Tag: pets

Furry Sympathy: Aunt Bea the Comfort Dog

Dogs have the innate ability to lift our spirits, but it takes a truly warm and caring disposition to help people through some of life’s darkest moments, and do to it on an ongoing basis. One such pup is a four-year-old mini goldendoodle named Aunt Bea. “My family and I own several funeral homes and…


Ask The Vet: Long Fingernails Harbor Germs

Q: At my Yorkshire terrier’s recent wellness visit, we saw a new veterinarian, a woman with surprisingly long fingernails. My Yorkie needed to have her anal sacs emptied, as she often does, and I was afraid the vet’s long nails would hurt her, so I asked that someone else empty them. Was my request rude…


Tabby a Common Feline Coat Pattern, Not a Breed

Q: What’s the difference between a tabby and a tiger cat? Is a tabby a purebred cat? A: Tabby is not a breed, but a coat pattern common among purebreds as well as mixed-breed cats, usually referred to as domestic short- or long-haired cats. The classic tabby has a blotched or swirled pattern of dark…


This NC City Ranks as One of the Nation’s Most Pet-Friendly Travel Spots. Here’s Why

By Simone Jasper The Charlotte Observer CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you plan to hit the road with your pet, one North Carolina destination may be an ideal place to visit. That’s because a new report finds that Asheville is one of the most pet-friendly spots in the nation. The mountain tourist town ranks No. 9…


Four Top Tips to Help Your Pets Stay Lean and Healthy

Do you love giving your cat or dog an extra treat to nibble on? As much as they seem to enjoy it, it isn’t always the healthiest move. Just like humans, pets can suffer from weight issues. And it’s becoming a growing problem, with more chubby companion animals around than ever before. In a recent survey of veterinarians,…


Spring Bulbs Toxic to Dogs

Q: Last fall, I planted hundreds of daffodil, hyacinth and tulip bulbs. A month ago, we adopted a puppy, Paisley, who is fascinated by all the spring flowers popping up now. Do I need to watch her to be sure she doesn’t eat them, or is it safe for her to nibble on them? A:…


Keep Mothballs out of the Garden

Q: Bradley, our young indoor-outdoor cat, recently experienced a bout of vomiting, lethargy and seizures. By the time we got him to the veterinarian, he seemed normal and the vet could find nothing wrong. Two days later, however, Bradley suffered a repeat episode. I just now remembered that our neighbor had scattered mothballs in her…


Paws-Itively Patriotic: Meet the First Dog Since World War II to Receive the Medal of Heroism

U.S. Army Ranger and Purple Heart recipient Julian McDonald met Layka in Sharana, Afghanistan on April 28, 2012, after his first dog was killed in action on McDonald’s birthday. “I picked her up from the kennel and we began running direct night action raids on the 29th,” he says. The team had been operational for…


Surprise Children With Chocolate or Plush Easter Pet, Not Live One

Q: My two young grandchildren are visiting this Easter, and I’d like to get them a special gift. Do you recommend a bunny or a couple of chicks or ducklings? A: I have a better suggestion: baskets full of marshmallow Peeps, chocolate bunnies and plush toy animals with synthetic fur. Depending on their ages, your…


Your Pets Can Experience the Negative Effects of EMFs Too – Learn Why, and How You Can Mitigate Their EMF Radiation Exposure

Electromagnetic field radiation (EMF) is the electromagnetic energy that emits from all electronic devices including cell phones, laptops, and tablets. By now we’ve all heard of the harmful effects that chronic, daily exposure to EMFs can have on the human body, but have you ever wondered whether or not they are affecting your pets in the same way?…