Here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2010:

Quit smoking. (Oops...I already did that back in November. How convenient. Check.)

Get organized. (This was last year’s resolution, too.)

Compete in an Olympic distance triathlon. 

Unfortunately, this last one is going to be a problem. Though I’m a strong swimmer and a decent biker (not that I don’t disgrace myself when clipping out of my pedals...

It’s never fun and I know I’ll never get used to it...but I am getting better at it.

No, I’m not talking about treating canine bloats or blocked cats. This time it’s all about the nasty-grams I’m a magnet for. Somewhere on my forehead it must say, “Got a beef with veterinarians? I’m all yours!”

It’s frustrating, really––especially when I do my very best to write daily posts and answer...

Just before bed last night I decided to rescue a group of almost-too-ripe avocados from near certain death-by-compost. I peeled, pitted and sliced them then slathered the wedges in a lime vinaigrette so spicy with garlic you’d have to be a serious fan of the stuff to enjoy this dish. And I am. 

Problem is, Slumdog turned out to be a fan as well. While rearranging things in my too-full fridge...

We rang in the new year in South Florida style: A round of stone crabs and a home-made dinner, a group howl with the dogs at my parent's house (you should try this cathartic trick sometime), then some Perrier-Jouet at the Biltmore, a close-up fireworks display and, unexpectedly, a party-crashing escapade courtesy of my sister’s brash antics.

It was great fun...until we arrived at home and...

It’s over. Another zero-defined, multi-year chunk has come and gone as of midnight last night. And I, for one, say “good riddance!” Out with the old, clean slates and all that. 

Somehow this kind of pithy thinking appeals after a decade rife with intense personal stress and could’ve-done-better decision making all around. All of which leads me to believe I’m in no position to make...

Got a kissy pet? I love those best. But they’re not likely to act that way at the vet’s. The stress of a trip out into the real world tends to put a damper on the PDA. And the animal hospital is stress location offender #1, as I’m sure you’re all aware. So what’s a vet to do?

In my case, I go out of my way to kiss my patients, instead. Somehow, it just comes naturally. I by no means kiss them...

Last year I followed up the Christmas holiday with a post on belated gifts––books, to be exact. This year I’ll do the same, with another round of crowd-pleasing (or not) mostly animal-themed reads for the new year. To mix things up I’ll include some of my favorite DVDs too.

As always, it’s your job to share your personal favorites in the comments below. And don’t worry if they’re a repeat of...

Today started late. That was my fault. From there, things devolved in ways that evoked Hieronymus Bosch’s version of Hell more than they did a pre-New Year’s Eve weekday. Not so much my fault. But that’s debatable. 

Picture me wearing my veterinary dentist’s hat. This was around 9 AM. First patient of the day. The anesthetics went well. My older patient was doing great. The results of full...

I live in Miami and only rarely venture into colder climes with my pets in tow. Consequently, I have little first-hand knowledge of cold weather issues. Yet I’m constantly asked about them with respect to travel. As in, how cold is too cold? How long can my dog or cat withstand low temps in cargo? At what point is it inhumane to allow a pet to fly?

This issue came up for me (again) a couple...

Merry Christmas from my fam to yours... (scroll down for pic)