(Welcome to our pet column, courtesy of Pet Connection Programs Inc. of Marilla. We post a new article each week, so be sure to check back on a regular basis!)

Bringing a new puppy or kitten into your home is one of life's highlights. “Getting the relationship with a new pet off to the right start requires equal parts care, nurturing and guidance,” says veterinarian Dr. David Cook. “All of these things contribute to the physical and emotional well-being of your pet.” 

Dr. Cook suggests pet owners follow these five steps to build a healthy foundation with their new puppy or kitten.

The second annual Lancaster Central Teachers Association Charity Hockey Event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Holiday Twin Rinks, 3465 Broadway, Cheektowaga.

Members of the LCTA will take on the Western New York Media All-Stars during the event, which will raise money for the Lancaster Youth Bureau and the Lancaster Trinity Food Pantry.

Tickets are $5 per adult and $2 per child younger than 18 and are available at the Youth Bureau, 200 Oxford Ave., Village of Lancaster, and at Lancaster schools.

WILLIAMSVILLE, NY -- WFI Acquisition, Inc. , led by the Nanula family and Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill, & Co. announced Wednesday the sale of 188 Wilson Farms locations to convenience store chain7-Eleven.

A spokesperson for 7-Eleven says once the deal closes, they'll look at how Wilson Farms runs its stores so they can incorporate their best practices into the 7-Eleven model.  Following that, they plan on converting each Wilson Fams location into a 7-Eleven store.

Wilson Farms started out as a division of Tops in 1969. In 1991, the chain was sold to Ahold along with 59 Tops supermarket locations, and Tops acquired the Sugarcreek stores in May, 2000. In 2005, the Nanula family partnered with Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. and Dan Shanahan, Wilson Farms' CFO, to purchase the Wilson Farms and Sugarcreek stores from Tops.