Puppy Burned Alive - Research? Help Chile.

Please help the earthquake victims in Chile.
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=5&link=ctg_chs_home_from_lit_home_sitenav

“THE PUPPY YOU SEE WAS BURNED ALIVE-To test the effects of burns. It was done at a teaching hospital.
Some of these animals are acquired through fraud and deception (e.g., Class B dealers respond to “free to good home" ads, Craigslist (has a lot of free to good home dogs and cats,), and even steal them from people's yards and trap cats.

Lost companion animals whose families are searching for them may wind up being used in experiments.

Class B dealers routinely violate the Animal Welfare Act. They are required to keep records to show that they acquired the animals legally, but many falsify those records to hide the true sources of the dogs and cats they sell.

The conditions under which these animals are kept are horrendous. The dealers fail to provide adequate food, water, veterinary care, and shelter.”

Please sign the petition, and save these helpless animals: http://www.change.org/actions/view/pet_safety_and_protection_act_hr_3907-class_b_dealers_selling_companion_pets_for_experiments

When you look into these eyes, how could they be so cruel.   These people must be monsters.  How can they sleep at night. 



More at:  http://www.animallawcoalition.com/pound-seizure/article/47

"This is Bill Maher of Politically Incorrect asking you not to let your medical or science education go to the dogs…or rabbits, rats, or other animals, for that matter. There are great new ways to learn that don't involve animals at all."

See what your state is doing about it: http://www.banpoundseizure.org/yourstate.shtml


Why can’t they just use people on death row?
The animals aren't criminals, they don't deserve to be treated like cold hearted killers.


I know, that would be cruel, but what is this?

Keep your pets safe: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/holding_dogs_for_ransom

Moving Toward Alternatives

”Over the past several decades, educators have begun to question the value of the use of animals. Now, teachers and professors recognize that students can learn equally as well and often better through the use of modern technology. The majority of studies published in peer-reviewed journals show that students learn more when using alternatives to dissection. There is also an important lesson taught when not using real animals: Students learn to respect living beings and begin to appreciate and understand the role of animals in nature. This is fundamental to biology, the study of life. “
From: http://www.aavs.org/eduDissection.html
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Then there are the ones that just don’t care:

“Amy Winehouse has added felines to her list of addictions. She has a habit of taking them in, letting them breed, and then being unable to manage them. She claims to love the animals, but when it was time for her to head to Jamaica, it was time for the cats go. She called an animal shelter to take them off her hands. After all, she had a flight to catch. Just like last year, when another group of cats was abandoned on her way to the Caribbean.”.


Just like a drunk/druggie mentality! 

I am sorry but all the abused animals that I have rescued were caused by a drunk/druggie environment.

<--------I prefer this kind of abuse.

Please sign the petition, and save these helpless animals:
http://www.change.org/actions/view/pet_safety_and_protection_act_hr_3907-class_b_dealers_selling_companion_pets_for_experiments
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That's enough for today.

You Can Save A Life. Skimmers. Ditty Bags.

No mouth-to-mouth, and easy to do until help comes:

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Beware of skimmers at the pumps AGAIN:

“In the initial report, it is stated that consumers will have more protection from skimmers when Visa requires merchants to go to a triple data encryption standard in July of this year, which is a good move, but unfortunately this won't prevent skimming attacks involving second pinpads and modified card readers like those installed inside gas pumps.

Until gas pumps are outfitted with the anti skimming technology that is being developed for ATMs, consumers concerned consumers should use a credit card at the pump or head inside to pay. It is important to note that while using your debit card as credit at the pump won't expose your PIN number to the perps, it doesn't afford you the same protections as using credit.”  From: http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/02/25/paying-at-the-pump-could-cost-extra-thanks-to-skimmers/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl4|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F25%2Fpaying-at-the-pump-could-cost-extra-thanks-to-skimmers%2F

I know, I know, I should use tiny URLs.
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Ditty Bags.

Apart from all the usual daily chores, I spent the day catching up on emails, and sorting out my ‘ditty bag’ as my late DH used to call it.  He was an OTR trucker for a while, and his bag was always packed ready for the next trip.  Just clean underwear, change of clothes or two, toilet articles and his carton of cigarettes.  Then all he had to pack was his Thermos of coffee.

I got in the habit of keeping a ditty bag packed when my wonderful previous mother-in-law, (my youngest son’s grandma in OK), started to go downhill in her 80's.   I never knew if it would be a mad dash in a car, or more leisurely journey in the RV.

Then, I got used to it being so easy to grab when going on an RV trip, but it kinda grew!

I never went on a trip unless it was in the RV.  It stays packed down with all the regular stuff; coffee maker, dishes, pillows, sheets, blankets, (in suck down bags), towels, maps, bird books, canned food, but toilet articles tend to melt during these long, hot summers, so they can’t be left in there.

Now, as I have made several bus trips to look at RVs,  I can’t use or carry all that stuff.  So I have it sorted out into three bags.  One bag with just the very essentials for a bus trip, including a very small first aid kit.

Another bag, pink, with a more expanded supply of toilet and medical supplies, for the RV.

A third, with more things like binoculars, clock, calculator, Bobcat’s harness and leash, fanny pack with camera holder, swim suit, beach shoes, all the extra things to go in the RV.

All the bags are squashable, so they will fit in crevices in the RV.  I don't like bins, they take up too much room. Then all I have to pack are the things on my RV list;  like the fridge food, dry food, (i.e coffee, creamer, sugar), compressor, laptop, chargers, camera, Bobcat's stroller, more clothes, etc. Then Bobcat in her carrier.   That still takes a while!

Maybe it is Hitch Itch!  The weather is starting to get better, so I wish I could have gone on a trip today.

FREE E-Books. Soap. Boat!

From Project Gutenberg, the first producer of free electronic books (ebooks).

Why are these books free?

“Copyright for most of these books has expired in the United States. (They may still be copyrighted in other countries). So anybody may make verbatim or non-verbatim copies of those works.

We carry high quality items: Our books were previously published on paper by bona fide publishers and digitized by us with the help of thousands of volunteers.
All our ebooks can be easily downloaded: Choose between ePub, Mobipocket, HTML and simple text formats.
No fee or registration is required, but if you find Project Gutenberg useful, we kindly ask you to donate a small amount so we can buy and digitize more books.”    From: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Now, I don’t know anything about E-books, so I don’t know if these books work with a Kindle.

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Does Antibacterial Soap Work Better Than Regular Soap?

“Ordinary soap appears to do just as good a job at fighting colds as antibacterial soap, and for less money.

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is one of the simplest ways to prevent colds from spreading. But does antibacterial soap work any better than plain soap in fighting infections? Not according to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “

Preventing Colds: All Washed Up.


Cons of Using Antibacterial Soap
Kills both good and bad bacteria, which may make antibiotics ineffective against new strains of bacteria. 
Can give consumers a false sense of security by creating a relaxed attitude toward good hygiene .   
Costs more than regular soap “
More at: http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/antibacterial-soap.aspx?xid=nl_EverydayHealthAsthmaandAllergies_20100222
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If you are looking for a boat, check this one for sale on the lake where I live:
http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/1610762448.html        HA! HA!
4 BR, 2B Sumerset Houseboat 76'x16' WB - $194,000.00
If the ad is pulled, I have copied the info, so just write to me through comments, include your email address!!   I will send info privately, and then discard your address.
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It was about time to go into the next town to get things that are not available here.  Jay needed to go too, so off we went.  We went straight to his bank so that he could get some cash and pay a bill.  It is next to a Krogers, so I always wander around there while I am waiting for him.  I picked up some bargains of seafood, meat, cheese, bread, etc. 
I was glad that I keep the 12v. cooler in the van, as I had to go by my doctor’s office to pick up some samples of a cholesterol medicine he wants me to try.
Jay wanted to try the chicken-fried fish at Church's, so that is what he got.  I took some of the breading off it, and tried the fish, and it was alright.

We did stop at a resale shop in our home town, and I bought a very sturdy heavy canvas fanny pack for the few tools that I carry around here, $1, and a set of heavy duty plastic cutlery, 75c, for a camper.

No looking at thrift shops, no Walmarting, we just wanted to come home, it wasn’t cold, but it was a dreary, rainy, umbrella day today.

Made in USA? Popcorn.

Bob2K sent me this, and it seemed so important that I copied it here:

“One Light Bulb at a Time”
A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following:

 
Good idea ... one light bulb at a time . . . .
Check this out,  I can verify this because I was in Lowes the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments. They were all made in China The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in USA . Start looking ..



In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job.


So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track . Let's get behind her!

My grandson likes Hershey's candy . I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now.. I do not buy it any more.

My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico ... now I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything ..

This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets .  I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled  "Everyday Value . " I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats -
they were the same except for the price ..  The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland , Ohio .

So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here ..

So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets . .. . yep, you guessed it, bounce cost more money and is made in Canada . The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA ! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!

If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
(We should have awakened a decade ago .... . .. . . . )
Let's get with the program and help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U . S .A ..

I Passed this on ......... will you ???????”
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Pop Up, Slim Down        Popcorn instead of chips:

“You can eat up to 6 cups of certain low-fat microwave brands of popcorn for about the same number of calories you'd get from just 7 or 8 chips. Plus, the popcorn also counts as two servings of whole grains. All in all, one satisfying nosh!

Of course, you'll undo all the good of perfectly popped popcorn if you drown it in butter and salt a la those movie-theater tubs. So look at labels and be a smart popper. Orville Redenbacher, Pop Secret, and Jolly Time all offer 100-calorie microwave packs with 5 to 6 cups of popcorn in one bag. Or try this 4-cup, 75-calorie savory popcorn from EatingWell.” From: http://www.realage.com/tips/eat-more-in-front-of-the-tv
The reasons for doing this: http://www.realage.com/tips/fortify-your-GI-tract-with-this-midnight-munchie
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It started out cold, but by lunch time, Patches was meowing at me and looking out the window, and back at me.  She wanted to go on the porch.  She is timid to everyone but me, but she sure knows how to tell me wants she wants.  As it was in the 60’s out there, I let them out there for a while.

Even Bobcat was out there today

Lowering Your Cholesterol Through Diet, Statins or Exercise?

The doctor called with my blood test results, and as I suspected, my cholesterol is higher than it should be.  I have a big battle with that, even though I am careful what I eat, as I can’t take statin drugs.
So I have really been trying to find out as much as I can about it.

Do Cholesterol Drugs Do Any Good?
“Wright saw, the drugs can be life-saving in patients who already have suffered heart attacks, somewhat reducing the chances of a recurrence that could lead to an early death.

But Wright had a surprise when he looked at the data for the majority of patients, like Winn, who don't have heart disease. He found no benefit in people over the age of 65, no matter how much their cholesterol declines, and no benefit in women of any age. He did see a small reduction in the number of heart attacks for middle-aged men taking statins in clinical trials.  But even for these men, there was no overall reduction in total deaths or illnesses requiring hospitalization—despite big reductions in "bad" cholesterol.

"Most people are taking something with no chance of benefit and a risk of harm," says Wright. Based on the evidence, and the fact that Winn didn't actually have angina, Wright changed his mind about treating him with statins—and Winn, too, was persuaded. "Because there's no apparent benefit," he says, "I don't take them anymore." "From: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068052092994.htm
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“Cracking the Cholesterol Myth:
There's no connection whatsoever between cholesterol in food and cholesterol in the blood. None. And we've known that all along.  That has been confirmed in study after study after study.”

“The truth is, we've always had reason to question the idea that cholesterol is an agent of disease,” says Taubes. “Indeed, what the Framingham researchers meant in 1977 when they described LDL cholesterol as a ''marginal risk factor'' is that a large proportion of people who suffer heart attacks have relatively low LDL cholesterol.

“So how did we come to believe strongly that LDL cholesterol is so bad for us?” he asks. “It was partly due to the observation that eating saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol, and we've assumed that saturated fat is bad for us. This logic is circular, though: saturated fat is bad because it raises LDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol is bad because it is the thing that saturated fat raises.” Yet, he points out, “in clinical trials, researchers have been unable to generate compelling evidence that saturated fat in the diet causes heart disease. “      From: http://www.healthbeatblog.org/2008/02/the-origins-of.html
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The first time a doctor tells you that your cholesterol levels are high, it's often with a vague reference to lowering them through diet. What does that mean, exactly?

“Heart-Healthy Choices: The Good Foods Lowering your cholesterol levels is not just about what to avoid. There are also good, positive choices you can make — cholesterol-fighting foods that can help you reduce your risk of heart disease. Here’s the scoop on soluble fiber, heart-healthy fats, and plant sterols.
Soluble Fiber
Wouldn't it be great if there were something that could grab onto cholesterol and escort it right through your digestive system and out of your body? Well, there is! Soluble fiber does just that and may reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol.
Research has shown that eating an additional five to ten grams of soluble fiber a day can reduce LDL cholesterol by three to five percent. If you eat a few foods rich in soluble fiber every day, you’ll get at least five grams. It is a small improvement, but every percentage point counts!
Some of the best soluble-fiber-rich foods include oatmeal, barley, lentils, brussel sprouts, peas, beans (kidney, lima, black, navy, pinto), apples, blackberries, pears, raisins, oranges, grapefruit, dates, figs, prunes, apricots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.”    The rest of the article: http://www.joybauer.com/health-library/lowering-cholesterol-through-diet.aspx

More at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

Mayo Clinic advises:
To reduce your cholesterol, focus instead on lifestyle changes:

• Lose excess weight.
• Eat heart-healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Include physical activity in your daily routine.
• If you smoke, stop.
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The Obesity Epidemic

"The whole low-fat movement coincided with a huge spike in food processing and those who process and manufacture food products for a living have one goal -- getting people to eat more of their products. That's easy to do -- just engineer combinations of sugar and a bit of fat, which worked really well with the whole "low-fat" philosophy.

As long as it didn't have too much fat, you could eat it, right?

Meanwhile, fat -- the one macronutrient that keeps you full and satisfied -- was lacking from most of what we were eating. Sugar, the one element that keeps cravings going, was plentiful. Portion sizes in general collectively took a shot of steroids, as the whole country decided that super sizing was its birthright.
From:   http://www.thatsfit.com/2010/01/18/low-fat-caused-obesity-epidemic/
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I have put on weight this winter as it has been too cold to work outside.  So, as I get more exercise in the Spring, I hope my cholesterol levels will go down then.

I don’t care which diets claim you don’t have to exercise to lose weight, it is obvious that a moving body is going to be in better shape than a couch/computer potato.

It has always mystified me why the folks in Britain don’t die of high cholesterol.  All my deceased family members died between 90 and 107 years of age.   Except those by accidents, of course.
As I said on February 15th:  ”In England, they cook their eggs in bacon grease, then they crisp fry their bread in it too, and the fried eggs go on top.  The tomatoes are fried in the bacon grease, too.
I don’t know why they don’t have big cholesterol problems there!”.   

Then it dawned on me….they walk to the shops, they walk to the subway, they walk to the bus stop.  As a whole, Europeans get a lot more exercise than we do here in the USA.  We jump in the car to go places. 
I must start parking at the end of the parking lot.

“The incidence of heart disease in Mediterranean countries is lower than in the United States. Death rates are lower, too. But this may not be entirely due to the diet. Lifestyle factors (such as more physical activity and extended social support systems) may also play a part.” From: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644

So I had better do as Felix did, and “keep on walking”, starting today!

Interesting Buildings. Invisible Snow!

“What started out as a dream by Dave Longaberger, Founder of The Longaberger Company…… One of Dave's most admirable attributes was that when he had a dream and believed in it, he always found a way to accomplish it, and he did. Dave's dream was achieved on December 17, 1997 when the Home Office that is designed to resemble a basket finally opened for business.” From: http://www.longaberger.com/homeOfficeHistory.aspx
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Kansas City Library:
Local residents were asked to nominate influential books that represent Kansas City.
Humungous versions of the winning nominations were then used as the exterior of the library car-park.
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The Dancing House is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic


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Habitat 67 is a housing complex and landmark located on the Marc-Drouin Quay on the Saint Lawrence River at 2600, Pierre Dupuy Avenue in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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There are lots of them out there.  Architects the world over, have fun with designs.
The most famous: http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/

There are so many fabulous ones in: http://www.instantshift.com/2009/02/26/50-more-unusual-buildings-architecture/
My grandfather and uncle were architects, so I find them interesting.

Then there is this ancient one:

Most of us take toilets for granted, but it wasn't that long ago when "indoor plumbing" was a new thing.

"While the United States, Great Britain and most of Europe were made up of warring barbarian tribes (much like today) the Ephesians were enjoying fountains, fresh water and a sewer system.
When you needed to relieve yourself you went into an open air public restroom that had around 40 toilet seats surrounding a fountain. You pulled up your toga and sat down on the polished marble (hopefully you found one the sun had already warmed). Sitting next to and across from you were your fellow citizens. You exchanged news, shared gossip and socialized because there were no privacy dividers in these restrooms.
The amazing thing about these toilet facilities was the fact that running water carried the waste out to the harbor through a system of terracotta sewer pipes. There was also clean running water in this facility for washing."  ( I bet the EPA liked that!!)
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BUT, I prefer Nature’s Architecture, that can’t be beat.
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Mindi picked up her dogs at 1.30 AM.  As a flight attendant, she arrives back at Houston Hobby Airport at funny hours.  No, she couldn’t wait until the morning, as she wanted to be with ‘her babies’, and she flies out again today.  But her husband will be there to take care of them this time until she gets back.  He is an OTR truck driver, so I, and their babysitter, fill in.  
She does not trust little old Sheba with anyone but me.  And Sheba likes to be with her son, Jakey.  Precious, the dachshund, doesn’t like the babysitter, and tries to bite her,  but she likes me.
I am glad she didn't bring the little young Yorkie this time, I have to puppy-proof the place, as she is still at the chewing stage.  Also she doesn't always come in when she is told, and I have to go fetch her.

Snow was forecast.  I didn’t believe it.  I thought it was rain coming off the porch roof, until I took a closer look.   It was snow!  

But the flakes were so big and wet, that it just melted upon touching anything. Finally after a couple of hours, some could be seen on the bare ground.   It just turned into wet on the roads. 

Bobcat sat at her bathroom window, mesmerized by it.  I don’t know if she has ever seen snow in her 15 years.

So, today is a red-letter-day!

Back To Pet Food! Petition Against Cabela’s Sponsoring Wolf Derbies.

To address Vickie’s, Mom of Bark+Bite, comment:

“Penny, I need your help. Sam the boxer has a food digestion problem. I had him on Blue Brand Dog Food. Very good, but for budget reasons I changed to Natures Recipe. I have not had any problems this past year. The bag reads Easy Digestible Nutrition, No Beef Corn or Wheat. No By Products or Fillers, No Artificial Preservatives.
I went to buy a bag a few days ago. On some of the shelves at Pet Smart there were bags that had a whole new look. They did not have any of this information on them. They had change to telling you what -good- things were in the food. I think one line said something about tomatoes?
You keep up with this and I value your opinion. Do you know if they have change their product? I thought it was a good dog food but now I am not sure. A 65 lb. dog eats a lot.”
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Here are the reviews for Nature’s Recipe: http://hubpages.com/hub/Natures-Recipe-Healthy-Dog-Foods-Reviews-and-News  It depends which flavor you were feeding, as they range from 5/10 - 8/10.

Vickie, I do not know if they have changed their recipe, as I do not use it.  But it is made by Del Monte, so maybe they are trying to use up any unused tomatoes!
Are you sure they were both Nature’s Recipe, there are several brands with similar names?
Believing the large print on pet food bags is like believing an RV salesman, or the packaging on people food!  You have to read the fine print.

 Sometimes the filler is disguised, they might have a small percentage of several filling ingredients, which added up would become the main ingredient.  Meat or chicken should be the first ingredient percentage-wise.  Not meat or chicken meal or by-products.

“Tomatoes, rhubarb, citrus fruits can be bad for pets.”  From: http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FoodAndKitchenSafety.php  which also has A LOT more important information.

To help Sam get over this, here is a good remedy.
One thing that is good for people and pets when they have an upset tummy of any kind, is canned pumpkin.  Not the pie filling spiced one. 
I opened a can, and put it in several little plastic sealed containers, like the ones your condiments come in at a restaurant take-out, and froze them.  Now I just have to defrost one if I have an animal with an upset digestive system, or diarrhea.  If you have trouble getting it down them, put it in the side of their mouth.   If you have a syringe, without a needle, that is an easy way to do it.

As with any animal, a change in diet should be done gradually over a week or more.

People and pets aren’t supposed to eat so much when they are on a better food, so often it is false economy to go to a cheaper food.

If you can’t get Blue Buffalo or Wellness for your dog, here are some cheaper ones:
Lassie is available at Krogers.    Lassie Lamb and Rice gets the best review at 8/10:  http://hubpages.com/hub/Natural-Way-Dog-Food---Lassie-Lamb-and-Rice-Review

Or Exclusive, find out where to buy near you here:  http://www.pminutrition.com/main.html
Exclusive Lamb and Rice, their best rated one:  http://hubpages.com/hub/Exclusive-Lamb-Rice-Adult-Formula-Dry-Healthy-Dog-Foods  8/10

Pet Food Reviews: http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog_Food_Review
The link to the cat food reviews is on that page, too

Here are people foods that are bad, or poisonous, even deadly, for your pet: http://www.petplace.com/article-printer-friendly.aspx?id=4773
I like this article because it also gives the symptoms of overdose.
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Help Save America's Wolves from Hunting Derbies.
“It's one thing for a company to sponsor an event like, say, the Olympics, but to throw their corporate dollars behind a slaughtering competition seems like a riskier public relations move. Unless you're a major outdoor retailer like Cabela's or Sportsman's Warehouse, who are the proud sponsors of three recent predator derbies.” From: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/cabelas_proud_sponsor_of_killing_sprees
Please sign the petition urging Cabela's and Sportsman's Warehouse to withdraw their support for wolf derbies.
 http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces;jsessionid=C398192ADE3BA80214E1F0FC6F35B6C5.ctg-b?siteId=4&campaign=DOWWolfHuntingDerbies&pageNum=443
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I could tell that Mindi had been a bit lax with her flea/heartworm medicine.  Poodles, Sheba and Jakey, both had those pinky patches on their white fur where they had been biting and licking.    Their saliva is what discolors their coats.  This is unusual for Mindi’s dogs, so she must have switched brands or something.
I bathed them with a whitening shampoo, but those pinky patches will really have to grow out.  I clipped their face, feet, and tails, too, but left their body hair long, as we are going to have another cold spell.

So by the time I had groomed them, cut Precious’ nails, and fed everybody, I had enough for today.

Re-stringing Day/Night Shades. Followers. Mindi's Dogs. Loose Screws.

One thing that seems like it needs to be done every now and then:
http://www.winnebagoind.com/resources/service/pdfs/2006-09%20Restringing%20Day%20Night%20Blinds.pdf
Here is where you can buy the strings:
http://www.dirtyblindman.com/
Here is the place if you need to watch a how-to video:
http://www.fixmyblinds.com/Instructions.html
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For a long time there was a place that needed burping in my computer, and I could not see 'My Followers'.
Now that I can see y'all,  I can see some new ones, and some people that I have never heard of.  I want to thank you for following along with me.  I hope that some things are interesting, or useful to you.  Again, THANK YOU.

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This morning when I opened the blinds to the porch, the temperature was 60 deg.!  Hasn’t been that warm out there for a long time.  I put Patches and Prime out there, and they had their breakfasts out there, too. 
This worked out fine, as Mindi was bringing some of her dogs at 9.30, so the cats could be on the porch instead of staying locked up in their cages.

Ray caulked a place on my van where it had leaked, so we will see if that worked next time it rains.  He also got the nail punchers and tapped in the finish nails that Jay had put around the trim when we installed the new AC in the grooming room.  Then he was able to caulk them, so that trim can be re-painted.

 
We couldn't do it today as little old Sheba, (with the collapsed trachea), was in there, and she coughs at the drop of a hat.  I was so glad we had the new AC installed, as if I don’t keep her at around 68 deg. she starts coughing again.  Today being a lot warmer,  I had to turn it on for the first time.  Seems like forever that I have had the heat turned on in there.

Then we tried to finish what we had started in December, and get the screws and nails etc., all in their correct little drawers and bins in the workshop.  


It has just been too darned cold to work in there since then.

So here they are, and we know where everything is:

So I better not have a loose screw, or a screw loose, today

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER, by Erma Bombeck.

IF  I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER By Erma Bombeck
(Written  after she found out she was dying from cancer.)


”I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in  storage.
 
I would have talked less and listened more.


I would have invited  friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the  responsibility carried by my husband.
 
I  would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had  just been teased and  sprayed.

I would  have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it  was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a  lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every  moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist  God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.'

There would  have been more 'I love you's'. More 'I'm  sorry's.'

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every  minute ... look at it and really see it … live  it and never give it back..

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry  about who doesn't like you, who has  more, or  who's doing what,  Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love  us.”

True: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/bombeck.asp

Makes you think about the REALLY important things in life, doesn't it!!
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Humorous Quotes from
The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank
By Erma Bombeck

Some quotes:
“It struck with little warning and attacked the weak, the bored, the vulnerable seeking relief from the monotony. Its name was television and by 1966, it would enslave sixty-million families.”

“I suppose my braised prawn sandwiches did not meet with your middle-class taste?” she snarled. 
“I don’t pretend to be a connoisseur of bait!”

“One son appears in stereo – a transistor in one ear and the phone in the other..”

“It was either Thomas Jefferson – or maybe it was John Wayne – who once said, “Your foot will never get well as long as there is a horse standing on it.””

More at: http://www.workinghumor.com/quotes/grass.shtml
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Today was Adoption Day, so I spent the afternoon there at Petco.  My foster cats, Prime and Patches, don’t like going, but they have to get used to different things.  Life isn’t always easy, you have to adjust to the bumps.   I took one of their beds for them to lie on while in the big display cage, but they would rather curl up together in the litter box.

They meowed on the way there, and were as quiet as can be, on the way home.
I think they are worn out as I am today!!

Blogs, Oh-Oh! Now Meatless Mondays!

Retired Rod said:
“We solved a bunch of the world problems, and discussed all of you who write blogs that we all read, LOL.  Did you feel your ears burn? “
So, to whom does this apply?
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Carnivale Kicks Off Big Annual Fat Break

Spread the word!
Get free Meatless Monday
Mardi Gras media tools
“Carnival, or Fat Tuesday – for centuries also known as Mardi Gras – is traditionally a time to feast on the last bits of meat at home before Lent, when people give up a favorite food. Meat is often chosen for this observance, reflected in the word Carnival, from the Latin carne vale, or “farewell to meat.” This week, we showcase tasty meatless Mardi Gras recipes so you can go lean during Lent, and every Monday thereafter!
Meatless Mondays: Small Effort, Big Impact

http://food.aol.com/healthy-kitchen/meatless-mondays?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl5|link3|http%3A%2F%2Ffood.aol.com%2Fhealthy-kitchen%2Fmeatless-mondays
Though Americans make up only five percent of the world's population, we consume 15 percent of the world's meat, and the meat industry generates a staggering one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

The Benefits of Eating Less Meat

If you eat less meat, you consume less saturated fat, which lowers your risk of heart disease and keeps cholesterol low.
As an added bonus, it helps you maintain a healthy weight, and automatically adds more vegetable variety to your diet, thereby increasing the amount of nutrients you consume. On a larger scale, eating less meat will cut down on water usage and our dependence on fossil fuels used in factory farming.”
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Today, Ray and I were sorting stuff out in the storeroom.  I needed to get the minivan’s third seat, a bench seat, out of my antique motor home into my store room.  I took it out when I bought the minivan as I need that space in the back for hauling stuff.


It really is time I sold that vintage motor home, "Pugsy", as I’ll never drive it again.
A lot of stuff was taken up into that attic, some ditched, and some put with the yard sale stuff.  Jay was supposed to be here, and so I drove down and got him, as that third seat is heavy.  When we got it out of “Pugsy” (the old MH), Jay shampooed the seat before we put it in the store room.  I don’t need the seat, but one day a new owner might want it.
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Quotes:
“There is no distinctly native American criminal class….save Congress”. Mark Twain.

“The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.”   Herbert Spencer.

“The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings.  The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery…”   Winston Churchill.
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A nice day, no rain, but still a ‘coat day”.