We have our three Standard Schnauzers -- Bulwinkle, Shamu and a new puppy, Cory -- I have had this breed since 1959 and have bred them since 1962. I agree dogs and cats are wonderful to boost your spirits and hgive you cofort when you are ill or "down" for any reason, I know they were a big comfort to boyh Barry and me during the last year.

We lost our beloved Stubby in July due to a rare cancer which the veterinary oncologist said was due to environmental exposure to a carcinogen -- makes you wonder what we are doing to ourselves and our environment. I do a newsletter for our dog club and was just given an EU report on the effects of bisphenyl A-diglycidyl ether ("BADGE") which is used in the linings of pop-top cans and has been found to be an endocrine disruptor at very low concentrations and may be involved in the increase in hormone-related cancers.

Another warning for dogs -- Xylitol gum, which many OC patients chew to increase mouth moisture and reduce tooth decay, is quite poisonous to dogs.

Gail