My little dog occasionally snorts uncontrollably. While the episode doesn't last long, it's actually pretty frightening to watch since it looks like he is in considerable discomfort. According to our vet, it's a harmless condition that's quite common in dogs. The official name is "mechanosensitive aspiration reflex" but it is colloquially known as "reverse sneezing." If your dog ever does this, PetPlace.com has published a very comprehensive article about reverse sneezing that should allay any fears. The article includes: What is Reverse Sneezing in Dogs? What Does a Reverse Sneeze Look Like? How Long Do Episodes of Reverse Sneezing Last?... Continue reading

Using information collected during a customer’s first purchase, a new marketing tool that leverages machine learning technology can provide firms with valuable predictions about the customer’s future behavior, says Eva Ascarza, a marketing researcher and associate professor at Harvard Business School. By incorporating data most companies discard, Ascarza and her... Continue reading

Looking back at the last twelve to eighteen months, it would be perfectly legitimate to think retirees have adopted a pessimistic attitude. The damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on every aspect of life certainly cannot be understated. But like a phoenix rising from the ashes, American retirees have a... Continue reading

Many dog owners know that if ingested, chocolate is dangerous to dogs. But more than half of dog owners don't know about the danger of another common substance: Xylitol. Xylitol is found in sugar-free gum, but increasingly, it is also found in other foods as a substitute for sugar. It may be in candy, mints, peanut and other nut butters, cookies, ice cream, yogurt, jams, syrups and even toothpaste. According to PreventiveVet.com, xylitol poisoning cases reported to the ASPCA's Animal Control Poison Center have skyrocketed. For example, in 2005, just 201 cases of xylitol poisoning were reported. Just five years... Continue reading

No one likes to think about facing a disaster, but it's entirely possible that you may someday have to face a hurricane, flood, tornado or other natural disaster. That's why it makes sense to have a disaster plan not just for yourself, but for your dog. The ASPCA has put together a helpful disaster planning document for dog owners that includes these sections: Ready Your Dog Prepare Your Home Locate a Temporary Caregiver (if your dog cannot stay with you after you evacuate) Create an Emergency Kit (includes a Pet First Aid Kit) You can download this free document (PDF)... Continue reading

Nothing could be finer than a hike in Carolina in the morning... especially with dogs! If you're looking to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with some deserving dogs and animal lovers, consider becoming a volunteer hiker for Asheville Humane Society's "Mountain Mutts." The more hikers, the more dogs that get some quality time outside of the animal shelter. Mountain Mutts convenes in the parking lot at Asheville Humane Society (Forever Friend Lane, off Pond and Brevard Roads near the WNC Farmers Market) every Monday and Wednesday morning beginning at 8:30 AM. The Monday hike is about 4 to 5 miles, while... Continue reading

To make much-needed space and find loving homes for the animals in their care, Asheville Humane Society is offering fee-waived adoptions to approved adopters for all cats, dogs, and small pets, NOW through Saturday, July 17! If you can't adopt, please spread the word! Each adoption includes spay/neuter, all up-to-date vaccines, initial flea/heartworm preventive, microchip, and a free starter bag of food. The adoption process remains the same during promotions, and all potential adopters will meet one-on-one with trained adoption counselors to ensure the best matches for pets and their new families! Adoptable felines: https://ashevillehumane.org/adopt/cats-adoption Adoptable canines: https://ashevillehumane.org/adopt/dogs-adoption Adoptable small... Continue reading

Editor's Note: Be sure to consult your veterinarian before following any advice about medicating your dog. Two veterinarians have written a comprehensive article for PetPlace.com about the pros and cons of giving your dog Benadryl -- the brand name for diphenhydramine. The article covers the following areas: What is Benadryl? Uses of diphenhydramine for dogs Precautions and side effects Drug interactions with Benadryl Benadryl dosing for dogs Overdose of Benadryl for dogs FAQs about Benadryl in dogs The article's authors indicate that Benadryl/diphenhydramine "can be safe and effective for dogs" when prescribed by a veterinarian. It is used primarily to... Continue reading

In a recent survey conducted by PwC, half of all global consumers indicated they've become more "eco-friendly," according to Strategy + Business. The publication reported that another survey conducted by Visual GPS in conjunction with YouGov revealed 81 percent of respondents expect companies to be environmentally conscious in their advertising... Continue reading

Analysts, commentators and bloggers (including myself) have long been writing about the discriminatory actions of American businesses against workers as young as 50-plus. Companies have found numerous ways, such as reorganizations, downsizing, layoffs and the like, to evade federal laws against age discrimination. As a result, Boomer workers are often... Continue reading

A new hiking company in Asheville can give your dog an experience he won't soon forget. Appawlachian Hiking Company offers several services geared toward active dogs, including: Nature Hike - Appawlachian will pick up your dog and drive to a nearby trail for 2 to 3 hours of leashed fun, socialization and exploration. All summer hikes are held near water. Urban Hike - Appawlachian will take your dog on a 2-hour adventure in the city or your neighborhood, discovering parks, rivers, hills and more. Trail Run - Appawlachian will give your dog a 45-minute workout on a nearby trail. Trail... Continue reading

An organization called HandicappedPets.com provides "Walkin' Pets," products, a broad range of dog wheelchairs, dog harnesses/slings and other items specially designed for dogs with mobility issues. Very often, older dogs suffer from arthritis or other chronic conditions that make it painful to walk or even move. The organization has also published "How to Help Your Aging Pet," a very informative eBook that includes: Six signs of aging in senior dogs How to spot early signs of mobility loss What can I do if my dog has DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) How can I help my dog with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)... Continue reading

Hiking Hounds is one of the most popular Asheville Humane Society volunteer activities. Each month, volunteers take shelter dogs on hikes as part of the enrichment programming. You'll spend a few hours in Bent Creek hiking the trails with dogs who will love you for it. Hiking Hounds takes place on Sunday, July 11, 18 and 25 starting at 9 AM. Spots for two new hikers will be available on each hike. If you are a new hiker… once you sign up for a hike you will be sent a link to a virtual orientation. You must watch this, and... Continue reading

In July, there will be a new schedule for free pet food giveaways for the Hendersonville, NC area. Mark the dates and locations changes: 1st Tuesday of the Month: 3pm-6pm, 802 S. Grove St., Hendersonville 4th Saturday of the Month: 10am-1pm, Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, 1304 Ashe St., Hendersonville Partner Giveaways: MANNA Community Market: 3rd Wednesday of the Month, 12pm-2pm, Henderson County Health Department, 1200 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville Interfaith Assistance Ministry (IAM): 4th Tuesday of the Month, 3pm-5:30pm, 310 Freeman St., Hendersonville If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled giveaways, check Blue Ridge Humane... Continue reading

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During the month of July, you can purchase any 123 eGuide at half price. This special promotion is only available at Smashwords.com, where you can select your choice of eBook format, including Kindle (mobi), EPUB and PDF. To take advantage of this half-price sale, click on the eGuide titles below... Continue reading

For the month of July only, take advantage of a special sale for readers of Happily Rewired. The following eBooks are available through July 31 for half price: Boomer Brand Winners & Losers: 156 Best & Worst Brands of the 50s and 60s This remarkable book features fascinating stories of... Continue reading

My wife and I just returned from our first airplane trip in a year and a half. The last one we took in December 2019 was well before our COVID-19 lockdown began. Having been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine this past February, I had a high degree of confidence... Continue reading

Corporate reputation is based on a number of factors. According to Axios and Harris Poll, seven factors combine to create a company's "Reputation Quotient": Trust, vision, growth, products and services, culture, ethics and citizenship. An April 2021 survey of nearly 43,000 Americans found that these ten companies were considered "most... Continue reading

This information is presented as a public service from Blue Ridge Humane Society Many animals are surrendered to shelters each year because their owners have difficulty finding rental properties that allow pets. We strongly encourage open communication and honesty between rental management and pet-owning tenants. Use the tips below to promote your pet and yourself as a responsible pet parent: Create a pet resume that includes a photo, lists of training classes, your pet’s favorite activities, a letter of reference from a recent landlord, and current medical records. Invite landlords to meet your pet. Even if management advertises “no pets”... Continue reading

Did you know each dog's nose is as unique as a human fingerprint? That got the folks at dog food company IAMS thinking about the ten million pets in the U.S. that go missing each year. The result is NOSEiD, a new app available for iPhones and Android phones. According to the company, NOSEiD makes "it quicker and easier for owners to report them as missing, and for other dog lovers to help find them." The company worked with dog owners and shelters to create the app. The good news is the app is free. The bad news is NOSEiD... Continue reading

Nothing could be finer than a hike in Carolina in the morning... especially with dogs! If you're looking to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with some deserving dogs and animal lovers, consider becoming a volunteer hiker for Asheville Humane Society's "Mountain Mutts." The more hikers, the more dogs that get some quality time outside of the animal shelter. Mountain Mutts convenes in the parking lot at Asheville Humane Society (Forever Friend Lane, off Pond and Brevard Roads near the WNC Farmers Market) every Monday and Wednesday morning beginning at 8:30 AM. The Monday hike is about 4 to 5 miles, while... Continue reading

This six week course, taught by Pia Silvani, Behavior Director at Asheville Humane Society, focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more! Your goal as a puppy parent is to give your pup the best possible start in life. Puppies learn more between 3 and 16 weeks of age than they will in their entire lifetime! Laying a positive foundation during this time is critical for puppies to grow into behaviorally healthy dogs. This six week course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners and much more! The class is limited to 10 puppies... Continue reading

Blue Ridge Humane Society is offering free pet food on Saturday, June 26 from 10 AM to 1:00 PM at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, 1304 Ashe Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Cat and dog food will be distributed first come, first serve, as supplies last to those in need or affected by COVID-19. Social distancing and protective measures will be taken by all staff and we ask the public to do the same during the drive-thru pick-up. Masks are required to be worn during pick-up. Food will be distributed car-side, so all you need to do is... Continue reading

Hiking Hounds is one of the most popular Asheville Humane Society volunteer activities. Each month, volunteers take shelter dogs on hikes as part of the enrichment programming. You'll spend a few hours in Bent Creek hiking the trails with dogs who will love you for it. Hiking Hounds takes place every Sunday starting at 9 AM. Spots for two new hikers will be available on each hike. If you are a new hiker… once you sign up for a hike you will be sent a link to a virtual orientation. You must watch this, and sign a waiver before attending... Continue reading