Now to Love

Tiny Jessica Lopez lies on a blanket on the floor of her parents’ Sydney home. While she looks like one of the most fragile creatures on Earth, her appearance belies the strength that saw her survive when her mother Philippa contracted listeria while pregnant. “Babies of mums who catch it are usually stillborn,” explains Philippa, […]

Soaking romper suits and sodden cot sheets created a watery mystery for Perth mum Barbara Christie – until she discovered the peculiar leak was coming from her baby daughter’s hands and feet. The sweat dripping from Katherine – then eight months old – was enough to make puddles under her highchair. And her tiny hands […]

Jane Foster was like most hardworking Aussie mums – always on the go, looking after everyone else and having very little time to herself. In fact, she kept putting off her regular Pap test because she simply didn’t have time to visit her doctor. “I had been through a divorce, my parents had died and […]

The mention of her knock-knees causes champion swimmer Leisel Jones to turn red – then erupt in gales of laughter. As a gangly 10-year-old, she dreamt of finding catwalk fame as a model, and was convinced her knock-knees were the only things standing in her way. Such was her zeal to walk straight and tall, […]

Selected as the Great Read in the July issue of The Australian Women's Weekly.

Dame Stella Rimington, former head of British Intelligence, MI5 is the author of At Risk (Random House Australia), a stunning debut thriller and The Australian Women's Weekly July Great Read.

Question: My nine-year-old female terrier cross refuses her own food and is always stealing the cat’s food. Is it okay for her to be eating like this? Sarah, via e-mail. Answer: This is not an unusual problem – a lot of little dogs love cat food, particularly the fishy ones. It won’t do her any […]

Question: My 11-year-old dog has cataracts in her eyes. Is it possible for them to be removed by a vet? Emma. Answer: Cataracts (stiffened opacities in the lens of the eye) are a very common problem in ageing dogs. They can cause visual disturbances and pain if there is associated glaucoma, and can even lead […]

Question: I’m writing to you about my four cute mice. I have one that is extremely overweight. She refuses to do any exercise but loves her food. What can I do about it? Amanda, via e-mail. Answer: What you may need to do is supervise her feeding or separate her only at mealtimes, because she […]

Question: My dog, who is usually bright and chirpy, seems to be down in the dumps with a dry nose and runny eyes. Could this be a doggy flu? And can I give her human painkillers? Mary, Richmond, Vic. Answer: Yes, your pooch may have picked up a bug and be under the weather because […]