Reviewed by Carol M. Upton

I have been blessed with many animal friends in my life, but you were unique. I had a connection with you since your wobbly foal legs held you up and until your aged arthritic legs no longer allowed you to stand. ~ Denise Lee Branco

In the award-winning Horse at the Corner Post, Denise Lee Branco writes straight from the heart about her deep, lifelong connection to her quarter horse, Freedom.

At an outsider’s first glance, there may have been nothing special about this particular foal. Yet, Branco and Freedom connected almost immediately, soul to soul. Sharing hugs, playing racing games alongside the fence, and winning 2nd Place in a Kindergarten Western Pleasure Class, the two youngsters formed a powerful relationship. All that changed as Branco neared college age and her uncle took a fancy to the horse. Thinking Freedom would have a great temporary home, Branco let him go, only to discover some years later that he had been sold.

What ultimately takes place is an astonishing tribute, not only to the profound relationship between a girl and her horse, but also to the deep support of a family that understood this bond and cared enough to see it through.

The strength of this book lies in Branco’s skilled and honest storytelling. The reader is there every step of the way, reminded of the animals that may have graced their own life.

Branco’s hope in writing about Freedom is that it will encourage animal adoption. This inspired family reading achieves all of that and more.

Denise Lee Branco spent her childhood on a California ranch, befriending all the furry and feathered residents there. From reading horse books to competing in western shows and gymkhanas, Denise has always felt horses are a part of her identity. Visit her at: http://www.horseatthecornerpost.com/

Horse at the Corner Post: Our Divine Journey
By Denise Lee Branco
Strolling Hills Publishing
Soft Cover, 2010, $17.95 U.S.
ISBN: 879-0-9845888-0-0
Available at http://www.horseatthecornerpost.com

by Kim Boatman
Does your dog’s snoring keep you up at night? “We seem to put up with dog snoring more than spouse snoring,” says Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a Laguna Hills, Calif., veterinarian and nationally recognized expert in companion animal health.

Your dog’s snoring, however, is more than an annoyance; it may be an indication of a wide range of health problems. “Any time a dog develops a new sign, such as snoring, it is a good idea to at least check in with your veterinarian,” notes Dr. Lauren Boyd, a veterinarian and an internal medicine specialist with Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Auburn Hills, Mich. “Any change could indicate a new problem. If it’s not a new problem but is progressing, your dog should also see a veterinarian.”

Why Dogs Snore
Any level of snoring indicates something is at last partially obstructing your dog’s airways. Veterinarians say common causes include:

• Rhinitis – Your dog might have a temporary inflammation in its nose. Dogs can catch upper respiratory infections or even suffer from allergies.
• Fungal disease – Aspergillosis is a type of fungal disease caused by a mold found in hay, grass clippings and similar environments. Left untreated, this fungal disease can cause discomfort, loss of appetite and serious health problems.
• Foreign bodies or tumors Your dog could have inhaled something that is blocking its breathing. Snoring could also indicate a tumor, says Boyd.
• Dental problems Bad teeth can cause your dog to snore, says Cruz. A bad tooth can lead to an abscess that penetrates the nasal sinus passages. Left untreated, dental problems can become a source of infection for the whole body, advises Cruz, which could lead to kidney failure down the road.
• Obesity Like humans, our dogs are getting plumper. And just as obesity can lead to snoring in humans, it may cause breathing difficulties in dogs. “As your dog breathes in and out, obesity makes the trachea rings slam shut,” explains Cruz.
• Breed-related anatomy Brachycephalic breeds — the breeds with very short noses, such as English/French bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs — have a natural tendency to snore. But it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure the snoring is normal and not an indication of a health issue, says Cruz. For instance, a pug or Boston terrier might be born with nostrils that are squeezed almost shut. After surgical correction, “The dogs have so much energy. They’re running around and finally breathing,” says Cruz.

How to Help Your Dog
Because snoring can be related to so many different causes, Boyd and Cruz emphasize the importance of having your snoring dog evaluated. You can help your veterinarian by being an observant dog owner. Keep a pet diary to note changes in your dog’s behavior and health so a veterinarian can look for patterns. For example, if your dog was snoring and sneezing last May and again this May, it might have an allergy tied to spring blooms.

Use your smartphone to videotape your snoring dog instead of trying to describe the snores. The volume or pattern of snoring isn’t the only information that will help your veterinarian, says Boyd. “It is often helpful to know if the snoring is accompanied by sneezing, nasal discharge or nasal bleeding,” she says. “It is also helpful to know if the discharge or bleeding affects both sides of the nose or just one.” If the nasal discharge is watery, your dog is likely suffering from an allergy or something similar, says Cruz. A mucous-laden or bloody discharge is an indication that your dog needs to see a veterinarian immediately.

Don’t simply tolerate your dog’s snoring. :It can really decrease your dog’s quantity of life and your dog’s quality of life,” says Cruz. “If you’ve ever had that really bad cold and can’t breathe and can’t eat, then you know how hard it is to live with a breathing problem.”

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/tshortell

Kim Boatman is a journalist based in Northern California. She is also the managing editor of ExceptionalCanine.com. Boatman’s work has appeared in The Miami Herald, the Detroit Free Press and the San Jose Mercury News. She is a lifelong lover of animals, and a frequent contributor to The Dog Daily.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 11, 2012 – Nestlé Purina PetCare (NPP) is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of its Purina Veterinary Diets® OM Overweight Management canned cat food, available through veterinarians in the U.S. and Canada. This precautionary measure is being taken in response to one consumer complaint received by FDA. Analytical testing of the product sample by FDA indicated a low level of thiamine (Vitamin B1). Purina has received no other complaints of thiamine-related or any other health issues related to this product.

Only cans with the following “Best By” date and production code shown are included in this voluntary recall:
Product Name CanSize “Best By” Date & Production Code* Can UPC Code
Purina Veterinary Diets® OM
(Overweight Management) 5.5 oz. JUN 2013 11721159 38100 – 13810
Feline Formula

*“Best By” Date and Production Code are found on the bottom of the can.

Cats fed this affected lot exclusively for several weeks may be at risk for developing a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is essential for cats. Symptoms of deficiency displayed by an affected cat can be gastrointestinal or neurological in nature. Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, neurological signs can develop, which may include ventriflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, wobbly walking, falling, circling and seizures. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

This product was distributed to veterinary clinics between June, 2011 and May, 2012 throughout the U.S. and Canada. The product is not sold in retail stores.

No additional Purina cat or dog products are involved in this voluntary recall. No other Purina Veterinary Diets® products are involved, and only Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food which match the “Best By” dates and production code above are included in this recall.

Consumers who have purchased Purina Veterinary Diets® OM canned cat food cans with these specific “Best By” Date and Production Codes should discontinue feeding the product, and discard it.

At Nestlé Purina PetCare, the safety and efficacy of our products are our top priority. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this voluntary recall. For further information or to obtain a product refund, please contact Nestlé Purina as follows:

U.S. Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-800-982-8837 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time, or visit www.purinaveterinarydiets.com disclaimer icon.

Canadian Consumers & Veterinarians:
Call toll-free 1-866-884-8387 Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, or visit www.purina.ca disclaimer icon.

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Mary had a little lamb its fleece was white as snow;
And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.

We have all learned and recited the nursery rhyme about Mary and her lamb. It is a sweet poem and made me wonder if lambs would make a good pets.

Research on keeping a lamb for a pet was sparse which leads me to think not many have considered the option. Before you plan on raising a lamb you need to realize that they do not stay small and cute and are a huge responsibility. They grow to become quite large, strong and consume most anything eatable.

You have a choice of hair sheep or wool sheep. The difference between them is the ratio of secondary (hair, kemp) to primary (wool) skin follicles. Low-maintenance hair sheep have a mixture of hair and wool that sheds naturally in the spring. They do not require shearing, crutching or tail docking. Hair sheep adapt to a wide variety of climates and will grow a thicker, longer hair coat in cold weather. My search more or less provided more positive results for the hair sheep as a pet. Any breed of sheep can be kept as a pet and a few miniature breeds are available. All sources did agree pet sheep should be females (ewes) or neutered males (wethers) and of course should not have horns.

Buy a lamb that is three years of age or less. Bottle fed sheep are usually more friendly, but that requires a lot of work. You may be able to purchase one that is a bottle baby and not yet finished with bottle feeding. The best lamb pets are the ones raised on a bottle because they will trust people and not fear being near people. When you bottle feed a lamb, it bonds to you and thinks you are its mother.

Sheep make unique pets, like dogs they can be very affectionate, but like any pet not all are the same and each one has it’s own personality. Sheep respond well to bribes, such as a treat of oats or sheep treats. Have hay and grain available if your grass supply is low. Control the amount of grain because they will sometimes eat it until they become sick. Make sure any plants that you want to keep are not accessible. Clear the area they are free to run of any poisonous plants. Although they do not require a big space to roam do provide plenty of room for them to do their business.

Like any pet make sure your lamb is seen by a veterinarian for vaccinations and regular check ups. Learn to care for your sheep’s hooves from your vet then purchase the proper equipment to maintain. Become knowledgeable about common ailments in sheep and learn to recognize symptoms.

It followed her to school one day, which was against the rule;
It made the children laugh and play, to see a lamb at school.
And so the teacher turned it out, but still it lingered near,
And waited patiently about till Mary did appear.
“Why does the lamb love Mary so?” the eager children cry;
“Why, Mary loves the lamb, you know” the teacher did reply.

When my newly married husband and I brought home our not yet three-month-old puppy, Penny, people kept saying the same phrase: having a puppy will prepare you for one day having a child. I looked at my furry bundle of joy with love, thinking, this is going to be a piece of cake compared to children. It wasn’t long, though, until I learned my first lesson applicable to both puppy and child rearing: puppies need the house “puppy proofed.”

My same trashcan that looked chic and feminine in my newly decorated kitchen turned out to be a trough of leftover food for Penny, and it wasn’t long until Penny snuck coffee grounds from the trashcan, poisoning herself. Luckily, because I knew the steps and signs of dog poisoning I was able to treat the situation accordingly, and by the next day she was her playful and spunky self.

If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs call the Pet Poison Helpline* or your local vet immediately:

An abnormal texture, smell, or substance on their fur or near their mouth: With Penny, I was able to tell she had eaten coffee grounds because of the little black bits around her snout and mouth. Similarly, if your dog has been in a chemical substance, like a household cleaner or gasoline, the smell will strike you immediately.

A trail leading to their poisoning: Is the candy bowl that was full minutes ago not only depleted, but the little tin foil chocolate wrappers are scattered around your living room? Is your can of bleach tipped over, or is your Aspirin container opened with a few various parts of pills on the bathroom floor? Dogs often leave evidence of their crime.

Acting disoriented and abnormal compared to their usual disposition: While smells and a trail of evidence are often apparent, sometimes, like when a dog eats a poisonous plant, the evidence can be less obvious. To ensure your dog’s optimal care always pay attention to signs of unusual temperament, such as staggering, irritation, convulsions, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

Vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, and tremors are serious indicators to get your dog help: If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms they are suffering from some kind of health issue, and there is a high likelihood it could be poisoning. Like humans, a dog’s body reacts in obvious ways to poison in an effort to rid them of the harmful substance.

While your dog may not be poisoned, or may have had a small enough amount of the substance to pass it without medical assistance, never take that risk without first calling the vet or the Pet Poison Helpline. If you have a good health care provider they will give you a treatment applicable to your situation, which usually means bringing your dog to the vet. In some situations, however, they will tell you to feed your dog hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, or neutral foods like rice to calm your dog’s stomach. However, never assume these practices without first consulting the vet, as your attempted method could make the problem worse.

Within hours after Penny’s visit to the vet she was home, soaking up the extra love and the plain rice and chicken the vet prescribed. And my husband and I, who not only immediately “puppy proofed” the house, also realized another lesson that will one day become applicable to children: as much as you love your dog, sometimes outside help can better ensure the best care for the situation. When in doubt – get help.

*Pet Poison Helpline 800-213-6680 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 8, 2012 – Solid Gold Health Products for Pets, Inc., El Cajon, California, announced a voluntary recall of one batch of WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food and one batch of Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog, both with a Best Before date of December 30, 2012, and an “X” in the 11th digit of the date code.

Solid Gold is voluntarily recalling the products below, distributed in the United States and Canada. This voluntary recall is being done out of an abundance of caution as these products were produced at the facility that has been linked to recent recalls of Diamond brand pet foods due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

The products involved in this voluntary recall are:

Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 33 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGB1201A31X.

4 lb identifying UPC 093766750005

15 lb identifying UPC 093766750012

33 lb identifying UPC 093766750029

Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 28.5 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGL1201A32X

4 lb identifying UPC 093766750050

15 lb identifying UPC 093766750067

28.5 lb identifying UPC 093766750081

Best by dates (lot codes) can be found on the back of the bag in the bottom right-hand corner of 33 lb, 28.5 lb and 15 lb bags and the bottom of the 4 lb bags.

Other Solid Gold recipes, sizes or brands of food are not impacted by this voluntary recall.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, would like replacement product or have additional questions, may call us at (800) 364-4863 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM Pacific time).

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