Southern View: December 14, 2023

2
Thursday December 14 2023
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what’s on
this week
Your local community newspaper connects
neighbours in the following suburbs
Spreydon • Hoon Hay • Hillmorton • Cracroft
Cashmere • St Martins • Somerfield
Sydenham • Addington • Waltham • Opawa
Beckenham • Huntsbury • Woolston
22,300 readers every week
REPORTER
Sasha Watson
Ph: 021 913 566
sasha.watson@starmedia.kiwi
ADVERTISING
Annabel Judd
Ph: 021 457 469
annabel.judd@starmedia.kiwi
GENERAL INQUIRIES Ph 379 7100
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Ph 379 1100
www.starmedia.kiwi
Knit ‘n’ Yarn
Thursday, 1.30-3.30pm
South Library
Go along with your knitting, crochet
or any other portable crafts to enjoy
time with other crafters. Share
your skills in a friendly, relaxing
environment. Free, no bookings
required.
Christmas Characters
Monday-Saturday, all day
Spreydon and South Library
Colour and craft a Christmas crowd.
This is an unsupervised activity with
all materials provided at the library.
Handmade Holidays
All week, all day
Spreydon and South Library
Create a designer gift bag. This is an
unsupervised activity. Free, no bookings
required. All materials for the
crafts are provided in the library.
Risingholme Singers Choir
Monday, 7.30-9.30pm
Risingholme Theatre
If you love singing, go along and join
the friendly choir. They sing a variety
of music from movies, TV shows, hit
Christmas Carols, Tuesday, 11am-noon, South Library. Get into
the Christmas spirit with songs and stories at South Library. Join
in around the Christmas tree and listen to a story, sing along with
the carols or simply sit back and enjoy being part of the community.
Suitable for all ages.
records and more. Reading music
is an advantage but not essential.
All welcome, especially tenors and
basses. Phone Jill at 388 3235 for more
information.
JP Clinics
Spreydon Library – Thursday,
10.30am-1.30pm
South Library – Tuesday, 10am-1pm
A Justice of the Peace will be available
to members of the community to
witness signatures and documents,
certify document copies, hear oaths,
declarations, affidavits or affirmations
as well as sign citizenship, sponsorship
or rates rebates applications. This
service is free.
Chess Group
Wednesday, 1-3pm
South Library
Pop along for a game of chess and
meet up with other chess players.
There will be some chess sets
available, but bring your own just
in case there are more players than
boards.
Better Digital Futures for
Seniors
Monday, 10am-noon
Spreydon Library
Better Digital Futures is a chance
for seniors to improve their digital
literacy and gain confidence in using
technology. The five week course
introduces the basics of computing;
using iPads, Chromebooks and users’
own devices such as laptops and cell
phones. The course gives instruction
and offers practical exercises to build
skills and proficiency.
WANT YOUR COMMUNITY
EVENT FEATURED HERE?
Email all info to
sasha.watson@starmedia.kiwi
by 5pm each Monday
Tips for a Safe Summer and Festive Season from Kōwhai Vet
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and at Kōwhai Vet
Clinic, we want to make sure your furry family
members join in the merriment safely. The
holidays bring an array of festive foods and
decorations that can pose potential hazards to
our pets. Here’s a reminder of some things to
look out for to keep your four-legged friends
healthy and happy throughout the Christmas
celebrations and summer season…
Chocolate: Keep Dogs Away from the
Dark Side
While chocolate is a delightful treat for us, it
contains theobromine and caffeine that can be
highly toxic to pets. The darker the chocolate the
higher the levels of these substances. Keep all
chocolate goodies, including decorations and gift
wrappings, out of paws’ reach to prevent accidental
ingestion.
Christmas Cake: Not Such a Merry Christmas Treat for
Pets
Raisins, commonly found in Christmas cakes, can be
harmful to dogs, leading to kidney failure.
If your festive spread includes fruitcakes, ensure they are
stored securely, and keep a watchful eye on your pet to
avoid any unwanted snacking. Fresh grapes can be equally
harmful.
Christmas Lilies: A Blooming Catastrophe for Cats
While the beauty of lilies enhances our homes during the
holidays, they are highly toxic to cats.
Ingesting any part of the plant can cause kidney failure.
If you suspect your cat has come into contact with lilies,
contact your vet promptly.
Christmas Decorations: Pretty, but Potentially Perilous
Ornaments, tinsel, and festive lights can attract the
attention of playful pets. Ingesting these decorations can
lead to choking or intestinal blockages. Keep a watchful
eye on your furry friends and consider pet-proofing your
decorations.
Christmas Ham and High-Fat Foods: A Recipe for
Tummy Troubles
While it’s tempting to share your festive feast with your
pet, over-indulgence in high-fat foods like Christmas ham
can cause tummy upsets or even lead to a nasty bout of
pancreatitis. Stick to pet-friendly treats and avoid giving in
to those pleading eyes at the dinner table.
Barbecue Meats with Bones: A Choking Hazard
While indulging in a festive barbecue, it pays to keep half
an eye out for crafty canines hoping to snaffle a sneaky
snack from the feast. Cooked bones can splinter or pieces
of bone can be swallowed whole and can cause serious
internal injuries or blockages in your pet’s digestive
system. Corn cobs and kebab skewers are another
barbecue hazard so dispose of bones and other leftovers
safely and monitor your pet during outdoor gatherings.
Onions and Garlic: Could All End in Tears
Onions and garlic, common ingredients in many meals,
contain compounds that can damage a pet’s red blood
cells, leading to anemia. Ensure all leftovers are kept away
from inquisitive noses to avoid accidental ingestion.
Hops for Home Brew: Not for Furry Friends
For those enjoying home brewing, be aware that the
hops can be toxic to dogs. Ingestion can lead to increased
temperature, rapid breathing, and even death. Ensure
brewing supplies are stored securely away from pets.
Grass Seeds: A Pesky Problem for Paws
Everyone loves getting out for summertime walks, but be
sure to check your dog’s coat for grass seeds when you get
home. Pay particular attention to paws and ears where
these pesky seed heads have a habit of penetrating.
The team at Kōwhai Vet Clinic wishes everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to
welcoming you and your furry companions in good health
in the coming year.
May your holidays be filled with joy, warmth, and the
delightful presence of your beloved pets.
Stay safe and have a Pawsitively wonderful Christmas!
P.S. We will be closed for the Christmas and New Year
long weekends but otherwise available for all your pets
needs (including any unfortunate mishaps that may
occur!)
Consultations • Surgery & Diagnostics • Locally Owned & Operated
122 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch. Ph: 03 337 5445
Visit our website: www.kowhaivet.co.nz
WE ARE OPEN:
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 6:30pm,
Saturday, 9:00am - 12:00pm