What a beautiful Indian Summer we have had in the Midwest! We are VERY "thankful" for the milder temps. in late November. This is the season that we all count our blessings and give thanks. Let us all take time to reflect on the blessings that so richly surround us. I am doubly thankful for those who understand the newsletter being late getting out. My sincere apologies, as I am recovering from major surgeries done late Sept. for injuries I sustained internally from a hit and run driver.I want to thank Dr. Joy and Dr. Godiwalla both! !

I want to thank those that helped so much during the first weeks of the surgery, Karen driving me to Dr and vet appts. Ginger, Anita, Tammy, Debbie P. and her mom, Bonnie, Michele. Ginger's Husband Bill for picking up wood from Karens workplace for shelving for the animals. My thanks to those that sent gifts to the animals.Thank you everyone, for caring and helping the animals.

Our baby Aziza Ku-umba Nayea is GROWING! Aziza has gone from a delicate two pound baby ball of fur to 15 lbs. of silliness, teeth and insurmountable energy ! She grows every day. Aziza is finally off the baby bottle and formula and eating solid foods. Aziza's favorite is chicken. She also loves playing with little pumpkins, gourds, squash and carrots!! She loves squash!! Several of our family and WildTalk members have met Aziza purrrrsonally. Those attending the summer meeting met her for the first time, she was just 11 days old Aziza was brought to us to hand raise as her mother was a first time mom and not very adept at raising cubs. Many have asked, "where will Aziza go when she gets big?". Aziza will live out her days at WildTalk . Backup plans as well as emergency plans are always in place/ in the event of a natural disaster like tornadoes or flooding or even personal illness or death. Aziza would return to the sanctuary/ a privateUSDAa facility where she was born.

Some facts on African leopards are * Leopards will sometimes drag their kill up into a tree to keep scavengers away. * Leopards will swim if necessary across rivers, but large bodies of water are out of the question. * On average, Leopards are one forth the size of Tigers and Lions. These Big Cats will kill Leopards when given a chance. * Leopards survive along side of these Big Cats in Africa by simply hunting at different times of the day and avoiding the areas frequented by Lions and Tigers. * A leopard can pull 6 times its weight. Ex. a 40 lb leopard cub can pull 240 lbs dead weight up a tree to stash and eat later. * Leopards are arboreal. Meaning they spend most of their time lounging in trees. They like to be up above. It gives them protection from other predators like Lions and Tigers and also gives them an advantage by dropping down on their prey.*Leopards are found in a wide range of habitat, from desert to savanna to forest. *Distribution is throughout all of Africa.* Depredations on domestic stock may be outweighed by their control of baboons,cave rats, and other animals that destroy corps. Other prey foods include almost anything from antelopes to rodents, hares, frogs, even dung beetles! Around the Kariba Lake of Zambia and Zimbabwe, they catch fish. * Leopards are strong swimmers and climb well. Often carrying carcasses of prey foods 20 ft. (6 meters) up into a tree. *Leopards are secretive animals and very stealthy hunters. *An Indian hunter, quoted by zoologist C.A. Q.Guggisberg metaphorically remarked "Where the leopard walks, he brushes out his tracks with his tail!" *Leopards are nocturnal hunters. Due to mans encroachment in their ever constantly shrinking habitats in the wild they are seen less and less unless on private reserves, and due to so many vehicles in the areas, some may be seen hunting even in daylight.*Leopards have been heavily hunted for their fur. *Loss of critical habitat and dl prey has increased predation on stock (and sometimes attacks on people) leading to further killings. They are now protected through most of their small existing habitats and ranges. *Leopards are on CITES Appendix 1 ,but a number of subspecies are now very rare and in some or all areas. *Leopards have a call, described as "grunt-ha!grunt-ha!".As well as a variety of other calls, grunts, coughs and a sound like someone sawing wood, but for the most part they are usually silent. Just watching *Cubs are born, usually 3 to 5, blind and helpless. They wean from the mother leopard at 3 most *Leopards mature around 2 yrs of age.

*Leopards by nature are solitary cats. On rare occasions a male will stay with a female and cubs. It is very rare. ALL wild cats, big or small are endangered. Whether or not they are on a CITES Appendix 1 or 2 listing All wildcat species need to be protected. Poaching is the number one killer of all wildcats. Man is the greatest enemy of the Big Cats.

Here at WILDTALK, our goal is to assist you in information that will help you understand your pet better, help your animals have a better quality life and to share the animals here, as well as our collective knowledge with you, our team members and family at WILDTALK.

All of us here at WILDTALK sincerely appreciate any and all efforts from those of you who are members or even one time gift . The animals thank you, and we thank you. The life you help, the life you help us to save with your membership, and gifts, give the animals that have refuge and sanctuary here, a better quality life. Your participation makes it possible for WILDTALK to continue bringing quality educational programming to areas it is greatly needed and into schools etc. The students we introduce to our wild friends, are the future of the animal kingdom. Please help us by your membership, gifts and sponsorships to continue these valuable programming . Our goals are to increase awareness of endangered and threatened species and habitats. To provide sanctuary and refuge for animals in need. To continue quality educational programing and mentoring. Teaching one to teach one to care. Without your support, our team members, without our family of committed caretakers, we can not survive. Your input, volunteering, commitment to quality and excellence as well as your gifts are what make WildTalk. You, our members, and team workers/volunteers, are truly the HEART of Wild Talk

Winter tips: For those of us not living in the south winter is looming near, with it's snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Well, its that time of year again, when we get to look forward to freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and all of that other fun stuff. This season affects our pets too, and there are some extra measures we can take to make sure they stay well this winter. Dogs with short coats (such as greyhounds, whippets, dobermans, manchester terriers) should not be outside without an extra coat or blanket. Without a thick coat of their own, they can become chilled in a matter of minutes. Just think how you would feel standing outside in freezing weather in just a T-shirt! If your dog enjoys playing in the snow, make sure you check their feet when they come back inside. Sometimes snow will pack in between their toes, and can actually get to the point where they are walking on four giant snowballs. Also some longhaired breeds (like cocker spaniels) will get clumps of snow stuck in their hair everywhere. Be careful when walking your dog on salted or treated roads. The salt and chemicals can really irritate their paw pads. If you do have to walk them on the street and it's been treated, be sure to wash their feet so they don't ingest any of the chemicals. (the same goes for outdoor cats) Also, if you use any of the chemical "ice melt" pellets, be very careful that your pet doesn't ingest any. Another major winter danger is anti-freeze. As little as 2 ounces can kill a dog or cat (or child!). Be extremely careful to quickly clean up any spills, and keep your extra anti-freeze stored in childproof containers. If you suspect your pet has ingested even the smallest amount of anti-freeze get them to the nearest vet immediately .When it is really cold, you should limit the time your pet spends outside. Both cats and dogs ear tips and paw pads are sensitive to frostbite. Early warning signs for frostbite are: the area may appear discolored - white or bluish, the area will stay cold for a long period of time, even when in warm surroundings. If you suspect your pet has frostbite, do not rub the area to try and warm it up. Call your veterinarian.

Don't forget about your feathered and scaly friends this winter - they need some extra precautions too. Make sure bird and reptile (and small mammals too!) cages are away from doors and windows, cold drafts can cause respiratory' infections. You may need to provide extra heat sources for tropical reptiles, and extra heavy covers for your bird's cage at night. As the chilly weather moves in its time to prepare your pets for winter. Do you have a jacket or sweater to keep them warm?

In the news recently.

Nine More Condors To Be Released Along Utah Border
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
In the next few weeks, nine more California condors will be released along the border of Utah and Arizona.

The addition will bring the total number of the once-endangered birds in the region to 29. Once birds are released, there will be more condors in the Utah-Arizona area than there were alive in the world in the mid-1980s," said Jeff Cilek vice president of the Peregrine Fund, an Idaho-based conservation group that has been breeding the condors in captivity and coordinating the reintroduction effort. On Monday, nine California condors were moved from Boise, where they hatched earlier this year, to a temporary perch atop the Hurricane Cliffs on the Utah-Anzona border.

They will remain in their caged aviary until early December, when they will join the other condors who have been released in three separate groups since 1996.

All of the birds are still too young to reproduce in the wild, but members of the Peregrine Fund, whose breeding program is credited with saving the California condor from extinction, hope that will happen down the road. We anxiously await the first breeding of wild condors," said David Harlow with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a partner in the reintroduction effort.

There are currently 162 California condors in the world 113 in captivity in California and Idaho and 49 in the wilds of California, Arizona and Utah. The birds, which have a massive wingspan of almost 10 feet, originally lived in caves and cliffs from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja, Mexico. They eat the carcasses of bison, deer and elk in inland areas and beached seals and whales along the coast. Condors will often travel 150 miles a day in search of food.

In the news....Cats Go WILD for Calvin Klein.....

DALLAS (Reuters) - Dallas Zoo researchers looking for ways to save the ocelot by encouraging the endangered cats to breed have found a scent that drives them wild -- Calvin Klein Obsession for Men cologne. Four female ocelots in captivity reacted more powerfully to the cologne than to natural odors tested in a project aimed at using scents to guide ocelots to each other in the wild, Dallas Zoo research curator Dr Cynthia Bennett said "We thought about what would work with them and used things like rat feces and ocelot scent," Bennett told Reuters. "Then on a lark my research technician brought in cologne because a lot of other animals like it and we put Obsession out and our ocelots went wild over it," she said The cats reacted by rolling and rubbing themselves against the spot where the scent was applied in a response much like domestic cats show to catnip, .Bennett said there are about 100 to 120 of the Texas subspecies of ocelot left in the wild living in scattered habitats. The zoo's research aims to find a way to guide them together along scent corridors so they can breed more easily and often. Zoo researchers have contacted the Calvin Klein Cosmetics Co., a unit of Unilever, about the findings, Bennett said "They thought it was cute. I think they were grateful we weren't trying it on vultures," she said

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.

Pet Insurance
* PET INSURANCE COMMUNITY DISCUSSION CONTINUES

The ins and outs of pet health care coverage. "I work as a Veterinary Assistant/Office Manager for a Veterinary Hospital in Tennessee," writes docshlpr99. The issue of pet insurance is a very valid one. We have a program with pet insurance and it's wonderful. I recommend this to my clients with several pets. The cost is affordable and repays the client up to 100 percent, depending on the plan chosen. For clients with a very ill pet, this is their way to go. And your pet can have the medical care that it needs."
V.S.
"I am a pet lover and care giver and I firmly believe we do a great disservice to any pet if we cannot afford to fully take care of them beginning with feeding, safety and veterinary care. When I say this, I really mean, 'fully care.' If you have to finance a pet's illness then you can't afford to have it. It's just not fair. Not to oneself, one's family, and the pet also. Life is challenging enough; having a pet should be adding joy and not being a financial challenge."

The two excerpts above are not the views or remarks of any officers of Wild Talk They are private comments taken from a pet related bulletin board in regards to the issues of Pet Insurance.

Pet Health Insurance is something to consider. Like issues of de clawing, spay/neutering/ and the hardest decision we make of all, euthanasia, pet insurance comes into that area. It is something each as a family must decide for themselves. We recommend if you have on line connections that you go to different pet discussion boards and forums and ask of others experiences. Both negative as well as the positives and make an informed decision from there. Also talk with your veterinarian. I know here, at Wild Talk, vet costs are crippling us, especially in the wake of Miriya's two recent surgeries. Spays are harder to afford as they are more costly than neuters, yet the spays are just as necessary as neuters! Most folks can manage the veterinary costs of the yearly shots, or maybe some medication for an upper repertory Pet Health Insurance and programs such as CARE CREDIT, seem valid and necessary when one finds that their pet just got a biopsy back and has cancer or has been badly injured, ex. hit by a car. Even an impaction can be quite expensive surgery. We all love our animals. They are more members of our familys, than pets. So of course a person would do all they could to help bring that friend, no matter the species back to good health. Alternatives like CARE CREDIT eliminate the "money-emotional conflict". Talk to your veterinarian and ask if he has CARE CREDIT . Or contact a Karen for more information.

Your Gift is needed YEAR round for veterinary care!!

Direct payment to Fox Lake Animal Hospital c/o Dr. Rudawski
161 South, Hwy 12 South
Fox Lake, Illinois 60020

Animals need veterinary care year round Your gift direct to the animal hospital provides for emergency care, vaccines, spay / neutering, surgery's, medications and veterinary care for the animals that have sanctuary at Wild Talk, or that come thru Wild Talk, Make sure that it is marked for WildTalk payable to Fox Lake Animal Hospital. Please send your check or make a call direct for visa/master card pymt, Wild Talk, has had two major surgeries for the caracal and several male cats need neutering. A recent rescue needs specialized veterinary care. Please help the animals by direct payment. Winter is the most difficult time of year! Your gifts and donations are tax deductible. Contact Karen or Nikki for information. Thank you!
vet#847 587 0505
fax/847 5872633

Thank you to ALL our caring family and team members, for your gifts and volunteering \1 and all your help in being the HEART and SOUL of Wild Talk

How Pets Strengthen Children
A Pets: Part of the Family contribution Children who live with one or more companion animals may get along better with their peers than children who don't have any pets. Those who help care for a pet benefit even more. "Providing responsible care for a pet and successfully training a pet can facilitate a child's sense of accomplishment and enhance self-esteem," explains Sandra Barker, PhD., associate professor of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and a researcher on the human-animal bond.

Having a pet also seems to provide some age-specific benefits. A pet offers a preschooler active companionship and a sense of security that encourages the young child to explore her environment, Dr. Barker says. By contrast, an adolescent benefits more from having the trusting confidante the pet represents. In addition to what Dr. Barker says, pets teach children many valuable lessons including emotions that would take a parent yrs to convey. Animals teach children about compassion, empathy, friendship, as well as unconditional love. Pets have been proven to help persons of all ages, even adults, by owning a pet you lower your blood pressure naturally. Pets are very good for relieving stress also. Walking with your pet improves your cardiovascular health and is excellent exercise !!
No matter your age

Great New Product for reducing odors!! Its called ExSTINCT
www. classiccleaningssrstems. com
I found ExSTINCT at the Milwaukee Pet Fair in October. I took home some samples. I have to say, I am VERY impressed with the results and have already recommended it to several folks who visit the sanctuary. They are based out of the Milwaukee Wis. area. Please check out their web site and tell them you heard about them thru Wild Talk,
Their phone number is 444 321 3221
and you can fax them at 444 321 5591

ExSTINCT eliminates odors caused by: pet urine, mildew, smoke, vomit, garbage, fish and more. ExSTINCT is an odorless, Natural Mineral and NOT a mask fragrance or cover-up. ExSTINCT works likes millions of tiny magnets, pulling odors from deep down inside carpet and pads. Simply vacuum off carpet and find all odors are 100% gone and will never come back. You will be as happy as I am when you try this great product. THANK YOU Classic Cleaning Systems for a product that actually works! !

In Special Memory.....
This past month, Sue and Brian lost their beloved Serval Cat COCHICE.
Cochise was 5 years old. Young for a cat to cross over. Sadly, Cochise was poisoned accidently by a child who didn't realize that spraying Cochise with Deep Woods Off, would cause Cochise liver damage and ultimately his life. Please take SPECIAL care and instruct children to NOT spray animals with things like hair spray and bug sprays This is such a tragic loss for us all. Servals are a threatened species of wild cat. We all share in Sues grief I had raised Cochise myself from the time he was 2 wks old He was adopted into a forever home, of responsible caretakers and a loving meowmie. WE will ALL miss you Cochise!

Marlene and Jay Katz are going thru a very difficult time right now, Jays father, Marlenes husband, collapsed at a family function recently, he was taken to St Francis Hospital in Evanston,Ill. There they found he would need heart surgery. He had surgery last week. We keep Seymore Katz and his entire family in our prayers. Marlene hasn't been well herself lately. Our prayers and healing thoughts go out to Marlene, Seymore and Jay!

Colleen Santini is home recovering from multiple surgeries. With more ahead of her. Her beloved kitty Tigger is struggling with his battle with cancer. More tumors have developed. Tigger is holding on, still playing on a daily basis, but with the progression of the cancer, each moment for their family right now is a miracle. Drs had given Tigger only 2 wks to live. It has been 2 mos now. Our joint prayers are that Tigger be here thru the holidays with the Santini's They lost their beloved dog Raggs in the late summer.

VAI, who is new to WildTalk, lost her rat Cuppy last month. She recently visited the sanctuary where at that time knowing what a loving home she has for her many many animals of several species, We gave her a little female naked hairless rat baby, whom she named, appropriately, 'Pinky"

Our special prayers and healing thoughts go out to all those in our WildTalk family that have lost a beloved pet, or have one that is ill. This is a time of Thanks Giving, and we are so thankful for all of our friends, human, furred, feathered, scaled, even fins!

God bless and keep each and everyone thru out this entire holiday season!

Cooking for your Pet

With all the coming holidays, FOOD is on many of our minds, including our pets. It is not good, no matter how well intended to feed the animals table scraps. Its much healthier for your pet, feline, canine or feathered, to eat diets and treats specially formulated for their species or breed. With all of the feasting we do this time of year, its only natural to want to treat our pets with special food too. Do you have any favorite recipes for your pets? We'd love to hear about them! Here are some suggestions:

Basic Dog Biscuits

1/2 cup powdered milk
2 1/2 cups flour of choice
1/2 cup cold water
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp.
salt 1/2 tsp.
garlic or onion powder
6 tbs. meat drippings or margarine
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix forming into ball- Roll 1/2 inch thick
Cut in to shapes, re roll scraps repeat. Bake 25-30 minutes. (Thank you Ursula Taylor for that recipe!

Doggy Muffins

2 cups all purpose flour
1 egg
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
2 tbs. beef bullion
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Beat ingredients until well mixed Fill muffin cups half full. Bake 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown.

Cookies for Horses

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tbs. sugar
l/4 cup molasses
1 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
Mix ingredients as listed. Roll in to 1 1/2 inch balls & place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown in color.

Dog Cookies

1 egg
lT.soy sauce
IT. oil
6 - 8 ozs.. beef broth
l T honey
1 T. flour
2 C. oatmeal
Mix all together and let stand to absorb about 15 min. Spoon onto non stick pan.
Let stand another 10 min.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 to 3/4 hour.

A KITTEN'S PRAYER
Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove
My human cannot hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!
I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth - And my claws I will unsheath
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs me and holds me tight
And sacrifices her bed at night!
- Sent in by Louise Bow

For the animals having permanent sanctuary here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. Each and every one of you. Your support gives me the strengths to continue. no matter the obstacles or disappointments. Thank you and God continue to bless you.

Gifts of ANY amount, as well as goods and services are GREATLY needed at this time. For sponsorships of animals, or memberships you will receive in addition to your photo and story, invitations to special events such as Cuzco's birthday party, the Christening of the NEW BABY, marriage of the HEDGIES!! And other such special events as well as special interest news bulletins.

Photos are available for your gift or membership commitments. All photos are animals at Wild Talk, photography by N. Martin and Laurie Sessions, copyrighted all rights reserved. Contact us for a list of animals available. Watch for updates at our website!! this month is a prairie dog rescue named Peanut, that we are trying to rename. Our own prairie dog Salty was stolen from the Sanctuary by persons unknown Oct 10,1999. Police are still investigating. We have not given up hope. Salty was microchiped. Eventually he will be found and identified.. Until that time. we took little Peanut in. Aziza has grown a great deal in the past 14 wks!! Those who attended the Summer Wild Talk, meeting, we hope to see you at the Fall Meeting in Milwaukee this coming weekend! ! Aziza will be there as well as many others as it is an animal friendly meeting.

Members were sent flyers out in early November about the upcoming event. We will catch up with those not able to attend this weekend's meeting with our winter newsletter. And updates at the Wild Talk Website and Family Album Page we hope to be getting finished and up in the very near future! So everyone can share in animals and activities here

Our sincere thanks to our dedicated and committed Wild Talk family, members, and team and volunteers for making Wild Talk a success for many animals that need sanctuary!!! God bless each and every one of you!

Sincerely,
Karen Podella, President
N. Martin, Vice President, FOUNDER of Wild Talk
Ginger Butchart, Secretary, Treasurer