Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make

Just this past weekend I rescued a stray dog from a neighbor's above ground pool. He was able to get into the pool, but not get out. I responded to his frantic cries for help, and kept him overnight, as I was looking for his owner. I posted on Craigslist, Facebook, Animal Humane society, and 2 main rescue groups that are in my area. We drove around the neighborhood asking folks if they were familiar with this dog. We went to the vet to see if he was micro-chipped. Nope. I don't understand why people don't micro-chip their dogs. This wonderful yellow lab could have been back home with his family within 15 minutes if he had only been chipped or had an ID tag on him.

Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make


Companion animals can enrich our lives in an almost endless number of ways. whether greeting us enthusiastically at the door, keeping us company on daily jogs or simply entertaining us with their play, sharing your life with a pet is a great way to increase the length and improve the quality of your life. For all they add to our lives, we owe it to them to do all we can for them in return. One of the ways to ensure your animal companion enjoys a long, happy life is to avoid the pitfalls of the most common pet-parenting mistakes:

Impulsive adoptions/purchases
Making the commitment to invite any animal to join your family should take a lot of careful consideration. unfortunately, many people can’t resist the temptation of bringing home a cute animal immediately. it is much wiser to first go home and do some research to find out everything you can about this particular type of pet and what caring for and living with them will entail. Be sure to include all family members in the decision-making process. Carefully consider the commitment of time and money, and if this particular animal’s size, age, temperament and activity level are a good match for your family.

Buying from a pet store
This can be a hard mistake for people to avoid as seeing a cute young animal in a store can be very tempting, especially since some people consider they are saving that particular animal. But keep in mind that while you may give that animal a good home, with each sale the pet store makes they are that much more likely to bring more animals in from animal mills where the breeding stock is subjected to a life of constant breeding and mistreatment. A much wiser source is a local shelter, breed rescue group or reputable breeder.


Killing with kindness
Because people love their pets so much, they often do things which are inadvertently to the detriment of their pets. many people feel they are being mean if they don’t give their pet everything they want when they want it. this often starts on the first day the pet joins the family and is immediately given free run of the home. The intended goal is often to allow the animal to feel at home and comfortable. however, the result is usually that they get into trouble by eliminating in the wrong place or chewing an inappropriate item. it is much kinder in the long run to set clear rules and boundaries — much like with children — to help your pet stay safe and ensure that he or she is with you for their whole life.
Unfortunately, the result of not setting boundaries and helping your pet learn how to behave is that they make mistakes that they are then punished for. Worse yet, many otherwise lovely animals are surrendered to shelters for simply behaving in a manner that was permitted to become habit due to a lack of clear rules and boundaries.

Focusing on punishments rather than rewards
Considering how much we love our animal companions, it is surprising that one of the big mistakes people make is focusing on punishing their pets for things they don’t like rather than rewarding them for what we consider good behavior. A perfect example of this is letting a pup eliminate on the rug (by not supervising them properly) and then yelling at them for doing so. Dogs think in pretty simple terms, so it is unlikely they are thinking they are in trouble for eliminating in the house. They probably think you don’t like to see them eliminate, so they learn to hide behind the couch to do so. in this and most cases, punishments don’t tend to be very effective and often cause negative side effects as bad as or worse than what they were intended to resolve.
Punishments are also likely to damage your relationship with your pet. Instead, focus on managing them (using supervision and confinement, such as keeping them on a leash or in a pet-proofed room or crate) to set them up for success and rewarding for good behavior. this will prevent problem behaviors from becoming habits, reinforce appropriate behaviors and improve your bond with your pet.


Assuming your pet is a person in fur clothing
It’s wonderful that most people adopt pets into their home as full-fledged members of the family. however, while most pets adapt incredibly well to living with people, many people forget they are still animals. keep in mind that pets tend to think in different and often much simpler terms than we do. They aren’t walking around all day plotting how to get back at you for leaving them at home while you go to work or to punish you for what you have or haven’t done for them lately. Accusing an animal of being spiteful or stubborn does a great disservice to them and tends to create a barrier to a healthy relationship.
So, the next time your dog digs in the yard, consider that he is probably doing so because it is fun for dogs and he’s probably bored, not to punish you and ruin your newly planted yard.


Not spaying or neutering pets
This is a common mistake pet owners make with some of the most serious consequences. unfortunately, some people still think that if they spay or neuter their pets they will get lazy and fat or that it is kind to let their pet have just one litter. Aside from the fact that there is a serious pet overpopulation problem that spaying and neutering can help decrease, doing so also means your companion is less likely to wander away to look for a mate and in doing so potentially get lost, hurt or contract diseases.

This is why I hate people

This email below is why I hate people.

-------------------------------

Detox Your Body with
Purify Your Body Foot Pads!
www.purifyyourbody.com

Minnesota Boxer Rescue
www.mnboxerrescue.org
Adopt a Boxer Today!

Christian-inspired apparel
www.faithhopecharitees.com
Keep the light of Christ with you!



Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2010 10:00:13 -0700
Subject: [mnboxerrescue] Advice

 


Hey all

A friend of mine, Molly, facebook messaged me today and was asking for help for her friends mom, about a bulldog that has been treated poorly the whole time the neighbors have had this dog and now it seems they have abandoned him.

Here's the original note she posted at midnight last night:

I need some advice! 

My mom's neighbors have neglected their dog for the duration of their short time living next door to her- he's a nice bulldog named Soldier. Examples include: leaving him crying in the courtyard outside in the rain for whole days without food or water- to the point he was licking water up off the leaves to try to get hydration, and leaving him crying locked on the back deck for long periods of time in the humid heat without any water. They never take him on walks or play with him. My mom wanted to report the neglect but everyone said as long as the dog isn't being physically abused, there's nothing anyone could do. 

Well, I've been at my mom's tonight doing my laundry and Soldier has been left in a cage behind the townhouses today that's too small for him to lay down in for almost 12 hours without food or water- not only that, but it appears the residents have moved out now and just left him here to rot. Their house is completely vacant when you peek through the windows and a FOR RENT sign is up. He will not stop crying. :( 

As the time has passed, he's grown increasingly upset to the point where he is growling, yelping and crying all at the same time so we're afraid to let him out of the cage to attempt to put a leash on him and move him. His cage is too heavy for us to move. The cops came earlier after a noise complaint was called in by another neighbor but they left a note on their door saying they left because they weren't able to contact the owners. 

My mom and I have been listening to him cry for hours. We fed him bread and cheese and pushed a couple bucket lids of water under the cage for him to drink. What do you do in a situation like this? We don't want to call the wrong place to get him help only to land him in a place that will put him to sleep. We doubt the owners are returning and if they do, should they really continue to "care" for this dog?
 

I have already called and passed on the number for reporting animal cruelty with AHS in Golden Valley, he said that if the cops already went there, they basically have to follow procedure to be sure these ppl abandoned the animal. It has been over 24 hours now... and if the cops needed help that they would have called him, but it is hot out and seems they aren't doing anything.

Any other ideas on who to call?? I thought maybe getting the media involved to get everyones asses moving a little faster may help?

Amber Johnson
www.mnboxerrescue.org
www.amber-johnson.com

Proud Mama of Rowdy (White 2yrs) & Roxy-Deaf (White with patches 2yrs)

 "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
Mahatma Gandhi

Ardyss Body Magic Garment / Corsette review

I had the opportunity to try on an Ardyss Body Magic Garment. My first reaction was that it was nice. I wore it for about 20 minutes, seeing if I could move around in it, sit down, stretch, etc. I could. But after I left, my rib cage felt funny. So at the price of $170, I decided not to buy one, and to buy just the tank top instead.

Then I searched around on eBay and the same garment, brand new, was being offered at $77. That is a much better price, and I decided to try it, after reading a lot of information about how it isn't like a girdle from the dark ages, that is really compresses the fat tissue and (I know I will explain this wrong) helps squeeze the fat out of your body through detox measures. I understand the detox part.

I am 5'8" and not overweight. But of course I want to be on the low end of my "BMI range", which I am not. I am on the very high end of it! So gaining 5-10 lbs would make me tip the scale into a BMI of over 24.9, which I want to avoid.

In fact, I would like to lose another 10-15 lbs. Or at least fit into my summer clothes.

So, I decided to get it, and it finally arrived. I had to purchase the extenders for the straps because I am "tall". I purchased a size 34 of the bodyMagic. The thoracic measurement (right below your breasts) is how you masure the size. In the reviews I have read that it takes about 15 minutes to get into the garment at first, usually taking a second person to help you. Well, it took me 5 minutes all by myself. I think that because I do not have gobs of fat, and only mild to moderate love handles, that this is why it wasn't very hard to get into.

However... I do have to say that it is a bit difficult to use the restroom while you are wearing this. They have snaps in the crotch area for this purpose, but me, without a belly sticking out, could barely reach under and open and close them for my call of nature. It is easier to just take off your shirt, and unsnap from the front. Trust me on this one.

I am impressed how clean the lines look under the clothing -- no more rolls of fat lines underneath my shirts and no muffin top. However, it does give you a larger, firmer, lifted derriere. Not that it is any problem, for sure. But it also gives you the "hour glass figure" from the frontal view. From the side view, I think I am larger than when I originally put it on. At least it isn't making me look skinny. I am normally skinny from the side view, but straight up and down like a popsicle from the front view (meaning I don't have a skinny waist compared to my hips and chest, even when I am at a BMI of 19! At least I have boobs though!).

I have read some tips... first, be sure to get the right size. Second, wear it as often as you can. I just recently started wearing mine during the day at work. Before I only wore it in the evening for about 2-5 hours. Now I am wearing it about 10 hours a day. The only part that feels tight is right around my rib cage, under my breasts. It is is loose when I feel it, but I suppose the expanding and contracting of the lungs to breathe make it feel that way. Not uncomfortable at all, and even sort of forces me to have good posture.

Since I am going to physical therapy for my thoracic area along my spine, along with rotator cuff tendinitis, shoulder bursitis, impingement, dyskinesis and neural tension (wow! a mouthful!), I did ask the physical therapist what he thought of this, before I bought it. He said it would help stabilize my thoracic area, so that was what was the deciding factor for me.

I honestly don't see how people could spend $170 on this garment, but I was willing to spend $77.

I think it works. At least to some degree, with weight loss. But there is one thing that I have realized that I want to tell you about. When I first started wearing it for longer periods of times, the lymph nodes in my underarms started getting swollen and tender. I knew the garment was supposed to help your body detox. But I didn't figure that it would detox that quickly. The swollen lymph glands was my body's way of telling me that boy, it was detoxing!! So I made the decision to put on my detox foot pads that night, and by morning the swelling was gone. I wore them an additional two nights, and will probably wear them a few days a week, to help my body detox the fatty tissue out.

I probably have lost about 5 lbs in the last 15 or so days of wearing this thing. I am impressed. But not at the price of $170. I have also read a lot about how poor the customer service is at the company. I tried chatting with their online customer service, and they basically hung up on me.

Another issue I have with the company is that it is an MLM company, and I can't stand those. Everyone tries to get you to start selling it... for a mere $300, you can get $300 worth of products and then start selling it on your own. I don't know much about their payment program, but I stay as far away from those as I can. Which is sad, since many MLM companies actually do have products that work. Except when you just get any old person to sign up to be a distributor, without the proper training, that is when you start to get in trouble with people making false claims about your company, then when it doesn't live up to those claims, your business suffers.

I enjoy just creating my own business myself, like Purify Your Body where I sell my foot pads, along with some other products I have been using for years, like OxyLift, OxyFlush, NutraSilver and MMS. I ship my own orders, take care of my own customer service, and have a customer base of over 4,000 customers now. Those are the companies that I like. I am not going out of business, and I will continue to offer very high quality products at the lowest prices that I can. Since I have a day job that pays my bills, I don't need to gouge my customers with high prices. Trust and honesty is important to me, and in return I get loyalty from my customers.

So... in conclusion, I think that the body magic garment from Ardyss works. (Oh, I forgot to mention that I didn't lose 2-3 sizes instantly... I am a size 10 and that would have put me at a size 4 or 6, and even at my skinniest, I could barely even fit into a size 6, so don't kid yourself on this one). I would strongly suggest looking on eBay (once you know your size) for better prices than a direct distributor.

Good luck!

The dirty little secret even you don’t know about BPA

Another good article about BPA from WC Douglass, MD!! If you have daughters especially, who are tweens, you really should start them wearing the detox foot pads. Even earlier, if possible. Kids are exposed to many more toxins than we were exposed to growing up.
-Rebecca

The dirty little secret even you don’t know about BPA

Dear Reader,

We already know that the industrial chemical bisphenol-A (BPA), used in manufacturing plastic food containers and food can liners, is bad news.

I don’t have to tell you that it’s already been linked with cancer, heart disease, and birth defects.

But the chemical’s latest dirty little secret may have the most devastating impact long-term.

BPA is responsible for pushing girls into early puberty.

The chemical is suspected to be one of the main players in a precipitous drop in the age our girls are starting puberty. The over two-year plummet since the 1960’s, has girls now hitting puberty in the fourth grade at about age 9. And this has experts in hormonal disorders and reproductive scientists...not to mention parents... quite concerned.

Experts say that when girls reach puberty so early they have a raised risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and even sexual abuse.

BPA is what is known as an endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors are synthetic chemicals that our body perceives to be natural hormones. In this case BPA is mimicking estrogen helping to trigger the push-to-puberty we’re now seeing.

Unfortunately, we’ve probably only begun to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the hormonal-havoc this chemical is capable of producing. And with detectable levels of BPA in 93% of urine samples tested, we surely will be seeing more of its effects.

While earlier this year the FDA finally admitted to having “some concern” about the chemical (this after having declaring it safe in 2008), they’ve made no efforts to ban the compound. So you, and your children, will likely be exposed to it for many years to come.

But there are some things you can do on your own to reduce your family’s exposure to BPA:

  • Immediately replace all baby bottles with BPA-free bottles.
  • Stop serving foods that come out of a can and switch to fresh and organic versions instead.
  • Don’t microwave foods in plastic containers. Better yet toss out any that have a number 7 on the bottom, which usually indicates that BPA was used to make them.
  • Replace your plastic containers and water bottles with glass, ceramic, and stainless steel versions instead.
Sadly, the old phrase “they grow up so fast” never rang more true than it does now.

-------------------------------

Detox Your Body with
Purify Your Body Foot Pads!
www.purifyyourbody.com

Minnesota Boxer Rescue
www.mnboxerrescue.org
Adopt a Boxer Today!

Christian t-shirts
www.faithhopecharitees.com
Keep the light of Christ with you!

Ponderings.

Fisher_of_men

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with my life. Too many things going on. Everything coming at me at once. I know I bring a lot of it upon myself, and I guess I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would like to hurry up and launch Faith Hope Charitees website and get that going. I think the Christian t-shirts will sell very well. We just have to launch the site and start promoting them. I still love the Fishers of Men shirt the best. It is what started this whole idea of mine to begin with.

This weekend is 4th of July weekend. I am looking forward to going to church on Sunday because our whole congregation sings our National Anthem and it is so powerful. The only time of the year when I am in a group singing it. My favorite part is I think the 3rd verse when it says "Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: In God is our Trust" -- because war is not a good thing, but it is a necessary thing sometimes, unfortunately. And if our cause is just, then God will be behind us. I truly believe that God is watching over our military, and I pray that they stay as safe as possible, and that they return unharmed, after fulfilling their duties.

My foot pad business is slowly picking up. I think that it is aligned with the economy, sluggish but there still. Many people are starting to worry more about the toxins that they are putting in their body, wondering why they are feeling so sick and tired all the time. So they are making a concerted effort to do a full body detox. It is doing wonders for them. And not only them, but their children.

Well, I will try to get some good sleep tonight, so I hope that I can get all my chores done!

My boxer sinking in the water!

Here is a video that I took last night of Aegis, my 2-year old boxer, sinking in the water and then learning to swim. I am glad he now knows how to swim, but I still worry about him! At about 23 seconds into the video is when he completely sinks underwater, and I scream and drop the camera to go "save him".


-------------------------------

Detox Your Body with
Purify Your Body Foot Pads!
www.purifyyourbody.com

Minnesota Boxer Rescue
www.mnboxerrescue.org
Adopt a Boxer Today!

Christian-inspired apparel
www.faithhopecharitees.com
Keep the light of Christ with you!

The Cucumber

Very interesting. I am thankful that I have plenty of cucumber plants in my garden that are flowering already! I will be getting cucumbers fresh from the garden within a few weeks! Can't wait!

         
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. 

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! 

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. 

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water. 


9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone! 

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean. 


13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! 

Pass this along to everybody you know who is looking for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems .. 

Dog Pack Attacks Gator In Florida

Dog Pack Attacks Gator In Florida

At times, nature can be cruel,
but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice manifested
within that cruelty. 

The alligator, one of the oldest
and ultimate predators, normally considered the "apex
predator", can still fall victim to implemented 'team work' strategy,
made possible due to the tight knit social structure and "survival of
the pack mentality" bred into canines.

See the remarkable photograph below
courtesy of Nature Magazine. 

Note that the Alpha dog has a
muzzle hold on the gator preventing it from breathing, while another dog
has a hold on the tail to keep it from thrashing. The third dog attacks the
soft underbelly of the gator.


Not for the squeamish...
 


Att00001

Nothing good about obesity

Another article from Dr. W.C. Douglass. If it is truly him writing these articles, I really enjoy his style of sarcastic writing and wit. Some of his topics are not ones that I really agree with. But, for the most part I think that he has most of his ducks in a row!

I know that I could stand to lose 15+ pounds. I know I fall within my normal body range (according to the BMI charts) but I am not comfortable at the high end of it. My clothes don't fit as well as they should. I don't exercise enough, and I eat too much. Maybe I don't eat the wrong foods all the time (I eat pretty healthy with sweets in moderation) but I really truly eat TOO much. I LOVE food! And top that off with not having much time to exercise, or when I finally do have the time, I am too exhausted to even do a single leg lift! Enjoy the article below!!!

Nothing good about obesity

Listen up good, because I'm going to say it as plain as I can: There is no such thing as healthy obesity, no matter how young you are.

I feel like the only sane person in a world gone bonkers that I even have to say that out loud -- but clearly, some people aren't getting the message.

Just look at the International Journal of Obesity, where a new study makes the ludicrous claim that if you're overweight and under 40, you're just as healthy as slender people. How'd they come to that conclusion? Because they take roughly the same number of prescription meds.

PUH-leaze.

It's a meaningless study that proves less than nothing... yet the Ohio State University researchers behind it say it's proof that younger adults can carry around some extra pounds with impunity.

But wait -- that's not even the most ludicrous part of this thing.

Study author Brant Jarrett, a doctoral student in neuroscience at Ohio State University, says the STRESS of worrying about your weight might even do more damage than the weight itself.

"What is all that stress and dieting doing to your body? Probably more damage than the extra 15 pounds is," he moaned in a news release.

Sounds to me like young Mr. Jarrett has been asleep in class, and he shouldn't win that doctoral degree until he wakes up. But knowing the state of education today, he'll probably graduate with honors.

This love-my-body claptrap is irresponsible and practically murderous -- and someone's got to put a stop to it before more people end up in super-sized coffins. Obesity is the single biggest factor in our national descent into disease, and you don't get a grace period on it. If you're overweight at any age, you are dangerously unhealthy, whether you're taking meds or not.

-------------------------------

Detox Your Body with
Purify Your Body Foot Pads!
www.purifyyourbody.com

Minnesota Boxer Rescue
www.mnboxerrescue.org
Adopt a Boxer Today!

Christian-inspired apparel
www.faithhopecharitees.com
Keep the light of Christ with you!

Heartwarming soldier tales -- Mowing Grass -- Priceless!

Mowing Grass -- Priceless

I hope the picture will go through for you - of this Army soldier in   Iraq with his tiny 'plot' of grass in front of his tent. It's heartwarming! 
Here is a soldier stationed in   Iraq   , stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt ( U.S. Soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns walking through the grass and the American soil -- to bring them good luck. 
Image0011
If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of a scissors. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.