Lifestyle

July 2020

Pets will miss owners in post-lockdown period

One positive aspect of the COVID19 situation is that many of us have had extra time to spend with our pets at home. Dogs and cats have enjoyed the company of their owners.

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I salute you Dr Tony. You have been a true hero of this pandemic

I have a heavy heart this week. The Chief Medical Officer’s announcement at Thursday evening’s press conference that he was stepping aside to spend time with his terminally ill wife, knocked me for six.

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Bee Orchid's mimicry a true wonder of nature

Many people comment: 'Nature is amazing'. If you doubt that oft-repeated statement here is an example to ponder.

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Mental Health Support for anxiety and stress

Last week I told you about a fantastic new sleep product called NHP Sleep Support. There is also a timely new product from the same company called NHP Mental Health Wellbeing Support.

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Citizen science survey keeping track of trio

NUI Galway has announced the results of a citizen science survey of the present status of three mammals: the Pine Marten, one of our native woodland carnivores, and two squirrels, our native Red Squirrel and the North American Grey Squirrel.

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Find time for mindfulness in your life

Time or lack of it is often cited as a key reason for not doing things that are good for us. 'I don't have enough time' or 'I'm too busy' are no longer acceptable excuses.

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NHP Sleep Support a natural remedy for insomnia

I often talk about supplements to help you to get a good night's sleep. There are some fantastic natural remedies available. The ones you may be familiar with are A.Vogel Dormeasan and Melissa Dream.

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Someone should have given me a mask long ago, to shut me up

Last week was the first time I made a concerted effort to wear a mask out for prolonged periods of time.

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Vet clinics are adapting as Covid measures ease

As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, vet clinics, just like other businesses, are working out how to run their workplaces safely for customers and for staff members.

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June 2020

Intestinal obstructions are common in dogs

Vets are often faced with a problem that's rare in the world of human medicine: objects getting stuck in the digestive tract. I've seen three cases in the past few months, each presenting a different challenge.

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'Son-Before-Father': Colt's-foot a breaker of rules

You might think that 'Son-before-father' is an unlikely name for a wildflower but that old folk name was used widely for many years for the plant we now know as Colt's-foot.

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Covid 19 has taught me we don't need that much in our lives

So after all that - months of moaning and lamenting the loss of my lovely blonde locks, Leo's announcement that he is reopening the hairdressers earlier than expected was somewhat anticlimactic.

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Replenish good gut bacteria to help tackle bloating

Let's talk bloating. This has to be one of the most asked questions.

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Gallery

Grattan's parliament is revisited online

Who is Wicklow's most distinguished ever politician. Simon Harris? The jury is still out on that one. Or how about Joe Jacob or Dick Roche? One other person with a strong claim is Henry Grattan, long-time resident of Enniskerry, whose career spanned more than four decades.

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At-home hair and skin treatments are easy to use

Are you missing your hairdresser and beautician? I know I am.

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Is there a swift nesting near you?

They are really remarkable little creatures. Small enough to fit through a hole the size of crème egg, swifts unravel their wings to become the fastest of God's creatures as they zip through the air at speeds of 64 kilometres per hour. The name swift is well deserved.

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Premium

Are we getting complacent or just trying to take back some normality?

There was fierce excitement across the country last week, the likes of which hasn't been seen, I'd say since the Pope's visit to Ireland in 79.

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Key areas for self-care in your 'new' life

As coronavirus continues to disrupt how we work and live, we are all learning about the importance of self-care either through the value of doing it-or from the consequences of not!

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New NBDC swatch a simple guide to identify seashells

A 'swatch' is a word that you may not associate with a wildlife identification guide. Originally used in the clothing trade, a swatch was a small sample of fabric. If you were having a jacket made to measure, the tailor would produce a swatch, a little book of fabric samples to pick from, with colours, patterns and textures to suit all tastes.

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Pete Wedderburn - Animal Doctor Opinion What to do with rescued young birds and mammals

At this time of year, companion animal vets like myself are kept surprisingly busy looking after a type of animal that has no owner: I am talking about wild animals.

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EU Biodiversity Strategy a core part of Green Deal

Last week the European Commission adopted its latest strategy to address the ongoing loss of biodiversity and destruction of the natural world. There was much talk of a green recovery as the Union takes its first, tentative steps to recover from the initial wave of Covid-19.

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Pete Wedderburn - Animal Doctor Opinion Controlling parasites in pets is easier than ever

Parasite control in pets often seems to be a complex topic. Everybody knows that they ought to deworm and deflea their pet, but that's about as far as it goes. When the topic is investigated further, many questions come up.

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Supplements to help you master your mind

Concentration are you ready, If so let's go.

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Justine O'Mahony Opinion So Leo says it’s safer for me to go have a pint than get a blow dry!

'But what about the hairdressers?' I'm roaring at the telly.

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Words can affect your brain functions

With so much uncertainty facing people regarding work, school, financial stability, wedding plans, and so much more, many are feeling stressed, overwhelmed and some are even feeling hopeless about the future. What we tell ourselves about what is happening in our world has a big bearing on how we feel and how we inspire others to feel.

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Pete Wedderburn - Animal Doctor Opinion Why we need to keep pets cool in summer

The Irish summer is here. The skies have been cloudless and blue, the sun's been shining, and the rain clouds have stayed away. The COVID-19 crisis means that we've all had to be socially distant from one another, but that hasn't stopped us from gathering in public places like parks, beaches and seaside promenades. People stand apart, speaking more loudly than before, and wearing facemasks in public.

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Do you hear creaking joints? Don’t ignore it

Do you hear creaking or cracking sounds in your joints when you move about? This could be one of the first symptoms and sign of developing osteoarthritis. This creaking and joint cracking can be something you joke about at first. But don't ignore it.

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Justine O’Mahony Opinion Three months of lockdown, and it’s amazing what you get used to

Today, as I write this, is the First of June. It's been three months since I've been in a pub or restaurant, five months since I was in the hairdressers and even longer since I was in the beauticians.

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Hoverflies are good insects to have in your garden

Hoverflies that hibernated as adults are beginning to emerge on warm sunny days to feed.

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May 2020

Premium

Wearing a mask is like being a flat-faced dog

The topic of wearing masks during the COVID-19 crisis has been controversial. The latest message is that, to limit the spread of the virus, we should all wear masks if we are likely to be indoors within 1 - 2 metres of other people for any prolonged length of time.