Might've Been The First One

If you've ever had a stomach virus where puking and/or output from the other end is involved, then you will definitely sympathize with what MSO and I went through these past few days. It really might've been my first stomach virus or the first in a very long, long time. We probably got a bout of it from baby who may have gotten it from the sitter's. Don't think I puked that much when I had morning sickness. Unpleasant, violent, and wicked! Diet so far has consisted of toast, crackers, and water. Even prison inmates eat better than that...but maybe really shouldn't. But that's a whole 'nother gripe. In reality world I just wanted to curl up and say goodnight but it wouldn't be as the just cleaned bathroom kept calling to see us in agony. What made it even more challenging, so to speak, was that baby was home with us. How do two ill parents take care of their child when they can barely take care of themselves?! It was tough even with the in-laws helping out for a few hours. Beware everyone out there, beware...

How To Keep Your Pet Healthy

According to Dr. Becker, these are the "top seven things you can do to help your beloved pets live happier, healthier, fuller lives":

+ Dental care — Periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in veterinary medicine and causes serious health problems. Sure, we want kissable breath, but more importantly, by taking good care of our pets' mouths (regular brushing, special dental diets, regular professional care) they'll live 15 percent longer, which is an average of two years. See www.avds-online.org.

+ Battle obesity — 50 percent of American pets are overweight or obese. We're killing them with kindness as these pudgy pets suffer from increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, cancer and skin problems. Keep your pet at its ideal body weight, and it will live 15 percent longer, amazingly, another two years of life! See www.petfit.com.

+ Socialization and behavioral training — Dogs that play well with other animals, like people, are well-behaved and are going to live a full life. Take them to socialization and basic obedience classes; consider these lifesaving classes, they're that important. See www.animalbehavior.net.

+ Feed the need and the breed — It's impossible for the average pet owner to weed through the tantalizing pet food ads and competing claims to know what to feed pets. Only your veterinarian is trained to look at your pet's age, breed, lifestyle, health status and emerging risks to determine the one food that should be in its bowl. Nothing you can do will affect your pet's longevity as much as what you feed it; and don't forget to keep pets on the slim side. Ask your veterinarian for a specific nutrition recommendation.

+ Parasite control — When I started practicing, external parasite control (for fleas and ticks) was like chemical warfare with dips, bombs, sprays, powders and collars. Treatment for internal parasites was hit and miss, and we saw many wormy dogs and dogs on death's doorstep from heartworm disease. Today, parasite control is simple, safe and effective with powerful once-a-month topical applications and pills that seemingly kill everything but the pet! Experts now recommend lifelong, year-round parasite control for all pets, regardless of geographic location, indoor vs. outdoor, etc. See www.capcvet.org.

+ Twice-yearly wellness visits — Pets age faster than humans, can't tell you when and where it hurts, and by nature hide their illnesses. I recommend people take their pets to the veterinarian for twice yearly wellness visits, during which time the veterinary healthcare team will do a complete physical, offer help with behavior problems, boost vaccines if necessary, alert you to emerging health problems and answer any questions. See www.npwm.com.

+ Let the vet run the tests — While a comprehensive physical exam is always the cornerstone of great medicine, veterinarians often recommend advanced diagnostics (blood work, urinalysis, fecal exams, radiographs, ultrasounds, skin scrapings, etc.) to identify health concerns before they become symptomatic and to provide you with a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. When your vet asks for permission to do tests, it's not a "want" it's a "need," so say yes. Because pets can't talk, veterinarians need the additional information to look past the obvious to catch things early on when they are more cost-effective to treat, in a period of grace, before they cause unnecessary pain or worse.

History Weekend

During the last weekend of 2006 at a relative's house, we were presented with these objects from the past and had to guess what they are. Most of us were dumbfounded. Even the older people. See if you can guess what they are...












































Then on New Year's Day we took my obaasan to a location from her past so that she could see what it looked like today and to see if she recalled anything. She told us that these leaves were used when steaming some food. The following are some commemorative objects that we encountered while touring the area.


Not quite as vast a memorial as the Arizona Memorial but this one is also a reminder of the devastating happenings back in 1941.






She mentioned the Clipper even before seeing this one. Wow, great memory.

Happy New Year!

As we make our way into another year, one thing we'll leave behind is a round of golf played before Christmas at Turtle Bay Resort. We played at the Arnold Palmer Course just as Wayne's World did back in April but most of us were not really as impressed with the course especially for the amount that kama`aina pay. Could it be a downward spiral of condition in just 8 months?


In any case there was a downward spiral in MSO's game partly due to both of his shoes breaking during play. At the end of the round both feet were in slippers and his head was lowered in defeat.





Both my sis and I reveled in victory while the sun set amongst the trees. Although I had a high score as usual, it was an overall somewhat great day of driving, and beating MSO can't hurt right? Sorry...





The path to a new year has arrived and I hope to have fun with family and friends, not dwell too much on the little things (including things that MSO does to rile me up), lose a bunch of weight that has become too comfortable residing on me, and other things to just try and enjoy life. Everyone take care and have a happy 2007!