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If your cat or dog is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, it may be that Fido or Fluffy are spending too much time at the all-you-can-eat buffet. But vomiting and abdominal pain may also indicate pancreatitis, a fairly common condition among cats and dogs that can lead to severe complications and even death.

Conventional wisdom says that we learn life’s lessons in the school of hard knocks, and I suppose that is true. But I have learned many of life’s most important lessons during my outdoor wanderings.

SpeakeasyMorgan Hill Historical Society wants to build community at its historically inspired Annual Speakeasy: Prohibition Party fundraiser. Join in on the fun with dinner, a no-host bar with prohibition-era drinks and live music by the Zinfandel Stompers. Get out the suspenders, feathers and lace on Saturday, June 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Villa Mira Monte at 17860 Monterey St., Morgan Hill. Tickets are $59 per person. Call (408) 776-1060 or visit mhhistoricalsociety.org. Blues festivalThe Annual Fountain Blues Festival all started 35 years ago with names like Ron Thompson and Charlie Musselwhite. Through the years you’ve heard the sounds of John Lee Hooker, Sista Monica and even a few locals known to the South County such as John Garcia, Shane Dwight and Lara Price. This year you’ll find The Delgado Brothers, The California Honeydrops and Otis Taylor. The art of the blues taps into all demographics on Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Plaza de Cesar Chavez, located at 170 South Market St., in San Jose. Admission is $20. Get your tickets at Poor House Bistro at 91 South Autumn St., or online at fountainblues.com. Bacon blissFind your bacon bliss at the Monterey Bacon Festival with Chef Todd Fisher, host of TV’s United States of Bacon, and Tony Baker as they pay homage to all things bacon. Discover for yourself some of the most delectable bacon concoctions presented in both sweet and savory dishes such as bacon dipped in chocolate or bacon nachos. Those of age can stop by the “BaconBar” and check out a bacon margarita or bacon bloody mary. Both days include a great lineup of musical entertainment on the Garden Stage. Bleacher seating is limited so bring chairs or blankets on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, 26 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Monterey County Fairgrounds and Event Center at 2004 Fairgrounds Rd. Find out more at montereybaconfest.com. Motorcycle rallyThe Hollister Independence Rally has been a tradition since the 1930s, known then as the Gypsy Tours. After World War II, motorcycling became a substitute for wartime experiences such as adventure, excitement, danger and camaraderie despite the negative impact from the 1947 “riot” that put Hollister on the map. Today the event has grown to include bike shows, live music, poker runs and vendors selling all things motorcycle. Start the weekend off with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at United Methodist Church at 521 Monterey St. All are welcome for this three-day, free event starting Friday, July 1 until Sunday, July 3., from dawn to dusk, beginning on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister. For details go to hollisterindependencerally.com. Sister citiesMorgan Hill Historical Society’s Villa Mira Monte House will be commemorating the 10-year relationship and cultural exchange with one of its sister cities, Mizuho, Japan. The goal of the Sister City program is to “promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation one individual, one community at a time” The public is invited to attend the celebration and listen to Mayor Steve Tate and Mayor Ishizuka and other dignitaries recount memories and achievements made between these two cities. Adding to the celebration will be a special presentation of both countries’ national anthems and a Taiko drumming performance. The celebration is Saturday, July 2 from 10 a.m. to Noon at Villa Mira Monte, 17860 Monterey Rd., in Morgan Hill. To learn more go to morganhillsistercities.com.

Q: When our dog hears a funny noise, he tips his head sideways to listen. We think it's adorable, but why does he do this?

Think Hawaii and images of romance, blue skies and glorious weather float by the conjured thoughts. Midway across the warm Pacific lies a chain of islands called Hawaii, 2,000 miles of ocean from our mainland with no continental coast between. These small bits of land appear offered to the sky by water and pressed to the earth by stars. Here civilizations of Occident and Orient merge under the tropical influence of the Polynesian culture.

Back in the parking lot, after nearly any adventure I have

SAN JOSE – A berth in the Stanley Cup Final, 25 years in the making for the San Jose organization and fans, came true in the closing seconds of the game Wednesday night at SAP Center.

Harvey Bear County Park, the high ridge east of U.S. 101 between Morgan Hill and Gilroy, is only the first in a succession of parallel topographic wrinkles that recede into the inner Coast Ranges. Beyond it, Coyote Reservoir, then Timber Ridge, Sheep Ridge and Palassou Ridge line up like an incoming set of seaside breakers.