Mad Dog Monday #11

I hope this silly thing doesn't ring and wake me up again!

(photo origin unknown)

The Friday Funny...forgiving your enemies

Toward the end of Sunday service, the Minister asked, 'How many of you have forgiven your enemies?' 80% held up their hands. The Minister then repeated his question. All responded this time, except one small elderly lady.

'Miss Joyce, are you not willing to forgive your enemies?'

'I don't have any.' she replied, smiling sweetly.

'Miss Joyce, that is very unusual. How old are you?'

'Ninety-eight.' she replied.

'Oh, Miss Joyce, would you please come down in front and tell us all how a person can live ninety-eight years and not have an enemy in the world?'

The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, faced the congregation and said: ' I outlived the bitches.'

(author unknown)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS

(author unknown)


glitter-graphics.com

Wild Cat Wednesday #10

I wasn't doing anything naughty, I promise.

(photo origin unknown)

Help Dog Rescue Groups and Shop for Christmas

Are you still in need of the perfect holiday gift for dog-loving friends? How about giving a book filled with unforgettable stories about rescued dogs? “Lost Souls: Found!” is a wonderful series published by Happy Tails Books which illustrates the love and joy rescued dogs bring to their new homes. Breed-specific “Lost Souls: Found!” books are currently available for Boston Terriers, Dachshunds, Pit Bulls, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. Your purchase will help support dog rescue – Happy Tails is committed to donating a significant portion of profits back to dog rescue organizations. Preview a book or pick up your copy today at http://happytailsbooks.com/buy.htm.

Ever wonder what life is like for canine Hollywood stars? “Hollywood Barks!” is your backstage pass to the life, times, and training of Hollywood dogs! The book describes a brief history of dogs in Hollywood and then dives into the memoirs of Kathryn Segura, a renowned Hollywood Studio Wrangler (the person behind the camera who serves as the "dog director"). It includes stories about dogs on the sets of movies like Air Buddies, Indecent Proposal, and There's Something About Mary, and highlights the fact that many dogs used in movies, television, and commercial are rescues! Each chapter also includes a studio training tip readers can practice with their own dogs. A significant portion of profits is donated back to the South Los Angeles Shelter, which is in desperate need of assistance. Purchase a copy or read some excerpts at http://happytailsbooks.com/hollywood.htm.

(I have written about Happy Tails because I believe in their cause - I have not been compensated in any way by them)

Mad Dog Monday #10

I told you if you opened your yap one more time, I'd.......

(photo origin unknown)

The Friday Funny.... newspapers

From the Register-Guard, by Matt Cooper:
'County to pay $250,000 to advertise lack of funds'. Lane county will spend up to $250,000 this year publicizing its tight financial picture in hopes voters will approve higher taxes for public safety services. (sounds just like a government).

From Brian Barber, newspaper unknown:
'Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons'.

From Mary Ann Teberle, Colorado Springs, 1999:
'Statistics show that teen pregnancy drops off significantly after age 25'.

Bacterial Allergies in Pets

The final part of my series on pet allergies covers bacterial allergy, which is an over-reaction of the dog or cat's immune system to normal skin bacteria. A bacterial problem usually appears as a secondary infection following another type of skin infection. The most common organism is Staphylococci, which is not contagious to humans or other pets.
Symptoms are red and ulcerated skin, itchy yellow pustules, turning into dry crusty areas as the problem continues, along with hair loss and odor. It can look very much like ringworm, and usually affects the trunk of the pet, but can appear in any area. A bacterial infection is suspected when antibiotics work for a while, but the symptoms return after the antibiotics are stopped, and can be confirmed with an Intradermal Skin Test.
Treatment requires antibiotics to get the disease under control, and following up with desensitization using killed staph bacteria for long term treatment. Washing the pet with antibacterial shampoo such as benzoyl peroxide, and applying antibiotic ointment to dried skin along with antibiotic pills for 3 to 4 weeks is usually prescribed.

Wild Cat Wednesday #9

Who thought "going green" could be so cute.

(photo origin unknown)

Sodium Benzoate and Vitamin C

According to Dr. Robert J Rowen of "Second Opinion," there are some foods that can be dangerous if taken with vitamin C.

Many beverages and foods, such as soda pop, juices, pickles, salad dressings and jams contain the preservative "sodium benzoate." No evidence has been found that sodium benzoate causes any problems by itself. The problem arises when it is mixed with vitamin C; a chemical reaction creates benzene, which is a proven carcinogen.

Many companies add vitamin C to their products, such as soda pop, cereals, snack foods etc. The FDA recently tested 84 soft drink products and found that 54 of them had detectable benzene, some of which had 16 times higher levels than is allowed in drinking water.

So check the labels on your soda pop and processed foods. The best and safest thing to do is get rid of all processed foods. To quote Dr. Rowen "if God didn't make it, don't eat it."

Mad Dog Monday #9

Ahhh...this is the life. A sunny day and a patch of grass soothes the sole.

(photo origin unknown)

Taking better photos of your pets

We all love our pets and want to capture them on film, but that's not as easy as it sounds. The following is a guest post by veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright on how to take better photographs of your dog, although I think it applies to all pets. I hope you find it helpful. Here is Dr. Wright's advice:

"If you're a dog lover, as I am, you'll agree that our dog's photos deserve to be displayed on the wall along with those of our other family members. However, we usually prefer to only have our best images on show, and dogs can be quite difficult to photograph.

Here are the three things to keep in mind when you're photographing your dog.

Location, location, location.
If you're going to go to the trouble of taking good photos of your dog, make sure you choose an attractive location. Perhaps you live near the beach, or some pretty gardens. Nice surroundings will make all the difference to your images.

When you've chosen your location and posed your dog, make sure there isn't a light pole or a tree in the background that looks like it is sticking right out of your dog's head.

Experiment with your positioning, by crouching down at your dog's level to photograph him. Alternatively, lying down and photographing him against the sky can create a great image.

Know your gear.
Taking good photographs of your dog is a lot easier if you're familiar with all the features of your camera. You can take good photos with a small compact camera but you have more flexibility with a SLR camera. Digital photography means you can take lots of photos of your dog and check them before you have them printed, so don't skimp on pushing that shutter button.

At the very least, know how to use your zoom button, so you can fill the frame with your dog without having to get close to him. That way you can avoid curious nose prints on your lens!

Knowing how to use your flash is also important – if you were to take a photo of your dog against the sky, you'd need to turn your flash on to avoid him being in shadow in the final photograph.

Know your dog
I've always found it easiest to take good photos of my dog if I can tell him to sit and stay, then move away and compose the shot. Basic obedience training makes it so much easier to take good dog photos. At the very least, your dog should be able to sit, drop and stay. If your dog is well trained, you can also remove his collar and leash, which will make for a much nicer photograph.

It's a good idea to keep a washcloth or some baby wipes in your bag to wipe any saliva or eye mucus away before you take the photograph. This is even more important if you own a mastiff or other breed that is known for its drooling.

Your dog will look better if you photograph him from a 45 degree angle, rather than from directly in front of him. If you have a friend to help you, and your dog is trained well enough, you can use a squeaky toy to get a lovely alert expression on your dog's face. His ears will be erect and he'll often tilt his head to one side. Be careful though, he may just rush on over to see what's making that noise.

Good dog photography takes patience and preparation. By taking a little time before your photo session with your dog, you'll be able to take photos that you're proud to display on your wall."

This guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY's staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right system for you and your pet. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of pet containment systems including the Innotek SD 2100 system. They are here to answer questions, help with installation, and give you the best price.
____________________________________________________
(I have provided this guest post by Dr. Wright for the benefit of my readers. I have not been compensated in any way by Dog Fence DIY or Dr. Wright)

And that's how the fight started....#7

A woman and her husband were sitting at a table at his high school reunion.

He kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone
at a nearby table.

His wife asked, 'Do you know her?'

'Yes,' he sighed, 'She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to
drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she
hasn't been sober since.'

'My God!' says the wife. 'Who would think a person could go on
celebrating that long?'


And that's when the fight started...

Flea Allergy Dermatitis in Pets

Part 4 on pet allergies will cover flea allergy dermatitis . It is the most common allergy in cats and dogs, caused by the cat or dog's skin having a severe reaction to flea saliva. Some dog breeds are more prone to flea bite allergies, while others have little to no reaction to the bite. Most cats can be bitten dozens of times and have no problem. In dogs and cats that have the reaction, just one bite can cause them to itch all of the time, and because they groom constantly, you probably won't see any fleas on them. Care must be taken to treat the skin irritation so a secondary bacterial infection doesn't develop, which would require antibiotics to treat.

Symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis are:
* extreme itching, licking and scratching
* hot spots on the face or hips, caused by the itching
* chewing and biting back legs, rear end, and tail
* loss of hair from intense scratching and chewing
* open sores or scabs on the skin
It can be diagnosed using an intradermal skin test with flea antigen. Some cats and dogs will also develop tapeworm from ingesting the fleas while grooming.

Treatment is the removal of fleas from your pet's world as much as possible. Since the dog or cat's skin is already irritated and broken, don't apply chemical flea products to kill the fleas. Follow these steps:
* Vacuum carpeting, pet bedding and anywhere the pet lays. Pitch the bag from the vacuum when done.
* Wash pet bedding
* clear away any outside vegetation where the pet lays; shaded areas with organic matter should be treated, as well as the lawn.
* This process will need to be repeated every 14 to 21 days to eliminate any new emerging fleas.
* Sooth the pet's skin so it can heal.
There are several products that can be used to sooth the flea bites and irritated skin. Some I recommend are: bathing with oatmeal shampoo and using a calendula skin spray on the affected areas. These products can be purchased at Only Natural Pet Store (link at the top right of this page). Diatamaceious Earth (pet grade not garden grade) is very good at killing fleas without chemicals both on the pet and in your home.

Wild Cat Wednesday #8

"Hold still while I get this last spot"

(photo origin unknown)

Safe Sugar Alternatives

Part 2 on sugar subsitutes covers safe alternatives to sugar. The only sweeteners I now use other sugar is Stevia and Xylitol.

Stevia is the leaves of an herb and member of the chrysanthemum family which grows in Paraguay and Brazil. It is 30 times sweeter than sugar, but has 0 carbs and 0 calories. It has been used by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. Here is more information on Stevia.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and is a five-carbon sugar alcohol. It was first derived from birch trees in Finland in the 19th century as a safe sweetener that wouldn't mpact insulin levels. It has no aftertaste and is advertised as safe for diabetics because sugar alcohols have less impact on blood sugar than regular sugar. One teaspoon of Xylitol contains 9.6 calories and 0 net carbs/ One teaspoon of sugar has 15 calories and 4 net carbs. Xyliyol is also said to help prevent tooth decay.
Here is what Wikopedia has to say about Xylitol.

I have used both Stevia and Xylitol separately, and personally I prefer a product containing both of them called Xylitol Plus. I think Stevia alone has a slight aftertaste, or maybe it's just because it is so sweet. Xylitol used in large quantities can cause temporary diarrhea. But together they make a very good tasting and safe sweetener, and you can also bake with either of them.

Mad Dog Monday #8

"I'm sure glad this wasn't a frosted mug!"

(photo origin unknown)

Improve your home's energy efficiency

With colder weather moving in for the winter, it's a good time to look at ways to keep your home warmer and make it more energy efficient. Insulating the attic, installing electrical outlet insulation plug kits, and weather stripping around doors is a good place to start. And you should also assess your windows as they can cause a good deal of heat loss and air leakage.

There are many products available at home improvement centers to help make older windows more energy efficient. And don't discount the benefit of curtains to cut drafts. We have dual pane energy efficient windows on our home, but can still feel a draft at times, especially on really windy days. Following decorating trends, over the past few years I have had only window blinds and valances on my windows. But curtains are making a comeback for visual appeal as well as energy savings, and I recently added curtains to my windows. I was pleasantly surprised at how homey and fresh the pleated curtains made my rooms feel, not to mention how much warmer the rooms feel at night and when it's windy.

Curtains are an easy way to cut drafts, make you feel more comfortable, and also update your tired looking rooms for holiday entertaining too.

The Friday Funny....The Lottery

A woman came home, screeching her car up the driveway, and ran into the house. She slammed the door and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Honey, pack your bags, I won the lottery!"

The husband said, 'Oh my God! What should I pack, beach stuff or mountain stuff."

"Doesn't matter" she said, "Just get out."


(contributed by Ron Heisler)

Inhalant Allergies in Pets

Part 3 on pet allergies will cover inhalant allergies, also called atopy and is very common. The same allergens that cause allergies in humans can cause inhaled allergies in cats and dogs. However, while a human will sneeze, cough, and have watery eyes, a cat or dog will usually have itching skin, much the same as a food allergy or flea bite allergy.

Cause and symptoms: common allergens are grass, weed and tree pollen, fabrics, dander, dust mites, and mold. Seasonal itching for an inhalant allergy usually begins at age 1 to 3 years, whereas a flea bite allergy usually begins at age 3 to 5. The inhalant allergy may start out seasonally, but then as the pet ages it can affect him all year long. In dogs, atopy causes itching around the eyes and mouth, armpits, belly, legs, around the anus, and can also cause ear infections. In cats, it causes itching around the face, neck, back, and thighs with tiny seed-like scabs and possible hair loss.

Treatment: Steroids such as Prednisone are often prescribed to block the allergic reaction. Some allergens are believed to absorb through the skin, so hypoallergenic shampoo can help relieve itching, along with fatty acid supplements. Keeping grass or weeds mowed so that they don't pollinate will help somewhat. If your cat or dog requires more than 2 shots annually, or is taking steroid pills every other day for more than 4 months out of the year, consider alternative treatment. Side affects of prolonged use of Prednisone are:
*excessive appetite, thirst and panting
*immune suppression
*inflammation of the pancreas
*urinary incontinence
*weight gain
Alternative treatments are: antihistamines, Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, and herbal topicals such as calendula, comfrey, and chamomile. Using an air cleaner inside the home may also give relief. I would also suggest feeding only a food that has no chemicals and preservatives as it can improve your pet's general health and immune system's ability to deal with the allergens.

Wild Cat Wednesday #7

"No, I DO NOT want to go to the vet!"

(photo origin unknown)

Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe?

You've heard about the health risks that too much sugar in your diet can cause: increased insulin levels, diabetes, obesity, loss of important minerals, hormonal disturbance, food allergies, paralysis of the immune system, increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. You may be substituting artificial sweeteners, hoping to avoid these health risks.

According to Drs. Joseph Mercola and Kendra Degin Pearsall, popular artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame (brand name Nutri Sweet & Equal) and sucralose (brand name Splenda) are neither healthy or safe, but are more dangerous than sugar itself. Aspartame and Splenda are prevalent in diet soda pop and snacks. And don't expect the FDA to protect you - just remember all the drugs they previously approved that are now in the headlines because of lawsuits.

Saccharin was discovered by accident in 1879 by scientists who were researching Toluene, produced when making gasoline from crude oil and is highly toxic. A researcher spilled some on his hand and found it tasted sweet.

Aspartame (Nutri Sweet & Equal) was originally developed as a drug to treat peptic ulcer disease, and accidentally found to taste sweet. Senior FDA scientists and consultants protested approving the release of aspartame products because of disturbing findings in animal studies, seemingly flawed experimental data, and the absence of extensive premarketing trials on human beings over a prolonged period. Side effects reported less than one year after aspartame products hit the market were: headaches, dizziness, aggressive behavior, memory loss, extreme numbness, suicidal tendencies, severe mood swings, seizures, cardiac arrest and death. Manufacturers are now abandoning aspartame and replacing it with sucralose because of the health concerns and controversy surrounding aspartame.

Sucralose (Splenda) was discovered when a graduate student misunderstood a request for "testing" as a request for "tasting" it. It was made with a highly poisonous chemical added drop by drop to a sugar solution. It is advertised as "Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar." which is deceptive. A number of people are suing the makers of Splenda. Problems experienced by some people shortly after ingesting Splenda include: headaches, depression, seizures, panic, anxiety, numbing of the limbs, rashes, fatigue, bloating, diarrhea, stomach spasms, and elevated blood sugar. Symptoms disappeared in these people as soon as they stopped using Splenda. I can personally attest to this, as I have eczema and control it through diet and supplements. Last year, my husband and I tried a new weight loss/ fat burning energy drink called Celsius which contained Splenda, and every time I drank more than half of a bottle, I would within minutes have an eczema breakout.

There is so much more to the story of these artificial sweeteners than I can cover here. If you want more information, you might want to read "Sweet Deceptions" as it is a real eye-opener. Check back for Part 2 of this post, which will cover safe alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Mad Dog Monday #7

"I've been on hold for 45 minutes!"

(photo origin unknown)