Category: family dog

What Not to Name Your Dog

You can call me superstitious or call me crazy, but I stand firm in my belief that certain dog names should be completely avoided. Yes your new pup may be just as sweet as sugar, but call her… Read More

Keep Your Pets Safe This 4th of July

You will find some great articles and advice for keeping your pets safe over the July 4th holiday weekend. http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/petsfireworks.htm http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Press/InNews/tomfireworks2.html http://blog.fetchthepaper.com/2007/06/4th-of-july-saf.html Now, here’s wishing you and your four-legged best friend a most enjoyable and safe summer! Nancy… Read More

Puppy Mills: Part II

I received an abundance of feedback in response to my recent blog about puppy mills.  Thanks to all of you who took the time to share your feelings concerning this emotional topic.  Virtually all of the comments expressed… Read More

Puppy Mills: People and Their Puppies Pay the Ultimate Price

Twice during the last month, I’ve experienced feelings of anger while in the midst of euthanizing one of my patients.  Normally I feel mostly sadness, often combined with an element of relief knowing that suffering is gently and humanely… Read More

Nellie (Toto) is a Superstar!

My little Nellie has become a star of stage! For those of you who may have missed it (http://speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=537), I blogged about volunteering to train my little, bitty ragamuffin of a mutt to become a believable Toto in… Read More

Colorblind Adoptions

Whenever I meet with a patient (dog or cat) and client (their human) for the first time I always ask some version of, “How long have you two known each other?”  I love watching my client’s face light… Read More

Preparing for the “Unthinkable”

 It’s hard to imagine that our pets might outlive us.  Worse yet is imagining our beloved pets, unsettled by the loss of their favorite human, having to adapt to a new situation, perhaps without the affection, and attention… Read More

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

It began as a simple request from my incredibly talented friend, Leira.  She is directing a production of The Wizard of Oz at our local junior college, set to run around Thanksgiving.  Knowing that I am well connected… Read More

Differing Perspectives on the Same Observations

I’ve received many wonderful emails in response to my interviews on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. The stories I’ve heard about peoples’ pets run the gamut from delightful to heart wrenching. Many listeners described crying while driving- I… Read More

Givin’ it Up For Spot

A recent issue of the journal called Tobacco Control reported that approximately 28 percent of cigarette smokers would try to quit if they knew that secondhand smoke might endanger their pets.  Among the authors of this article is… Read More