Health & Wellness

Wonder Dog

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:57:04 -0500

It started with small things. I'd wake up in the morning feeling weak and unrested, despite having slept through the night. Maneuvering the groceries out of my car, I'd suddenly get so dizzy I'd have to put the bag down on the ground to get my bearings again. As someone who has lived with MS for more than 30 years, I was used to coping with my symptoms. But these new episodes were distressing.

Gone to the Dogs

admin — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 06:21:00 -0600

Pali Boucher's life has literally gone to the dogs. Of course, you could say it began that way too.

Pali is the founder—and prime pup protector—of Rocket Dog Rescue, a San Francisco-based all-volunteer organization that saves dogs from overcrowded shelters, where they might be put to sleep, and finds them loving homes. She's known for taking on the hardest cases, dogs many would consider unadoptable because of their disabilities or behavioral or medical problems.

Letters from a Paw Pal

admin — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:32:48 -0600

I had never felt so low-down, guilty and inadequate in my life.

It seemed as if my car were being dragged along in the wake of the ambulance I was following. It was taking my friend Alice to a nursing home she had begged me to keep her out of earlier that morning.

Even though I was a nurse, there was no way I could care for her in my home or hers. Now in her eighties, Alice needed around-the-clock specialized care. She was connected to a respirator by a tracheostomy tube and fed through a stomach tube.

Never Alone

batch — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:21:23 -0500

Tank sprang out the door and galloped down the road. Eighty solid pounds of black Labrador retriever, he certainly lived up to his name.

He loved barreling through our 160 acres. I used to enjoy it too, but not lately. Not since I heard the word Alzheimer's. "You seem to be showing some early signs," the neurologist had told me, after a checkup with my family doctor and a battery of tests, including a brain scan.

Post-Holidays and Your Pets

jbloustein — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:50:08 -0600

The holidays are over, but in many homes the decorations linger.

We leave our Christmas tree up until New Year’s Day, but friends of ours leave theirs up until Epiphany, or Little Christmas. Plants, candles and decorations still adorn tabletops.

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, some of these holiday items could pose a hazard for our pets.

1. Bubble Lights

Holiday Cards That Help

jbloustein — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:54:35 -0600

Snowy village or a manger scene?

“Joy” or “Peace on Earth”?

We select our Christmas cards with great care. After all, the cards will be delivered to very special people.

This year, I discovered a way to send beautiful pictures, touching sentiments, and help to pets all over the nation. With these dog- and cat-themed holiday greetings, a portion of the purchase price will benefit worthy animal organizations.

Stars Above

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 10:51:00 -0500

Thanksgiving Night, 1986. I pulled my Dodge Colt outside the low white Alcoholics Anonymous clubhouse, cracked the windows and gave my two-year-old English setter, Grey, a pat on the head. "Be good, girl. I'll be back in an hour and a half."

Nanaw's New Blessing

jbloustein — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:49:01 -0500

Fourth of July, and my sister-in-law was having a cookout. Once I would have looked forward to a gathering like this. Today my husband, David, had to convince me to go.

Since the spring I’d withdrawn little by little from the world. I’d become a prisoner of my epileptic seizures. I never knew when one would sneak up on me and knock me clear off my feet.

I tried different medications, but they only made me zoned out, less in control than ever. Doctors didn’t know what to do for me. How could I keep from injuring myself?

Can Spot Get Sick?

jbloustein — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:04:54 -0600

It’s that time of year. We’re washing our hands, covering our mouths when we cough, and considering new and seasonal flu vaccines. Should we be concerned about our pets coming down with this recent human virus?

1. Dogs are safe.
Good news. According to the ASPCA dogs have little chance of contracting swine flu. Experts are continuously keeping an eye on the situation for any changes.

Dogs of Peace

jbloustein — Wed, 06 May 2009 08:53:25 -0500

Graduation Day! The assembly room at Children’s Village, a New York residential center for at-risk teens, was crowded with spectators.

All eyes were on the graduates: four large dogs—two yellow Labs, a black Lab, and a golden retriever—and four wounded veterans who’d served in Iraq and Afghanistan. My own gaze kept shifting, though, to the 12 teenage boys from the Village who, for the past year, had been training the dogs for this moment.