pet connection

Friendly dragons? Absolutely… and they’re the main event in this week’s Pet Connection syndicated column:

Reptilian pets are intriguing and mysterious to some, intimidating and frightening to others. If there’s one reptile perfect for changing the minds of those in the latter group, it’s the bearded dragon.

Affectionately called “beardeds” by their fans, these lizards are not only tame around humans, but many also seem to enjoy the contact. Even better, they’re relatively easy keepers, suitable for almost any pet lover or family situation.

In addition to basic care information for these appealing lizards, Dr. Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon help a reader get to the bottom of her dog’s thinning hair, discuss the benefits of prolotherapy, take a look at veterinary salaries, and share these words of comfort for time-strapped (or lazy) pet owners everywhere:

Would you rather work out or indulge in heavy petting? According to Prevention magazine, 67 percent of us say having a pet is better for long-term health than having a personal trainer.

Gina reminds pet owners to rule out medical causes for behavior changes before looking at training as a solution, and shares the top six places bird owners get information about their feathered family members (hint: their bird’s veterinarian comes in last). She also shares some advice I can’t echo loudly enough:

Almost 30 years ago I bought a stainless steel bowl for the first dog who was “mine,” not my family’s. I still use that bowl every day to water the dogs I have now.

Stainless steel bowls offer lifelong quality: They’re durable and chew-proof, and they sterilize wonderfully in the dishwasher. “Crock”-style bowls of high-impact plastic are another good choice, with the added benefit of offering the choice of colors.

I’m still using 25-year-old stainless bowls. They’re the best!

All this and more in our Pet Connection newspaper feature, which you can read on the Universal Press Syndicate Web site.