Lilies among plants toxic to kitties

Ditch lilies if you have cats.

A lot of plants, the Easter lily included, can be deadly if your pet takes a bite, according to a statement by veterinary critical care specialists at Colorado State University.

Among the other toxic types are tiger lily, Rubrum lily, stargazer lily, Japanese show lily and day lily.

Symptoms usually appear in 24 to 48 hours. If your cat is vomiting, lacks appetite and is lethargic, take him to a clinic immediately. Without medical attention a cat's kidneys can fail within 72 hours of ingesting the plant.

Healing aid

Does your old dog creak around the house? Is your geriatric horse slow to get moving?

Draper Canine Therapy and Draper Equine Therapy offer a new line of horse blankets and dog beds, blankets and jackets that are supposed to help ease the discomfort of arthritis, hip dysplasia and other aches and pains.

The items are made of Holofiber, a material that has been clinically proven to increase levels of oxygen in the blood and improve circulation, according to the company. The fabric was originally made for humans with diabetic neuropathy and atherosclerosis.

The material is embedded with microscopic gemstones that act as reflective mirrors for energy emitted from the pet. The energy is redirected back to the muscles and circulatory system to relax capillaries and improve blood flow and oxygenation, the company says.

Dog blankets are $39. Dog jackets cost $30 and beds are $99. Horse sweat sheets are $169; polo wraps, $35; saddle blankets, $149; and stable blankets, $199.

For information, go online to drapercaninetherapy.com. From there, you can access the equine products.

Light up for safety

If you walk your dog at night a lot, this one's for you.

The LuLu Leash is illuminated so cars can see you crossing the street from 1,500 feet away, according to the manufacturer. It's also supposed to be good in smoke and fog. Not sure what that smoke is about, unless you are out in a forest fire. But maybe it would work in a snowstorm.

It comes in a mix of ocean blue and yellow, or flamingo flame and yellow. You can make it blink, too. The Original leash is $39.95, for small and medium dogs. The Mini LuLu Leash for small and medium dogs is $29.95. For more information, visit lululeash.com.

It's a dog's life

Book we like: "The Dog Who Loved Cheerios and Other Tales of Excess," by Cami Johnson (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $16.96). This book of dog portraits and profiles captures what canines are all about. The profiles include the dogs' photos, age, breed, favorite toy and pastime, and stories. It's the formal portraits of these dogs that really tell the story, though, revealing their elegance, humor and soul.