This is just a note to let you know that due to the weather and resulting road conditions, we are closed today (Sat, Dec 26). Not one of us can get out of our driveways!!
Here's hoping you had a safe and wonderful Christmas, give us a call at 816-358-7387 to reschedule your appointment.
We often have clients asking who we recommend for pet photography, and today I'm happy to introduce Photography by Brandi. If you'd like to see more of her work, you can visit the "pets" section on her blog.
½ pound ground chicken 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cornmeal ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 egg 1 tablespoon finely chopped tarragon
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a non-stick skillet, cook chicken until done; crumble into small pieces and set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine flour and cornmeal. In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, vegetable oil, egg, and tarragon; beat until well combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients to form a soft dough. Knead chicken into dough. Working with ½ of the dough at a time, press dough into a rectangle and roll out onto parchment paper to ¼-inch thickness. Using a pizza cutter, cut into 1-inch squares. Move parchment to a baking sheet and bake 20 to 23 minutes or until firm and dry. Cool on baking sheet; break squares apart. Repeat with remaining dough. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 3 months.
1 (6 ounce) can tuna, in oil ¼ cup cottage cheese ¾ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine tuna and cottage cheese; beat until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until well combined. (Dough will be sticky.) Use greased hands to pat dough into a lightly greased 8-inch square pan. Sprinkle cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese on top. Bake 35 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool and cut into 1-inch squares. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week or in freezer up to 3 months.
2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup whole wheat flour 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley 3 tablespoons minced fresh mint 3/4 cup water 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, stir together flours, parsley, and mint. In a small bowl, combine water, vegetable oil, and honey. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; mix well to form a soft dough.
Working with 1/2 of the dough at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out dough with cookie cutters, using desired shapes.
Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks or in freezer up to 3 months.
Yields: 2 dozen small biscuits 4 dozen large biscuits
Be aware that dogs can get frostbite, just as people can. The areas most likely to affect dogs are their ear tips, tail tips, and toes. Deb Eldredge, DVM, of Vernon, New York, warns dog owners to watch for the following symptoms, particularly on those areas of the body.
Coldness to the touch
White skin
Hard, dry skin
If you suspect your dog has frostbite, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Here is a sneak peak at the small online store we created at Amazon.com. The store itself won't fit into this page properly because it's too wide, (as you can see). To view the store properly, use this link:
We scoured Amazon.com for cool stuff we thought you might be interested in. So, if you're looking for a gift for your dog, cat, or your pet loving family and friends. Be sure to check it out!
Getting a sweater and booties to protect your dog from the elements is one thing. Actually getting your dog to wear that sweater and booties is quite another. If you're determined to outfit your canine companion in winter garb, keep the following tips in mind.
Measure Up: Follow the manufacturer's instructions when choosing what size sweater and boots to buy for your dog. If his measurments place him between two sizes, opt for the larger size.
Prepare Ahead Of Time: Don't wait until the first snowfall to acquaint your dog with a new sweater and footwear. Instead, introduce him to such garb well before the forcast is white. That way, your dog is more likely to don his winter gear calmly by the time you really need to use it.
Take it slowly: Don't expect your dog to accept either a sweater or booties immediately. Take the time to introduce these items to him slowly. If you're tryig to acquaint him with a sweater, start by putting just his head through it. After he's done that successfully and easily several times, put one leg through. Once he's accepted putting his head and one leg through the sweater, do the other leg.
Treat him right: A dog might learn the art of getting dressed for winter a lot faster if you offer some tasty treats as an incentive. For example, encourage your dog to put his head through the sweater in order to gain the treat that you're holding on the other side of the garment. Once he's got the sweater on over his head, take the sweater off, and repeat a few more times. To persuade him to give booties a try, give him a treat as soon as you've successfully placed one bootie on. The idea is to help your dog associate these garments with good things - in this case, treates.
Chocolate, Macadamia nuts, avocados…these foods may sound delicious to you, but they’re actually quite dangerous for our animal companions. The nutrition experts at the ASPCA have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.
Alcohol Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
Avocado The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
Macadamia Nuts Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.
Grapes & Raisins Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.
Yeast Dough Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones, or sustain a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Xylitol Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.
Onions, Garlic, Chives These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.
Milk Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.
Salt Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty chips to yourself!
From the ASPCA, we have this video and list of 17 common plants that are poisonous to dogs:
Lilies Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.
Marijuana Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.
Sago Palm All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea/Rhododendron Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
Oleander All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.
Castor Bean The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.
Cyclamen Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.
Kalanchoe This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.
Yew Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.
Amaryllis Common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.
Autumn Crocus Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.
Chrysanthemum These popular blooms are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
English Ivy Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, Hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.
Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) Spathiphyllum contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
Pothos Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
Schefflera Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.
This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Please note that the information contained in our plant lists is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine wheat flour, cornmeal, and parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, combine water, olive oil, and egg; beat until well combined. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients; mix until smooth. Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll into balls. Place balls onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Using your thumb, press a slight indention into center of each cookie. Cut cheese sticks into 6 pieces and place into centers of cookies. Bake for 20 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned on bottom. Store cookies in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in freezer for up to 3 months.
1 cup coarsely crushed rice cereal ¼ cup smooth peanut butter 1 tablespoon honey or molasses 2 tablespoons wheat germ
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine cereal, peanut butter, and honey or molasses; stir until mixture forms a ball. Scoop out teaspoonfuls of mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. (Balls can be rolled smaller or larger to suit the size of your dog.) Roll balls in wheat germ to cover. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.
Here at Heavenly Pets, we care about the environment. The products we use are biodegradable and safe both for your pet and for the environment. The cleaning products we use are also organic and non-toxic. We recycle as much as is possible, and use recycled products whenever we can.
"Going green is no longer optional but a way we should live to save the planet, ensuring it will be here for generations to come. Going green is the most important issue that will shape our future. It will enrich our lives, makes us healthier and at the same time help us save tons of money. Doing one green thing today will lead to more and transform our lives, kids, families, friends and make a great impact on the earth. Besides the common things like recycling, reusing and reducing we must educate ourselves to make a lasting difference. Be the change that is needed and cause a ripple effect."
Here are some easy ways to "go green" at home:
The first easy step to a green home is buying organic and locally. Support the local farmers by buying directly from them or at a farmer's market. Organic and/or fresh food from local growers is much better for you than prepackaged, pre-prepared foods bundled in plastic and filled with chemical additives and preservatives.
Another easy step is to recycle. It only takes an extra second to throw your plastics away in a separate container. So why not? You can help the planet reduce waste by reusing materials. Many things can be recycled in ways that help those in need, for a short list, see our post on 10 Recyclable Things You May Not Know About.
Freecycling is another great way to save money and be kind to the environment. Visit their website (freecycle.org) to find out more.
Conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when not in use. Switch your old light bulbs to new energy saver bulbs. This will save you money! Conserve water by turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Also, buy energy saving appliances. All of these steps can help you live in a greener home.
Cooking requires heat, so conserve it to save money. Keep a lid on all the pans being used in cooking. Water will boil around 6% faster in pans with a lid on, thereby saving time, electricity and your money, as well as giving the environment a break.
Make your own cleaning products with inexpensive, environmentally friendly ingredients, and save money. (Read more here.)
Consider using a good old-fashioned scrubbing brush to get the baked on grime off your pots and pans. That hard plastic scrub pad lasts only last about a week, and then you have to throw it away and start using a new one. A scrub brush will last for months, if not years, and it can be recycled. You save money and the environment doesn't get clogged up with old plastic scrub pads. Isn't that a great idea?
Unplug things such as phone chargers or electric heaters when you’re not using them. Even when these things aren’t being used they still take in electricity when they are plugged in. Unplugging them will save you some green.
In the winter, keep the oven door open after you have used it. Make sure the oven is turned off before you do this. This is a great way to get some free heat.
If you use commercial cleaning products in your kitchen, STOP! They are expensive to buy and expensive to produce. You can make your own cleaner from a mixture of vinegar, salt and baking soda. It will clean perfectly, and it will contain no toxic chemicals, thereby helping the environment. It will cost a great deal less too.
Not convinced? Think about this... We dump some 32 million pounds of damaging toxins down our drains every year, just from household and kitchen cleaning products alone. What kind of damage do you think that is doing to the environment? Well, you don't have to do it anymore.
Here's a simple recipe for an all-purpose cleaner, courtesy of Greenpeace:
½ cup pure liquid soap (You can make your own by saving the ends of bars of soap in jar full of water. These will dissolve into your liquid soap.)
1 gallon hot water
¼ cup lemon juice It's safe and effective, and costs very little.
You can find a wide variety of recipes for household cleaning products that are inexpensive, easy, and economical to make, and environmentally sound here at Googobits.com. Also, here's an article about the Amazing Power of Vinegar.
We all know about recycling paper, plastic, and aluminum. Here is a list of 10 recyclable things you may not have known about.
Appliances: Many stores will recycle your old appliance when you purchase a new one. Goodwill accepts working appliances. Go to goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them.
Athletic Shoes:One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. Nike's Reuse-a-shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring.
Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women's business clothing to the nonprofit Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs. You can also offer unwearable clothes, blankets, and sheets to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding.
Compact flourescent bulbs (CFL): Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling. You can also order a Sylvania RecyclePak.
Computers and Electronics: To find the most responsible recyclers go to ban.org.
Foam Packing Peanuts: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept these for reuse. Or call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council at 800-828-2214 to find a drop-off site. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers at 410-451-8340.
Oil: Find used motor oil hotlines for each state at recycleoil.org.
Phones:Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims.
Hot spots are a common skin problem, but that doesn't mean that they should be overlooked or ignored! What are they exactly? “Hot spots” are acutely inflamed areas of skin irritation. Ironically, something small like an allergic reaction to flea bites (flea allergy dermatitis) causes a dog to lick almost constantly in an attempt to “cool off” the area, which actually makes matters worse.
Hot spots can happen at any time of the year, with the warmer months being more common, since rising temperatures mean more time outside with more potential skin enemies for your pup. Causes vary, and it is best to visit with your veterinarian to determine the exact cause and get the appropriate treatment.
Hot spots, known medically as acute moist dermatitis, generally occur on long-haired dogs or short-haired ones with dense undercoats, like the Siberian Husky. Hot spots usually occur along the side of the chest, over the hip, or the paws, all areas easily reached by a canine tongue. Redness, oozing, pain, and itchiness are hallmark signs. Hair loss is commonly present. Sometimes hair can mat over the lesion, obscuring the size and degree of the problem. They usually appear as circular lesions that are moist, inflamed, and raw.
These lesions can appear suddenly, and grow rapidly in size. They can become quite painful and expanding rapidly with constant attention from the dog. One that originates as the size of a quarter can be eight inches in diameter within 6 hours. A secondary staphylococcus infection is likely, breaking down the top layer of skin, causing pus to enter surrounding hair, matting it.
While some animals have been known to "start" a hot spot out of boredom or stress-related psychological problems, there is usually an inciting factor. Look for fleas, mites, or other external parasites, an insect sting or bite, allergies (food, inhalant, contact), or injury (skin wound, scrape, etc.).
If you find one of these “hot spots,” you should trim hair around your dog’s lesion, or have it shaved. This allows air to get to the inflamed tissue. You should keep the area clean, using a water-based cleaner or Betadine, making sure you rinse away the cleaner after its application.
A “cousin” of the hot spots, acral lick granulomas occur similarly to hot spots, but they typically appear on the “wrist” or “ankle” solely due to the incessant licking by the afflicted dog. This occurs likely to a compulsive desire on the part of the dog to lick the area without any physical stimulus.
These tips are NOT meant to replace the recommended trip to the vet, but rather, offer your pet some quick relief and to help quell the spread of the hot spot until your vet can see your pet.
The first thing to do is speak with your veterinarian. Due to the rapidity of spread and possibility of deeper skin infection, it is wise to start treatment with your vet. Also, these hot spots can be very painful to the animal -- caution is advised, use a muzzle if need be for your protection.
Shave the area. The first treatment for hot spots is to dry them out and get air to the area. Hair loss is a feature of hot spots, but hair can also mat over the inflamed area, covering up a potentially much more severe and large problem.
Cleanse the area with cool water and a gentle skin cleanser.
Cool compress the area 2-4 times a day with a cool wet washcloth.
Medications - Depending on the severity and size of the hot spot, your veterinarian may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical drying sprays or medications, and/or special shampoos.
Prevention of licking, biting, scratching -i.e. Elizabethan collar
Additional home remedies that can be used until you can see your vet:
Tea bag compresses (black or green tea) to help dry the area out. Tea can be used as a wash or as a compress.
Domeboro's (Burow's) solution (aluminum acetate) - available over-the-counter at pharmacies to help dry the skin out. Can be used as a compress or as a spray.
Hydrocortisone creams - Some people advocate using a thin film of an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
I would recommend talking to your vet first -- in general, creams and ointments only serve to "gunk up" the area and prevent proper drying if used incorrectly. Also, if the pet licks it, you want to make sure that it isn't toxic.
Here is a home remedy that may help if your dog has a hot spot. Apparently, black tea contains tannic acid, which helps to dry out the sores.
To use this remedy:
Soak a bag of Black Tea in hot water.
Remove the bag from the water, letting it cool to a temperature comfortable to the touch.
Place the tea bag directly on the hot spot for about 5 minutes.
You can repeat this application several times per day. If you do not have any black tea handy, you can also dry out the sores with Witch Hazel. Do not let your dog suffer with this. If you do not see any improvement within 2 days, take him or her to the vet, where they may prescribe some oral corticosteroids and a topical antibiotic.
As fall approaches, you may be thinking about mulch for your flowers and shrubs. Here's a heads up about cocoa bean mulch.
Made from spent cocoa beans used in chocolate production, cocoa bean mulch is organic, deters slugs and snails, and gives a garden an appealing chocolate smell. However, it also attracts dogs, who can easily be poisoned by eating the mulch.
Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines. In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.
Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death. (In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.)
If you suspect that your dog has eaten cocoa bean mulch, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Treatment will depend on how much cocoa bean mulch your dog has eaten, when the mulch was eaten, and whether your dog is sick. Recommended care may include placing your dog under veterinary observation, inducing vomiting, and/or controlling a rapid heart beat or seizures.
2 cups whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup cornmeal 1/4 cup sunflower kernels, finely chopped 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup molasses 2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients, adding more milk if needed to make dough firm. Roll out onto a floured surface to a 1/2-inch thickness. Use any shape cookie cutter to cut out biscuits, but bone shapes are fun!
Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly toasted. To make biscuits harder, leave in oven with the heat turned off for an hour or more.
Here's a cute little story. I don't know how true it is, but I liked the idea behind it, so here it is:
"Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this," the mother told the volunteer.
"What is it she keeps asking for?" the volunteer asked.
"Puppy size!" replied the mother.
"Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for."
"I know...we have seen most of them," the mom said in frustration...
Just then Danielle came walking into the office
"Well, did you find one?" asked her mom. "No, not this time," Danielle said with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?"
The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed
"You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a supply," the volunteer said.
Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I'll find one this weekend," she said.
Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. "It's this weekend or we're not looking any more," Dad finally said in frustration.
"We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," Mom added.
Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.
Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.
Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.
One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one."
It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.
"Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy. "It's the puppy size!"
"But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks," Mom said.
"No not size... the sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," she said. "Don't you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!"
The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.
"Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said
Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!"
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day.
Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear. "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup coarsely crushed rice cereal
"Going green is no longer optional but a way we should live to save the planet, ensuring it will be here for generations to come. Going green is the most important issue that will shape our future. It will enrich our lives, makes us healthier and at the same time help us save tons of money. Doing one green thing today will lead to more and transform our lives, kids, families, friends and make a great impact on the earth. Besides the common things like recycling, reusing and reducing we must educate ourselves to make a lasting difference. Be the change that is needed and cause a ripple effect."
Hot spots are a common skin problem, but that doesn't mean that they should be overlooked or ignored! What are they exactly? “Hot spots” are acutely inflamed areas of skin irritation. Ironically, something small like an allergic reaction to flea bites (flea allergy dermatitis) causes a dog to lick almost constantly in an attempt to “cool off” the area, which actually makes matters worse.
As fall approaches, you may be thinking about mulch for your flowers and shrubs. Here's a heads up about cocoa bean mulch. 
