Stop Using Crass Language. Teaching Your Child to Use Technology. SPEAK OUT AGAINST TOXIC PHTHALATES IN FOOD. Update. RIP Roni.

 

For “Scripture Sunday:”

Stop Using Crass Language

Using foul language does not make you look smarter or wiser. Stop doing it.

Cole Hutson/Unsplash

“The use of curse and swear words are so commonplace in today’s world that people are no longer shocked by it.

A recent meme I have seen posted more than once lists four things highly intelligent people do. One of the four is they use foul language. This claim was shared, commented on and taken as truth even though no study or empirical evidence was given.

When I was a child, the use of curses and swear words was seen as a lack of education, and rightly so. Most of us were told that a person who resorts to swearing does not have the vocabulary to speak their mind–so they resort to “shock” speech.

It has become so commonplace in today’s world that people are no longer shocked by it–but to state that it shows a higher intelligence is an unbelievable turn from former ways of looking at it. Will young people who see this meme think like Eve that it is something to make you wise? Or at least to appear wise? The deceiver does not have to change his tactics; we still fall for the old ones.

I was taught such language was crass. The definition of crass is “without refinement, delicacy, or sensitivity; gross; obtuse; stupid” (dictionary.com). Anything that flies in the face of common decency and the tenets of God’s Word becomes the opposite of intelligence. A vast majority of swear words–even some where it is not immediately obvious–use various forms of the name of our Lord in a disrespectful manner.

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

Our society is becoming more crass and less concerned with refinement. Set your heart to avoid falling into this pit and be the light this world needs so badly”.   From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/blogs/stop-using-crass-language

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The Importance of Teaching Your Child to Use Technology

With the Internet and fast pace of technological innovation, it's important to instill in our children wisdom in navigating the world“

Gaelle Marcel/Unsplash

“It’s important to teach a child to seek the input of those who have more experience—people who can really help them navigate.

"The world is a very different place than it was just a couple of decades ago. Technology and the Internet influence society now at levels none of us could have imagined back then. Our children and grandchildren are proficient with this technology, and many seem to rely on it as much as the air they breathe.

There was a time when communicating was done with a phone or by writing a letter, but today you can instantly communicate with a text or instant message via the computer in your pocket. It’s not just kids–many adults have also become accustomed to this luxury. Technology is so important to young people that many parents now use access to it as a reward or punishment.

The benefits of all this interconnected technology are clear: access to vast educational resources at the touch of a screen. But on the flip side, it’s also full of graphic content not suitable for adult eyes, let alone a child’s eyes. God told the prophet Daniel that in the days right before Christ returns, knowledge will increase (Daniel 12:4). But as we can see, not all knowledge and information is good.

Trying to limit and control access to all the bad can prove nearly impossible. Kids are usually far more tech-savvy than their parents. I have talked to several who admitted that their parents had no idea what they were looking at online. They said there is always a way around whatever blocks a parent may install. The parents, however, are usually oblivious and quite sure they have it all handled.

As more people redefine their morality apart from God and the Bible, we must be ever more intentional in instructing our children how to perceive and navigate the world. Proverbs 22:6 tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” That includes diligently teaching them how to process, understand, plan for and deal with events that take place in the world. It means teaching them how to think critically about information that they read and confirming what’s true and what isn’t. It means teaching them the wisdom to analyze situations, and giving them the skills they need to avoid future problems.

It’s important to teach a child to seek the input of those who have more experience–people who can really help them. It doesn’t come naturally to anyone, no matter what age; we resist relying on other’s wisdom. It is necessary for all of us to learn to be humble enough to listen to those in the know. The book of Proverbs is very useful for small teaching moments. (Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 12:15). Using Scripture can really help us prepare our hearts for accepting good counsel (see also Proverbs 3:5-8; Proverbs 16:18,Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 14:7).

Perhaps the best way to sum it all up is: Teach a child to pray for guidance and lean on God for understanding."  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/blogs/the-importance-of-teaching-your-child-to-use-technology

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AMERICANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST TOXIC PHTHALATES IN FOOD

“The FDA received an outpouring of comments from the public voicing concern about phthalates, harmful chemicals used in food packaging and processing equipment.

No matter how healthy your diet, it’s nearly impossible to steer clear of toxic chemicals called phthalates. These hormone-disrupting chemicals are used in the plastic packaging covering meats and cheeses whose fats can promote leaching of the chemicals into the food. Phthalates are also in plastic tubing and equipment in food processing plants and in the plastic gloves worn by food workers. Recently, Earthjustice and our partners petitioned the FDA to get phthalates out of our food supply. We asked our supporters to write to the FDA, too, and received an overwhelming response.

The FDA received comments from nearly 200,000 people, all of whom strongly urged the agency to withdraw its approval for the 30 phthalates that are used as food additives. Phthalates have been linked to a host of harmful health impacts including severe genital birth defects in boys, lower IQs, impaired reproduction and cancer.

Many commenters were concerned about the effects phthalates have on children — and rightly so. Growing bodies are extremely vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Exposure to even small doses of chemicals during developmental phases can have lifelong effects on a child.

“As a retired teacher, I have seen firsthand the effects that many things that enter our food stream have on the learning ability of children. Please help protect the future of this country, by protecting the future intelligence of new generations, by repealing any approval for phthalates as food additives.”– D. A., Canon City, CO

“I'm 5 months pregnant with my first baby and the last thing I want is to harm her before she's even born. I'm doing everything I can to keep her safe and healthy but with all these things in our food I feel so helpless sometimes. We need this for every baby past and future; we need to stop harming our children. ”– A.C., Fontana, CA

Many commenters mentioned their battles with cancer and other diseases, and their desire to spare others similar pain.

“I am a breast cancer survivor and have tried to keep myself free of phthalates by avoiding cosmetics, fragrances, nail polish, etc. and using glass storage containers. But I was unaware that these products were in our foods, too. Please protect the public.”– J. S., Plover, WI

“Between my endometriosis, my uterine fibroids (which have caused constant disruptions and pain all of my adult life and had to be surgically removed twice), and my breast cancer (which required a mastectomy and 4 different surgeries), I am keenly and distressingly aware of the health costs of hormone-disrupting chemicals. Please get them out of our food sources.”– A.E., Chicago, IL

“As someone who once had cancer, I really don't need a rematch; I might not win this time. The last thing I need is phthalates in my food.”– B. B., Flushing, NY

Other commenters were troubled by the lack of transparency around chemicals in our food system and reminded the FDA that the American people need this agency to put public health first."        Complete article at:   http://earthjustice.org/blog/2016-october/americans-speak-out-against-toxic-phthalates-in-food

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Update:

My helper and his fishing buddy went on their boat last weekend, they fished all day and night, so my helper didn’t wake up to come to work on Monday.  But they had caught a 49 lb catfish on the trotline so they thought it was worth it.  They took it back to his friend’s place here on Lake Conroe, fried the catfish steaks and ate them.  Now, I wouldn’t have had anything to do with that scavenger catfish, because of Leviticus 11:10.  New Living Translation
”But you must never eat animals from the sea or from rivers that do not have both fins and scales. They are detestable to you. This applies both to little creatures that live in shallow water and to all creatures that live in deep water.”  Catfish are bottom feeders, eat dead things, and don’t have scales and fins, so I don’t eat them. 

Finally, the water can be turned on in the mini-house (guest-house).  All the leaks are fixed and the toilet works.  But we did find that there is a dripping tub faucet, so we turned the water off again until we can fix that.  The kitchen plumbing is done with shut-offs, even though the sink, dishwasher, and fridge with ice-maker are not in there yet.  The water lines are run into the laundry room, and there will be a 3/4 bath in there too.  But that will happen later.  Just to get the first part functional is great.  We worked on the attic floor over the bathroom ceiling so that the plumbing vent pipe could be run up through there, and also so that we can install the new bathroom exhaust fan.  When I bought it, I made sure that it was really quiet, as the one I had sounded like a 747 taking off. 

At 7.30 AM Monday my neighbor, Roni died of cancer.  Everyone is glad that she is now out of pain and in peace.  Roni was very artistic and she would rather make mosaic table tops, paint oil pictures, make stain-glass windows, draw pastels, or any kind of art, rather than clean the place up or work on it.  Here, I have three walkways that she paved for me, one is over 20 years old and is still as level and true as the day she laid all those pavers.  It’s all in the leveling and packing of the sand foundation.  Unfortunately, she had become diabetic, then all the medicines and sticky buns that she ate affected her mind, and she wasn’t well at all for the last few years.  “You are what you eat, and what it ate.”

Then I found out that she had left her property to me.  It is a big mess, so each day I spend a little time picking up trash from the yard and tidying up the outside of the place.  The inside can wait now that the contents of the fridge have all been thrown out.  Today, we loaded a bunch of old metal into my van, including her broken cook stove that has been in the yard for months.  Our Property Owners Assoc. was always complaining to her.  Her shack of a house is really only good as a storage shed, but there is an RV hookup there as she used to live in a travel trailer.  So once it is cleaned up the property should have some potential.  No wonder I have a sign that says “So When Do I Get To Retire?”  I have more to do that any old lady should have to do.  But I suppose that is what keeps me feeling young.

I made three dishes for the church’s Saturday potluck.  Potato and Veggie Kugel with Ricotta, Butter Steamed New Red Potatoes, and Beef Bone Broth and Veggie Soup.  The first two went very quickly, but the bone broth just sat there.  Are people afraid to eat Bone Broth? It is one of the most nutritious things that you can eat.  The pastor’s wife couldn’t be there once again, as her knee is still bothering her.  In fact, not as many as usual showed up, you never can tell how many will be there.  So I made the potluck for a small crowd, and didn’t add a bunch of things out of the church kitchen’s freezer.

The Pastor read three Psalms to start, 121, 122, and 123.  The Bible readings were Exo.21:1-24:18, 2 Kings 11:17-12:17and Hebrews 9:6-10.   The Teaching was about The Passover which will be in April this year.    The chapel was freezing, the temperature outside was only in the 60’s but they had the air conditioning on!  The ceiling fan above me was going so fast that it was rocking and it made a draft right upon my head which made my ears and sinuses clog up and my nose run.  I do not like cold days.

Bone Broth. We Feed Cows Chicken Poop, Rotten Potatoes And Newspapers! Ractopamine. Splenda And Neotame Hazards. Montgomery Ward.

 

For "Foodie Friday":

Now that you have had all the left-overs from your holiday meal that you can take, how about some……

Bone Broth—One of Your Most Healing Diet Staples

"According to an old South American proverb, "good broth will resurrect the dead." While that’s undoubtedly an exaggeration, it speaks to the value placed on this wholesome food, going back through the annals of time.

The featured article by Dr. Amy Myers¹* lists 10 health benefits of bone broth. Sally Fallon with the Weston A. Price Foundation²* has previously published information about this healing food as well.

Bone broth contains valuable minerals in a form your body can easily absorb and use, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulfur chondroitin, glucosamine, and a variety of trace minerals.

The gelatin found in bone broth is a hydrophilic colloid. It attracts and holds liquids, including digestive juices, thereby supporting proper digestion.

Bone broth also inhibits infection caused by cold and flu viruses, for example, and fights inflammation, courtesy of anti-inflammatory amino acids such as arginine.

Making your own bone broth is very cost effective, as you can make use of left over carcass bones that would otherwise be thrown away. And making your own broth is quite easy."

1* http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9890/10-benefits-of-bone-broth-gut-healing-recipe.html

2* http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/16/bone-broth-benefits.aspx?

Another recipe: http://nomnompaleo.com/post/3615609338/slow-cooker-beef-bone-broth

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We Feed Cows Chicken Poop.

They’re Feeding WHAT to Cows?

"'Poultry litter' is exactly what it sounds like: the filthy stuff scraped off the floor of a chicken coop. Feeding it to cattle (yes, that happens) risks the spread of mad cow disease—yet the FDA has done nothing to stop it.

Anyone who pays even scant attention to where our food comes from is likely aware that some pretty unsavory things happen between the farm and your fork (see this month’s big story in Rolling Stone, for example). But some of these farming methods are more than just unappetizing: they could be deadly. One practice in particular could allow for the spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, the gruesome and fatal neurodegenerative disorder more commonly known as mad cow disease.

The practice in question is feeding what’s known as "poultry litter" to farmed cattle. Poultry litter is the agriculture industry’s term for the detritus that gets scooped off the floors of chicken cages and broiler houses. It’s mainly a combination of feces, feathers, and uneaten chicken feed, but in addition, a typical sample of poultry litter might also contain antibiotics, heavy metals, disease-causing bacteria, and even bits of dead rodents, according to Consumers Union (the policy and action arm of the nonprofit that publishes Consumer Reports). 

Aside from the fact that we’re feeding our cows chicken crap, this practice is worrisome because both the excrement and uneaten pellets of chicken chow found in poultry litter can contain beef protein, including ground-up meat and bone meal. Which means—if you can follow the gruesome flow chart here—that cows could be, indirectly, eating each other.

As the US Department of Agriculture has made quite clear, cows really, really shouldn’t be doing that. Meat and bone meal containing infected bovine protein, the USDA says, is the chief culprit behind the spread of mad cow disease. (The closely related illness in humans is called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.)" 

A lot more at: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/12/we-feed-cows-chicken-poop  This story originally appeared on OnEarth.org.

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 5 Surprising Things We Feed Cows

Sawdust, Candy, wrapper and all, Chicken shit, Ground limestone, Crab guts!

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And another list of factory-farmed cow's diet here:

Chicken Poop and Cookies: Food for Cows?

"For those of you wondering what chicken litter is, it is basically straw or wood shavings  and chicken poop that is scooped up off the floor of the chicken coop while cleaning it. Yum.

I had some skepticism when I first read that cows were fed old chicken house bedding that contained chicken manure, because it seemed so crazy to me, but after a little research into “feedstuffs” for cattle, there were all kinds of unsavory things that cows are fed. Here is an incomplete list of the things that I discovered on various university extension and cattle industry websites:

• Shredded newspapers soaked in molasses
• Blood meal (dried blood from slaughter house waste)
• Animal byproducts: fish meal, meat and bone meal, poultry by-product meal, etc. (slaughter house waste – wait, isn’t this what caused mad cow disease??)
• Hydrolyzed Feather Meal (AKA chicken feathers – also slaughterhouse waste – this REALLY eliminates the humor in those chic-fil-a commercials)
• Stale candy: gummy bears, gummy worms, m&ms, etc.
• Pasta (old surplus pasta)
• Surplus french fries and potato chips
• Cannery waste (waste from canning factories where canned vegetables etc are processed)
• Stale bakery goods: breads, donuts, pastries, etc.
• Soy cakes (left over after making soy sauce)
• Brewery waste: spent grains from making beer (this is what caused the problems that led lawmakers to decide that milk needed to be pasteurized after milk from cows that were fed brewery waste sickened and killed hundreds of people.)
• Rotten potatoes that never made it to grocery store shelves. (This only after potatoes useable for making frozen french fries are separated out. My father used to work at a factory that made frozen french fries, and the place smelled like a sewer. The potatoes used for fries were rotten, but not completely mush yet. They would soak them in a solution to harden them again, then bleach them, then cut them into fries and flash freeze them. The potatoes that couldn’t even survive this process are sold as animal feed.)
• Soy hulls (a byproduct from the soybean milling process)
• Corn, cottonseed, soy, peanut, and other ‘meals’ (leftover from making oils)
• Cotton gin trash (leftover from harvesting and milling cotton)
• Peanut shells
• Grain middling's (left over from milling flour)
• Citrus pulp (leftover after making orange or grapefruit juice)
• Cane byproducts (leftover after making sugar)
• Beet pulp (from sugar beets in sugar production)
• *Sweetos a cheaper substitute for molasses. Sweetos guarantees the masking of unpleasant tastes and odor and improves the palatability of feed according to Monsanto spokesperson (so that cows will eat all of the unnatural feedstuffs that they are being given)

(See this list of cattle ‘feedstuffs’ from the University of Wisconsin)

Which of these cattle would you prefer as your food source?

If we are what we eat, (and so are our cows) what have you eaten today?" From:  http://www.meanroostersoup.com/chicken-poop-and-cookies-food-for-cows/

*Neotame is the generic name for Sweetos:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/28/neotame-more-toxic-than-aspartame.aspx

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Ractopamine: The Meat Additive on Your Plate That’s Banned Almost Everywhere But America.

October 31st, 2013

[Note:  Don't panic, go organic!  This additive is not allowed in organic foods.]

"The asthma drug-like growth additive has enjoyed stealth use in the US food supply for a decade despite being widely banned overseas.

Are you sure you want a bite?

Have you ever heard of ractopamine? Neither have most US food consumers though it is  used in 80 percent of US pig and cattle operations. The asthma drug-like growth additive, called a beta-agonist, has enjoyed stealth use in the US food supply for a decade despite being widely banned overseas. It is marketed as Paylean for pigs, Optaflexx for cattle and Topmax for turkeys.

Certainly the ractopamine label puts no one at ease, says the label for the turkey feed.

"WARNING: The active ingredient in Topmax, ractopamine hydrochloride, is a beta-adrenergic agonist. Individuals with cardiovascular disease should exercise special caution to avoid exposure.  Not for use in humans. Keep out of the reach of children. The Topmax 9 formulation (Type A Medicated Article) poses a low dust potential under usual conditions of handling and mixing. When mixing and handling Topmax, use protective clothing, impervious gloves, protective eye wear, and a NIOSH-approved dust mask. Operators should wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. If accidental eye contact occurs, immediately rinse eyes thoroughly with water. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. The material safety data sheet contains more detailed occupational safety information. To report adverse effects, access medical information, or obtain additional product information, call 1-800-428-4441."   This is used in food production?

Complete article at: AlterNet By Martha Rosenberg

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From Me:  And people wonder why they are sick!  More reason to eat only organic pasture-fed beef and poultry.

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Health Hazards Associated with Splenda Consumption

"Splenda is found in tens of thousands of processed food products sold in 90 different countries, many of which are specifically marketed to those seeking to either lose weight or manage their diabetes.

Mounting research, however, shows that not only does it tend to worsen both of those problems, but it’s also associated with an array of other troublesome side effects.

The web site www.truthaboutsplenda.com lists a variety of consumer complaints from Splenda consumption, many of which mimic other health conditions. Some of the most commonly reported adverse effects include:

• Gastrointestinal problems
• Seizures, dizziness, and migraines
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions
• Blood sugar increases and weight gain

But that’s not all. Now, an in-depth scientific review of sucralose (Splenda) published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health reveals an extensive list of safety concerns, including toxicity, DNA damage, and heightened carcinogenic potential when used in cooking."  More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/18/sucralose-side-effects.aspx

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On This Day:

FDR seizes control of Montgomery Ward, Dec 27, 1944:

"On this day in 1944, as World War II dragged on, President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders his secretary of war to seize properties belonging to the Montgomery Ward company because the company refused to comply with a labor agreement.

In an effort to avert strikes in critical war-support industries, Roosevelt created the National War Labor Board in 1942. The board negotiated settlements between management and workers to avoid shut-downs in production that might cripple the war effort. During the war, the well-known retailer and manufacturer Montgomery Ward had supplied the Allies with everything from tractors to auto parts to workmen's clothing--items deemed as important to the war effort as bullets and ships.

However, Montgomery Ward Chairman Sewell Avery refused to comply with the terms of three different collective bargaining agreements with the United Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union hammered out between 1943 and 1944. In April 1944, after Sewell refused a second board order, Roosevelt called out the Army National Guard to seize the company's main plant in Chicago. Sewell himself had to be carried out of his office by National Guard troops.

By December of that year, Roosevelt was fed up with Sewell's obstinacy and disrespect for the government's authority. (The uber-capitalist Sewell's favorite insult was to call someone a "New Dealer"--a direct reference to Roosevelt's Depression-era policies.) On December 27, Roosevelt ordered the secretary of war to seize Montgomery Ward's plants and facilities in New York, Michigan, California, Illinois, Colorado and Oregon.

In his announcement that day, Roosevelt emphasized that the government would "not tolerate any interference with war production in this critical hour." He issued a stern warning to labor unions and industry management alike: "strikes in wartime cannot be condoned, whether they are strikes by workers against their employers or strikes by employers against their Government." Sewell took the fight to federal court, but lost.

For much of the 20th century, Montgomery Ward, founded in 1872, reigned as one of the country's largest department store and mail-order retail chains. Heavy competition from Wal-Mart, Target and similar discount stores forced the company to close all of its stores in 2000, though it retains a catalog and internet presence."

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Yesterday:

Just as I was feeding the animals their breakfasts, Ray came over wanting to help me with something, anything.  That surprised me as he is still hurting from his accident.  Shay's sister has been staying with them for over a week now, and Ray just wanted to get out of his house rather than listen to them constantly arguing.

The pine needles have been settling on blind Misty's pathway to the back yard which makes it difficult for her to find her way to the stone walkway. So Ray blew them out of there with the blower.  That led to both of us raking and blowing the whole front yard.  The red maple had dropped all it's leaves, too. As there was no wind, we lit the burn pile, and kept on loading more pine needles and leaves on it.  Then we moved into the back yard and raked up all of the pine needles back there, too.   We got our exercise for the day.  

Then we came in here as Ray wanted to watch the two videos that tell about the customs when Jesus was born.

More about the living conditions in those days:

Ray found them very interesting, and said that they bring up some facts which are not generally known.  What did you think? These are the ones that I posted on Christmas day.

Teach Cats To Play Gently. Baby Pudu. Hairballs. 'Feline Idiopathic Chronic Cystitis'. Battle of the Bulge. Attack on Iraq.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

How To Teach a Kitten to Play Gently

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Cutest Baby Deer Ever

"A baby pudu was born at the Woodland Park Zoo   in Seattle.  Pudus are the smallest deer species in existence and are native to tropical forests of South America.  Our friends at the zoo were kind of enough to post a video of the little guy to YouTube, which is sure to elicit a great big “AWWWWWWWWW!” from anyone who watches it."

More at: http://blog.nwf.org/wildlifepromise/2011/02/cutest-baby-deer-ever/ and other cute babies.

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Reasons Cats Throw Up, Which is NOT Normal, and Ways to Treat a Vomiting Cat, and How to Feed Cats.

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Are Hairballs an Unpleasant Fact of Life for Your Feline?

"There are a number of ways to temporarily remedy a hairball problem -- some more advisable than others -- but if a cat is suffering with frequent hairballs it's important to rule out serious underlying conditions as a possible cause for the digestive disturbance.

This is especially true if the hairballs are a new problem in a mature cat. Sudden GI issues in a middle-aged or senior kitty should always be thoroughly investigated.

Hairballs, known in the scientific community as bezoars or trichobezoars (which certainly doesn't make them sound a bit more appealing), are a common complaint among people owned by cats.

Not only can the problem cause a nasty mess on floors and furniture, it often seems the effort required to regurgitate those gooey masses is very uncomfortable for the poor kitty.

How Do Hairballs Develop?

Hairballs have an obvious cause: kitties swallow a considerable amount of their own hair when they groom themselves. Some cats groom themselves and all the other cats in their household, making the amount of hair they consume enormous.

The rough surface of your cat's tongue is a perfect tool for pulling dead and excess fur from her coat during grooming. Some of that hair gets ingested. Hairballs aren't round; they are typically cylindrical masses of hair, debris from the cat's coat, and undigested bits of food.

Cat owners unfamiliar with hairballs might think their kitty has missed the litter box and pooped elsewhere in the house. As a general rule, a mess resembling poop found in a location away from the litter box is more than likely a hairball. The odor is also a tipoff, as hairballs don't smell like the other stuff.

A cat's digestive system is designed to handle a certain amount of fur, her own and from prey in the wild. But lots of kitties wind up with hairballs due to hair length, shedding patterns, dietary deficiencies, digestive challenges -- or a combination of issues.

Assuming your cat's hairball situation didn't come on suddenly and there are no other signs of illness, I would recommend the following approach to start:

• Make necessary adjustments to his diet to ensure adequate moisture content
• Add an omega-3 supplement
• Brush your cat daily or at least several times a week

What's for Dinner?

If you're feeding your cat dry pet food, she's not getting anywhere near the moisture content her organs need to function well for a lifetime. Dry kibble is not biologically appropriate nutrition for felines, as it lacks two ingredients essential to your kitty's health: moisture and high quality protein.

Your kitty's digestive system is working harder than nature intended to process all that dry stuff, and don't expect her to drink extra water to compensate. Cats get most of the water their bodies need from food. A healthy dog drinks loads of water throughout the day. A healthy cat does not.

If your kitty's diet is low in moisture content, she's living in a state of chronic dehydration. Her GI tract, already moisture-depleted, is less able to transport a mass of swallowed fur and debris than the GI tract of a well-hydrated cat eating a species-appropriate diet.

If your cat has a hairball problem and is eating primarily kibble, the first thing I recommend you do is start transitioning to a biologically appropriate diet.

Healthy Fats = Healthy Cats

The most common nutritional deficiency I see in my practice is lack of essential fatty acids, and omega-3's in particular.

Cats (and dogs) have a nutritional requirement for healthy fats that must be supplied by the food they eat, because their bodies don't produce it – thus the essential nature of these healthy fats.

If your kitty has been eating a diet of commercial pet food, chances are he's been getting more omega-6 fats than he needs, and not enough omega-3's.

A good balance of fatty acids in your cat's diet can make a tremendous positive difference in his health, including:

• Improving immune system response and blood clotting activity
• Reducing inflammatory responses associated with arthritis and bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Decreasing triglyceride and blood cholesterol levels

Research is underway to determine how omega-3 fatty acids impact the development of certain types of pet cancer, as well as their potential to prevent or alleviate autoimmune disorders.

Omega-3 deficiencies in pets have been associated with stunted growth, eye problems, insufficient muscle development and immune system dysfunction.

Sufficient omega-3 fatty acids in your cat's diet can help to improve not only the condition of his skin and fur, but also the ability of his digestive system to manage the hair and debris he swallows while grooming himself.

For a cat up to 14 pounds and in overall good health, I recommend supplementing with 125 mg daily of krill oil. Krill oil is the optimum source of omega-3's for people and pets.

Kitty Hair Care

Just a few minutes a day spent brushing or combing your cat to remove dead, loose hair from her coat will mean fewer hairs swallowed, and fewer hairballs for both of you to deal with. This is especially true if your kitty has long hair, and during shedding season when the weather begins to warm up.

As for what tool you should use to groom your cat -- there are as many opinions as there are varieties of pet brushes and combs on the market.

More Hairball Help

If your cat's hairball problem doesn't resolve or at least dramatically improve with the changes outlined above, you can try one or more of the following remedies:

• Psyllium seed husk powder. Also known simply as psyllium, this powder is made from portions of the seed of the plant Plantago ovate, a native Indian plant. This fiber source is water soluble and becomes mucilaginous when wet, helping to push built up hair along the GI tract. Add the contents of a capsule to a tablespoon of water, then mix in with your cat's food daily.
• Pumpkin. Add a teaspoon of canned or freshly cooked mashed pumpkin to your kitty's food each day. Canned pumpkin (make sure it is 100 percent pumpkin) is a non-grain fiber source that can aid digestion.
• Add a good quality animal-sourced digestive enzyme to your kitty's diet.
• Put a dab of non-petroleum jelly on your fingertip or the tip of your cat's nose. Look for a brand with all natural ingredients, typically slippery elm, marshmallow or papaya. Kitty will lick the jelly, swallow it, and with any luck it will coat the hairball, allowing it to be expelled more easily.

I recommend you avoid grain-based fiber sources, as cats have no biological requirement for grain and the ideal situation for most cats is to eat only what is appropriate for the species.

Never use petroleum jelly or mineral oil for hairballs. It is in many hairball remedies.

I also don't recommend petroleum-based jellies marketed as hairball treatments. These products are widely used and can help with hairballs, but petroleum is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbons, not a nutrient. Too much of it can interfere with the absorption of vitamin A.

Mineral oil is another bad idea -- it can cause pneumonia if inhaled."   Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/03/are-hairballs-an-unpleasant-fact-of-life-for-your-feline.aspx

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'Feline Idiopathic Chronic Cystitis' is a big, long name for a very common condition in cats.

Typical Symptoms

"No matter what name it goes by, there are common symptoms seen in all cats with feline idiopathic chronic cystitis, including:

There is straining while urinating. Most cats will be in and out of the litter box frequently in an effort to relieve themselves. They may void some urine with each visit to the box, but they don't feel they can completely empty their bladder in one trip.

The urinary tract is inflamed and irritated, so you might see blood in the urine. It can be either microscopic (meaning you won't see it but it's there, present on a urinalysis), or it can be macroscopic and you'll actually see blood in the litter box.

Cats with the condition are usually in pain, so your cat may cry while trying to urinate. This can be a really aggravating and intensely painful situation for your kitty.

Keep in mind all these symptoms are also typical of a urinary tract infection as well as crystals or bladder stones. It's important to realize if your cat is exhibiting symptoms of feline idiopathic chronic cystitis that you need to determine (with the help of your veterinarian) whether he has an infection or inflammation.

If he has an infection, the treatment will be entirely different from the treatment for bladder inflammation.

Traditional Condition Management

Traditional veterinary medicine does a good job in many regards in managing feline idiopathic chronic cystitis.

The first goal is to increase the cat's water intake. Many kitties don't like to drink still water from a bowl, so some people leave a sink faucet dripping water to entice their cat to drink.

A better idea, in my opinion is a kitty water fountain or bubbler. Cats are attracted to moving or flowing water, so the re-circulating water in a fountain should encourage more drinking. You can spend as little as $12 for one of these fountains all the way up to $100 for a deluxe version.

Another important goal of traditional veterinary medicine in managing feline bladder inflammation is to switch cats eating dry food to canned food, which has a much higher moisture content. Canned cat food contains between 70 and 80 percent water, while dry foods can have as little as 10 percent moisture content.

Feeding your cat only dry, dehydrated food can make her chronically dehydrated as well. Not only does a state of dehydration stress the kidneys, it produces a concentrated, potentially irritating  mineral concentration in the bladder.

Very often eliminating all grains and seafood from your cat's diet will help."   More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/04/19/idiopathic-chronic-cystitis-in-pet-cats.aspx

More on the same subject: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/12/30/pet-cat-litter-box-and-urinating-problems.aspx

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On This Day:

Battle of the Bulge begins, Dec 16, 1944:

"With the Anglo-Americans closing in on Germany from the west and the Soviets approaching from the east, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler orders a massive attack against the western Allies by three German armies.

The German counterattack out of the densely wooded Ardennes region of Belgium took the Allies entirely by surprise, and the experienced German troops wrought havoc on the American line, creating a triangular "bulge" 60 miles deep and 50 miles wide along the Allied front. Conditions of fog and mist prevented the unleashing of Allied air superiority, and for several days Hitler's desperate gamble seemed to be paying off. However, unlike the French in 1940, the embattled Americans kept up a fierce resistance even after their lines of communication had been broken, buying time for a three-point counteroffensive led by British General Bernard Montgomery and American generals Omar Bradley and George Patton.

Fighting was particularly fierce at the town of Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division and part of the 10th Armored Division were encircled by German forces within the bulge. On December 22, the German commander besieging the town demanded that the Americans surrender or face annihilation. U.S. Major General Anthony McAuliffe prepared a typed reply that read simply:

"To the German Commander:

Nuts!

From the American Commander"

The Americans who delivered the message explained to the perplexed Germans that the one-word reply was translatable as "Go to hell!" Heavy fighting continued at Bastogne, but the 101st held on.

On December 23, the skies finally cleared over the battle areas, and the Allied air forces inflicted heavy damage on German tanks and transport, which were jammed solidly along the main roads. On December 26, Bastogne was relieved by elements of General Patton's 3rd Army. A major Allied counteroffensive began at the end of December, and by January 21 the Germans had been pushed back to their original line.

Germany's last major offensive of the war had cost them 120,000 men, 1,600 planes, and 700 tanks. The Allies suffered some 80,000 killed, wounded, or missing in action, with all but 5,000 of these casualties being American. It was the heaviest single battle toll in U.S. history."

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Clinton orders air attack on Iraq, Dec 16, 1998:

"On this day in 1998, President Bill Clinton announces he has ordered air strikes against Iraq because it refused to cooperate with United Nations (U.N.) weapons inspectors. Clinton's decision did not have the support of key members of Congress, who accused Clinton of using the air strikes to direct attention away from ongoing impeachment proceedings against him. Just the day before, the House of Representatives had issued a report accusing Clinton of committing "high crimes and misdemeanors" related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, in which Clinton had--and then lied about--an illicit sexual liaison with an intern in the Oval Office.

At the time of the air strikes, Iraq was continuing its attempts to build weapons of mass destruction including nuclear, chemical and biological agents. Fearful of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's belligerence, and his penchant for using those weapons against his own people, the U.N. sent in weapons inspectors in 1997. After repeatedly refusing the inspectors access to certain sites, Clinton resorted to air strikes to compel Hussein to cooperate.

Many in Congress agreed with Republican majority leader Trent Lott that the timing of the air strikes was "suspect" and "cursory." In their opinion, the air strikes were simply a ploy to direct the public's attention away from the impeachment proceedings, and would ultimately prove futile in persuading Hussein to comply with the U.N.'s demands. Lott and his cohorts considered sustained bombardment of Iraq and the direct overthrow of Hussein the only way to end Iraq's weapons program. Clinton, in a televised public address that day brushed aside the criticism, saying that the Iraqi president was wrong if he thought "...the serious debate [on impeachment] would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down." He emphasized that his decision to launch air strikes was critical to America's vital interests and to the security of the world.

Ultimately, the American public's attention, and that of the press, stayed fixated on Clinton and his battle to save his presidency. Both the air strikes and the impeachment threat proved anti-climactic. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate in February 1999 and the air strikes on Iraq failed to intimidate Hussein into allowing weapons inspectors full access to Iraq's weapons facilities."

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Yesterday:

Jay called to say that he would drive up here on his ATV.  But when he hadn't shown up by 10.00am, I started doing other things, like trying to find a suitable Heat/Air solution for these two houses.

I was in touch with several contractors about mini-split systems which seem like a very good solution.  http://www.energystar.gov/certified-products/detail/ductless_heating_cooling.  Even better and more economical to operate than regular central heat/air, which I don't want anyway.  All that dirty, energy-wasting, space-consuming ductwork in my attics doesn't appeal to me at all.

Just as I was on a live chat with Home Depot mini-split contractor, Jay shows up on his ATV with a teen neighbor of his.  Jay said that he had brought the teen up here to rake my yard. I didn't ask for that to be done. Jay knows that I don't want other people around here, especially as Jay had opened the big garage door, and I have too many tools in there. 

Jay wanted the teen to use my tools to get to his ATV battery, and put my distilled water in it.  Then he wanted to use my tire inflator. He was ordering the teen around in such a nasty way that I knew that Jay had been into something, and I wanted him out of here.  I had to stop what I was doing and watch them like a hawk.  Then I counted all the sockets in the set before I put it away, and pulled the workshop door down again.  They still didn't leave right away, as Jay plugged his battery charger into my house so that the ATV would start. 

So I had to start the live chat all over again, and then caught up on other jobs, like laundry, made a list of the free stuff that I need from my health insurance catalog, ordered krill oil for the animals, a long Ethernet cable and a padded toilet seat.  Time went all too quickly, so much for yesterday.

Winter RVing. Mexico RV Insurance. Easy Clothes Folding. Apollo 12. Marshall University's Tragedy. Ava Arrives.

 

For "tRaVersing Thursday", or RV Day:

Winterizing Your RV Made Easy (or at least Easier!)

"The first step to winterizing any RV is to completely drain the water system. A handy tool to help clear the water lines is the Camco RV Blowout Plug with Brass Quick Connect (http://goo.gl/Z8aD0H). This little solid piece of brass helps the removal of water from your RV water lines.

Screw this blowout plug into your RV's city water inlet connection, and then attach an air compressor. Open your RV water lines, turn on the air, and voila! Water is pushed out of the lines.

How does it work? You simply screw the plug into your RV’s city water inlet, open all drains and faucets, and then connect an air compressor (http://goo.gl/eS8iho) quick connect hose.

The blowout plug leaves your hands free to open faucets and flush out water lines without assistance. It allows you to completely clear your water lines. Simply flip on the compressor and air will begin pushing excess water through your open lines.

Sometimes small gadgets like the Camco RV blowout plug make a big difference when working on an RV." by C.S. (Sean) Michael

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How to unfreeze a frozen black water tank

"Oh, this does not sound like a good situation. But the RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, has a solution (doesn't he always?). Read his advice to an RVer who is in need of help."

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Is your RV furnace cranky?

"Before running your RV into the shop when the furnace is not operating properly, try these easy checks first. There might be an easy fix, and you'll save money."

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Lower costs on Mexico RV insurance?

"Many RVers are already making plans for their winter escape. Some will drive their RVs to Mexico for the season. For those heading to Manaña Land for the first time, remember your US RV insurance won't cover you south of the border. Liability insurance must be issued by a Mexico-based company to be valid, and traveling "bare" is to risk having your vehicle confiscated if you're involved in an accident and found to be at fault.

A look at the cost of RV insurance in Mexico can be eye opening--often double the cost one pays for an entire year in the States. Many in the past have flocked to RV clubs that have partnered with Mexican insurers to get group rates to drive down the cost. According to Derek Kartchner of the International Insurance Group, there better ways to get RV insurance for Mexico.

RVers can actually get much better coverage and a much cheaper price by purchasing RV insurance from a specialty RV insurance carrier in  the USA, which provides a Mexico Physical Damage Endorsement, and coupling it with a liability policy from a Mexican Carrier," says Kartchner The total cost of the endorsement is between $5 and $30 per year on a US policy (depending on the carrier) and the cost of a liability only policy can run around E150, depending on the amount of liability selected.

US companies offering this coverage are well known in the industry and include companies like Progressive, Blue Sky Insurance, National Interstate Insurance, and GMAC (in some states). The key said Kartchner, "is to work with an RV insurance specialist. There are a number of insurance agencies and companies that know the ins and outs of RV insurance in the states and in Mexico, and help you literally get better coverage at a much better price."

With snowbird season on the horizon, snowbirds are encouraged to visit an RV specialty agent or IIG's website for more details both Mexico and USA RV Insurance coverage. Quotes from a number of carriers are available online at www.iigins.com/rv-insurance or by calling 888-467-4639.
Source: International Insurance Group, Inc. and rvtravel.com  Posted by Russ and Tiña De Maris

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Winter camping? Don’t forget your hose! 

"If you stay in your RV in a campground or otherwise have it hooked to water during freezing weather, you need to be aware of the possibility that the water hose that feeds your unit is susceptible to freezing unless you provide some protection. It makes no difference if you are freeze protected inside if you can’t get any water TO the unit.

I went to a big box store and bought a hose fitting so that I could shorten my hose. No need to try to freeze protect 25 feet of hose if all I need to reach my unit is 12 feet! Next in the plumbing section I found 110-volt heat tape in various lengths. It comes equipped with a built-in thermostat that makes the tape begin heating around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I bought a 12-foot roll.

I also bought 12 feet of 1-inch ID foam pipe insulation. I wrapped the heat tape around my hose, securing with tie wraps or zip ties, and then wrapped the hose in the pipe insulation. I left enough heat tape exposed at the faucet end that I could wrap the exposed faucet, too. Voila! Bring it on!"  Courtesy Motorhomes of Texas

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Shirt folder

  

Here is how to make your own folder:

 

 

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On This Day:

Apollo 12 lifts off, Nov 14, 1969:

"Apollo 12, the second manned mission to the surface of the moon, is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr.; Richard F. Gordon, Jr.; and Alan L. Bean aboard. President Richard Nixon viewed the liftoff from Pad A at Cape Canaveral. He was the first president to attend the liftoff of a manned space flight.

Thirty-six seconds after takeoff, lightning struck the ascending Saturn 5 launch rocket, which tripped the circuit breakers in the command module and caused a power failure. Fortunately, the launching rocket continued up normally, and within a few minutes power was restored in the spacecraft.

On November 19, the landing module Intrepid made a precision landing on the northwest rim of the moon's Ocean of Storms. About five hours later, astronauts Conrad and Bean became the third and fourth humans to walk on the surface of the moon. During the next 32 hours, the two astronauts made two lunar walks, where they collected lunar samples and investigated the Surveyor 3 spacecraft, an unmanned U.S. probe that soft-landed on the moon in 1967. On November 24, Apollo 12 successfully returned to Earth, splashing down only three miles from one of its retrieval ships, the USS Hornet."

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Plane crash devastates Marshall University, Nov 14, 1970:

"On November 14, 1970, a chartered jet carrying most of the Marshall University football team clips a stand of trees and crashes into a hillside just two miles from the Tri-State Airport in Kenova, West Virginia. The team was returning from that day’s game, a 17-14 loss to East Carolina University. Thirty-seven Marshall football players were aboard the plane, along with the team’s coach, its doctors, the university athletic director and 25 team boosters--some of Huntington, West Virginia’s most prominent citizens--who had traveled to North Carolina to cheer on the Thundering Herd. 

All seventy-five people on the flight were killed, including the entire flight crew.  "The whole fabric," a citizen of Huntington wrote later, "the whole heart of the town was aboard."  For Huntington, the plane crash was "like the Kennedy assassination," one citizen remembers. "Everybody knows where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.""

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Yesterday:

Jay wanted to use some tools and parts in my workshop and trade out for some odd jobs here.  Misty and I went to get him, and had our walk down there.

It was time to prepare for Ava's arrival.  Cats are better off being by themselves for a couple of days to get used to a new household, so my bathroom became the designated place.  We vacuumed and disinfected the kitty condo, window seat and floors.  I changed the blankies, dishes, and litter box up on the window seat.  They have to be high up, or Misty will get into them.

Nala usually eats in my bathroom, so we set up another cage in the Grooming Room.  If I don't keep Nala and Peekers apart when they have food, Nala will eat all his dry food, and Peekers will eat her wet food after he has finished his own. Nala takes her own sweet time to eat her canned food as she prefers dry, unfortunately.

Then we installed a momentary switch on Jay's ATV to make the starter work. Why this was necessary, I don't know, but I had the right spade connectors and crimpers to do it, and it worked.

This early cold weather upset a lot of plans, as we still don't have the greenhouse built, so Ray and I looked online at those for sale.  Then I found out that most of the cheaper ones won't protect the plants from freezing, and I'm not prepared to spend a thousand or two for a glass one.  Especially when I have all the lumber, roofing, windows and old patio doors to build one.  We will just have to keep covering up the plants on the few nights that it goes below freezing.

Other years, we have stapled clear vinyl up over the screen on my porch which kept them safe, but I wanted to keep the plants, and all the shelves, off the porch while I am getting the house ready to sell.  It makes it look less cluttered, and more like a sitting, eating and BBQing area.

Ava's foster mom arrived and we talked quite a bit.  She thought that Ava remembers me as she wasn't usually this friendly to strangers.  She is so sweet, but still too skinny for my liking.  She was all set up in my bathroom, and immediately took to the window seat, ate some food, so she is settling down.

For the first time in a while, Nala my foster cat, had to sleep in the Grooming Room with Peekers, as I left my bathroom door open so that Ava could get on my bed if she wished.  She didn't.  She knew Misty was in her bed under my bed, and might have been scared of a strange dog.  She felt safer up on the window seat.  I hope that she will discover that Misty is no threat, today.

Keep Pets Cool. Cute Otters. Bobcat Orphans. Happy Goats. “Heady” Trash. How Long Trash Lasts. Pastor Ran Puppy Mill. Reward Program. John Cabot. Picasso. Roswell.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

10 Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool in the Heat

“Many people can’t wait to get their pets outside in the sunshine to take part in all kinds of fun summertime activities. But before you take your furry friend outdoors, make sure you’re prepared to keep him safe not just from the heat, but from a variety of warm weather hazards. “

Complete article with pictures: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/17/keeping-pet-cool.aspx

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She Can't Take the Heat

“It's that time of year again. Before we know it, in many areas of the country, temperatures will be reaching all-time highs and pets will be overheated right along with us humans.

On a warm day, the temperature in car can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes-even with the windows partially open. This flyer informs the public of dangers pets face when left in alone in a parked car, from heat stress to risk of theft.

Most of us know by now to never leave our pets in cars on hot days but some people might not. Now more than ever, it's important to make sure our neighbors and clients are aware of just how dangerous it can be to leave their pet in a parked car. 

Help inform your community of the numerous dangers pets face when left alone in a parked car with our Don't Leave Your Pet in a Parked Car fliers. Share it with staff, volunteers, and the pet owners in your area.  Now through July 31st, get 50% off these fliers at Marketplace.”

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An otter plays with a rock

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Nellie the Sea Otter stacks cups at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

“Nellie is a well-trained sea otter at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. Watch her practice a special cup stacking enrichment and demonstrate trained behaviors with her pal, Abra.”

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Stray cat adopts bobcat orphans

Bobcats: “Hey mom, why are you so small?”

Cat: “Kids have a seat, I have something to important to tell you. You are adopted!”

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BBC News - Happy goats: How animal rehab works

“British scientists measured the moods of goats at a sanctuary in Kent to determine if neglected, abused animals are able to fully recover from their pasts.

The verdict? The researchers believe they now have objective evidence that with the right care, mistreated animals can be fully rehabilitated.”

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From me:  My Misty has recovered from her former abuse.  A neighbor remarked how happily she walks now, compared to the way she moped along when I first got her.

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Wildlife Are Getting Their Heads Stuck in Our Trash

“Police free deer’s head from malicious bag of Doritos (although, I don’t think the bag had malicious intent)”    (Monroe County Sheriff’s Office / AP Photo)

 

“Florida bear rescued after getting head stuck in jar.  “Jarhead” eluded wildlife officials for 10 days before they were finally able to catch him.” (Photo from CNN)

Fox With Its Head Stuck In A Jar Approaches 2 Men For Help

 

“Minnesota woman frees deer from plastic jar stuck on its head”  (Photo by Janet Murphy / Associated Press)

Nothing New

These are just the ones that caught media attention, in one month. There are undoubtedly other similar stories. This also isn’t a new dilemma. A few years ago a squirrel got its head stuck in a yogurt cup and made the news.  Then Buzzfeed compiled a list of 27 different animals with their heads stuck. Granted some of those are pets and not in the wild, but the point remains, they’re getting their heads stuck in our trash. Consistently.

Talking Trash: How to Help

There is hope. Back in 2006, McDonald’s changed the McFlurry container lid to save hedgehogs in Britain after pressure from activists. Unfortunately, we can’t blame companies for the design of containers. Instead the focus should be on people properly disposing of their garbage and recycling. I’ll leave you with this amazing infographic to hopefully encourage us all to consider trash disposal and recycling more carefully.”

From: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/06/wildlife-are-getting-their-heads-stuck-in-our-trash/

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Mississippi Puppy Mill a Living Horror

Tylertown puppy mill busted, official: "worst I've ever seen"

“The Walthall County Sheriff's Department along with The Humane Society of the United States raided a puppy mill with approximately 80-100 dogs, living and dead, on Magee Hill Road outside of Tylertown on Monday.

The owner of the dogs is a pastor and was selling the dogs out of his church in Louisiana. Authorities were alerted to the dogs when a person who was going to buy one of the dogs saw how bad the conditions were.”

“Among the dogs many were dead, and skeletal remains are mixed with living animals in small, dark, filthy enclosures.  Lydia Satler, state director of the Humane Society, said it was the worst puppy mill she had ever seen in her career. "It's just very sad to see that they lived and died in the same cage," she said.”  More at: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/05/dogs_rescued_Tylertown_052013.html

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Honey Badger Narrates: Puppy Mills Are Evil

“Puppy mills are horrible operations. The parent dogs are inhumanely kept in cages and never cared for. All puppies in stores ARE FROM PUPPY MILLS. Never buy a puppy online, at a flea market or from a pet store. If the person at the store says they don't know enough about where the puppy came from, they are lying. They know exactly where the puppy came from. Do something-STOP BUYING FROM STORES, FLEA MARKETS OR ONLINE.”

Stop Puppy Mills—It Starts With YOU.

“Help stop this cycle of cruelty simply by choosing to adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue, or by only purchasing a dog from a responsible breeder who will show you where your puppy was born and raised. And that's not all—you can do even more by refusing to buy pet supplies from any store or website that sells puppies. Where you spend your dollars makes a difference. Make a statement when you shop!

Watch our new video, then fill out and submit your pledge to adopt only, below.    http://bit.ly/14whuDe

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Reward program for cruelty tips

“The HSUS has established a reward program to offer up to $5,000 to anyone who provides any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a puppy mill operator for animal cruelty. Persons wishing to report a valid tip are encouraged to call 1-877-MILL-TIP and will remain anonymous.”

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On This Day:

John Cabot lands, Jun 24, 1497

“John Cabot lands in North America at Newfoundland leading the first European exploration of the region since the Vikings.  Cabot's birthplace is in Italy. In Italian he is known today as Giovanni Caboto, in English as John Cabot, in French as Jean Cabot, and in Spanish as Juan Caboto. 

He made a voyage on the ship ‘Matthew’ and claimed land in Canada—mistaking it for Asia—for King Henry VII of England.”

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Picasso exhibited in Paris, Jun 24, 1901:

“On June 24, 1901, the first major exhibition of Pablo Picasso's artwork opens at a gallery on Paris' rue Lafitte, a street known for its prestigious art galleries. The precocious 19-year-old Spaniard was at the time a relative unknown outside Barcelona, but he had already produced hundreds of paintings. The 75 works displayed at Picasso's first Paris exhibition offered moody, representational paintings by a young artist with obvious talent.

Picasso's work after World War II is less studied than his earlier creations, but he continued to work feverishly and enjoyed commercial and critical success. He produced fantastical works, experimented with ceramics, and painted variations on the works of other masters in the history of art. Known for his intense gaze and domineering personality, he had a series of intense and overlapping love affairs in his lifetime. He continued to produce art with undiminished force until his death in 1973 at the age of 91.”

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U.S. Air Force reports on Roswell, Jun 24, 1997:

“On this day in 1997, U.S. Air Force officials release a 231-page report dismissing long-standing claims of an alien spacecraft crash in Roswell, New Mexico, almost exactly 50 years earlier.

With conspiracy theories still alive and well on the Internet, Roswell continues to thrive as a tourist destination for UFO enthusiasts far and wide, hosting the annual UFO Encounter Festival each July and welcoming visitors year-round to its International UFO Museum and Research Center.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to pick up Jay, and had our walk down there.  Jay’s neighbor gave me another bagful of tomatoes.

Jay cut a piece of treated 2x12 into a bottom stand for an outside table, and Ray painted it white.  Jay and I worked on the walkway fence, removing the boards, and replacing them with lattice panels.  We were working our way down to the last tall post to be removed.  Ray came to help when it was time to jack it out of the ground, and it looks better with a shorter post.  The long posts which were part of my RVport, will be used for my front porch extension.  Now, we have to make a lattice gate, but we ran out of time.

The chiropractor that I saw on Friday, didn’t put my back in. It still hurts, so it has been difficult for me to do anything over the weekend, but I worked anyway.   Hopefully, he will re-adjust it today.