Ordinarily, cursor trails irritate me - too distracting. This one is entitled to attention. Please copy for your own pages and/or send to anyone else who cares. Instructions at end of page if you need help.

These little goodies would go quite nicely anywhere, don't forget mail. Many thanks to Sue, and for soapbox and tough guy below.

Several people have had problems trying to copy and/or send as embedded. Could be different aol versions (6.0 - 8.0) conflict or other non-compatible servers. Might want to include a note they can be picked up here. Good idea to try sending a test mail to yourself if it doesn't look like they pasted, as in looks like a blank page. Or, I can send as download. All help is appreciated with circulation - hope to see them popping up everywhere!

Also find several good S/N points below, worded a little differently than I've used elsewhere (links a little past halfway down the page) - due to aolhell's tendency to display pages only when it wants to, I wanted a reliable platform. Thanks for cursor and text* to Linda York, www.PetPalsInc.org

"If anyone wants to copy any of the information on this site  http://hometown.aol.com/petpalsgc/SpayNeuter.html, feel free to do so. I've also added the music from the PSA (public service announcement) from Spay USA.

"Our local radio station said they would play the PSA for free. I suggest you contact all your stations. Mine said they did not need an original copy and was surprised I had purchased one."

*Edited for this publication

Many veterinarians have been reluctant to advise their clients to have their pets spayed/neutered at 6 to 7 weeks* of age. However, there is an accumulating body of evidence indicating that the positive results quite possibly outweigh any remaining unknown risks.

From: College of Veterinary Medicine
From the Spring 1998 Illinois Veterinary Bulletin Early Spay/Neuter: An Overview
by Theresa A. Fuess, Ph.D., VM-3
Entire study: http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ceps/ivb/spay-neu.htm

*Weeks is correct - hard as that may be to believe.

Dogs and cats should be fixed before their first heat. Here are the facts:

Spaying at a young age prevents a variety of uterine infections. Pyometra can be fatal.

Spaying reduces the incidence of mammary (breast) cancer, very common in unaltered females, and the most common cancer to spread to the lungs.

Spaying can be done during pregnancy. While this means abortion, it is more humane than taking offspring to die at the pound later. For every litter you bring into the world, a litter at the pound dies.

Spaying eliminates male harassment.

"Preventing pets from having litters is unnatural."

Fact: We have already interfered with nature by domesticating dogs and cats. We domesticated the dog 15,000 years ago and the cat 8,000 years ago. In doing so, we helped create this problem. Now it's our responsibility to solve it. It is also unnatural to be killing so many of them in our pounds and shelters each year.

"I want my children to see the miracle of birth."

Fact: Animals frequently go off by themselves to give birth, usually in the middle of the night. Include the importance of spaying and neutering with other humane action/behavior and kindness lessons.

My note - find more than enough birth education on Animal Planet channel: dogs, cats, pigs, horses, the list goes on.

"Pets become fat and lazy after being spayed or neutered."

Fact: Fat animals are overfed and under-exercised. It's true there can be a tendency to put on some weight. However, the operation is not the cause. Reduce calories and increase walks or play sessions.

My note - animals not at the mercy of their hormones can and do relax for a change.

"Behavior changes dramatically after surgery."

Fact: The only changes in behavior are positive.

Male cats tend to reduce their territorial spraying depending upon the age at which they are neutered. If neutered young enough, before they develop the habit of spraying, they may never develop the behavior.

Neutered male cats and dogs fight less resulting in fewer battle scars, contagious diseases, and abscesses. They also wander less since they aren't interested in pursuing the female in heat. Therefore, their chances of being hit by a car or getting lost are greatly reduced. In fact, spayed and neutered animals live longer, happier, healthier lives.

"Males don't need to be neutered, they aren't having the litters."

Fact: It takes two to tango.

"Neutering male cats causes urethral obstructions."

Fact: Exhaustive studies have indicated that obstructions are not affected by whether or not a cat is neutered. In fact, neutering diminishes the likelihood of prostate and testicular cancers and perineal hernias later in life. To prevent urethral obstructions, make sure your pet is eating the best diet possible.

"I can find 'good' homes."

Fact: Finding truly good, lasting homes for kittens and puppies is very difficult. Every day, thousands are dumped, and thousands more once they start to grow.

Who is to ensure that your pet's offspring won't mature, breed, and contribute to the existing problem? There is no way you can guarantee these animals will be spayed or neutered. For every animal you bring into the world, one at the pound will die. If you know of good homes, direct your friends to a rescue group, shelter or the pound.

"Won't be a good watchdog after spay/neuter."

Fact: If s/he was a good watchdog before surgery, s/he will still be a good watchdog after.

"Costs too much."

Fact: A lot of financial help is available. Call your local humane agency. You'll be surprised how inexpensive it can be.

Bottom line, there is no good reason not to act responsibly.

http://www.therealmartha.com/StrayMomma/index.htm
Holly's story ~ update: all pups and Mom adopted

Print the pic: http://www.therealmartha.com/Ain't-broke-fix/index.htm or go to spay/neuter graphics index for more: http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm (new added frequently)

http://www.therealmartha.com/adopt/index.htm
~ Meet the Shelter Sweeties ~
Includes most complete list of outside info links

http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm
Not the usual spay/neuter graphics on printable pages

Any comparison (as in DUH!) message that'll grab a guy's attention is cool with me. Men can be such idiots about "feeling" the pain. The good news is more shelters are making sure no animal leaves with original equipment intact. Now those big babies, a.k.a. extremely confused macho types, won't have to suffer so.

Get the scoop on Scoop! ~ Most exuberant goodwill ambassador and example promoting all rescue efforts and shelter adoptions, soon to be internationally famous ace reporter!
http://www.therealmartha.com/ScooopPoster/index.htm

I am your puppy
http://www.therealmartha.com/I%20am%20your%20puppy/index.htm
The understanding everyone needs before taking responsibility for any animal and to avoid choosing the wrong animal

http://www.therealmartha.com/rescue/index.htm
What rescue is all about

http://www.therealmartha.com/howcouldyou/index.htm
Dumped

http://www.therealmartha.com/AnimalProtect/index.htm
For anyone who works on behalf of animals, paid or volunteer and insight for those who know them

http://www.therealmartha.com/puppiesaresocu/index.htm
Puppies are so cute, but ... and Spay/Neuter Myth Busting ~ articles by Miss Liberty, M.E. (Mutt Extraordinaire)

Lighten Up

http://www.therealmartha.com/Smile/index.htm
Name that smile ... friendliest, most beautiful, goo-fi-est, mischievous ... show off your best buddy's pearly whites too!

http://www.therealmartha.com/PianoDog/index.htm ~ Christmas Angel

http://www.therealmartha.com/SayCheese/index.htm ~ Woody the Westie, sage at large

http://www.therealmartha.com/DudleyDose/index.htm ~ Dudley the Menace

http://www.therealmartha.com/ThinkIt/index.htm ~ Think and Swim, Lab pup

Must-see appreciation

http://www.therealmartha.com/justmydog/index.htm ~ S/he's not just a dog

http://www.therealmartha.com/journey/index.htm ~ Companion animal tribute

http://www.therealmartha.com/PLUS%20Syndrome/index.htm ~ Pets Love Unconditionally

http://www.therealmartha.com/Pet-Thanks/index.htm ~ Thankful for best friends

http://www.therealmartha.com/HeroDog/index.htm

Thank you for caring

Suggestions/questions/comments: MarthaJones1@aol.com or LibbyK9@aol.com

Don't forget to grab the cursor. Right click anywhere on page and choose view source.

Start copy here:

</html>
<script LANGUAGE="JavaScript1.2">

End with:

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Trust me, it's easier than it seems. If I can do it - anyone can. For some reason, the whole code won't stick here (front of page). If you have trouble, I can send copy in e-mail. Subject line: S/N cursor code, to MarthaJones1@aol.com

Also please help yourself to graphics or anything else - on any of my pages - unless specifically noted which is rare. Always happy to link or showcase yours too.

Some dog always has me by the a** , wouldn't have it any other way.