FIRST GUEST: Dr. Katy “Pawz” Nelson, veterinarian and host and executive producer of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy”
Spring has sprung! Flowers are blooming and dogs are enjoying the outdoors– until those pesky fleas and ticks make a home out of their fur coat!
Dr. Katy shares her tips on flea and tick prevention. And believe it or not, you don’t just have to worry about when Fido is on his walk outside– fleas and ticks can be a problem indoors, too.
INDOOR TIPS
- Vacuum every day– or almost every day. And not just the floor, but your couches and chairs, carpet runners, bath mats, and along baseboards.
- Steam clean! Hot steam and soap are a lethal combination for fleas. Make sure to clean where your pets sleep, too.
- Comb your pet, especially long-haired animals. Make sure to do this over a white towel, which will help you to see if any creepy crawlies have fallen off your dog!
- Is your pooch scratching a lot more than he normally is? This may be a sign of fleas or ticks.
OUTDOOR TIPS
- Mow the lawn regularly and clear any tall grasses.
- Remove any old furniture bugs may have claimed as their own.
- Have firewood? Keep it neatly stacked in a dry area.
Learn more, and check out Dr. Katy’s TV show at thepetshow.tv.
SECOND GUEST: B.J. Jarrett, spokesperson for Social Security Adminstration’s National Press Office
Whether it’s decades away, or right around the corner, retirement is something we all have to plan for. And the sooner the better! And what better time to start a solid financial plan than during National My Social Security Week, April 4th- 13th?
The Social Security Administration is offering a free service which helps people of any age and any employment status track their earnings history, benefit estimates, and future projected retirement earnings. It’s called a My Social Security account, and it’s free, fast, and easy to sign up.
Learn more or open your own account at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
THIRD GUEST: Glenn Bragiel, Uncle of Sara and Matthew Bragiel and spokesperson for Battling 4 the Bragiels
Imagine learning that a family member of yours was just diagnosed with cancer. Now imagine that that family member is just a teenager. And now imagine that just a few months later, another teen in your family was also diagnosed with cancer.
Glenn Bragiel knows all too well the devastation of hearing that news. His nephew Matthew was only 16 when was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March of 2015. As if that wasn’t horrific enough, his niece Sara, 14, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma only four months later.
“It was devastating,” Glenn says. “Upon hearing the news, your whole world stops. All the little things in your life cease to matter, and you feel helpless.”
Both have completed their chemotherapy and are now in remission. While this is great news, Matthew and Sara will continue to need medical care. The family is hosting a benefit for them on April 30th at St. Laurence High School in Burbank from 3:00 – 8:00. Guests will enjoy cash prizes, a silent auction, refreshments, food, and live music from ’80s cover band Bad Medicine.
“The community has been absolutely fantastic,” Glenn says of the support the Bragiels have received.
Learn more about Sara and Matthew, get all the info about the fundraiser, and learn about other ways you can help, at battling4thebragiels.com.
Weekend Journal airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 on US99.5 and 6:00 on US99.5 HD2 The Wolf.
Listen to this week’s full episode below.
Weekend Journal 4/10/16: Flea & Tick Prevention, My Social Security, & Battling 4 the Bragiels
