STARTLING GLOBAL WARMING STATISTICS

And when I say startling, I mean it. Don't treat this as just another article meaning nothing. Maybe this will finally inspire you to go "green:"

• The UN says that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025 if consumption continues at current rates. That's in SIXTEEN years!!
• There is an 80% DECREASE in U.S. global warming pollution required by 2050 to stop the worst consequences of global warming.
• America is the NUMBER ONE global warming polluter in the world.
• At least half of the following 5 years are expected to be as hot or hotter than 1998, the hottest year on record(that's in the WORLD).
• America's carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels since 1990 have increased 20%.

If you've been inspired, here are some simple tips:

• Visit http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/carboncalculator.cfm to calculate your personal impact.
• Set the thermostat to no lower than 78 degrees F in the summer and no higher than 68 degrees F in the winter, and turn it one degree up in summer and one degree down in winter(you won't notice a temperature change, but you will notice a lower utility bill.)
• Buy metal or ceramic bowls for your pet.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning.
• Send ecards. Try www.care2.com where every ecard you send saves a square foot of rainforest.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescents.
• Plant a deciduous tree on the south side of your home, which will shade it in summer and let the sun warm it in winter.
• Close curtains to keep out summer daytime heat or keep in nighttime winter warmth.
• If there is no neighborhood curbside recycling program in your area, visit your city's website to see if your neighborhood to the list.
• Buy second-hand.
• Reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Happy greening!

DOG Facts!!

Here are some randow dog facts I've gleaned off from books and websites over the years.

• Make your walks interesting. Let your dog carry a box, a basket, or a toy while walking.


• The five most common dog names:Male: Max, Jake, Buddy, Bailey, SamFemale: Maggie, Molly, Lady, Sadie, Lucy


• The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order: Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Bulldog


• A dog's temperature is between 100.2-102.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
• The following indicate possible health problems and should be checkedby a vet: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, excessive sneezing, coughing,or abnormal discharge from eyes.
  
• Chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system; a few ounces will kill a small sized dog.
  

I bet you know most of these already anyway.

Chocoholics, Rejoice!

This picture shows the wonder in use. Inhalable chocolate- Le Whif, it is called. It was developed by David Edwards and several of his students. It uses chocolate particles that are 80 to 300 microns which is too large to enter the lungs. Your mouth is coated with chocolate at less than 1 calorie! You can purchase Le Whif online at the end of the month. The cost is $50 for 24 "whiffs," each of which contains 4 puffs. So the price tag for each "whiff" is $2.00. Pretty neat, huh? Read more at
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-inhale-chocolateapr10,0,7491094.story
or
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/10/for_those_who_live_and_breathe_chocolate_a_puff/

Pet Ownership Stats from ASPCA.org

-About 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
-About 60 million dogs and about 75 million cats are owned in the United States. (Source: Pet Food Institute)
-According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.
-The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. About 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 to 10 percent are purchased from pet shops. (Source: Ralston Purina and NCPPSP)
-At least 20 percent of cats are acquired as strays. (Source: NCPPSP) Many strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
-More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)
-The cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year.
-The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700 annually.
-About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.

Watch this it's SO cute!!!

Click on the link it is the most cute thing ever be sure to have the sound on!!!
http://www.wimp.com/bunnysong

Go Orange for animals

April is ASPCA's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Raise awareness by going orange. The month begins on April 7th, and ASPCA Day is on April 10th.

Here are some ideas:

• Dress in orange.


• Getting ready to sow your flowers? Buy as many orange flowers as you can-just make sure they aren't toxic to animals.


• Organize an orange bake sale with citrus colored cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream and other colorful goodies. Donate your profits to your local shelter.


• Spread the news!

Read more at http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-april/ways-to-go-orange.html