One-third of veterinary hospitals will be up for sale within the next 10 years. That's nearly 8,600 spots with big changes in veterinary hospital ownership. Some will indeed sell -- most likely to a big corporation or multi-state veterinary group. Some won't. Either way, it'll affect pet-loving consumers. Here's how.

Over the holiday break, we received the devastating news that our amazing border collie friend Angelo earned his wings on an ordinary night in his sleep. If you don't already know Angelo's story and other tales and images from his epic love story with Leland Dirks -- Angelo's human companion, our friend and one of my favorite independent authors -- now is the perfect time to show some support by buying and reading one (or all) of his books.

After being somewhat underwhelmed by the transparency behind the dog DNA tests we did for Clover and Tori, we used a different dog DNA testing company (Embark) to check Mr Stix's health markers and breed mix. The results just arrived. I'm happy-bawling and laughing at the results.

It's an interesting thing to head into a new year thinking that goals and plans and purposes are all set. As hard as some things seem, we forge ahead and do the work and take steps toward the original plan. Then, a bunch of stuff happens and fate keeps bonking you in the nose, until you get the hint. This is the story of something like that -- at least part of it. Yes, it involves dogs. Don't miss this news. It's good. I promise. It's about Mr Stix.