Lulu the Pig Is a Hero! She Saved Her Owner From a Heart Attack
Lulu captured the hearts of the Altsmans when their daughter asked them to pet- sit her overweight pot-bellied pig. The pair quickly fell in love with Lulu, and their bond got stronger each day. This relationship was literally life-saving when the wife suffered a heart attack one August afternoon. Jo Ann Altsman was home alone with Lulu and their dog, Bear, when the incident occurred. Her husband was off on a fishing trip, and the pair didn’t have any neighbors nearby. Bear began to bark to try and get someone’s attention, but Lulu knew she had to do something before it was too late. So, she made her way out of the doggie door, which badly scraped her belly as she exited. Lulu had never left the yard, but today was different. To get some attention, she decided to lie down in the middle of the road and play dead until a car stopped to
check on her. After several minutes of lying on the street, several cars passed by but didn’t stop. So, she checked on her owner, then squeezed through the doggie door and lay down on the road again. After 45 minutes, a gentleman on a motorcycle pulled over to check on Lulu. She immediately perked up and began walking toward the house, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she walked. The man followed Lulu and found Altsman unconscious on the ground. He quickly dialed 911 and asked for assistance. When the medics put her owner in the ambulance, Lulu attempted to get in with them. Of course, she couldn’t come, so she began to squeal as she watched the medics take her mom away. Thankfully, Lulu’s wounds were attended to, and Altsman received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Beaver Medical Center.
Because of her loyalty and creative thinking, this pot-bellied pig became a celebrity overnight! She was a guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the “Late Show With David Letterman.” Everyone fell in love with Lulu and her heroism.
Thank you, Lulu, for being a loyal and brave pet!
SODA: THAT’S WHAT KEEPS US IN BUSINESS
Most people know soda is not good for them, but many people don’t realize just how bad it is! In fact, there is a major link between soda consumption and tooth decay as well as other health complications such as diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis. Over the past 30 years, soda and juice intake has increased dramatically. It’s become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens, and young adults. This steady consumption of soft drinks is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. When you drink soda, the sugars interact with bacteria in your mouth to form acid. This acid attacks your teeth. But those who drink sugar-free sodas aren’t in the clear either. Both regular and sugar-free sodas also contain their own acids that will attack the teeth. With each swig of soda, you start a damaging reaction that lasts for about 20 minutes. If you sip all day, your teeth are under constant attack.
protective layer on your teeth. This damage can invite cavities, which develop over time in people who drink soft drinks regularly. Add in poor oral hygiene, and a lot of damage can occur to the teeth. On top of tooth decay, drinking sugary soda also causes your blood sugar to spike. It sends your pancreas into overdrive producing insulin to metabolize all that sugar. A study in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation found that consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, like soda, was linked to the onset of Type 2 diabetes — and this correlation was independent of obesity’s impact on developing Type 2 diabetes. The ultimate solution is to remove soda (and other sugary drinks) from your diet. But let’s take it one step at a time. Here are some tips to help you to reduce and kick the habit. Do: • Drink soda in moderation (not daily). • Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
• Swish your mouth out with water after drinking to dilute the acid and sugar. • Drink plenty of water (eight glasses a day). Don’t: • Sip for extended periods of time. • Drink soda shortly before bedtime. • Brush after meals (wait at least an hour after your last drink or meal before brushing). • Substitute soft drinks, sports drinks, or fruit juice for a meal.
Other tips for maintaining a healthy smile:
• Chew sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol. • Visit your dentist regularly. • Brush and floss daily. • Drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste. • Read the labels for sugar content.
If you have dry mouth, discuss it with your dentist or hygienist. –Therese Bleiweiss, RDH
Erosion begins when the acids in soft drinks encounter tooth enamel, the outermost
2 — SignatureSmilesOH.com
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