DEAR JOAN: I love your column and hope you can bring your readers’ attention to NorCal Poodle Rescue. We rescue poodles and poodle mixes, although some dogs of questionable linages also have ended up with us.
Our organization was founded in 1985 by standard poodle breeder Patty Moulthrop, who couldn’t justify breeding poodles unless she also saved the ones in shelters. These sweet dogs are given physicals, neutered or spayed, microchipped and have dental and medical work done, if needed, before they’re made available for adoption.
As you are aware, the medical expenses can be high and our adoption fee doesn’t cover it, so, we have fundraising events. One fundraiser we are conducting is called Homeward Bound, which will help us buy our own property. It is a larger facility and will double our current kennel capacity.
At present, we rescue about 120 dogs per year from shelters and individuals, and adopt them into new, loving forever homes. This new facility will enable us to double the rescued number to 240 poodles annually. For more information, your readers can go to our website, www.NorCalPoodleRescue.net.
We can use volunteers also. Volunteers don’t have to be a foster parent — we could use help in other areas including photography, bathing, transport of dogs, handling the hotline, fundraising, websites and more. They only need to let us know their interests.
Every third Sunday of the month, we have adoption showings at Pet Food Express in Walnut Creek. Please come and meet the available dogs and learn more about us.
Marilyn King
Clayton
DEAR MARILYN: I’m always happy to feature rescue groups, and yours is a good one. Readers, if you can help, or if you’re aching for a poodle or poodle mix, here’s a place to look.
DEAR JOAN: I have a great system for reducing fruit loss and, I believe, actually improving fruit quality.
I watch for signs of nibbling from squirrels or rats, and as soon as I see damage I pick all the fruit that is close to being ripe — within about three or four days of peak ripeness. I then continue checking, harvesting each time I see a bit of rodent damage.
I find this minimizes fruit loss, and picking fruit a few days before peak ripeness makes for better texture — less mealiness — without compromising peak flavor.
I learned this technique from those farmers market vendors whom I buy such great fruit from.
Lorraine Mann
Bay Area
DEAR LORRAINE: That works for a lot of fruit, but not for citrus, which won’t ripen off the tree. However, it’s a great way to make sure you get a decent harvest of other fruits.
DEAR JOAN: We keep the birds and squirrels happy with bird seed. In exchange, they mostly leave our many fruit trees alone, including the persimmon tree.
Winnie
Bay Area
DEAR WINNIE: A lot of my master gardener friends grow one plant for the pests — four-legged, winged and insects — and most of the time it works wonderfully.
Keeping the squirrels and birds happy with their own food supply is a winner. You could also try growing sunflowers. The squirrels will focus their attention on these plants and generally leave the others alone.
Contact Joan Morris at [email protected]. Follow her at Twitter.com/AskJoanMorris.
