A Note from Janice Brown, Founder

Every morning, my oldest dog Luna receives a single white pill hidden in peanut butter as well as a chewable brown pill. If we have accidentally over done the “weekend warrior” routine, then she and her sister Maple may also get another little capsule to ease their pain. Our cat Jake, who absolutely hates taking his medicine, gets one nose drop and a half a yellow pill; we repeat the regimen at night.
    When it comes to taking care of our pets, the aforementioned routine has become the norm around my household. I am used to it by now, and I think my husband and I actually speak with our vet more than we talk to the pediatrician for our three daughters combined.
    After hearing from our readers, as well as keeping up on other animal-related news and stories, I believe my family is not in the minority. People are dealing with their pet’s ailments on a daily basis. From managing a diabetic cat to pampering an allergic pooch, many pet guardians spend a ton of time, money, and energy making sure their favorite four-legged friends are happy and comfortable.
    The health and well-being of our pets is akin to that of our own human families. Gone are the days when tough decisions had to be made about euthanasia, even when a medical condition was a small one. Luckily, veterinary medicine has come so far that many of the diagnoses that forced us to put animals down are now merely minor inconveniences that are treated and cured. Pets are part of the family, and the level of healthcare and wellness-related services available to them reflects that sentiment.
    Having been to a chiropractor, acupuncturist, orthopedic surgeon, massage therapist, hydro-therapist, and even an animal communicator when we were diagnosing Luna’s need for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery, I know firsthand of the excellent options for care that exist. Now she runs, plays, and romps around with a metal plate in her knee. And unless she was going through airport security, you’d never know it.
    I hope that you and your animal companions only need to visit the vet for wellness checkups and routine exams, however if you do ever need advanced services, the veterinary community is ready, able, and extremely qualified to assist you.
    This issue covers just a few of many healthcare-related topics. However, if you have specific questions for us, we’d love to hear from you. Send us your questions and we’ll do our best to address them in our new “Furry Forum” column.

Wishing you healthy and happy days with your pets—

3-year-old Beagle Romeo Lemperis is one lucky boy. He was adopted by his mom back in 2003 from the city’s Animal Care and Control. He has a full basket of toys at home to play with, but his rubber chicken in particular is his all time favorite. At daycare he enjoys hanging out with his best friend Iggy.