Watercooler Stories

Ohio orders halt to youth tablets for dogs

BAINBRIDGE, Ohio, July 26 (UPI) -- The Ohio Department of Agriculture has halted sales of a dietary supplement for dogs billed as a canine "fountain of youth," WEWS-TV Cleveland said.

The state says veterinarian Carol Osborne's supplement called "Paaws" has not been tested for safety.

Osborne said she simply applied human anti-aging research to dogs and developed an all-natural food supplement that is showing remarkable results.

She is up front in saying it doesn't work for all dogs. But she said so far, about half the dog owners have reported positive results in their pets.

The state warned continued sales could result in "legal action" in a letter sent to Osborne's husband, Howard Shanker, who filed a feed registration form for the supplement in October.

But Osborne said she's convinced she's really onto something.

"Listening to stories, seeing the changes -- it's more than I ever imagined it would be," she said.

South Africa to advertise condoms in clubs

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 26 (UPI) -- The South African Health Department will soon begin a new campaign, touting its new brand of condom in several Cape Town nightclubs.

The Pretoria News reported Monday large yellow banners with the blue words "No Choice, No Play" are being displayed in several clubs. Disc jockeys are also being encouraged to read safe sex messages at frequent intervals.

"Our strategy was that we needed to take the condoms to areas associated with sex -- nightclub events and other youth-orientated events," said Paddy Nhlopo from the communications company marketing the condoms for the health department.

"The banners will have the words 'no choice, no play' written on them. You can't run away from that message."

Meanwhile, the disc jockeys are instructed to remind their audiences that condoms prevent pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections.

Researcher says recess is important

MANHATTAN, Kan., July 26 (UPI) -- Playtime breaks or recess are more than just fun says Stewart Trost, assistant professor of kinesiology at Kansas State University.

"It comes back to kids just need a break," Trost says. "They can focus better in the classroom when given that break."

However, according to the National Association of Early Childhood Specialists, nearly 40 percent of the nation's school districts have either modified, deleted or are considering modifying or deleting recess from daily elementary school schedules so as to provide more time for reading, math and science.

"There is research to support that kids who have recess display better time on task, are less fidgety in the classroom and better behaved," said Trost. "Physical activity is essential to the physical and social development of kids."

Even if children have the opportunity for recess, they should still have at least an hour of additional playtime each day at home, Trost recommends.

Dolly Parton welcomes nip and tuck

NASHVILLE, July 26 (UPI) -- Entertainer Dolly Parton, 58, admitted she's had cosmetic surgery and she'll nip and tuck more if she needs it, CBS News reported.

"I always said, 'If I see something sagging, bagging and dragging, I'm going to nip it, tuck it, and suck it.' Whatever needs to be done. I mean, it's like I look at myself like a show horse, or a show dog. ... I'm in the business. And, I like to look a certain way," Parton said.

Parton, whose empire includes selling more than 100 million records, starring in several films, operating two theme parks and owning a recording studio, admits she's had work done on one of her most renowned features.

"I've always had nice boobs. I always had a nice body when I was little, but when I lost all that weight, I had them pumped up, and fixed up. They just stand up there like brave little soldiers now. They're real big, they're real expensive and they're really mine now," she said.