Food For Thought

There seems to be a lot of hoopla lately over what to feed your furry friend.  What’s safe?  What’s not?  Gluten, wheat, fillers?  Does it matter?  Pet nutrition often takes a back seat in the realm of pet ownership, when in reality, it’s one of the most important factors of your animal’s health (and longevity).  If it ever comes between the cute little Burberry dog coat vs. your dog’s diet, forgo the albeit stylish outerwear and opt for the food purchase.  It’ll save you more in the long run.   Read more

Mavens of Style - The Students

There’s much to be said about the ways of the fashion world, but when the mirror gets turned toward Charlottesville, VA - not necessarily considered the fashion capital of–well–anywhere - it was a pleasant surprise to find that even in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, people are not marking the passing of the season with a cookie cutter look they bought head-to-toe off the mannequin at their hometown department store. Students, especially.

No, my friends, in fact quite the contrary. Last week, two members of my team set out on the task of finding those who “dared” to have their own style. Not those, as you are probably imagining, with an aggressive sensibility - but people you see across the room and want to get to know - dare I say - want to be.

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All you need is one good dog

Man + Dog = ♥

4ever.   No kidding.  The human-animal bond is one of the oldest documented relationships, going on now 12,000 years.  Beat that, Clarence and Mayme Vail.  But this is one relationship I wholeheartedly respect, admire, and strive to sustain.  It’s also the common denominator in all pet owners I meet, both in and outside of the clinic.  Eyes brighten, smiles emerge, and a sad or funny but always tender story often follows of that one good cat or dog that changed a person’s life.   Read more

The Artful Dogger: The Fat Factor. Bigger is definitely not better.

Here’s the skinny:  An estimated 40% of all dogs are overweight!  Say it ain’t so!   Pet obesity is indeed a very serious issue, so much so that Pfizer Inc., a leading human and veterinary pharmaceutical company,  developed a weight loss drug for dogs.   If you’re an owner of a rectangular dog or cat, then please read carefully.    Read more

The Artful Dogger: A Sheer Thing? Why not to clip your dog this summer

My nickname in high school was Mufasa. A la Disney’s “The Lion King.” My hair was comparable to the offspring of a brillo pad and a wool sweater. The first thing I did every summer was bolt to the salon for the ever-so-stylish bob and voila! I was instantly cooler–both socially and thermostatically.

It seems intuitive then, that man’s best friend surely must be suffering during these hot summer months with a long, thick hair coat, right? Think again! Consider the following information before you take your long haired dog or cat in for the Britney Spears look. Read more