CATARACTS, CATNIP, AND SENIOR PET ASSISTANCE....

Every once in awhile someone drops into your life unexpectedly, makes you feel really comfortable, and enriches your perspective on life.  This happened last night at a little get-together which included Desperado and Helpful Buckeye.  We met Syl, a biology professor at the local university, and really enjoyed getting to know him.  Syl, among other attributes, is somewhat of a specialist on Abert's Squirrels and has actually written a regionally-popular children's book, Rascal, The Tassel-Eared Squirrel.  Unlike a lot of other professors, Syl is not only easy to talk to, but he also can talk about things other than his specialty.  The whole evening for the 6 of us was the embodiment of these words from Rachel Carson, noted American author of the book, Silent Spring:  “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life.” 

If you're interested in Syl's book, more information is available at: http://www.amazon.com/Rascal-Tassel-Eared-Squirrel-Sylvester-Allred/dp/0938216880

80% of responses (16 0f 20) to the poll question about coyotes said they had seen a coyote around their location...not surprising!  Only 1 respondent knew that the Norwegian Lundehund is adapted to climb steep cliffs...they must have actually read the breed description.  Only 10% of responses said that their pet had gotten sick from involvement with any of the Top 10 pet toxins...that's pretty good...let's keep that number as low as possible.  Remember to answer this week's poll question in the column to the left.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

There is still a lot of concern about problems that have occurred following a purchase of pet medications from online pharmacies.  This excerpt from a TV special report provides the gist of the problem: "We spend tens of millions of dollars on our pets every year in this country, especially on the everyday things they need to stay healthy. Items such as prescriptions, flea medicine, and heart worm pills can be so pricey at the vet's office. It's tempting to buy them online where those same drugs are so much cheaper. However, animal experts from local vets to the federal government say these medications could be putting your pet in danger.



Dr. Kim Hombs is a veterinarian in South Charlotte, NC. Many pet owners ask her about filling pet prescriptions online. "It used to be we did okay it but then there were more and more reports of issues," Hombs said. She's referring to health problems caused by medicines that just weren't effective. They were improperly labeled, contained the wrong ingredients, or weren't shipped properly so they were ineffective because they were stored in temperatures too warm or too cold. That made some animals sick, or worse, and Dr. Hombs stopped readily authorizing online pet pill shopping at her practice.


Even the FDA thinks it's issue enough to post a video warning on its website."

The rest of this informative report is available at: http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14005172 and the FDA's website for pet warnings is accessible by clicking on the blue FDA icon along the column to the left.

DISEASES, AILMENTS, AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS

In last week's issue, Helpful Buckeye introduced the 8 common aging dog considerations that probably will be faced by dog owners who are fortunate to have their dogs live beyond the age of 7.

1. Arthritis
2. Cataracts
3. Constipation
4. Deafness
5. Dental Issues
6. Incontinence
7. Obesity
8. Senility

In previous issues of Questions On Dogs and Cats, Helpful Buckeye has discussed 5 of these considerations and those discussions can be easily found by clicking on that topic in the section under "Labels" in the column to the left.  This week, the topic for discussion will be cataracts.

Cataracts are an opacity of the lens or its capsule and should be differentiated from the minor lens imperfections in young dogs and the normal increase in nuclear density (nuclear sclerosis) that occurs in older animals.  Cataracts usually are classified by their age of onset (congenital, juvenile, senile). Cataracts are more common in dogs than in other species.

Cataracts are one of the most common problems affecting the eyes of the dog. There are many different forms and causes of cataract formation. They affect all breeds and ages of dogs, but certain types show up more commonly in certain breeds. The only current treatment option is surgery, but with correct patient selection the outcome can be very good.

What are cataracts?

A disruption in the integrity of the lens of the eye and its capsule results in the loss of transparency and the resultant reduction in vision. Cataracts often appear to have a white or crushed ice appearance and are found in the lens of the eye. A cataract is any opacity in the lens of the eye. The normal lens is translucent (clear), and it transmits and focuses light onto the retina in the back of the eye. A cataract within the lens may block the transmission of light to the retina.

What to Watch For

• Bluish, gray or white color change inside of the eye
• Tendency to bump into things
• Reluctance to use stairs or jump up onto objects
• Hesitancy in unfamiliar environments

Nuclear sclerosis

When a dog owner suspects that their older dog might have cataracts, the vast majority of the time the dog does not have cataracts, but has the much more common condition known as nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis is a normal change that occurs in the lenses of older dogs. Nuclear sclerosis appears as a slight graying of the lens. It usually occurs in both eyes at the same time and occurs in most dogs over six years of age. The loss of transparency occurs because of compression of the linear fibers in the lens. The condition does not significantly affect the vision of the dog and treatment is usually not necessary.

How do cataracts form?

When the biomechanical system that maintains the normal lens is damaged, this pump system begins to fail and extra water moves into the lens. In addition, the percentage of insoluble protein increases. These changes result in the loss of transparency and cataract formation.

Congenital Cataracts: These are cataracts that are present at birth. These cataracts usually occur in both eyes.

Developmental (Early Onset) Cataracts: Developmental cataracts are those that develop early on in life. As with congenital cataracts, they may be inherited or caused by outside sources such as trauma, diabetes mellitus, infection, or toxicity.

Senile (Late Onset) Cataracts: The cataracts that occur in dogs over six years of age are called senile cataracts. They occur much less frequently in dogs than in humans. Nuclear sclerosis, which is not considered to be a medical problem, is often confused with cataracts at this age.

Inherited cataracts: Inherited cataracts in the dog may occur independently or in association with other ocular disease. More than 40 breeds of dog can be predisposed to inherited cataracts. If a dog is diagnosed with inherited cataracts, the dog should obviously not be used for breeding because of the likelihood of perpetuating the disease in the offspring.

Metabolic-related cataracts: The most common metabolic disorder resulting in cataract formation in the dog is diabetes mellitus. In diabetic dogs, the glucose concentrations in the lens increases. In addition, the increase in water causes a breakdown of the lens fibers and a resulting cataract. Cataracts in diabetic dogs can develop extremely rapidly, if the dog is not regulated. They generally affect both eyes.

Trauma-induced cataracts: Trauma from an automobile accident, or penetration of a thorn, shotgun pellet, or other object may damage the lens and a cataract may develop. These types of cataracts usually only occur in one eye and can be treated successfully with surgical removal.

Diagnosis
 Most veterinarians have the tools with which to confirm the presence of a cataract in the lens, but it is often necessary to visit a veterinary ophthalmologist to have a more thorough examination performed. The first thing to do is set an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet's eyes examined. Your veterinarian will know if the cataracts you see in your pet are typical of those seen in normal aging. If your veterinarian has any doubt, the vet may run some additional tests to eliminate the possibility of an underlying disease. If the data comes back suspicious, other diagnostic tests and treatment may be needed. If the tests are normal, most will give you the option of a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Treatment

Treatment for canine cataracts consists of surgical removal of the lens. Currently, there is not a good non-surgical treatment for this condition. Diabetic animals that are not regulated, aggressive animals that are difficult to treat daily, or animals in poor or failing health, are not good surgical candidates. If you suspect your dog is developing cataracts, then you should work closely with your veterinarian (usually along with a veterinary ophthalmologist) to take the best and most effective course of treatment for your dog.


It is possible to remove cataracts that affect your pet’s vision. Whether or not this should be done is often debatable. Dogs and cats with little or no vision appear to lead very happy lives. Both dogs and cats "see" the world through their sense of smell as much, or more so, than their sense of vision. The rich delights of tasty food, your companionship and the scents and sounds of their familiar home remain intact in these pets and they remain quite content. If your dog has inoperable cataracts, he may require help in adjusting to his blindness. Be sure to keep objects around the house in a consistent place. Confine the dog to a fenced yard or leash walking. Most blind pets function extremely well in familiar environments.

Blind Dogs and Cats

Pets that are blind may bump into objects. But many pets soon learn to use their remaining senses to get around this problem. Those pets only appear disoriented and hesitant in unfamiliar settings. This is because your pet's sense of smell is so much better than yours. It lives in a different world - one of aromas and scents. So its world does not change because it has lost its sight as our world would.

More on the rest of the 8 considerations for Senior Pets next week....

PRODUCTS OF THE WEEK 

The folks at Zootoo Review have compiled a list of 5 items that should be of benefit to senior pets.  These are:

1. Magic Coat Pet Love Glove
2. Ultralite Pet Stairs
3. Extra-Giant Enclosed Cat Pan
4. Perfect Coat Studio Freshening Spray
5. Pet-ZZZ-Pad Heating Pad

Go to: http://www.pawnation.com/2011/02/10/zootoo-review-5-senior-pet-solutions/ for a further description of these products as well as links to their availability.

GENERAL INTEREST

1) A furry, four-pawed best friend could be the key to getting your kid off the couch and away from the TV screen, a new study suggests.  Teens from dog-owning families get about 15 more minutes a week of moderate to vigorous physical activity than teens who don't have any pets, the study said.  "You can think of your dog not only as your best friend, but also a social support tool for being active," study researcher John Sirard, an assistant professor at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, said in a statement.

The rest of this study can be found at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41475217/ns/health-pet_health/

2) Most people may be reluctant to adopt a deaf dog, but what if they were deaf themselves?  The idea made sense to inmates at a Missouri prison who trained a deaf dachshund in sign language and then asked the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton to take him in.  Today, the dog named Sparky is right at home with the school's youngsters, who have taught him additional sign language. And a second deaf dog, a Boston Terrier named Petie, may be on his way to the school soon.

Read about how these 2 dogs may be the start of an interesting and very beneficial trend: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/08/us-dog-deaf-idUSTRE7176HO20110208

3) A while back, Helpful Buckeye presented a discussion on catnip...click on "Catnip" under "Labels" in the column to the left.  Here is a nice review and some updates about catnip:

Everyone has a weakness. For me, it's salted caramel ice cream. For my dog, Lulu, it's expensive shoes. For most cats, it's catnip. Here are five things every cat lover should know about this mysterious product that drives cats batty.


1. Catnip is an actual plant.


A member of the mint family, Nepeta cataria  (aka catnip) grows throughout the United States. The plant features small, lavender flowers and jagged, heart-shaped leaves that smell faintly of mint.


2. It's easy to grow.

Cat lovers who possess a green thumb can grow catnip from seed after the last hard frost of the season. As a perennial, this herbaceous flowering plant will return each year with proper care. Keep in mind that catnip requires plenty of room to grow and flourish, much like most felines. Once it grows, you will have the most popular house in the neighborhood - at least among the feline population.


3. Most cats love it.


Catnip leaves and flowers can trigger chemicals in a cat's brain that lead to bouts of energetic euphoria or laid-back laziness. For that reason, dried catnip and catnip-laced toys make regular appearances on pet store shelves. Mary Ellen Burgoon of Park Pet Supply in Atlanta advises cat owners to sprinkle dried catnip leaves on scratching posts as a training tool. Pinch the leaves first to release essential oils, and a little goes a long way. You also can refresh old toys by placing them in a sealed jar along with a sachet of catnip. It's a great way to jump-start a fat cat's exercise regimen.


4. Use with care.

Once cats get a whiff of catnip, it's best to leave them alone until they've lost that loving feeling. Catnip also can cause excessive drooling, so you may want to retrieve those cat toys after use. No one wants to step on a soaking wet cat toy. Burgoon also suggests storing catnip and catnip-laced toys in an airtight container or a cat-proof area.


5. People like catnip, too.


Catnip also can be used for tea. The presence of a chemical called nepetalactone produces sedative-like affects in humans, making catnip a popular home remedy for headaches as well as insomnia. To make catnip tea, add one teaspoon of dried catnip leaves or three to four teaspoons of fresh catnip leaves to a mug of boiling water and let it steep.

The above information is referenced at: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/02/07/2054628/5-things-to-know-about-catnip.html

4) Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote that "every sweet has its sour." Nowhere in the world of dog medicine is this quip more apropos than with respect to xylitol, an increasingly ubiquitous sugar substitute found in everything from cupcakes to toothpaste. After all, it's currently considered the most canine-toxic "human food" on the planet.  Yet few dog owners seem to have gotten the message.  By now, everyone knows chocolate is toxic to dogs. It seems that every veterinarian's office is adorned with posters telling cautionary tales of pumped puppy stomachs, with the sad eyes and foil wrappers to prove the stories. Meanwhile, xylitol's power languishes in pet owner obscurity, even as its reach expands.

Helpful Buckeye has covered this topic in the past, but this reminder of Xylitol's expanding usage in human products warrants a review: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/pets/dogs/story/2011/02/Vets-view-Xylitol-can-be-deadly-to-dogs-/43576818/1

5) A Phoenix area man has come up with a novel idea.  Dirk Van Vorris is manufacturing digital pet identification tags that can be scanned by any smartphone. Once scanned, any information the pet’s owner put on the tag appears on the screen of the smartphone.  The tag is limited to 3,500 characters but should leave plenty of room for contact information so a good Samaritan can return the pet to its owner.

Perhaps those Smartphones can actually turn out to be...smart: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/mesa/valley-man-aims-to-reunite-owners,-lost-pets-by-going-digital

SPORTS NEWS

The Ohio State men's basketball team finally lost their first game of the season yesterday at...of all places, Wisconsin!  It was also at Wisconsin that the OSU football lost their first game this past season, when undefeated and ranked #1!  Maybe there's something in the water up there in Madison, huh?  Or is it the energy obtained from all that cheese?  Anyway, the Buckeyes should use this loss as a learning tool and move on toward the NCAA tournament.

Pitt's men's basketball team went on the road to Villanova, a team that always gives Pitt fits.  We were missing our best player...and still won the game!

The San Antonio Spurs still have the best record in the NBA.

Pitchers and catchers reported today...if I need to explain that to you, you're not a baseball fan.

PERSONAL STUFF

From Epictetus, Greek philosopher, comes this thought that, in reality, forms the basis for this blog: "It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows."  Our readers are always looking for more useful knowledge about their pets, right?

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~

HAVE YOU TALKED TO YOUR CAT LATELY ABOUT....

...DRUGS? I mean, hard drugs, like...CATNIP? I think we all remember the TV ad campaign from years ago that started out with, "This is your brain..."



...and this is your brain on drugs."


Well, Helpful Buckeye's campaign starts out with, "This is your cat..."



...and this is your cat on Catnip!"

Helpful Buckeye will address this insidious, euphoria-inducing drug further down the page.

CURRENT NEWS OF INTEREST

1)
September 1, 2008
Influenza continues to affect dogs
An outbreak of canine influenza in dogs in a Chicago veterinary clinic serves as a reminder that the disease continues to spread throughout the United States. The outbreak marks the first time the disease was confirmed in dogs in Illinois. Approximately 60 dogs were infected at the clinic in June. Five of the dogs developed pneumonia requiring hospitalization, but there were no fatalities.
Canine influenza was first identified in racing Greyhounds in 2004 at a track in Florida. Then in 2005, the virus was found in dogs in shelters, boarding facilities, and veterinary clinics in several areas of the state. The number of dogs infected with canine influenza has increased in New Jersey. Several dogs were infected in one kennel in May, resulting in one fatality from pneumonia, and more than 100 dogs were infected in a boarding facility in July, according to Dr. Cynda Crawford, a veterinary immunologist at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Crawford was among the group of researchers who first identified the virus. She is currently studying canine influenza in dogs in shelters as part of a Morris Animal Foundation study that is partially funded by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.
Since the 2005 outbreak, Dr. Crawford said, canine influenza has been confirmed in Greyhounds and other dogs in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The disease is endemic in northern Colorado, southern Florida, New York City, Pennsylvania, and southern Wyoming.
At this time, no vaccine is available to protect against canine influenza. The AVMA Executive Board approved a policy in November 2006 that states: "The AVMA believes there is urgent need for an effective canine influenza virus vaccine to improve the health and welfare of animals and reduce the financial impacts of canine influenza."

Just one more thing for dog owners to worry about, huh? More on this disease as information becomes available....

DISEASES, AILMENTS, MEDICAL CONDITIONS

1) Disk disease in dogs--Intervertebral disk disease is a major neurologic problem affecting both canines and humans. Both species can be affected with cervical (neck) disk disease with similarities in the symptoms and outcome. However, in the thoracolumbar (mid-back) area, unique species differences alter the symptoms and outcome of canine versus human disk disease. The major neuroanatomic difference is at which vertebra the end of the spinal cord lies. In humans, the end of the spinal cord lies approximately inside the second lumbar (L2) vertebra (mid-back). Nerves exiting the spinal cord then descend inside the remaining lumbar and sacral (pelvis) vertebral segments. In comparison, the spinal cord in dogs ends at approximately the sixth lumbar (L6) vertebra (low-back area) and nerves descend through the last lumbar, sacral and coccygeal (tail) vertebral segments.
Why is this knowledge so important in determining the differences we see in canine versus human disk disease? The most common site of disk herniation in the back of dogs is this lumbar area where the spinal cord is present and is secondarily compressed by herniated disk material. Thus the clinical presentation of thoracolumbar disk herniation in dogs can be far worse than just shooting pains down the legs, as for humans. It is common for dogs to show profound paralysis of their hind limbs from the resulting spinal cord damage. (This description was written for The Dachshund Club of America, Inc. by Patricia J. Luttgen, DVM, MS)

This difference in the anatomy of the spine and spinal cord is why it is so important for a dog owner to seek help right away if their dog has difficulty walking on their rear legs or simply goes completely down in the rear end and cannot walk. If a herniated disk is indeed the reason, then corrective procedures must be implemented as soon as possible in order to remove the pressure on the spinal cord. Surgery on the spine may be the only way to keep your dog from being paralyzed. Dachshunds are notorious for this disorder, but it can be seen in most breeds at any time. Following are pictures of a dachshund with rear leg paralysis and an X-Ray (myelogram) showing the compression of the spinal cord in the front part of the lumbar region, which would account for the paralysis (can you see the compression?):

Helpful Buckeye will present more on this topic in future issues of the blog.

2) We've all seen the pictures of an adorable kitten playing with a ball of string, twine or yarn. Whatever the type of string, it can be much more than fun for your cat: It can be fatal. The strings are so irresistible for cats, they can't help but want to play with them, especially if they can get the string moving. They will chase and chew, chase and eat, chase and swallow. They can't get the string back up and out of the esophagus, so they swallow more. The more string they swallow, the more life threatening the situation is.

Cats are naturally curious animals anyway, and they can get into things placed high on furniture surfaces. So if you have a feline friend in your home, extra precautions are needed to keep them safe. Common household items such as embroidery floss, spools of sewing thread, rubber bands and even dental floss can be life threatening for a cat. Sometimes the thread or string can pass through the cat's digestive tract without serious injury if it's small enough. Unfortunately that is not always the case, especially if the cat swallows a large amount of string, twine or thread. Just imagine how much sewing thread a cat can swallow from even a miniature size spool of thread. The string or thread can get wrapped around the tongue and if swallowed can wrap around inside the intestines and cause the cat to become very ill and can lead to serious complications or possibly death. The thread can even cut into the intestines. Surgery will sometimes be the only chance of survival and that isn't always successful. If you suspect your cat has gotten into some type of thread or string, be alert for the first sign of problems. If your cat begins vomiting abnormally, (more than the usual hairball) diarrhea, or constipation, lethargy or any erratic or unusual behavior, take it to the veterinarian quickly and assume she swallowed the string. The longer you put it off, the less chance the cat has for survival.

NON-MEDICAL CONCERNS

Ah, yes...catnip! Nepeta is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants. The members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their famed effect on cats—Nepeta pleasantly stimulates cats' pheromonic receptors, typically resulting in the animal temporarily exhibiting behaviors indicative of being in an induced, euphorically giddy sort of state.

Catnip and catmints are mainly known for the behavioral effects they have on cats, particularly domestic cats. When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, often salivating copiously. Some cats will also growl and meow. This reaction only lasts for a few minutes before the cat loses interest. It takes up to two hours for the cat to "reset" after which it can come back to the catnip and have the same response as before. Young kittens and older cats are less likely to react to catnip.

The picture is of: Nepeta cataria

Watch and listen to a cat enjoying an experience with catnip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ3hW_FU9eg&feature=related

Catnip is one of the more common ingredients in cat toys and other things that involve cats. Its minty scent is enough to get the majority of cats and other pets all riled up for a short time. One of the web sites referred to frequently on this blog has some nice catnip-infused toys available for your cat: http://www.solutions.com/jump.jsp?itemID=12402&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C490%2C525&iProductID=12402

WORDS OF THE WEEK

There have been two new words used this week and one new word that has a bearing on one of our topics.

1) Endemic--adjective; natural to or characteristic of a particular place.

2) Pheromone--noun; any chemical substance released by an animal that serves to influence the physiology or behavior.

3) Paresis--noun; partial motor paralysis; not as severe as paralysis.

PETS OF THE WEEK

Dog breeds--Dachshund

The dachshund, or "badger dog," is a short-legged, elongated dog breed of the hound family initially developed in Germany to scent, chase, and hunt hole-dwelling animals. Due to the long, narrow build, they are sometimes referred to as a wiener dog, hot dog, or sausage dog. Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs, known to be strong-headed or stubborn, making them a challenge to train. However, dachshunds are a breed extremely loyal to their owners with a temperament and body language which give the impression that they don't know about their relatively small and comical stature. They're known for their deep, soulful eyes and complex and telling facial expressions. Dachshunds are one of the most popular breeds according to AKC Registration Statistics, coming in three different coat varieties (Smooth, Wirehaired or Longhaired) and can be miniature or standard size.

Dog breeds--??? This wildflower comes from the same part of the world as our second dog breed of the week. If you can correctly identify this invasive, non-native wildflower, you will know the name of the dog breed.

GENERAL INTEREST

1) From the American Veterinary Medical Association: "Obesity in dogs, April 2008,"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that obesity has increased dramatically in the United States during the past 20 years. While the CDC data describe the human population, other studies indicate that a substantial proportion of American pets also have become obese. Obesity has been reported to be the most common nutritional disorder in dogs, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 25%.
As obesity in dogs becomes more commonly encountered in practice, veterinarians are increasingly challenged to apply the most effective methods available for identification, treatment, and prevention. Articles in this collection have been selected on the basis of their relevance to clinical assessment and management of obesity in dogs and its health consequences.

You know this has become a major issue when the late-night TV hosts are commenting on it:

"U.S. officials have now approved the first anti-obesity drug for dogs. I'm no veterinarian, but if your dog is over eating, try putting a little less food in the bowl! Do we really need to give him a pill? Is the dog taking your car keys and driving to McDonalds?"--Jay Leno

Makes sense to me....

2) There has been a 4-eared cat seen in Chicago:
Yoda was just a kitten when a Chicago couple saw him being passed around a bar, where patrons were amazed by his extra ears. The four-eared feline gained fame after he was featured in an Aug. 19 newspaper article.

I realize that a picture these days isn't always what it seems to be...however, this does look like the real deal, doesn't it? Sort of an "eerie" cat!

3) One of our readers, Kelly from Phoenix, sent in a web site that might be of interest to our cat lovers. Go to "Cat Galaxy," an Internet radio and TV station specifically for cats to listen to and also watch: http://www.catgalaxymedia.com/

Try it out...it's free...and let us know if you like it.

4) With dog lovers taking their pets on the road with them more and more, we are starting to hear of various locations that are trying to make dogs welcome. From the dog friendly wineries in Napa Valley, CA, comes this invitation: Don't leave your best pal at home this summer. They want to have fun too! Besides, who can resist that hopeful, then sad look they give you everytime you walk out the door...without them. There are a host of wineries in Napa Valley that are more than happy to welcome your dog with open arms. Napa Vintners provides a list of dog friendly wineries: www.napavintners.com/wineries/dog_friendly.asp

The following web sites provide further opportunities for the dog lover/wine lover:

Dog Lover Wine Clubwww.dogloverswineclub.com/

Dog Winery Labelswww.critterwines.com/Dog.asp

Your Dog Immortalized on a Wine Label!www.friendlydogwinery.com/labels.htm

Dog Gone Wine!http://www.doggonewine.com/

Enjoy!

5) A family physician in Tempe, AZ, has undertaken a novel approach to providing care for homeless animals. Phyllis Popp began making her Labor of Love Pet Beds a year ago and to date she's made close to 900 for kennels at the Arizona Humane Society, Maricopa County Animal Care & Control and Finding Fido of Phoenix. To read the whole story, go to this Arizona Republic web site: http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/2008/07/10/20080710tr-petbeds0711.html

6) This past Thursday, the 21st of August, was the 54th birthday of Archie Griffin, the only 2-time winner of the Heisman Trophy. He, of course, was a Buckeye at Ohio State, and Helpful Buckeye feels really fortunate to have been able to see every one of Archie's home games. The QB at Florida has a chance to duplicate this feat this year...but it won't be very easy to do.

7) Also, on the 21st of August, Buddy Harman passed away in Nashville. Who was Buddy Harman, you say? Buddy Harman, whose percussion work on more than 18,000 recordings established him as country music's best-known and most-recorded drummer, was 79. The native Nashvillian, born Murrey Mizell Harman Jr., is memorialized by his distinctive percussion work on such classics as Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman,' Patsy Cline's 'Crazy,'Johnny Cash's 'Ring of Fire,' Tammy Wynette's 'Stand By Your Man,' Loretta Lynn's 'Coal Miner's Daughter' and Elvis Presley's 'Little Sister.' Harman was also the first staff drummer on the Grand Ole Opry. Listen to Buddy Harman's drum beat on "Pretty Woman" from the movie of the same name: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMmj7dWmiyA

8) Since our country is now getting into the more intense portion of the Presidential race, Helpful Buckeye will leave you with this cartoon from The New Yorker:


SPORTS NEWS

1) Just when you, the sports fan, think you have heard it all, this story shows up:

Wrigley Fields to throw out first pitch
CHICAGO (AP) -- Even years before 7-year-old Wrigley was born, his father Jerry Fields says he'd already decided what he'd do. Coming from a family of Cubs fans and with his particular last name, he decided to name his first son after the Friendly Confines (of Wrigley Field).
Little Wrigley Fields of Lockport, IL, will meet his destiny on August 29th at a Cubs' home game against the Philadelphia Phillies when he'll throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field.
His mother Kathy says she mentioned Wrigley's name in front of a former Cubs official, who promised her Wrigley would get to throw out the first pitch.
Kathy says when Jerry first told her he wanted to name his first son Wrigley, she initially thought he was joking. But Jerry later stood firm when they found out they were having a boy.

2) Helpful Buckeye promises no more blathering about how the LA Dodgers are keeping up with the Diamondbacks...mainly because they aren't! Nope...and to put it all in perspective, I'll leave you with a musical tribute along the lines of how Don Meredith saluted a team that was sure to be the loser on Monday Night Football years ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJBxGsCJD3I
3) The Buckeyes start their season this coming Saturday...yeah, I know, it's against Youngstown State...a classic patsy. All the big schools do this at the beginning of their season, plus Coach Tressel coached there in the past and this will provide some big $$$ for Youngstown State. Go Buckeyes!!!

PERSONAL STUFF

Count Basie's birthday (his first name was William) was also on the 21st of August, and he left us with two quotes that Helpful Buckeye will use to close this week's issue of the blog:

• "If you play a tune and a person don't tap their feet, don't play the tune." And,


• "I'm saying: to be continued, until we meet again. Meanwhile, keep on listening and tapping your feet."

Count Basie and his orchestra play their theme song, "One O'clock Jump:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpPehptG3yw

~~The goal of this blog is to provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a veterinarian.~~