Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Keeping pets happy and healthy for the holidays; advice from a pet professional
The holiday season is well underway and while many are busy making preparations to enjoy the coming months with family and friends, it's easy to overlook making the holidays an enjoyable experience for our favorite animals too. As a pet professional I have the distinct advantage of being able to learn from the experiences of some of my furry friends – my daily dog walking and pet-sitting "clients" – about what it takes to keep them safe this holiday season. Take for example, Princeton, a Beagle known for his nose's uncanny ability to sniff out all things edible and his voracious appetite. Though he loves sharing holiday meals with his human friends, he learned the hard way that there are some people foods that a dog should simply avoid as …
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Is there room for Christmas traditions in a Jewish house?
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat. Hmm, I must be the goose because I've been putting on my winter weight since October. I'm not bothered by it, really. I've accepted the fact that in the colder months I'm more inclined to stay indoors, raid my refrigerator and gradually expand. What I have not learned how to accept gracefully is Christmas. I don't mind Christmas for other people. I love looking at the festive shop displays and visiting friends who have beautiful Christmas trees in their living rooms. But, Christmas was never my holiday, and I never missed it. I grew up surrounded by Jewish people. Until I was 9, there were no Christmas decorations on our block. Then the Moyanos moved a few houses down from us, and …
While deliveries from the mail carrier, FedEx and UPS mean goodies and treats for people, pups find their presence ever so bark-worthy.
In the frenzied weeks leading up to Christmas there's no shortage of extra visits from the postman, the UPS man, and the FedEx driver. For humans these visits often mean cards and greetings from old friends, surprise Christmas packages and all sorts of goodies. For dogs, these visits seem to be evidence of an invasion of unwelcome intruders. So what is it exactly about the postman, and package deliverers, that drives dogs so crazy anyhow? I've heard many theories about the reasoning behind dogs' collective dislike of these holiday visitors. Part of the answer is simply the dog's natural biology – dogs are naturally protective of their territories and are always ready to defend it against perceived threats. Many dogs pride themselves…
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Nine sites around the county opened their doors to holiday guests this weekend.
History buffs, take note: nine historic Essex County sites throw their doors open to the public today and tomorrow. Each home on the self-guided tour is decked out in holiday finery, showcasing past glory and present decor. Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. noted that this is the 2nd Annual Essex County Historic Holiday House Tour. "Essex County is rich in history and architecture. Take a break from the hustle and bustle this December and visit seven local homes that will have decked the halls in holiday extravagance for one spectacular weekend. Tour historic Essex County with your friends and delight in the elegance of the season," DiVincenzo said. Patch has taken readers inside both Kip's Castle and Thomas Edison's home, Glenmont. …
