Cats And Coupons

Literally. I thought this article from nj.com was very cool and I wanted to Share Some Good Stuff.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably heard of the MilkBone company. They make doggie treats. What I didn’t know is what a very charitable, generous company they are. In 1997 MilkBone started a program called Canine Heroes, which is a nationwide program that provides assistance dogs to people with physical disabilities and provides dogs trained to detect bombs and drugs to law enforcement agencies. In celebration of MilkBones 100th anniversary, this month the company has donated another million dollars to the Canine Heroes program. Canine Heroes is an expensive program to run, so that money will be put to good use.

Canine Assistants are dogs are placed with people with disabilities and/or other special needs. The program has for types of dogs – service, companion, hearing and seizure response. People that receive an assistance dog also receive free pet food and veterinary care for life. It is estimated that the cost to train one dog is over $12,000 and the training can take more than a year. The article included brief interviews with two New Jersey families who have been fortunate enough to receive Canine Assistants.

MilkBone’s Police Dog program helps place police dogs into communities with little or no cost to the community receiving the dog. In eleven years the Police dog program has sponsored more than 450 police dogs across the country, for a nationwide benefit that’s worth more then $2 million. MilkBone also donated $5,000 to a local NJ Sheriff’s department Canine Assistance program, as well as partnering with Petsmart in donating a Dalmation to the department.

This article touched me on a number of different levels. I liked it enough that I spent some time on the Milkbone Heroes site reading about the programs. The article is a fabulous story about a program that touches many lives. The program is quite interesting, and needed. This is a great human interest story but it also hit home for me on a personal level, as I have a son with special needs. I really enjoyed watching the video on the Canine Assistants site. To watch it just click the words Our Inspiration.  What you see is truly inspiring and heart warming. It’s good stuff.

My middle youngest brother mentioned to me recently that he bought some fitness equipment, one of those all in one gyms they show on television. I must start by saying he isn’t out of shape, he’s underweight and you can see his ribs, so I don’t know what he was thinking when he got it. But I got to thinking that the shipping on those things must cost a small fortune. Why would you not find a comparable machine locally? I can’t see myself in a situation where I’d have something huge and heavy shipped. I always consider shipping costs when buying something over the internet. And, for all major purchases I almost always buy in person. Are there certain items you wouldn’t have shipped?

Many companies sell products by mail. For many of them it makes a lot of sense and is safe. What I’m not sure of the safety of is buying certain health products by mail. I thought of this because in the last couple of weeks I have seen a number of places selling diet aids like Anoretix by mail. I could be wrong, but it seems like a product that can really help someone lose pounds within hours ought to be given under doctor’s supervision. Do you think it’s safe to sell anything by mail, or do you think some limits should be set?

Since my son turned twelve he’s been fighting off acne. He wants me to buy all kinds of acne solutions but I know that many of them don’t work, and that he can help fight acne naturally. He drinks lots of water, and rarely drinks soda and I think that’s a good thing. Spring is here and he’s running track, and I think exercise is good for the skin and body. I’ve seen a noticeable change just in the past two weeks or so since the nicer weather started arriving. But since he’s so interested in the products he sees on television, I decided to see what free skin care samples I can find. So far I’ve found Neutrogena. Do any of you know of any others?

If you’ve ever had to buy any home medical equipment you know how expensive it can be. Often people find themselves trying to help family or friends get the equipment that they need if an unexpected medical situation arises. Before buying items such as walkers, shower stools, benches, beds and wheelchairs, ask around. You never know what someone else might have that they no longer have a use for. I was inspired to write this after witnessing two women at my work having a casual conversation. One woman mentioned her elderly Mom was very sick and that she had to go out looking for equipment. The other woman said “Wow, I have that, that and that from someone in my family, do you want it?”. And just like that, part of a problem was solved and some money was saved.

Here’s some interesting little tidbits about the eating habits of cats that came across. Some I knew about and others I didn’t.
* Cats naturally eat between twelve and twenty meals a day. Wow! No wonder my cats are always neat the bowl asking for more.
* An average adult cat weighing ten pounds should eat about 275 calories per day. That’s as much as some humans eat in one meal.
* Cats are proven to be finicky so it’s suggested that new food be introduced gradually, mixing the new food with the old. Well I did know that but I’ve always believed in mixing foods together for another reason. It’s easier on the digestive system to not suddenly switch foods, because some animals will have upset stomachs or diarrhea when food is drastically changed.
* Giving your cat milk is not a good idea. After growing out of kittenhood most cats become lactose intolerant, which means they could have painful, dehydrating diarrhea. I had heard not to give them milk, but did not know it was because most cats become lactose intolerant.

If you’re like me you like trying new things and probably have been known to request the occasional product sample. I’m always on the look out for new products to try, and sometimes to review. Most of the sample programs offer samples of beauty products, foods and cleaning products. But recently I saw something that troubled me a bit. I saw samples of weight loss pills. I just don’t think that’s safe, to be able to request a product like that so easily and have it shipped. I personally think weight loss products should only be sold to adults. What do you think?

It’s well known that we as a society don’t get enough exercise. So how can a working person with a busy schedule get a little exercise during the work day? Easy. Exercise during their break. Most people that work full time get a break or two during the day. I’ve noticed where I work now, and when I was in mail order sales, that people often went and sat in the break room on their breaks. I wonder how many of them realize they could spend that ten to fifteen minutes taking a walk around the parking lot, which not only provides exercise, promotes health and fitness and stretches the muscles but gets the employee away from their desk and gives them a chance to have a few minutes to get some fresh air and clear their head. Where I work now I try to walk as often as I can, often twice a day. The only time I won’t go out is if the weather is really nasty. In nasty weather it’s be really nice if we had a room with a couple of treadmills so we could maintain our schedule. So next time you go to work, give yourself a break and take a walk. It’s free and it’s good for you.

My son went to an end of season pizza party for his basketball team yesterday. One of the Moms brought a half sheet cake, decorated with a basketball. It looked really nice, and didn’t taste bad either. When I asked her where she’d gotten it, I was surprised to hear she’d gotten it from the county vocational school for $10. I did not know the culinary program had products for sale. Not only can you order certain things for the students to make in class, they have a store open to the public. Everything is made daily by the students in the classroom.
I also recently learned that the Cosmetology program at the vocational school has one or two nights a week where the public can come in and purchase services at a reduced price. The students do the work, and the instructor checks important steps along the way to ensure quality work and make sure the practical application of knowledge is being applied correctly. One of the women I work got a hair cut from one of the students and it looks great.
I know there’s an automotive program as well, and I heard they do some work for area residents as well but haven’t been able to confirm it yet.
I think it’s a great way to let students practice their future craft and for people to save some money while supporting education. Next time you need a specialized service, see if there’s a vocational school in your area that offers services to the public.

I have a friend who frequently mentions to me how her cats get into everything. We animal lovers love to see our pets happy and playful but should be aware of potential dangers within our own homes. I recently wrote about foods in your own kitchen that can be dangerous, today I am writing about potential dangers in another room, the bathroom.

Most people know to put their medications away to ensure the safety of children. But are they aware that those same meds can make their pets sick? Both over the counter and prescription medications should be kept in a sealed bottle and inside a higher cabinet. Some of the non prescription drugs that are dangerous to pets include acetaminophen, antihistamines, cold medicines, diet pills, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and vitamins. All prescribed medications should also be kept out of reach of reaching hands and paws.

Toilet bowls with treated or colored water, as well as those with automatic cleansing bottles and tablets used should be kept closed. Also, cats have been known to fall into a toilet and be unable to get out, drowning.
Soaps, if licked, eaten or swallowed, will upset your pet’s stomach and probably induce vomiting and diarrhea.
Grooming tools. Keep razors, scissors, knives and any other sharp tools safely out of reach.
Floss. Make sure discarded floss is inside a tissue or in a trash pail with a lid. If a pet swallows it it could get wrapped on their intestines.
Cleaners. Household cleaners are often toxic and should remain out of reach.
House plants. Make sure the plant you have in your bathroom is not one of the toxic ones.

That’s all of the tips I knew or have found. If you have others, please feel free to share.