Birthday bash

Hello everyone,

My oldest daughter celebrated her 19th birthday this week.

In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that my wife, Kelly, and I brought Natalie home from the hospital.

It was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. What were we supposed to do? How does this stuff work? How do we take care of a new baby?

Well, time gives us some answers and it has been a joyous ride. I say joyous, because sometimes our society tends to focus on the immediate sense of happiness or hard work and not on the long term benefit.

I know of many folks who, at the end of their life, wish their children were around more. I even heard one mom say that she wished she had more children when they were younger (her children at the time were 28-22).

It is amazing how our life is easier to see the priorities when looking in the rear view mirror, isn't it?

I think our pets help us with that thought process. They live for the moment - the excited toy for the dog, or the bouncing ball for the kitty. They just enjoy the moment, and let later worry about later.

Of course, they have a full food bowl most of the time to worry about, rather than having to earn a living but they do their best.

Ignore teeth - they will go away

I saw this little quip on a dentist's magnet when I lived in Milwaukee.

I thought it was clever and true at the time, and it is still true today.

And just as much with our pets.

"But we never used to get our pet's teeth cleaned". That is true, but our average pet age in 1986 was 9 years for dogs, and the same for cats.

Since then, due to the taurine deficiency found in cats, and improved nutrition and preventative care in dogs has increased the average life to 13 for dogs, and 15 for cats!

And unlike George Washington, we can make sure our pets live with all of their natural teeth the rest of their life.

How?

Tartar treats that are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council There are many treats that claim to reduce tartar, but on the VOHC site, there are only 22 products, most of which are foods.

Also regular cleaning - especially when your dog or cat has tartar grade of 1 or 2 can reduce the pockets along the teeth / gums.

No pockets, no tartar.
No tartar, no loose periodontal ligament.
No loose periodontal ligament, no loose tooth.

No loose tooth, no extraction!

and a full set of teeth.

Ask us about the lay away plan to save for your pet's teeth cleaning.

Honoring a hero

In the PJStar.com article on the Creve Coeur Marine, Lance Cpl. Robert Newton, the author is able to show how a sacrifice can be honored.

Which begs the question, what sacrifice, and how does that define a hero?
Webster defines it:
b : an illustrious warrior
c : a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities
d : one that shows great courage

In our society, we tend to equate celebrity with hero. While some celebrities may be heros, the terms are not synonyms. And I think you only have to look at motive to see a difference.

Both make sacrifices and train for their purpose. They both give things up. Yet the motive is different.

The celebrity's motive is to draw attention to him or her self. It is important to the celebrity to keep the constant focus on themself. That is the reason they make the sacrifices.

The hero's goal is not to draw attention to him or herself, but to help others to see the dignity in their own life. They step outside of themselves to help someone else either close to them that they love, or someone they may never meet.

Is it easy to do a noble achievement?

No.

Is it easy to discipline yourself to create noble qualities?

No.

It takes courage.

No, it takes GREAT courage to create in yourself noble qualities that cause one to sacrifice for something great.

Something that is beyond our understanding.

Unless we lose it.

Something like Freedom

And it takes heroes like Lance Cpl. Robert Newton to allow us to have such a freedom. We are forever grateful for the sacrifice he made for us.

That is a hero.