Rumor Has It

Do you think you attract mosquitoes more so than the average person? Well, you may very well be right. It seems that certain people do attract mosquitoes more than others and are more apt to be bitten. In other words you will be their dinner! There is something else I did not know…male mosquitoes do not bite humans. Only female mosquitoes bite, as they need human blood to develop fertile eggs. Interesting!

As to who attracts mosquitoes, research has shown that people with high concentrations of cholesterol in their skin are more apt to be bitten. This is not to say that you have high cholesterol, but that you may be more efficent at processing cholesterol. High levels of uric acid also attract mosquitoes, as does the emission of carbon dioxide. People that are more prone to omit higher levels of carbon dioxide include pregnant women, those that are overweight, and those that are active or exerting themselves.

So, if you want to avoid those pesky mosquitoes at your next outdoor event it seems advisable to eat veggies with no butter, urinate frequently, and lay in your chaise lounge for the duration of the event. Sounds like fun, huh?

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I love vegetables fresh from the garden! I like them raw, but I like them even better cooked. Many people say that cooked vegetables are bland. Not if you cook them correctly. If you overcook them, they certainly are. The best way to cook them is by steaming them in a steaming basket or by cooking them in a sauce pan with a small amount of water. All you need to do is bring your water to a rapid boil, add a dash of salt (some people don’t..I think it is a must), your favorite herbs that compliments the veggie and cook over a slow boil until tender crisp. You want your vegetable to retain it’s color, or actually it should even become a bit more brilliant, and to be to your desired crispness…the crisper, the more nutrients and flavor it retains. You can add any number of herbs, seasonings, oils, or other vegetables to compliment the flavor of your main vegetable. There  is no reason to ever think of your garden fresh vegetables as being a bland dish…the combinations are as endless as your imagination.

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I have been having a bothersome day with yellow jackets, I think one in particular has been out for me! I am at a friends house while she is at the beach, so I am doing her everyday tasks, which includes her gardening and flowers. Well, come to find out, there is a yellow jacket nest under one of her bird baths and I seem to have upset the dear things. I suppose I understand why. As I was filling the bath, one flew into the bowl and I proceeded to attempt to drown it..to no avail. It escaped and it seems for the rest of the day it has been able to find me, no matter where I have been! Honestly, I think it must be the same one or it’s mate. I have been sitting on the back deck every evening for the past 3 evenings and have not seen one yellow jacket. Tonight I could not sit down without this single yellow jacket making a beeline (lol) in my direction!!!

I know that yellow jackets are not bees, but are actually in the wasp family and are a very aggressive specie of the wasp. They will sting you, will follow you if you disturb their nest, but normally they follow you from the nest only as far as they can see you. They are also known to sting you without provocation. They are most aggressive at the summer’s end, normally after they have quit tending to their young. What seems unusual is they are less agressive while tending to their young, possibly because they are busy or pre-occupied. Though, if you disturb their nest during this time they are fierce defenders of their young and their nest and will aggressively attack. Unprovoked attacks seem to be more common after the young have left the nest.

I think I upset one that just kicked her kid out! She sure did come after me this evening! I moved out of her way, she was very persistent, to the point of sending me inside. Now, I thought, is this fair? I deserve to sit here, enjoy the evening and relax. Well, I eventually stood my ground and defended my rocking chair. I found that streaming spray in the green can…this Yellow Jacket will no longer be a problem.

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Rumor, you may ask? No, this is true and one lucky mare by the name of Lovey became the recipient. She is a rescue mare that was brought in by the Humane Society Rescue Family in Arkansas. She was severely malnourished, sick and riddled with infections. She had one infection that had caused approximately 6 inches of her right front leg to fall off, she only weighed 650 pounds, more than 200 pounds under weight. She was nursed back to health and by some luck on Lovey’s side and knowing the right people on the rescuer’s side, a decision was made to make her the reciepient of the prosthetic leg. The surgery was done and deemed a success.

She is only now beginning to walk on the new leg and is somewhat tentative. The doctors and owners say it will take therapy, that she will have to realize that she has the leg and will not fall over when she puts weight on her right front. She had adapted to her life without a leg and was living life in a pasture without it, so she will have to re-learn how to walk on four legs.

I find this story full of promise, especially for the performance and race horses that have been put down after performance injuries. In the case of Eight Belles, this probably would not have been an option, because she had broken two front legs. But, just think of how many fine horses that could be saved with these prosthetics…the numbers are overwhelming? I have no idea how many horses are put down every year due to leg injuries and  leg disease? I know this could save many of them from euthanization. What I also know, is that I am only dreaming that this is an option when it comes to the high dollar horse industries, the horse that is no longer performing but has a good insurance policy. I am not going to go any further with this part of the story, you know what I mean, and besides this is a “feel good” story…I forgot.

So, Lovey, we wish you the best of luck. Run free in green pastures, toss your head, whiny at your neighbor, and live up to your name, love those people that have given you the gift of a full and happy life.

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I recently read a book of fiction that was loosely based around a search and rescue dog and his owner which led me to research this fascinating working canine further. The dog and owner team are called to natural disasters, building collapses, or any number of occurances where there may be trapped humans under rubble, trees, even water. They will find the living and the deceased, finding the deceased affects the dog in a negative manner. These dogs actually become very depressed and will remain so for days, if not weeks, if they continue to find more of the deceased than the living.

There are two types of search and rescue dog, one is the scenting and the other the trailing. The scent dog works of a target odor produced by a piece of clothing from the person of which they are searching. The sniff the air for skin cells that drop off of the person’s body. These cells float in the air or over the water allowing the dog to pick up the trail. The dog works off lead, sniffing the air, but is directed by the handler to work the area where the search and rescue should be concentrated. The team will spread out if and as needed. The scenting dog is best used on searches immediately, or within the first few days, after the disaster happens. Waiting too many days compromises the search as the skin cells will fall to the ground. Since these dogs scent the air, contamination is not a problem.

The other type is the trailing dog. They also use articles of clothing and skin cells, but they use the cells that have dropped to the ground. The best trailing dogs are known to be bloodhounds, not only because of their keen scense of smell, but their long ears that trail the ground. Their ears and folds of skin will pick up the  scent of the skin cells, trapping that scent, allowing the bloodhound to trail for weeks on end. A trailing dog is better able to track an old trail, but can be confused by contamination if too many people have tried to search the area. Contaimination can occur when the skin cells of others have also dropped, causing the dog to become confused. Given a good clean trail a bloodhound is an invaluable scenting dog in new or old searches.

These teams provide an invaluable tool to police agencies, disaster relief, and distressed families across the world. The majority of the time their work and time is volunteered. Their dedication to their work has to be a love of mankind, but I also beleive it is a love of man/woman and their best friend, their dog.

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I am still concerned over the breakdown of EIght Belles and wonder if it could have been prevented? From what I have read, the answer is possibly. Of course, the answer is yes ”if” she had missed this race altogether. This is not to say that she would not have broken down in her next race. One cannot “if” this situation though, it “did” happen, so the question is, what can we do to prevent this in thoroughbred racing?

Secondly, could her diet have been one that would have concentrated on bone, joint, and cartilege health? Many blame breeding practices, training methods, or just plain old greed in the breakdown of the racehorse. I am not saying any of these reasons pertain to the breakdown of Eight Belles and in her case we will probably never know. I feel sure that this filly was fed the best diet available during her training and racing schedule, but what about as a weanling, yearling, those days prior to training? How was her dam fed while she was in utero?

I would like to examine nutrition a bit closer. From what I understand, the idea of bioactive nutritional products and grains that owners can feed their breeding stock, the stallions and mares, the parents of the horse that will eventually go to the track, that will aid in the development of stronger bones could be the answer to preventing breakdowns. This concept is called nutrigenomics, a study of how bioactive feed components can affect gene expression. Mares and stallions raised on these feeds will produce foals that are stonger and healthier athletes with stronger bones and joints. Not only will the offspring be healthier, but they will be better able withstand the demands of the rigorous training and competitve race schedules. Can we be sure this will prevent breakdowns…No. There will still be unscrupulous breeders, training practices, owner’s greed, but if this will help one horse to escape the heartbreaking outcome of that of Eight Belles, it would be worth the entire (expensive) study. Actually, I believe it will save many horses, and is a worthwhile study.

It is not a novel idea, bioactive feeds, yes maybe, but feeding a healthy diet to mares in gestation is not. I always gave my gestational mares high protein grains, nutritional supplements to encourage bone and joint developement, supplements for pretty much anything and everything that you can think of. I remember I gave them vinegar for awhile because it was supposed to have some hidden power, I have forgotten what? This only goes to tell you that most breeders will feed their mares the very best available, hoping to get the next champion on foaling day. When I say “most breeders”, I am referring to “hands on” owner/breeders, not the large breeding farms where the horses have ear tags and go by a number. All this aside, I think the best answer is in changing the entire racehorse industry’s mindset and not start these horses until they are three year olds. A two year old is too young to withstand the demands of such  rigourous training techniques as we see in thoroughbred racing. If the industry is not going to change their practices, they can change the way they treat the very thing that gives them a multi-billion dollar industry.

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Affirmations: A positive assertion. Simply said per Webster’s, but are affirmations something we can use effectively in our everyday life to help us change behavior? If we use them correctly, and with dedication, they will help us overcome negative habits, such as smoking, over-eating, impulsive spending…the list goes on. I will concentrate on affirmations and smoking cessation, as this was helpful for me. I recently quit smoking, breaking a 20+ year habit and I found affirmations to be very beneficial.

1. Make a list of some of your positive attributes. Write them in the present tense (such as “I am courageous.” or “I am a good mother“). Make a list of all your attributes, think hard, you have more than you think. Go back over these and focus on them instead of dwelling on what you perceive as your negative points. This may sound simple, but it is truly difficult for people to look at themselves in a positive light, they tend to dwell on their negative points. Focus on these affirmations, with conviction (don’t just say the words) and begin to remove the negative thoughts from your mind. Every time the negative thoughts come in, replace it with a positive thought.

2. Your next step is to make a goal using affirmations. “I can quit smoking”. Make the script a positive one, not “I want to quit smoking”, make it an emphatic and powerful statement about something that you can, and are going to do.

3. Write your affirmations from #1 and #2 on 3×5 cards or paper that you can fold and put in your wallet, anything that you can take with you while away from home. You can begin stating these affirmations to yourself daily and set a “Stop Smoking Date” or go ahead and Stop now, you will know what will work best for you. If you select a date in the future, make sure to put that date on the calendar and write the affirmation “I will quit smoking on whatever day you selected”. Some people choose to cut back, but this rarely works. If you try this method, your affirmation would be, “I am going to smoke amount of cigarettes today”, then cut back daily. Just make sure you write your affirmation on paper and look at it and repeat it to yourself often. Every time you want a cigarette, repeat your affirmation and repeat as many of your affirmations from #1 that you need to until the urge passes. I chose to quit totally, no cutting back, no putting it off. This seems to work best for most people.

4. When you get the urge to pick up a cigarette (and you will), repeat an affirmation such as, “I am smoke-free today” and your positive affirmations from #1. I promise it does get easier. I still have to use my affirmations occasionally, but have found that they are beneficial in other areas of my life as well .

Good Luck!

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I don’t know what to do now on Sunday mornings at 9 am? I have been doing the same thing for almost 17 years, so I find myself lost. In the death of Tim Russert, not only have I lost someone that I considered a fixture in my life, but I have lost someone that felt like a friend as well.

Tim was the best political journalist and analyst in America. He held the politicians accountable to the American people, Tim made us feel as if we could or could not trust this candidate. I would tune in on Sunday mornings to Meet The Press to hear him grill them on the issues, be it fairly, but he did hold their feet to the fire. They had better come well prepared and remember what they said 20 years ago…he did. I would tune in to Today the morning after a primary, a debate, any large political event, saying out loud, “I want to see what Tim thinks?”. It mattered that much, I am not the only person that did this either. In watching the news coverage of his death, I was astonished to hear so many people saying the very things that I felt, doing the same things that I did.

Tim Russert will be sorely missed. His political insight will never be matched. I am not sure what the American people will do without him to guide us in the political process. I am certain that this loyal viewer will give his replacement more than a fair chance, because the person that takes his place will be someone that Tim would have wanted there, if not someone he selected to fill his shoes. We all know this decision is almost monumental, given the impression he has made on the american people, it is going to be a  huge order to fill. But I think we owe it to Tim to give his successor a chance, he would not want it any other way.

Tim, this is one viewer and fan that will forever be grateful for the insight into the political process, in your helping me get to know the politician before election day, and making me feel as if I made an informed decision once I left that booth. I appreciate you and all that you have taught me through the years. I will miss your wit, kindness, and your sense of humor. Even though you are no longer with us, you are still giving me and many others important information, lesson’s on how to live a fulfilled life. Mr. Russert, I will miss you.

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Current Mood: Alarmed

Rumor has it that we are going to have our 12^th thoroughbred in history to win the elusive Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Well, this was certainly a rumor. As has happened many other times in the historical Belmont, our hopes were once again zapped, as were those of the fans of the favorite, Big Brown. I, as most others, do not think it was the 1.50 mile Belmont length that broke the hopes of his owners, his fans, even people that don’t know anything about a horse or a hoof. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed, 30 years ago, in 1978. I think everyone felt like it was about time for us to have a new hero and this fine young stallion appeared to be truly a superior horse, more than good enough to be our new hero. This season had already been marred by the loss of the beautiful, high quality mare, Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby. We all became physically ill, our hearts broke as we saw the big, black mare lay motionless on the track. Little did we expect to hear so quickly that she had been immediately euthanized due to breaks in both front canon bones at the fetlock area. We were desperate for a hero this season, evidently the owners were too. I am afraid Big Brown’s loss will only bring more negative news.

First of all, his owner and trainer made a decision to run the stallion with an injury, a quarter crack to his hoof. I have had several horses with this injury, and when I learned to recognize them and treat them the horses recovered well. However the do require adequate treatment and it is not a short term treatment. When I was young girl, I lost a mare to this problem. I had no idea what was wrong with her and the infection became so extensive, her hoof split, and we had to euthanize her. So, yes they do require treatment. The infection normally begins in the coronary band and will continue toward the center of the hoof. The crack will normally become thicker as it grows inward, which leads to more instability, inflammation, and infection. In the case of Big Brown, his crack was spotted and treated immediately, as well as around the clock, but this crack was only found May 23^rd, not very much time to treat the problem. Big Brown did not have the type of crack that was just a little split, his was actually an infection inside the hoof, an abscess….these are worse than the minor splits. His abscess was treated and did clean and dry up before being sutured, but I just can’t help but think all this happened in a very short period of time. It was also very close to a long race on a hard track where a sore foot would be striking the ground repetitively. Quarter cracks are one of the most common causes of lameness and/or decreased performance in show, performance, and race horses. Another reason I would think twice about running my horse, but from what I understand Big Brown was to be retired from the track. This was Brown’s third problem with foot lamenes in a relatively short period of time. He has also had two abscesses in each front foot that caused hoof wall separations that laid him up for 45 days or longer last winter. All this certainly makes one question the soundness of Big Brown’s feet, is it a genetic problem or just a problem that this young stallion seems to possess. It is a problem in my opinion though…three issues of lameness in less than a year’s time. It could be an infection problem though and have nothing to do with the quality and over-all apparent greatness of this horse. As you can tell, I am torn.

This being Big Brown’s last race would not have been a surprise had he been the Triple Crown Winner. We certainly would not want something to happen to such a valuable stallion! If we had only known? His track earnings were already over, his true earnings were to be in his career as a breeding stallion, ESPECIALLY if he had been a Triple Crown Winner!!! If he were lame, it would not affect his “money making” career, only his physical and mental health???? I personally have made the decision to take my own horse out of the show ring while treating a quarter crack. My reasoning is a personal issue, one of humane treatment of the horse, a better heal with less chance of re-occurrence, and a longer show career with a sound horse as a end result.

Secondly the controversial issue of using anabolic steroids on race horses and other performance horses. These steroids are believed to boost stamina, power, and decrease fatigue. This seems even more glaringly disturbing than the quarter crack issue. Steroid use has been banned in thoroughbred racing as a performance enhancing drug, but it can be used to treat respiratory and abdominal illnesses. Testing is extremely slack, basically everyone jokes about who has the best vet, not who has the best horse. We were told in the pre-race show today that Big Brown has not had a steroid shot, or steroids of any kind since April 15^th. It takes 30 days for steroids to get out the horses system. As we watched the horses run the Belmont today, something was not right with big bay stallion (you may call him brown, but he is really a bay). We did not see him round the turn and break away for the finish line as he always does. When his jockey, Desormeaux asked him to “kick in his jets“, that is what he always looked like…he appeared to listen to his jockey and take off as if he had jet rockets attached, leaving his competition lengths behind him. He was always so thrilling to watch as he rounded the turn. He was not, I was afraid he was going to break down…maybe a heart attack, an internal bleed, I did not know, but I knew something was wrong. Not until the race was over did I start thinking of all these circumstances, all these things that are not unusual at all when you look at “the big picture“. Was it the heat, was it the lack of a monthly steroid shot, especially when he was experiencing a very serious injury. Could using the controversial shots make a good horse appear to be a great horse??? Even a great horse cannot run to the best of his ability when there is the slightest bit of laminitis from a healing or healed quarter crack (or as Mr. Dutrow said a “no issue“ quarter crack…I have found that there is no such thing as a no issue quarter crack???). Or can we hope that the great horse had too many unfortunate circumstances stacked against him today, too many negatives that even a great horse could not overcome. Let’s hope that this is the situation.

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Rumor has it that a lapdog is a canine bred for it’s extremes in small size and at one time could only be owned by those of the Chinese Royal Palace. Guess what, this is not a rumor. One might think it is, by the way our celebrities “tote” their tiny balls of fur every place they go. But no, today you do not have to be royalty to own a lapdog.

At one time these little dogs were bred as tiny imitations to a larger looking breed. For instance, the Toy Poople and the Standard Poodle, similar looking dogs, but much different in size. Actually if you look at them up close they really don’t look all that much alike at all. With the same style hair, we do make a good point at making them look as if they are tiny imitations of the same dog, but come on people, the same breed, give me a break! In this day and age these minature dogs have become pets of the rich (or those imitating the rich) and seem to have become status symbols. They are not only our pets, but their fashion accessories too. There are clothes, jewelry, pocketbooks to carry them in, and more, all at astronomical cost to the owners. These pet boutiques have also made a pretty penny for those that had the foresight to see this coming.

Oh well, if this is the type of pet you fancy, all is well. I can’t afford it. These little dogs really do need these boutiques, because they really do need these clothes (especially in the winter). They need sweaters, hats,  and a couple of coats because they are so cold natured, shiver constantly so they cannot maintain their body temperature and will freeze to death if the temperature dips below 50 degrees! Enjoy FooFoo, I will have to stay with Fido.

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