Momathon Blog

A chance encounter and dancing waves in the sky

 

 

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

 

Hello, friends. Hope you had a relaxing weekend and also stepped outside for a break too. When I hike around my neighborhood I always scan the sky for red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons circling over the foothill ridges. Their movements, usually two birds hunting in tandem, amaze me. The vimeo movie above captured by Sophie Windsor Clive while paddling a canoe features a stunning view of a collection of starlings swirling in large formations that remind me of a sci-fi amoeba in the sky. Check it out.

Irene's flood water risks to pets (and people)

 

 

My three dogs wag their tails when they see a puddle, but even with their amazing canine noses they can't sniff out the hidden contaminants.  And they can't see the dangerous debris hidden in the mud.

Valentine doodles: Puppy love

“I don't wish to be everything to everyone,

but I would like to be something to someone.” 

~ Javan

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

Daily doodle: Walking in a winter wonderland...

 

Gone away is the bluebird,

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song,

As we go along,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

...

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,

Though your nose gets a chilling

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,

Walking in a winter wonderland.

 

~ Winter Wonderland, lyrics by Richard B. Smith

 

 

You can see more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2011.

 

Daily doodle: O Christmas Penguin, O Christmas Penguin

 

 

O Christmas penguin, O Christmas penguin,

Much pleasure dost thou bring me!

For ev’ry year the Christmas penguin,

Brings to us all both joy and glee.

O Christmas penguin, O Christmas penguin,

Much pleasure dost thou bring me!

(Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.)

 

Holiday safety tips for pets

Holiday decorations and food and even new holiday toys are very tempting chew toys for pets just like they are for children. And we tend to put the holiday items in places dogs and other pets can reach easily. We might remember to baby-proof our house if we have young children, but we also can use the same concept for dog-proofing the house for the holidays. 

Toys (and holiday decorations) that are not designed for dogs are not safe for pets. Small parts--even the squeaky part inside a child's or dog's toy--can spell trouble if your pup chews up the toy and swallows the choking hazard. Instead give your dog indestructible toys to keep him occupied like a "Kong" dog toy filled with dog treats. 

Some types of "people food" can be toxic to your dog. I know it's hard to resist giving your pooch a snack from the dinner table. Especially during the holidays. Unfortunately some foods that people love--even healthy foods such as grapes or raisins--can harm or kill your pet. 

We know chocolate and candy is bad for Fido, but did you know that meatloaf with onions is very harmful because of the onions? When my Rhodesian Ridgeback got pancreatitis after eating the turkey meat with the skin on it, I found out how quickly a healthy dog can become gravely ill from greasy foods. Also, you should avoid any candy or other item sweetened with xylitol. See my list below for foods to avoid. Plus, for more information on pet safety during the holidays, check out the ASPCA Holiday Safety Tips.

 

 

Common signs of poisoning include:

• Muscle tremors or seizures
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Drooling
• Redness of skin, ears, and eyes
• Swelling and bleeding

 

Foods to avoid

For a detailed look at poisonous foods and items for pets, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Here's a quick overview of just a few people foods dogs and other pets should not eat according to the ASPCA.

• Avocados
• Alcohol
• Greasy foods like turkey skin
• Nuts (especially macadamia nuts and walnuts)
• Chocolate
• Candy or anything containing the sweetener Xylitol
• Coffee and Caffeine
• Grapes or Raisins
• Onions, Garlic, Chives
• Human Medicine
• Yeast Dough
• Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
• Milk
• Salt

 

Plants to avoid

Many of your favorite household plants are poisonous to pets too. Check out the ASPCA: 17 Common Poisonous Plants

Here are 17 plants that are poisonous to pets:

• Lilies
• Marijuana
• Sago Palm
• Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
• Azalea/Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Castor Bean 
• Cyclamen
• Kalanchoe
• Yew
• Amaryllis 
• Autumn Crocus 
• Chrysanthemum 
• English Ivy 
• Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) 
• Pothos 
• Schefflera

 

Illustration by me, Chris Olson.

Photo image by digital_image_fan

(You might notice that a version of this post is familiar, you can read it also here.)

 

 

Daily doodle: No rules

"There are no rules here.

We are trying to accomplish something."

~ Thomas Edison

 

Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.
Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

 

The great Pup-kin

"On Halloween night, the Great Pumpkin rises from his pumpkin patch and flies through the air with his bag of toys to all the children." --Linus

 

Check out more of my doodles at Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Daily doodle: Giraffe

I like giraffes because they hold their heads up high.

Fun giraffe facts:

• A giraffe can look into a second-story window.
• A giraffe's 6-foot neck weighs about 600 pounds and yet a giraffe has only seven neck vertebrae just like people.
• Even though the front legs of a giraffe look longer, their front and back legs are the same length--about six feet in length.
• Giraffes have big hearts: a giraffe heart weighs about 25 pounds.
• Giraffe lungs are big too, they can hold about 12 gallons of air.
• The giraffe loves Acacia leaves and they eat about 75 pounds of tree leaves a day.

For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Waiting for my coffee to brew

When the world is just waking up, I like to sit on the stairs and soak in the unconditional love my dogs offer. Illustration © Chris Olson.

Daily Doodle: Dogs in the city

 

Had a wonderful time in NYC attending BlogHer 10. Saw so many adorable dogs in the city! Whenever I travel, I miss my puppies at home. This doodle of Frenchies was inspired by the many cute pups I met in NYC. Doodle created on my iPad. 

Illustration © Chris Olson.

What to do if you find a deer tick

 

 

What to do if you find a deer tick 

The sooner you can remove a deer tick the better. To prevent lyme disease do DAILY tick checks because you want the deer tick to embed your skin for less than 24-48 hours.

• If you find a tick on you or your pets, use a thin-bladed pair of tweezers. 
• Grab the tick by the head or the mouth as close to the skin as possible and remove attached tick slowly and gently. 
• Do NOT use the ineffective remedies like petroleum jelly, nail polishes, or burning matches.
• Save the tick for testing/diagnosis: Put tick in a small jar to give your health practitioner as soon as possible. 
• An effective history of exposure is helpful for treatment. You can take a photo of the tick or the rash and email it to your doctor for clarification. 
• You can't effectively wash ticks out of clothing, but you can get rid of them by putting clothing in the dryer for a cycle. 

Diagnosis
Because the disease has symptoms that mimic other diseases, diagnosis is often difficult. If you suspect you have been bitten, go to a doctor immediately. A physical exam and blood test may be done. But a blood test is not always conclusive. Early recognition of signs and an awareness of history of possible exposure areas is critical. Fortunately, the disease can be treated with anitbiotics. However, the earlier the diagnosis is made the better the recovery. 

To reduce deer tick population near your house: Keep lawn mowed, brush trimmed, and leaf litter away from home. Clear vegetation on paths and trails. 

Early symptoms
Symptoms that appear 3 to 30 days after the bite according to the deer tick study by the Minnesota Dept. of Health. A person may have all or just some of these symptoms. The symptoms can resemble the flu. 

• Red rash resembling a bulls-eye may be present in some case. This rash is present in 60 to 80 percent of the Lyme disease cases. 
• Fever 
• Chills 
• Headache 
• Muscle and joint pain 
• Fatigue 

Symptoms that can appear later
Symptoms days to weeks after the bite according to the Minnesota Dept. of Health. A person may have all or just some of these symptoms.

• Multiple rashes 
• Facial paralysis 
• Fever - Stiff neck 
• Headache 
• Weakness, numbness, pain in arms 
• Irregular heart beat 
• Weakness or fatigue Long-term symptoms of untreated Lyme disease include arthritis, problems with the nervous system, weakness, fatigue. 

(Photo above of a female deer tick by jkirkhart35 on Flickr)

Baby Magpie birds

Baby Magpie birds are bold even when they are very young. This summer the chicks are trying to "herd" my dogs in the backyard. 

(Sketch above created using ArtStudio app on my iPad. Post created using BlogPress from my iPad.)

Momathon Fave: New cuddly stamps help homeless pets

 

Starting April 30th, helping shelter dogs cats can be as simple as buying the new USPS stamps to raise awareness of the plight of homeless pets. During the launch Ellen DeGeneres's natural pet food company Halo will be donating a million meals to animal shelters. A pane of 20 stamps with 10 animal images is $8.80

To find out more about the US Postal Service's "Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet" stamps go to this link: USPS Stamps to the Rescue. 

How to get the cuddly stamps: 
Stamps will be available at post offices April 30th. You can pre-order them at www.stampstotherescue.com, or calling 1-800-STAMP -24 (1-800-782-6724).

About the pets featured:
The images of the five shelter cats and five dogs on the 44-cent stamps were taken by photographer Sally Andersen-Bruce. All the pets featured have been adopted! 

(Stamp photo: USPS Stamps to the Rescue.)

Rattlesnake season begins: Time to get your dog vaccinated

 

 

Winter is always so peaceful on the hiking trails by my house because the ground is frozen. Now the daffodils are blooming. Spring is here. The earth is warming up. Creatures I didn't see during the colder months are out and about. Each time I go around a bend on a hiking trail I watch out for a Western Diamondback sunning on the path. 

I wear hiking boots to protect my feet and ankles. But dogs don't wear shoes and their natural curiosity can lead them right into harm's way. Often my dogs are running through the longer grass so quickly it would be impossible for them to even see the snake hiding nearby. That's why I get them vaccinated for rattlesnake bites. And rattlesnake vaccines are a safer alternative to the antivenom treatment if my dogs get a bite. Of course, even with the vaccine if one of my dogs gets bitten by a snake, I still need to immediately go to the vet for a check.

Rattlesnake bites are a veterinary emergency that results in serious injury and unfortunately even death to thousands of dogs each year. The venom spreads through dogs (and humans) quickly. The good news is dogs can get vaccinated to protect them.

If you live in an area with rattlesnakes, it's time to get your dog vaccinated. The best time for the vaccine is at the beginning of the snake season because the vaccine loses its effectiveness over time. Of course, please consult with your vet for the best preventive measures for your dog.

Rattlesnakes like to sunbathe on rocks or ledges during the day, but they are out during dawn and dusk too. Rattlesnakes can climb walls and trees. They also like to hide beneath logs or woodpiles. Last year my husband picked up a bag of grass clippings beside the house and surprised a rattlesnake hiding underneath it. 

Even if your dog can't see the snake they can learn to recognize the signs that a snake is nearby. Rattlesnakes emit an odor and a rattle sound that is specific to them. If you hike often you might consider contacting a professional dog trainer in your area that specializes in training dogs to avoid snakes.

(Photo: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake photo by Charles & Clint)

Does your dog fit your personality?

Which dog is for you? Adopting a dog is adopting a forever friend. A slideshow created by the clever folks at WebMD.com offers a glimpse at how to find the best dog for you according to your hobbies, your health, ages of your family members, and much more.

(Image: WebMD.com)
 

iPhone app takes on global warming skeptics

I love The Skeptical Science iPhone app. And believe me, I will have plenty of opportunities to use it in my little town. Sure it won't help me win every argument with global warming skeptics. But I'll keep using this app and supporting mother earth because as my daughter tells me: We love polar bears, penguins, lady bugs, blue sky, and the fish in the sea. 

According to a report by Leo Hickman in the www.guardian.co.uk:

"I'm not sure this is going to quell the climate wars raging at present, but it's an interesting development nonetheless. An Australian solar physicist called John Cook, who runs the popular Skeptical Science website, has developed an app which "lets you use an iPhone or iPod to view the entire list of skeptic arguments as well as (more importantly) what the science says on each argument". So the next time you're caught at the fag end of a wedding reception in an interminable one-way conversation with a reactionary uncle who's boring on about how "the climate's always changed", just switch on this app, hand them your iPhone, and proceed to the bar."

So far the app has 90 rebuttals to global warming skeptic arguments.

Thanks to this clever app developed by solar physicist John Cook, I'll know exactly what to say the next time someone tells me to stop worrying about polar bears starving to death on melting ice. 

Baby panda makes media debut... So cute!

 

Five-month-old giant panda cub, Yun Zi, made his media debut this week at the San Diego Zoo. Click here to see the adorable zoo video and check out the San Diego Zoo's PandaCam.