Locked Out In Leyburn,North Yorkshire

The Golden Lion is a pub in the center of Leyburn, and it was my home while I was "seeing practice" at Watkinson & Naish Veterinary Surgeons. I made lifelong friends during my time in the Yorkshire Dales. Ian Burdon of Jervaulx Abbey, Mr. Nick Naish, and Mr. Jack Watkinson (The veterinary advisor on site to the BBC famous television series "All Creatures Great And Small".)

One evening I was enjoying drinks with Karen (the receptionist at the veterinary surgery) and Ian and several of their friends at a pub way out on the moors. The pub was so isolated that it stretched the closing hours a bit, and I was quite late returning to Leyburn. The Golden Lion was dark and tightly locked. Bravely, I knocked on the door. The upper window was thrown open, and the Publican stuck his head, covered with a old fashioned night cap, out the window. I was extremely embarrassed to create such a bother at this late hour. As the door was opened for me, I mumbled my apology and commented upon the strong winds blowing that night.

The Publican's only comment, "Twas a shame it wasn't blowing a bit harder behind your back."

You Are What You Eat. That Goes for Pets, Too.

Eating a wholesome, nutritious, unadulterated diet is a constant challenge, and even more so if you are a vegetarian. It is very important to count those grams of protein when following a soy, legume, and vegetable diet.

I am not advocating a vegetarian diet for dogs and cats, but I do follow one myself. Considering my lifestyle, and the way I view the world, it is what works best for me. Everyone asks my husband and sons if they are also vegetarians, and usually they respond "vegetarians by default", meaning they eat what I prepare.

Feeding our pets is the biggest challenge of all with the pet food and pet treat recalls. The most recent pet treat recall being last Thursday (8/23/07). My advice is to feed a premium diet, the best your family budget will allow, and question the manufacturer about the source of raw products and where they were processed. Also, inquire what safeguards they are taking to protect your pet.

I am asking pet food manufacturers these same questions. I will let you know what my research reveals.

Hurricane Dean & Final Exams

Jennifer has worked at Northeast Veterinary Hospital for many years and has just completed her sixth semester of study at St. Matthews University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Studying for finals in veterinary school is very nerve racking. Calling it stressful is an understatement. This level of fear & upset, I have experienced. However, I have never faced the level of stress that Jennifer may have felt these past few days studying for finals while a category 4 hurricane bore down upon you.

I just received an e-mail from Jennifer. She has completed her finals and is departing the Cayman Islands a short 24 to 48 hours before Hurricane Dean is expected. She started getting a little edgy when they began boarding up her apartment.

Jennifer will be safe at home in Georgia soon. Hopefully, the college will survive the brunt of the storm.