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!

The Unfortunate Breed

What Not To Wear Vets
Unfortunately, in my profession, as much as we want to look professional and wear cute clothing, it's going to get ruined. I can't justify spending money on clothing that is guaranteed to get ripped or some sort of animal bodily fluid on it. Scrubs are my work attire; I will save my "glamorous" clothing for dinners and going out occasions.

Debates Teach Us About Vet Med
I am not one to discuss politics and this is no exception, but I did find this article relatable.
1) Facts are less important than trust
2) You need to earn a client's trust
3) Build a relationship and the facts will follow

Found on Facebook the other day:
"Long after this election is over Trump and Hilary will still be rich.  Half of us will be able to say we "won." The other half will have 4 years to say "that's why I didn't vote for ___." Just remember we live in a different America than they do. We have to live, work and eat, in OUR America.  We don't get to hop on a private jet and fly away from our communities problems.  We are what makes this country what it is, not the President.  He/she will not stop crime in our neighorhoods, he won't stop people from stealing your identity, and she will not stop anyone from shooting up our local night clubs. Hilary will not come teach your children right from wrong, but you can. Trump will not come to your home and teach her math, but you can. We as a UNITED people with sound morals, values, and ethics can make this country what ever we want. Vote for whom ever you want but remember WE are the ones that shape our communities, not them,"

Montreals Pit Bull Ban Is Bad Public Policy
ASPCA Pitbulls
Montreal Pitbull Ban - How To Help
Anyone that has ever worked with dogs will tell you that pitbulls are among the sweetest dogs to work with.  It's the chihuahuas that are more likely to bit you and there are studies to prove this, including one titled: {Study: Chihuahuas bite vet most; Lhaso Apsos inflict worst injuries." Without hesitation I will muzzle any chihuahua that I exam; I will read the body language of any other dog. I will easily trust a pit over a dachshund any day of the week. If only the media covered that percentage of bites, but unfortunately those aren't reported to animal control like pitbull bites are. Because pitbulls' jaws are incredibly powerful, they have a bad reputation on the occasion they do attack. Of course any dog will bite under the "right" circumstances. I am always interested in knowing the circumstance whenever I hear about a dog bite. A perfectly well-trained, well-behaved dog isn't going to attack out of the blue for no reason; was the dog painful/not trained/being abused/scared etc?  It's just sad that the general public is afraid of a breed when they don't need to be. Check out the "how to help" link above to see what you can do about Montreal's pitbull ban.

Adventure Awaits

20 Signs That You Are Born To Travel

Aruba and Thailand trips are booked!! One trip a month, that's my type of life. Say it with me now, I do believe it's time for another adventure.  Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but it is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.  The mind can never break off from the journey.  That's why my best romantic relationship has been with my passport. I don't ever have the words for the endless blissful affair I have with traveling; this world is my greatest love story.

Charlotte Protests - Live Updates

I'm not going to get into the "excitement" that Charlotte has seen this past week, but let's just hope this craziness stops sometime soon.  There is a difference between protests and riots.

You Are Not Alone

DrAndyRoark

Study: 1 in 6 Veterinarians have considered Suicide
The veterinary profession sadly lost another one of our own this week, a young recent graduate. This is unfortunately a very real thing in my profession. We have professors and counselors telling us throughout school that veterinarians are more at risk for this than most professions. Just google "veterinarians suicide" and there are way too many articles on the subject.  "We aren't capable of accepting failure...the good guys are suppose to win but we don't always win. It's just the way that medicine goes."  The medical field is such a demanding profession; there are not many other fields were you put your blood, sweat, and tears into other people and "forget" about yourself.  Look out for each other. We have the compassion to help each other. We all have moments when we get beaten down; you are not alone.

15 Dog Breeds You Think You Want But Probably Shouldn't Get

When I Feel Like Time Is Slipping Away

This Is Us This Is Our 30s
"I looked forward to the 30's ushering a new era of fearless living, unapologetic acceptance of self, loving and loving honestly, openness and exploration of sexuality, staying true to your truths, and the confidence that comes with (excuse me french) truly learning to not give a f***."

30 Traits Of Empaths
"Empaths can perceive physical sensitivites and spiritual urges, as well as just knowing the motivations and intentions of other people." How many of these empath traits can you say you have?