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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
May 4, 2007
/ 16 Iyar, 5767
Better licking through chemistry?
By
Jonah Goldberg
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The Goldberg household is less cheerful than normal these days. Cosmo the Wonderdog recently had ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery on one of his back knees. Last summer he had the same surgery on his other hind leg. When he was a 1-year-old he had surgery on a front leg because of an unrelated joint problem. Plus, there have been the usual accidents and mishaps normally associated with active canines.
Dog-owning readers with even remotely similar experience might be doing some quick mental calculations. And right about now they're concluding that I've spent enough money on Cosmo to buy a pretty good car.
But we don't complain about the money, at least not much, because we love our dog. A lot. Which is why his generally gloomy state has cast a pall over the entire house. Dog owners know what I mean. When your dog's not home, the house feels empty. And when he spends all day on his bed seemingly plotting revenge on his human overlords or mentally composing letters to Amnesty International about his mistreatment, it's impossible to escape the contagion of his funk particularly when he has to wear that cone-shaped collar (which prevents him from nipping at his stitches). He looks up at me from the center of that plastic flower, saying with his eyes "this thing demeans us both."
I bring all of this up for several reasons, chief among them I want to be clear that I understand the desire to make our dogs and, yes, I suppose cats too happy.
But not all forms of happiness are the same. We spend this money on Cosmo so he can once again personify pure doggie goodness in the many good years he has left. Some people, on the other hand, want to spend money on their dogs to keep them from being doggy.
You may have heard that Eli Lilly, the maker of Prozac, has just launched Reconcile, a chewable, beef-flavored antidepressant. It's designed to lessen separation anxiety for dogs left alone for long periods of time. "A lot of people who have this problem with their pets will come home to a trashed house," a Lilly spokesman told the Associated Press.
I'm sympathetic to better living through chemistry, but isn't there something shameful to this?
Dogs are pack animals. The romance of lone wolves notwithstanding, most canines don't want to be alone. Cosmo is spoiled in this regard. My wife and I work from home, and he's rarely left alone for extended periods of time. (And when he is, he tends to surf the Web using my credit cards. Need an extra metric ton of tennis balls, only slightly chewed?)
As a general rule, if you find that your normal dog needs to be put on antidepressants just to get through the day, maybe you shouldn't have a dog. Or, perhaps you shouldn't have a breed that can't tolerate long periods of inactive isolation.
For example, when I see city residents walking border collies the Nietzschean ubermenschen of the canine world on leashes, it drives me crazy. These dogs were designed through eugenic engineering to work their minds and bodies every day at enormously high levels, not get a few minutes' walk to Starbucks.
At first, I couldn't stand the cable TV show "The Dog Whisperer" because the host, Cesar Millan, uses New Agey mumbo jumbo about "energy" and "color" to explain himself. But after watching a few shows, you realize that Millan knows what he's doing, and to the extent he uses some silly buzz phrases, it's because he needs to explain to often clueless dog owners that surprise! dogs need to exercise. In almost every episode, at least one of the dogs is a mess because he's left alone all day and doesn't get out much.
Some breeders are finally catching up with reality and breeding dogs that make sense for modern urban living. Portuguese water dogs are great, but most condo owners don't need a dog to deliver messages between fishing boats. Of course, traditionalists object to the new crops of labradoodles (Labrador/poodles) and puggles (pug/beagles), but this is absurd. Most dog breeds were created to do jobs like rat-catching, herding and the like. There aren't enough openings for those jobs today. But there is still a lot of demand for the love of a good dog, so if we're going to have dog breeding at all (I'm very pro pound dog), why not breed to fit today's needs?
It sure beats the Brave New World of medicating dogs to keep them from being dogs.
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