HEY JUDE

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Jude Dobson ADVICE Animal magnetism! They say you should never work with animals (or children!), but the same rules don’t apply to living with them. For all the responsibility pets entail, the benefits of sharing your life with them are immeasurable. ll th

Do you have a problem you’d like Jude to weigh in on? Send your questions to nzww@ bauermedia.co.nz with ‘Hey Jude’ in the subject line, or to Hey Jude, NZWW, Bauer Media, Private Bag 92512, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141. ASK JUDE!

It’s hard to think of a life without pets. I’ve had a four-legged something around me my entire life. There’s always been a dog, and sometimes other species –cats and guinea pigs, an orphaned lamb called Basil at one point in my childhood, and my beloved two horses back in my teens. I’ve loved them all. As I look at how my middle-aged cat deals with an exuberant seven-month-old puppy, I live in hope that the dog will become a relaxed fellow fur friend for her to be around and love. There are glimpses. I catch them napping together in sunny spots, and there’s the odd gentle lick of the cat’s head. I’m sure they’ll benefit from having each other in the family. We just need one of them to mature a little! I was reminded recently about the benefits of pet ownership. Studies show they can decrease your stress, your blood pressure and your chance of allergies, and improve your mood and socialisation. I’d agree with all those things. I meet the nicest people at the dog park and say a quick hello, and no doubt there’s something thoroughly therapeutic about cuddling your cat or patting your dog. Plus, they always seem happy to see you, regardless of how rubbish your day might have been. Here’s to the animal therapists! And on that note, the park with a puppy’s unbridled energy is calling. The cat will be pleased –the lovely sunny spot on the carpet she was eyeing up will be vacant. THE PET PROJECT: IT’S A LONG GAME Cat call

READER LETTER OF THE WEEK

Dear Jude, We have a darling little cat who lives next door. She is always over at our place and even spends the night sometimes. We try not to feed her, but she is usually quite hungry and is very skinny. Our neighbours may not be paying her much attention. We would love to take her on if the neighbour finds looking after her a bit too much. Should I say something and risk offending them? Elaine Say something! Risk the offence. New Year, new home for the cat. Though let’s be honest, cats do what they like anyway. You can’t fence them in like a dog, so it might be that the status quo continues. But if she’s a skinny wee thing, maybe they aren’t giving her the care she needs and she’s simply asking to move to a new house, and waiting for you to provide the human translation services. As a fellow animal lover, I wouldn’t be very happy to

New Zealand Woman’s Weekly know she was hungry much of the time.

Why not simply say that she’s often at your house and you just love having her there? And, with a new year starting, you were reflecting on the fact that the thought of not having her visit would make you feel very sad. You really miss her when she’s not there for company, and you thought you’d be brave and ask whether they might possibly consider rehoming her with you, and just seeing how it went for a while? They can only say, “No thanks.” Or they might say, “Okay, let’s see how it goes”, or even a blanket “yes”. Be careful not to paint them as bad owners (albeit they might be!), but rather yourself as a crazy cat lady who has fallen for their feline.

If they say yes, buy the food she loves, feed her up and get her a fluffy bed, and I’m pretty sure the love from you and the comforts of her new home will make it a permanent move.

NEW ZEALAND WOMAN’S WEEKLY + NATURE VALLEY

Get out

weekly TRAVEL

The beauty of nature is right on your doorstep –here’s how to get amongst it!

Penny Lewis LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR

How are those resolutions working out for you? The trick to making changes that stick is choosing enjoyable ways of achieving your goals. Want to improve your  tness? Aim for a brisk walk once or twice a week –a quick lap around the block or to your local park connects you to nature and your local community. At the weekend, set your sights on a longer walk in the bush, along a beach or up a hill. New Zealand has so many scenic tracks there’s sure to be some near you –start with the easiest and work your way up to a full-day tramp or an overnight excursion.

PENNY’S TOP TIPS TO POWER THROUGH ANY ADVENTURE

1Always take a small fi rst aid kit, including sunblock, insect repellent and sticking plasters.

2Wasps can be a nuisance in some areas, particularly in summer. Carry antihistamine if you’re allergic to their stings.

3Boost your stamina with nutritious snacks. Nature Valley TM bars and biscuits are the perfect on-thego energy boost.

WITH NATURE VALLEY TM

SCHEDULE SOME OUTDOOR ADVENTURES INTO THE NEW YEAR

ISLAND North

REGION: Hawke’s Bay TERRAIN: Native forest walk DISTANCE: 2km TIME: 1.5-2 hours MONCKTON WALK WAY

Just 20 minutes west of Waipukurau, this short bushwalk takes you through native forest abundant with kahikatea, totara, beech, matai, tawa and kowhai trees, until you reach the picturesque Tangarewai Stream. The proli c bird life includes tui and bellbirds.

TIP: If it’s a hot day, make sure you allow time for a dip in one of the swimming holes along the way. To fi nd out more, visit doc.govt.nz.

ISLAND South

C ABLE BAY WALK WAY

REGION: Nelson TERRAIN: Coastal walk with some bush DISTANCE: 7.9km TIME: 3.5 hours one way

Panoramic coastal views, swimming and snorkelling – what more could you want from a day walk? The full walkway takes three-and-a-half hours one way, but there are shorter loop tracks at either end that take only an hour or two.

TIP: This track passes through farmland, so be respectful of livestock and leave gates open or closed as you found them. To fi nd out more, visit doc.govt.nz.