We want to thank all of you who sent in your funny animal pictures. They were all so very wonderful, it made our decision making very difficult!

Give little "Shaeffer" a great big hug, Richard and Dena Johnson of Nacogdoches! Shaeffer won you a dinner for two at the Californian. Thanks again for your entries, everyone.

We recognize more and more how important nutrition is in the quality of life of our pets. With the proper nutrition, they can acquire the ability to avoid many diseases, as well as build and repair vital tissue, organs, bones and the immune system.

Cats & dogs have vastly different nutritional needs. What a dog's body needs to function well is very different from a cat's body and vice versa. It is important that each is fed a diet especially formulated for their needs. This is the reason behind feeding a kitten a growth (kitten) formula. Such foods contain higher levels of protein and amino acids which give the body what it needs to

sustain the period of rapid development and growth. The very food requirements for senior pets. They need diets with fewer calories and other nutrients that could put undo stress on the body during the absorption process.

Because dogs and cats do not have the ability to digest food the way humans do, the practice of feeding table scraps should be avoided. An occasional dog or cat biscuit is sufficient.

A proper and consistent feeding schedule is just as important as the quality of food you feed. Maintaining such a routine will allow a normal appetite and establish regular bowel

movements. Kittens and puppies require more frequent feedings than an adult due to increased metabolism. It is important for us to mention that more is not always better. An animal that is over weight is so because he or she has been allowed to over eat, and this can in itself decrease the quality of life of your pet. Complications with the heart, kidneys, back and joints are very common in overweight dogs.

If you need suggestions or recommendations regarding your pets' diet or feeding schedule, please give us a call. We are more than happy to help!