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August 6, 2012
Tidbits® of Mississippi Gulf Coast
Page 7
Extracurricular Activities
There are many extracurricular activities for teens to choose from today, but parents must be ready to debate the pros and cons of participating. Some teens join due to an interest, parents choosing for them, or it is where their friends are. In any case, parents must consider the benefits and disadvantages of joining before making a commitment. Choosing the right activity is important. Some ideas are sports, music lessons, scouting, school newspaper, drama club, choir or band, Youth for Christ or other Christian clubs, or volunteering at organizations, such as the American Red Cross or Humane Society. Extracurricular activities have many benefits. They help teens explore their physical, creative, social and spiritual potential. They allow them to find out where their career or political interests may lie. Some activities allow teens to experience how their time and efforts benefit others in need. There is one activity that Youth for Christ sponsors twice a year – the Gulf Islands Water Park Lock-In. This is a great activity that is well supervised and provides help in all of the teen’s area that need to be developed, their social, mental, physical and spiritual needs. Our next lock-in is Friday, August 17 with a band concert beginning at 8:00 p.m. The water park opening at 10:00 p.m. and breakfast is served at 6:00 a.m. If you are looking for a great, safe, fun event for your middle or high school student, please consider this one. For details, call the Youth for Christ office at 228-864-0788. Brad Holt Youth for Christ For more information on this topic please contact Brad Holt at www.coastyfc.com or 228-864-0788
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Reader: Hot Cars and Pets Can be Deadly Mix By Samantha Mazzotta
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I can’t leave my dog “Shadie” alone in the house, so I have to take her with me when I go shopping. How long can I keep her inside my car before it gets too hot? My friend says 20 minutes, if I keep the windows cracked a little. -- Danielle F., Atlanta DEAR DANIELLE: How about never? A parked car in the summer heat, even with the windows open a bit to let in airflow, can quickly heat up to extreme temperatures. Neither pets nor humans can stand the quick rise in temperature -- so being left in a parked car can prove fatal. If you’re planning to go out for a few minutes to pick up some groceries or handle a quick errand, leave Shadie at home. Your dog should be able to handle a short period without you. If Shadie doesn’t handle it well, such as getting agitated, chewing up furniture or shoes, there are training solutions to solve that problem. Another solution, if you must bring your dog, is to bring along a trustworthy friend who is willing to sit in the car with the dog, with the motor running and the air conditioner on to keep it cool. Your friend will need to monitor Shadie while you shop. But this has its own pitfalls -- I don’t know many people willing to wait around while their friend is in the store. Again, I can’t stress enough how important it is to not leave Shadie alone in the car, for even a few minutes. She easily could suffer heat exhaustion or stroke. Instead, invest some time helping to resolve Shadie’s separation anxiety so she’ll be happy and healthy at home. Send your questions or comments to ask@pawscorner.com, or write to Paw’s Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. For more pet care-related advice and information, visit www.pawscorner. com.
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