Cocoa mulch is a product made from the hulls of cocoa beans. Some gardeners use this product because of the subtle chocolate aroma coming from it. The hulls in this product shouldn't contain any toxic material. But according to a report last year, a dog ingested a large amount and subsequently died. Yet this product still remains on some store shelves, probably because other cases of poisoning haven't surfaces. Still, producers of this product are aware and concerned about the perceived danger. Some brands even state they are free of theobromine.

The bottom line is this: These products probably are safe. But if your dog (or cat) likes to chew or eat inappropriate things you use in the garden, you should avoid using anything he or she might ingest. This is the same warning I give to people whose pets are attracted to fish emulsion fertilizer or any other product. Always read the label of any home or garden product to see if there are any potential dangers. But be practical as well. I don't doubt that a dog eating a large amount of cocoa mulch might become ill. But what if a dog eats even a small bit? Consider this: There are so many other products out there, why take chances?

I was talking over coffee with a friend a few mornings back when she told me of a story in the news that stated young people in this country may represent the first generation whose parents outlive them. Parents living longer than their offspring? How could this be? Some experts say it's because so many young people live a more sedentary lifestyle. This factor, along with a diet high in fat and fast foods, is what might make our younger generation's life expectancy considerably less than that of their predecessors.

At the same time, studies show that obesity has become a major health issue facing cats and dogs. And I'll bet you can guess part of the reason for this trend. Fast-food loving pet owners tend to give their pets extra treats, even some of their own food. Dogs and cats give us so much love and relief from daily stress that we sometimes let them "train" us into sharing food with them. Despite the fact we all know better, many of us can't say no to our furry friend's beautiful big eyes and equally large appetite. Obesity is a huge problem affecting a large percentage of the pets of this country. Weight problems are just one symptom of an ever-growing health problem facing people and pets in this country. It can be controlled, but the "cure" might be difficult, because it means that we have to say no to those big brown eyes. As the song goes, you have to be "cruel to be kind" to your pet. Feed your dog the right food and reward him or her with a walk around the block. Don't give any of that hamburger or fries. You'll both healthier for it.

Q:

Our puppy, Marcus, has a goopy eye when he wakes up every morning . It doesn't seem to bother him, but it looks bad. We clean it every day and it seems to be fine for the rest of the day. But the next morning it starts over again. How can we clean or treat his eye to make this go away?

A:

Mucus in the eye usually is a response to irritation. This can be a result of infection, an injury or even an anatomical problem with an eyelid. Even allergies can cause an eye to produce excessive amounts of mucus and cause a "goopy eye" as you describe.

If Marcus's problem is a new one that only recently started, then try washing his eye twice daily with a cotton ball soaked in warm water. This may do the trick because it helps remove any debris and infectious organisms (such as bacteria) from under the lids. But if there isn't any improvement after a few days, he should have his eye evaluated by his vet. He or she can determine if this is an allergy or if there is some other non-infectious problem. A visit to the vet will help get an early diagnosis, and his doctor can then prescribe medication that will alleviate his symptoms and make his eye healthy again. He may need antibiotics or antihistamines or some other medication. But whatever the case, it'll be nice to have him bright-eyed once again.

Pete Keesling Pete Keesling is a veterinarian at San Martin Veterinary Hospital. He writes a bi-weekly column for South Valley Newspapers and hosts a radio talk show, Dr. Pete’s Petpourri, Sundays at 1 p.m. and Friday mornings at 7:10 on KSCO 1080 AM. If you have questions about pet care, e-mail them to smvet3@yahoo.com.