Of all the things a new parent needs, a diaper bag is a must right from the start. Babies require so much stuff! Even for short trips, you need diapers and wipes, a bottle or two (or a breast, depending), a burp cloth (there will be messes and you will need this), a change of clothes (diaper leaks happen alot more than you might expect), and any medication.
The hard part about being a new parent is that, at first, you have no idea what you need. Diaper bags are one of the hardest things to pick out! There are hundreds out there, ranging from quite inexpensive ($20) to extraordinarily, outrageously expensive (hundreds of dollars). A diaper bag is not special in that it is not going to magically produce diapers or be a Mary Poppins bag magically producing a spoonfull of sugar. It is just a bag. But as a new parent, and maybe even an experienced parent, you are told by every outlet that you must spend a fortune on designer bags but, in reality, these bags pretty much just suck. They are not usefully designed! They aren't large enough for a full day out, they don't have appropriate depth in the main compartment or pockets with depth or comfortable straps. Do not be fooled by a bag that LOOKS good. My first large diaper bag was not cheap but it is, sadly, quite useless. Nothing fits in it and the strap is downright painful. For some reason, it is really padded and quite heavy. I searched and searched through hundreds of bags, both at the stores and online, and have finally found one diaper bag I can recommend strongly. And the best part? It only cost $20!
The Fisher Price 3-in-1 Doctor diaper bag is fabulous! It is 5-6 inches deep (front to back) in the main compartment so there is plenty of room for a stack of diapers, change of clothes (or two), plenty of bottles (I carry 6 9 oz bottles), formula dispenser (more on that later), small toys, medication, dirty-diaper bags, and just about anything else you will need. It opens very wide so you can easily see everything and pull out only what you need. There are mesh pockets with elastic along each side so they lie flat if not in use but are great for holding diapers and such. The two front pockets are 1 inch deep and zipper at the top. One is padded. There are two flat pockets on the front of those that are great for holding a pacifier or sunglasses. The sides of the main compartment also have flat pockets that hold hand sanitizer, tissues, etc. The strap is wide and padded plus there are short carry handles so you don't have to always use the strap (not all diaper bags have this and it is a must). The bag itself is made of sturdy material that is easy to wipe clean but it is not so thick that the bag is heavy by itself, as alot of diaper bags are.
I also purchased the Jeep bag that is made very similar, the Jeep Clamshell. It is not as well designed as the Fisher Price bag. There are no interior mesh pockets so everything just jumbles together. The material isn't as sturdy either. Otherwise, it's a good bag. It's about the same size as the Fisher Price bag so it has plenty of room in it. I really like it best for an overnight stay at grandma's since plenty of necessities plus extras fit into it.
Also purchase a small diaper bag for quick runs to the store. A couple of diapers, wipes, change of clothes, and a bottle is all that needs to fit. Have a little extra space for mom's wallet and that's all you need to carry.
The items that go into a diaper bag seem common sense. Of course you need diapers and wipes and bottles. It's the little things that I didn't know about initially that have come in really handy. First, if you are unable to breastfeed and use powdered formula, the Munchkin formula dispensers are great. They are a 3 compartment item with a rotating lid so you can put as much powder as is needed for one bottle in each compartment. Fill the bottle with the appropriate amount of water and everything is easy to make when out and about. I have not had trouble with them leaking or mixing the measured contents. Just be sure to align the lock correctly.
Some other items I didn't think about needing were small hand sanitizer, a 3 ml medication dropper, dirty diaper bags, and a paci bag. The 3 ml medication dropper is surprisingly difficult to find. If baby has reflux and requires 1.3 ml of medication, using a syringe is inconvenient. The medication dropper is easier, especially at 5 am when no one is awake except screaming, hungry baby. I ended up buying one from Jeffers Pet because it was the only one I could find that had enough graduations to reasonably measure out the medication.
As for dirty diaper bags, when you're out, you don't want to leave a dirty diaper in someone's trash to stink up the place. Dirty diaper bags are exactly like doggie poop bags. In fact, if you buy the doggie poop bags and dispenser, it's about half the price of the same thing at Buy Buy Baby. I found the doggie ones to be sturdier. I like the fire hydrant.
Pacifier bags are actually much more useful than I thought they would be. When baby is screaming in a store and you are frantically looking for paci, it's much easier if it's in its own little bag attached to the diaper bag. The paci bags at Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby are way more expensive than is necessary for a piece of cloth and a zipper. The Kmart paci bag is $2.99 and has a velcro strap so it's easy on and off.
While on the diapering subject, dirty diaper bags also come in quite handy at home. You don't need to purchase a diaper genie, and if you're doing cloth diapers then there really is no reason for one. Use the dirty diaper bags as the diaper, wipe, and/or diaper liner receptacle. Tie it off and put in trash. The smell will be way reduced. A diaper genie basically does the same thing for much more cost and trouble of buying the correct bags for the particular can. Money saved on things like this is money that can be spent on more important things.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dear Grocery Store Shoppers
Dear Grocery Store Shoppers,
I must apologize that my screaming 2 month old son disturbed your shopping experience. No, I didn't do anything to make him scream. Yes, I fed him before we came. No, he's not mad. At 2 months old, he doesn't know what mad is. Staring, laughing, pointedly turning your back, making faces, and looking at me like you expect me to explode in anger/humiliation/ whatever are not helpful reactions. I would prefer that you simply ignore me and my crying son.
At 2.5 months old, my son cries whenever he is uncomfortable because that is what babies do. They don't have any other way to express themselves besides crying. Sometimes, he cries just because. When he cries in public, I do my best to hurry out of the store so as not to disturb others. However, with a cart full of groceries, hurrying through checkout is an oxymoron. I do the best I can.
I appreciate the store employee who helped me remove my items from the cart so we could get finished faster, bagged them quickly, and then helped me out to the car. This is why I shop at Publix. I do not appreciate the people in line behind me making faces and turning their backs as if we had the plague. If you don't want to hear my baby cry, go stand in another line. It's not like I'm lollygagging around and just letting him scream.
And by all means, if you have some fullproof way to soothe a screaming baby, let's hear it.
(And the funny thing, he stopped crying as soon as we got out of the store...from exhaustion, maybe.)
I must apologize that my screaming 2 month old son disturbed your shopping experience. No, I didn't do anything to make him scream. Yes, I fed him before we came. No, he's not mad. At 2 months old, he doesn't know what mad is. Staring, laughing, pointedly turning your back, making faces, and looking at me like you expect me to explode in anger/humiliation/ whatever are not helpful reactions. I would prefer that you simply ignore me and my crying son.
At 2.5 months old, my son cries whenever he is uncomfortable because that is what babies do. They don't have any other way to express themselves besides crying. Sometimes, he cries just because. When he cries in public, I do my best to hurry out of the store so as not to disturb others. However, with a cart full of groceries, hurrying through checkout is an oxymoron. I do the best I can.
I appreciate the store employee who helped me remove my items from the cart so we could get finished faster, bagged them quickly, and then helped me out to the car. This is why I shop at Publix. I do not appreciate the people in line behind me making faces and turning their backs as if we had the plague. If you don't want to hear my baby cry, go stand in another line. It's not like I'm lollygagging around and just letting him scream.
And by all means, if you have some fullproof way to soothe a screaming baby, let's hear it.
(And the funny thing, he stopped crying as soon as we got out of the store...from exhaustion, maybe.)
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Why doesn't anyone tell you how hard it is to be a new mom?
Everyone says "it's hard but it's worth it", "the time will fly", "they grow so fast", but they never say "being a new mom is the very hardest thing you will ever do. you will feel insane for months." Because it is really the hardest thing a woman will ever do. Having another being so totally dependent on you along with the pressure of making sure he is developing well, mentally and physically, eating well, all of his needs are met, and then add to that working a full time job, fulfilling commitments you made before you knew how hard mommyhood is, being a wife, being an adult child, and being the liaison between family and the new baby is truly the most difficult time of your life. Simply taking care of baby is full of issues because all he can do is cry. He can't tell you he's hungry or tired or scared or just feels bad. He cries about everything and nothing and it's up to mommy to figure it out. Good dads are involved, sure, and they'll do anything specific you ask of them but they are not mommy. Dad can change a diaper or give a bottle, wash clothes, do housework, but it is up to mommy to soothe the baby to sleep, to figure out what he needs, and to just be mommy.
Add to all of this that you could feel your body has been hijacked. From conception, you've had another person being a parasite on your body. You have to be 10x more careful about what you eat and drink and the environment you're in because you want to make sure the baby forms properly. Then when you give birth, this little being needs you 24/7, especially if you nurse. Young babies eat every 1.5-2 hr. Don't believe it when you read newborns eat every 2-3 hr. And that time is measured from start of eating. Baby starts nursing and takes 30 mins, then you need to pump if you want to keep your supply up (and you can only do this if someone else can take the baby because most likely he will cry if you put him down), then try to get baby to sleep or to atleast stop crying so you can put him down, and he's down.....for 10 mins and then he's up and hungry again. There is no time to do anything, not even get a shower, unless you have help. And even with help, there is not always time to do anything because baby always wants to eat and always wants mommy.
Add to this an extreme lack of sleep, going for 24 hr or more without any sleep because baby only sleeps in 20 mins increments. Then add all the hormones. Then add that you feel like crap from giving birth, be it "normal" or C-section, and your immune system is depressed. Plus, you won't have time to eat properly so you're low on good fuel. Being a new mommy truly feels like being run over by a Mac truck, twice.
There is a great deal of pressure these days for mom to nurse/breastfeed. Of course, mother's milk is the best, healthiest way for a child to eat BUT it is not the only way nor is it necessarily the best solution for every mother. When mom decides not to breastfeed or decides to stop, there can be tremendous guilt both from oneself and from outsiders. It is surprising to me that people have the nerve to ask if you're breastfeeding and then to ask "why not?" if you say no. Really, that is such a personal issue and no one's business but perfect strangers think it's ok to ask!
There are so many things no one tells you when you're planning to be, or are, pregnant. Like you will be tremendously swollen after giving birth, 2-5x more swollen than even at the end of pregnancy. It does go away in a few weeks but it's awful in the beginning. Be prepared to wear compression hose 24/7 for a couple of weeks and to keep the feet elevated as much as possible. Make sure to have lace up shoes that can be made big because going to the pediatrician in the first week after delivery means your clothes don't fit and your feet are too swollen to fit in your shoes so you're either wearing bedroom slippers or socks and probably sweatpants.
No one tells you that using a breast pump sucks. It's uncomfortable and doing it at work is just weird. If you go out, you either will need to take the pump along or be ok with breastfeeding in public, which when it comes down to it, is very disconcerting.
They don't tell you that your normal clothes will not fit, even if you weigh the same in a few weeks as you did prepregnancy. Your body will be different, if you're a size 2 or 12. The abdomen remains swollen for about a month and the abdominal muscles are stretched and sore for months. Be prepared to buy new pants and a size larger shirt.
At about 6 weeks, things do get a little easier. Baby stops eating as often and eats more at one time so you don't feel chained to the baby. He'll start to develop different cries and sounds to help mommy distinguish his needs. If mommy goes back to work, it will be hard to leave baby with someone else, BUT it also gives mommy a much needed break. Do not feel guilty for being glad of the break. All moms need it and all moms are glad to have it, even if they won't admit it. If not returning to work, I would suggest hiring an in-house sitter for a few hours a week so mom can get a break and get things done, like a haircut or doctors' visits. Or even just to take a little time away because that little time will rejuvenate you and make you want to go back to baby again. The mix of feelings, relief and anxiety, that mom's feel when leaving their kid is normal and ok.
Another thing no one tells you and you don't think about is that baby is not supposed to go out in public for atleast the first two months. This means mommy doesn't go out in public unless daddy can stay home with baby or if you're lucky enough to have family willing and able to watch baby. And public isn't just going to the mall or large gatherings. You're not supposed to take him anywhere around people at all. In this day and age, and especially with families so widespread, that really is not reasonable or feasible. Just getting to the doctor or the grocery store can be difficult scheduling if the baby must stay home but there is no one to watch him. If you have to take him with you, take him and don't feel guilty about it.
Motherhood is hard and it's probably going to get harder but keep this one thing in mind. When he gives you that big, toothless smile, the real one, it truly will all be worth it.
Add to all of this that you could feel your body has been hijacked. From conception, you've had another person being a parasite on your body. You have to be 10x more careful about what you eat and drink and the environment you're in because you want to make sure the baby forms properly. Then when you give birth, this little being needs you 24/7, especially if you nurse. Young babies eat every 1.5-2 hr. Don't believe it when you read newborns eat every 2-3 hr. And that time is measured from start of eating. Baby starts nursing and takes 30 mins, then you need to pump if you want to keep your supply up (and you can only do this if someone else can take the baby because most likely he will cry if you put him down), then try to get baby to sleep or to atleast stop crying so you can put him down, and he's down.....for 10 mins and then he's up and hungry again. There is no time to do anything, not even get a shower, unless you have help. And even with help, there is not always time to do anything because baby always wants to eat and always wants mommy.
Add to this an extreme lack of sleep, going for 24 hr or more without any sleep because baby only sleeps in 20 mins increments. Then add all the hormones. Then add that you feel like crap from giving birth, be it "normal" or C-section, and your immune system is depressed. Plus, you won't have time to eat properly so you're low on good fuel. Being a new mommy truly feels like being run over by a Mac truck, twice.
There is a great deal of pressure these days for mom to nurse/breastfeed. Of course, mother's milk is the best, healthiest way for a child to eat BUT it is not the only way nor is it necessarily the best solution for every mother. When mom decides not to breastfeed or decides to stop, there can be tremendous guilt both from oneself and from outsiders. It is surprising to me that people have the nerve to ask if you're breastfeeding and then to ask "why not?" if you say no. Really, that is such a personal issue and no one's business but perfect strangers think it's ok to ask!
There are so many things no one tells you when you're planning to be, or are, pregnant. Like you will be tremendously swollen after giving birth, 2-5x more swollen than even at the end of pregnancy. It does go away in a few weeks but it's awful in the beginning. Be prepared to wear compression hose 24/7 for a couple of weeks and to keep the feet elevated as much as possible. Make sure to have lace up shoes that can be made big because going to the pediatrician in the first week after delivery means your clothes don't fit and your feet are too swollen to fit in your shoes so you're either wearing bedroom slippers or socks and probably sweatpants.
No one tells you that using a breast pump sucks. It's uncomfortable and doing it at work is just weird. If you go out, you either will need to take the pump along or be ok with breastfeeding in public, which when it comes down to it, is very disconcerting.
They don't tell you that your normal clothes will not fit, even if you weigh the same in a few weeks as you did prepregnancy. Your body will be different, if you're a size 2 or 12. The abdomen remains swollen for about a month and the abdominal muscles are stretched and sore for months. Be prepared to buy new pants and a size larger shirt.
At about 6 weeks, things do get a little easier. Baby stops eating as often and eats more at one time so you don't feel chained to the baby. He'll start to develop different cries and sounds to help mommy distinguish his needs. If mommy goes back to work, it will be hard to leave baby with someone else, BUT it also gives mommy a much needed break. Do not feel guilty for being glad of the break. All moms need it and all moms are glad to have it, even if they won't admit it. If not returning to work, I would suggest hiring an in-house sitter for a few hours a week so mom can get a break and get things done, like a haircut or doctors' visits. Or even just to take a little time away because that little time will rejuvenate you and make you want to go back to baby again. The mix of feelings, relief and anxiety, that mom's feel when leaving their kid is normal and ok.
Another thing no one tells you and you don't think about is that baby is not supposed to go out in public for atleast the first two months. This means mommy doesn't go out in public unless daddy can stay home with baby or if you're lucky enough to have family willing and able to watch baby. And public isn't just going to the mall or large gatherings. You're not supposed to take him anywhere around people at all. In this day and age, and especially with families so widespread, that really is not reasonable or feasible. Just getting to the doctor or the grocery store can be difficult scheduling if the baby must stay home but there is no one to watch him. If you have to take him with you, take him and don't feel guilty about it.
Motherhood is hard and it's probably going to get harder but keep this one thing in mind. When he gives you that big, toothless smile, the real one, it truly will all be worth it.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Baby Products Reviews
I have recently had a baby and am learning a great deal about baby products. I thought I would share a few things about some products I have found extremely useful over the last 6 weeks of newborn/infant care.
First of all, the book Baby Bargains is a must have for all new parents to be. Not only will it tell you about the better deals but the best information is the reviews of many different brands of various products. For example, they review all types of strollers from the cheapest to the most expensive and score them based on the value of the product for the money spent. This book makes an excellent shower gift!
The very best product we have received (a gift from our registry) is the Fisher Price Newborn Rock and Play Sleeper. It's portable, foldable, and apparently really comfortable. Our baby slept in it for the first month, right alongside our bed. He slept better in it than in his bassinet. We moved it all over the house for him to have a comfy seat. He still likes to hang out in it although he is now sleeping in his bassinet. Since it's angled so baby sits up some, they can see what is going on and see that mommy and daddy are nearby. It's also great for babies with reflux. The cover is removeable and washable, too. It's higher off the ground than a pumpkin or bouncy seat so it's great for homes with dogs and keeps baby from being so close to the floor where dust will be inhaled more easily. This is a product that should be first on the list as a must have.
A great product to help mom and dad get things done is a sling or baby carrier. We went for two types, the structured front carrier from Infantino, and the Baby K'tan. I found the Infantino carrier for 12.99 at Marshalls. It can be used for a newborn if the baby is a bit bigger so their heads are up high enough. As baby gets older, they can sit facing out rather than facing the parent. Our baby seems quite comfy in it as he falls asleep after a few minutes. I use this carrier when we go the store and I need my hands free. He's pretty secure in it, although you should be careful when bending to make sure his head is supported. What I really like about this carrier is that both my husband and I can use it although he is rather thin and I am plus size. The adjustable straps have a pretty wide range.
The Baby K'tan was purchased after a few weeks of fussy baby who wouldn't sleep during the day at all. This all fabric sling is great for carrying/wearing baby and keeping a hand free. It can be used for newborns on up. However, we found that the sling is quite warm so in a warm southern state, baby has to be stripped to a diaper to not overheat. I would not use this sling outdoors on hot days because baby could definitely overheat. For indoors or cooler locales or seasons, it's fine. I also found that I had to have one hand to support his head as he could pop his head out of the fabric. Now, my baby has been holding his head up since the day he was born (big boy, was late being born) so some babies might not do this. Also, the sling has to be sized to the person wearing it so it can't be shared if mom and dad are not close in size. I've also found that it tends to stretch a bit being made of cotton so a smaller size might have been a better choice although I picked the size by the manufacturer's sizing chart. It is more comfortable than the structured carrier, and it has many different ways of being worn.
As with any carrier or sling, be sure to monitor baby and that his breathing is ok and his head is turned so he can breathe easily.
A mobile! Initially I thought a mobile wouldn't really be needed. Boy was I wrong! Luckily for us, the bassinet we were given had a mobile with music and moving animals. Once baby is about a month old, he'll be able to see well enough to see a mobile that is fairly close (not too close!). There are times when baby needs to be entertained while mom does something else, like shower. The mobile is great for this. The movement and music keeps baby's attention and helps to develop their brains.
A video monitor. There are many types and a particular brand doesn't matter all that much. We purchased the Summer Infant Day and Night set. It's great to be able to see what baby is doing without having to run to his room at every squeak. Babies will make noise during sleep but without a video monitor, parents don't know if they need to run get them or leave them be. This particular monitor has a great range and allows me to even go outside and still see that baby is sleeping peacefully. It can be used sound only as well so you still have an audio monitor for night time. The dual channels help prevent interference from other electronics. The handpiece is a bit large so it feels like you're carrying a really clunky old cell phone or radio but overall, this is a good video monitor, especially for the price.
The Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair is a favorite. It straps onto a regular chair. I particularly like this for the sturdiness since we have 4 large dogs and I was afraid a flimsy high chair would be easily knocked over. Plus, the space saver is quite portable, has a huge tray (dishwasher safe!), and it reclines. We've used the high chair as baby's seat in the kitchen since he was born and it's worked great. The one thing we learned quickly is that it's much easier to have a place for baby to be safe and comfy in every room so you don't have to move things about when you are also carrying baby. In a pinch, baby can also be fed his bottle with one hand while mom eats with the other hand (a hot meal for mom, what's that?)
Let me just say, I am in love with my stroller. I find myself wanting to go for walks just so I can use the stroller. It's not the "it" brand but it sure is great. Baby Jogger City Mini is easily maneuverable with the single front wheel, folds with one hand (really it does!), has a single break (hate those breaks that are on all the wheels) that can be easily set and released with a foot, super large canopy, padded seat that reclines to nearly flat so it can be used even with a newborn, larger wheels for all terrain (great for festivals and such that are often held on grass/dirt), and all the standard features like the 5 point restraint. It also has two peep windows in the canopy, a mesh back so the baby gets air but this can also be covered with the built-in cover in case of bad weather or cold, a decent sized lower basket, and an optional tray. The front of the stroller is open, much easier for putting baby in and out, but the tray can be added for older children who need a place for their sippy cup or snack. It's fairly light weight in comparison to other strollers of its class. I only have one complaint. When folded, it doesn't "stand" very well so it has to be propped against something. All in all, I really like this stroller and the price was much better than some of the others we liked.
The Puj Tub was an excellent purchase. It folds flat for storage, folds up into a tub that fits into any standard bathroom sink, is mold/mildew resistant, and really comfy for baby. From the first bath, our baby has liked his baths in this tub. It's lightweight, easily drained with one hand while the other hand holds baby for the bathwater switch (I don't like to leave water running but prefer to fill with soapy water and then clean water). It's so much easier to use than a molded plastic tub, especially in the first few months when baby is so much harder to hold and maneuver since he can't control his head. This tub makes bathtime so much easier and more enjoyable for us both.
Bummis cloth diapers were a lucky find. Cloth diapers, if laundered at home, are cheaper in the long run than disposable and are generally much better on baby's bottom, no diaper rash. Many of the cloth diapers out there are super expensive but the Bummis kit is much less money and has more stuff. The diaper laundry bag is great. We just dump the dirty diapers in and wash every 1-2 days. The bag and all is laundered at once so I would suggest that you purchase an additional bag so they can be swapped out while one is in the laundry. We also purchased a few extra rolls of the disposable liners. The cloth diaper itself is nice and the covers are ok. The only complaint is that there is no way to hold the disposable liners still so when diapering a wiggling baby, they tend to slip around. Also, a newborn has very runny poop so the liners won't contain all of it. The fleece liners do help some with absorbancy at night time so there are fewer leaks. All in all, this is a great cloth diapering system, especially for the money.
Sleep sacks. For some reason, before baby was born, I thought he needed a thousand shortie onesies and never thought about him needing full suit sleepers. However, even in August, maybe especially in August when the A/C is on and the bedroom is quite cool, baby needs more clothing on than mom and dad. He can't sleep in a short onesie and be warm enough. An excellent solution are sleep sacks. They are like full sleepers but without legs. They just zip or snap up. Much easier to change a diaper in the middle of the night and baby stays nice and warm. Baby can still kick his legs about in the sack. Our baby doesn't much like being swaddled and he kicks and moves so much that swaddling is a study in futility anyway so the sleep sack works well. You can get thicker material or fleece ones for winter. This prevents the need for blankets, which shouldn't be in a baby's crib where he could be entangled and suffocate.
That's all for now. I will continue to post as we find more products that are super useful.
First of all, the book Baby Bargains is a must have for all new parents to be. Not only will it tell you about the better deals but the best information is the reviews of many different brands of various products. For example, they review all types of strollers from the cheapest to the most expensive and score them based on the value of the product for the money spent. This book makes an excellent shower gift!
The very best product we have received (a gift from our registry) is the Fisher Price Newborn Rock and Play Sleeper. It's portable, foldable, and apparently really comfortable. Our baby slept in it for the first month, right alongside our bed. He slept better in it than in his bassinet. We moved it all over the house for him to have a comfy seat. He still likes to hang out in it although he is now sleeping in his bassinet. Since it's angled so baby sits up some, they can see what is going on and see that mommy and daddy are nearby. It's also great for babies with reflux. The cover is removeable and washable, too. It's higher off the ground than a pumpkin or bouncy seat so it's great for homes with dogs and keeps baby from being so close to the floor where dust will be inhaled more easily. This is a product that should be first on the list as a must have.
A great product to help mom and dad get things done is a sling or baby carrier. We went for two types, the structured front carrier from Infantino, and the Baby K'tan. I found the Infantino carrier for 12.99 at Marshalls. It can be used for a newborn if the baby is a bit bigger so their heads are up high enough. As baby gets older, they can sit facing out rather than facing the parent. Our baby seems quite comfy in it as he falls asleep after a few minutes. I use this carrier when we go the store and I need my hands free. He's pretty secure in it, although you should be careful when bending to make sure his head is supported. What I really like about this carrier is that both my husband and I can use it although he is rather thin and I am plus size. The adjustable straps have a pretty wide range.
The Baby K'tan was purchased after a few weeks of fussy baby who wouldn't sleep during the day at all. This all fabric sling is great for carrying/wearing baby and keeping a hand free. It can be used for newborns on up. However, we found that the sling is quite warm so in a warm southern state, baby has to be stripped to a diaper to not overheat. I would not use this sling outdoors on hot days because baby could definitely overheat. For indoors or cooler locales or seasons, it's fine. I also found that I had to have one hand to support his head as he could pop his head out of the fabric. Now, my baby has been holding his head up since the day he was born (big boy, was late being born) so some babies might not do this. Also, the sling has to be sized to the person wearing it so it can't be shared if mom and dad are not close in size. I've also found that it tends to stretch a bit being made of cotton so a smaller size might have been a better choice although I picked the size by the manufacturer's sizing chart. It is more comfortable than the structured carrier, and it has many different ways of being worn.
As with any carrier or sling, be sure to monitor baby and that his breathing is ok and his head is turned so he can breathe easily.
A mobile! Initially I thought a mobile wouldn't really be needed. Boy was I wrong! Luckily for us, the bassinet we were given had a mobile with music and moving animals. Once baby is about a month old, he'll be able to see well enough to see a mobile that is fairly close (not too close!). There are times when baby needs to be entertained while mom does something else, like shower. The mobile is great for this. The movement and music keeps baby's attention and helps to develop their brains.
A video monitor. There are many types and a particular brand doesn't matter all that much. We purchased the Summer Infant Day and Night set. It's great to be able to see what baby is doing without having to run to his room at every squeak. Babies will make noise during sleep but without a video monitor, parents don't know if they need to run get them or leave them be. This particular monitor has a great range and allows me to even go outside and still see that baby is sleeping peacefully. It can be used sound only as well so you still have an audio monitor for night time. The dual channels help prevent interference from other electronics. The handpiece is a bit large so it feels like you're carrying a really clunky old cell phone or radio but overall, this is a good video monitor, especially for the price.
The Fisher Price Space Saver High Chair is a favorite. It straps onto a regular chair. I particularly like this for the sturdiness since we have 4 large dogs and I was afraid a flimsy high chair would be easily knocked over. Plus, the space saver is quite portable, has a huge tray (dishwasher safe!), and it reclines. We've used the high chair as baby's seat in the kitchen since he was born and it's worked great. The one thing we learned quickly is that it's much easier to have a place for baby to be safe and comfy in every room so you don't have to move things about when you are also carrying baby. In a pinch, baby can also be fed his bottle with one hand while mom eats with the other hand (a hot meal for mom, what's that?)
Let me just say, I am in love with my stroller. I find myself wanting to go for walks just so I can use the stroller. It's not the "it" brand but it sure is great. Baby Jogger City Mini is easily maneuverable with the single front wheel, folds with one hand (really it does!), has a single break (hate those breaks that are on all the wheels) that can be easily set and released with a foot, super large canopy, padded seat that reclines to nearly flat so it can be used even with a newborn, larger wheels for all terrain (great for festivals and such that are often held on grass/dirt), and all the standard features like the 5 point restraint. It also has two peep windows in the canopy, a mesh back so the baby gets air but this can also be covered with the built-in cover in case of bad weather or cold, a decent sized lower basket, and an optional tray. The front of the stroller is open, much easier for putting baby in and out, but the tray can be added for older children who need a place for their sippy cup or snack. It's fairly light weight in comparison to other strollers of its class. I only have one complaint. When folded, it doesn't "stand" very well so it has to be propped against something. All in all, I really like this stroller and the price was much better than some of the others we liked.
The Puj Tub was an excellent purchase. It folds flat for storage, folds up into a tub that fits into any standard bathroom sink, is mold/mildew resistant, and really comfy for baby. From the first bath, our baby has liked his baths in this tub. It's lightweight, easily drained with one hand while the other hand holds baby for the bathwater switch (I don't like to leave water running but prefer to fill with soapy water and then clean water). It's so much easier to use than a molded plastic tub, especially in the first few months when baby is so much harder to hold and maneuver since he can't control his head. This tub makes bathtime so much easier and more enjoyable for us both.
Bummis cloth diapers were a lucky find. Cloth diapers, if laundered at home, are cheaper in the long run than disposable and are generally much better on baby's bottom, no diaper rash. Many of the cloth diapers out there are super expensive but the Bummis kit is much less money and has more stuff. The diaper laundry bag is great. We just dump the dirty diapers in and wash every 1-2 days. The bag and all is laundered at once so I would suggest that you purchase an additional bag so they can be swapped out while one is in the laundry. We also purchased a few extra rolls of the disposable liners. The cloth diaper itself is nice and the covers are ok. The only complaint is that there is no way to hold the disposable liners still so when diapering a wiggling baby, they tend to slip around. Also, a newborn has very runny poop so the liners won't contain all of it. The fleece liners do help some with absorbancy at night time so there are fewer leaks. All in all, this is a great cloth diapering system, especially for the money.
Sleep sacks. For some reason, before baby was born, I thought he needed a thousand shortie onesies and never thought about him needing full suit sleepers. However, even in August, maybe especially in August when the A/C is on and the bedroom is quite cool, baby needs more clothing on than mom and dad. He can't sleep in a short onesie and be warm enough. An excellent solution are sleep sacks. They are like full sleepers but without legs. They just zip or snap up. Much easier to change a diaper in the middle of the night and baby stays nice and warm. Baby can still kick his legs about in the sack. Our baby doesn't much like being swaddled and he kicks and moves so much that swaddling is a study in futility anyway so the sleep sack works well. You can get thicker material or fleece ones for winter. This prevents the need for blankets, which shouldn't be in a baby's crib where he could be entangled and suffocate.
That's all for now. I will continue to post as we find more products that are super useful.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
How to Train a Dog: Nuisance Barking
Dogs bark. That's what they do. Sometimes a dog barking is a good thing. Alerting you to danger or strangers on your property is part of the reason for having a dog. However, some dogs turn this alert into a nuisance. Dogs may bark at every leaf blowing by, at someone just walking down the street, or at any sound. Constant barking often leads to relinquishing the dog to a shelter, a terrible outcome for all involved. Rather than giving up and giving away the dog, teach the "quiet" and "watch" commands along with conditioning.
Dogs who are well socialized and confident are not typically as fazed by unusual happenings as dogs who are insecure and/or undersocialized. Conditioning, socialization, and confidence building all help a dog to be calm in new situations and accept changes in their environment. This training should begin as soon as possible. Take the dog out into new environments and use positive reinforcement to address any behavioral issues. Socialize the dog with all types of people and other animals. Use your energy to let the dog know you are confident and in control, and he will follow suit. There are numerous sources of information for this type of training.
While working on this training, two concrete commands to teach are "quiet" and "watch".
Teaching quiet is best done before the dog is excited by something and in a barking frenzy. The simplest way is to actually teach the dog to bark on command. Whenever the dog barks, say "good bark!" and give a treat. After a few rewards, the dog will begin to associate his behavior with your reaction. The dog can also be enticed to bark and then rewarded when he does so. Use body language to act very happy and excited and evoke a barking response in the dog. When he barks, say "good bark" and treat. Once this behavior is established, then begin teaching quiet. Ask the dog to bark. When he does say "good bark now quiet". As soon as he's quiet, treat and praise. Incorporating a different hand signal will aid the training. Continue with the "quiet" training by asking for quiet every time the dog barks. Be quick to reward the second he is quiet.
Teaching the "watch" command is a bit easier than teaching "quiet". Any dog will look to his human if there are yummy treats! Simply ask the dog to sit and hold a treat up to your face, saying "watch". Then give the dog the treat. Repeat. As the dog associates looking at you with a treat, begin to use only your finger to point at your face and say "watch". When he looks at you, treat and praise. This command is useful in many situations where a dog's attention is needed so train with different distractions.
After the dog has mastered these two skills, begin to employ them whenever he barks at an unusual happening. Dog barks, say WATCH. As soon as he pays attention to you, treat and praise. Then follow with the QUIET command. If he's quiet, treat and praise immediately. These commands can be used in various circumstances. For example, if the dog is standing close to his human, the watch command is much more effective since line of sight can be easily established. If the dog is in another room, QUIET may work much better and, if taught well, should have the dog running to his person for a treat, which completely breaks the barking intent.
If the dog barks habitually at the same thing, a certain person and his dog walking down the street for example, the training can be a bit different. In this case, a desensitization may be a better choice. When the person and dog are sighted, go to the dog and ask for a sit, sternly if needed. Then use "watch", treats, and praise to tell the dog that the person is no problem. As long as the dog is sitting and watching his human, he gets treats and praise. Repeat this as often as possible and, eventually, the dog will understand that the desired behavior is sitting and calm whenever this distraction passes.
Disclaimer: If there is any concern for safety, consult a professional behaviorist before attempting to address any behavioral problems with a dog. Locally, there are numerous professional dog trainers that may be consulted. Manners in Motion in Pelham, Al is an excellent training facility. Petsmart stores around Alabama offer obedience training courses as well.
Dogs who are well socialized and confident are not typically as fazed by unusual happenings as dogs who are insecure and/or undersocialized. Conditioning, socialization, and confidence building all help a dog to be calm in new situations and accept changes in their environment. This training should begin as soon as possible. Take the dog out into new environments and use positive reinforcement to address any behavioral issues. Socialize the dog with all types of people and other animals. Use your energy to let the dog know you are confident and in control, and he will follow suit. There are numerous sources of information for this type of training.
While working on this training, two concrete commands to teach are "quiet" and "watch".
Teaching quiet is best done before the dog is excited by something and in a barking frenzy. The simplest way is to actually teach the dog to bark on command. Whenever the dog barks, say "good bark!" and give a treat. After a few rewards, the dog will begin to associate his behavior with your reaction. The dog can also be enticed to bark and then rewarded when he does so. Use body language to act very happy and excited and evoke a barking response in the dog. When he barks, say "good bark" and treat. Once this behavior is established, then begin teaching quiet. Ask the dog to bark. When he does say "good bark now quiet". As soon as he's quiet, treat and praise. Incorporating a different hand signal will aid the training. Continue with the "quiet" training by asking for quiet every time the dog barks. Be quick to reward the second he is quiet.
Teaching the "watch" command is a bit easier than teaching "quiet". Any dog will look to his human if there are yummy treats! Simply ask the dog to sit and hold a treat up to your face, saying "watch". Then give the dog the treat. Repeat. As the dog associates looking at you with a treat, begin to use only your finger to point at your face and say "watch". When he looks at you, treat and praise. This command is useful in many situations where a dog's attention is needed so train with different distractions.
After the dog has mastered these two skills, begin to employ them whenever he barks at an unusual happening. Dog barks, say WATCH. As soon as he pays attention to you, treat and praise. Then follow with the QUIET command. If he's quiet, treat and praise immediately. These commands can be used in various circumstances. For example, if the dog is standing close to his human, the watch command is much more effective since line of sight can be easily established. If the dog is in another room, QUIET may work much better and, if taught well, should have the dog running to his person for a treat, which completely breaks the barking intent.
If the dog barks habitually at the same thing, a certain person and his dog walking down the street for example, the training can be a bit different. In this case, a desensitization may be a better choice. When the person and dog are sighted, go to the dog and ask for a sit, sternly if needed. Then use "watch", treats, and praise to tell the dog that the person is no problem. As long as the dog is sitting and watching his human, he gets treats and praise. Repeat this as often as possible and, eventually, the dog will understand that the desired behavior is sitting and calm whenever this distraction passes.
Disclaimer: If there is any concern for safety, consult a professional behaviorist before attempting to address any behavioral problems with a dog. Locally, there are numerous professional dog trainers that may be consulted. Manners in Motion in Pelham, Al is an excellent training facility. Petsmart stores around Alabama offer obedience training courses as well.
Note: This article was originally published on Examiner.com. All content is owned by the author April Mitchem and may not be reproduced without the author's consent.
Etowah County Animal Control needs donations
The Etowah County Animal Control Shelter in
ECAC asks for donations of numerous items including:
- bedding, including towels and blankets (new or used but clean). This is one of the most important needs as the bedding needs to be replaced often. Hard, cold floors are not comfortable for anyone. A tip, currently Kmart is running a sale of fleece blankets for $4.99, and these can be shipped directly to the shelter.
- towels, simply for cleaning. They are very low on towels of all sizes.
- newspapers for the puppy and kitty kennels. This is a great way to "recycle" rather than trash those newspapers and help out animals in need.
- medical supplies such as vaccinations, new syringes, dog vitamins, and dog/cat specific medications like heartworm prevention
- toys, such as nylabones, kongs, or other hard-to-destroy toys especially for large dogs
- washer and dryer, to clean the bedding and towels
- grooming supplies, such as shampoo
- collars and leashes
- industrial fans, especially important with our current warmer than normal summer heat
Being a county run animal control, they are not non-profit so donations are not tax-deductible, but the dogs and cats in their care need the same things as those in humane societies and other 501(c)3 shelters. The animals don't know they are in an animal control shelter, only that they would like a soft place to sleep just like animals who are in loving homes. Any donations will be appreciated by the animals they help. Gathering items for donation can also be a wonderful lesson for children to foster a giving spirit.
The shelter is also in need of volunteers to play with and walk dogs, play with cats, and provide general help and care for the animals. Contact the shelter directly if you can volunteer. Giving of your time and effort is one of the best and inexpensive things to do.
For other donation needs or for directions/hours, ECAC may be contacted by phone at 256-492-0801.
Etowah County Animal Control is located at
Note: This article was originally published on Examiner.com. All rights to this content are reserved by the author April Mitchem. Content may not be reproduced without the author's consent.
Writing for Examiner.com
For the last 14 months or so, I have been writing for Examiner.com as the Birmingham Dog Care Examiner. It's been a fulfilling sideline work for me, a way to share my knowledge about dogs with others though not a way to earn much in the way of cash (some do, I just don't have the time to write more than 2 articles per week). I've learned a few things from writing for Examiner, and I'm sure I have much more to learn. Unfortunately, Examiner has launched a site "upgrade" that has gone very badly, atleast in the eyes of the thousands of Examiner writers. So many problems with this upgrade that it's not even worth publishing at this time because articles are not even showing up live on the site. Therefore, I will be taking a short hiatus from publishing for Examiner until they repair all of their site upgrade issues. In the mean time, I will be posting some of my older articles here and will likely post a new article or two as well. Please feel free to share the link to my articles with anyone interested in dog related information, from Alabama or elsewhere as most of my content is useful to all dog lovers.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Responsible Pet Ownership. What is that?
Briefly, Responsible Pet Ownership is doing everything in your power to keep your pets healthy and safe. That's it, that's all we want, healthy and safe pets. Can you go beyond this? Of course, you can train to have an agility dog or a therapy dog or any of that and that would be wonderful so please do! But all the world really needs is for pet owners to be responsible for their charges.
What does keeping them healthy and safe entail? Not much really, when you think about how little time and effort is needed for most of it.
Yearly vet visits with vaccinations....should take about 30 mins and cost very little, around $100 in Alabama. That's $100 for a whole year of health! Over a pet's lifetime, those vet visits will increase his health and longevity for years.
Spay/neuter. There are NUMEROUS health benefits to spay/neuter, but the biggest benefit is not having unwanted litters that you can't or won't keep. Dogs can breed twice a year and have 1-7 or 8 puppies per litter. What would you do with all of those puppies? You can only give so many away and dumping them at a shelter is not a solution. Shelters are overrun with good dogs looking for a home of their own, often puppies from oops litters because the owners didn't spay/neuter. While the one time cost is $100-200, the lifetime of benefits is well worth it. Reduced behavioral problems is another benefit to spay/neuter. Many places have low cost clinics so the one time cost is much less. Remember, this is something you do once and it's done, no lifetime of dealing with a dog in heat (NOT FUN) or a male trying to bust out and get to the female down the street. No worrying about when the heat cycle will be and trying to keep your female contained. It's just a non issue if the dog is spayed.
Preventive medication, heartworm and flea/tick, is given one time per month and takes about 5 mins. The cost is minimal at $6 for each per month, less than most people spend on lunch at McDonald's.
Containment. This is the one thing that could be a big one time cost, installing a sturdy fence. The ability to let your dog play safely, securely, and without fear of finding him dead on a road is well worth the initial cost. There are ways to make it cheaper, too. Install it yourself, for one. Fence installation labor is much higher than the materials. Or make a deal with an installer, barter and trade if you must. Just figure out a way to get a fence so your dog is safe from harm, including from those who might come into your yard to harm your dog (people and dogs included in this). When not contained in a fence, the dog should be on leash WITH you. If you simply can not afford a fence, just no way to do it, then leash walk your dog. It's not that hard, will get both you and he into great shape, and prevents alot of unwanted behaviors due to too much energy and boredom. Living in an apartment had me leash walking two dogs every day and we had such fun. If you're in the market for a new house, stipulate that there must be a fence. Then it's done and everyone is happy.
Training is important but doesn't have to be a headache. All pet dogs don't need to know 100 tricks. Most dogs and their people can happily co exist with just a few tricks and rules. Dogs need to know "sit" very well. Sit is a behavior you can ask for in many situations and one that will reduce other poor behaviors. Dogs can't jump on guests if they are sitting. Mostly, dogs just need to know the rules of the house. Do you allow them on furniture? If so, that's fine, if not, you have to teach them they aren't allowed. Teaching that sort of thing isn't all that hard when you live with your dog and have a good relationship. Just remember, if you don't teach your dog how to behave in your home with your rules, no one else will and he doesn't speak human so he's not going to intuitively know what to do. Some training will keep them safe and healthy and keep you from wanting to get rid of the dog. The majority of training only cost the price of some doggie biscuits (or cheese!) and a few minutes a day. No need for a big time commitment, just live with your dog and ask for behaviors a few times a day. They'll get it faster than you think.
Healthy (yearly vet visits, monthly prevention, spay/neuter) and safe (contained and trained) is all it takes to have a wonderful pet and to live happily together. Pets bring so much to us that we owe it to them to keep them healthy and safe.
What does keeping them healthy and safe entail? Not much really, when you think about how little time and effort is needed for most of it.
Yearly vet visits with vaccinations....should take about 30 mins and cost very little, around $100 in Alabama. That's $100 for a whole year of health! Over a pet's lifetime, those vet visits will increase his health and longevity for years.
Spay/neuter. There are NUMEROUS health benefits to spay/neuter, but the biggest benefit is not having unwanted litters that you can't or won't keep. Dogs can breed twice a year and have 1-7 or 8 puppies per litter. What would you do with all of those puppies? You can only give so many away and dumping them at a shelter is not a solution. Shelters are overrun with good dogs looking for a home of their own, often puppies from oops litters because the owners didn't spay/neuter. While the one time cost is $100-200, the lifetime of benefits is well worth it. Reduced behavioral problems is another benefit to spay/neuter. Many places have low cost clinics so the one time cost is much less. Remember, this is something you do once and it's done, no lifetime of dealing with a dog in heat (NOT FUN) or a male trying to bust out and get to the female down the street. No worrying about when the heat cycle will be and trying to keep your female contained. It's just a non issue if the dog is spayed.
Preventive medication, heartworm and flea/tick, is given one time per month and takes about 5 mins. The cost is minimal at $6 for each per month, less than most people spend on lunch at McDonald's.
Containment. This is the one thing that could be a big one time cost, installing a sturdy fence. The ability to let your dog play safely, securely, and without fear of finding him dead on a road is well worth the initial cost. There are ways to make it cheaper, too. Install it yourself, for one. Fence installation labor is much higher than the materials. Or make a deal with an installer, barter and trade if you must. Just figure out a way to get a fence so your dog is safe from harm, including from those who might come into your yard to harm your dog (people and dogs included in this). When not contained in a fence, the dog should be on leash WITH you. If you simply can not afford a fence, just no way to do it, then leash walk your dog. It's not that hard, will get both you and he into great shape, and prevents alot of unwanted behaviors due to too much energy and boredom. Living in an apartment had me leash walking two dogs every day and we had such fun. If you're in the market for a new house, stipulate that there must be a fence. Then it's done and everyone is happy.
Training is important but doesn't have to be a headache. All pet dogs don't need to know 100 tricks. Most dogs and their people can happily co exist with just a few tricks and rules. Dogs need to know "sit" very well. Sit is a behavior you can ask for in many situations and one that will reduce other poor behaviors. Dogs can't jump on guests if they are sitting. Mostly, dogs just need to know the rules of the house. Do you allow them on furniture? If so, that's fine, if not, you have to teach them they aren't allowed. Teaching that sort of thing isn't all that hard when you live with your dog and have a good relationship. Just remember, if you don't teach your dog how to behave in your home with your rules, no one else will and he doesn't speak human so he's not going to intuitively know what to do. Some training will keep them safe and healthy and keep you from wanting to get rid of the dog. The majority of training only cost the price of some doggie biscuits (or cheese!) and a few minutes a day. No need for a big time commitment, just live with your dog and ask for behaviors a few times a day. They'll get it faster than you think.
Healthy (yearly vet visits, monthly prevention, spay/neuter) and safe (contained and trained) is all it takes to have a wonderful pet and to live happily together. Pets bring so much to us that we owe it to them to keep them healthy and safe.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Incentives to Spay/Neuter
With millions of dogs and cats euthanized in this country every year, we have to do something to encourage people to spay/neuter. While puppy mills and backyard breeders contribute to the problem, the largest numbers of dogs dying in shelters every day are mixed breed dogs. Suzy Q lets her poodle go into heat, doesn't keep her confined, and John Smo lets his lab knock up the poodle. Now we have Labradoodles. Guess what, folks, these designer breeds are mutts, pure and simply. Someone just decided to capitalize on a stupid mistake. These dogs are not part of responsible breeding programs that track temperament and health and only let the best specimens breed. They are quite the opposite. And then the mutt isn't fixed and gets knocked up by a shepherd. Now the pups are impossible to place and end up at the shelter, dead before they have a chance. This mess must be stopped. Education is the biggest part and those in the rescue community work tirelessly to educate the public but we can't reach everyone and not everyone is willing to listen to the health and monetary benefits of spay/neuter. So, I am looking for other incentives to promote spay/neuter.
Mandatory spay/neuter laws do not appear to be the answer. There is evidence that those actually cost the municipality much more money and compliance is very low. How does one enforce such a law? You have to go to every house and inspect the pets or wait for someone to complain or for a dog to be picked up by animal control. None of these is workable. People need to do things of their own volition, but we can entice them through incentive programs.
Idea #1--As part of a pet retention program, people who spay/neuter could receive a discounted or free obedience training. This would serve multiple purposes, promoting responsible pet care and well behaved dogs. Dog trainers could volunteer their services. Even training enthusiasts who are not "professional" dog trainers could volunteer. The idea is to teach people that dogs are not humans and communication with them is different
Idea #2--as seen in the Caribbean, people can be bribed.
http://www.hsus.org/hsi/local_empowerment/hsi_animal_advocates/hsi_animal_advocates/aarf_and_snip.html
This organization actually gave people $10 for every dog and cat they brought in to be altered. They've reduced the unwanted animal population by 75%. That's good progress. If a non-profit could receive funding to offer such an incentive, along with free spay/neuter surgery, this might work well.
Idea #3--offer prizes. Bring in your pet for a spay/neuter to the low cost clinic (Alabama has atleast tw0) and be entered into a raffle for really good prizes. This would require very good donations but it could be done.
Idea #4--Free vaccinations when animals are altered. Again, this would need financial backing, but for atleast the mandatory rabies vaccination, it could be promoted as a tangible incentive. For the health benefits as well, other vaccinations could be given for free.
Idea #5--free pet items, like food. With donations, people could receive a free bag of food when they bring their animal in for spay/neuter surgery. With this, other items could also be offered, like nice (Lupine or Bison) collars and leashes or Kongs or Nylabones. All of these items would promote responsible pet ownership and might entice people to alter their pets. People like free stuff!
A combination of these ideas would appeal to a larger audience. If a non-profit organization was begun with the idea of promoting spay/neuter through special incentives and it was available throughout the state, would this work? Would more people spay/neuter? Advertising would be key. Well done PSAs could help. Flyers in grocery stores, Walmarts, etc would be very useful in letting people know about these incentives. Once the ball gets rolling, people will spread the word on their own. "Hey, Lucy, did you know that clinic down in Irondale will give you free food if you go get your dog fixed?"
What do you think? What tangible incentives would get people into the clinics and get the animals altered?
Mandatory spay/neuter laws do not appear to be the answer. There is evidence that those actually cost the municipality much more money and compliance is very low. How does one enforce such a law? You have to go to every house and inspect the pets or wait for someone to complain or for a dog to be picked up by animal control. None of these is workable. People need to do things of their own volition, but we can entice them through incentive programs.
Idea #1--As part of a pet retention program, people who spay/neuter could receive a discounted or free obedience training. This would serve multiple purposes, promoting responsible pet care and well behaved dogs. Dog trainers could volunteer their services. Even training enthusiasts who are not "professional" dog trainers could volunteer. The idea is to teach people that dogs are not humans and communication with them is different
Idea #2--as seen in the Caribbean, people can be bribed.
http://www.hsus.org/hsi/local_empowerment/hsi_animal_advocates/hsi_animal_advocates/aarf_and_snip.html
This organization actually gave people $10 for every dog and cat they brought in to be altered. They've reduced the unwanted animal population by 75%. That's good progress. If a non-profit could receive funding to offer such an incentive, along with free spay/neuter surgery, this might work well.
Idea #3--offer prizes. Bring in your pet for a spay/neuter to the low cost clinic (Alabama has atleast tw0) and be entered into a raffle for really good prizes. This would require very good donations but it could be done.
Idea #4--Free vaccinations when animals are altered. Again, this would need financial backing, but for atleast the mandatory rabies vaccination, it could be promoted as a tangible incentive. For the health benefits as well, other vaccinations could be given for free.
Idea #5--free pet items, like food. With donations, people could receive a free bag of food when they bring their animal in for spay/neuter surgery. With this, other items could also be offered, like nice (Lupine or Bison) collars and leashes or Kongs or Nylabones. All of these items would promote responsible pet ownership and might entice people to alter their pets. People like free stuff!
A combination of these ideas would appeal to a larger audience. If a non-profit organization was begun with the idea of promoting spay/neuter through special incentives and it was available throughout the state, would this work? Would more people spay/neuter? Advertising would be key. Well done PSAs could help. Flyers in grocery stores, Walmarts, etc would be very useful in letting people know about these incentives. Once the ball gets rolling, people will spread the word on their own. "Hey, Lucy, did you know that clinic down in Irondale will give you free food if you go get your dog fixed?"
What do you think? What tangible incentives would get people into the clinics and get the animals altered?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Shades of Gray
The world, it is full of shades of gray. There is nothing that is "always" or "never". Every person, every animal, has their own view based on what they have experienced in life. It is a rather useless mindset to make an opinion to be "NEVER, NO HOW, NO WAY, NEVER". I see this all of the time, however. I have even been guilty of it myself. I do try, especially the older I get, to see both sides, to see why something may or may not be valid in a given situation.
I saw a post today about a study that found some dogs who have "aggression" issues, those dogs that snap/snarl/bite, suffer from low serotonin levels. The idea is that these animals could be helped with an antidepressant medication. Response to these posts were varied but many were "don't drug the dogs, that's wrong, never, never, never". This knee jerk response is useless. Out of the millions of dogs on this planet, I imagine there are some who have medically low serotonin levels and that makes them feel rather surly. (Serotonin is like nature's feel good drug) Does that mean that all surly dogs should be on medication? Of course not. The causes for low serotonin are varied, just as they are in humans, and may be a symptom rather than a cause. Multimodal treatments are often needed in these instances. However, some of these posters went on to say how people take too many antidepressants, children take too much ritalin, etc. In some ways, they are correct, but that is then to the opposite extreme of drug help. Drugs don't solve underlying issues so those issues need to be addressed BUT they can make a person, or dog, functional until those issues are addressed. Moderation is key, moderation in all things.
My high school honors english teacher always taught us that moderation in everything is the way to go. I am coming more and more to agree with her.
In other examples, I know many rescue people who are completely against breeding. That is not reasonable either since that would eventually eradicate all pet animals. Now, being against irresponsible breeding, that is a stance I can get behind. I prefer to allow the professionals, who actually try to prevent genetic abnormalities from continuing, to breed and not allow the backyard breeders to continue. But, most importantly, the ones who need to be required to spay/neuter are those that never intend to breed and end up with "oopsies". Those are the mixed breed dogs dying in shelters every day. Yes, there are plenty of purebred dogs in shelters but many of them make it out through rescue or adoption because they are purebred. The mixed breeds don't have a chance and those animals come from irresponsible people too lazy, stupid, uncaring, or just plain ignorant to spay/neuter. That is where our stance should lie, in the middle ground. Rescuers and responsible breeders (hell, even backyard breeders) should be able to unite on this.
Another example, all scientists are not crazy Einstein people who torture animals for kicks. If we do animal research, it's because we must, not because we want to cause them pain. The extreme animal welfare people are always screaming about what we do to animals in research but none of them are scientists nor do they work in animal research so they don't really have any idea. They assume all scientists who use animals in research are hard-hearted, terrible people but I'm here to tell you, we aren't. Many of us long for the day when animals will only be needed for the rarest of occasion, when we will have reliable means to test drugs without animals. That day has not come nor is it likely to come for many more years since we have such an incomplete understanding of the fundamentals of physiology. We do, however, follow the Reduce mentality in that we try to use as few animals as possible to give the statistical power required. I understand animal welfarists who are concerned about the use, and yes, I agree that we need stringent regulations (and we have them but some are not always enforced as they should be) but I also understand the scientists who have to use animals in order to obtain FDA approval for a clinical trial. There are both sides to this issue and a moderate approach is the only way to have drug development for human health that is efficacious but does not kill more animals than necessary.
Our lives are full of experiences, every day, that shape and mould our thinking. None of us can know the life of another, the mind of another, even the closest of beings will never truly understand one another. We can only try to see both sides, to be moderate in our opinions.
I saw a post today about a study that found some dogs who have "aggression" issues, those dogs that snap/snarl/bite, suffer from low serotonin levels. The idea is that these animals could be helped with an antidepressant medication. Response to these posts were varied but many were "don't drug the dogs, that's wrong, never, never, never". This knee jerk response is useless. Out of the millions of dogs on this planet, I imagine there are some who have medically low serotonin levels and that makes them feel rather surly. (Serotonin is like nature's feel good drug) Does that mean that all surly dogs should be on medication? Of course not. The causes for low serotonin are varied, just as they are in humans, and may be a symptom rather than a cause. Multimodal treatments are often needed in these instances. However, some of these posters went on to say how people take too many antidepressants, children take too much ritalin, etc. In some ways, they are correct, but that is then to the opposite extreme of drug help. Drugs don't solve underlying issues so those issues need to be addressed BUT they can make a person, or dog, functional until those issues are addressed. Moderation is key, moderation in all things.
My high school honors english teacher always taught us that moderation in everything is the way to go. I am coming more and more to agree with her.
In other examples, I know many rescue people who are completely against breeding. That is not reasonable either since that would eventually eradicate all pet animals. Now, being against irresponsible breeding, that is a stance I can get behind. I prefer to allow the professionals, who actually try to prevent genetic abnormalities from continuing, to breed and not allow the backyard breeders to continue. But, most importantly, the ones who need to be required to spay/neuter are those that never intend to breed and end up with "oopsies". Those are the mixed breed dogs dying in shelters every day. Yes, there are plenty of purebred dogs in shelters but many of them make it out through rescue or adoption because they are purebred. The mixed breeds don't have a chance and those animals come from irresponsible people too lazy, stupid, uncaring, or just plain ignorant to spay/neuter. That is where our stance should lie, in the middle ground. Rescuers and responsible breeders (hell, even backyard breeders) should be able to unite on this.
Another example, all scientists are not crazy Einstein people who torture animals for kicks. If we do animal research, it's because we must, not because we want to cause them pain. The extreme animal welfare people are always screaming about what we do to animals in research but none of them are scientists nor do they work in animal research so they don't really have any idea. They assume all scientists who use animals in research are hard-hearted, terrible people but I'm here to tell you, we aren't. Many of us long for the day when animals will only be needed for the rarest of occasion, when we will have reliable means to test drugs without animals. That day has not come nor is it likely to come for many more years since we have such an incomplete understanding of the fundamentals of physiology. We do, however, follow the Reduce mentality in that we try to use as few animals as possible to give the statistical power required. I understand animal welfarists who are concerned about the use, and yes, I agree that we need stringent regulations (and we have them but some are not always enforced as they should be) but I also understand the scientists who have to use animals in order to obtain FDA approval for a clinical trial. There are both sides to this issue and a moderate approach is the only way to have drug development for human health that is efficacious but does not kill more animals than necessary.
Our lives are full of experiences, every day, that shape and mould our thinking. None of us can know the life of another, the mind of another, even the closest of beings will never truly understand one another. We can only try to see both sides, to be moderate in our opinions.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Is it a DREAM or a GOAL.....or both?
Dreams. What are dreams? I'm not talking about the kind of mental exercises your brain goes through in your sleep but about those wishes of ours that we hope will someday come true. When do dreams become goals? Are dreams these ideas we have that seem so unattainable that we are afraid to call them goals? At what point do dreams cross into attainable possibilities that we can work towards and say "I'll get there, someday."?
Everyone should have dreams, something they want to do, see, be that may seem fantastical and outrageous. Without dreams, we stagnate into living with whatever comes our way, never thinking into what we can make happen, what we can achieve. The great Mr. King had a dream, one he worked towards tirelessly, relentlessly, but never truly saw in his wrongly shortened lifetime. But his dream remains, one that is slowly becoming true, though I have doubts that anyone in life will be treated as equals, regardless of their color. Society has not worked that way for millenia and, in truth, when we all become one race, one culture, we become so close to God's dreams for us that we may be all called home. Remember, God separated us by language, race, and culture to punish us for our conceit (Genesis 11) and when we can all come together again, we will truly be free of this punishment. But Mr. King dreamed something he doubtlessly knew he would never see come to pass in fullness and chose to work for it anyway. Is that the definition of a dream? Something you think will never happen but you try anyway?
What is a goal? Aren't goals just dreams that seem easier to achieve? I have a goal to live in a house on lots of land, raise animals, care for sick/injured animals and find them homes, and take in foster kids. This is something I see me and my husband doing in 10 or 15 years. But is it also a dream? Yes, for me it is. I can't be certain I can make this happen. Life has so many variables that this lies more on the side of dream than goal. However, if I don't work now to make it happen later, it will never happen. Perhaps that is the difference. Goals are something we can see a path towards, however murky it may be. Dreams are shrouded in mystery. Perhaps a dream is the endpoint for which we can see no path.
It is paramount for all people to have both dreams and goals and work towards both. Sometimes you have to work towards the goals first and let the dreams follow. For years, my goal was to complete my education by obtaining a PhD. I made it. It is because of that goal that I can now dream about our future, about what we may make happen (husband and me and our forming family). The goal garnered me the education that led to my job that leads to enough money to pay the bills and set some aside for the future, to eventually buy that land, build the kennels, care for needy kids. If I did not dream now, and think about what those dreams need to become true, I would never make it there. The dreams would not become goals, ever.
Here's to wishing you all good dreams and may your dreams become goals.
Everyone should have dreams, something they want to do, see, be that may seem fantastical and outrageous. Without dreams, we stagnate into living with whatever comes our way, never thinking into what we can make happen, what we can achieve. The great Mr. King had a dream, one he worked towards tirelessly, relentlessly, but never truly saw in his wrongly shortened lifetime. But his dream remains, one that is slowly becoming true, though I have doubts that anyone in life will be treated as equals, regardless of their color. Society has not worked that way for millenia and, in truth, when we all become one race, one culture, we become so close to God's dreams for us that we may be all called home. Remember, God separated us by language, race, and culture to punish us for our conceit (Genesis 11) and when we can all come together again, we will truly be free of this punishment. But Mr. King dreamed something he doubtlessly knew he would never see come to pass in fullness and chose to work for it anyway. Is that the definition of a dream? Something you think will never happen but you try anyway?
What is a goal? Aren't goals just dreams that seem easier to achieve? I have a goal to live in a house on lots of land, raise animals, care for sick/injured animals and find them homes, and take in foster kids. This is something I see me and my husband doing in 10 or 15 years. But is it also a dream? Yes, for me it is. I can't be certain I can make this happen. Life has so many variables that this lies more on the side of dream than goal. However, if I don't work now to make it happen later, it will never happen. Perhaps that is the difference. Goals are something we can see a path towards, however murky it may be. Dreams are shrouded in mystery. Perhaps a dream is the endpoint for which we can see no path.
It is paramount for all people to have both dreams and goals and work towards both. Sometimes you have to work towards the goals first and let the dreams follow. For years, my goal was to complete my education by obtaining a PhD. I made it. It is because of that goal that I can now dream about our future, about what we may make happen (husband and me and our forming family). The goal garnered me the education that led to my job that leads to enough money to pay the bills and set some aside for the future, to eventually buy that land, build the kennels, care for needy kids. If I did not dream now, and think about what those dreams need to become true, I would never make it there. The dreams would not become goals, ever.
Here's to wishing you all good dreams and may your dreams become goals.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Macaroni, cheese, and apples bake for the pups
In my continuing endeavor to not waste food and to make yummy, healthy snacks for my dogs, tonight I "created" the macaroni, cheese, and apples bake. I had leftover homemade macaroni and cheese in the freezer. When I say homemade, I mean I cooked the noodles, shredded the cheese, added an egg and milk and baked it. No preservatives, no extra junk in it. I also had some other leftover pasta in the freezer saved from a night when we made too much. The small Fuji apples on the counter were a bit past their prime and not really something a human would want to crunch into but not spoiled.
Cut the apples, skins on, into small pieces, the smaller the better.
Defrost any pasta or macaroni and cheese in the microwave. Cut the pasta into small pieces if it is a larger type.
Mix the pasta, mac and cheese, and apples in a large bowl. The ratio is somewhere around 4 small apples to 2 cups mac and cheese and 1 cup cut up pasta.
Add 2-3 tablespoons honey and mix.
Add 3-5 heaping tablespoons flour.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. This will help everything stick together, adds a bit of good oil for healthy skin and coat, and is heart friendly.
If available, you may add an egg as binder. I didn't have any so I didn't add one.
"Grease" a glass baking dish with a good swipe of extra virgin olive oil.
Add the mix to the dish.
Put ~4 tablespoons peanut butter into a cup and microwave for ~30 sec to liquify.
Use a knife to drizzle the peanut butter over the top of the mix in the dish.
Bake at 300F for ~45 mins, until the apples appear largely cooked.
Let cool well. Serve by scooping out spoonfuls. (most dogs can and will eat off a spoon, reserve one for the dog's use if you don't like them eating off people utensils) This may be served as a treat or as an extra in their dinner. Just remember to cut their kibble a bit to compensate for the calories.
Cut the apples, skins on, into small pieces, the smaller the better.
Defrost any pasta or macaroni and cheese in the microwave. Cut the pasta into small pieces if it is a larger type.
Mix the pasta, mac and cheese, and apples in a large bowl. The ratio is somewhere around 4 small apples to 2 cups mac and cheese and 1 cup cut up pasta.
Add 2-3 tablespoons honey and mix.
Add 3-5 heaping tablespoons flour.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. This will help everything stick together, adds a bit of good oil for healthy skin and coat, and is heart friendly.
If available, you may add an egg as binder. I didn't have any so I didn't add one.
"Grease" a glass baking dish with a good swipe of extra virgin olive oil.
Add the mix to the dish.
Put ~4 tablespoons peanut butter into a cup and microwave for ~30 sec to liquify.
Use a knife to drizzle the peanut butter over the top of the mix in the dish.
Bake at 300F for ~45 mins, until the apples appear largely cooked.
Let cool well. Serve by scooping out spoonfuls. (most dogs can and will eat off a spoon, reserve one for the dog's use if you don't like them eating off people utensils) This may be served as a treat or as an extra in their dinner. Just remember to cut their kibble a bit to compensate for the calories.
Friday, March 12, 2010
iPad release date announced
The new Apple iPad will ship April 3. For those of us waiting impatiently for this new gadget, today's news is quite welcome.
The Apple iPad will be a multimedia experience. Similar to an iPhone, but with a 10 inch screen, longer battery life, and more powerful processing, the iPad will make the entertainment experience more portable, more user friendly, and just plain more fun. According to Apple, nearly all of the 150,000 apps in the iTunes App Store will work on the iPad from day 1. Apps purchased for the iPhone or iPod Touch will be translatable to your brand new iPad.
Ranging from $499 to $829, there's an iPad for most budgets. If you plan to use the iPad at home or only where there is wifi, the cheaper models will be just fine. The more expensive models come with AT&T 3G capabilities, but also with AT&T fees for a data package. For those constantly on the go, the 3G model may be needed, but for most, the wifi only should be more than sufficient.
There are also 3 choices of memory, 16, 32, and 64 GB. For storing movies, music, e-books, etc, the more memory the better. For largely internet surfing or playing App games, the lower memory models are likely just fine. I've yet to fill up my 16 GB iPhone.
This time around, Apple's release of a new product already has some smart accessories available from Apple, not 3rd party vendors. A VGA connector for using the iPad a digital movie player connected to your TV, a keyboard dock for those needing a real keyboard, and a very nice case are all available for purchase.
Add the extended warranty plan for $99 if it is possible the iPad might be damaged during your use. Apple's warranties are one of the few that are really worth the money. If it breaks, they just replace it. My husband's iPhone had a couple of pixels go bad. We took it into the Apple store and they replaced it right then.
With Apple's new iBookstore, browse, purchase, and read books on your iPad. For on the go, just the storage of many books is worth the purchase of the iPad. Anyone like me, who travels with one or two books daily and takes 5-7 for a weeklong trip will appreciate this ability. Read in portrait for one page or landscape for two pages, which looks just like you're reading a book, just without the ink stains on your fingers.
I am beginning to feel that we have entered the age of Buck Rogers. Will when Apple invent the magic medical wand that diagnoses all your ills with just a pass over?
The Apple iPad will be a multimedia experience. Similar to an iPhone, but with a 10 inch screen, longer battery life, and more powerful processing, the iPad will make the entertainment experience more portable, more user friendly, and just plain more fun. According to Apple, nearly all of the 150,000 apps in the iTunes App Store will work on the iPad from day 1. Apps purchased for the iPhone or iPod Touch will be translatable to your brand new iPad.
Ranging from $499 to $829, there's an iPad for most budgets. If you plan to use the iPad at home or only where there is wifi, the cheaper models will be just fine. The more expensive models come with AT&T 3G capabilities, but also with AT&T fees for a data package. For those constantly on the go, the 3G model may be needed, but for most, the wifi only should be more than sufficient.
There are also 3 choices of memory, 16, 32, and 64 GB. For storing movies, music, e-books, etc, the more memory the better. For largely internet surfing or playing App games, the lower memory models are likely just fine. I've yet to fill up my 16 GB iPhone.
This time around, Apple's release of a new product already has some smart accessories available from Apple, not 3rd party vendors. A VGA connector for using the iPad a digital movie player connected to your TV, a keyboard dock for those needing a real keyboard, and a very nice case are all available for purchase.
Add the extended warranty plan for $99 if it is possible the iPad might be damaged during your use. Apple's warranties are one of the few that are really worth the money. If it breaks, they just replace it. My husband's iPhone had a couple of pixels go bad. We took it into the Apple store and they replaced it right then.
With Apple's new iBookstore, browse, purchase, and read books on your iPad. For on the go, just the storage of many books is worth the purchase of the iPad. Anyone like me, who travels with one or two books daily and takes 5-7 for a weeklong trip will appreciate this ability. Read in portrait for one page or landscape for two pages, which looks just like you're reading a book, just without the ink stains on your fingers.
I am beginning to feel that we have entered the age of Buck Rogers. Will when Apple invent the magic medical wand that diagnoses all your ills with just a pass over?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Broccoli Loaf to feed the pups
Cooking for your dogs, like cooking for yourself, can be a joyous expression of creativity and love for those you are feeding. When there are 5 dogs in the house and two humans who really dislike waste, especially wasted food, there is a wonderful opportunity for making up new dishes. A friend suggested to me once that using leftover vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy that may be just a little passed what you would want to eat but by no means spoiled (or even if you're just tired of eating that dish) in doggie dishes would be a great way to not waste food but to also feed your pups a special treat. I decided to give this a go by putting leftover food that wasn't spoiled but maybe a little wilted or just no longer desired by me into the freezer until I had enough to make a dish for the dogs. This first started with the bag of broccoli slaw (shredded broccoli) that I purchased when initially pregnant. Pregnancy food aversions strike very quickly and without seeming rhyme or reason and this one so happened to strike just after I bought the broccoli. I couldn't stand the sight of it so I put the whole bag in the freezer. We then made a turkey and had leftover hearts and livers that I boiled for the dogs, putting the broth and bits in a freezer bag along with the leftover green beans. When my baguette went stale and hard but not molded, I decided that would be a good base for a doggie treat. Here is my made up recipe that has been very much enjoyed by the 5 dogs here.
1 hard baguette
1 bag broccoli slaw--thaw in microwave if needed
1 pint - 1 quart meat broth with meaty bits--thaw in microwave if needed
any other veggies, such as green beans or peas
1 egg
cheese
Use a blender to beat the baguette into bread crumbs. Put bread crumbs in a bowl.
Add the broccoli and meat broth.
Grate cheese (my dogs like cheddar) into the bowl, as much as you think the dogs will like but not so much as to be greasy or gooey. They mostly just want a taste.
Add a whole egg (the shells are good for them too) and bust with a spoon.
Mix well with a spoon.
If the mix is not coherent enough, add flour. Two to four heaping tablespoons should be sufficient. You don't want it to be dry but some cohesion is necessary.
Put mix into a glass baking dish and bake at 300-350 F until brown on the outside and "done" on the inside. For a drier dish, cook on a lower heat for longer.
A light butter coating will allow the loaf to flip out onto a plate.
Cut and serve, letting cool enough to not burn a pup's mouth.
Store in refrigerator and serve with meals.
Hope you try it and your pups enjoy!
1 hard baguette
1 bag broccoli slaw--thaw in microwave if needed
1 pint - 1 quart meat broth with meaty bits--thaw in microwave if needed
any other veggies, such as green beans or peas
1 egg
cheese
Use a blender to beat the baguette into bread crumbs. Put bread crumbs in a bowl.
Add the broccoli and meat broth.
Grate cheese (my dogs like cheddar) into the bowl, as much as you think the dogs will like but not so much as to be greasy or gooey. They mostly just want a taste.
Add a whole egg (the shells are good for them too) and bust with a spoon.
Mix well with a spoon.
If the mix is not coherent enough, add flour. Two to four heaping tablespoons should be sufficient. You don't want it to be dry but some cohesion is necessary.
Put mix into a glass baking dish and bake at 300-350 F until brown on the outside and "done" on the inside. For a drier dish, cook on a lower heat for longer.
A light butter coating will allow the loaf to flip out onto a plate.
Cut and serve, letting cool enough to not burn a pup's mouth.
Store in refrigerator and serve with meals.
Hope you try it and your pups enjoy!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I Believe part 2
Some more on what I believe.
On gay marriage:
If two consenting adults decide to make a lifetime commitment to one another, whose business is it but those two people? No one's. It is no one's right to say that two adults can not marry. There is not one logical reason for gay people to not marry. I challenge anyone to give me a logical reason, not religious, not emotional, but logical. This article makes alot of sense:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957
In this world, finding love and commitment is hard enough. If you find someone to put up with you (to loosely quote a song), you should hold onto that person with all of your might. The government has no right to interfere in people's personal lives, as long as they are harming no one else, and can not say that gay people can not marry. That is just ludicrous. I know PLENTY of straight people who should never get married or should not have married who they did and with a divorce rate of 50%, I bet everyone knows someone who left their commitment. We're not saying their marriages should be legislated so why should gay marriage be legislated against? In this country, we are guaranteed, by our constitution, the right to life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness. By that very guarantee, gay people have the same rights to marry as straight people.
If it's against YOUR religion, so what. You aren't being asked to participate. Your religious beliefs have no bearing on what should be legislated.
"Gay marriage erodes the tradition of marriage" How? The tradition of marriage is two people vowing to love, honor, and cherish for the remainder of their lives. If the two people are gay, so what.
Imagine how hard a life it must be to be gay and so unaccepted by your own country. Life is hard enough, why would anyone choose to make their life harder if they could help it? And back to the religious view, God tells us to love our fellow man as if they are our own brethren. Hating someone because they are gay, or of a certain race, or different religion, is AGAINST GOD'S LAWS. So drop the religious argument already.
on Yard Ornament Dogs:
If you choose to leave your dog outside all of the time and never have him as a part of the family, YOU are the one missing out. Your dog would be happier as a member of the family, yes, but dogs provided food, water, and shelter tend to entertain themselves and live in the now, not longing for something they don't have. You are the one missing out on the amazing relationship you could have with your dog. I pity you.
That's all I feel passionate about today. I'm sure there will be more to come.
On gay marriage:
If two consenting adults decide to make a lifetime commitment to one another, whose business is it but those two people? No one's. It is no one's right to say that two adults can not marry. There is not one logical reason for gay people to not marry. I challenge anyone to give me a logical reason, not religious, not emotional, but logical. This article makes alot of sense:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/229957
In this world, finding love and commitment is hard enough. If you find someone to put up with you (to loosely quote a song), you should hold onto that person with all of your might. The government has no right to interfere in people's personal lives, as long as they are harming no one else, and can not say that gay people can not marry. That is just ludicrous. I know PLENTY of straight people who should never get married or should not have married who they did and with a divorce rate of 50%, I bet everyone knows someone who left their commitment. We're not saying their marriages should be legislated so why should gay marriage be legislated against? In this country, we are guaranteed, by our constitution, the right to life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness. By that very guarantee, gay people have the same rights to marry as straight people.
If it's against YOUR religion, so what. You aren't being asked to participate. Your religious beliefs have no bearing on what should be legislated.
"Gay marriage erodes the tradition of marriage" How? The tradition of marriage is two people vowing to love, honor, and cherish for the remainder of their lives. If the two people are gay, so what.
Imagine how hard a life it must be to be gay and so unaccepted by your own country. Life is hard enough, why would anyone choose to make their life harder if they could help it? And back to the religious view, God tells us to love our fellow man as if they are our own brethren. Hating someone because they are gay, or of a certain race, or different religion, is AGAINST GOD'S LAWS. So drop the religious argument already.
on Yard Ornament Dogs:
If you choose to leave your dog outside all of the time and never have him as a part of the family, YOU are the one missing out. Your dog would be happier as a member of the family, yes, but dogs provided food, water, and shelter tend to entertain themselves and live in the now, not longing for something they don't have. You are the one missing out on the amazing relationship you could have with your dog. I pity you.
That's all I feel passionate about today. I'm sure there will be more to come.
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