Fridays are Golden

It's easier to find a personal physician than it is to find the right veterinarian. Long before we found our own physicians when we moved back to NC, we took the girls to their new vet. We very much liked him and his approach to us and to our dogs. After examining them, he said they were "within a pound of perfection." (They had gained a little weight while our friend was caring for them.) He asked us about their food. We had always fed them the food recommended by the breeder. Our vet diplomatically said that he wasn't particularly fond of that food because it contained too much grain. Then he added that our dogs were so healthy with wonderful coats, teeth, and gums that he would not change their diet since they seemed to thrive on it.

This summer Lucy began having occasional GI problems. Our vet thought this might be a good time to change their food. So we did.

When my husband leaves the house for any length of time, the girls get up as soon as they hear his car. They run to the laundry room waiting for him to come inside.

The instant they hear the car door open they each go closer to the door. Lucy, of course, must be first in line.

On this occasion my husband had been to the pet store to get a new supply of dog food. They have been on this new food for a couple of months and they really like it.

They check out the bag just like they check out everything we bring in.

Lucy carefully reads the label to make certain we have the right thing.

She checks it out from top to bottom.

Although Ellie can probably read, she prefers looking at the pictures.

The "new" dog food is Taste of the Wild. This particular formula has roasted venison and roasted bison. It is grain free, and contains sweet potatoes, berries, and tomatoes instead. It contains 32% protein. Our previous food (Iams Large Breed) contained only 22% protein and a lot of grain including barley, corn, and sorghum grain. I have no idea whether or not the higher grain food was a contributing factor in Lucy's GI problems, but I do feel better that we switched. The girls have no opinion at all. They will wolf down anything they are given.

A quick change of subject here, but I cannot think of another way to transition.

Our Nation and the rest of the world are full of problems and disasters. As I have listened to the news it seems very clear to me that we are becoming more and more polarized. It has always been true that non-political issues are politicized, especially during election years. But this year seems to be the worst. People are becoming ever more intolerant of others who do not share their religious views, political views, skin color, or life styles.

Kofi Annan said these important words:

"We need to promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world. Nothing can be more dangerous to our efforts to build peace and development than a world divided along religious, ethnic, or cultural lines. In each nation, and among all nations, we must work to promote unity based on our shared humanity."

None of us individually can make the Nation or the world more tolerant of others. We can (and must) be more tolerant ourselves, and teach that tolerance to our children. So make a pledge this weekend to be more accepting of others and less vocal about criticizing those who are different.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!