No one in my family as far back as my grandmothers had any hood in their kitchen. The heat was sometimes unbearable during summertime when one was reducing tomatoes in 8 gallon pots or doing other preserving stuff that implies cooking, but hey, it was just a couple of days a year. In the winter we did like the warmth and the aromas of whatever was cooking dispersing through the house. A hood was just not a part of the cooking culture back in my country. Three months ago, I finally caved in and installed a Kobe RA2 hood over my range. I'm still in shock over how incredibly useful a hood is. I now consider that the most important two appliances in the whole kitchen are the range and the hood, way ahead of the fridge/freezer, oven or anything else. What gave me the hint of what a good hood is capable of was dining at a nice restaurant, 5 feet away from the grill on which my salmon was being prepared; no fish smell whatsoever was coming our way - that was something I definitely wanted at home. I'm convinced I spent all these years in the dark, but now I've seen the light and it's coming from my hood :-)

I am so sorry.. The pain is still fresh for the both of us.. Your website is beautiful! He would be proud of it, I'm sure.. Remember that he will be with you during graduation. Right next to you, look for a sign, I'm sure you will see something today..I have to remind myself that Dad wouldn't want me being sad..He didn't like that..He would always try to cheer me up..Remember those moments.. I'm facing a birthday party on Sun. that I'd rather not have..But I'd have a very disappointed 6 yr old little girl if I don't do it..He loved the kids and the parties, the kids were his drive in life, one of them..He would drive 2 hrs each way to come and visit sometimes for an hour and go home..Christmas will be tough too... We had the picture perfect Night before Christmas ritual going on. He would read that story, I would put the cookies in place and hang the stockings. He would hang around while I wrapped the presents and he would help me eat cookies. Last Christmas he was sick and in the hosptial from the 14th to Jan 5th or so..Little did I know, it would be his last..I questioned it, but everyone said I was overreacting, he'll be fine..Then in April, they tried to take out the cancer and found all through out his body! I was right!!! I'm having my moments too...Good luck today.. Keep in touch. Heather

Has anyone tried Hyaluronic eye drops for dry eye syndrome? Seems as if it might help. WebM.D. "Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. The hyaluronic acid that is used as medicine is extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory. People take hyaluronic acid for various joint disorders, including osteoarthritis. It can be taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint by a healthcare professional. The FDA has approved the use of hyaluronic acid during certain eye surgeries including cataract removal, corneal transplantation, and repair of a detached retina and other eye injuries. It is injected into the eye during the procedure to help replace natural fluids." A link that might be useful: www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1062-HYALURONIC%20ACID.aspx?activeIngredientId=1062&activeIngredientName=HYALURONIC%20ACID

Our little foster cat lost her battle yesterday. In a short time--almost 3 months, I had got extremely attached (as I should have expected) to that little one. She went down very, very quickly, of course on New Year's eve in the midst of a lengthy, nasty snow storm. Isn't it always the case... Not to stir any bad memories for anyone, I just had to check if this is a common ending. I can see 2 major "steps". 1. From one day to the next, about 4 weeks ago, she went from being the most affectionate, playful cat to a very shy one. Not only she would not want to come out from under the bed (hard to reach her there), but she was completely running away from us, and she did not want to come out from our guest bedroom, when, just the day before, she simply could not wait for us to open the door.. We blocked the bed so that she could not go under it, and we made a special 'snug, warm retreat" for her where we could pet her, and reach her, and we brought her downstairs during the day, where she had all sorts of 'safe' places without being excluded from all of us. Our cats were very good to her. No more playing, no more sitting in our laps... But otherwise, her eye improved, and she kept eating & drinking, and even gained 4 oz back. Of course I was concerned, but shelter just said.. just a "moody" cat! Can't believe they thought I could buy that! I brought her to our own vet, who agreed that she was indeed going through the dry form of FIP. She suggested some treatments (tentral & prednisone), but hesitated treating an animal that technically was not 'ours'. Shelter was not keen on it. 2. Step 2 We could see that her hind legs were not very strong, but, we thought it was just a lack of exercise. Then this past Thursday (New Year' eve), around 6PM, she started falling off on her side. She could not walk. We rushed her to the shelter's vet in a snow storm. The 'on-call' vet (not the one who had treated her before) gave her an injection of steroid Vetalog saying that if she did not respond to that, it was time. I stayed up all night with her, and by morning, she rallied and was able to walk around again. By evening, she was again weak on her legs. No improvement during the night. Saturday morning, she still had "no legs", not even her front legs. We took her back to the vet's, and we all agreed it was time. Just heart breaking. I know behavorial changes are common with FIP (as with other diseases), but are neurological issues, of such severity and quick onset, a part of the dry FIP? Stupid question as it is too late, did we do the right thing? Can't help thinking that if she had been 'our' cat, we would have tried any treatment at the first sign of behavioral changes. Hope I make sense.. Thanks for any input. Anne-Marie