stlmomsworld.com - Kay Quinn

Kay

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Humane Society Warning For Pet Owners

Temperatures have been much cooler today. After spending much of the day outside yesterday, it's a tremendous relief.
But the Humane Society of Missouri issued a warning for pet owners today, in spite of the cool-down.
And it's a reminder I'd like to pass on to you.
Anytime temperatures climb into the upper 80s and 90s, get your pets indoors as much as possible, or at least into the shade with plenty of water.
Pets should never be left unattended in a parked car, where the temperature can climb above 100 degrees in minutes.
My poodle, Ginger, and I try to take a run every morning. I get out before the temperatures climb. But any kind of exertion in high temperatures can be dangerous not only for you, but for pets.
I'll take this opportunity to share a photo of Ginger with you again. Enjoy summer safely!

Labels: heat, pets, warning

¶ 4:52 PM 0 comments

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Four-Legged Stress Busters

According to a story published exclusively on Newsweek magazine's web site, research shows owning a pet can reduce stress, high blood pressure and even help those who've had heart attacks live longer.
For once, here's a simple way to improve your health that doesn't mean changing what you consume or how you move. It's also one of the reasons we got a new addition to our family eight months ago.
Meet Ginger. She's our family's standard Poodle and she just turned one on Tuesday.

She looks full grown, (all 60 pounds of her) but she's still very much of a puppy. Her top choices for a toy: a loaf of bread, socks, my sons Legos, and any leash she can get her paws on.
In October of last year, we brought Ginger home. She's named after the first dog I ever had, a mutt who my parents brought home when I was four years old.
And while she's certainly brought us companionship and love, I was glad to read an update about the many health benefits that can come with owning a pet. It's additional evidence that pets can add so much to our lives.
Ginger's become my running partner, exercise I rarely got before her arrival. So, I'm definitely seeing a health benefit there.
But after not owning a dog for about five years, I am also rediscovering the human-pet bond that somehow does seem to lift your spirits. Ginger keeps us laughing, and reminds us about how the simple acts of a walk or a treat really can ease stress and take us outside of ourselves.
Send me a comment about your pet and whether you think your pet impacts your health.
Here's a link to the Newsweek web story: http://www.newsweek.com/id/91445

Labels: dogs, pets

¶ 11:05 AM 0 comments

Name: Kay Quinn

Location: St. Louis, MO

ABOUT ME

Health and medical issues make up one of the most exciting beats in the newsroom. Few other areas of news touch each and every one of us so closely and so often.

Whether you're a senior worried about paying for prescription drugs, a parent concerned about the health of a child or waging your own fight against cancer or heart disease, you can usually find health news that applies to you in my daily reports.

I always tell St. Louisans they are so fortunate when it comes to health care. Our city is home to two research hospitals.

Doctors and scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis University School of Medicine are involved in some of the most critical research underway in medicine today.

Work is bring done right at this moment, right in our area, that could lead to a vaccine for bird flu or better ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease.

I enjoy staying on top of those stories, as well as bringing you health and medical news you can use.

Along with the latest medical breakthroughs, you'll frequently find information on low-cost exercise programs right around the corner from where you live, or details on where to get this year's flu shot.

Many viewers want to know whether I have a medical background. I don't, but my mother was a nurse and I know her health background made a big impression on me as a child.

It's the lifelong curiosity and interest I have in health issues that serves me well in my work as health reporter.

Staying on top of what you need to know to stay fit and healthy is a job I love.