Harley Commercial and two Engineers

This is an email conversation between Kurt (my boyfriend) and two of his friends.

From Kurt:

There is a commercial on the radio for Harley. They say, “Getting 50 mpg, the gas money you’ll save riding to work will darn near pay for the monthly payment.”

Let’s examine this fictitious person. He of course drives a Hummer H2 that gets an average of 8 mpg. He buys a Heritage Softtail Classic (MSRP $16900). Going price for one of those in July is $19000 plus $500 shipping and prep plus 8.9% tax makes the total price $21235.50. That’s assuming he doesn’t spend $5000 extra on chrome and Screaming Eagle pipes like most guys do. At a 72 month loan with $1000 down at 6.9% his monthly payment is $385. With gas at $2.00 per gallon, he would have to commute 77 miles round trip, 5 days a week in order to break even.

The Normal Friend:

Only an engineer would go through all the trouble to figure that out…Most people wouldn’t even be listening to the commercial, they would be talking on their cell phone and/or putting on make up and trying to change lanes and pick their nose all at the same time!

Engineer Number 2:

Christ, I feel like I’m taking the SATs again. =(
If a train leaves Boston at 5:30pm going 87 mph with 234 women and 126 men and 35 of the men are New Yorkers, how many Red Sox fans will be assaulted on their way to Los Angeles?

Engineer Number 2 sends a second email:

I get $344/month, rather than $385, (Bank loan calculator, $21,235.5 / 72 mo / 6.9% / $1000 down) for a payment which works out to 68.8 miles per day. (What does that make me, that I’m checking his math?)

However, you can’t ride/drive any vehicle for free, so on top of the monthly payment, we have to add gas for the HOG as the total monthly cost of ownership (I’ll generously neglect maintenance and repairs, since Kurt generously neglected chrome and Genuine Harley-Davidson accessories which always accompany a Harley purchase) and then compare that to the price of driving the H2 for a month in order form him to break even. So really, it comes down to the difference between how much it cost to drive the H2 vs. how much it costs to ride the Harley being equal to the monthly payment. At 50 mpg and against a monthly payment of $344 (since I couldn’t duplicate the $385), that works out to…carry the one, 81.9 miles per day round trip. Worse (91.7 mi a day round trip) if you use Kurt’s $385 a month payment. Of course, this assumes that the H2 is paid for and that he doesn’t trade it in for the Harley.

Or have I just wrapped myself around the axle? Shit. Aaaaand, I’ve gone cross-eyed. Yes, I’m fully wrapped.

Your turn to check my math, Kurt. =D

I recently read the book, “The Safe Shopper’s Bible”. Some of the alternatives to brand name cleaning products they mention are great and are probably much safer for the environment than brand-name chemical cleaners, but are they safe for the person doing the cleaning? I’ve looked up some of these “nontoxic” alternatives…

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water, and many natural cleaning guides list it as a “safe” alternative to harsh commercial chemicals. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains, and can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches. What a wonderful disinfectant cleaner… but if you go to http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov and look up borax and click on the first link under the heading “Information from other National Library of Medicine databases” you’ll find:

Human Toxicity Excerpts: Fatal doses for humans are variously est to be 5 to 6 g for children and 10 to 25 g for adults.
[Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton (eds.). Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology: Volume 2A, 2B, 2C: Toxicology. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley Sons, 1981-1982. 3059]**PEER REVIEWED**

By the way 5 grams is about a teaspoon! I’ve heard of many people using Borax as a carpet deodorizer – please please don’t ever do that if you have small pets or children. Using it mixed with water to clean bathrooms it’s great! – Just make sure to use gloves.

Borax and boric acid used in powders and ointments have resulted in serious poisonings and death.
[Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel and A. Sigel (eds.). Handbook on the Toxicity of Inorganic Compounds. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1988. 135]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chronic poisoning: (From ingestion, skin absorption, or absorption from body cavities or mucous membranes) prolonged absorption causes anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, alopecia, convulsions and anemia. /Boric acid & boron derivatives/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 361]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chronic poisoning: (From ingestion, skin absorption, or absorption from body cavities or mucous membranes) prolonged absorption causes anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, alopecia, convulsions and anemia. /Boric acid & boron derivatives/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 361]**PEER REVIEWED**

BECAUSE HIGHEST CONCN ARE REACHED DURING EXCRETION, THE KIDNEYS ARE MORE SERIOUSLY DAMAGED THAN OTHER ORGANS. /BORIC ACID & BORON DERIVATIVES/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 360]**PEER REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations: … Borax … /is an irritant/ … when in contact with skin & mucous membranes of the eyes, nose & other sites in the resp tract. …
[American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices. 5th ed. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986.60]**PEER REVIEWED**

Medical Surveillance: No specific considerations are needed for boric acid or borates except for general health and liver and kidney function. /Boric acid & borates/
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 139]**PEER REVIEWED**
Probable Routes of Human Exposure: These cmpd /Boric acid & borax/ may enter body by inhalation, ingestion or by skin absorption through mucous membranes or skin burns.
[International Labour Office. Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety. Vols. I&II. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office, 1983. 320]**PEER REVIEWED**

Sodium Perborate, an alternative to standard bleaches made with sodium hypochlorite. After reading about borax I think I’ll try and stay away from all borates, and stick to hydrogen peroxide as a bleach alternative.

Human Toxicity Excerpts: The fatal dose of boric acid, sodium borate, or sodium perborate is 0.1-0.5 g/kg.
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 360]**PEER REVIEWED**

In chronic poisoning with low levels of ingestion, there may be little more than dry skin and mucous membranes, followed by appearance of a red tongue, patchy alopecia, cracked lips, conjunctivitis, and sometimes periorbital edema and irritability. /Borates/
[Haddad, L.M. and Winchester, J.F. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdosage. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co., 1983. 931]**PEER REVIEWED**

Chronic poisoning: (From ingestion, skin absorption, or absorption from body cavities or mucous membranes) prolonged absorption causes anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, alopecia, convulsions and anemia. /Boric acid & boron derivatives/
[Dreisbach, R.H. Handbook of Poisoning. 12th ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton and Lange, 1987. 361]**PEER REVIEWED**

Skin, Eye and Respiratory Irritations: … May produce irritation of the nasal mucous membranes, the respiratory tract, and eyes. /Boron compounds/
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 138]**PEER REVIEWED**

Medical Surveillance: No specific considerations are needed for boric acid or borates except for general health and liver and kidney function. /Boric acid & borates/
[Sittig, M. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens, 1985. 2nd ed. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Data Corporation, 1985. 139]**PEER REVIEWED**

One shelf of simple and relatively safe ingredients can be used to perform most home cleaning chores. These are about as safe as it gets. All that’s needed is knowledge of how they work and which ingredients should be combined at what proportions to get the cleaning power needed for a specific job.

Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. It has a number of useful properties. It can neutralize acid, scrub shiny materials without scratching, deodorize, and extinguish grease fires. It can be used as a deodorizer in the refrigerator, in drains, on smelly carpets, on upholstery and on vinyl. It can clean and polish aluminum, chrome, jewelry, plastic, porcelain, silver, stainless steel, and tin. It also softens fabrics and removes certain stains. Baking soda can soften hard water and makes a relaxing bath time soak; it can be used as an underarm deodorant and as toothpaste too. Use baking soda instead of products containing ammonia and lye. Although Baking soda is slightly alkaline it will not burn and it is safe.

Borax – A naturally occurring mineral, soluble in water. It can deodorize, inhibit the growth of mildew and mold, boost the cleaning power of soap or detergent, remove stains, and can be used with attractants such as sugar to kill cockroaches. Many guides to safe natural cleaning list it as a wonderful alternative to harsh commercial chemicals. It is a wonderful disinfectant cleaner, and it is natural, however please don’t sprinkle on the carpet as a deodorizer or flea terminator where pets and children play. Go to http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov and look up borax and click on the first link under the heading “Information from other National Library of Medicine databases” you’ll find that the fatal doses for humans are variously est to be 5 to 6 g for children and 10 to 25 g for adults. By the way 5 grams is about a teaspoon! Boric acid & borax may enter body by inhalation, ingestion or by skin absorption through mucous membranes or skin burns. Prolonged absorption causes anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, skin rash, alopecia, convulsions and anemia.

Cornstarch – derived from corn, can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs, and starch clothes.

Hydrogen Peroxide an alternative to standard bleaches made with sodium hypochlorite. Most people are familiar with hydrogen peroxide as hair bleach and for disinfecting cuts, so we know to handle with care, but be aware that it is a possible carcinogen. This is still safer than regular bleach as a cleaner.

Lemon Juice, which contains citric acid, is a deodorant and can be used to clean glass and remove stains from aluminum, clothes, and porcelain. It is a mild lightener or bleach if used with sunlight.

Mineral Oil, derived from seeds, is an ingredient in several furniture polish and floor wax recipes.

Liquid Soaps (NOT detergent) is made in several ways. Castle soap can be used as a shampoo or as a body soap. Olive-oil based soap is gentlest to the skin. An all-purpose liquid soap can be made by simple dissolving the old ends of bar soap (or grated slivers of bar soap) in warm water and can be used as an all purpose disinfectant cleaner. Liquid soaps can be bought in health food stores and supermarkets in either the cosmetic or dish washing sections.

Pumice Stone – Excellent as a stain remover, pumice stones are available in health food stores, drugstores, and supermarkets.

Sodium Percarbonate, another alternative to standard bleaches made with sodium hypochlorite. Sodium Percarbonate is not the same as Sodium Perborate, which is a borate. Sodium Percarbonate is yet another alternative to standard bleaches. I could not find anything regarding the toxicity of this particular chemical. The closest I came was Sodium Sesquicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Sodium Carbonate, which I found are safely used in cosmetics. Sodium Carbonate is a skin and eye irritant due to the alkaline nature of its solutions. Sodium percarbonate is one of two chemicals found in OxyClean Multi-Purpose Stain Remover (Original Formula) – the other chemical is sodium carbonate (soda ash a.k.a. washing soda).

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP), a mixture of sodium carbonate and phosphoric acid. For environmental reasons most brand name earth-friendly cleaners stay away from phosphates. Phosphates create algae blooms, which eventually leads to a lack of oxygen in water. (http://www.seventhgeneration.com/household_hazards/phosphates.php) For humans, TSP can be irritating, caustic, and toxic if swallowed; however it does not pose long-term health hazards such as carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, or reproductive effects. TSP also does not create any fumes. It can be used on many jobs, such as cleaning drains or removing old paint that would normally require much more caustic and poisonous chemicals. Trisodium phosphate is available at supermarkets, drugstores, and hardware stores. Be aware that some products with the name TSP on their container do not actually contain trisodium phosphate. Read the label to make sure the product you buy contains trisodium phosphate. One warning: Be sure to use TSP only when it is diluted; wear latex gloves.

Vinegar – made from soured applied juice, grain, or wine. It contains about 5 percent acetic acid, which makes it a mild acid. Vinegar can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, remove traces of soap, remove mildew or wax buildup, polish some metals, deodorize, and disinfect. Numerous studies have verified the disinfectant properties of vinegar including those conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute, as reported on 48 hours (on CBS) in 2000. From Our Toxic Times, May 2001: Heinz Company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5% solution of vinegar (same stuff found in any supermarket) kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of germs (viruses), however Heinz can’t claim on its packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the Company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mix distilled white vinegar (found in any supermarket) with water and keep spray bottles of this non-toxic disinfectant in your bathrooms and kitchen – to disinfect and clean. Vinegar can clean brick or stone, and is an ingredient in some natural carpet cleaning recipes. Use vinegar to clean out the metallic taste in coffeepots and to shine windows without streaking. Vinegar is normally used in a solution with water, but it can be used straight.

Washing Soda (also known as sodium carbonate, soda ash, and sal soda) is a mineral. It can cut stubborn grease on grills, broiler pans, and ovens. It can be used with soda instead of laundry detergent, and it softens hard water. Washing soda can be found in supermarkets and health food stores. Use with care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.

Be Careful with Citra-Solv, Orange TKO, and any other product tauting the use terpene or d-limonene of thinking that their advertisements of “all natural”, “nontoxic”, and “biodegradable” mean that they are completely safe. I have found many pet sites that rave about these cleaners that “are so safe you can use them on your pet”. I began using Citra-Solv to clean my bird’s cage when I came across a well known and trusted bird web site where the author claimed, “It is the only solvent safe for use on bird feathers, but it should be removed after it does its work.” But I have found that Citra-Solv and TKO-Orange, concentrated solvents made of these citrus byproducts, are mildly neurotoxic.

Citra-Solv contains Coconut diethanolamide (Mild skin and sever eye irritant. Reacts with nitrites to form highly potent carcinogenic nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have been shown to readily penetrate the skin.), Nonionic Surfactants (Eye irritant), Limonene fraction terpenes (Eye, skin and respiratory irritant. Mildly neurotoxic.).

Orange TKO An ad for Orange TKO in Birdalog states:

Orange TKO is a safe and effective bird cage cleaner and stain remover that is safe for your pets, plants, and the environment. Diluted for general cleaning you can use Orange TKO around you bird with complete confidence. In a concentrated form it is a fantastic stain remover. The citrus scent is derived from it’s natural ingredients, not harsh chemicals. TKO uses d Limonene to safely control mildew, odors, bacteria, and removed stains.

What they don’t mention is that d-limonene is an eye and skin irritant, sensitizer, neurotoxic, teratogenic, and there is suggestive evidence of carcinogency. D-limonene is used in some paints and pet flea control products. It is passed off as safe just like in the ad above yet can cause vomiting, nausea, salivation, muscle tremors, staggering, imbalance, and other symptoms of nervous system poisoning.

From http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/florida/terpclfs.html (Enviro Sense, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s web site)

Terpene cleaners are mildly neurotoxic. They are known to cause respiratory distress and/or irritation and that “pleasant citrus fragrance” can very quickly become nauseating. There is a controversy about the carcinogenicity of D-Limonene. One preliminary study linked D-limonene to testicular cancer in male rats.

From http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ Erythema multiforme major and disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in a dog 24 hours after exposure to a d-limonene-based insecticidal dip. Clinical signs included severe lethargy and weakness, ulceration of the oral mucosa, and erythematous serpiginous, annular, and arciform lesions on the head, trunk, and limbs. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included leukocytosis with neutrophilia, normocytic normochromic anemia, thrombocytopenia, prolongation of prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, increased fibrin degradation products, hypoproteinemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia, azotemia, high serum alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, and high serum bilirubin concentration.
[Rosenbaum MR, Kerlin RL; J Am Vet Med Assoc 207 (10): 1315-9 (1995) ]**PEER REVIEWED** PubMed Abstract

/OTHER TOXICITY INFORMATION/ There is a diverse group of hydrocarbons that induce a specific spectrum of nephropathic alterations. Examples include d-limonene, an aromatic hydrocarbon. Only male rats develop kidney alterations upon exposure. Other mammals such as female rats, mice, guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys evidently are refractory to kidney injury upon exposure. The male rat hydrocarbon nephropathy should not be predictive of a normal human renal response.
[Alden CL; Toxicol Pathol 14 (1): 109-11 (1986) ]**PEER REVIEWED*

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Subchronic or Prechronic Exposure/ d-Limonene administered to dogs at 1.2-3.6 mL/kg/day for 6 months caused frequent vomiting and nausea and decrease in body weight, blood sugar and cholesterol. No significant change was observed in organs except in the kidney.
[Tsuji M et al; Oyo Yakuri 9 (5): 775 (1975) ]**PEER REVIEWED**

If a product has a warning against using on some plastics or can cause the rubber gloves used while cleaning to deteriorate I don’t want anything to do with them. I mixed Citra-Solv according to the directions to clean my floors.The first time I used the cleaner: After I finished cleaning I took the gloves off, and the tips of some of the fingers came off. I dismissed it as a faulty pair of gloves.

The second time: I had finished part of my cleaning and left a new pair of gloves in the bucket and returned one hour later to find my gloves were deformed.

I highly recommend using something else to clean pet cages with and definitely don’t use Citra-Solv or TKO-Orange ON pets. If your pet has something sticky on their fur or feathers try using peanut butter to remove it! As for a good general cleaner refer to my Safer Cleaning Substitutes post.

I decided to get a wolfdog because I like big northern breeds of dogs that I can go backpacking and skijoring with. I didn’t want to spend the money for a purebred Malamute or Husky. I didn’t see any puppies at the pound that looked like the breed I wanted, and I didn’t want to adopt an adult dog from the pound.

When I went looking for a wolfdog I really had no idea what to look for. I only had one other dog before Petie and that was a St. Bernard I grew up with (I love big dogs), so I really didn’t know much about dogs in general. All I knew was that Petie’s eyes were clear not weepy, breathing was good, belly didn’t seem to be full of worms, and that he feet were the size of snowshoes. The breeder told me Petie was 88% Timber Wolf mixed with German shepherd. I admit at first the thought of a wild animal living in my home with me seemed pretty cool. I don’t know that I considered it some kind of status symbol, but once the novelty of it wore off he became a part of the family in the same way anyone else’s dog might be to them. I saw both of Petie’s parents one of which looked like a white German shepherd with slightly smaller ears, and the other looked like a very tall husky without the curly tail.

Now that I look back I don’t think the adult dogs I saw were actually the parents. Neither of the two would have let me to believe I would have a 113lb beast. There is no way those dogs could have produced pups together with the heavy Malamute bone structure all the pups I saw seemed to have, but despite how the parents looked and how Petie’s turned out I still believed that he was what the breeder said until Petie was about four years old. Maybe I just wanted to believe I had an exotic animal, but after having Petie for now eight years, answering the same questions over and over again…there are times I wish he looked less exotic so that I can just take him for a walk without being bothered for once.

After learning more about Malamutes I’ve come to realize that Petie is just that, a big Malamute. I think the breeder had a litter without papers and knew they’d fetch more money for hybrids than paperless Malamutes. Most of the traits that so many WolfDog web sites list as being “wolfie” also apply to Malamutes. Those wanting to believe they have an exotic animal may disregard traits that don’t apply to their animal, just as I did, because a WolfDog is a mutt really. I rationalized that while my WolfDog was reported to be 88% wolf that he was more accurately a mere 75%, and therefore didn’t have all those high content wolf traits…just some.

I’m still of the opinion that people should have every right to share their life with whatever animal(s) they choose. I don’t see why some people believe it’s only acceptable for certain animals to be human companions and others are deemed inappropriate. They may say that the animals they wish to regulate a dangerous to humans, but shouldn’t it be the individual’s choice to decide to live on the edge? – So long as they are aware of and cater to the animals’ special needs, which include containment, diet, emotional, and medical well-being. They should also do everything possible to protect their family, neighbors, and neighbor’s property from the animals. This shouldn’t just apply to exotics, but to all animals kept as pets! I’ve read many accounts of domestic dogs attacking and sometimes killing people and I really don’t see how it’s less dangerous or different from a WolfDog attacking and killing. While the WolfDog owner needs to take extra care do to public opinion, local laws, and lack of any standard behavioral traits, I believe it all comes down to responsible owners.

So why did I use a deceptive a WolfDog title when I actually have a Malamute?

I want to catch the attention of people who have or are considering a WolfDog as a pet. Because it’s important to learn about how similar WolfDogs seem to other dogs according to what is described on other web sites about WolfDogs, and how they are not the same at all, so that they really know what to expect.

Take the time to learn about the breed of dog including any special needs that type of dog requires BEFORE before bringing it home, especially any large dog breed. Large dogs can be much more difficult to care for because of food and veterinary cost, housing requirements, public fears, and public lack of respect for large dogs. And due to their size are more dangerous than small dogs if not properly trained and socialized, which is why you only see large breed dogs on the “dangerous dog” lists. Large dogs in general are just not for everyone, and people considering a WolfDog should REALLY do their homework first!

Think About This …

• Every day 60,000 more puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. than people.
• Each year 10-12 million animals are euthanized in shelters for lack of homes.
• In six years, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs.
• In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats.
• Purebreds account for 30% of all shelter animals. Just because an animal has “papers” doesn’t mean it should be bred.

Before you breed a pet to “see the miracle of birth,” you should “see the truth” about pet overpopulation. Visit a local shelter.

Spay or neuter your pet. It is the single most important thing you can do to prevent animal cruelty.

This low-cost surgery offers many benefits.

If you cannot afford to spay/neuter you can’t afford that pet!

If you have a large-breed puppy the sooner you get it done the cheaper it’ll be (smaller dose of anesthesia). I believe six weeks is the youngest vets can perform this surgery. If your vet insists on waiting until your healthy pet is six months old – go to another vet! That is an old standard. It is much better to have it done sooner, especially in the case of male cats…unless you like it when they spray urine all over you.

Peace of Mind

Did you know that a spayed or neutered (sterilized) animal is better behaved?

Males

Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unsterilized, unsupervised males roam in search of a mate, risking injury in traffic and in fights with other males. They mark territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on surfaces. Indoors, male dogs may embarrass you by mounting furniture and human legs when stimulated. Don’t confuse aggressiveness with protectiveness; a neutered dog protects his home and family just as well as an un-neutered dog, and many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

Females

While their cycles vary greatly, most female cats exhibit the following signs when in heat: for four or five days, every three weeks, they yowl and urinate more frequently — sometimes all over the house — advertising for mates. Often, they attract un-neutered males who spray urine around the female’s home. Female dogs also attract males from great distances. Female dogs generally have a bloody discharge for about a week, and can conceive for another week or so.

Canines not spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than sterilized ones.

Good Medicine

Did you know that a spayed or neutered animal will live a longer, healthier life?

Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) or neutering a male (removing the testicles) are veterinary procedures performed with the same general anesthesia used in human medicine. Both surgeries usually require minimal hospitalization.

Neutering a male cat or dog by 6 months of age prevents testicular cancer, prostate disease and hernias. Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent pyometra (a pus-filled uterus) and breast cancer; having this done before the first heat offers the best protection from these diseases. Treatment of pyometra requires hospitalization, intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics and spaying. Breast cancer can be fatal in about 50 percent of female dogs and 90 percent of female cats. With an older, seriously ill animal, anesthesia and surgery are complicated and costly.

Responsible Care

Did you know that you can help prevent the suffering and death of countless animals?

One cat or dog who has babies and whose babies have babies can be responsible for the birth of 50 to 200 kittens or puppies in one year! Almost everyone loves puppies and kittens, but some people lose interest when these animals grow up. As a result, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. Rarely surviving for more than a few years on their own, strays can die painfully by starvation, disease, freezing or being hit by cars.

Just the Facts, Please

Myth: A female cat or dog should have a litter before she is spayed.

Fact: Many veterinarians are practicing perfectly safe early sterilization. The likelihood of developing mammary tumors or uterine infections increases the longer a female goes unspayed. In fact, a female spayed before sexual maturity (6 to 9 months of age) has one seventh the risk of an intact female of developing mammary cancer. Spaying a female eliminates the chances of developing pyometra, as the uterus is removed at surgery. In dogs, spaying before the first heat cycle is virtually 100% effective in preventing breast cancer. Not quite as good in cats, but almost!

I don’t think the myth of needing one litter comes from a safety fear but from a people projecting their desires to be a parent. As far as anyone knows, dogs do not grieve their lost capability to reproduce like a human might. Dogs reproduce to ensure survival of their kind, not to nurture a pup for 18 years, watch it go off to college, establish a career, marry, become pillars to the community, and produce grandchildren. Female dogs nurse their pups for a few weeks, teach them doggy social skills, and move on. Male dogs have no fatherly duties, and do not recognize pups as their own.

Many men carry a macho Neanderthal attitude towards neutering their male dogs again; they’re projecting their own feelings of inadequacy about the loss of reproductive ability on their manly dogs. These men usually buy their dog as a trophy or manly symbol and should really look into getting a sports car or monster truck instead.

Myth: Spaying or neutering (sterilization) will alter my pet’s personality.

Fact: Any slight changes will be positive. Regardless of the age when spayed or neutered, your pet will remain a caring, loving and protective companion. Neutering will reduce the need to breed, and that has a calming effect on many animals. Both neutered male canines and felines tend to stop roaming and fighting and lose the desire to mark their territory with urine.

Myth: Companion animals will become fat and lazy if they are neutered.

Fact: Absolutely not! Lack of exercise and overfeeding make pets fat and lazy — not neutering. Your pet will not gain weight if you provide exercise and monitor food intake. Neutering is good for your pet, since sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than unsterilized pets.

Myth: Sterilization is a dangerous and painful surgery for my pet.

Fact: Spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed on animals. With a minimal amount of home care, your pet will resume normal behavior in a couple of days.

Myth: Children should witness the miracle of birth.

Fact: Countless books and videos are available to teach your children about birth in a responsible manner. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is teaching your children irresponsibility. Anyone who has seen an animal euthanized in a shelter for lack of a home knows the truth behind this dangerous myth.

If you want your children to witness the miracle of birth, volunteer as a foster home at one of your local animal rescues. I’m sure they will happily provide a pregnant cat or dog that you will be responsible for until their puppies or kittens are weaned (about six weeks old). Usually the rescue will even let you keep one of the kittens or puppies that you fostered.

I agree with part of this, but not all (see below)….

After hearing that the state of Florida changed its opinion and let a Muslim woman have her picture on her driver’s license with her face covered this is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper. He did quite a job; didn’t he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the “politically correct” crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

The above I agree with to a certain extent, but multicultural communities dilute our sovereignty and identity? Here is the definition of sovereignty:

1. Supremacy of authority or rule as exercised by a sovereign or sovereign state.
2. Royal rank, authority, or power.
3. Complete independence and self-government.
4. A territory existing as an independent state.

We still have the constitution and are still independent from other countries. I don’t see how adding different cultures to the mix diminishes the law and independence of a country, and the mixture of other cultures is what created America’s identity. Just look at what we eat! Pizza (America’s version of Italian food), Hot dogs (America’s version of German food), Ketchup (derived from the Chinese ke-tsiap, a pickled fish sauce), Cheesecake (believed to have originated in ancient Greece), Tacos, Teriyaki…

“In God We Trust” is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.

By an Act of Congress, U.S. currency has carried the motto “In God We Trust” only since 1957. In 1955, Congress passed a law requiring that “In God We Trust” appear on all U.S. coins and currency. The first paper currency with the motto appeared in 1957. This was right after the McCarthy era, during the early Cold War, when no congressperson had the balls to stand up and remind people that our government was supposed to be secular so that anyone could practice their own beliefs.

“In God We Trust” did appear occasionally on a few coins, starting with a 2-cent piece in the 1860s, probably in an attempt to put “God” on the side of the north during the Civil War. In 1956, an Act of Congress adopted “In God We Trust” as a national motto. The original motto, “E Pluribus Unum” (“out of many, [come] one,”) celebrating plurality, still appears on the Presidential Seal and on some paper currency, and should be the only motto…notice the original is a godless one?

This country was NOT founded on Christian principles:

U.S. treaty signed by President Adams. In 1797 the United States entered into a treaty with Tripoli, in which it was declared:
“As the government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility [sic] of Mussulmen . . . it is declared . . . that no pretext arising from religious opinion shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” This treaty was written under Washington’s presidency, and it was ratified by Congress under John Adams, signed by Adams.

Our nation was founded as a secular government. There is no mention of any deities in the Constitution.

The First Amendment begins with these words:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; . . .” The two clauses are referred to, respectively, as the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.

President Thomas Jefferson coined this phrase “wall of separation between church and state” in a carefully crafted letter to the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut in 1802. It has since been widely picked up and invoked in major Supreme Court decisions.

Through the country is runs on a majority rules theory the Bill of Rights was created to protect minority groups. I use the following two examples to show that Christian religions also evoke the first amendment right to freedom of religion not just the non-Christians.

In 1890, bible reading was outlawed from Wisconsin schools. — A Roman Catholic family objected to the exclusive use of the Protestant King James Version of the bible. The court barred all bible reading from Wisconsin public schools. [State ex rel. Weiss vs. District Board, 76 Wisc. 177 (1890)].

The U.S. Supreme Court outlawed student-initiated prayers at high-school football games in 2000. The Texas lawsuit was taken by a Catholic family and a Mormon family who had children who were being harassed by the born-again majority in the public schools.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don’t like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don’t care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every! citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.

The phrase “under god” was added in 1954 as a response to the “Red scare”. Congress figured that adding “under god” to the pledge would separate the real Americans from those evil heathen atheist commies. The original pledge was first published on September 8, 1892 in the magazine “Youth’s Companion” with no reference to a deity. I see no reason to add god to a pledge to one’s country, and would prefer going back to the original pledge. Those that wish to add a deity to the pledge to their country may, but a our secular government should keep it out in order to serve all!

This is an email I’ve received a couple times:

By Rick Mathes

Last month I attended my annual training session that’s required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: “Please, correct me if I’m wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven.

If that’s the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?”

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, “Non-believers!”

I responded, “So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven.Is that correct?

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, “Yes.”

I then stated, “Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!”

The Imam was speechless. I continued, “I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who
tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?”

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the ‘Diversification’ training seminar were not happy with Rick’s way of dealing with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim’s beliefs.

I think everyone in the US should be required to read this, but with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized. Please pass this on to all your email contacts.

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known leader in prison ministry.

So you think Christianity is some how better than other religions?…Christians aren’t supposed to like infidels either just look at the your own holy bable – I mean bible…

2 Chr. 15:13
That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Dt. 13:6 – 10
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

But you say, “Christians don’t have to follow the Old Testament!” Really?…Are you sure?

Mt. 5:18-19
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Lk. 16:17

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Here’s what a friend says about Christians not following the Old Testament:

I’ve heard the argument that Jesus came to make a new covenant with man and in so doing, wipes away the OT, or something along those lines, but for any Christian to claim that the Old Testament isn’t relevant or whatever is just crap. If the Old Testament was no longer relevant, why was it canonized? For reference? It’s the word of God, no? Was God wrong for 39 books and a couple thousand years? The only reason Xians make that argument (about the NT replacing the OT) is as an excuse for all the hideous, angry-God, polygamous, incestuous, murderous shit in the OT.

Cursing, sexual innuendos, the explanation of current sexual slang, and playing a children’s potty training tape with the words “doodie and poopie” on the radio and showing nipples on TV will make your innocent child’s head explode but censoring internet porn would be a violation to free speech. I’m confused! Oh but sexual innuendos shown on commercials such as, the Herbal Essence woman faking an orgasm is absolutely fine. And the explanation of current sexual slang on TV is ok as long as it’s on Oprah, which airs right when kids get home from school. Do they just throw these things in a hat and mix it around to decide what they will claim is in yours and your child’s best interest? Either allow free speech or be more clear and consistent in governmental parenting!! If the thought police are to be invoked like in George Orwell’s 1984, make sure to pass out dictionaries containing the newspeak and remove all the horrible un-words.

I can’t figure out why Ashcroft is even pushing this again. There is software that can be placed on the computer a child uses…it works as well as hiding porno mags and sex toys in the top shelf of the master closet, or paying for full cable TV while expecting the kids to never sneak up late to watch HBO, Cinimax or some other late night soft porn station.  At some point parents will just have to break down and explain it all to the kids themselves, which is called parenting – it’s what parents should do not the government.

As a kid, the first time you were in a library with a group of friends what were the first two words you looked up in that huge unabridged dictionary that sits on that tall stand in the middle of the room?…Shit and Fuck… When you became a little more sophisticated, say in junior high, you’d look up fag, faggot, and maybe orgasm. Fag and faggot were actually a disappointment in the 80’s editions. Are we going to go back in time? Will censoring the dictionary be Ashcroft’s next conquest? Should Webster and the libraries that carry copies be fined $50,000 per book and instance of each profane word for placing material that is “harmful to minors” within easy reach since the dictionary defines slang meanings such as fuck off you fucked up fuck head?

High Court Upholds Block of Web Porn Law
Jun 29, 11:14 AM (ET)

By ANNE GEARAN

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a law meant to punish pornographers who peddle dirty pictures to Web-surfing kids is probably an unconstitutional muzzle on free speech.

The high court divided 5-to-4 over a law passed in 1998, signed by then-President Clinton and now backed by the Bush administration. The majority said a lower court was correct to block the law from taking effect because it likely violates the First Amendment.

In considering the issue a third time, the court did not end a long fight, however. The majority voted to send the case back to a lower court for a trial that could give the government a chance to prove the law does not go too far.

The ruling in Ashcroft v. American Civil Liberties Union was the last of nearly 80 cases decided in a busy court term that ended Tuesday with no announcements that any of the nine justices would retire. The year’s marquee cases involving presidential power to deal with suspected terrorists were announced Monday, and for the most part represented a loss for the Bush administration.

The majority, led by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, said there may have been important technological advances in the five years since a federal judge blocked the law.

Holding a new trial will allow discussion of what technology, if any, might allow adults to see and buy material that is legal for them while keeping that material out of the hands of children.

Justices John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter, Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg agreed with Kennedy.

Tuesday’s pornography ruling is more nuanced, but still a blow to the government. It marks the third time the high court has considered the case, and it may not be the last.

The ACLU and other critics of the antipornography law said that it would restrict far too much material that adults may legally see and buy.

“We’re very pleased with the decision,” ACLU lawyer Ann Beeson said. “The status quo is still with us and the court made it safe for artists, sex educators and Web publishers to communicate with adults without risking jail time.”

Beeson said that after repeated losses in court, the government may choose to drop any further defense of the law. There was no immediate word from the Bush administration.

The law, which never took effect, would have authorized fines up to $50,000 for the crime of placing material that is “harmful to minors” within the easy reach of children on the Internet.

The law also would have required adults to use access codes and or other ways of registering before they could see objectionable material online.

For now, the law, known as the Child Online Protection Act, would sweep with too broad a brush, Kennedy wrote. “There is a potential for extraordinary harm and a serious chill upon protected speech” if the law took effect, he said.

Kennedy said that filtering software “is not a perfect solution to the problem of children gaining access to harmful-to-minors materials.” So far, he added, the government has failed to prove that other technologies would work better.

In dissent, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and justices Sandra Day O’Connor, Antonin Scalia and Stephen Breyer said the law is constitutional and should be upheld.

Restrictions about who would be covered by the law and how it would be enforced “answer many of the concerns raised by those who attack its constitutionality,” Breyer wrote.

Congress had tried repeatedly to find a way to protect Web-surfing children from smut without running afoul of the First Amendment.

The justices unanimously struck down the first version of a child-protection law passed in 1996, just as the Internet was becoming a commonplace means of communication, research and entertainment.

Congress responded by passing COPA, saying the new law met the Supreme Court’s free-speech standards.

The ACLU challenged COPA immediately, arguing that the replacement law was every bit as unconstitutional as the original. The law has been tied up in the courts ever since.

The ACLU challenged the law on behalf of online bookstores, artists and others, including operators of Web sites that offer explicit how-to sex advice or health information. The ACLU argued that its clients could face jail time or fines for distributing information that, while racy or graphic, is perfectly legal for adult eyes and ears.

Material that is indecent but not obscene is protected by the First Amendment. Adults may see or purchase it, but children may not.

A Philadelphia-based federal appeals court has stuck down the law twice, on both broad and fairly narrow grounds.

The case is Ashcroft v. ACLU, 03-218.

I was working at this “part time” job where part time apparently means 6 to 14 hours a day six days a week…I’d hate to be full time! The woman I worked for started a company out of her house that uses Border Collies and Australian Shepards to herd geese out of parks so that people can swim in the lakes and sit in the grass without all the poop. I was a dog handler/driver. It wasn’t too bad a job except for the insane boss. All I did all day was drive from park to park and walk one of her dogs. Not too rough, but she had all these insane little rules, and after working there for a month I found out that she has 21 dogs…sixteen of them are kept in airline-type kennels inside her house. They’re only let out for ten minutes twice a day, and only four of them are used for work. In this county you’re supposed to have a kennel license if you have more than four dogs on your property, so I sent out a letter…below is an edited (took out/changed her name, address ‘n stuff) version. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 10, 2004

County Auditor
Licensing Division

To Whom It May Concern:

I currently work as a dog handler for Chris. Chris has 20 acres of land in which she keeps horses, sheep, turkeys, ducks, and dogs. Though she told me she had 17 dogs I actually counted 21. Sixteen of her dogs are kept in airline type kennels inside her house, with no water. The kennels for the dogs inside the house do seem to be the appropriate size for the individual dog that lives in it, but each dog is only allotted ten minutes outside their kennel twice a day to: go potty, drink water, and play. I’m not sure if this qualifies as dog abuse, neglect, or anything, but their living conditions are bad enough that it’s bothering me to not inform someone about it. I don’t think Chris has a kennel license, but either way I would really like to have someone do an inspection regarding the living conditions of her 21 Border Collies and Australian Shepards.

All of the dogs appear to be well fed and healthy (of course I’m only speaking as a plain ‘ol pet owner). Five of the dogs are kept in pens that are about 4’x4’ out in the barn. I don’t know if they’re ever let out to play, but even if they’re not at least they have some room. I’m not as concerned about the barn dogs as I am about the sixteen inside the house.

Four of the dogs (Rhett, Troy, Sam, and Gail) inside the house are used for goose work (herding geese out of parks). The rest of the dogs are retired workers, breeders, or younger dogs (Rim, and Chet) that will be trained for goose work.

The House:
There is stuff stacked from floor to ceiling through out the house, and it’s all covered in several layers of dust and dirt. There are cobwebs everywhere and rats scurrying around in the cupboards! – I have actually seen one run across the floor in front of me. Four of the sixteen indoor dogs are kept in kennels in what would be a dining room just off the kitchen. The other twelve dogs live in a room that is approximately 12’x8’. One entire wall of the dog room is lined with stacked kennels. The walls in the hallway leading to the dog room are coated in dirt and mud from the dogs passing through. Once I saw Gail (the dog I work with) walk across the little bit of carpet that can be seen in what would be a living room and clouds of dust lifted from her steps. None of this would really affect the dogs since they’re kept safely in their kennels, but the air inside the house is terrible. It is literally difficult to breathe in this house…especially when the windows are closed. I really have no comparison for how thick the air is inside that house, except one that very few others have experienced: It’s very much like when I went into the solids room of the sewage treatment plant where my father worked in Alaska.

When the dogs are let out, I don’t think they’re allowed to roam Chris’ twenty acres, but sent to one of the seven outside pens (I’m not entirely sure about this part). The outside pens are about 3’x3’. I looked in the outdoor pens Sunday June 6th 2004 and they all have tall weeds inside as if they haven’t been used at all, but there was also some fresh poop inside one of them. I know none of the dogs are *kept* in these pens.

Possible Animal Abuse:
On Thursday May 20th 2004 I returned from working and went into the house to put Gail back in her kennel. Two of the dogs on the second tier of kennels bark at me every time I’m there, but one was always much more aggressive. She would curl her lip and grow, lunging at the door of her kennel. I had told Chris about this dog’s behavior, and she told me that three of the female Australian Shepard breeders had been used as her guard dogs at one time. I only know two of their names, Eve and Indy. On this particular day Indy (the one more aggressive towards me) had growled and lunged to the point that her kennel was teetering and about to fall on the floor. I put Gail away and quickly left. I was too scared of Indy, even though she’s in a kennel, to push her back into place. I called Chris to let her know what was happening and why I didn’t try to push the kennel back. The next day was my day off. On Saturday May 22nd 2004 when I returned from work I noticed that Indy was very quiet. She wasn’t even standing in her kennel. I looked at every dog to see if she had been switched with another dog, but the only dog barking aggressively was Eve. I was still afraid of Indy, and I didn’t want to open her kennel to see if she was wearing some kind of bark shock collar. Since she is still (as of June 7th 2004) quiet and clam when I go in the room I’m don’t think the dog was drugged, so I can only assume she was abused or something. I don’t want to ask Chris. I can’t really believe anything she says anyway.

I keep in contact with one of Chris’ former employees, and he emailed this story to me about one of Chris’ Horses:

This has to do with her former roommate who supposedly let some dogs in the corral to harass her horse. When she found the horse it was lying down and stuck under the barbwire fence, suffering apparently from a heart attack or the horse equivalent. Of course there was no sign of the mysterious dogs or the roommate. And of course Chris did what any self-respecting horse owner would do: She got out a whip and flayed the poor animal to the point of death. This is because you are supposed to make a horse stand up at all costs (she says). She beat the horse all night and next day called the vet. The horse was in such a way that even the vet cried.

His story about this horse makes me wonder about a story that Chris told me about a former employee (not the employee that told me the horse story) that had abused Gail. Chris said that she never witnessed the abuse herself but was some how able to demonstrate to me how the employee would kick Gail in the chest with the heel of her boot in order to keep Gail from running ahead while on a leash. I don’t know if Gail had to have surgery because of that abuse or for something else, but when I accompanied Chris to her vet on one occasion the vet mentioned Gail and how close to death the dog had been. I didn’t ask what had happened or what the injuries were, but from working with Gail I know that if she exercises too much she starts to favor her right front leg. Chris’ Vet is: #### Veterinary Hospital ####. (###)-###-####.

Address & Directions:
Chris’ house is a blue two-story mass of rotting wood built in 1925 not the nice little trailer you pass by on the right. Keep going on the path. There is a gate that is usually locked… smile you’re on her camera at this point. As you follow the driveway around the house there is a pen to the right with ducks. As of June 10th, 2004 there are three ducks…one has been dead for four to six weeks, but has not been separated from the living ducks. Chris has another camera that looks out onto her vehicles, and if you’re able to get her to invite you into her house you can smile again…there is a third camera in her kitchen…it’s in the smoke detector. I hope you’re current on your tetanus shots.

I’m a current employee of Chris’, so please keep my identity private. I realize it won’t be hard for her to figure out since I’m the only employee right now, but I still would like to try and keep this anonymous. I’m hoping that she will think it’s a past employee that has been giving her problems…I’m not the only one concerned for the dogs. I took some pictures of the dogs in their kennels today. The film hasn’t been developed yet but if you’d like to see them, or if you have any questions you can reach me at: (###) ###-####

Thank you,

Erica

P.S. If you find that this situation is severe enough to remove the dogs from Chris I know someone who would really like to adopt Rhett.