Lauren Hubka will tell you that she’s pretty sure “dog” was her first word. On her business website, Hubka wrote, “While most kiddos wanted to be princesses, doctors, lawyers, and astronauts when they grew up, I wanted to own a … Continue reading A Passion for Pooches
All dogs and cats should be on a heartworm prevention. Unfortunately, according to the American Heartworm Society, 75% of veterinarians report positive cases of heartworm in their practices. Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal but preventable disease. According to Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care, heartworm disease can cause organ damage leading to heart failure and death. “Even with treatment,” she noted, “there are long-term consequences including chronic coughing, and a less active and shorter life span.” Heartworm disease is spread through the bite of a mosquito. The AHS website explains: Adult female heartworms living in an infected animal … Continue reading How Important is Heartworm Prevention?
Dogs and cats need regular vaccinations. According to Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care, “Vaccines stimulate the immune system, which in turn creates antibodies towards the disease. If an animal comes into contact with the disease, antibodies are able to kill the virus, preventing the illness.” She explained that if vaccinations are not given, pets are at risk for infections when they come into contact with the disease and put other animals at risk for contracting the illness. Core vaccinations target diseases that are the most contagious and severe. The rabies vaccination is core for both dogs and cats. … Continue reading The Vaccinations Your Pets Must Have
Every pet should have a wellness exam. This routine physical is aimed at ensuring good health through early disease prevention and early disease detection. A wellness exam can reveal subtle changes in young pets such as weight gain or loss and an early onset of disease especially in older pets. A wellness exam should be conducted once a year; twice for senior pets. Dr. Jody Jones-Skibinski of Cotner-Superior Pet Care said, “Animals may have an abnormality or illness but are often ‘stoic’ and so pet owners don’t notice symptoms. Vets notice a lot of differences that can be corrected.” In … Continue reading Why Pets Should Have Annual Wellness Exams
I enjoy reading books about animal rescue. Me, My Ferals, and I by Christine Booras is a heartfelt story about community cats, while Dogtripping by David Rosenfelt is a humorous story about shelter dogs. Both will resonate with anyone who cares about the plight of homeless pets. You might also pick practical tips on what to do, should you be inspired to become an animal welfare advocate. October 2008, Christine Booras saw a stealthy shadow moving, small and dark, and peering through the door of her Tai Chi studio. That glimpse, which turned out to be a confident cat, changed … Continue reading Review: Two Books About Animal Rescuers
Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson is a cute and funny book designed to entertain. For the most part, the comedy works. And while you’re unlikely to turn to Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know for reference, it does make a great addition to a bathroom shelf or any place you might need some relaxed readings. Sometimes, you’ll even learn a few things about man’s best friend. Oh, and it’s mostly safely for the entire family to read. Cute and funny require a delicate balancing act. Lean too far left or … Continue reading Review: Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know
A while ago, I treated myself to three cat cozy mysteries. All three are titles my husband bought for me at a library book sale. The first is by an author (David Rosenfelt) whom I know about through the animal rescue world, while the others are by authors with four or five-star ratings at Cozy Mystery List. My interest in the Andy Carpenter mysteries by David Rosenfelt comes from my having read his funny account of the start of a dog rescue foundation. The series contains sixteen titles to date and features a reluctant attorney who is most likely to … Continue reading Review: Three Dog Cozy Mysteries
As dogs enter their senior years, their physical and cognitive health often decline, which can lead to behavior changes. To learn more about the exact changes and what pet owners can do to ensure continued quality of life for their … Continue reading Helping Aging Dogs with Behavior Changes
For dog lovers, The Book of Joe is quirky little book with lots of personality. It’s written by Vincent Price of Hollywood fame who starred as a villain in dozens of macabre horror films. Far from being scary, however, The Book of Joe is a light-hearted and humorous account of Price’s life with pets. An orange-brown-black haired mutt who came into an empty moment in Price’s life is the star of this memoir. Price referred to him as “all dog”. At one moment, Joe could dutifully put up with hauling and yanking of a five-year-old boy (Price’s son), and in another moment … Continue reading Review: The Book of Joe by Vincent Price
The older I get, the more disinterested I become in classics, despite having grown up with them. They feel too long-winded, old-fashioned, and dull. Or as if they were childhood things which I’d been forced to enjoy. Nothing could be farther from my experience but, nowadays, it still takes the right book to remind me of how pleasurable and rich the experience of reading a classic can be. When my husband recently pointed out that Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck features a poodle, I pushed past my prejudice and fell in love with a good book. When Steinbeck was … Continue reading Review: Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz is an unusual memoir. It is full of both the highly fantastic and totally realistic events in the life of a golden retriever named Trixie. Canine Companions for Independence had bred Trixie as an assistance dog, but, after enjoying six months of helping a wheelchair-bound woman, Trixie developed a limp and underwent joint surgery. Shortly before her third birthday, Trixie retired to live with Gerda and Dean Koontz who view their nine years with her as their best. I enjoyed both learning more about famous author Dean Koontz and about the remarkable adventures … Continue reading A Big Little Life by Dean Koontz
May is a bittersweet month for Rochelle. Thirteen years ago, on May 7, she adopted a shelter dog named Baby. “She was a cute little chiweenie,” Rochelle said, “and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend through the hard times.” By hard times, Rochelle is referring to her years in an abusive relationship. Baby brought laughter and happiness into Rochelle’s otherwise unhappy life. Rochelle giggled as she recalled, “One day Baby jumped into a police car to say hello to the cops. I was embarrassed, but they laughed and gave her love.” Rochelle also has a favorite memory involving … Continue reading Thank You Baby
