Linell

We've had Sugar since she was 8 weeks old. We're a household with 2 grandparents, a mom, and 2 daughters ~ all animal lovers. Sugar sits on us, licks our faces, plays tug-of-war with us, ... we give and get lots of sugar from Sugar. Recently however (she just turned 8 months), she's begun growling and even snapping at us if she brings something nasty in from the back yard and we try to take it from her. She gets a scary look in her eyes that seems so foreign to us ... like it's not Sugar. She'll hover over her backyard prize in her special corner of the kitchen and begin growling ~ not a playful growl by any means ~ and giving anyone around her the evil eye. As soon as she leaves her corner, she's sweet as pie again. We're beginning to worry about the safety of the kids and of friends that come for a visit. Any suggestions?

Clare is usually a very playful and active cat, but recently I've noticed she is a bit more lethargic than usual and seems to be loosing weight. I'm wondering if all this is connected and would like to know (1) what it is and (2) what to do about it. I would prefer home remedies as I live in China at the moment and veterinary services are ... limited. However, we do have a very friendly vet who is open to suggestions from other vets. Thanks in advance for those of you who offer helpful advice.

We have recently adopted two 5-year-old collies who were raised in a suburban area confined to a fenced yard with no other animals. They are now on a 48-acre horse ranch with horses and cats and other critters you'd expect to find on a ranch roaming freely about. These dogs are gentle in nature, but can't resist chasing a fleeing cat. Both dogs and cats are dear to us. Any suggestions on how to teach our dogs that "cats are friends, not food!"

What is the best nonsurgical treatment? How long should the treatment last?

When we eat dinner as a family she makes good choices (probably because Mom's there) , but when she's at a social gathering she eats like there's no tomorrow. She's to the age where she can earn a little money of her own and is often with friends after school. I know she uses her spending money to buy junk food to be like her friends. Her friends are small and can tolerate a certain amount of 'junk', but my daughter's body can't. She's very active (likes to run, swim, rollerblade, etc.), but she has had intestinal problems since she was very young (perhaps due to her lactose intolerance)and this seems to have effected her metabolism.

I don't want to "police" her eating habits, but she doesn't seem to have any self-control even though she has the knowledge of what these foods are doing to her body. She cries at night because she's so heavy, but the next day I find candy wrappers in her backpack. She eats to sooth her pain. How can I help her without making it worse?

I have never smoked, am in good health, and breath easily even when walking up and down 4 flights of stairs. None of the indications I've read online concerning lung disease seem to apply to me. Part of me says "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.", but the other part says "Early intervention is the key!" Advice, please.

Kittens were adopted off the street. Have had daily ear cleanings by the vet for over 6 weeks. A pungent odor is coming from their ears. The vet wants to give up - I don't!