Dr. Don DeForge Silver Sands Veterinary

Yes, Virginia , there is a Santa Claus! by Francis Pharcellus Church with Commentary by Don DeForge, VMD Editor's Note: 8 year old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of the New York Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial, Sept 21, 1897.  The work of veteran newsman, Francis Pharcellus Church, has since become history's more reprinted newspaper editorial; appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books; editorials; and on posters and stamps. Here is the letter and response to the New York Sun 117 year ago.  It could have been written just as well 24December2014. Dear Editor: I am 8 years old.  Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.  Papa says, "If you see it in the Sun it's so!"  Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?   Virginia O'Hanlon 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street NY, NY Editorial Response from the New York Sun... VIRGINIA, your little frie

Put a Stop to Pet Problems During the Holidays Don DeForge, VMD Every holiday period brings great joy as families reunite and children experience the wonders of Santa Claus; Christmas trees; special foods; and candy.  We sometimes forget that pets are present and watching all of the excitement.  Many times mischievous pets find lots of  fun which become hazards.  Without a watchful eye, the hazard can lead to danger and even death.  Every year, I post my Christmas and Holiday hazards that you MUST be vigilant about to avoid unnecessary visits to the Animal ER or your local doctor of veterinary medicine. #1 The Christmas Tree The Christmas tree can cause many problems.  Live trees have one set of problems and artificial trees pose other problems.  Don't put fertilizer in the live tree well.  Cover the water well with aluminum foil to stop drinking of stagnant water.  Real pine needles are not toxic but can cause stomach and esophagus irritability or a possib

Seven Healthy Lessons of the Human-Animal Bond Don DeForge, VMD The Human-Animal Bond is not an entity or a title....it is a way of life.  We can learn much from the components of this bond if we only take the time to consider its importance.   Rockwell's 4 Freedoms have been discussed decade after decade..... ever since the ink dried on his Saturday Evening Post paintings : Freedom from Want; Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Worhship; and Freedom from Fear.  The four freedoms refer to President  Franklin D. Roosevelt 's January 1941  Four Freedoms   State of the Union address  in which he identified essential  human rights  that should be universally protected. [2] [3]  The theme was incorporated into the  Atlantic Charter , [4] [5]  and became part of the charter of the  United Nations . [6]  The paintings were reproduced in  The Saturday Evening Post  over four consecutive weeks in 1943, alongside essays by prominent thinkers of the day.  One of the Sev