A Nurse's Journey » animals

San Diego’s dirty little secret

Lillie — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 03:41:52 +0000

Transplanted beach bunny that I am, I love America’s Finest City. The beautiful weather and the friendly people of all shapes and hues. The city sports a coastline that is so picturesque that it makes your heart sing. But beneath it all, there is a dirty secret that most residents wouldn’t want you to know about. There is an army of terrorist waging their seasonal fight against the citizens of this fair city!

Personally I am putting on my imaginary pink hard hat, given to me by my cyber husband (that’s another story), arming myself with organic bug spray, and marching into battle against the hoard of ants that have had the nerve to invade my house!

Stop, before you say lock up the food. Everything will be alright. Wrong! These devils have bypassed my kitchen and marched into the sanctuary of MY bedroom. I do not eat in there or store treats in there so why are they there? I have been told they are looking for water. Well why bypass the bathroom and torture me?

I am putting them on alert. I will no longer stand for this and the fight is on. I have to be careful of the tools I use because of my allergies to chemicals. But its on and popping! This will be a fight to death.

I promise to use any and every organic weapon I can find. There may be million of you but the line is drawn. Lillie will not fail!

Charge! Let the best warrior win!!!!

How much is love worth?

Lillie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:12:21 +0000

Recently I read an article about a couple who spent over three thousand dollars for surgery for their six month old puppy who had made a meal out of some cds. I know that there are families with children that have no health insurance or some lacking meals. It may seem shallow to some. But if you are a true pet lover, they are family and I would personally spend what I could to save my fur child.

One of my golden retrievers had allergies. I did not have to fork over thousands of dollars at one time. But over her fourteen years I spent thousands for her special food, medications, and special weekly baths that the mobile groomer lovingly gave her. Since she was spoiled beyond belief, she and her sister got to drink beef flavored bottled water once a day.

How much is too much? Well when her sister was sixteen years old when she lost the use of her back legs. An operation might have helped but at her age she had a poor chance to survival. Being retired and now on a fixed income I did not have the money for the surgery. Three years later I still feel I failed her. But if I had been working I would have tried to save her.

Love has no price for a family friend. If you have the means and a way to save your friend. Do it! They give your more in return than money can buy.

Sugar and Spice

Fein knows the way to San Jose

Lillie — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:43:28 +0000

Unlike the cry of Dionne Warwick, Fein the eight week old puppy, does know the way to San Jose. Just get on the flight for Portland Maine and Delta will send you to San Jose California!

Fein’s human parent bought him from a breeder in South Carolina. The breeder put him on a flight to Atlanta. All went well until he got to Atlanta. Then the bottom fell out. Fein was then shipped out to San Jose. When his mom went to pick him up no one was able to tell her where he was until the next morning. Delta then put him on the red eye and got him home.

Folks this is the same airline that botched two kids flying on their airlines this past week. Sending one child meant to be in Cleveland to Boston and one meant for Boston to Cleveland. To make this right Delta refunded their fare.

But with Fein, someones fur kid, they have not uttered a word of apology or explanation. The person that took the complaint even got huffy with Fein’s parents!

As a dog lover I would be throat ripping out mad. We dog lovers are as passionate about our dogs as our kids. Why pay all the money that you shell out for airlines to take care of your kids whether they have fur or not if they can’t provide the service that they were paid for?

Killer whale the name says it all

Lillie — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:18:31 +0000

I love animals and animal shows. And since I live in San Diego I have been to Sea World and watched the Shamu shows many times. I have had mixed feelings when the experts oppose having these lovely mammals performing. While watching the entertainment the whales seem so gentle. But we forget they are large, wild animals with the ability to kill. And kill one did recently.

A 40 year old female trainer was killed by a infamous whale that has three slaying under his flippers. Tilikum ( which means friend) has killed before. I have a real problem with this. Yes I know that Sea World has invested thousands of dollars in this animal but what is a human life worth?

It is now time for Sea World to cut their loses on this one animal if not its whole killer whale program. Not one more trainer should be in harms way for entertainment.

Old age or stupidity

Lillie — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:43:37 +0000

A well renowned chef in Italy thought it was OK to share with his watchers that cat stew was a delicious dish. He went on to impart that during the war poor people ate this wonderful dish. I am not a cat lover but I would not eat one. If meat became scarce I would eat veggies before the furry friends would pass my lips.

It seems that this 77 year old chef refused to listen to his cohort or his producers and stop telling his tale about how good this dish is. Needless to say the phone rang off the hook with complaints. Is there any surprise that his show was pulled from the airways?

I want to know was this a case of a stubborn old man wanting to get his thought across or is this another case of a famous person who thought he could say what he wanted without repercussions? Either way chef Giuseppe Buyazzi now has time to enjoy the sites of the Italian country side.

Famous people you are only where you are because of the love of your fans. So get with the program. If you insult our senses you can fall like a stone. Enjoy your leave of absence! We pet lovers won’t miss you!

Is Oregon going Anti dogs?

Lillie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:27:14 +0000

Since I am a big dog lover, I thought that living in Oregon might be nice except for the rain and my arthritis. Dogs in Oregon have, until now, been welcomed in most places. Even those that served food. Now they have banned dogs from places’ that serve food even drink isles. I can understand the reason behind it if there had been problems health wise. But I wonder after all these years why now? I have seen children I would rather ban than dogs!

I am sure if the city father’s do a turn around in their policies of being a dog friendly town, they will have an uproar like they have never heard. Pet owners are a stanch breed and will go to great lengths to protect the rights of their furry children.

Keep the food areas safe and clean but do not take away the rights of owners to take their fur friends out to share needed time with their care takers.

PETA”s AHA moment

Lillie — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:08:58 +0000

I don’t think that Bill Robinson, the Black tap-dancing artist, could have done faster tap steps than PETA has done recently. They have shuffled and jived their way to remove the offensive billboard in Jacksonville, Florida, showing an overweight woman in a bikini, stomach spilling over saying “save a whale, go vegetarian.” PETA is now saying they removed the ad due to the overwhelming response they received due to the ad.

Oh, right. Remove a successful ad because it is doing its job. PETA, FAT DOESN’T MEAN STUPID! We the fat, (not a bad word) women see what went on. You got backlash like you never expected and had to double step into the wings and retract your ad.

Save the animals but also be a friend. Don’t forget that people are animals too!

Dogs: Angels without wings

Lillie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:23:06 +0000

Dogs have long proved that they are more than furry bundles of love. They become guide dogs and helpers for the handicap. On the home front they patrol and guard our living space. Many will take up the chore of being a companion to our children with only the asking price of a good meal, a clean bed and medical care when needed.

For my sixteenth birthday I got a mixed border collie. He was beautiful and oh so smart. I worked after school and made money that went to feed this friend the finest food including chicken and hamburger. He would not eat the peasant food from the can. After my mom told him he had to eat it when I went off to school he acquiesced.

My mom’s ears went out from an infection so temporarily she could not hear the ringing of the phone but could hear the voices. Husky made it his job to bark and run to the phone when it rang. How did he know to do this? Some dogs go to greater lengths to show their love for being taken in and loved.
This year’s pet of the year is Chichi a rescued abused little Chihuahua.

While sitting at the beach in his chair ignoring the playful cries of a child feigning drowning Chichi dozed in the shaded salt air at the beach. As the beach cleared out and later in the evening, Chichi began to bark in a frantic way. His owners saw two elderly women being pulled out to sea by the riptide. Chichi’s owners saved the women. They were so happy they went up to pet the new hero. But they were rebuffed with a growl. I guess he can save their lives but please, ” don’t touch me!”

PETA their own worse enemy

Lillie — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 23:18:34 +0000

I love a good cause and I support them when I can. I am an animal lover and at times have gone the vegetarian route. PETA is not on my list of groups that I could get behind and support. Their hard hitting and offensive methods get my underwear in a bunch. PETA is their own worse enemy sometimes. I recently read how they were targeting children at McDonald’s and thought that was as low as they could sink. But boy was I ever wrong!

I am fat I have always been fat. I have worked through years of feeling inferior because of it. So PETA’s new ads showing the expanded middle of an overweight woman in a bikini stating “save the whales go vegetarian” didn’t sit well with me.

Well PETA, you should have checked some facts. The average size of the American woman is a size 14/16 and we are wives, mother, and CEOs. We rule the purse strings and money that could fund your next projects. Alienate these woman and their supporters, and watch your money dry up.

Why insult people you need to help fund your causes?

Sports fans unite

Lillie — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:22:24 +0000

I am red faced, foot stomping mad. If I thought I could get off of the floor I would fall down and kick my feet like a child. The owner of the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to taint their roster with Michael Vick .

Yes dog lovers, this abuser of our furrier friends has been allowed back in the NFL. Some people say he deserves a second chance well I DON”T. I saw no remorse from this man. Jjust the look of someone who was sorry he was caught. The look on his face was one I have seem so many times in my work as a Registered Nurse, cold and disinterested. Will he do it again? YES! But he will be smarter this time as to not get caught.

I wish I had the money to travel to each game and picket it. I am not a big fan of PETA but if they are really on the side of animals they should be at every game.

PETA leave the children alone at McDonalds and make the Eagles sorry they took Michael Vick. He should not ever be rewarded for his horrendous behavior.

Bark is now worst than bit

Lillie — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:58:24 +0000

If you’ve been following this blog, you all know that I love dogs. These little bundles of love covered in fur are my best friends. I was disturbed by a story about a dog who was a habitual biter having his fangs shaved and capped to prevent further biting incidents. This seems extreme but was it necessary? I wonder if they tried medication? Dogs, like humans, can have anxiety problems. I must give the human family kudos since they seemed to have tried everything from obedience classes to sessions with the dog whisperer.

I have only had one dog that had a problem with nipping. This family was nipped even if they only walked past him. Our dog, “Stuffy”, used to love to lie on your feet. And the warmth felt great. But if you forgot that he was on your feet and moved them, he would attack your feet while growling at you. It was funny to us as he never broke the skin and being a large size family we looked funny skipping around this very tiny dog. I blamed his bad habits on having been raised in a household I would not have left dog or kids with. All of our love could not change his habit of nipping. As the owner of dogs who were raised to be a part of the family and had very kind temperaments’ it’s foreign to think that the family pet could be such a problem. I have never had excessive barkers, biters, or pets that knocked down visitors.

I truly think pets, like children, if raised with love and a kind strong hand, will respond with good manners. It takes a responsible parent to make sure this happens!

Elite Pet care

Lillie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:57:18 +0000

In the economic turmoil that is today’s world, if you want to start a business you had better have a really unique idea to make it work. Well hats off to the couple that has just launched an all pet airline!

Now for those of you who are not pet lovers this might seem a little excessive. But to those of us who love our pets, we know this is long overdue. Many pets have been given poor treatment at the hands of regular airlines by being placed in cargo bays where they have no human interaction and the climate is unstable. The heat is almost as bad as locking your pet in the car with the windows rolled up. Pets have also been lost. I remember the case of a show dog that was lost in NEW York some years ago never to be found again. It was frighten and got out of its crate when there was no one attending to this animal during a stop over.

This will no longer be a problem with pets whose human caretaker buys them a ticket where they will fly in the cabin reserved just for pets. They will have attendants to care for them. There will be no snack served but there will be walk breaks, individual carriers for each pet and potty stops.

The savvy couple who started this company is Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, who recognized the need after having a problem with their Jack Russell on a conventional plane trip.

Well good luck with this great business. I hope I will soon get a new pet and it can fly in the lap of luxury!!!

Fourth of July alert for your pet

Lillie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:18:05 +0000

Unfurl and hang your flags, the fourth of July is here again. We will celebrate our freedom from the oppressive countries across the pond. As we deck ourselves in all things red, white and blue, drag out the grill and lawn chairs, let the parties begin. The neighborhood will be alive with the smells of hamburgers. hot dogs and steaks. Let’s not forget one member of the family that this time of year can be a problem for. Our fur kids!

With all the rich food around, our furry friends will be practicing their “poor me” looks to entice treats from you. Well don’t fall into that trap. These foods are not good for Fido or Fifi. To much can cause them problems and in some cases their lives. If you can’t resist their sad eyes have a pet friendly treat ready for them and then don’t overdo it. Unfortunately pets to can become obese also.

With the hot grills and pets running around this can be a real problem. Try confining them in an area away from the fire. The smell of cooking food is a real magnet for hungry pets.

As we wind up the day by loosing our belts and leaning back in the lawn chairs to watch the beautiful fireworks, remember that pets don’t share your love for the loud noises. Some pets are not bothered by the noise. Others are comforted by just being near their owners. In more severe cases pets tremble, shake drool, try to hide, and some may even run away.

Using a pet carrier to give your pet a feeling of security may help. If outdoors use a leash. Taking your pet for a walk may prevent a “mistake” later. Be sure that the pet has proper identification in case it should get loose. In very severe cases, medication may be needed. But this is something to talk over with your vet.

Just remember fireworks may be fun for the humans in your family but the pets may not share your fervor. Reduce the stress on our furry friends and they will continue to provide you with many years of love and companionship!

What Next

Lillie — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:59:26 +0000

I wish someone would just build me a very large plastic bubble so I can stay safe from all the harmful things we are told to avoid. I am a lover of dogs. Dogs are to me the best friend you can have. They love you in good times and bad. All they ask is a good meal, fresh water, a clean bed, and lots of love and medical treatment when needed. When I read a recent article that pets are transmitting MERSA to their owners, I was upset. Is this something else I need to give up?

MERSA, the super bug, is known in formal settings as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, and has been seen in hospitals for years. It was borne from the over and improper use of antibiotics causing them to become stronger than the nasty germs they should be killing.

The first article made it sound like dogs, cats, and even horses were just waiting to pass this super bug to adoring owners with just an innocent nip or scratch. Further research led me to understand that MERSA is being passed back and forth between pets and their owners. This now makes sense to me. Any open wound can be a gateway for the MERSA infection and once you or your pet has it, the germ can be passed on to other humans or pets.

What can we do? Wash our hands after playing with our pets. Keep any wounds clean and covered. Never demand antibiotics from your doctor. Doctors know which illnesses need antibiotics. If given antibiotics, use them as prescribed. Do not just stop when you feel better! Take them all.

There is one other thing. MERSA is found in gyms and pool areas. In fact it can be found anywhere there are people with large areas of uncovered skin that could have open wounds. Beware and when possible keep your skin covered and use disinfectant.

MERSA is here! Be proactive whether it’s with your pets or the gym. It could mean your life.

We Must Do More Now!

Lillie — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:19:35 +0000

I feel that we are too complacent and wait for others to do something about problems that are facing us. The planet is in trouble and we are not doing enough to save our home. Many scholars are very sure that the very ice caps that supply us with fresh water and support many varied wildlife like the beautiful polar bears, are diminishing at a great rate. We continue to use our resources like there is a never ending supply. Well folk this is not true. Just look around. The Amazon forest is being denuded. The weather changes are changing the face of the landscape as we know it. We are losing a battle we have not yet begun to wage.

Some of you may remember the movie “Soylent Green” with Charlton Heston. It was set in a time when most of the world resources were gone and it left man with little food or other resources. We are not there yet. I feel that if we could look down the road we may turn a corner and be faced with problems we can no longer fix.

What can we do? We must recycle and that doesn’t just mean plastic bottles. We must stop being the throw away society. If you can’t use something and someone else can, DONATE IT! Don’t fill the land fills with perfectly good items you no longer want or need. Check the grocery shelves for products that are made from recycled goods. Go green! I am really sure that all the chemicals we use on a daily basis have a big effect on all the problems we are having with the increase of respiratory illnesses and the big jump in allergies.

Wake up! Everyday try to do something more to save our planet. She has been good to us. Let’s leave our children and grandchildren a healthy planet to live on! It’s the least we could do!

Wild kingdom in My Front Yard

Lillie — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:00:17 +0000

During my many years as a nurse I have read technical journals and believed most of the teachings. But I recently read expert reports where coyotes in urban areas live close by and or often not seen. I wish these experts would come to my neighborhood and tell the coyotes that roam my San Diego area to go hide.

I live in the city. We not only see coyotes walking the street in the sunny daylight but they jump over my five and one half foot fence like it wasn’t there. I called Animal Control and thought they would come out and get the coyotes. No way lady! They have more rights to be there than you. Think I should charge them rent?

This brings up another little problem we have that I didn’t see back east. A neighbor had a hawk try to carry off her small dog. The dog either was too heavy or got free but died from the wounds of the talon’s gripe. The hawk came back a week later for its mate but was unsuccessful.

This has me looking twice when going outside. The possums, raccoons, skunks, and yes an iguana are just a few of the other critters that frequent our hood. My last name is not Irwin (as in the late Steve Irwin) so if I sound like a big chicken cluck, cluck!! I didn’t sign up for this safari. But the weather is too good to leave.