We are so proud of pet owners who take such loving care of their family members. They buy good quality food, keep their dogs and cats clean and sheltered, and protect them from infectious diseases. But many owners are still unaware of the dangers of heartworm disease, a leading cause of pet illness and death in many areas of the country.

Preparing for a new baby is exciting. There’s setting up a nursery, new toys, clothes, and bedding for starters. Then, there’s caring for yourself as a soon-to-be new parent. You might be taking prenatal yoga classes, visiting the doctor, and watching your diet to make sure your baby is getting needed nutrition.

You know it’s going to be a big adjustment for your family, including your pets.

Losing a beloved pet is never easy. It’s hard on the whole family, yet for children, especially younger ones, this is often their first experience with death and they may feel confused, angry, or scared more than sad.

For parents, it can be useful to understand children’s coping mechanisms so that we can best help them come to terms with the loss.

While every child is different, one psychologist found that some children considered their pet an extremely close friend, or even a sibling, and characterized their pet’s death as “the worst day of their lives.”

Did you know? According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than half of the pets in the United States are overweight or obese.

Overweight pets are at risk for a variety of health problems, including skin infections, high blood pressure, heart disease, immune suppression, diabetes, orthopedic and arthritic disorders, and even some forms of cancer, as well as increased surgical and anesthetic risk.