True Love Stories from the Animal World
My cat Victoria has not lived the easiest of lives. She was a feral “teen-age” mom on the streets of Washington D.C. When I adopted her, she was terrified of everything and didn’t leave the closet she sought shelter in for six months.
Can My Dog Catch a Cold?
Did you know that it could be your dog that comes down with a cold?
What do you want your veterinarian to know about you?
Why is it then, that veterinarians and owners sometimes seem to be working, if not at cross purposes, then at least not in concert with one another?
Is My Dog at Risk of Contracting Bacterial Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a condition which refers to an inflammation of the lungs. Bacterial pneumonia, meanwhile, refers to an inflammation of the lungs in response to a disease-causing bacteria.
Normally Nocturnal Cats CAN Learn to Sleep at Night
Some people say cats are naturally nocturnal animals (most active at night), others that they are crepuscular (most active at dawn or dusk). In either case housecats have a tendency to be awake when their owners are not, which can lead to conflict.
Adventures of Joey: Locked Out on a Cold Winter’s Night
I have chipped every dog I have owned for the past 24 years and never had a need to use it until a recent cold and dark night.
A Difficult Lesson: The Meaning of Life
This is a story about how a priest’s sermon led to a question from a small girl to her grandfather about the meaning of life....
Can My Dog Get the Flu?
With all of this sickness going around, I wonder about my dogs. Can they get the flu?
Dealing with Doggy (and kitty) Breath
We all have busy schedules and it can be a struggle to make the time to brush our pets' teeth on a daily basis. Or,...
Critter Talk: When Good Horses Go Bad
I don’t want to drug my horse, but I’ll consider it for the short term if it helps him calm down and see this situation more rationally. I just can’t face moving him … again.
Critter Talk: Physical Therapy for Pets
People aren’t the only ones who need physical therapy from time time. Our pets do as well.
Defining an adoptable pet
Animal shelters are between the proverbial rock and a hard place. Many have limited resources and more animals in need of placement than people who...
Critter Talk: Whelping Dystocia in Dogs
Dystocia means “difficult birth,” and it can be an all hands on deck kind of emergency since we’re simultaneously dealing with mom’s health as well as that of a sometimes large number of newborn puppies.
Critter Talk: Medication Errors Always Possible
I’ve read a couple of worrisome reports lately on the subject of errors in the filling and taking of prescription medications. One review found that people were more likely to stop taking their medications when an aspect of the medicine’s appearance (color in this case) changed in between refills.