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SoulPup Solutions for Pets: Register Your Dog’s Microchip

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Protect your pet, enroll in free microchip registry

SoulPup.com offers quick, easy ideas to help reduce the number of  shelter dogs in your community. Here’s the latest SoulPup Solution.

microchip registry for dogs

Did you know that more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other holiday? If your pet gets skittish around loud noises, avoid overexposing it to crowds, friends and bombs bursting in air on our loudest of holiday. Lulu tried quite a few products designed to calm anxious pets. (Check out our review of the Thundershirt.)

If your pet does get away from you on the Fourth or any other day, there are new tools that may increase your chance for a reunion.

Dogs need an ID collar and updated tags at all times

Take a minute to check your dog’s ID tags. All that jingling can actually wear away the engraved information. Make a point of checking the tag every few months. That’s where the calendar tool on your smartphone comes in handy. Also, dogs should wear their collars anytime they are outside. It only takes one loud noise or an open fence to create an opportunity for them to get away. Last week, my fiance hosted a 75-pound pit bull that had been found wandering around Clayton County here in metro Atlanta. He got along well with my Lulu, had fun around the kids and made full use of the nearest toilet when he needed a refreshing beverage. It was clear the dog had been well-loved, except for the absence of a collar — or a microchip.
Fortunately, signs posted around the area led to a happy reunion. The owner said her kids accidentally left the fence gate open. Her pooch gets away quite often, which is not surprising since unaltered males tend to roam for a girlfriend. Asked if she wanted a microchip, she declined. Unfortunately, I fear that sweet pooch will be lost again in the future.

Invest in a microchip

Microchips are an inexpensive form of insurance in case your pet ever gets away. No bigger than a grain of rice, the chip is implanted under the dog’s skin and typically stays in place for years. Each chip has an ID number — consider it a doggie Social Security number — that can be read with a scanner. If your dog is lost, veterinary clinics and animal shelters can scan for a chip and use the number to locate your contact information. Now that the weather is warm, start looking for a pet festival in your area. Many offer shot clinics or low-cost microchips. I’ve found chips for as low as $10 and as much as $75.

Here’s the challenge: Most people neglect to register their information or or fail to provide updates when they move. Without that updated information, your dog may languish at a shelter … or worse.

How you can help

Ask your vet to scan your microchip. As long as they have a universal scanner, vets will be able to detect the ID number from various manufactured microchip models. Armed with that ID, you can register your pet with the Found Animals Microchip Registry. If your pet ever gets lost, shelters can use the Found Animals Microchip Registry to send alerts via phone, text and email. That’s where up-to-date info is vital. Even if you move or the give to dog to someone else, the information can be updated at any time…and it’s FREE!

Help homeless pets: Start by registering your dog’s chip on the website. Then, spread the word. Please share this info with anyone who had a pet. It could help them recover lost animals faster, making space for pets that truly need help in our local shelters.

Together, we can pay it forward for pets.

 

Recall Alert: Hartz Recalls Chicken Jerky Recall & Pig Skin Twists

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Hartz has issued a recall of Chicken Jerky & Pig Skin Twists
Hartz has issued a recall of Chicken Jerky & Pig Skin Twists

Recognize these products? If they are in your cabinet or stowed inside treat jars, you may need to pay attention. Hartz has issued a voluntary recall of the pet treats. Here’s their message posted on PR Newswire:

SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily withdrawing its Hartz ® Chicken Chews™ and Hartz ® Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken for dogs in the United States because they contain trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue.

We are taking this action after recent Hartz testing found trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue in samples of Hartz® Chicken Chews™ and Oinkies® Pig Skin Twists wrapped with Chicken products. Even though two-thirds of the products we tested did not contain antibiotic residues, we would rather be overly cautious by voluntarily withdrawing these products from the market.

These antibiotics are approved for use in poultry in China and other countries, including European Union member states, but are not among those approved in the U.S. Based on the FDA’s review of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets (NYSDAM) results, there is no evidence that raises health concerns, and these results are highly unlikely to be related to the reports of illnesses FDA has received related to jerky pet treats.

Immediately upon learning of this finding, Hartz contacted the FDA to share our test results and execute a nationwide voluntary withdrawal.  There have been no known illnesses to date associated with the consumption of these products.

“Upon learning about the nationwide voluntary withdrawal of several other brands of chicken jerky products through media reports, Hartz acted immediately to begin additional testing to determine if the same unapproved antibiotic residues were present in our products,” said Sean McNear , Sr. Director of Quality and Regulatory at Hartz Mountain.

There is no indication that the trace amounts of unapproved antibiotic residue are linked to the FDA’s ongoing investigation of chicken jerky products produced in China. The trace amounts of antibiotic residue do not pose a health or pet safety risk.

No other Hartz products are affected by this withdrawal.

If you have these products contact the Hartz Consumer Affairs team (24 hours/day 7 days/week) at 1-800-275-1414 for a product refund or go to www.hartz.com for additional information.

SOURCE The Hartz Mountain Corporation / PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1yXZx)

As someone who avoids junk food, I am very particular about dog treats for Lulu. If I cannot pronounce the ingredients, we don’t need it. Click here for some SoulPup-approved treats that are fun, healthy and inexpensive. (Hello, peanut butter!) Also, thanks to our friends at To Dog with Love for the great tip of stuffing Kongs with Greek yogurt and freezing them. Love that!

How To: Help Your Pet Find Another Home

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You can do a few things to make a difficult situation easier on you and your pet.

A: It’s been three years, but Ebony Stith still cringes when her daughter Erin asks about their beloved shih tzu. Every time the question arises, Stith patiently explains that Cookie has moved on to a better place — far, far away. A place called Flint, Mich.
 

After months of handling parenting duties for their new baby — not to mention poop duties for Cookie — Stith’s husband said out loud what she already been thinking: Their household had become too hectic, and the dog’s needs had taken a back seat.“The priority was kids, job, husband, then Cookie,” admits Stith, editor of Tween Girl Style Magazine. “It just wasn’t working out. It’s like Cookie would ask, ‘How far do I have to kick my water bowl for you to see that I’m thirsty?’”

 

Life happens. Priorities change, finances change and, in some instances, pet owners must find new homes for their furry companions. Cookie is now the center of attention for her grandparents, Marcia and Eddie Watkins of Flint, Mich. 

“She’s happier and gets more attention,” Stith says. “Of course, my daughter keeps asking, ‘When can I have my dog back?’”

If circumstances force you to find a new home for your pet — and if you are considering adopting a friend’s pet — here are a few important factors to consider:

Understand the financial commitment: In addition to food and basic dog gear, factor in the cost of regular veterinary care. In the 2011-12 survey for the American Pet Products Association, pet owners said they expected to spend $254 on dog food and $220 for cat food. Basic veterinary care, such as routine checkups and vaccinations, adds about $248 for dogs and $219 for cats. Of course, aging pets and emergency care bring additional expenses. For Cookie, surgery for kidney stones led to an unexpected $1,500 veterinary bill, but Watkins says that the companionship from Cookie more than makes up for the bill. If the original owner plans to help pay for pet care, avoid a conflict and work out a system up front.

There are no ‘loaner pets’: Marcia Watkins somewhat reluctantly agreed to take in Cookie, thinking the situation would be short-term. “I didn’t have a sense of whether this was permanent or temporary,” says the retired art professor. Former colleagues gave the retired art professor a reality check. They said, “Oh no, you have a dog,” she says. “After a year, that’s your dog now.” Both owners should go into the agreement with their eyes wide open on this point.

Share medical and behavioral history: Be honest about any medical or behavioral issues your pet has. Vaccination records are essential, especially if the pet has to travel as Cookie did. True confessions about behavior issues, such as a dislike for cats or a bit of incontinence, help ease a pet’s transition to its new digs.

“It’s just like having a child; they need love, attention from their owner — and medical attention,” Watkins says. “But they give so much back. In the quietness of the house, when it’s just me and Cookie, I am at peace because I have someone with a keen sense of hearing.”

Settling in takes time: Like people, pets must adjust to a new routine, especially if the new owner already has pets. Start by maintaining a schedule for walks, feedings and outdoor time. Also, take care when introducing the new addition to other animals and children. In previous columns, I offered tips on how to ensure a smooth transition for dog and cat additions to the family.

Avoid the issue by planning ahead: To avoid dealing with a “me or the dog,” conundrum, Atlantan Shawn McElroy weeds out pet lovers at the beginning of any relationship.

“I dated one guy who had cats,” she says. “I never understood why I had such bad allergies when I visited him, then we discovered that I was allergic to his cats. No matter how much he cleaned, it was still a problem.”

McElroy’s guy even tried to create a cat-free zone at his place, but eventually she called it quits. Now she weeds out pet lovers when reviewing online dating profiles. “It’s just easier,” she said.

Meanwhile back in Michigan, Cookie the dog is thriving — even though Watkins says the dog can return to Florida at any time. Occasionally, she reminds her granddaughter that she did not steal Cookie. But it’s clear that there is a strong love connection.

“If I’m sick or have the flu, she will lay across the floor,” Watkins says. “I value the sensitivity they [dogs] have and how they show their love to the people who take care of them.”

 

This column previously appeared on Mother Nature Network

Why do dogs eat their poop?

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Here’s what to do when your beloved pooch has a taste for the unthinkable.

Q: My older female dog has begun to eat her poop and we cannot figure out the cause. She gets the same amount of dog food that she always has. Why is this happening?A: There comes a time in every dog owner’s life when poop dominates the conversation. Welcome to not-so-nice aspects of dog ownership. While my dog Lulu does not share your pet’s particular problem, she has taken extreme measures to hide evidence of “accidents” every now and then. With such a strong sense of smell, she still seems to forget that poop leaves an odor.

Since your little poop eater leaves the crime scene squeaky clean, she may have a condition called coprophagia.

“Unfortunately this is a topic that is brought up quite often,” says Dr. Arhonda Johnson, owner of The Ark Animal Hospital in Atlanta. In most cases, this problem is behavioral and stems from curious hounds exploring the environment and all it has to offer. (Dogs don’t exactly have discriminating taste.)

Sites like Amazon.com are flooded with products such as For-Bid or other supplements that make a dog’s poop “unpalatable” — now that’s an oxymoron. Customer reviews tend to vary, and many of the products require continued use to reap the benefits. Also, these supplements fail to address the core problem, which Johnson notes could be an underlying health issue.

If your pet suffers from coprophagia, here are a few common causes to consider:

Nutritional deficiency: “You are feeding her the same amount of food, but are you feeding her the same type of food?” Johnson asks. “If so, she might have intestinal parasites that are robbing her of the nutrition she is consuming. Tapeworms, which are transmitted by fleas, are big nutrition robbers.” A visit with the vet will help determine whether parasites are behind your dog’s unfortunate pastime.

Boredom: Idle minds breed mischief. Johnson says that your dog may be acting out of sheer boredom. If that’s the case, it may be time to monitor her outdoor privileges.

Curiosity: It’s new, it’s different and it smells interesting. What’s not to like? Dogs, particularly puppies, are prone to coprophagia. Use a gentle hand to steer them in a different direction.

It’s there: Be sure to clean the area thoroughly after your pet’s potty time. It also may be time to invest in a good pooper scooper. “The best prevention is cleanup,” Johnson says.

All the best!

 

This column previously appeared on Mother Nature Network

How To: Help Dogs Lose Weight

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Did you know that Oct. 9 is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day? Unfortunately, pet obesity has reached epidemic proportions. The rate of overweight and obese pets has reached epidemic levels in the United States, affecting 60 percent of cats and 56 percent of dogs, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP)’s annual survey. You control what goes into that bowl, so take action.

Exercise, portion control and some cool toys can help you win the battle of the bulge. (And be sure to check out the video of some super-smart dogs at the end.)

A friend recently shared that she would have a major problem if someone tried to control when, what and how much she ate.

“I would KILL them,” she said. “And maybe eat them.”

Pet owners dictate exactly how much kibble goes into those bowls each day — yet the majority of our pets are overweight. Perhaps those sad faces and lingering looks weaken our resolve. Whatever tactic your pet uses to score extra treats, a good offense often serves as the best defense. When one of her three cats was diagnosed as obese, Vryce Hough got creative and installed high-tech doors that limited each cat’s access to kibble. Dog trainer Sarah Wilson offers a few low-tech options to help dogs shed excess baggage in multiple-pet households. Keeping pets at a healthy weight also can cut costs on veterinary bills. Check out results of a pet owner survey explaining the cost for common treatments.

Separate pets during mealtime: “Feed the dogs in separate rooms and tether the one who finishes first,” says Wilson, author of the book “Childproofing Your Dog.” She also suggests tethering the overweight dog during meal time so it can’t scarf up another dog’s food.

Don’t leave kibble out all day: Leaving bowls of kibble around for easy access, also known as free feeding, can be problematic. I learned that the hard way when two pooches visited Lulu and me. Only one dog had free run of the house. (Guess which one packed on the pounds.)

“With overweight dogs, there are few ways to manage it if you free feed,” says Wilson, who recommends feeding dogs twice a day. “They don’t starve.”

Enjoy additional playtime, but keep it light: It’s tempting to head outside for a few rounds of extreme Frisbee to drop those pounds. But make sure you don’t overdo it with overweight dogs during hot spring and summer months, particularly if the dog is older. Watch for signs of overexposure, such as excessive panting, and keep dogs hydrated. If there is a pet-friendly swimming pool nearby, opt for a few laps to burn calories.

Rough play, and even a simple game of fetch, can be problematic for overweight dogs so take it easy. “An overweight dog can run to stop and slam to the ground,” Wilson says. “Don’t let eagerness guide your decisions.”

Tiptoe through the tulips: Walking burns calories and helps relieve stress for pets and people. Grab a few leashes and take the pack on long walks around the neighborhood.“If you walk them together and say, ‘That was fun,’ then schedule regular outings for the entire pack,” Wilson says. “If you come back and say, ‘I hope that doesn’t happen again tomorrow,’ then set a play date for the young dog and the older dog may need consistent walking.”

Exercise with your dog: Trainer Dolvett Quince from “The Biggest Loser” has joined forces with Banfield Hospitals to offer a few exercises that people and pups can do together. He recommends moves such as squats, plank fetch and even swimming together.

Practice portion control: Whether it’s a bowl of kibble in the morning or a treat for being good later in the day, monitor your dog’s food consumption. Wilson suggests measuring to ensure consistency. Consult your vet for advice on how much to feed your dog, and visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website for handy tools such as a daily feeding and activity log to track your pet’s caloric intake.

“One of the big things I see with overweight dogs is people think the size the biscuit or treat arrives in is the size to feed the dog,” Wilson says. “It is shocking when owners see me break the biscuit into four or more pieces.”

Treats should be closer in size to pencil eraser rather than a penny. I typically use dehydrated lamb lung to keep Lulu motivated. With cheese she is practically putty in my hands. “Make [treats] the smallest amount your dog is willing to work for,” Wilson says.

Try interactive toys: Treat-dispensing toys keep pets moving, which burns calories as they work for their reward. Wilson suggests adding high-value treats such as tiny bits of low-fat string cheese to keep overweight pooches engaged during play time. Slices of apples or carrots also can serve as satisfying rewards. Just be sure to factor in those calories during feeding time.

Here are a few interactive toys, listed in order of difficulty, that help burn calories by getting pudgy pooches to move and exercise those brain cells. Be sure to monitor all dogs during playtime to avoid potential choking hazards.

Kong Classic toy: Dog owners with destructive dogs (aka power chewers) know the Kong brand well. Puncture-resistant rubber toys such as the Kong Classic can be filled with low-calorie treats or string cheese. “With the Kong, overweight dogs can stay entertained and amuse themselves,” says dog trainer Sarah Wilson of MySmartPuppy.com. It’s also available in multiple sizes.

Orbee-Tuff Strawberry with Treat Spot:Strawberries can be in season all year long with this super-durable chew toy from Planet Dog. Fill it with treats and even the most aggressive chewers will remain occupied — at least until the goodies are gone. It’s available at PlanetDog.com. Round out your produce assortment with the Orbee-Tuff artichoke, eggplant and giant raspberry.

Omega Paw Tricky Treats Ball: A cratered surface helps older dogs grasp and hold this bright orange ball. Place treats inside, and dogs must roll it around to access hidden treasures. This soft, vinyl toy is not for the power chewers.

IQ Treat Ball: My dog Lulu detested the idea of working for a meal, so this toy didn’t get much action in my house. Plenty of other pets, including a miniature piglet, give the IQ Treat Ball high marks. Fill it with kibble or other goodies, adjust the treat setting and let your pooch roll away. This hard plastic toy is available in two sizes — three inches and five inches.

Kyjen Dog Games Star Spinner: Kyjen specializes in interactive games that keep dogs occupied. Puzzle toys such as the Hide a Squirrel, Lulu’s absolute favorite, re-create exercises implemented at zoos to reduce boredom in animals. With the Star Spinner, dogs must use their noses to access hidden treats. Available at Amazon.com.

Trixie Activity Chess Dog Toy:Any toy that comes with an instruction manual presents a challenge to pets and people. This unique toy requires pooches to slide squares and lift cones to reveal hidden treats nestled inside the board. Prepare to capture the fun on video. Available at Petco.com.

Dog Fighter Treat Dispenser: After the birth of her two children, Nina Ottosson developed a line of “brain teaser” toys to keep her Bouvier des Flandres active and occupied. Made in Sweden, the Dog Fighter requires pets to move wooden blocks along four separate channels if they want a reward. It scores a 2 out of 3 in difficulty level so you may have to nudge pooches a bit to help them learn the game. Available on Amazon.com. (Check out video below of this toy in action.)

Dog Worker: One of the most challenging interactive toys in the line from designer Nina Ottosson, the Dog Worker requires pups to uncover treats hidden under various blocks. Victory comes only after dogs spin the rotating disc to slide or lift wooden blocks. Available on Amazon.com.

 

This column previously appeared on Mother Nature Network.

Food: Dry vs. Wet

The Food and Drug Administration regulates our pet food industry. Learn more about how they protect pets and their food. SoulPup tracks FDA recalls. Check their site regularly to ensure that your pet’s favorite treats are not on the list.

Find the Best Option for Your Pet

Dogs don’t exactly have discriminating tastes. Many will even eat their own poop. What dogs do have working in their favor is a multibillion-dollar pet food industry vying for a place in their food bowls. The ever-growing list of options — all natural, holistic, organic, human-grade — can cause plenty of consternation among pet owners. Here are a few tips to help identify the best food option for your pets:

Read the label
Avoid falling for fancy descriptions that promise holistic or human-grade ingredients and focus instead on brands labeled “complete and balanced” by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This organization sets guidelines that help ensure pet food has been formulated to cover basic nutritional needs. You will find this label on many of the tried and true brands that have long occupied pet food shelves at your local grocery store.

“These are companies that have done the research — hundreds of pages of studies — proving the quality of their food,” says Dr. Annie Price, owner of Ormewood Animal Hospital in Atlanta. “With a lot of over-the-counter, high-end food, there is no research to back what they claim as true. That’s not to say it’s not good food; we just have to be careful.”

To help dog lovers navigate the food aisle, Dr. Jennifer Coates, a Colorado-based veterinarian and pet nutrition blogger with PetMD.com, worked with Hill’s Science Diet pet food company to create an interactive nutrition guide called “MyBowl.” Like the food pyramid, MyBowl breaks down the percentage of carbohydrates (50 percent), fats and oils (25 percent), and proteins (25 percent) dogs need as part of a complete and balanced diet.

“In the past you just grabbed whatever was on the shelf, and that’s not the case anymore,” Coates says. “Choice isn’t always a good thing; it does make for more confusion.”

When it comes to proteins, Coates tells clients to look for a predominance of food that sounds like what they would want to eat. Ingredients are listed based on quantity, so look for high-quality proteins to be listed among the first few items. Price adds that pet owners should buy food based on the appropriate life stage, particularly during those puppy years, and seek formulas specifically made for your breed.

“If you buy puppy food that has not been broken down into breed sizes, you can have problems,” Price warns. “A German shepherd does not grow the same as a toy poodle. Large and giant breed dogs are prone to juvenile skeletal cartilage issues that we can prevent by having them on a proper diet.”

The same rule applies to senior formulas. Pet food companies have upped their game by offering formulations with fewer calories and supplements such as fish oil to support joint health.

Avoid the hype
Even with a shaky economy, the pet food category continues to gain momentum. The American Pet Products Association reports that pet owners spent about $18.76 billion on food in 2010, up 6.8 percent from the previous year. Pet food expenses are expected to reach $19.53 billion this year as more pet owners connect the dots between health and nutrition. But pet nutritionist Dr. Martin Glinsky cautions pet owners to avoid the hype.

“We have got to be careful to distinguish between the marketing and nutrition end,” says Glinsky, who consults companies seeking to formulate high-end pet food. He points to grain-free brands and limited-ingredient diets as the latest trends captivating pet owners. Restricting the number of proteins and grains, and introducing so-called novel proteins, such as buffalo or fish, help reduce the possibility of an allergic reaction. But not all pets need limited-ingredient diets, which often come with higher price tags than your average kibble.

“Documentation for all these allergies people profess their dogs have is totally out of whack,” Glinsky says. “If everyone who told me their dog was allergic to corn is right, then we have an epidemic in this country. But people like to think that feeding a certain food is good for their dog and they are doing the best for them; that’s human nature.”

Rather than buy into limited-ingredient diets, Glinsky advises pet owners to focus on the manufacture date and toss kibble that is more than six months old. When pet food languishes for months on warehouse or grocery store shelves, natural ingredients break down and fat oxidizes, turning into harmful free radicals. For super-quick kibble, consider his line of Dr. G’s Fresh Pet Food, which is made-to-order pet food and shipped about 48 hours after preparation. To promote oral health, Glinsky also recommends chews, but warns against rawhide.

“Pretty caustic materials [are used] to process the hide,” he says. “Often this material is not rinsed completely.”

Consult an expert before changing food
The farm-to-table movement has piqued curiosity about the origins of beef or chicken meal listed on pet food labels. Recent recalls also have fueled a interest in raw diets for cats and dogs. While slightly more expensive than dry food, proponents note that raw diets, which are free of chemical preservatives, promote healthier coats and more closely resemble a pet’s diet in the wild. Because raw diets involve uncooked meat, safe handling practices are vital to avoid the threat of salmonella. Before you try a raw diet, dabble with home-cooked meals, or simply change your pet’s kibble, it’s important to consult an expert. Veterinarians or veterinary nutritionists can walk you through the steps to make a healthy transition for your pet.

“A lot of people think we get kickbacks for these foods, but we don’t get wined and dined,” Price says. “I don’t get anything for free, trust me. I just see the research that companies have done over the last 20 years.”

Based on pet nutrition research, Price vehemently opposes raw diets, which can expose humans to potential health risks such as salmonella. She also says that raw diets lack the presence of trace minerals that pets need, introducing the risk for disease. If you have the time and the money, she does recommend home-cooked meals, if done with input from veterinary nutritionists.

“They can help you come up with an actual recipe for the meal based on the dog’s weight and caloric need,” she says. “You don’t just get a doggie cookbook because they are not nutritionally sound, either. You can publish anything you want and it doesn’t even have to be peer-reviewed.”

What about cats?
Whenever I chat with Price, she always offers information about our feline friends, and this time was no exception. For years, veterinarians have recommended dry kibble as a way to promote good oral health. Price points to new research that indicates wet food may be beneficial, particularly for cats.

“We realized a lot of animals don’t even chew their food, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s canned or dry,” she says. “Cats love to keep themselves a little on side of dehydration and the latest recommendation for cats’ urinary health — and to prevent diabetes and weight gain — is to increase fluid intake.”

Access to water helps, but Price says that a high-quality canned food can be beneficial to cat health, particularly if they are prone to urinary tract issues or kidney disease.

Hopefully this information will help ensure that your cats and dogs are happy and healthy for years to come.

— Morieka Johnson

This story originally appeared on MNN.com.