Many of the “facts” we grew up hearing about pets are false. For example: who hasn’t seen countless images of a content cat licking cream out of a saucer? When I got a cat in my childhood I remembered that image, and left out a bowl of milk for him. He sniffed it and threw up. This happened nearly every time I tried to give him milk; even if he didn’t spit up, he never touched the stuff. Because it turns out, not all cats can drink milk. Some of them can, but lactose intolerance is as prevalent among cats … Continue reading →
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We are now in what I think of as “the crazy season”. People are shopping for Christmas gifts, parking lots are fuller than usual, and drivers are stressed out and making impulsive driving decisions. There is potential that you could be involved in a car accident that takes place in a parking lot. Here are some tips about what to do (and what not to do) after the unfortunate happens. Oops! You weren’t paying attention and you backed your car out of the parking space and into someone else’s vehicle. What are you supposed to do now? State Farm has … Continue reading →
Today in “vaccines I didn’t know existed for dogs” (last time it was for Lyme disease): canine influenza. That’s right, you can get a flu shot for your dog. Pet website ZooToo takes a look at it. Apparently, dog flu is a thing. I have to say I’ve never heard of it, not the way I’ve heard about bird or even pig flus. The difference is that while those strains can pass to humans, canine influenza doesn’t. It’s basically just dogs getting the flu, in a particular strain that won’t infect us. So while we might have to worry about … Continue reading →
Early this morning, several emergency vehicles drove down my street. They were responding to a fire that broke out in an apartment in a building near where I live. The fire could have been prevented. State Farm has some advice about how to prevent a house fire from happening. Fires are destructive. Homeowners insurance is designed to help people with the financial losses that can happen after their house catches on fire. It gives the policyholder some money to replace the items that they lost. Renters insurance functions in the same way. People who live in an apartment cannot rely … Continue reading →
Disney really is after what it thinks is the hottest new market: infants. They’re negotiating to have a presence in maternity wards and creating advice and social networking sites aimed at new and expecting parents, and now they’re opening stores specifically for their Disney Baby brand. To avoid confusion: the Disney Baby brand is not a line of Disney products featuring child versions of its characters, but sets of clothing, supplies, toys, and more, all for infants. USA Today reports that Disney has opened its first official Disney Baby store. So far it only has one location – a mall … Continue reading →
What’s the ultimate goal of many Disney fanatics? See all the films and television shows? Visit all the parks? Work for the company, at one of the parks or even in the movie division? I know for many, it’s the latter. A lucky few are qualified to really work in making magic: to be an animator, or an Imagineer. Many of us just don’t have the skill set to do much. What kind of job could knowing everything about the Disney parks get us? How about a seat on the Disney Moms Panel? You don’t actually get paid to be … Continue reading →
I’m breaking with my own tradition here: usually I wait to post about the Epcot Food & Wine Festival until closer to when it will actually start. We’ve got just over a month until it kicks off, so why am I writing about it now? I’m doing so in case anyone reading this is interested in going, and wants to sign up for one of the seminars or other special events. As of right now, some are sold out but others still have spaces available. Slots are going fast, so sign up ASAP if you’re interested. Here’s a quick summary … Continue reading →
Next week, we find out the name of my daughter’s third grade teacher and get a sneak peek of who her classmates will be for the upcoming academic year. I’m dreading it like a bout of head lice. Truth be told, I’m not too worried about the teacher; rather, it’s the potential classmates that give me the hives. I really, really hope the school took my bullying concerns to heart and decided to separate my daughter from some of the children who spent the better part of last year tormenting her. For my part, I spent the better part of … Continue reading →
Last week saw a new sort-of holiday, Take Your Dog to Work Day, which indicated a growing trend: pets in the workplace. The North County Times looks at the trend. Just about the only cases you’ll see of animals actually living at the office are for cats, like library cats or the one that lives in my sister-in-law’s office. However, more and more employers are starting to allow the dogs to come in to work with their owners. Some very dog-friendly businesses allow this every day, others just haves special times sent aside, like Take Your Dog to Work Day. … Continue reading →