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CREATURES AND CREATIONIn this activity, you will learn how to care for some of the animals that God has created. In that way, you will continue the heritage of animal care that dates back to Noah’s time.

THINGS TO KNOW AND DOComplete the Task, plus the number of tasks listed in each section.

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Many animals are taken to shelters because pet owners did not research the needs of the pet or consider the demands of caring for it. Research to find out what kind of pet would fit well with your family.

Some things to consider in making a decision about getting a pet: amount of time you can care for a pet, cost (initial and on-going), how much

TaskComplete the following task.

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attention the pet will require, how well the pet will tolerate being unsupervised, type of living area it needs, foods it likes and those it cannot tolerate, etc. You can find help online for this task.

Some sites to try:

http://animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds.html

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/information/types-of-pets.php#

www.petchoice.org

TO EARN THIS EMBLEM COMPLETETASK

PLUS

3 MIND MATTERS CHOICE TASKS

1 BODY BASICS CHOICE TASK

1 SOUL QUEST CHOICE TASK

1 OTHERS CHOICE TASK

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Body BasicsComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.

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1. GET MOVING WITH YOUR PET.

Dogs might enjoy taking walks, playing fetch or Frisbee, or chasing a 2-legged friend around the yard.

Cats are playful and enjoy chasing a toy on a string. Plan an exercise program for your pet. Start with five minutes of exercise or play daily, then gradually increase the time and intensity, depending on how well your pet tolerates it.

2. OWNING A PET HAS MANY HEALTH BENEFITS.

Find out about those benefits and start an ad campaign to inform others how animal friends help us to be healthier and happier. Make posters, videos, or photo collections. Share your work in neighborhood animal shelters, pet stores, or in your own corps.

3. WALK A NATURE TRAIL IN YOUR COMMUNITY, TAKE A HIKE IN THE WOODS, OR WALK IN ANOTHER NATURAL AREA.

Take notes about the animals you see, what kinds of homes they have, and the ways God has provided to protect them from danger (coloring, claws, etc.). At the end of the walk, compare notes with others in your group.

Mind Matters❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ GIRL GUARDS

1. BASED ON THE ANIMAL YOU SELECTED DURING THE TASK, LEARN ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF THE PET.

Figure the average cost of supplying those needs for one month.

2. COMPARE LABELS ON PET FOODS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT CONTENT, HEALTH BENEFITS, AND PRICE.

3. TRAIN A PET.

4. MAKE A PET BED OR CARRIER FOR YOUR PET OR FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER.

5. LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WILD AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

Why do wild animals not make good pets?

6. SHOULD PETS BE MICRO-CHIPPED?

Debate the pros and cons with your troop.

7. LEARN ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY’S LAWS AND REGULATIONS FOR PET OWNERSHIP.

8. KEEP A SCRAPBOOK ABOUT YOUR PET.

Include photographs, sketches, stories, special tricks, and a “steps of progress” section that includes a growth record.

9. DESCRIBE HOW TO TELL WHEN YOUR PET IS HAPPY, FRIGHTENED, HUNGRY AND EXCITED.

How do you let it know what you need it to do?

Do you communicate with signs or verbally?

For two days, notice all of the ways you communicate back and forth and share what you learn with your troop.

Log on to www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/projects/pets for resources and help.

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Soul QuestComplete the following task.

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If there was ever a time when it was necessary to know how to care for God’s creatures, it was when Noah and his family spent months in an ark with animals of every kind! If Noah and his family had not cared for the animals, few would have survived.

Read Genesis 7 to get the facts about Noah and the ark. Then sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil and let your imagination go. Have you ever wondered how many animals Noah took with him or how much food it took to keep them all fed, or where they all stayed? Make up your own version of Noah’s journey in the ark, including as many actual facts as you can.

– OR –Read Genesis 7. Use your imagination and create a visual presentation of this story. Using computer graphics, crayons, chalk, paint, clay, cut out figures or an art medium of your choice, make a picture or collage. Show it to your group.

4. SOMETIMES ANIMALS CAN MAKE YOU SICK.

Learn about at least three common diseases that can be spread by pets. What is being done in your community to help control those diseases?

Complete at least ONE of the following tasks or choose another service project related to this emblem. Keep track of service hours for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

1. VOLUNTEER TO PET-SIT FOR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE.

Get permission from your parents or guardians and decide whether the pet should stay at your house or you should care for the pet at its owner’s house. Pet-sit for at least four hours.

2. VOLUNTEER EIGHT HOURS AT AN ANIMAL SHELTER, THE HUMANE SOCIETY OR A VETERINARIAN’S OFFICE.

This could be done on a Saturday or after school. Help with records, feed the animals, give baths, clean cages, or do whatever you can to be of help. Have someone take photos of you in action! Ask your supervisor to write a summary of your work for your leader to review.

OthersComplete at least ONE of the following tasks.

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What is the best way to prevent your pet from becoming infected?

Do something to help others learn about the importance of controlling common pet diseases.

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WebsitesLearn about pet care, adoption, and how to fight animal cruelty.www.aspca.org

How To Choose A Small Pethttp://pets.petsmart.com/guides/small-pets/ index.shtml

Additional Resources

If you are working on the Catherine Booth Award, take photos to share with the Review Committee.

1. WALKING OR PET SITTING CAN TURN INTO A PART-TIME BUSINESS.

Develop a business plan for one of these. Find out about local ordinances and licenses required.

2. VISIT A VETERINARIAN.

Arrange for your troop to visit a veterinarian and learn the following:

• How to keep a pet healthy.

• Why immunizations are important and which ones are required.

• How to transport an animal that has been injured and what precautions should be taken for your own safety.

• How to tell whether or not a pet is ill.

• How to give a pet medicine in tablet and liquid form.

• What to do if you are bitten by an animal. What are the symptoms of rabies?

3. FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PET THERAPY GROUP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

Volunteer to help the group each week for at least a month.

S-T-R-E-T-C-H Project(s)Complete ONE of the following projects.

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If you enjoyed this activity, find out how to put it to work. Talk to your school counselor about career opportunities that would allow you to use your new skills. What can you do now to help you prepare for a related job in the future?

Here are several careers related to this emblem. There are many others.

• Veterinarian

• Animal Cruelty Investigator

• Pet Behavior Counselor

• Animal Handler

Looking Ahead

3. HOST A PET FOOD COLLECTION FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER OR TO SHARE WITH NEEDY PET OWNERS.

Caring for Man’s Best Friendwww.petsmart.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2767032

Creatures and Creation on Pinterestwww.pinterest.com/jerriemiller/creatures-and-creation/

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CREATURES AND CREATION

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Choice Task 2

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Choice Task 3

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Mind Matters

MY TASKS AND ACTIVITIES:

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MY NOTES:

MY BIG IDEAS:

I WONDER:

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