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SAYS....Some of our 2010 Resolutions • To remain steadfast in our efforts to prevent unwanted litters and the suffering associated with preventable homeless or neglected animals that over population produces. • To be ever grateful for businesses and individuals in our community who loyally continue to donate to this effort. • To do our best to promote and adulate the responsible pet care provided by many of our citizens who take wonderful care of their pets and who prevent unwanted litters as a important step in their care plan. • To continue to responsibly budget the donations provided us by all of the supporters of PAWS. We could not do this without you! Thank you all for recognizing the value of our programs. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Dear Annie: My wife decided to offer our young teenage daughter a trip to Japan because a friend of ours moved there last summer. Our daughter would stay for a week with this friend. My wife agrees with me that the decision was impul- sive, but we both know it offers an opportunity for our daughter to enjoy a great experience. This friend is only in her 20s, but both she and my daughter are very responsible individuals. My concern is with the potential dangers of a young girl traveling alone international- ly. I have done some research and understand we can have an airline representative escort her through customs to meet our friend. But this is where my trust begins to waver. There's too much of the unknown to make me comfortable. How would the airlines han- dle the trip when there are plane changes? If something were to happen, whom could my daughter turn to who is trustworthy? I realize I may be a little overprotective, but in this case there are good reasons. Maybe I've read too much about human traf- ficking, but it worries me that someone may spot my daughter as a vulnerable target. What is the real risk? How can we best ensure her safety? — Protective Father Dear Dad: Call the airline about their policy regarding unaccompanied minors who must change planes. Find out whether they provide an escort, and if not, she should ask a flight attendant before leaving the air- craft which gate she is headed for and how to get there. Tell her to watch her luggage when she gets on and off the plane, and to be alert when using airport bathrooms. If she has to wait at the airport, she should stand near other women, preferably those with young families. Make sure she has a cell phone that will work in Japan and is programmed with your friend's number and local emergency numbers. Most importantly, she should carry herself with confidence and pay close atten- tion to her surroundings. Chances are your daughter will be fine, but it never hurts to take precautions. Dear Annie: Three years ago, my hus- band and I met ''Elaine.'' She is now 78 years old and is starting to irritate me by making racist remarks against foreigners. For some reason she hates these people, although I'm sure she doesn't know any of them personal- ly. She also doesn't seem to care who is lis- tening. At times Elaine is great to be with and quite funny when she's not insulting people. I'd like to keep her as a friend, but I want her to stop making bigoted remarks. Any sug- gestions? — Canada Dear Canada: Has Elaine always expressed these opinions aloud, or is this a recent development? Lack of inhibition can be a sign of early dementia, and sudden changes in mental capacity can be sympto- matic of a small stroke. If she's simply a bigot, you need to let her know you don't want to hear these comments. Bigots and racists think they can get away with spread- ing their vile opinions because so few people will stand up to them. Don't be one of them. Dear Annie: Please tell ''J.D. in Con- necticut'' she is fortunate to have received condolences after her sister's death, even via e-mail.My 37-year-old son died suddenly six months ago, and some of my family mem- bers have not sent condolences in any form. These are people who were brought up with monogrammed stationery specifically for these purposes. I did, however, receive a touching handwritten note from my hus- band's new chiropractor, who had never met me. That's class. People claim they don't know what to say. I tell them the worst thing is to say nothing. That gives the message that your loss doesn't matter. For relatives to do that is inexcusable. — Patty in North Caroli- na Dear Patty: Our deepest condolences. Please know your letter will educate others. Father's apprehension mounting over teenage daughter's trip overseas Annie's Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar FEATURES DEAR DR. GOTT: My 71-year-old husband began having bad pain in both legs in February 2009. It seems to happen most of the time after he has been sitting down and gets up to start walking. He is very active with yardwork and bowls four times a week. It never happens when he is resting or sleeping. When this began, he went to his cardi- ologist immediately because of his heart disease. In March, he had angioplasty to open three arteries and put stents in two iliac arteries. In May, he had a stent put in one renal artery, but the leg pain continued to bother him. His cardiologist ordered an MRI of his spine because he didn't believe this was a vascular problem. In August, the final angioplasty was done, and he had a stent put in one femoral artery. When that didn't help, he saw a neurosur- geon. The specialist read the MRI of his spine and said he saw nothing that would cause the leg pain and that my hus- band should go back to his cardiologist. The leg pain is getting worse, and we don't know what to do. Is this just something he is going to have to live with? Do you have any suggestions? DEAR READER: As I read your letter, I formed opin- ions along the way, paragraph by paragraph. Every step of the way, you came up with negative test results. So let's take a different view. Was he on any medications in February that might have leg/muscle cramps as a side effect? This is a well-known complication of statin medications. He should have a com- plete review with his primary-care physician and/or cardiol- ogist to rule out any possible connection. The causes of leg pain or muscle cramps are many and include dehydration, mineral depletion and nerve compres- sion. Let's begin with those possibilities. Dehydration can occur following strenuous activity. Per- haps once his yardwork is done, he rests in his chair for a short period of time. Had he consumed adequate liquids dur- ing any activity that preceded his rest period? Does he have a glass of water nearby so he can remain adequately hydrat- ed by sipping while he sits? Low calcium, magnesium and potassium levels can con- tribute to leg cramps. Has he had appropriate lab testing to determine whether this might be the cause? If so, supple- mental over-the-counter medications are readily available to reverse the readings. While he may be consuming a proper diet, some drugs can lead to a potassium deficiency. You have documented his cardiac conditions. Could he be on a diuretic that would contribute to the problem? Is he in a recliner chair that leans back and allows him to lean toward one side or the other so he can get more com- fortable? Compressing the spinal nerves can produce pain in the legs and feet that will ultimately disappear when he gets up and moving. Perhaps he should consider using a different chair. If he rests in a recliner, he should stretch out his legs, point his toes, and rotate his ankles several times while rest- ing with his feet up. This might reduce or diminish the pain. I recommend he return to his primary-care physician for a medication review, possible lab testing and a discussion of where to go from here. To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report "Managing Chronic Pain." Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title. Leg pain complicates husband's quality of life Dr. Peter Gott