them is a Canada Goose management company.  There are two times of year when I get incredibly busy with it – Fall migration and Spring migration and nesting – and guess what time of year it is?  Our geese that live in our communities are different from the migratory geese.  These were taken by humans from their natural flock and have never learned the migration routes, hence all the geese on our golf courses, in our parks, etc. 

My hard working, trained, Border Collies work with me to train the resident Canada geese where they are allowed to be and where they are not allowed.  They wear life jackets since their herding work included asking the geese to fly out of peoples’ ponds and lakes.  I sometimes help them with my canoe.

Humane Canada goose management, involving non-lethal methods, is a wonderful way to resolve conflicts in communities as to finding a solution to wildlife whose habitat encroaches ours.  See my website for more information on this program, and visit www.geesepeace.org.

 Since I have primarily Goldfish, I don’t generally need heaters.  But if your tank is situated near a window, that should be one of your first considerations.  Since I am currently having an algae problem in both tanks, it got me thinking about windows.  Which made me consider the upcoming winter, cold breezes, and turning on furnaces.

If your tank is near a window, chances are it is near a heater, as that is where heaters are often situated.  Make sure to watch your thermometer on your tanks.   House heat might possibly affect a smaller tank’s temperature, causing fluctuation.  More likely issues are cold air coming from the window, also much more of an issue with smaller tanks.

So think about your finned friends – fish are people, too!

Most importantly, if you have a black cat, ABSOLUTELY keep him or her inside.  Distressingly, the incidence of sadistic and ritualistic torture or killing of black cats sky rockets during this holiday.  Some  of this is due to holiday cult activity, some of it due to drunken party behavior. 

If you have dogs, think about their repeated reaction to monsters ringing the door bell.  Many dogs are already uncomfortable and reactive at doors already.  It can be a much happier evening if your pooch is off in the bedroom or basement settled in with a nice stuffed Kong toy or bone chew to keep him or her happy. 

And you humans out there – be safe and have fun!

Dorene, waving Monster Fingers at you