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As any dog owner knows all too well, these furry companions just love getting their noses in (and mouths on) anything they can get a hold of. Fortunately, most of the food and other “stuff” (bugs…newspapers…very small socks) they end up ingesting goes through them without causing too much trouble. But there are a few […]

I know that most pet lovers join me in wishing that our beloved animal friends could live with us forever. As a result, we’re likely to do just about anything to hopefully insure that our family pets remain healthy, happy, and part of the family for as long as possible. Yet while protecting a pet’s […]

Having loved many dogs throughout my life, I’ve spent a good amount of time training my furry family members. If I had to sum up the general dog training philosophy I’ve employed over the years with my own dogs, I’d probably borrow a couple of lines from an old song: You’ve got to accentuate the […]

I’ve been crazy about dogs ever since I was a kid. As a result, dogs have always been a big part of my personal life and my professional life. In fact, over the 40-plus years I’ve studied, researched, and practiced cardiology, I’ve owned many dogs and have tried to use my clinical experience with human […]

Nature possesses countless healing powers, so it’s important that we connect with it on a daily basis. That’s why I get outside as often as I can—and why my wife Jan, who’s an avid gardener, sees to it that we always have beautiful greenery outside and inside our home. Being pet lovers, however, we have […]

If I could bottle and distribute all the benefits that come from dog ownership, I’d be the most popular doc on the planet. That’s because science has clearly shown that sharing your life with a dog is good for your body, mind, and soul. A dog can lick your face—as well as help you lick […]

If you follow my health and wellness advice, you know I’m bullish on living with positive intention and reframing our setbacks as opportunities. But I’ll be honest. Every now and then, something really sets me off. Most recently, it was news of the latest dog food recall. I’m a HUGE dog lover, and the rash […]

If there’s one thing any cat owner wants to avoid, it’s a stressed out cat. Whether it’s a trip to the vet, moving to a new home, or too much noise, stress can result in a number of unsettling (and unwanted) feline behaviors. Hiding, excessive grooming, not eating, and aggressive actions such as hissing,  growling, and […]

For me, an important part of being a cardiologist has always been listening for the bits of information patients share about their lives that aren’t related to their heart issues. Their relationships with family and friends…their worries…their joys…and, naturally, their other health concerns. Those insights always helped me understand how to give these folks the […]

Safe and Unsafe Human Foods for Dogs Here’s a scenario I’ll bet you know all too well. You sit down with a sandwich or snack. A couple minutes later, your dog sits down next to you and starts licking its lips. You’re tempted to share, but you resist. Then your dog takes it up a […]

As a cardiologist, nutritionist, and anti-aging specialist, I know firsthand how important gastrointestinal health is for our overall well being. Our guts are filled with bacteria – both good and bad strains – that can profoundly influence our health and how we feel. Experts refer to all this bacteria as the “forgotten organ” in our bodies, […]

I’ve owned many dogs in my life, but one of my favorites was a chow chow named Chewie. She and I were attached at the hip. We traveled everywhere together—including my office, where she never failed to bring smiles to my patients’ and staff’s faces, or to raise my spirit during long days. It broke […]

If you love to burn candles and you also own a pet, then you know that the two don’t always go well together. Spilled wax, singed whiskers…they’re par for the course! But those aren’t the only dangers candles pose to your pets. Many candles give off toxins that can be risky to your pet’s health. […]

Many cat owners can relate to the saying, “dogs have owners, cats have staff…” I have a special place in my heart for cats. Growing up, my family’s cat, Bright Eyes, brought a lot of joy to our home. She lived to be 20 years old, and we were all heartbroken when she passed away; […]