PET TALES

Chocolate might be the way to many of our hearts - but not our dogs'. Actually, it can stop dogs' hearts and kill them.

Recently I ran into an acquaintance whose sister a few years back lost her beloved Keeshond to a bar of Baker's chocolate.

To recap the tragic tale, the Tampa woman who at the time was on her way to a party with her husband, left the chocolate bar on her counter in what she believed was out of her dog Sasha's reach.

But unbeknownst to the couple, Sasha, apparently saw the rich, brown chunk and decided to grab and eat the entire thing. The woman called her veterinarian out of concern. But since the dog was not exhibiting any symptoms of illness or signs of distress, they left for the evening

But when the couple arrived home, Sasha ran up to her doggie folks, had a seizure and died right on the spot. It was if the pooch waited to say goodbye before her heart, which apparently was juiced up from the chocolate, gave out.

At the time, the woman was inconsolable. But time apparently eased enough of her pain and she recently brought another four-legged pal home. Now, everything in the home is pooch-proof.

Folks, we need to remember that as much as we love to pamper our pets with sweets and

g o o d - ies, we need to be careful. We could unknowingly be hurting our critters.

Just the other day my slick little Scottie Argyle nosed his way over to a row of potted herbs on the lanai and grazed on the cilantro plant. Two seconds later I was surfing the Internet for dangerous herbs. And in case you are wondering, cilantro is safe for pets - it even leaves them with fresh breath.

But many of the other botanicals and foods we have in and around are homes are not so safe.

Here's some paws-off foods and their affects on animals:

+ Chocolate - staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death

+ Coffee, cocoa - staggering, labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, fever, heart rate increase, arrhythmia, seizures, coma, death

+ Onions - hemolytic anemia, labored breathing, liver damage, vomiting, diarrhea, discolored urine

+ Mushrooms - abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting diarrhea, convulsions, coma, death

+ Grapes, raisins - vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy.

In other pet news:

Love Labs? Anyone looking for a pet Labrador Retriever can contact the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. The non-profit organization dedicated to placing purebred Labrador Retrievers in loving permanent homes. Check out the Lab rescue by visiting the Web page at www.labradorrescue or call 1-866-464-LABS. Contact Ella uReaders are welcome to share their stories, information and needs with Ella Nayor. Pet Tales is designed to provide entertainment, support and education to our pet lovers.