Terrie Goldstein loves tackling the tough issues that affect all of us. She is the publisher of Hudson Valley Parent and Hudson Valley Baby magazines.
I know that many families love the idea of a cuddly pet with a big red bow peeking out from under the Christmas tree. I wondered if bringing a pet home for the holidays is a really good idea. Let us know if you brought one home. And see what an expert had to say.
When looking for advice I go to an expert. So I turned Veterinarian Paul Johnson of Middletown to seek advice on getting a family pet.
“Biggest mistake people make is getting a pet during the winter holidays,” says Johnson.
Puppies need training and they need to go out often. With cold weather and slippery driveways, according to Johnson, puppies spend most of their time just navigating their terrain rather than being trained.
And then there is the commotion at home with parties, and trees and lights. Puppies are teething and exploring constantly and they are likely to get into trouble.
It is important to note, that like young children, puppies thrive on a schedule and the consistency of that schedule. Holiday time is usually the time when we enjoy not sticking to a schedule.
So Dr. Johnson advises, that if you are looking for a pet, wait til spring. “Easter is a great time to bring a pet into your home,” suggests Dr Johnson.
Many thanks to Dr. Paul Johnson, veterinarian with the Animal Health Center in Middletown for sharing his expertise.
Tagged: Animal Health Center, children and pets, family advice, holiday gifts, Hudson Valley Parent, Middletown NY, parenting advise, picking a pet, training a pet
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Jan 15, 2013
Read the book aloud and have a good time.
The comedy of Abbott & Castello lives on in a new children’s book
Maybe you at too young to remember the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Or maybe you weren’t even born yet. They were a popular duo during the 40s and the 50s. But I am sure th...
Dec 19, 2012
When tragedy hits I turn to “The Fourth Estate”….the news media. That’s what I have always relied on to find out the “real” story. I get my local daily newspaper delivered every day. I go online to check news sources such as National Public Radio (NPR), The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal,...
Dec 17, 2012
When talking about kids and psychology Hudson Valley Parent turns to its expert, Dr. Paul Schwartz, professor of psychology and education at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.
He started off by saying, “There is not really a lot to tell. The reality of the situation for kids is not the same as ...
Sep 17, 2012
When I first moved to Orange County many years ago, (45 to be exact) one day a week I would put Paul in his car seat and travel new roads just to see where they led. (That was before Google Maps and GPS systems.) From Monroe I went to Lloyds Supermarket in Newburgh (Which is where Home Deport is lo...
Aug 29, 2012
How do you discipline your kids?
When I saw this headline to an upcoming conference it made me stop and think.
When my son sulked because he didn’t get the new fishing rod, how did it make me feel? Did I feel badly enough to negotiate with him? “I understand that you really want that new rod. How a...
Aug 27, 2012
What’s all this talk about kickboxing?
Fall is coming up fast. For many the change of seasons is a time for a change in our lives. For the past several weeks my husband and I have been walking right after work. (So if you call the office after 5pm and don’t get us, we are probably walking arou...
Aug 21, 2012
Don’t get me wrong, I am not the best shopper. I go on binges. Sometimes I think Macy’s has the greatest selection and I can’t get enough. Then it’s Marshalls with their unpredictable selection, but undeniable bargains.
Bargains! Who can resist the Salvation Army or the Good Will stores? (Check out...
Jun 6, 2012
When you think of Newburgh what comes to mind?
For many of you who live outside the City lines you think of a place you wouldn’t think of visiting…at least not too often. For me, Newburgh has been my home for the past 25 years. When I use to give directions to my home, I would say, R...
May 25, 2012
when is a gift not really a present?
My birthday is June 25th. I’m telling you this not because I expect your to send me a present, but, as you can imagine, this is the month when my credit card companies, my insurance agent and all the other sign-ups that requested my birthday will send me a ...
May 10, 2012
I must admit it. I am an NPR junkie. They review a book. I buy it. Two days ago, there was an interview with a financial columnist who discussed long term health insurance. For those of you who are not aware of this outrageous product, it helps us finance our healthcare when we no longer can take ca...
May 9, 2012
I tend not to admire books purely for their look, but Ripe is certainly the exception. It’s hefty striking orange cover and its unusual square size immediately sets it apart from other books. But it also hit my radar because I just finished taping a video by Dr. Janet Sullivan, chief medical office...
May 8, 2012
I remember being asked that. I wanted to be a teacher, a fashion design or an architect. And what did I become…a magazine publisher. So much for learning about careers when I was young.
But today, over 3,000 kids got a chance to visit the US Army hanger at Stewart International Airport filled with b...
May 7, 2012
Yesterday my husband and I were in Cambridge, MA for the MayFair. (Go next year if you get a chance.) What a treat when the Harvard Square Hotel we stayed at gave us copies of the Sunday editions of the New York Times and the Boston Globe, besides the room and all that good stuff. I savored them u...
Apr 30, 2012
Yes. One on four kids report being sexually abused.
But the real discussion should not be about who is on the sex offender registry, the REAL issue is who is this sexual predator that we are all afraid of? Read Hudson Valley Parent’s series of stories written by Gloria Smith
We talk among ou...
Apr 25, 2012
Every once in a while I go back to reading science fiction. (I am a mystery lover.) This genre fascinates me because I consider sci fi writers to be on the cutting edge of our possible future. And like all readers of mystery I want to know how riddles get solved. Sci fi writers answer the riddle of ...
Mar 18, 2012
Homemade, delicious take home food at Homespun@home
My mom always did everything. She ironed, cooked, did the laundry. Not bad for a kid growing up. But wait a minute…how was I ever going to learn how to be self-sufficient? My mother was such a perfectionist, that the closest she came to letti...
Mar 9, 2012
Bishop Dunn School hosted the Christain rock group Full Armor. From the singing and clapping that was going on kids from 6 years old to us older adults enjoyed the evening. I suggest that if you feel strongly about the Christain message of love and faith, you should be on the lookout for an upcomi...
Jan 24, 2012
On Hudson Valley Parent’s website, you will find some great party ideas. But handling 15 kids for an afternoon was never my cup of tea. (I apologize to all you super moms who love the thrill of a great party.)
As you read my story, you may have a story of your own you would like to share.
I remember...
Jan 20, 2012
I have been interviewing people for a job opening we have at Hudson Valley Parent. Many are parents and some are parents of young children.
I remember those days when my kids were young and I was going to school.
When I first mentioned to my husband that I wanted to go back to school full-time, he l...
Jan 20, 2012
I loved going away to summer camp. The only reason I stopped is that I got too old. You know what I mean, I either had to become a head counselor or find something else to do for the summer.
So when I had kids, I assumed they would love going away as much as I had. What a mistake.
The first summer I...
Jan 2, 2012
A few years ago when my mom died I was dutifully going through all the things she saved. I found cards I designed for Mother’s Day and Father’s day (what a hoot!), old programs from school plays and, there at the bottom of the pile, was my report card from kindergarten. I was a pretty average kid EX...
Dec 28, 2011
We always think (or hope) that there are easy rules to follow that lead to a healthier life and healthy eating. But as much as Michael Pollan’s book Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual suggests we just have to adhere to some simple ideas to eat healthy, when you get right down to it, nothing is that simpl...
Dec 15, 2011
My grandson, Robert, at his first spelling bee
My grandson, Robert, called last week to let me know he was participating in a spelling bee and he had to raise $50 to enter. His parents, two sets of grandparents and two uncles all chipped in to raise the money. I was so impressed that he entered, tha...
Dec 12, 2011
Yesterday, my husband Clay and I had lunch at a local diner with the kids and grandkids. Much of the time both the grandkids played with their games on their computer tablet but there was some conversation. I mentioned to my daughter-in-law, Caroline that last summer the kids were big...
Dec 7, 2011
Terrie's winter jacket bargain
I am not much of a bargain hunter. I just don’t have the patience. When I cut coupons I feel like I am giving this craze for “best deals” a good shot. But every week or two I am sorting the coupons in my handbag to see which have expired before I had a chance to u...
Nov 29, 2011
I love reading, and I am always on the lookout for a wonderful read. Recently I was online reading the BBC News and saw that Andy Mulligan won the Guardian Children’s prize for fiction for his newest book Return to Ribblestrop. I never heard of the award before but when I am on a mission to find gr...
Nov 18, 2011
When things change in the computer world we all hear about it. Amazon sells a Fire tablet for less than it costs to manufacture it. Steve Jobs, the top dog at Apple, dies and the whole world mourns.
When it comes to local healthcare news involving our pediatricians and obstetricians and heart surg...
Nov 12, 2011
Every once in a while something sticks in my craw, and I feel like I have to shout about it. It’s like that itch you can’t scratch but you keep trying.
Wal-Mart is a mass marketer
that is not re...
Oct 28, 2011
My grandson is nine and we have taken him trick or treating since he was a baby. As you can imagine, at five months old he could have cared less that he was dressed in a pumpkin pull-up with a pumpkin hat on his head. It was cold that year, and he was being wheeled in his carriage so he was well pro...
Oct 10, 2011
Learn the secrets from a professional. One of a two part series
Meet author Karen Kaufman Orloff. With four children’s picture books under her belt she has enough experience to give those of us who dream about being published authors the inside scoop. After graduating college with a degree in Engli...
Aug 30, 2011
I must reveal up front that politics is not my game. But I think the horsing around going on in Washington, DC can be unhealthy for all of us.
I ask myself, ‘What do I expect of a politician?’
I feel strongly that one issue candidates are dangerous because they don’t think about each and every one...
Apr 29, 2011
It’s my day to be a patriot. I am at the Orange County Courthouse because I have been called for jury duty. I have been waiting for a little over an hour before being led to the small jury selection room. I am there with 39 other potential jurors. Eight of us will be picked…six jurors and two altern...
Apr 28, 2011
Don’t know about you, but I have been sent a note to serve for jury duty three times, but yesterday was the first time I saw the inside of the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen.
9:40am: Wasn’t sure what to expect so I got there early. Good thing because the parking lot was packed.
I beeped going th...
Apr 25, 2011
I went to church with my daughter-in-law and my two grandchildren. On the surface of it, that may not seem so unusual, but my daughter-in-law is Catholic and I am Jewish. Usually I go with them to the children’s service to see what the priest is introducing to all the young families who attend...
Apr 18, 2011
This article was sent to me by Diane Hills, owner of the Newburgh Children’s Center on South Street in Newburgh. She wanted to express her sorrow over the death of a young mom and her three children. She wants moms to know that there are resources available when you are feeling like you can’t ...
Apr 14, 2011
My blog was supposed to share some of the great information I heard over the past two weekends.
But right now that doesn’t seem that important because I am truly saddened by the tragedy in Newburgh. A mother driving her van into the river with the intention of killing herself and her four children. ...
Apr 11, 2011
Recently I met a seasoned teacher and writer Suzy Kline. She is the author of over 130 books and has taught kids for over 25 years, so she comes with a great deal of experience under her belt. She was the guest speaker at the 18th Annual Conference on Literacy held at Mount Saint Mary College.
You (...
Apr 10, 2011
On Saturday, we were lucky enough to have one of the leading scholars on adolescent development speak at the 2nd Annual Conference on Adolescence on the campus of Mount Saint Mary College. Dr. William Damon, who is Stanford University professor and researcher, talked about how young people find purp...
Apr 4, 2011
What happens if you have a kid who is just floundering in his life? Or maybe your child does everything you suggest: he plays hockey, joins the newspaper club and does okay in school. Which kid is finding life purposeful? Which kid will eventually find a direction that makes his life meaningful?
On ...
Apr 1, 2011
I never considered myself a geek. I never rush out to buy the newest things as they come out.
But I had an uncle who was a gadget guy. He had this fetish for buying every new coffee pot that came out. He would call my mom to take a drive with him so they could share some time together. She was his ...
Mar 25, 2011
Elbow-to-elbow people at Kaplan Hall
Last night I went to the official opening of Kaplan Hall, the new center for Orange County Community College in Newburgh. Since they were expecting a lot of people, I parked at the library and walked the two blocks.
While walking, a woman shuffled behind me calli...
Mar 21, 2011
I am always looking for the next book to read. One night I took a business book off my shelf called Being Digital by Nicholas Negroponte. Just getting through his introduction was a shocker.
“Early in the next millennium your right and left cuff links or earrings may communicate with each othe...
Mar 11, 2011
Would you love a chance to win an autographed Bon Jovi Guitar? How about a signed photo of the hottest heartthrob, Justin Bieber?
Mark Friday, March 25 on your calendar and come on down to Anthony’s Pier Nine on Route 9W in New Windsor. This is your chance to bid on over 100 items in this unbelieva...
Feb 17, 2011
According to our new governor, our school districts have $1.5 billion in reserves and unspent federal funds that should offset his $1.5 billion education cuts. Wonder what our school superintendents and school board presidents have to say about that?
Cuomo also suggests cutting salaries of those ad...
Feb 1, 2011
Breast Cancer. New directions are being explore. Check out some of articles concerning breast cancer, exercise and diet using the link to the National Cancer Institute.
I found four facts that are worth considering:
FACT ONE: Women who are heavier at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis and h...
Jan 18, 2011
Recently I spoke to a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has dense breast tissue and the cancer was found after it had advanced. (That’s another story.)
After suffering from high blood pressure for many years, I have been looking at diet and exercise as a way to correct my pressure. I ...
Dec 22, 2010
Dr. Annette Saturnelli
My husband came to me early this morning to let me know that Annette Saturnelli died on Monday. She has been the school superintendent of the Newburgh School District for the past 6 years.
Whenever I called to ask for help, Dr. Saturnelli always replied with supportive informa...
Dec 21, 2010
Ever read a book that make you laugh out loud? Maybe I should refine that statement: have you ever read a mystery book that made you laugh out loud?
Have some fun and read Keith Thomson’s Once a Spy. His main character Charlie Clark is a 30-something who is about to go on the ride of his life...
Nov 8, 2010
Last week I met with Flo Hannes, the chair of the OT Department at SUNY Orange. The college just formed a new Center for Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology at their Middletown campus. Their role is to help those with disabilities use the new assistive technologies to lead a productive life.
W...
Nov 5, 2010
In the film “Race to Nowhere,” first-time filmmaker Vicki Abeles delves into the issues of the consequences of overscheduled children. The film was recently shown at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh to a crowd of parents, teachers and kids.
The medical and emotional problems of Ms Abeles own th...
Jan 7, 2010
I always wondered how to pick a pet. Right now my husband and I have two cats, and we didn’t pick either of them. One was given to me by an employee who couldn’t keep it in her apartment and the second was found on the street and brought to our door.
Dec 3, 2009
Toy Story Mania is a 3D Nintendo success.
Aug 3, 2009
Right now I am sitting in a small bagel shop and eating trout, goat cheese and basil on bagel. That sets the stage for the day I am having. It is definitely not like eating lunch at McDonalds or Subway.
I am in New York City shopping for puppets and I decided to visit the biggest kids’ toy store…FA...
Jul 26, 2009
Have you ever worked with puppets? Or performed in a play? Then we may have the perfect job for you.
We recently published The Undercover Kids, a book for kids from 4th to 6th grades. We encourage kids to write and submit their own stories. As part of this program we are going into schools this fall...
Jul 14, 2009
By: Terrie Goldstein, Publisher Orig. Date: 12/20/2007
Do you ever fly off the handle when you get frustrated?
I remember when my kids were younger and I took my first job. I thought I had everything perfectly arranged for my kids after school care. Then the first snow came early and it came with a...
Jul 14, 2009
By: Terrie Goldstein, Publisher Orig. Date: 12/13/2007
My husband and I love going to the movies. In fact, for the past year we designated Friday as movie date night. We look at the newspaper or go online and review what’s fun and what’s not.
We saw Enchanted. I loved it. My husband sle...
Jul 13, 2009
I met some friends for lunch and, of course, I’m late. I am in the second car stopped for a stop sign and the guy in front of me is just not moving. OK, so there is some traffic coming but give me a break. He could have made the turn. I sit. And then sit some more. It is only then I realize th...
Jul 13, 2009
Why when there is a line out the door for the bathroom at the local restaurant or theater it is always a women’s bathroom? I understand that closed bathroom stalls take up more room than urinals, but maybe there is more going on.
I remember that when I was pregnant with my boys, knowing where ...
Jul 13, 2009
A beautiful video I stumbled upon – Please view and
send to everyone you know…every little bit will
help.
The band, Five for Fighting, is generously donating
$0.40 to Autism Speaks for *each time* the video is
viewed the funding goes toward research studies to help find
a cure.
When yo...
Jul 13, 2009
This continues to be a very hectic time for me, especially in business. A number of employees moved … one went back to school, one moved to another location and one moved to a different company. So we are hiring. And then we are creating a new online community source for you, our current readers of ...
Jul 13, 2009
Recently we learned that our New York governor strayed far from home with a 22-year-old prostitute. My husband and I wondered if he had seen The Bank Job, a true story about a group of amateur thieves who tunneled into the vault of a bank in London’s Baker Street and looted safe deposit boxes of cas...
Jul 13, 2009
Find out how kids are getting on track for standardized testing
It was early Saturday morning – one of the coldest days of the year and the school parking lot was filled with cars.
Thanks to the efforts of staff at South Junior High in Newburgh, parents and their kids, teachers, support staff and s...
Jul 13, 2009
As the recent publisher of a new kids’ book, The Undercover Kids’ Holland Adventure, I am always on the lookout for great books for kids. www.theundercoverkids.com
A recent book review blogger said she only reviews books once they come out in paperback. I guess she reasons that we, reade...
Jul 13, 2009
With the change in the weather, this is the time of year for great travel adventures, but I went I think of travel it reminds me to take stock of my bathroom soap.
I always make a joke about travel because if I am running out of bathroom soap, I know it’s time to take a trip.
Most hotels I stay at h...