Safety Tip: Sago Palm Plant Toxic

Thank you Burnt Hills Animal Hospital for putting this alert out.

Sago Palm" or "Cycad"Poisoning Alert-
It has come to our attention that many home improvement stores are selling a houseplant that can cause serious poisoning in pets and children. The plant is called the “Sago Palm” or “Cycad”. It is also referred to as “The Oldest Known Plant”. It is used in outdoor landscaping in Southern States, but can only survive as a houseplant in the North. All of this plant, including the seeds and root ball are toxic. Signs of illness first appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include gastrointestinal sign such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that 75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of these plants in your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash can or “rehome” it with someone who does not have pets or young children in the household.

For more information: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/sagopalm.asp

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Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!

I am home now, but last week my parents hosted a beach vacation week for their children and their children's children. My parents are such wonderful people. It was just GREAT to do all of the fun things we did together. What a luxury- a whole WEEK with family. Thanks Mom & Dad, I know that most children send their Parents on a vacation for their 50th- but not my parents- they took US on a vacation!! I know I have already said this, but we really did have a great time.
I am bless to have such a great family- and the best part- is that I have ALWAYS known it!

Love you Mom and Dad- you two are a great example of commitment, love, compassion, generosity, and humanitarianism- a couple to admire and aspire to be like. Thank you for being such a great example.

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Reflecting on Family

Yesterday was father's day and next Sunday is my parents 50th wedding anniversary.

I am spending some time with my whole family: Parents, two sisters, and 5 nieces and nephews. It is so much fun to reconnect, talk about our childhood, watch the unfolding of new childhoods, and hear the oral history of the family. My family has long generations- what I mean is that my mother's mother was 34 when she had her first child, my own mother was 31 when she had her first child, and my sisters were 32 and 29 respectively when they had their first children. This is not the norm in the town I currently live in- generations are significantly shorter there- like 18-20 years between generations.

I can't help it- I admit that I see the pedigree in my head- I see the standard format for portraying a dog's genealogy in my head as we discuss my Dad's grandmother, or my mother's mother. I think about my dogs and how nice it is to have intimate personal knowledge of each of each of the individuals who make up these important pieces of the next generations. I did have the good fortune of knowing all 4 of my grandparents. Our family is also blessed with good health and longevity. My grandparents were wonderful people with very interesting lives, and often I wish I could ask them questions. I do rejoice in the fact that I did know my grandparents into my teen years, and my sister's children are having the same opportunity with their grandparents. Family is important and it sure is nice to be grounded in one's roots.

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Heart Lake Acadia Le Roi de Coeur is WD both Saturday and Sunday


Heart Lake Acadia Le Roi de Coeur, "Charlie", was Winners Dog both days at the Bryn Mawr Kennel Club shows. Acadia Peace of Mind, "Dove" was Reserve Winners Bitch on Sunday. This club also offered a Best Bred by Exhibitor competition and Dove was awarded Best Bred by Exhibitor in shelties.

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Nicky and Allie both Winners Today


A Good Day- Today Nicky, Acadia Cierra Like A Rock, AXJ, NA, RN, HT was Winners Dog handled by his owner Merrylee (pictured) and Allie, Can. Ch. Grandgables Acadia Accolade was Winners Bitch in Kentucky shown by Jessica Starbuck.

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