When I first began practice as a veterinarian, it took all of about three months before I got tossed out on my own. This was not by choice, mind you. My clinic had opened up a satellite office and sent my ‘mentor’ over to staff the place, leaving me at the main clinic with a couple other part time vets. To be frank, I was glad to have a break from the guy. He was a nightmare. Within one week the entire staff at the new clinic threatened mutiny if they were forced to work with the vet in question ... Read more »
Lifestyle
Celebrate Love
Friday, 11:30 am. I'm wandering the halls of the Orlando Convention Center as it's gearing up for this weekend's Celebrate Dogs event. I've already been there since Wednesday, working on a couple of projects before the main event, but now I'm just wrapping up interviews with Beatrice and Lambchop, otherwise known as: Stella on Modern Family; and Yakult on Suburgatory: I was really happy to get the chance to meet these celebrity dogs up close and personal. This is the first year the ... Read more »
Santa Baby
One of the little perks of doing what I do happens at Christmastime, when I get to go on Fox 5's local morning show with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society and present "A Dog's Holiday Wishlist." I don't have the video downloaded yet, but I'm working on it because it's really silly but also just fun. I'm with the anchor while each adoptable pet goes up to Santa. They (and by they, I mean one of the producers or camera guys behind the scenes talking in a goofy voice) tell Santa what they want for ... Read more »
Next Step Baby Monitors: Exonerating pets since 2012
It's been a long time since I've needed a baby monitor. Not that long, mind you, but long enough that technology has apparently been soaring by me in leaps and bounds since the year I slept with static-y radio by my side. When I was asked by Next Step Baby monitors if I wanted to review their cameras to see what my dogs were up to while I was gone, I agreed, because oddly enough- and this never ever happens- my husband had JUST SAID "We really need a baby monitor or something to figure out ... Read more »
The 2012 Howliday Gift Guide is here!
Happy Holidays! I've been lucky enough to attend both Global Pet Expo and SuperZoo this year, skulking about the aisles in search of my favorite pet items of the year, and fortunately for us there was plenty to choose from. I've teamed up with the pet enthusiasts at Blog Paws to bring you some suggestions from the BlogPaws Great Gifts for Pets Holiday Gift Guide. (The guide in its entirety is viewable at the Blog Paws site.) Here are some of my favorites for under our tree, which if fate and the ... Read more »
Adopt the net: Transitioning a rescue pet into a new home
We, the collective animal loving internet, have done a great job of telling people to "Adopt, Don't Shop." We do it so much that people say it without thinking, assume without asking, and demand without discourse. Now, don't get me wrong: I absolutely support the concept, and this is why I am here writing a post today in honor of Petside's Pet Net Adoption Week. It's why I've adopted lots of pets over the years. But this is only half the equation. We tell people they should adopt, and why they ... Read more »
Have Fido, Will Travel
Heading out for the holidays with Fido or Fluffy in tow? Bringing your pet with you can be a great alternative to boarding or housesitting, as long as you plan ahead and make sure you are prepared with pet-friendly accommodations. There's few things worse than showing up at Grandma's, dog in tow, only to have her stare in horror at your dog and say, "I didn't know you were brining HIM," while pointedly stroking her Persian cat and glaring at you. Assuming you know what you're going to do when ... Read more »
Super Special Thursday Giveaway: Canine Cool Hipster VIP Red Carpet Bag!
There are blogs that I like, and blogs that I love. There are blogs that I read and think, wow, this person is the bomb and I love what they are doing and I wish I had done some of that too. Those are rare. Joanne's is one of them. The Tiniest Tiger has been a voice for conservation for years. By drawing parallels between our feline friends in the foyer and the majestic cats on the prowl in the wild, Joanne brings home issues that are near and dear to my heart. And because she is smart and ... Read more »
Giveaway Tuesday: Low Odor Bully Sticks from Doggyloot
Welcome to Giveaway Tuesday, where we offer you the chance to win a cool prize for your favorite spoiled pets. Today, we have a 10-Pack of Low Odor Bully Sticks From Doggyloot. (This prize is not affected by the current recall. I checked.) I'm already in a lot of trouble from flash sites: Gilt, the Clymb, just to name a few. A good deal is pretty irresistible. And now there's a new pet flash site to suck up your disposable income: Doggyloot is a flash sales site where you can discover new dog ... Read more »
SuperZoo- Trends for Fall
Another day, another Vegas conference. I don't what it is about Vegas, but even when I go for work and behave and don't stay out late and don't do anything more titillating than eating nachos at 11 at night in the 24 hour cafe, I still come back feeling like Axl Rose after an all night bender. I guess this is what getting older does to you, when the simple act of walking around a convention floor all day wipes you out. Nonetheless, it was a good show. I have to say, there was nothing ... Read more »
I’ve dreamed of this geeky day ever since I was twelve…
I knew we were in for a long morning when I saw Elvis's name on the schedule. A fearsome and mighty miniature pinscher who thought he was a Great White, Elvis held the reigning title of 'most challenging dog to vaccinate' I had ever seen. He had the unique ability to turn himself into a Tasmanian Devil on demand, a whirling, 360 degree tornado of teeth, claws, and anal gland secretions. And today he was coming in for a cough- one of the first signs of heart disease in dogs. The ECG is one of ... Read more »
Is your hard drive safe from your cat?
It's a Tuesday, close to midnight. I've just gotten back from Africa and the animals have patiently waited their turn for face time, making way for the kids to get their snuggles in first. I sit at the computer, downloading the first of several memory cards of priceless photos, the documentation of the punda trip of a lifetime. Apollo is on my lap, drooling. I nudge him aside to wipe my hand. He waits a minute, then comes back. "Apollo, stop," I say. He bites my finger, a love nibble ... Read more »
Giveaway Tuesday: Designer dog beds from PetDreams.com!
Brody's dog bed was turning into a sad and sorry thing, a tattered vestige that much like Linus's blanket, he didn't want to part with despite its obvious state of despair. I'd try to hide it, and he would go drag it out of the closet and back to the bedroom. Every time I thought about throwing it out, he'd follow me with such a concerned look that I couldn't bring myself to toss it, despite it being a bed only in the most academic of senses by this point. So when PetDreams.com, a ... Read more »
We love food allergies! Come to the party!
OK, I guess that is probably overstating things to say I love food allergies. I don't love diseases. But I love talking about food allergies, for reasons not known even to me. I just think it's fascinating stuff and there is still so much we are trying to figure out. As many of you know, Apollo has food allergies. He had a late onset in life, at 7 years of age; he had been on fairly consistent diet ingredients most of his life. He had shown some symptoms of dietary intolerances before he ... Read more »
Giveaway Tuesday: Goo Gut Rescue!
I think many of you will remember the post and giveaway we did a few months back with Healthy Goo, a product designed to help pets with allergic disease. The response was great and it's clear there is a huge need for more options for people to manage their pet's allergic disease. With their success, the people at Goo are busily developing new products to help pets live long and well. I'm happy today to have another giveaway and share a little about the latest product, Goo Gut ... Read more »
V versus the Volcano- Mt. Meru Part 1
Three years ago, when my youngest was still a baby and I was just starting out writing the blog, if you had told me I would be writing about climbing a 15,000 foot volcano I'd have laughed, and laughed some more. That's just crazy talk, I'd have told you. It was as much as I could muster to take a walk around the neighborhood with the dogs and the double stroller. Life was busy, and I had a lot of priorities, none of which were me. That was around the time Emmett and Mulan died within six ... Read more »
Giveaway Tuesday: End Cat Boredom!
Easier said than done, right? How do you motivate a couch catato to get their keister off the ottoman and go run around? If you have a surefire trick, well, patent it, because the rest of us have to keep trying new things. Friskies is on a mission to help with their "End Cat Boredom" campaign, which albeit tongue in cheek addresses a real issue. In support of the campaign, they are offering some Boredom Buster kits, and by some I mean FIFTY, to you guys. Which is awesome, right? The kits ... Read more »
Giveaway: Lele Pets Gift Certificate!
OK, what's today, the 19th? So as you read this, I should be at the base of Mt. Meru, walking through rain forests, passing a massive fig tree, and looking out for marauding buffalo. I won't be gasping for air and retching from altitude sickness for two more days. Regardless, I am there are you are here, and to thank you for checking in I have a wonderful giveaway today from LeLe Pets! If you're an addict like I am to sites like Gilt or the Clymb, you know these daily deal sites can be ... Read more »
