By Leslie Garcia
The Dallas Morning News

We admit to being suckers for anything with “Healthy Living” in the title. So when we saw Eco Dog: Healthy Living for Your Pet (Chronicle Books, $16.95), we couldn’t resist a look-through.

Buy the book to learn how to make the recycled-sweater felted blanket, the travel blanket, the recycled-denim dog bed, the beef-liver jerky, the lavender sachets, and more arts and crafts projects than we’d find at a year of Camp Fire Girl meetings. ¶

Turn to us for these more basic ways (except No. 1) to green up Fido.

1. Can I have one, too? Huh? Huh? Make your own dog biscuits. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease cookie sheet. Mix two small jars of organic baby food and a cup of organic wheat germ. For a shiny coat, add 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed. Roll into 1-inch balls. Put on baking sheet; flatten with back of a fork. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.

2. Beware. Dangerous to humans, hazardous to pooches. Steer Spot clear of such household hazards as garbage and rotten food; litter boxes; oleander and poinsettias; electrical cords; cigarettes. Dogs living with smokers are 10 times more likely to develop lung cancer and respiratory problems than other dogs.

3. Move it. Exercise is good for you, so guess what?! It’s also good for your dog. An exercised dog is happier, plus has a higher metabolism and healthier immune system. It’s also less likely to have those pesky little habits like jumping, whining and chewing objects other than its food. A half-hour of vigorous exercise four times a week is great; even more is better.

4. Pee-yoo! You have a dog?! If a certain odor gives away Poochie’s presence more than the blankets spread on every floor, here’s a way to keep the air smelling fresh. Mix a pint of water with a few drops of one of these oils: citronella, orange, pine, lavender, rosemary. Put in a mister and spray liberally.

5. What collar is your rainbow? Nylon collars are strong and can be washed, but they’re not recyclable. Leather? Durable, but potentially stinky. Try denim or strong canvas. And yes, the book has directions on embroidering Sally’s name on it.

Posted in Pets Smart Ideas

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Following is a listing of story times at York County libraries:

Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock, 235-1127. Every Thursday morning for ages 3 to 5; every Monday evening for preschool and elementary-age children; every Saturday morning for preschool to second-grade students.

Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, 927-9014. Every Wednesday morning and afternoon for ages 2 to 5.

Dillsburg Area Public Library, 17 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, 432-5613. Every Tuesday morning.

Dover Area Community Library, 3700 Davidsburg Road, Dover, 292-6814. Every Monday evening for all ages; every Tuesday morning for babies, morning and afternoon for ages 2 to 3, afternoon for ages 4 to 6.

East Berlin Community Library, 105 Locust St., East Berlin, 259-9000. Every Monday morning for ages birth through 18 months; every Wednesday morning for 2-years-olds with an adult; every Wednesday morning and afternoon for ages 3 to 5.

Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, 225-3220. Every Monday morning for ages birth to 2 years; every Tuesday morning for ages 4 to 6; every Wednesday morning for 2- and 3-year-olds; every Wednesday afternoon for all ages; third Monday evening for families.

Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, 632-5183. Every Monday evening for all ages; every Tuesday morning for 2-year-olds with an adult; every Tuesday morning and afternoon for ages 3 to 5; every Wednesday morning and afternoon for ages 3 to 5; every Thursday morning for ages 12 to 24 months; every Friday morning for 2-year-olds with an adult.

Kaltreider-Benfer Library, 147 S. Charles St., Red Lion, 244-2032. Every Tuesday morning for ages 3 to 5; every Wednesday morning for ages 18 months to 3; every Thursday morning for ages birth to 18 months; every third Thursday evening for preschool and elementary students.

Kreutz Creek Valley Library Center, 66 Walnut Springs Road, Hallam, 252-4080. Every Monday morning for ages 3 to 5; every other Friday morning for ages birth to 3; one Saturday per month for ages 4 to 8.

Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., York, 846-5300. Every Monday morning for ages 12 to 23 months; every Monday morning for registered groups and child care providers; every Monday morning for 2-year-olds with an adult; every Tuesday morning for ages 3 to 5.

Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, 993-2404. Every Monday morning for preschool age; every Thursday morning for 1- and 2-year-olds.

Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, 80 Constitution Ave., Shrewsbury, 235-4313 or 235-5806. Every Monday morning for ages 12 to 24 months; every Tuesday morning and afternon for ages 4 and 5; every Wednesday morning for ages 2 and 3.

Red Land Community Library, 48 Robin Hood Drive, Etters, 938-5599. Every Thursday morning for ages 2 to 3; every Friday morning and afternoon for ages 3 to 5.

Village Library, 35-C N. Main St., Jacobus, 428-1034. Every Monday morning for age birth to age 2; every Wednesday morning for ages 3 to 5.

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The recent trend of "going green" is even extending to baby names. The popular parenting website BabyNames.com compiled this list of top "green" names for Earth Day, 2008:

River
Avani
Saffron
Jade
Storm
Ivy
Autumn
Aurora
Skye
Sage
Summer
Violet
Hazel
Amber
Savannah
Laurel
Sapphire
Rose
Lilah

These names are compiled from the favorite name lists of over 300,000 Web site members.

BabyNames.com founder Jennifer Moss says, "Parents are more likely to give nature names to baby girls rather than baby boys. We believe it's because the earth, itself, is identified with the female gender: for example Mother earth, Mother nature, flowers, fruit. The earth is a fruit-bearing, living organism, constantly producing new life -- just like the human female. The more masculine names associated with nature are names with power, like Storm and River."

Even celebrities are jumping on the "green baby name" craze. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow chose the most famous green name, Apple, two years ago for her daughter. And more recently, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden used Winter as a middle name for their daughter, Harlow.

"With the recent trend of earth awareness and conservation, we expect many more green names to top the charts this year," says Moss.

Posted in Babies Entertaining Forum Parenting Smart Ideas Web exclusive

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The Sustainable Furniture Council suggests asking these questions the next time you buy furniture:

1. Where does the wood come from?
Look for wood legally harvested from responsibly managed forests.

2. Is the wood certified by a third party?
Some groups monitor standards for environmental sensitivity. Examples include the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

3. Is the manufacturer working to reduce energy use?
Look for companies that are working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

4. Where was this furniture made?
You know about reducing “carbon miles” for your food. Consider it for your furniture, as well. Seek out products made close to home, using raw materials from within 500 miles.

5. Were any high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) finishes used on this product?
VOC’s are harmful pollutants from certain types of wood finishes such as varnishes and lacquers that are released during the manufacturing process and into your home. Water-based finishes are the best choice for low or no VOCs. ¶

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