Harvey Enjoys the Green Grass

Harvey
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

Having a lush, green yard is such a change for the dogs (and us) since we've been in Arizona the past five years! Harvey likes to graze, while Walter searches for deer poop.

May 2009 Flickr Scavenger Hunt List

Ouch! I didn't think it could get worse than last month! Alas... As always, please let me know if you have ideas!

May 2009 Scavenger Hunt

1. What box shall we think outside of??? (Please tag as msh0509-1 and msh0509)
2. Mayday or May Day (msh0509-2 and msh0509)
3. One in a 1.000.000 (msh0509-3 and msh0509)
4. Yellow submarine (msh0509-4 and msh0509)
5. Pedant`s corner (msh0509-5 and msh0509)
6. The grass is always greener (msh0509-6 and msh0509)
7. When worlds collide (msh0509-7 and msh0509)
8. Out-of-roundness (msh0509-8 and msh0509)
9. White on White (msh0509-9 and msh0509)
10. Silence in the library (msh0509-10 and msh0509)
11. Message in a bottle (msh0509-11 and msh0509)
12. Design (msh0509-12 and msh0509)
13. Color outside the lines (msh0509-13 and msh0509)
14. Dalmatian (msh0509-14 and msh0509)
15. Abstract (msh0509-15 and msh0509)
16. The color of taste (msh0509-16 and msh0509)
17. Toto I dont think we are in Kansas anymore.... (msh0509-17 and msh0509)
18. Sponsored by.... (msh0509-18 and msh0509)
19. Iconic (msh0509-19 and msh0509)
20. Watercolor (msh0509-20 and msh0509)

Another Monthly Scavenger Hunt Completed

April 2009 Flickr Monthly Scavenger Hunt
Originally uploaded by aimeedars

This one was tough, and next month looks even tougher!

Blame Factory Farms for Swine Flu

Modern factory farm practices shoulder much of the blame for the current swine flu outbreak, according to a statement from the Humane Society of the United States. In factory farms, pigs are raised in horrific, intense confinement. Moreover, they are often cared for by the same staff assigned to adjacent poultry operations. Trucking the animals (in the heat, in confinement) allows for the quick spread of the disease across long distances. Surely the amount of antibiotics given to factory farmed animals exacerbates the situation (for more on this, visit the Sustainable Table).

While factory farming likely sparked the swine flu outbreak (not to mention avian flu), people get swine flu from other people who have been infected, not from eating animal products, though that would be poetic justice. To avoid infection, use good hygiene--wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and, in areas where swine flu has been reported, avoid hugging, kissing, and touching others.

To reduce the likelihood of more outbreaks or other diseases associated with factory farms, work to require humane conditions for farm animals. Though you may only be doing it for your own health, it is the very least these animals deserve.

Humane Society of the United States Swine Flu Statement
Grist Article Investigating Link to Smithfield Factory Farms

Dog Park!

We picked one of the hottest days of the year so far to hang out at the dog park. Recently, the TC Dog Owners Group added a small dog area with these cool toys. If you live in Ithaca, please support the group because they handle all the maintenance and upkeep for the park--neither the state nor the city provide funds.

Tompkins County Dog Owners Group