AS FOUR TAILS WAG:         Happy New Year to Four Legs and Two!

OK, I think I may have poisoned the dogs. Seriously, a little ignorance is very, very dangerous. Hark! Listen to the following scenario: I love grapes. Now, enter the four red dogs that make up our happy household. This is the game: one green grape for mom and one green grape for the red dogs. Sometimes, they actually eat them, other times, they let them roll under the kitchen table or down the stairs. That would make for a fun game lasting 3 seconds. Then, I read a warning to all dumb two legs. NO Grapes EVER, a total  NO NO. Likewise to raisins. They could produce kidney disease and cause nausea and vomiting. YUK. Read on.

I did know that chocolate was toxic, so at least I didn't share that box of Godiva chocolates with them. I am not THAT dumb. (Chocolate can cause rapid heart rate, and cause agitation or seizures in dogs). I also knew that Poinsettia plants and Holly berries can be toxic. I do read the dog journals once in awhile.

Macadamia nuts are also a problem, however, they are very expensive to leave around and not eat, so it is unlikely that our red dogs would ever have them. Be very careful if you do have them. My advise is to eat them quickly.

Now, as I was thinking about this, a friend called in a state of panic because the family cocker spaniel ate a bowl of rising bread dough. Although the vet was called, nothing terrible happened-this time. Actually, ingesting uncooked bread dough can cause a dog to become quite ill. Go to a vet immediately if that happens. I guess I hadn't thought about the stomach of a dog as a bread dough rising machine, but it can be. The dough ferments and produces ethanol. Double YUK.

Aside from things that one eats, dog toys are the worst offenders. They have squeakers that are small enough to swallow and enough "fluff" inside to make the house look like a blizzard blew in from Denver. Fluff does not make a good snack.

Be informed, be smart, and be vigilant. We are entrusted to care for our innocent four legged loved ones. Woof to that. So...................

PAWS UP FOR GOOD HEALTH:  On January 8, 2007 our presenter will be Certified VeterinaryTechnician Brenda Rhodes of Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic, Hagerstown. Come and listen to this very knowledgeable speaker who will address pet safety and breeding issues.