Did you know you can borrow e-books from library?

Browsing for books has never been more convenient — even at midnight, when the brick-and-mortar library is closed.

For some time now, Hawaii’s public library system has been offering e-books, audio-books and music, downloadable via its website — all one needs is a library card (account) and a computer or other digital device. Check out http://www.librarieshawaii.org/services/ebooks.htm.

A new Pew Research Center survey found that 60 percent of respondents 16 and older didn’t know whether their libraries offered e-books. Other obstacles to use were limited selection online and not having the right e-book device for downloading.

It’s true that many titles might not be immediately available, but sometimes, that can lead to serendipitous discovery of a new author.

Another big plus in borrowing e-books? No overdue fines.

Cutting-edge medicine going to the dogs

Long ago, animals and humans were cared for by the same medical practitioner. Now, Surf Paws Animals Hospital at Hawaii Kai is offering human-like treatment to four-legged patients.

Rumi Hospodar’s 13-year-old Rottweiller/Labrador mix in Kapolei is the patient of a new stem cell therapy procedure to treat his arthritis. Hawaii veterinarians have been performing stem cell therapy on dogs for more than two years.

The treatment verifies the assertion by UCLA cardiology professor Barbara Natterson-Horowitz, whose new book points out that animals get breast cancer, brain tumors, heart attacks, shingles, gout, fainting, etc. She notes the vets’ inside joke: "What do you call a physician? A veterinarian who treats only one species."