Living In The Present

Wildlife % Fall
If we don't do anything about this, the numbers are going to continue to decline. I love working with wildlife but the sadly demand isn't there.

St Kitts and Nevis Marine Managed Area
This is such a great thing and a long time coming. Now if we can only get rid of all those lionfish there ;)

More Than 500 Rabbits Dead After Eating Commercial Rabbit Feed
This is why it's so important for veterinarians to know about food labels.  We are animal nutritionists, yet so many vets overlook what is on the labels.  We should always be asking clients what they are feeding their pets.

Countdowns:

 16 days to my exam

24 days to Aruba

 34 days to Thailand

57 days to Christmas

114 days to my birthday 

 235 days to summer

I am usually pride myself in being able to live in the present moment.  However, lately I have been struggling with this since there is so much that I have to look forward to. I constantly have to pull my thoughts back to reality.  I have been researching different ways of practicing mindfulness so I can catch myself even before my mind wanders. For me, taking a detox bath, drinking detox tea, incense, and guided yoga or mediation seems to work. There are so many different mediation guides out there, you have to find one that works for you. We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice twenty five years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard for that job, car, house, etc. We have difficulty remembering how to live in the present moment; it's the only moment for us to be alive. Tomorrow is never promised so make it so beautiful that it's worth remembering. There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. The first is yesterday and the second is tomorrow., so today is the right time to love, believe, do, but mostly live.

A Rollarcoaster of 5 years

This week, October 17th marked the 5 year anniversary of when I started this blog. My first post had 32 readers and thanks to you my posts have a tremendous amount more than that.  It all started with me finding out I got into veterinary school and my thinking that I would update my audience through my triumphs and tribulations on this journey.  There has been so many incredible adventures, both positive or negative. I can honestly look back and say that I am not the same person I was when I started writing this. You can see it in my post within the content of what I'm writing. I have since discovered how to add additional pages, my Pinterest board, and even music! I've even had themes, photo challenges, articles, and lists. I will continue to research and find new ways to entertain you. So I thank you for being an avid reader this entire time, even if you only happen to read every other post. Click here to to read my first post: Let's See How This Goes

7 Misconceptions About Alpha Females
Agree with every single one of these.

Dark World Of The Rhino Horn Trade
This is why I'm so passionate about putting a stop to this.  Look back at my South Africa trip here.

US Government To Slaughter 45000 Wild Horses
I would become a vegetarian if it would stop killing non-food animals.

Mike's Passing

Things We Can Learn From Birds
A little article I wrote on the Broadreach blog was officially posted this week

Nicholas Sparks was in Charlotte this past weekend! I was able to go get his new book (Two by Two) signed and get this picture with him. For those that don't know him (which you should), he's the author of several books setting in North Carolina and the following books turned movies: (In order of when the movies were released) Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, The Notebook, The Last Song, Dear John, The Lucky One, Safe Haven, The Lucky One, The Best of Me, The Longest Ride, and The Choice.

LSUs Mike the Tiger Passed Away
After The News Of Mike VIs Death PETA Appears
Mike passed away this week. :(  He wasn't doing well this past weekend so his caretakers decided it was time. Sadly, PETA is already trying to prevent LSU from getting another tiger. If this were a tiger at a zoo or any other enclosure then maybe I would agree with them, but this tiger is treated like royalty. His caretakers know everything about him and how to interpret what he wants. If he doesn't want to get into his mobile cage for the home games, then they don't force him.  There are no tigers treated better than they way they treat the Mikes at LSU.  As I said in my last blog, Mike is the spirit behind LSU, he is what keeps us going.  We all love you Mike.

Mike, The Power of LSU

It's October! Time for fall leaves, fires, hot chocolate, pumpkin flavored everything, and sweaters....well I need to go shopping..... I haven't been in fall weather in a few years!

This week there was more Thailand planning! It's incredibly exciting!

African Grey Parrot - Protected Status
African Grey's have become a protected species due to the large amount of trafficking. "Banning the trade will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to crack down on the poachers."

Montreal Pit Bull Ban Suspended
As you may know, I posted last week about Montreal's Pit Bull ban and what you can do to help. Well, the ban has been suspended. The fight is far from over, as there are still questions about what defines a pitbull.  The major says "you'll know it when you see it." I'm going to have to argue that point, because there are plenty of breeds out there that are questionable, such as Boxers. They get mistaken for pits on a regular basis.  Plus, there are a lot of dogs that still need adopting.

LSU - Mike the Tiger
A friend of mine was just telling me about how he remembered when Mike first came to LSU. This extraordinary cat is what LSU is all about. He is what embodies the students spirit and enthusiasm. Mike is the powerforce behind LSU football and what makes the students scream "Geaux Tigers."  He is a must visit whenever in the Baton Rouge area even if you are not an LSU fan.  Back in May, Mike was sadly diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma. He underwent radiotherapy treatment, but unfortunately a CT scan revealed that the cancer has spread. The LSU team will monitor Mike and make him as comfortable as possible.

VT had a by-week last weekend, but there is a family rivalry this weekend!