"Spoiling" Can Be Murder

I've had a dog for most of my life. Since the first family dog, Mooch, dogs have been important to me. These days I don't own one, since the care and feeding are out of my money range and I won't subject an animal to poverty. But there are still dogs in my life, and I hope there always will be.

Until the day she died my mother had dogs, but they weren't disciplined or well cared for. They were also spoiled with human food on an hourly basis. In any event they weren't given things that could poison them. But I know some folks who do give their dogs foods that could really harm them. Here is a list I gleaned from the ASPCA and vets' websites:

Alcoholic beverages
Avocadoes
Chocolate (all forms)
Coffee (all forms)
Tea (all forms)
Fatty foods
Macadamia nuts
Hops (as in beer)
Moldy or spoiled foods
Onions, onion powder
Raisins and grapes
Salt
Yeast
raw dough
Garlic
Sugar (all but honey and maple syrup)
Products sweetened with xylitol

All are potentially deadly foods for dogs. This is not a comprehensive list, as many purebreds and others have allergies as well. By posting these, I'm hoping people will be more informed and not think it's funny to give their dog a sip of vodka or beer for their own amusement. Dogs aren't people, they have a different system of digesting and different chemistry to us. What some people think of as treats and entertainment can very well be deadly. Please pass this information on to dog lovers you know. What's done in innocent ignorance can lead to dire consequences.

Fat Tuesday

How did we get to Lent already? I'm just getting the year correct on my checks, and here we are sliding toward Easter.

Too much has been going on to tell, so I can't do it justice so I'll wait til I can.

There's this really annoying headcold that won't leave. I've tried everything- even the fresh air, even fasting, even Nyquil-like substance -and you get to feel ok for 1 day, then slam you go again. So until this is gone I will be found in various states of hibernation.

By then, the snow may be gone. Sometime in May, I'd guess.
Stay well! Don't get it!
Later...

Ding Dong! Church Ladies Calling

OK I dropped everything to write this short blog.

This morning, awaiting my prescriptions in hellpaingoddammit mode, a knock at the door, well, light battering might describe it. I get up, yell, "I'm coming", and open the door. There are two middle-aged women in very 70s suburban winter dress. One says, "Oh I see you have trouble and you came to the door." The other launches right into the salespitch, "We just wanted to spread some neighborly cheer in these sad and troubled times...blah blah blagh." Dramatic pause. "These are such hard times." Both of their banana-curled blonde heads dip in a nod to mark something or other. The shorter one holds up a book, a stormcloud sunset shot with infotainment faith font in white, saying something comforting and threatening in a very white-people-only way. "I'm not Christian, thanks," I say, and make to close the door. "Well, maybe you'd just like to have this book and give it some thought." I laugh. "I'd like to go sit down," I say. Then both start chattering. I raise my hand and wave and close the door to their bye-byes.

I thought I was safe here.

Bizzy Backson

I'm very busy, friends are changing careers, starting biz, needing my eyes and brains, Plus I'm writing up a storm in the book I'm putting together so I'm just too bizzy to blog.

Not complaining- it's a lifesaver to be needed and really makes you think you haven't been thru whatever you've been thru for nothing. And maybe we'll all help each other out of the rut. In any event, it's good work and my way of volunteering since I can't leave the house.

But I wanted to giva a rec for San Fran Herbs. They're a great company with way reasonable prices and I've dealt with them for over 20 years with not a problem. If you're needing an herb, look em up:
http://www.sfherb.com/store/botanical-herbs-bulk,category.asp

February's coming- find comedy!
xxx

This Winter Snows

Earlier it came this season
Than in many of recent remembrance.
Not deeper, certainly colder,
It stays white.
Around here we take it in stride,
For the most part.
The chronic madness
in grocery stores
Goes on.
"Gonna snow!
Gotta have a chicken!"
Still, it joyfully swirls to earth in the lamplight.

Snow is Nature's way of telling you
That beauty can kill.