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PAWS FOR POETRY, Write a Poem About Your Pet

April is poetry month!

MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field Trips for Kids, wants to celebrate with poems for our four-legged friends. Do you have a cat, dog, mouse, or any other type of pet that you feel poetic about? Then put your thoughts and feelings into a poem and submit it by March 31, 2008.  Winning poets will receive a cash prize and their poems read in a special video pod cast at the Humane Society of New York City.

PAWS FOR POETRY CONTEST, Write a Poem About Your Pet (New York City kids only)

Do you live in one of the five boroughs of New York City? Here’s a contest just for you.

Click here for information
on how to submit your poem

PAWS FOR POETRY CONTEST
(Web Contest for kids outside New York City)

Click here for information
on how to submit your poem

Pet photographer Linda Kennedy offers some tips on how to photograph your cat but the suggestions will work for your dog, too!

When you have your photos turn them into a keepsake. Create a book about a day in the life of your animal friend to share with family and friends.

What is the best pet for you? Here’s a site that will help you decide.

FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN NAMING YOUR PET

1. Wait a few days and watch your pet’s behavior. Pick a name that shows the personality of your new friend.
2. Pick a name that the pet can easily recognize.
3. Choose a name that’s easy to call out.
4. Keep the name short. For dogs, avoid names that sound like the commands, No, Stay, Sit, Come, Down or Fetch. For example, "Joe" is probably too close to "No." It can be difficult for dogs to tell the difference between similar sounding words.
5. Pick a name that will grow with the pet. For example "puppy" or “kitty” won’t work for a full-grown dog or cat.

Recommended books: