Cows jump for joy

I read on an Animal Planet article that cows can solve problems, and when they do, they often jump for joy. More and more, scientists are discovering that all animals have feelings comparable to humans, as well as reactions and learning abilities (I never understood why they wouldn't think this right from the start).

To test emotional reactions in cows, "...Donald Broom, a professor of animal welfare at Cambridge University, and colleague Kristin Hagen placed a control panel in a paddock. When pressed, the panel would unlock a gate that opened up to an area containing a food reward. The researchers outfitted Holstein-Friesian heifers with heart rate monitors to measure the animals' levels of excitement throughout the process.

"According to Broom and Hagen, it took a while for some cows to figure things out. The cows would stand near the panel and mull over the situation. When some heifers solved the problem, Broom told Animal Planet News that their hearts would race, they would jump for joy, and then they would merrily trot to the food. "

The article can be found at http://animal.discovery.com/news/briefs/20050328/happycow.html?through=newsrssbriefs0328happycow.html.

Is it a myth? No!

I checked on the intranet a few places to be sure the "grapes and raisins are bad for dogs" statement was true. It is very true. One of the sites (snopes.com) known for dissecting intranet myths did research. Even a few raisins or grapes can be deadly to your dog, depending on his weight. Renal failure (failure of the kidneys) can result. Visit http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp to see the claim.

I also checked Break the Chain that aims to dispel myths as well (http://breakthechain.org/). They say the same thing. This is not a myth. I also learned, besides chocolate, that onions and macademia nuts can be toxic to dogs.

Grapes and raisins are DEADLY

I just read on another blog that it is dangerous to give your dog grapes or raisins. I never knew that. This was posted on the Warm Puppies, Fuzzy Kitties blog (see links to the right). Great information to know.

Mickey's Paw

Mickey hurt his paw a while ago and the vet put him on an anti-inflammatory. It seemed to get better but one day after the meds were gone he started limping again. We had it x-rayed and they couldn't find anything. Several days later when my husband touched his paw, Mickey whined and squirmed, which is rare for him. So we took him to the surgeon for a consult.

My husband just called from the vets and said the surgeon can't find anything either. Mickey is back on anti-inflammatories and we have to keep him from jumping around and playing. That will be tough as he's a very energetic dog. If it stays sore we need to have more x-rays done.

This poor dog goes through so much. But he always stays so happy.

Bill passed WA Senate

The SB 5352 bill making it a class C felony to starve, dehydrate or suffocate an animal has passed the Washington state Senate with a great amount of help from Senator Luke Esser and Senator Adam Kline. The bill nows goes to the House where it has already had great success.

An amendment proposed by a cattle rancher senator was also defeated. The amendment would have made it ok to starve or suffocate an animal to death.

We are making progress in this state.

Still no seizure

Mickey hasn't had a seizure for 14 weeks...but I'm worried about him still being on the PhenoBarbitol. I thought he wasn't supposed to be on it for more than 3 months but the vet hasn't said anything about it.

He hurt his paw somehow several weeks ago. It was getting better and he didn't limp any more but we took him to the off-leash dog park in Marymoor and he ran alot. Then we went for a walk the next day. That night he began to limp again. He needs exercise but I'm worried he will reinjure his paw.