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Read This First Before You Shovel That Snow!

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 22:10:00 GMT

Old Man Winter - did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or what?

All over the country, and the world for that matter, unsuspecting good citizens have been blasted with pile after pile of snow. The white stuff has made a starring appearance this year, more so then I can ever remember. Now, living in Virginia, it hasn't been so bad here. But the Northeast has been pounded. On a day when we did get quite a bit, I went outside to shovel my driveway. I think I would rather have run a marathon. The next day, I felt like I had been shoved in the washing maching on the imaginary "wring" cycle. Which led me to wonder - shovelling snow? Really? Am I a wimp, or is this more dangerous than I thought?

Answer - it was more dangerous then I thought. Each year, shoveling and snow-blower injuries result in more than 100,000 serious emergency room visits in North America. Some are just old injuries which are aggravated. But much more are very, very serious. Some suffer heart attacks and even death. We tend to think of snow as light and fluffy. But when it builds up, it becomes very heavy. Not to mention the fact that we repeat the same motion over and over again. All that upper body usage is something our bodies may not be used to, even in the fittest human beings. We don't think of snow shovelling as an exercise, and a heavy one at that. This is where we make a big mistake.

So what can we do? Well, for one, stretch and warm up BEFORE you go outside. Just like before any other strenuous activity, you need to warm your muscles up to prevent any strains or injuries. Another good tip is to layer your clothes. It may be cold outside, but you're going to heat up fast from all that bending and lifting. It's better to dress in layers that you can peel off as you go along. Also, make sure you keep water nearby. Yes, I know it's 17 degrees outside. But, as with any other exercise, you need to hydrate. Do NOT partake of any nicotine or caffeine, i.e. smoke a cigarette or drink a cup of coffee. This will cause your heart to work faster, which is the last thing you need.

Another important item to pay attention to is your technique. Many experts recommend pushing the snow rather than lifting. If you do have to lift, bend at the knees and step in the direction that you are shovelling. Don't forget to breathe. If you feel out of breath, stop until you can catch your breath. Sometimes it's a good idea to break the work up - for instance, clear one half of the driveway and then clear the other. Another great idea is to share the work with a partner. Maybe you can shovel half and then they can clear the other half. This is a great way to get the job done.

I have loads of clients that come in to me with injuries right around a heavy snowfall, and when I ask how it happened, nine times out of ten shovelling snow is the culprit. Now, I'm not saying don't shovel when it does snow. It's a necessity, obviously. But if you know the right techniques, are aware of the dangers, and take precautions, it can be a lot less scary. Don't forget after shovelling - try taking a hot epsom salt bath to keep those muscles nice and loose. Also, don't forget to book your massage the next morning. And if you're in the Richmond area, call me for the job.

Be safe, and thanks for reading.

Gratitude - Wherefore Art Thou?

Carrie Kinnear — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:03:00 GMT

As I was cleaning the house the other day, I had "House Hunters" on the TV in the background. Now, for those of you who aren't familiar with House Hunters, the program takes a family or an individual who is looking for a new house and presents them with three houses to choose from, of which they eventually pick one in the end. This particular family was shopping in Atlanta, Georgia. They had a budget of about $1.3 million, and were ideally looking for a three car garage, as well as basement room, for their three children. The third house they looked at was beautiful, with a basement the size of my whole house combined. Upon reaching the garage, the wife looked around and said, "Is this a two car garage?", to which the real estate agent replied, "Yes, it is". The wife looked at her husband, crossed her arms, and said, "Now, THAT's a deal breaker".

A deal breaker? I was in disbelief. The house had everything they wanted, and it was bigger than my house and my neighbor's houses combined. But because they couldn't fit a third car in the garage - it was a no go.

I thought about this and thought about this, and for some reason, it really irritated me. It got me thinking about what we are used to in this fast, easy world, and what we take for granted. Now, before I go any further - I need to put out a disclaimer here, that I will end up sounding like a whiney old fuddy duddy. You know the type - "In my day", blah blah blah. But really folks - have gratitude and humility completely been thrown out the window? As an American who has lived in another country before, I am painfully aware of the image that is portrayed to other countries about the lot of us - and of course, this is just a stereotype, but stereotypes ring true for a reason. We are seen as convenience driven, wasteful, and above all, just not understanding how lucky we are. It's not just Americans who are seen this way either - really it's the entire Western world.

It's not our fault. First off, we do become accustomed to what we have. I know I do. If the drycleaning shop isn't open or the card shop opens at ten and not nine, look out! Our convenience has become our downfall. Also, we are accustomed to getting bigger and better things over time - upgrading, if you will. We hear it all the time. "I need that new phone". Well, you really don't NEED it. Unless yours has broken. You WANT it, sure. But you don't NEED it. Either way, we are all guilty of wanting more, and that's ok. But what happens when you get it? Gratitude, and genuine gratitude at that, are your next step.

My husband and I just bought a new house, and you had better believe I give thanks every day. Perhaps not out loud or in front of people, but all the same, I give thanks. I have a house, a car, and a career. Sometimes work can be up and down and I panic in the down times. All the same, I always try to show gratitude. You see, many believe that in giving gratitude, you are like a magnet, attracting positive energy as opposed to negative energy. The more you give thanks, the more you will have to give thanks for. I'm not talking about winning the lottery or drastic measures like that. It's the small things, building up over time, that you will notice.

What am I grateful for? A roof over my head. Good friends. Supportive family. My beautiful cats. The woods in my backyard. A car to get me to work everyday. A job that I need a car to get me to work everyday. Going out to breakfast with my husband. Everything, big and small, is included. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect. There are times when I am down and I stamp and pout and get angry about things that didn't go my way. I find that when I am in a state of thankfulness, even if things aren't going quite so well, it really does improve not only my mental state, but my physical state as well. I feel so much better when I have that overwhelming state of yes, things are going pretty good right now. Pitfalls are normal. It's how you get out of them that counts. That is a definite work in progress for me. Recognizing that is half the battle.

So remember - try to be thankful, as much as you can, for the little and the big things in life. It can really change your perspective on the world. Now....if I could just not fall asleep so early at night....then I would be eternally grateful.

Non-Profit Giving - Try It This Holiday Season!

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:25:00 GMT

The holidays are coming - we all know that. How could we forget? Most retail stores have been shoving it down our throat since September. Don't get me wrong - I DO love Christmas. I love the decorations. I love the loving spirit. I love the cold weather (it's just an excuse to cuddle up to my hubby, I'll admit - but what's wrong with that?). I could do without all the stress of cards and gifts, that's for sure. I am claustrophobic so just the thought of going out on Black Friday fills my heart with fear. Over the past few years, I, like millions of other hard working Americans, have started to buy most of my gifts online. There's still no replacement for actually going INTO a store, but it seems like online, you do have more choices. You can go to practically any site and find practically anything. About two years ago, I discovered something that makes me feel even better about the holidays - charity sites that give when you give. It's a win-win situation! Let's look at this further.

One of my favorite sites is The Greater Good Network. The Greater Good Network features lots of different websites inside their own website. You can literally pick and choose which charity you want to support. Do you love animals? Try shopping at The Animal Rescue Site (www.theanimalrescuesite.com). As well as featuring their own "Purple Paw" products on anything from sweatshirts to mugs to jewelry, they also feature an array of items from around the world. You can find beautiful handbags handmade in Tibet, kitty wine stoppers, recycled ornaments, huge Buddha statues for your garden.....I can't think of anyone where I couldn't find something for them here. Your purchase goes to feed shelter animals. The donation varies by website. The Hunger Site pays for food for malnourished people in countries around the world. The Breast Cancer Site pays for free mammograms for needy women. The Literacy Site gives free books - you get the idea. When I shop at these websites, I truly feel that I am giving more than just a handbag or a plant holder - I am giving so much more.

The best part is, on The Greater Good Network, you don't actually have to buy anything to help. If you click once a day on the homepage button on any site of your choice, they will donate from that site to those that need it. For instance, if you go to the Animal Rescue Site and click on the button, they will donate one bowl of food to shelter animals. Easy peasy! This idea has been copied over the years by many non-profit organizations. On www.thenonprofits.com, they have a comprehensive list of many non-profits worldwide. All you have to do is point, click, and you have made a difference. What a simple way to do a little bit of good - imagine if everyone clicked everyday. What a snowball effect we could create!

Another great place to shop is The Non-Profit Shopping Mall (www.nonprofitshoppingmall.com). This site is a little different from The Greater Good Network. You still choose your favorite charity first (they range from the ASPCA to The Surfrider Foundation to EarthShare). The difference with the NPSM is that they allow you to shop at websites you would normally shop at, instead of having their own special suppliers and products. You can shop Target, The National Geographic Store, Nordstrom, Staples, and Best Buy, to name a few. All of the retailers and/or service providers listed on the site pay a commission to NPSM for sales that originate through the NPSM website. NPSM then donates a significant portion of those payments to the nonprofit selected by the consumer. The percentage noted beneath each retailer's logo represents the percentage of each consumer's purchase that is donated to the consumer's designated nonprofit. That percentage varies from retailer to retailer, and is fully disclosed on our website, along with direct links to the retailers' sites. (http://nonprofitshoppingmall.com/info/faq/#q2).

So before you just shop at any website this holiday season, why not try these two first? And they aren't the only ones; there are loads of websites online that give to good causes from consumer purchases. The economy is low right now and times are rough; it's not always easy to give as much as we would like to. But these websites make it so easy to give from gifts that we were going to buy in the first place. What a joy to know that we are making a difference simply by shopping. Try buying gifts with purpose this holiday season; it will do you, and the rest of the world, a world of good.

Plants Poisonous to Animals

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:04:00 GMT

Any of us who own a pet and truly cherish that pet know that there are so many dangers lurking out there for them. Many dangers are in our homes and can vary from medications (both human and veterinary), insecticides, human food (grapes and chocolate are especially harmful to dogs and cats), household cleaners....the list goes on and on. But some of the most dangerous items are those items right under our noses....our household plants and shrubbery. These plants may look beautiful, but many pose serious threats to our furry companions. Some may cause low-grade reactions and may be able to be treated at home, while others can be deadly. Let's take a look at some of the worst offenders:-

Sago Palm - this plant is one of the most dangerous around for pets. Also known as the Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads, and zamias, it causes symptoms ranging from vomiting, increased thirst, bruising, liver damage, liver failure, and death. Once a pet eats just a small part of the leaves or other part of the plant, the effects are pretty much irreversible. If you have pets, or have friends who visit with pets, avoid this plant completely.

Azalea - Also known as Rosebay or Rhododendron, this plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, weakness, coma, cardiovascular collapse and death. Even ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Symptoms occur a few hours after ingestion and include among other things, loss of appetite, loss of coordination and frequent bowel movements. Eventually the animal will become idle for two or more days; sometimes improvements are seen but more often than not the animal will go into a coma and pass away. Again, if you have animals near, stay away from this plant too.

Lilies - Strangely enough, cats are the only species known to be affected by lilies. This would include all lilies (Stargazer Lily, Japanese Show Lily, Red Lily, Asian Lily, Tiger Lily, Easter Lily, Wood Lily, Rubrum Lily, etc.). Symptoms can include vomiting, lethargy and kidney failure. Death is also a very possible outcome. So no matter how much you love your lilies at Easter, it might be best to pass them by.

Kalanchoe - Also known as Mother-In-Law-Plant (cheeky!), Devil's Backbone, Chandelier Plant, and Mother of Millions, the Kalanchoe plant is poisonous to both cats and dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal heart rhythms. They are many other plants just as colorful and not dangerous to our four legged friends!

Schefflera - The Schefflera tree, also known as the Umbrella Tree, Australian Ivy Palm, Octopus Tree, and Starleaf, is dangerous to both cats and dogs. It can cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue; excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty in swallowing.

You may be wondering, where is the Pointsettia? Well, although it can be irritating to the mouth and stomach and can sometimes cause vomiting, the Pointsettia is now thought to be generally overrated in toxicity. My cat Magic just loves to munch on the offspring shoots of one of our spider plants. He often vomits it up, purely because I think he just eats too much. I ended up moving the spider plant high up on a shelf. I later found out that the spider plant is just as good as catnip to a cat, perhaps even better. Who knew! No wonder he goes after it so much!

Remember, it's not just your plants in your house and garden that may be dangerous to your pets, it's also what you put on them. Things like cocoa mulch are a real no-no. Chocolate is dangerous to both cats and dogs and since cocoa mulch has real cocoa in it, this could pose a VERY serious problem to your pets. Also certain types of fertilizer can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. Check out www.rileycare.com for all types of pet safe products, from slug killer to yard and garden insect killers. Also citronella candles are great for keeping mosquitoes away, but if ingested, can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It would be best to look for an alternative.

There are so many plants which may cause an adverse reaction in your pet, but those listed above are the really serious ones to look out for. The ASPCA is a great place to find information on these items; also, the ASPCA has an iPhone application called Pet Safe which lists all known plants which may cause harm to your pet, as well as having a direct line to Poison Control. It costs $2.99, which in my mind is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Remember, if you suspect your pet has eaten anything odd, don't wait! Call your veterinarian or Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately. Please be aware that the Poison Control charge $65 for a consultation fee. You will need to have some information ready, such as what type of animal and age, symptoms, and what the animal ingested. Check out www.aspca.com/pet-care/poison-control for more information. Remember, time is of the essence! Please don't wait until it is too late.

Luckily, besides the spider plants, I DO NOT have a green thumb and only keep three plants, all of which are kept up high. But I will always try to be aware of these plants which, through no fault of their own, are enemies of our pets. You just never know what these animals will get into, and my pets mean too much to me to take chances.

The Return of the Drive-In Theater

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:26:00 GMT

Drive-In Theaters Making A Resurgence

I can still remember going to the drive-in theater about once a month when I was a child. My mom would give us a bath beforehand and would then dress my older sister and my twin sister and I in our pajamas with the feet at the bottom. She would pop her own popcorn and we would bring our own snacks from home. She would put the back seats down in the old beat-up stationwagon to create a bed of sorts. The movie would start and we would stare in awe at the huge screen in front of us, large and luminous. Most of us would not make it through the whole movie (the reason for the pajamas, no doubt). It was something to look forward to like no other. I remember being so incredibly jealous that my older sister got to go twice to see Grease, once with us and once with the neighbors. I was so annoyed as I watched her driving away in the back of their car, waving excitedly.

As I got older, I never really thought about the drive-in anymore. I think that, being a teenager, and with so many new and exciting things to entertain ourselves, I never really gave a thought to the drive-in theater which had given me so much joy. I think deep in my heart, I also believed that they didn't exist anymore, like dinosaurs or the tooth fairy. I thought, since I never heard anything about them, that they had just died out and become extinct. The Tyrannosaurus Rex of the entertainment world, along with Caleco Vision and eight tracks. So, imagine my surprise, and sheer delight, at discovering one literally in my backyard in Goochland, Virginia! Movies, here we come!

The first drive-in theater opened in Camden, New Jersey, in 1933. Back then they only had three pairs of six foot speakers to broadcast sound. Still, 500 people turned up, at $1 a car. By the 1940's there were 95 drive-ins spread across 27 states. Ohio led the way with 11 drive-ins. When World War II began, of course production of these drive-ins slowed. The baby boom at the end of the War prompted most drive-ins to add playgrounds. Most parents let their children play on the playground and then went to get snacks at the concession stands. After that, it was movie time! During the 1950's, it wasn't just the number of drive-ins that increased, but the size too. Many began to include boat rides, pony rides, and miniature golf, among other attractions. Some even had the option to order your food from your car and have it delivered by car hops. Now that's service!

In the 1960's and 1970's, the great drive-in began to stagnate. Hardly any were being build and many catered their films to teen-agers. The 1980's almost killed the drive-in with the coming of cable TV and VCRs. In the 1990's, not many new drive-ins were built, but many existing ones began to add extra screens, which attracted new patrons. Also, a sense of nostalgia was felt. Those who used to go when they were young could now bring their own families. This has made a major difference in the resurgence of the drive-in.

Watching movies is always fun, but what is so great about a drive-in? For one, you get to stay in your own car. You don't have to deal with people behind you munching popcorn or being loud. It's also ideal for young parents who may need to feed their kids or who may feel embarrassed going to another indoor theater. Also, a big plus with the drive-in is the price. Although they no longer charge by the carful, which was much cheaper, prices range from $5 to $7 per person, much cheaper than going to a Regal cinema or the Carmike. Most drive-ins show a double feature too, which is great value for money. Also, concession stand prices tend to be much cheaper. At our local drive-in (Goochland Drive-In), nothing is over $3.50. That includes popcorn, drinks, burgers, whatever your fancy! Quite a change from our local indoor theater, where you have to refinance your house to buy a large popcorn and drink!

The biggest plus for me, though, is that I am not only living my childhood again, but I am helping a local business. My husband and I are very big on supporting local businesses, especially in this economy. As far as I know, there are no large chains of drive-in theaters. Every single one is owned by a small business owner trying to make a living. Our local theater is owned by a husband and wife with a small child who decided that they were going to make their dream of owning a drive-in theater a reality. I can't wait to show up there on Saturday night and help them to continue making their dream thrive.

My husband is from England and has never experienced a drive-in theater. Some things have changed (no more speakers, you get the sound through your car radio), but most have stayed the same. I believe that the drive-in theater was one of the best ideas around, and with the public's help, we can keep it thriving and on top. What a novel idea, to let our children and significant others experience what we loved as children. I just can't wait! Why not check out your area for a drive-in near you? It really is an experience to remember!

Check out a drive-in in your area at http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm!

Information about the history of drive-in theaters taken from www.driveintheater.com.

Beware The Energy Vampires!

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:55:00 GMT

So it's a new year, it's a new me, and I have all sorts of visions for the future. Lately, for some reason, I find that I let negativity and negative people get to me. It used to roll off me like water off a duck's back, but now.....well, sometimes I just can't seem to shake issues that normally wouldn't bother me. It is old age? PMS? A newfound understanding of how the other side works? Whatever it may be, my big resolution for 2010 is to be more positive. Part of this resolution comes with the physical side of things (i.e. exercise, etc.), but a larger part of it comes from trying not to let these people get to me.

You may be asking by now, "Just what is an energy vampire?"

I thought that my massage teacher had created the phrase. Boy, was I wrong! Just google the phrase. You'll find at least 332,000 entries about them. So obviously this isn't just a phenomenon local to me, my location, my family or friends. Energy vampires are EVERYWHERE. What have I learned from my perusals? Well, these people have the ability to make a mountain out of a molehill, never take responsibility for their life or what unfolds from their actions, complain constantly and actually drain your positive energy by forcing their energy onto you. Let's say you're in a great mood, then you talk to your Aunt Janie for an hour. Aunt Janie complains - about her job, your job, her neighbors, your neighbors, the neighbor's dog, her dirty house, her painful foot....you get off the phone an hour later and don't want to do anything. You can barely watch TV or read a book, let alone do all those things you really need to do. BOOM! You have just been sapped by an energy vampire. So what can we do?

I found a great page listing some ways to deal with these karma suckers. On www.psychology.suite101.com, they list 11 ways to keep these guys at bay. Some may work, some may not. All are worth a try.

Limit the amount of time you spend with energy vampires.

Learn effective ways to end conversations with energy vampires ("I only have ten minutes to talk", "I'm on my way out the door).

Stay calm and detached from energy vampires. I find that breathing and visualizing myself elsewhere has helped.

Be honest about your needs; tell them you are using this time to study, read, whatever. They may not care. Tell them anyhow.

Do not attempt to rescue them or fix the problem; there will always be more.

Walk away when it gets too much; the more you do it, the easier it gets (or so the website says). But it will. Honestly.

Limit your direct eye contact with energy vampires. This is how they suck you in.

Avoid being in close spaces with people you know are energy vampires. These smaller spaces make it harder to detach.

Your personal space is exactly that; your personal space! Guard it from these energy vampires at all costs.

Tell energy vampires if something they are discussing makes you uncomfortable. They won't like it. Oh well.

Stand up for yourself.

I have taken these nearly verbatim from the www.psychology.suite101.com website, but you get the point. There are also tons of other websites out there to help us in dealing with these people. Let's face it, we've all get an energy vampire in our life somewhere. It may be in our family, in our circle of friends, at work - or all of the above! Sometimes when I go to work I will work on a person and when I leave I feel completely drained. Sometimes I don't even realize it. It will take my spouse or a friend to say, "What's wrong?". It's only then that I realize that there is nothing wrong with my life today; it's just that I have taken on someone else's life for a change. With that, I have accepted all the negativity and problems that go with it. So, I know it's going to be very, very hard. But I owe it to myself, and the positive life that I try to live, to distance myself from these people. Hopefully, my keeping my peace will help them to overcome their issues. Silence speaks louder than many words do. Wish me luck!

Read more at Suite101: How Energy Vampires Drain Your Spirit: 11 Ways to Protect Yourself From Negative Influences http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/stop_energy_vampires#ixzz0cX6XmV8F

Pet Airways - finally!

Carrie Kinnear — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:58:00 GMT

When my husband and I found out we were moving to America from England, we were so excited - yet there was so much to do. We needed to pack, make arrangements for our travel, for the transportation of our belongings, and most important to us of all, the transportation of our beloved furry children, Oliver and Magic. This was the part that worried me the most. People who didn't know us well would say to us, "Have you found a good home for your cats?". The answer was, of course, YES, with us. My husband and I are animal lovers and to us, pets are not just pets, they are members of the family. There was never any doubt in my mind that they were coming with us, the question was, with who, and how?

I contacted a company who in the end were wonderful.  My boys arrived eventually just fine and none the worse for wear (well, there was some meowing and caterwauling involved). However, there were so many rules and regulations, it really got me worried (it's not too hard to worry me where my boys are concerned anyways, but still). For instance, what you could put in the carrier, what you couldn't put in the carrier, etc. Plus there was always that worrying in the back of my mind that something would go horribly wrong. You hear every year about a poor pet companion's tragic death because he was put in the wrong hold or the wrong part of the plane, or it wasn't pressurized. How awful for the pet parents, to be so excited at the end of a trip, thinking they have done everything right, and then to have that happen - well, it just doesn't bear thinking about. I have also seen, from the window of the plane, a pet being loaded into the cargo area. Let's just say that sometimes, the baggage handlers are not so gentle with them. They treat them as just that - baggage. Those of us who cherish our pets know that it they are so much more than that.

Soon these worries may be a thing of the past, thanks to Pet Airways (www.petairways.com). Pet Airways is a new company born out of an idea from Dan Wiesel and Alysa Binder, a couple who had to fly their pet Jack Russell Terrier Zoe in the hold of a normal airplane. They decided that people's pets deserved better.  Over the last four years they have designed their fleet of five planes (turbo-prop Beech 1900) to accommodate pets and their carriers. They have taken all the "human furnishings", like seats and overhead bins, out and cleared the way for carriers. The carriers are secured using a special restraint system designed by Pet Airways.

Sounds great - but for most pet owners, it is the service that comes with the flight that will make all the difference, not to mention the fact that their pet is not in a hold, where temperatures can change rapidly, and it is dark and noisy - so different from the comforts of home. The service includes pre-boarding walks and bathroom breaks. It also includes a pet attendant on board, checking on pets every 15 minutes to make sure that all animals are comfortable. After landing, pets will be disembarked, given a potty break, and will be available for pickup at the Pet Lounge.    If you cannot pick your pet up that day, Pet Airways is happy to board your pet at the Paws Lounge overnight. You can also always track where your pet is using their pet tracker online.

Pet Airways will fly a pet between five major cities — New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. The $250 one-way fare is comparable to pet fees at the largest U.S. airlines.    If they are not flying where you wish to fly, you can contact them to see what can be done. Hopefully, newer cities will be added in the future.

For some, paying even a little extra is worth it for the peace of mind it brings. Sometimes, you can drive your pets with you in the car. But for those times when it just can't be done, it's nice to know there is a wonderful, caring, safe alternative.   I would definitely do it for my boys. I hate to think of them on their seven hour flight, not being near each other, having it be dark and cold, and not know where they were going and not having any human interaction. To put my boys on a flight like this would ease so many concerns I have, and I can't be the only one - Pet Airways is fully booked for the next two months. It's not a surprise really - it's a wonderful, humane concept that is long overdue, and I can only wish them all the success in the world.

The Continuing Stigma Placed On Pitbulls

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:49:00 GMT

What a busy few months it has been for me! Not so much busy with work or the business - well, I was, but it was also a case of being overseas, being ill, having friends over - the usual events that make an already speedy year fly right by. So I must say it has been a while since I wrote anything. I meant to a couple of times, was going to - you know the story. However, today I was reading, or should I say re-reading, an article which ran the gamut of emotions for me - sadness, confusion - but more than anything else, anger.

On September 27th, 2009, a two year old infant girl was killed by a pit bull dog in Orange County, VA (not far from where I live now). The initial short newsflash from the Richmond Times Dispatch reads as follows:-

Published: September 28, 2009

ORANGE (AP) -- A pit bull that attacked and killed a 23-month-old Orange County girl has been euthanized.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office says the dog attacked the child Sunday night at a residence in the Mountain Track Road area.

Sheriff Mark Amos says a family member found the girl, who had gone outside to where the dog was tied.

Amos says there were wounds all over the child's body.

She was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at around 9:10 p.m. Sunday.

The girl's name hasn't been released.

Amos said the dog hadn't caused problems previously and had lived with the family for about 10 years.

Now, at first glance, and to those who subscribe to the Pit Bull or Bully breed myths, this is a tragic death to a young girl at the hands of a vicious dog just living up to the breed's reputation. Tragic? Of course it is. A young girl's life tragically cut short. Now, let's look a little closer. "A family member found the girl, who had gone outside to where the dog was tied". Ok. Now I get it.

I have two major problems right off the bat with this. First off - the girl had wandered outside by herself. A two year old. She was outside long enough to wander to the neighbor's yard, be attacked, and lie there. I don't have children. Well, I have two furry children, but some may say that doesn't count (obviously I don't agree). I am so paranoid with my cats, it's incredible. They don't go outside at all and if they are in some hidey hole and I can't find them, I go insane with worry. So I can't possibly imagine what I would be like with a child, a human child, my own flesh and blood. Also, can I put forward that I am not perfect; I was a pre-school teacher at one time and I know that children are hard to watch. They're fast, they're sneaky, and they can be out of your sight in the blink of an eye. In this instance, enough time elapsed for the child to be attacked and lie there without being found right away. A single moment of irresponsibility ended tragically, and my heart does go out to the parents, but the question has to be asked - where were they?

Secondly - anyone who has read any of my blogs knows how I feel about tethering dogs. It is cruel, it is inhumane, and it needs to be stopped. The dog had lived with the family for 10 years - and I am assuming (and I could be wrong) that it was tethered for most of those years. When a dog is tethered to one spot, day in, day out, month in, month out, for years and years - this is creating a time bomb just waiting to explode. Dogs are pack animals - it cannot be said enough. They need food and water and shelter, but this is NOT enough. They want to be with their family, they want to be in the social circle. WHY do people have pets if they do not want them to become part of the family? This never ceases to amaze me. To this dog, the little area outside the area he was tethered to was his whole world. When dogs are tethered, they are usually not socialized. This dog didn't know that this little girl meant him no harm. How could he? All he could see was that an intruder was invading his space, and unfortunately, he took action. This poor dog was just being a dog, all he knows how to do. And for a tethered dog with no love or affection, this is the normal reaction. You read about it in the papers time and time again, a tethered dog attacking a child because most children don't know to stay away. An adult can sense the danger and knows something is wrong. After a certain amount of time has elapsed, it becomes more and more difficult for a tethered dog to be rehabilitated as the loving, doting, loyal canine that he is meant to be. In order to stop these tragedies from occurring, we have to get to the root of the problem, the tethering itself. In my mind, tethering should be outlawed; banned for good. Before I get all the complaints, those of you who temporarily tether your dog outside while you are in the garden to prevent them from jumping the fence, I'm not talking to you. I'm talking about those who get a dog, dump it outside, never visit it or love it, leave it there to hear all the sounds and smell the smells of the household, unable to get near any of it - and think it's ok - these are the people I am talking to.

Besides the death of the child and the tethering, the worst part of all of this is that the dog was a Pitbull. I am guessing the owners liked having a Pitt in the garden, a guard dog of sorts, someone to scare people away. The dog is the one who loses in this game. Tethered in the backyard, then euthanized, portrayed in the media as vicious and nasty - it really serves to undo all the work that groups like Ring Dog Rescue and Misunderstood Rescue have worked so hard for. I know friends Pitbulls who have literally licked me to death. If raised properly, in a loving home environment, Pitbulls, like any other dog, grow up to be loving, worthy pet companions. The truth is, this could have been a Golden Retriever, a Rottweiler, a Shepherd, or a Chihuahua, and the reaction to the child would have been the same. Maybe not the end result (for the Chihuahua anyhow), but any dog who is tethered is going to react the same way. In the end the tethering is cruel, unjust and inhumane, and so is the stigma put on the Pitbull breed. I look forward to the day when that stigma, and tethering, are just a distant memory.

For more information please see www.dogsdeservebetter.org and www.ringdogrescue.org.

The Ongoing Cruelty of Chaining Dogs

Carrie Kinnear — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:31:00 GMT

I have never understood the chaining of dogs. Yes, I am an animal lover. But even stepping outside of that mold, I have never understood the use of a living creature as an ornament of sorts. To adopt an animal, to bring it into your world, and then to chain it to a tree, a tether, a fence, and leave it outside in cold weather, hot weather, rain and wind, just boggles my mind. Even if there is some sort of shelter erected, it just leaves me to wonder - why have this animal in the first place?

Dogs are social creatures. They like to be with their "pack", whether it be other dogs, or with people. All you have to do is look into the eyes of one of these poor chained souls to know where they would rather be. A dog's face normally reads of love, and loyalty, and happiness and freedom. These dog's eyes are empty, hollow, a shadow of what they should be. Imagine it put forth as it is on the website www.dogsdeservebetter.com. Go outside and chain yourself to a tree or porch or fence. Make sure that you can hear everything that is going on inside the house. Make sure that you can hear the laughter, and the conversation; ensure that you can smell all the smells and see all the sights of a busy household. But you cannot get near it. You strain further but are caught by the chains you are wearing; sometimes these chains have heavy bolts hanging from them to hamper your movement. Noone comes to see you, noone talks to you. You start to circle from boredom, carving a path in the dirt where you are, stepping in your own urine and feces. How long would it take you before you went completely mad? What if this happened to a human? Surely it would be seen as cruel and unjust? Why then, are we allowed to do it to our animals, to dogs, man's best friend indeed!

Chaining dogs also turns a potentially loving animal into an aggressive one. The dogs become very territorial of their space. Also, dogs normally have a "flight or fight" response when strangers come across their territory. If they cannot flee, then they will fight. This explains the hundreds of bites, serious injuries, and at times, deaths, suffered by men, women and mostly children across the country. But is the dog to blame? I think not. People are not the only ones who suffer. Many dogs accidentally kill themselves by hanging or by getting themselves into a place or situation that they cannot get out of. They can be crushed in bad weather by falling objects or killed in other ways simply because they had nowhere they could run to. They are also susceptible to attacks from other dogs or wild animals. Many times the chains and collars are too tight and become embedded in the animals throat, causing further pain and possibly death.

I have many people come up to me and say, "I really don't like animals. I suppose you don't like me now". My answer to this is simple - no, I don't dislike you. But please do not get an animal if you aren't going to take care of it the way it deserves to be taken care of. It is not enough to just feed and water an animal, or provide them shelter, no matter how crude it may be. Animals are on this earth to be loved and taken care of, and to be treated like one of the family, which is what they really are, at least to myself, and millions of other pet owners in this country. We need to change the laws in each state to outlaw tethering and chaining of dogs - please do not just pass by these dogs when you see them. How would you feel if someone passed you by and you were in need? Together we can help make better lives for these poor souls - we are their voices, and we must remember that.

Check out www.dogsdeservebetter.com and www.bcspca.ca/advocacy/tethered_dogs.asp for more information.

All facts from www.dogsdeservebetter.com and www.bcspca.ca/advocacy/tethered_dogs.asp.

The Death of A Small Business and the Birth of Project 350

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:24:00 GMT

I walked into my local Petclub Pet Store about a month ago to buy some cat food for my furbabies. I was having a good day, whistling dixie, all was right with the world. I love my little Petclub Pet Store. I like to see the rabbits from local rescues that they house, and kittens too. I love the resident cats who live there - Miss Kitty is a friendly girl, normally found lying on bags of wood shavings or large bags of dog food. The other cat is older, a bit skittish, and rarely seen. In fact, I don't even know his name, I'm ashamed to say. But I love him all the same. I love the squawking birds that greet you when you walk in the door. I love the strange and eclectic murals on the walls in the bathroom, with backward sayings that you have to look in the mirror to read - "Beware of the Bull, my darling" - now what's that all about?

So imagine my shock and horror when I walked in and heard this from the squat little man in the front.

"This store's closed".

Closed? I didn't know they were closed on Wednesdays.

"No, closed. As in, going out of business. We'll be marking things down as time goes on and we'll have a liquidation sale eventually".

Oh. Um. Ok. What happened to all the animals?

"I don't know. But they don't live here".

That was that. I walked out, crushed, deflated. Had Petclub died because of stagnant economy? Was it a mix of the economy and the two shiny, white Petcos that just opened in the area? Did they get bored with owning a petstore? I doubt that very much.

I have a hunch it's a little bit from Column A, and a little bit from Column B. In other words, the economy was dragging them down and not enough people were visiting this humble little shop. Why would you when Petco has so many more items on it's shelves and it's probably easier to get to, right? Well, I'll tell you why. Customer service is one - when you really get to know people, the customer service is superb. You can really develop relationships with the owners and with the community, which brings me to my second point. Money put into local businesses is money put back into the community. This is where the 3/50 project comes into play.

The 3/50 project is a local movement based on the thought that the more we support local businesses, the more we get back in our community. According to www.the350project.net, if half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine if 3/4 of the employed population did that! Also, for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays within the community. Spend money online and nothing comes home.

I can't tell you how many people came into Petclub afterwards and expressed how devastated they were that the store had closed - myself included. It was a case of too little, too late. I think of the times I was too lazy to drive the five miles when there was a Petco right behind my apartments. If I had just gone to Petclub maybe it would have made a difference. I don't know if I could have saved it, but it may have made some sort of impact. Now I will never know.

Only two good things came of this. The first is that all the store animals did find good homes. The other is that is that my husband and I bought job lots of dog and cat toys at the liquidation and dropped them off to local shelters. Of course we felt good, but that didn't make me any less sad, knowing that Petclub couldn't survive in this economy. While chains are building newer and bigger stores all the while, it's the independent stores, the backbone of this great country we live in, that are struggling and suffering. Next time you need something, try popping into your local shop. Say hello to the owner or employee and smile. Pick up a little something extra if you can afford to. Let's keep these businesses and shops open and in the foreground, right where they belong.

Horse Massage - The Next Step.....

Carrie Kinnear — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:12:00 GMT

Soon - very soon - August 10th to be exact - I will be in a classroom in Leesburg, Virginia. I will be progressing in my career helping animals, something I truly believe I was born to do. Another canine course, you ask? No, not exactly. I will be attending the Equissage School for Equine Massage. You heard me right - at the end of five intense days, I will be a certified Equine Massage therapist!

Wait! Don't laugh! Massage is beneficial for ALL creatures - I've been saying this all along, and I firmly believe that it is the truth. Massage has such beneficial properties for both body and mind - it's not a cure all, but I have never seen massage do harm in any situation. We as humans believe so fervently in massage benefits for ourselves - why wouldn't we open our minds to see the benefits for our four legged companions?

Now, I'll be honest - I haven't been around horses for a while. I have a lot more experience with canines and felines - humans too!. I plan to visit a few horses, spend some time with them, and really get to know their personas. In fact, if anyone can offer me visits to your stables, I am always willing to help out! Horses are such large creatures; I know quite a few people who are afraid of them as well. To me, they are gentle giants. I am definitely not afraid of them, but I do think that spending a bit of time near some before the course would help to make me feel truly comfortable around them.

Equine massage and its benefits are known by serious horse owners. People who own stables or race horses have known for some time what the benefits of massage are for their animals. These aren't just pets for them, they are also an investment. Now, this is not to say that they are more important then your pets or mine. It's just a different relationship, especially for stables who race horses and want to keep them in tip top athlete's shape. EMT enhances a horses performance, stamina and ability to recover from a hard day out of the barn, besides helping them to relax and encouraging better communication between horse and rider.

Needless to say, although I am a bit nervous, I really just cannot wait to get going! I really believe that I was put on this earth to help animals, in one way or another. I am truly blessed to be able to do something I like to do, and I really believe that adding this "notch in my belt", so to speak, will help me to be the best I can at my profession. This is the first time I have had to travel and stay in a hotel for work - normally it's my husband who does that! - so I am a little nervous but I know that overall the experience will be positive and will really be something to cherish. I am going to work my hardest at the course and in the end, I will be a licensed Equine Massage Therapist. I can't believe how excited I am. Wish me luck!

Rabbits as house pets? You had better believe it!

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:38:00 GMT

In 2004 a friend contacted my husband and I, asking if we had room for a rabbit. A RABBIT. We had never had a rabbit as a pet before. On top of that we have two cats, Oliver and Magic, who we had had by that time going on 7 years. The boys are closely bonded and I didn't know how they would react to other animals, especially a rabbit. A strange, furry thing with long ears and huge back legs, jumping around the house....I just didn't know. My friend persisted though as she knows we are huge animal lovers, and when we found out his eventual fate (he was heading for a laboratory), we quickly said yes. The next day, not knowing really what we were getting into, we headed out to the nearest bookstore to research the subject.

Just reading about these animals got me hooked. I had to know if these books were true. Loving animals with tons of personality? Potty trained? Playing fetch? No, no - this didn't sound right. Still we packed up the car and went to meet our new family member. Oscar was a huge lump of a rabbit - a French Lop, to be exact, all 16 pounds of him. To hold him at his full length was like holding a toddler to your chest. It took a few days for him to get used to him but once he did - and I don't say this lightly - that "personality" came pouring out at 100 miles an hour.

He did like to play fetch. He chewed all our toilet roll and paper towel holders. He was grumpy. He would grunt if you took his food away. He would run all over the house and "binky" (this is what they do when they are happy, a sort of jump in the air out of nowhere). He would hop towards the cats and Ollie would hiss, confused. Then they would all sit in a circle and wash themselves. It turns out I had nothing to worry about; the boys adjusted great. I would throw his wooden carrot at him and he would throw it back at me. He would jump on my lap and nudge my hand, asking to be petted. All the myths about rabbits I had ever thought of just melted away. I had always thought they just sat in a hutch and stared out at the world, indifferent.

Now I know that that is what rabbits DO do, IF they are left outside to be bored out of their mind. To leave a rabbit in a hutch to fend for itself is cruel, and here is why - rabbits are social animals and want to be with the family. A rabbit staring out of a hutch by itself isn't indifferent, it's lonely, and that is just plain mean. For one thing, rabbits are not hardy animals. The mere sight of a predator can get a rabbit so worked up that they can die of a heart attack or shock. Keeping them inside in safety is the only way to go. Rabbits also can be trained to go to the bathroom in a litter box, so we can just kick that argument out of the window. They are smart, clean animals and given the chance, they want to go to the bathroom somewhere clean and private. Oscar started going on the plastic mat in front of our cat's litterbox before we had even trained him to do it. He could obviously smell the scent and knew he should go somewhere in that vicinity. Once living inside, rabbits begin to blossom and their true personality comes shining through - and what a wonderful feeling that is. The unconditional love of these animals knows no bounds.

Oscar unfortunately passed away before we moved back to the States. It has left a hole in my heart that cannot be filled. We are waiting to get more rabbits because we are in an apartment and need room for these little guys (and of course, we want 2). There are certain things to look out for. Rabbits must be held a certain way, lest they break their backs, and also you will need to bunny proof your home so they don't chew through wires and other things that you hold near and dear. They can't get too hot, so the house can't be too hot and if outside in the hot weather they should definitely be supervised. I would say definitely get a book and research what needs to be done to have a bun as a pet. All in all, my whole point of this blog is that rabbits make wonderful pets. Are you or your child allergic to dogs or cats? A bun is a wonderful alternative. Words cannot express how truly wonderful these creatures are. My husband and my two boys (the cats, of course) and I miss Oscar so much. In the six short months we had him we learned so much about how rabbits really are - fun, playful, loving, mischievious, and most of all, smart. So do the research, do the math, and in the end, give a bun (or two) a loving home - you won't regret it.

Best Friends Sanctuary - Angels on Earth

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:11:00 GMT

Nestled in the canyons in Kanab, Utah, is a place that could only be described as a haven for animals. This place is different from any shelter or rescue that you could ever imagine. Now, this is not to knock in any way, shape or form the works that "ordinary" shelters and rescues perform. We animal lovers are indebted with gratitude for the work that they try to do. However, this place is different - dare I say better. A thousand times better than these shelters. This is the place where animals go when they have been given up on by everyone else. The name of this place is Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Best Friends began in the 1970s in Arizona between a group of friends who refused to believe the accepted belief at the time that shelters had no choice but to euthanize their "unadoptable" animals. These people felt that they could rehabilitate many of these animals with love and kindness, combined with new treatment and training methods. They tested this out with animals from shelters whose time was quickly running out and found that they were able to rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of these so called "unadoptables". For those who couldn't be rehomed, they kept them and eventually purchased the land in Kanab, Utah, where Best Friends Sanctuary was formed.

As stated on their website, "In 1991 Best Friends became a non-profit, tax-exempt charity, and quickly grew to be the flagship of the rapidly growing no-kill movement throughout the 1990s. This No More Homeless Pets goal became central to the work of Best Friends, and by the end of the decade the number of animals being killed in shelters had dropped from about 15 million in 1990 to less than 5 million."

At any given time, there are about 2,000 animals living at the Best Friends Sanctuary. Most of these are dogs and cats, but there are also horses, burros, birds, rabbits, goats, farm animals, and an assortment of other creatures. They all have one thing in common; they have a safe haven in Angel Canyon where they will be loved and cared for until they are rehomed or pass on.

This is a place of joy, not of sadness. Staff work with these animals and whatever their burden may be, to make them adoptable to members of the public. Members of the public support Best Friends through donations and virtually "adopting" pets, giving money to support them and whatever they may need. Volunteers actually come to Best Friends for vacations, to help wherever they may be needed. I plan on visiting one day, that's for sure.

The work of Best Friends is so important. They educate the public through workshops and seminars, special programs in schools and libraries, and hundreds of other important undertakings. They are the face of the current No-Kill movement, something which I think is attainable if we all work towards it. No-kill means that animals are not destroyed except in cases of terminal and painful illness, when compassion demands euthanasia because there is no reasonable alternative. Some shelters claim to be No-Kill but as soon as space runs out, time runs out for those animals too. This will never happen at the Best Friends Sanctuary.

I encourage anyone to go to www.bestfriends.org to find out more about this sanctuary and the wonderful work they do. The compassion of all the trainers, employees, and volunteers can teach all of us so much about the importance of life. So many staff members and trainers could have picked a job where they would have been much better off monetarily, but they chose the love and happiness of Best Friends over money. They are receiving gratitude worth far more than the salaries they could have had.

Most importantly, if you like what you see, donate to Best Friends. They need all the help they can get to keep the 33,000 acre ranch up and running. It doesn't have to be a huge amount; my husband and adopt an animal for $25 a year. Every little bit will help the sanctuary and will help Best Friends to help the animals that everyone else has forgotten.

Come One, Come All, To The K-9 Karnival!

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:29:00 GMT

Now, let me set something straight right off the bat - even if I didn't have a booth or work at these shows - which I normally do - I would still go. In fact, ages before I was interested in Canine Massage I went to these shows anyhow. I spend all day at these venues. I browse the vendors, checking out the "goggles" and other must-haves that are for sale. I see which rescue groups have booths. I look for old friends and people we have met at these shows. And why? Because it's fun! Where else can you see an endless parade of all sorts of canines, big and small. Where else can you have a fun full day for all the family? Did I mention it's free?

Let me confirm - this isn't a dog show like Crufts or anything like that. I mean, yes, you will see champion dogs there. The show is basically for everyone, and that is why I like it. All sorts of dogs are there. It's a dog lover's paradise. Oh, and did I mention it's free?

This years K-9 Karnival in Virginia Beach is going to be a blast, just like last years. There are going to be vendors selling all sorts of wares, and many many rescue organizations will be there too. All dogs can participate in the 2009 Skyhoundz Competition and the Canine Disc competition. Also figuring heavily will be the 18th Annual Dog-gonest Dog Show. I'm not exactly sure what it means - but you can bet it's going to be fun! There is also a rabies clinic onsite, for those of you who are behind on your vaccinations. This is a family oriented event, in an alcohol free environment with plenty of on-site parking, with an estimated attendance of over 4,000 people.

So if you are in the Virginia Beach area on May 9th, 2009, why not head over to Redwing Park at 1398 General Booth Boulevard. The festival starts at 10:00 a.m. and carries on until 3:00 p.m. It really is a fun, affordable day out for the entire family and with all the booths and shows going on, there promises to be not a dull moment for anyone. I'll see you there!

Incidentally, if you are not in the Virginia Beach area, why not check out a dog show in your area? It's a great way to get out and support local businesses and rescues and, in these times, everyone can use all the support they can get!

Cell Dogs - Healing For All Involved

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:40:00 GMT

Sometimes, when you are doing something completely non-related, something will pop into your head - something you've seen, a song you know, a movie you saw years ago, but can't remember its name. This happens to me quite often. So as I was wandering around my apartment, doing various boring domestic chores, something popped into my head to make me think. I thought for so long that I had to write about it. What was I thinking of? Cell Dogs.

Now, you might be asking, Cell Dogs? What the heck is that all about? If you know anything about me, you know that I love all animals. I believe that they enrich our lives and make our lives so much more exciting, so much richer than they would have been without them. Cell Dogs epitomizes this to the letter.

Cell Dogs was a program on Animal Planet chronicling a new program for inmates of prisons. This program took dogs from local shelters and animal rescue programs and put them in the hands of a prisoner. Yes, that's right, a prisoner. Many of these prisoners were hardened criminals, in for horrible crimes - murder, fraud, robbery. Although these crimes are serious, there was a criteria that had to be met to be involved in the program. The inmates could not have been in prison for animal abuse or child molestation, among other factors. The "best and brightest" of the prison were chosen to take care of these dogs whose problems were just as varied as the prisoners - some could not be housebroken, some were so shy they could not walk, some just needed to learn basic commands. In all cases, the prisoners were the dogs last hope for adoption. To change these dogs would take a lot of work - and a lot of love.

Love? Love from people who have murdered, robbed, assaulted their fellow human being? How can this be? That, my friends, is the beauty of the program. As you watch, you can see the prisoners transforming along with their dogs. Their face no longer hardened, they realize they are caring for someone else, that someone else is solely dependent on them. They have a purpose. Instead of just sitting in their cells, or lifting weights all day, they have a higher cause. These dogs really mean something to them; they represent life itself. As one prisoner put it, he would never get a chance to leave the prison walls - but he was going to make damn sure that his dog made it out and went to a loving family.

The key to this program, besides the love given and received, is the time the prisoners have. Animal shelters and rescues are so overrun with homeless animals with issues and problems, it's hard to find the staff - and the time - to work with these animals. For the prisoners inside, they have nothing but time. The prisoners are responsible for all aspects of the dogs' care - from grooming and bathing, to brushing their teeth, to the training the dogs receive. You watch these dogs transform, and it really is something to see.

The statistics speak for themselves. After the program begins, the head of the prison remarks that the relationships between the prisoners drastically improves. One of the guards says that he hasn't had to break up a fight between prisoners in six months since the dogs arrived. The prisoners have something to talk about to the guards, and their relationships improve. Euthanasia in the county dramatically drops as more and more dogs are being adopted out to their forever homes. One of the most touching parts of the program is when one inmate has to let his dog go, as she is being adopted. He begins to tear up - but he has no time to grieve. His next dog is being taken to the prison as he is being filmed.

I know that some of these people have committed heinous crimes. These programs provide win-win situations. The prisoners have something to look forward to. The whole attitude of the prison changes. The dogs have a chance at a forever home. Many of these programs are being adopted all over the United States, and the key is that they are working. I'm not saying that these prisoners should be let back into society. They need to serve their time. But what a wonderful way to serve it, and to give back to society a little bit of what they took away.

My hope is that prisons all over the world will adopt these programs. The healing it provides for all is unbelievable. I wish that Animal Planet still showed this program; I would definitely be watching. These animals never judge their keeper, and their keeper never judges them. It is further proof about how the power of love for an animal can awaken humanity and love in even the hardest of hearts. As one prisoner said about his dog "She opened us up to our softer sides, and I guess we liked it". Enough said.

For a list of similar programs in your homestate, please check out this link: http://www.coyotecom.com/dogs/prisondogs.html

Stop Smoking - For Your Pet's Sake

Carrie Kinnear — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Let me say this right from the start - I hate cigarettes. I hate the smell of them. I hate the way I smell when I come back from a restaurant or bar - the word "ashtray" comes to mind. Still, I understand that it is a smoker's right to smoke in states where it is allowed - it is our constitutional right - blah, blah, blah. Let me also say that I live in Virginia - a state which became known for its tobacco production and consumption. Consequently, I think I have to put my hands up and say that if smoking is ever banned, and that is a strong if, Virginia will probably be the last of the states to do it.

We all know now that smoking, and the secondhand smoke it produces, is dangerous for your health. We're not living in the 1920's when the health risks weren't known. Nicotine is just so addicting, it's very hard to quit. So, imagine my surprise when I was given a link to a survey which basically states that for many pet owners, they would not quit for themselves, but would quit if it affected the health of their pet. Now, as the survey points out, what people say they will do and what they will do are two very different things. But just the simple mentality behind it moves me. For many of us, pets are part of our family. Many of us would go to any lengths to protect our family. It would appear that this means our pets as well.

The survey suggests that 1 out of 3 pet owners would quit smoking if they learned that the secondhand smoke caused a danger to their pets. Studies have linked smoke exposure to oral cancer and lymphoma in cats and nasal and lung cancer in dogs. Even birds can be victims: A 2007 study found a link between secondhand smoke, lung cancer, and eye, skin, and heart problems in pet birds. The survey, which included nearly 3,300 pet owners, was published this week in the journal Tobacco Control. Overall, 28.4 percent of smokers said they would consider quitting after learning that secondhand smoke posed a danger to their pet. One in five smoking pet owners said they would ban smoking inside their home.

So, could this be a different way to get people to think not only of their pets' health, but their own? If people don't believe smoking will do them damage, but believe it could cause damage to their pet, will it really get them to quit smoking? It would seem that it has certainly placed a thought into people's minds that their second hand smoke may cause harm to their pets. Also, because our pets are smaller than us, the smoke can affect these animals much quicker as it runs through their little bodies. Our neighbor downstairs smokes quite a bit on his balcony and the smoke seeps up into our apartment. One fall day it was particularly bad and I remember going to pet one of my cats and smelling the smoke on his fur. It bothered me to no end that my cat was receiving the "tail" end of the smoke. So how much worse could it be for a bird, cat, hamster, rabbit, or dog that is inside the home?

As stated before, sometimes people will say they would quit, but find it far too hard. But certainly this survey and research points to how much pets mean to their owners, and how many owners would be willing to change their lifestyles if it benefited their furbabies. I know I would do whatever it took to keep my babies healthy. Only time will tell if they really mean it. To me though, just the thought that people would change their lifestyle for their pet, is hope enough.

(http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/11/health.pet.smoker/index.html)

Working Dogs and Massage

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:24:00 GMT

I love working dogs - Search and Rescue dogs, K-9 dogs, Seeing Eye dogs...the list goes on and on. All dogs loving, loyal and give us unconditional love - but these dogs go one step beyond. They are here for us, to help us in our daily lives. They work harder than most people I know to help their humans work to help others or, in some cases, to help their human regain their life back after an illness or injury. So it goes without saying that these dogs deserve massage more than most.

Let us consider, for instance, the search and rescue and K-9 dogs. These dogs train from the time they are small. There may be something about them that the trainer realizes is truly unique and special. They go through grueling physical and mental practices to make sure that they are truly the best of the best. We saw this during the aftermath of September 11th. These dogs would go in fearlessly, paws burnt, inhaling smoke, ash, and God knows what else, all to find just one human being alive. They work for hours and hours without pay, without reward - perhaps a chew on a squeaky toy. The work is hard. K-9 dogs, along with their partner, chase the bad guys, sniff out bombs and drugs, and help to keep us safe along with the officer they work alongside. Let's not forget Seeing Eye dogs - these dogs work alongside their owner 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure they have all the help they need. And let's not forget Therapy dogs who bring joy to those in hospitals and nursing settings around the world. What about Helper dogs who help their owners who may be paralysed or need some other assistance. These dogs are truly lifesavers, working hard everyday, asking for nothing in return.

Walking long hours on concrete, leaning into a harness, clambering over rubble, jumping up to retrieve or deposit objects and working their way through crowded baggage terminals, walking the halls of hospitals - any one of these activities day after day can result in injury, chronic physical issues or low-level stress in many working dogs. Massage can help keep working dogs moving comfortably, prevent injury and coutneract "background stress" adding to the dogs' job satisfaction and possibly even prolonging their careers.

Working dogs are expected to have a well-developed physique to be able to perform the work they are trained to do. A lot of time and money is spent on training a clever and efficient dog. However, no matter how well we take care of our dogs, injuries still may occur. If the injury is related to the muscles, tendons, joints or ligaments, a vet or massage therapist may be able to help. We can help prevent muscle related problems and strain injurires by massaging and stretching our dogs regularly. This keeps the dog well-balanced physically and psychologically, allowing it to possibly retain the agility of a young dog to an advanced age.

Injury or strain can cause discomfort or pain. Pain, in turn, causes further tension and reduces the blood flow even more. A vicious circle arises and can persist for some time if it is not discovered and treated. For working dogs, this is especially dangerous as they tend to mask their pain, as they are so eager to work.

Massage affects all body systems:

Increased circulation provided nutrients and the removal of toxins
Coat quality is improved through dispersion of natural oils
Skin exhibits more elasticity and less dryness
Oxygen levels are increased and respiration is improved
Muscles are relaxed and toned
Nervous system function is enhanced
Digestion and elimination are improved
Reduction in pain through release of endorphins
Provides a sense of well-being and enhances disposition

Working dogs are exposed to physical and mental stress daily and regular massage decreases their stress levels and keeps their muscles in top shape.

As you can see, canine massage can be a wonderful tool in keeping working dogs happy, healthy and fit. For many organizations across the country and the world, this is not considered a luxury but a necessary tool to keep working dogs in top shape. If you work with working dogs, why not suggest it to someone you work with? The benefits for the dogs, and yourself, would be tremendous.

Massage Aftercare - As Important As The Massage Itself!

Carrie Kinnear — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:20:00 GMT

So you just got a massage. You're leaving the spa, or medical office, or wherever you may be. You've been told all sorts of things to do after you leave to keep yourself in tip top condition after your massage, but most of it just went in one ear and out the other. You step into your car, relaxed and sleepy, and decide you are going to take a nap and ignore most of what you have just been told, or what you could hear, at least. "How bad can it be?", you wonder, starting the ignition and pulling out of the parking lot.

Stop! Whatever your massage therapist has just told you, he or she has told you for a good reason. Having a massage, especially a deep tissue massage, is a form of passive exercise, as hard as that may be to believe, and you need to take care of yourself as if you have just exercised. You don't want to ruin that relaxed high you're on right now, do you? Since you were too relaxed to hear or listen, let me give you some information and rules to follow.

Drink Lots Of Water, Especially For The Next 24 Hours - this is perhaps the most important rule of all. Rehydration is key to a healthy body, especially after a massage. Since massage promotes lymphatic movement, drinking water and hydrating yourself is key to moving toxins through the kidneys and out of the body. Drinking water is the best way to do this - and no, water in tea, coffee and soft drinks doesn't count! Don't be surprised if you seem to have an increased urine output, i.e. you are peeing much more. This is also normal.
Take A Bath - A nice warm bath is very soothing after a massage, particularly with Epsom Salts. Epsom Salts are just Magnesium Sulfate, which is a natural muscle relaxer. They are also wonderful at drawing out toxins in the body, as is massage, so you may get a sort of detoxifying effect which is very beneficial to the body. You can get Epsom Salts at most grocery stores or pharmacies. If you don't have Epsom Salts, don't worry - a nice warm bath will do just fine. Please note that I said warm and not scalding hot! This is important because if you have any inflammation in the muscles the excessive heat can serve to exacerbate the injury. If you have a very sore muscle or injury, try icing the area.
Pay Attention To Your Body's Reaction To The Massage - You may be sore after the massage. This is normal with Deep Tissue massage, but it can happen with the more gentle Swedish Massage as well. Sometimes you may not feel the soreness until the next day. Why? Well, as mentioned before, massage is a sort of passive exercise. If you are not one to get massages often, or do not exercise and are not used to using the muscles, then they may respond with soreness. This should only last for a day or perhaps two; anything more indicates that perhaps your therapist worked on you a little too hard. This should be adjusted in the next segment. You can help your therapist by stretching before you arrive for your segment. Remember anything that was particularly painful and report this to your therapist at your next visit. The therapist should be open to what you are saying and should tailor your visit from the information they receive from you.
Rest - You may feel tired, as if you want to lie down and take a nap. This is completely normal, and you should listen to your body. If you can, make sure you have nowhere to go and nothing to do after your massage. Massage is not just work on the body; it is work on the mind too. It helps to destress and relax you; this in turn may make you feel tired. This is your time to recover your mind and body and it is your body's time to rebalance itself and retune. Don't feel like you SHOULD be doing something. There is nothing worse than hearing a client say, "Oh, that felt great. Too bad I have to go back to work." or "I think I'll go work out now". Make time for yourself and your body will thank you.
Welcome Different Emotions - Sometimes, if you have been experiencing lots of stress, you may feel the need to cry after the massage. Alternatively, you may feel elated, on cloud nine, full of energy. Either response is normal. The key is not to try to keep these emotions out. The massage may channel these feelings and multiply them; whichever way, this is what the body needs. I have had people break down on the table before; this is all perfectly natural. Let it come and you will feel that much better afterwards.

As you can see, there aren't that many rules to follow, but it's important that you do! Following the above rules will help you to get so much more benefits out of your massage and your presence of mind will be that much more peaceful and invigorated. Always remember, if you have any questions whatsoever, be sure to call your therapist. We are here for you to help you to heal and to get the most out of your session that you can get. They don't call us therapists for nothing!

An Open Letter to President Obama

Carrie Kinnear — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:48:00 GMT

Dear President Obama -

You made it to the White House - congratulations! I know that you have many topics to conquer and many changes to make in this great country of ours.

Of course, as you know, your agreement to adopt a shelter dog for your daughters Sasha and Malia brought joy to the hearts of so many ordinary citizens who work tirelessly in shelters to find each and every animal their forever home. I have now read that, due to Malia's asthma, you may be rethinking the decision to find a dog from a shelter. I would like to urge you not to rescind on this! There are millions of shelter dogs to choose from including hypoallergenic breeds, such as Labradoodles and Between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats end up in shelters every year; about half of them have to be euthanized, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

I myself have volunteered in shelters and have seen the innocent lives lost for many reasons. Sometimes people see these animals as expendable; they get tired of taking care of them or feel that it costs too much for pet upkeep. Many times people are not allowed to have dogs but take them in anyhow; the landlord finds out and it's curtains for the animal. Many shelter dogs are not just mixes or "mutts"; many are purebreds who were unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of irresponsible, uncompassionate humans. In fact, out of the nearly 148,000 adoptable dogs currently available on Petfinder.com, there are thousands of hypoallergenic options available, including:

2,558 Poodles and Poodle mixes
925 Yorkies
657 Bichon Frises
434 Cairn Terriers
247 Westies
152 Cockapoos
120 Wheaton Terriers (www.sfgate.com)

Any of these may be suitable for your family; you can go onto Petfinder.com to look at pictures and to see which ones are in the Washington D.C. area. I can tellyou from experience that shelter animals have so much love to give; they seem to know that their days were numbered, and that they are truly blessed in every sense of the word. You will never regret your decision.

Another reason I am writing, perhaps the most important of all, is this - you are now going to be the President of the United States of America. Every citizen in this nation will be looking to you and emulating what you do. If you were to buy a dog from a breeder, it would be a sign to the citizens of this nation that purebred" dogs are better. Whatever dog you choose, there will no doubt be a rush of people looking to get the same. As President, your every move will be scrutinized and imitated. Wouldn't you like to make the right move? Wouldn't you like that move to save not only the life of the dog you choose, but countless other dogs as well, dogs who undoubtedly would have been chosen to meet their maker? You really can help make a difference. Please do not underestimate the brevity of your decision. All animal lovers are watching and waiting. I, and my fellow animal loving citizens, trust that you will make the right choice.

Please don't let us down.

Kind regards,
Carrie Kinnear

Feline Massage - Your Cat Deserves It!

Carrie Kinnear — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:44:00 GMT

So, if you have read any of my hubs, you know that I am a Certified Massage Therapist. You may also know that I am a Certified Canine Massage Therapist. You also know that I fervently believe, and know from experience and my own clients, that Canine Massage can help with both physical and mental issues that dogs may have, such as nervousness, aggression, arthritis, hip dysplasia, or just old age. But what about cats? Does Feline Massage exist? And can it really help our beloved moggies to obtain better health?

The answer is an unequivocal yes. Just like humans, our pets go through a change when the aging process begins. Hearing loss, bad vision, tooth decay....all this is just part and parcel of the process. These are not the only changes taking place though. Creaky, sore joints, lumps and bumps, and stiff muscles also appear. Cats do tend to age well, but they can do even better with some help from the families who love them.

Cats can live for 20 years or more on a good run, however, often they are considered seniors by the age of ten. This all depends of course on age, diet, genetics, whether they are indoor or outdoor cats, and other factors. Some signs that your cat may be feeling his age are:-

Lack of flexibility which may lead to difficulty grooming
Appearing more bony (the spine may be easier to see and feel)
Avoidance of physical activity (translate that to sleeping more!)
Unable to curl into a tight ball to sleep
Tooth decay
Nails overgrowing (Animal Wellness Magazine, December 2008/January 2009 edition)

So what can massage and bodywork do for your cat? Well, massage can help to increase circulation and get the blood flowing throughout the body to those stiff, sore muscles. It's also very relaxing for the cat. Many times, as animals get older, they feel a change in their body and become nervous and anxious. I know my own cat, Ollie, is very nervous. When I see him begin to pace and meow, I instantly give him a massage. It calms him down and he is back to himself in no time. He enjoys it so much that his brother, Magic, has now become curious and lets me massage him, in shorter spurts, of course. My husband swears that Ollie is now making it up just to get his massages - but I don't mind giving them anyhow!

In regards to acupressure, this is also a wonderful tool for your cat's wellness. Acupressure is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been proven as an important tool in health over thousands of years. Using the tips of the fingers, light pressure is applied on certain points of the body, improving the flow of the life-promoting Chi energy (Animal Wellness Magazine). The idea is that when Chi is flowing smoothly, we, and our animals, are happy and healthy. If it is not flowign smoothly, illness or uncomfortable feelings arise. In the case of a senior cat, the goal would be to support vital organ systems by maintaining a healthy metabolic rate and helping along the flow of Chi (Animal Wellness Magazine).

The wonderful thing about both massage and acupressure is that they are both non-invasive and, more likely than not, your cat will really enjoy what you are doing for them. It will feel good to their body and their spirit; not only that, but it is enhancing the bond between yourself and your beloved pet. Who doesn't want to spend a few minutes or so each day, pampering our pets and treating them to the wellness they deserve. We can't make them live forever, but we can help the aging process to be postponed indefinitely. Of course, your cat doesn't have to be a senior to benefit from bodywork and acupressure. Applying these methods at any stage of your cat's life can help them to be in the best possible health they can be in, whether they are tiny kittens or "senior kitizens". Let's give them the love that they give to us, unconditionally.