Hattie’s Corner

Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart

I wanted to let you know the Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart program will air nationally on WGN America on November 15, 2009 at 11 am EST. If the program is confirmed to air in Atlanta, Tampa, or Miami I will let you know as soon as I hear.

Books!

Have you read any good books lately? Well there is a great new book out that really tells the story of Bats!! That’s’ right Bats!

My Mom, Dr. Gail Powell-Johnson coauthored the book and her contributing chapter is titled: Bat Vision and Ophthalmology, of course. How relevant for the fall season. Anyway, it’s an interesting book titled; Bats in Captivity: Volume 1: Biological and Medical Aspects edited by Susan Barnard. So next time you are in the office, ask my Mom to let you browse through this most exciting publication.

Zoonotic Diseases

How many of you know what zoonotic disease is? It is a disease that can be transmitted from man to animals or from animals to man. Some examples of these organisms include Toxoplasma, Giardia, Toxocaia to name a few. Close physical contact between owners and their pets is quite common as our pets are considered family members, but keep in mind that this contact can impose an increased risk of transmission.

We (pets) love all these things below, however, consider the transmission of zoonotic pathogens the next time you let your pet:

1. into your bed
2. walk onto kitchen counter and food preparation areas
3. lick your face and mouth

Does your owner change the litter box frequently; wash their hands regularly after contact with their pets?

These are words that may help keep you and your pets safe!

Check me and my Mom out in a local Atlanta paper! Some nice people came to talk to my mom about helping animals’ eyes. You can see a neat photo of me getting my eyes checked out with a slit lamp biomicroscope! Read about us here.

Here are some photos of Xi Lan, our newest addition in the Panda family at Zoo Atlanta. Earlier this year, Xi- Lan had his first ophthalmic examination. How cute is that face!

Over Dr. Powell-Johnsons’ career, she has examined both adult Pandas, Lun Lun, and Yang Yang. Their first offspring, Mei Lan, has had a complete ophthalmic examination as well.

Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Giant Panda), originated in China and are mostly related to bears. Xi Lan was born at Zoo Atlanta on August 30, 2008, and is Lun Lun and Yang Yangs’ second offspring. We are so proud of Lun Lun, as she is a good Mom.

AVEC is committed to the conservation and animal husbandry, as it relates to both domestic and nondomestic species. Pandas’ natural habitats are being challenged, and it is important for the next generation to protect and cherish these majestic creatures.

Just checking in! My Mom and Dad just traveled out of town for a few days. So I really had fun with my petsitter in the evening, and hanging out with my buddies at my favorite daycare, Piedmont Bark, during the day. They are great there, and the owner, William, is my neighbor and a pretty cool guy.

I have finally convinced Mom to start carrying a few of my favorite things at AVEC. So, the next time you are in the neighborhood, stop in and say hello and inquire about Hattiemaes’ Favorite Things:

• Wysong Dream Treats - chicken, pheasant
• Doctor’s Dream Treats - Healthy Teeth
• Archetype Burgers
• Archetype Buffet

The Archetypal Fresh Variety is a potpourri of special non-thermally processed foods that you can use to vary and supplement various diets. The food is cold processed, which is great, as heat is the enemy of nutrients. It’s 99% meat and there are no grains, which unnaturally dilute the diet with high levels of carbohydrates. Also, Archetype is free of additives used to create color, texture, taste, stool consistency and shelf-life. And best of all, its has yummy things that I like, such as cold processed meat, organs, bones, collagen, antioxidants, fruits and vegetables,and even probiotics.
HAVE YOU SEEN HOW SHINY AND BRIGHT MY COAT IS LATELY?

Another FAVORITE THINGS is Snook’s Sweet Potato Dog Chews. They help to keep my teeth healthy and clean. Since the food I eat doesn’t have a lot of additives, and I chew on Snook’s, my teeth are sparkling and white, and I don’t need a denistry every year. The dried sweet potatoes are organic, and on a hemp rope, so I love to romp through the house tossing them around. Every now and then I break one off, and yummy, yummy, yummy.

Oh well, talk with you soon!