Finally got it

This guest post from Doris Dillon
We finally got a t1 line in my office and it is make my job so much easier. My boss has got to be the least technologically inclined person on the planet and it makes it so hard for me to get my work done. For example, he still likes to fax things a lot more than he likes to use e-mail… Have you even seen a fax machine in the last five years? You should hear my clients when I tell them I'm going to fax them something. Also, he likes to send out a lot of paper letters, which means a lot of time for me spent addressing envelopes in buying stamps. He doesn't seem to understand that we could save a lot of money by setting this correspondence out via e-mail, either he doesn't understand or he just doesn't care. I do appreciate that he's all about tradition but when it comes to doing your business the right way I think it's important to stay current so you don't fall behind.

Aging Pets and Senior Cat Care

Well, I guess it is inevitable - something all pet parents face: the thought of our precious petlings becoming sick or worse is overwhelming and unless you have had and loved a pet, the excessive vet bills, sleepless nights and down right hysteria, it may be hard to understand. "It's just an animal" I have heard on more than one occasion! And I am here to testify to you that this attachment and fear of loss is quite real, as my aging and very dear tabby cat "Baby" approaches 16, the thought of life without her seems unimaginable. Visions of her suffering are even worse however which is why I have tried to be proactive in my research and preparation for the inevitable signs of he ultimate enemy, aging.

One thing that I have learned is that as cats age, there is a slow but steady decrease in the weight of their kidneys and a loss of filtering ability. Cats are born with a certain number of filtering apparatus' in their kidneys. These filters are lost when the walls of the blood vessels that form them thicken, scar and become blocked as cats age. The most common signs that owners observe are weight loss and increased thirst, which I have indeed noticed with my tabby cat "Baby" for about 4 - 5 years now. I always try to make sure that she has plenty of water, placed strategically around the house and I also added wet food to her diet once each day. 

Although hard to face, animals like humans are not built to last forever. Like most seniors, I have noticed that Baby prefers a quiet evening in her warm bed. Not to say that she doesn't enjoy an occasional catnip craving or romp around the room, I attempt to keep her routine as consistent as possible. I keep noise to a minimum and try to make her as comfortable and happy as possible, returning the unconditional love and companionship that she has given me for all of these years. 

Tasty and Healthy HomeMade Dog Treats for our Canine Comrads

Dog Treats

Many pet owners and breeders prefer to prepare their own food and treats. Home prepared treats and foods are often more nutritious. and you can be sure what they contain.  This recipe for dog treats was contributed by Faith Heinauer who is a caterer, cookbook author, columnist, and the creative force behind her website, Break Eggs.com :

Coda is dressed up for Halloween to get her treats!  Biscuit dough: 1 1/2 cups flour 3/4 cup oatmeal 1/4 cup wheat germ 1/3 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup vegetable oil 2 Tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup water  Glaze:  1 large egg 2 Tablespoons milk  1. Preheat the oven to 275°. 2. In a large bowl: combine the flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey, baking powder and water.  3. Mix the ingredients until thoroughly combined.  4. Roll the dough out to a ½-inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on baking sheets.  5. In a small bowl, mix together the egg and milk. Brush the glaze on the biscuits.  6. Bake for 30 minutes. Rotate the pans, and bake for an additional 20 - 30 minutes, until biscuits are golden and firm.

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Our Thanks To:
Faith Heinauer is a chef, cookbook author, columnist, and the creative force behind her website, Break Eggs.com Sign up for tasty bi-weekly newsletter!