Search Results for: blog a cat can lower your heart attack risk

Selenium and Health Issues

Selenium is a trace mineral — a mineral your body needs in small amounts as compared to macrominerals (like iron and calcium) that your body needs in large amounts. But even a trace mineral can have a big impact on your health. Selenium deficiency is often seen in places where concentrations of selenium in the soil are low — like China, and parts of Russia. Studies have shown that selenium deficiency may contribute to a host of health issues, including heart disease, thyroid issues, and a weakened immune system. Researchers believe that a selenium deficiency doesn’t usually cause illness by … Continue reading →

HAPPY: Pet Exemption Bill Introduced in Congress

There was a flyer on the bulletin board at work this morning about the HAPPY Act: Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years. This is a bill that seeks to allow pet owners a tax exemption for pet care expenses. H.R. 3501 seeks to amend Internal Revenue Service codes to allow a deduction of up to $3500 per year for qualified pet care expenses. This doesn’t include livestock — the bill only covers domesticated household pets and does not include animals used for business or research purposes. What inspired this? The bill mentions two key facts: A 2007-2008 survey of … Continue reading →

Two Dozen Motivating Reasons to Lose Weight:

Posted on by

I’m happy to be guestwriting in this blog. You can also find me at the Adoption Blog here on Families.com, where I’ve written for over 2 1/2 years. Our responses to food are often not totally planned. Try programming your brain to think in new ways by reading, every morning and evening, your reasons for losing weight and possible things you can tell yourself in a tempting or difficult situation. Here are two dozen of my most serious motivations for losing weight. (My next blog will share two dozen more light-hearted–but sometimes no less motivating–reasons.)Maybe some of them are yours. … Continue reading →

Fun and Free Activities for People and Pets

I’ve heard it said (and said it myself): a bored pet can be a destructive pet. Many animals are happiest when they have a job, be it herding sheep or performing tricks. But if your pet isn’t “employed” you can still keep him or her entertained. The best part is that it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Here are some fun, free activities for you and your pets! Grooming. Many pets like being brushed — it’s just a matter of finding the right brush and the right spot. My dog Moose, for example, is happy with any brush on … Continue reading →

Calming Tachycardia

Tachycardia is any heartbeat faster than one hundred beats per minute. It can come on suddenly, and may bring shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and panic. There are different kinds of tachycardia — some life-threatening and some not. If you are experiencing rapid heartbeat, you should talk to your doctor. A visit to the office and a few tests can rule out dangerous types of tachycardia. If you have a NOT life-threatening form of tachycardia — paroxysmal atrial tachycardia — these tips may help calm your racing heart. Cut back (or cut out) stimulants like coffee, tea, and soda. Overuse … Continue reading →

Fuzz Therapy at School

There’s an old Calvin and Hobbes comic that I’ve always loved: Calvin comes in after a long, horrible day and finds Hobbes (his stuffed tiger) snoozing on the floor. Calvin buries his face in the tiger’s tummy and sits up with a smile on his face. “Ahhhh… fuzz therapy,” he says. Studies have shown that pets are great when it comes to relieving stress. Whether you’re old or young, healthy or infirm, a pet can be a huge mood booster and stress reliever. Pets who live in assisted living facilities help residents come out of their shells. A new study … Continue reading →

Are We as Therapeutic to Them as They Are to Us?

It’s been a week since Murph’s cast has come off, but he hasn’t quite been the same. In fact, I’d venture to say he’s been a little depressed. His appetite’s still okay, and his ears perk up at the offer of chewie sticks or Scooby Snacks, but he just hasn’t quite been himself. Even with the cast on, he’d been kind of rambunctious. Especially in the last couple of weeks before it came off. It was clear he was feeling better and getting his pep back. He’d go search out one of the many sympathy toys he’d been given, bring … Continue reading →

Rain or Shine, My Pets Are There

This hasn’t been a very easy year for me. In fact, of all my years on this Earth to date, this past one has been the most trying by far. And the most blues-filled. One After the Other It started last summer when we tried to move back to Jacksonville. Thankfully plans changed, but instead of life sailing along unencumbered as I’d hoped, I got sick in November –the same week Wayne moved home and we left to go to Denver for Thanksgiving. Then Wayne got sick, and I had a relapse and fell ill again. Come January and February … Continue reading →

Tabby’s Special Powers

Right after my mom died my heart hurt, but not to the extent it’s been hurting the last few weeks. I think I was sort of numb the first several days following her passing. I was exhausted, both mentally and physically, and to be honest, a little relieved. Knowing something’s going to happen, but not knowing exactly when, then to see my mom tormented in the manner she was…I was just thankful she no longer had to go through any of that. That none of us did. But now the tears everyone said would spontaneously start to flow for seemingly … Continue reading →

Another Reason to Get Running

When I decided to run my first marathon almost a decade ago I didn’t do it because I wanted to get in shape, lower my blood pressure or reduce my risk of a heart attack. I decided to run 26.2 miles because a guy I dated in college doubted that I could do it. So, I proved him wrong and lost a few pounds in the process. It’s not exactly the most inspiring story out there, but it just goes to show that there are a variety of factors that motivate people to run. If you don’t have anyone in … Continue reading →