I got news today (Feb 19, 2024) that my fellow Colorado author and border collie lover Leland Dirks died recently. It’s such sad news, but I know that his beloved (late) border collie Angelo shepherded his crossing. As I often do upon the death of people I love and admire, I wrote a bit of a Leland Dirks tribute that I like to pretend he’d appreciate.
File this under entirely off topic. I planned to write about a new cancer test this week. However, no thanks to medical drama (both human and canine), I don’t feel up to wading through the research. Instead, since it’s about the time many New Year’s Resolutions fail and since *nearly March is kind of the new January, here’s an easy kale recipe I use all the time. It’s perfect for people who don’t like kale. I actually love it, as do my dogs. If you’ve ever tried to make kale chips and failed, then welcome to the club. This easy kale recipe made in a frying pan is much more forgiving than trying to crisp up kale in the over. Let me know if you try it. Also, don’t miss hilarious dog photos ahead.
Despite a dismal cold and snowy weather forecast that more than came true and resulted in a bit of a dicey drive home, I ventured down the canyon to our hometown of Golden, Colorado, for the 4th annual Goldens in Golden event. It’s one of the biggest gatherings of Golden Retrievers in the country. Photos and about 5 minutes of video ahead, including the cheering for the massive group photo at the end of the video!
It’s 48 days until Spring. We got a full tank of gas, half a pack of M&Ms. It’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses. Bonus points, if you get that movie reference (edited a little to match our situation). I’m in a mood after spending nearly $100 for one bag of dog food last weekend.
The graphic I found to modify for this post alone is worth the trouble. Cracks me up. Let’s face it tummy problems in dogs are NO fun — for them or us. So, it’s pretty interesting that researchers at Texas A&M developed and validated a new diagnostic index that uses changes in a dog’s microbiome to figure out if something is acute or chronic … and eventually help find better treatments. I even answer the question, “How Does This Help Your Dog’s Tummy Problems?”
With increasing interest in the benefits of dogs’ longer exposure to gonadal hormones and demand for options other than traditional spay/neuter, a study published in early 2023 caught my attention. It compares health and behavior outcomes for dog vasectomy and ovary-sparing spay patients with both sexually intact dogs and those with gonads surgically removed as is the current standard practice. It’s a small sample for dogs who’ve had those surgeries, but the results look interesting. I tried to include most of the important points. The full list of health conditions compared is long, but researchers grouped them as follows:
– Orthopedic problems, including blown knees
– Cancer
– Obesity
– Endocrine disorders (thyroid disease, diabetes)
– Reproductive disorders
– Other health problems (dental, heart, kidney, and eye diseases and disorders)
– Problematic behaviors (aggression, anxiety)
– Nuisance behaviors (mounting, marking)
With a major veterinary magazine deadline looming, I spent time reading in full the latest thinking about itchy dog relief from the new 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines. A few things jumped out at me, including how apparently cranky and impatient we are as veterinary clients when dogs develop symptoms of allergic skin diseases.
Through my teen years, my family included a cocker spaniel named Brandie. My friends, however, likely thought her full name was “That’s Brandie. Don’t pet her. She’ll pee.” Ever wonder why puppies pee when excited or nervous? Well, consider my thoughts on the issue.
Are you sitting down? I’m going to recommend a mystery book series that repeatedly breaks my #1 rule about including debunked, outdated, and total BS dog training and behavior details. Shocker, I know. And, yet, these otherwise funny and engaging books have helped me survive a difficult year, and I adore them. FIVE STARS — Highly recommend. I traded emails with the author to share my angst over those mentions of alpha dogs and being pack leaders and other stuff, so they know where I stand. Why on earth am I writing this? Keep reading to find out what I enjoy these books in the Bought the Farm Series by Ellen Riggs (pssst … that’s a pen name).
A veterinary nutritionist friend served as the lead author on a study of a specific dry diet for dogs going through chemotherapy — a dog cancer diet, if you will, to look for possible effect on their quality of life. The paper published in late 2023. Let’s take a look.
