Method to My Madness. (Maybe)?

Happy Saturday All;
Just a brief explanation before I try to go back to sleep...

I had said in yesterdays blog that I was afraid of taking the new meds prescribed to me by my doctor. (A few of you made me giggle at your own comments as to the solution to my refusal to take the drug)! hehehe


A year ago in March, Casey was in the hospital for yet another pancreatitis attack. At that point she had been on the oxycodone drugs- (1 long acting, and one type for her breakthrough pain).
It was during the course of that drug treatment that her heart rate had gone above 200 more than a few times.
It was during that hospitalization she had that seizure.
Caseys heart rate had remained above 100 for a long time.
"Medically insignificant" is what Dr. Hujuet at St Marys Hospital in Green Bay had called it. (CLICK for that story).

It was determined that the seizure, the tremors and other problems were caused by this drug.

This oxy crap is what my doctor has prescribed for me!
(Yes, he has my medical history).
But his line of thinking is that the other (hydrocodone, aka Vicoden) was not working for me.

• Know that I was hospitalized at 3+ years old.

I had fought the good fight to NOT come inside at supper time.  To deal with such a child, my dad, along with my foster brothers had begun chasing me- (we were all laughing and having a fun time with this)...

Long story short, I jumped off the front porch at one point, and cracked my head open.

At the hospital I was given an EEG, and it was determined that I was epileptic.
I took pills (dilantin and phenobarbital) for this until I was 18; and quit cold turkey when I got married, never having had any episodes before, during, or after. (Although Mama said I did, I do not remember).

BUT...

...IF this IS what caused Casey's seizures,
and IF I have just been "lucky" so far...
do I really want to take that chance?

It has always been my assertion that anyone who falls down and cracks their forehead open, requiring 7 stitches, would have an abnormal EEG.
Not being a doctor though I do not know.
Nor do I know why subsequent EEG's showed the need for continuing meds.

I look forward to your input...
Right now though I need to rest a bit-

XOXO
Me

Animal Cruelty (ASPCA).

If you are not sickened by any of this, please let me know so I can remove you from my friends list.

XOXO
Anne

Note too there are many individual links on every page I have copied.
Please take a moment go to the links to learn more about any topic.



"
The crowd's roar dulled to a hum as the next two fighters appeared...
The previous match had been short, as one contestant quickly outmatched his opponent, mauling him badly and tearing off an ear.

But this final fight matched two highly respected and feared combatants. They eyed each other warily as their handlers finished corner preparations.

Spectators came to the edge of their seats, and fathers lifted children to their shoulders for a better view as the judge stepped to the center, called the dogs to their scratch lines and yelled, "Let 'em go!"

A cheer arose as the dogs charged across the pit and violently slammed into each other, teeth flashing as they sought a vulnerable target.
The dogs came apart once, when the brindle appeared to give up, and turned for a moment.

They were returned to their scratch lines and held.
Both dogs were breathing hard and bleeding.

"Let 'em go," the judge called again.
If the brindle failed to attack now, he would lose.
But he was a game dog, and responded to an instinct bred into him over generations and nurtured through training.
As the brindle charged across his line, his opponent's handler released him with the encouragement,
"Finish him, Bo."
Tired and weakened by his wounds, the brindle was slow to meet Bo's ferocious attacks.
Bo grabbed the brindle's right front leg in powerful jaws, bit and twisted.

The "snap" of breaking bone was heard as the brindle was flipped onto his back, while Bo sought a better grip on his opponent’s throat.

Remarkably, as the judge ordered the handlers to break the dogs, the brindle tried to crawl after Bo, still intent on fighting.
His handler gently wrapped him in a blanket, saying, "No more, boy. It's over."
"
Stolen from here:
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/history-of-dog-fighting.html

For more than a century, humans have deliberately pitted dog-aggressive dogs who will instinctively give their all in staged fights against one another. Why are animal welfare advocates no closer to ending this brutal bloodsport?

This fight could have occurred in any state, in a barn or a city warehouse.
The participants could have been Caucasian, African American or Hispanic, and the year could have been 1897 or 1997. Since the 1800's, dog fighting has attracted the attention and admiration of royalty, politicians, doctors, farmers and police officers, as well as the wrath of animal protectionists, who have fought hard to end it. Yet achieving a better understanding of this bloodsport, rather than simply condemning it, must precede any real effort at wiping it out...

Read more about the history of dog fighting...
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/history-of-dog-fighting.html

Cruelty Glossary
*** Farm Animal Cruelty Glossary about the same (below)...

• Animal Cruelty: Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Some examples are overt abuse, dog fighting and cockfighting, and denying a companion animal the basic necessities of care, such as food, water or shelter.
• Animal Hoarding or Collecting: Obsessive/compulsive disorder in which individual keeps a large number of animals-sometimes more than 100-in his or her home, and neglects to care for the animals and the home environment; "collectors" are usually in extreme denial about the situation. Technically, hoarding can be considered a crime, as it is a form of neglect.
• Animal Welfare Act: Act passed into law in 1966 that ensures that pets and animals used in research and for exhibition purposes are provided humane care and treatment. The act also assures the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce and outlaws the sale or use of animals who have been stolen.
• Backyard Breeder: Individual whose pet either gets bred by accident, or who breeds on purpose for a variety of reasons-a desire to make extra money, for example, or to let the children witness "the miracle of birth." The animals involved are usually not tested for genetic or health.
• Battery Cage: A wire cage, measuring no more than sixteen inches wide, in which four or five hens are housed. These cages are lined up in rows and stacked several levels high on factory farms. This system of production has been outlawed by countries in the European Union.
• Branding: The practice of burning an identifying mark onto the body of an animal using an extremely hot iron stamp, or “brand,” pressed hard into the animal’s flesh for several seconds without anesthesia. Ranchers use brands to distinguish their cattle and hogs from those owned by others.
• Broilers: Chickens raised for meat consumption on modern factory farms. These birds have been selected or bred so that their bodies grow very rapidly. Learn more about our efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Bullhook: Tool commonly used in the training and management of elephants. According to accounts by several former Ringling Bros. employees and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), elephants who perform in Ringling Bros. circuses are repeatedly beaten with sharp bullhooks.
• Canned Hunts: The canned hunt is a practice in which hunters pay fees to shoot and kill exotic animals in a confined area from which they are unable to escape.
• Charreadas (also Charrerias): Rodeos popular in Mexico and the American Southwest. Aspects of this sport—specifically, the two events known as colas (bull-tailing) and manganas (horse-tripping)—are considered by many to be extreme cruelty. Horse-tripping has been banned in California, Texas, New Mexico and Maine.
• Cockfighting: A blood sport in which two roosters specifically bred for aggressiveness are placed beak to beak in a small ring and encouraged to fight to the death.
• Debeaking: A process that involves cutting through bone, cartilage and soft tissue with a blade to remove the top half and the bottom third of a chicken’s, turkey’s or duck’s beak. This measure is taken to reduce the excessive feather pecking and cannibalism seen among stressed, overcrowded birds in factory farms.
• Declawing: The act of surgically amputating the entire distal phalanx, or end bone, of an animal's toes. The surgery is non-reversible, and the animal suffers significant pain during recovery. Declawing has been outlawed in many countries in Europe.
• Downers: Animals headed for slaughter who become too sick or injured to walk unassisted. The Downed Animal Protection Act outlaws the practice of transporting downers to auctions and stockyards for slaughter and requires that these animals be humanely euthanized.
• Ear Cropping: The cropping of a purebred dog's ears to conform to a breed standard. Although this unnecessary cosmetic surgery is regularly performed by some veterinarians, it is often done by untrained individuals, without anesthesia, in unsterile environments.
• Electric Cattle Prod (also called a Hotshot): A device that can deliver an electric current to an animal. It is used to stimulate movement in animals; commonly used with livestock and in rodeos. When animals are poked with the electrified end, they receive a high-voltage, low-current electrical shock. The short shock is not strong enough to kill a large animal, but is enough to cause some pain.
• Factory Farm: A large-scale industrial site where many animals raised for food—mainly chickens, turkeys, cows and pigs—are confined and treated with hormones and antibiotics to maximize growth and prevent disease. The animals lead short, painful lives; factory farms are also associated with various environmental hazards.
• Felony Cruelty: Animal cruelty is considered a crime in all 50 states. But in some states it is taken more seriously-and carries a felony charge, rather than a misdemeanor.(Look up your state's animal cruelty laws. See link below).
• Feral Cat: A cat too poorly socialized to be handled and who cannot be placed into a typical pet home; a subpopulation of free-roaming cats.
• Foie Gras: To make this pricey gourmet delicacy, birds are force-fed enormous quantities of food three times daily via a pipe that is inserted into the esophagus. This leads to enlargement of the animal's liver and sometimes rupturing of the internal organs, infection and a painful death. The process typically lasts up to four weeks, until the birds are slaughtered. Learn more about our efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Forced Molting: Process by which egg-laying hens are starved for up to 14 days, exposed to changing light patterns and given no water in order to shock their bodies into molting. It is common for 5 percent to 10 percent of hens to die during this process.
• Hog-Dog Fighting (also called Hog-Baiting or Hog-Dog Rodeos): A blood sport in which a hog or feral pig is mauled by a trained fighting dog in an enclosed pen. Because its legality, as determined by state anti-cruelty laws, can be vague, many states, particularly in the American South where hog-dog fighting is more common, have passed laws specifically criminalizing it.
• Intentional Cruelty: Intentional cruelty occurs when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal; usually an indicator of a serious human behavior problem..
• Internet Hunting (also called Remote-Controlled or Computer-Assisted Hunting): Combines video shooting games with the power of Internet technology to allow a remote computer user to kill real animals. At the game ranch that the “hunters” see on their monitors, a gun is mounted on a robotic tripod controlled by their computer mouse. Animals are lured within close range with food, at which time the armchair hunter can line up a shot and “fire” at will. Legislation has been passed to ban Internet hunting in many states.
• Killer Buyers: Middlemen who travel from horse auction to horse auction, purchasing any horse they can. They eventually sell these animals to slaughterhouses for human consumption, but regularly subject horses to cruel and inhumane treatment-i.e. beating them, depriving them of food and water.
• Leghold Trap: The steel-jaw leghold trap is most often used to trap wild animals who are killed for their fur, such as beavers, lynx, bobcats and otters. Trapped animals usually do not die instantly, and are left to suffer intense pain, dehydration and starvation. Sometimes dogs and cats who are allowed to roam outdoors are also caught and killed in these traps.
• Neglect: The failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the animal owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation.
• Pit Bull: A great deal of confusion surrounds this term. This label is used for a type of short-coated large terrier, anywhere from 40 to 80 pounds, characterized by wide, powerful jaws and a muscular, stocky build. Some of the dogs that fall under this category are purebred-either the American Staffordshire Terrier (the "AmStaff") or the American Pit Bull Terrier; term is often used for pit bull mixes.
• Premarin: A hormone replacement therapy drug made from pregnant mares' urine, collected from horses who are confined in stalls for half the year, strapped to urine collection funnels.
• Pound Seizure: The transfer or sale of shelter animals to research facilities of any kind, including those that engage in scientific research and experimentation. The ASPCA is unalterably opposed to this practice. As of 2004, 14 states and many communities prohibit pound seizure either by state law or local regulation.
• Puppy Mill/Kitty Mill: Breeding facilities that produce large numbers of purebred dogs and cats. The animals are regularly sold to pet shops across the country. Documented problems of puppy mills include overbreeding, inbreeding, poor veterinary care and overcrowding.
• Soring: Abuses to show horses include painful "soring," whereby a mechanical or chemical agent is applied to the lower leg or hoof of a horse, for the purpose of "enhancing" the animal's gait, forcing him to throw his front legs up and out. This is often done to Tennessee Walking Horses.
• Stray: A currently or recently owned dog or cat who may be lost; usually well socialized but may become wary over time. A stray's kittens or pups may be feral.
• Spent Hen: After one or two years of producing eggs at an unnaturally high rate, female fowl in factory farms are classified as "spent hens.” No longer financially profitable, they are slaughtered.
• Tail Banding: A method of docking an animal’s tail in which a rubber band or similar ligature is wrapped tightly around the tail at the desired point of removal. This cuts off the blood supply to the end of the tail, which atrophies and usually falls away after a few days. Banding is legal in the United States, and is frequently practiced by laypersons on dairy cows.
• Tail Docking: The cutting of a purebred dog's tail to conform to a breed standard. Although this unnecessary cosmetic surgery is regularly performed by some veterinarians, it is often done by untrained individuals, without anesthesia, in unsterile environments.
• Tenectomy: An operation performed on cats that severs the tendons in the toes so that the cat is unable to extend her nails to scratch. Owners who choose to have this surgery performed must clip their cat’s nails regularly, as the cat is unable to maintain them herself.
• Tethering: The act of chaining/tieing an animal, usually a dog, to a stationary object as a primary means of confinement. Tethering is a risk factor for aggressive behavior and dog bites.
• Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): A method of managing feral cat colonies that involves trapping the animals, spaying or neutering them, vaccinating them and returning them to where they were found. The ASPCA promotes this ethical and humane practice.
• White Veal: From birth to slaughter at five months, calves used to produce "formula-fed" or "white" veal are confined to two-foot-wide crates and chained to inhibit movement. They are fed an iron-and fiber-deficient diet resulting in anemia; the lack of exercise retards muscle development, resulting in pale, tender meat.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/cruelty-glossary.html

DOG FIGHTING- GLOSSARY

• Barrels: Metal barrels are often used as shelter for fighting dogs. Placed horizontally, an entrance hole is cut out from one side, for the dog to enter and exit its shelter. Sometimes plastic barrels, attached to poles, are also used for this purpose.
• Bite Stick or Prying Stick: These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but are usually short wooden sticks with tapered ends. A bite stick is inserted into the side of a dog’s mouth, and then manipulated to make the dog release its hold on its opponent.
• Cajun Rules: A detailed list of 19 rules covering all aspects of fights. The rules were created in the 1950s by G.A. “Gaboon” Trahan, a police chief in Louisiana.
• Campaign: A fighting dog’s career.
• Chains: Chains of varying length and weight serve a dual purpose; to confine a dog, as well as to strengthen their neck muscles.
• Champion: A dog who has won three or more fights.
• Convention: A large dog fighting event, sometimes with accompanying activities like music and food.
• Dogmen: Professional trainers and handlers.
• Gameness: A dogs tenacity and willingness to fight.
• Grand Champion: An undefeated dog with five or more wins.
• “Jenny” or “Cat Mill”: A projecting pole or spoke in which a dog is harnessed. A small bait animal is attached to the leading spoke to entice the dog.
• Non-Prospect: A dog who is deemed unqualified to fight. They are often neglected, abandoned or killed.
• Prospect: A young, aggressive dog identified as a potentially good fighting dog.
• Rape Stand or Breeding Stand: This is a stand used to strap and immobilize female dogs for breeding purposes.
• Roll: A dog’s first fight, takes place when the dog is around 15 months of age. The fight usually lasts about 10 minutes and allows handlers to measure each animal's demeanor.
• Scratch Lines: Lines in a dog fighting ring behind which the animals start in a match.
• Spring Pole: A spring pole usually consists of a rope, hide, inner tubing or tire, which is suspended from a large spring attached to a tree limb, rafter or pole. The dog is made to jump up and grab at it, and then hang suspended in mid-air for extended periods of time. It is used to reinforce the strength of the dog’s bite.
• Keep: The training a fighting dog undergoes prior to a fight. It typically lasts about six weeks.
• The Show: A cruel "contest" in which two dogs—specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight—are placed in a pit to fight each other for the purpose of entertainment and gambling.
• Treadmill or Slatmill: Used for endurance, strength and speed training. A slatmill is a treadmill whose running surface is composed of wooden slats.
• Washtub: Dogs are washed down in tubs immediately prior to fighting, to ensure they have not been coated with a noxious substance that may be harmful to the opposing dog.
• Weights: Weights are used for strength training as well, and can be attached directly to the dog’s collar. They can also be attached as long cylinders to chains, increasing the weight that the dog has to drag when it moves.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-glossary.html

Farm Animal Cruelty Glossary

• Animal Cruelty: Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Some examples are overt abuse, dog fighting and cockfighting, and denying companion animals the basic necessities of care, such as food, water and shelter.
• Battery Cage: A wire cage, measuring no more than sixteen inches wide, in which four or five hens are housed. These cages are lined up in rows and stacked several levels high on factory farms. This system of production has been outlawed by countries in the European Union. Learn more about efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Branding: The practice of burning an identifying mark onto the body of an animal using an extremely hot iron stamp, or “brand,” pressed hard into the animal’s flesh for several seconds without anesthesia. Ranchers use brands to distinguish their cattle and hogs from those owned by others.
• Broilers: Chickens raised for meat consumption on modern factory farms. These birds have been selected or bred so that their bodies grow very rapidly. Learn more about efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Debeaking: A process that involves cutting through bone, cartilage and soft tissue with a blade to remove the top half and the bottom third of a chicken’s, turkey’s or duck’s beak. This measure is taken to reduce the excessive feather pecking and cannibalism seen among stressed, overcrowded birds in factory farms. Learn more about efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Downers: Animals headed for slaughter who become too sick or injured to walk unassisted. The Downed Animal Protection Act outlaws the practice of transporting downers to auctions and stockyards for slaughter and requires that these animals be humanely euthanized.
• Electric Cattle Prod (also called a Hotshot): A device that can deliver an electric current to an animal. It is used to stimulate movement in animals; commonly used with livestock and in rodeos. When animals are poked with the electrified end, they receive a high-voltage, low-current electrical shock. The short shock is not strong enough to kill a large animal, but is enough to cause some pain.
• Factory Farm: A large-scale industrial site where many animals raised for food—mainly chickens, turkeys, cows and pigs—are confined and treated with hormones and antibiotics to maximize growth and prevent disease. The animals lead short, painful lives; factory farms are also associated with various environmental hazards.
• Foie Gras: To make this pricey gourmet delicacy, birds are force-fed enormous quantities of food three times daily via a pipe that is inserted into the esophagus. This leads to enlargement of the animal's liver and possible rupturing of the internal organs, infection and a painful death. The process typically lasts up to four weeks, until the birds are slaughtered.
• Forced Molting: Process by which egg-laying hens are starved for up to 14 days, exposed to changing light patterns and given no water in order to shock their bodies into molting. It is common for 5 percent to 10 percent of hens to die during this process. Learn more about efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Killer Buyers: Middlemen who travel from horse auction to horse auction, purchasing any horse they can. They eventually sell these animals to slaughterhouses for human consumption, but regularly subject horses to cruel and inhumane treatment—i.e. beating them, depriving them of food and water. Learn more about horse cruelty.
• Neglect: The failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care. Neglect is often the result of simple ignorance on the owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation.
• Premarin®: A hormone replacement therapy drug made from pregnant mares' urine (PMU), collected from horses who are confined in stalls for half the year, strapped to urine collection funnels. Learn more about Premarin®.
• Soring: Abuses to show horses include painful "soring," whereby a mechanical or chemical agent is applied to the lower leg or hoof of a horse, for the purpose of "enhancing" the animal's gait, forcing him to throw his front legs up and out. This is often done to Tennessee Walking Horses. Learn more about horse cruelty.
• Spent Hen: After one or two years of producing eggs at an unnaturally high rate, female fowl are classified as "spent hens.” No longer financially profitable for factory farmers, they are slaughtered. Learn more about efforts to protect animals in factory farms.
• Tail Banding: A method of docking an animal’s tail in which a rubber band or similar ligature is wrapped tightly around the tail at the desired point of removal. This cuts off the blood supply to the end of the tail, which atrophies and usually falls away after a few days. Banding is legal in the United States, and is frequently practiced by laypersons on dairy cows.
• White Veal: From birth to slaughter at five months, calves used to produce "formula-fed" or "white" veal are confined to two-foot-wide crates and chained to inhibit movement. They are fed an iron- and fiber-deficient diet that causes anemia; the lack of exercise retards muscle development, resulting in pale, tender meat.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/farm-animal-cruelty/farm-animal-cruelty-glossary.html

State Animal Cruelty Laws

Most animal cruelty laws vary from state to state.
Knowing your state's laws is crucial to help fight animal cruelty.
The ASPCA offers this online database with more than 550 animal cruelty laws -- and their penalties -- from all 50 states. This database, maintained by the ASPCA Government Affairs and Public Policy department, will be a dynamic resource for providing information relating to animal cruelty laws.
You can select your state, or even use our keyword search to find a specific topic.

• Disclaimer: The ASPCA is providing you this listing of state laws to assist you in reporting cruelty in your area. Your local and state police are generally mandated to enforce all laws in your state, including animal cruelty, even if these laws are not included in your state's penal code. Please contact them should you witness animal cruelty (including animal neglect), or have information regarding an incident of animal cruelty in your area. Please be aware that local law enforcement may have a limited familiarity with animal cruelty issues and make sure you inform the police of the specific section of law listed under the animal cruelty summary and provide them with the summary to assist them in their investigation.
• Please note: The ASPCA only has law enforcement powers in New York State. If you live in New York State, you may also contact your local or state police to report animal cruelty.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/lobby-for-animals/state-animal-cruelty-laws/

Top 10 Tips to Prevent Malicious Poisoning

Don't let your pet be the victim of a cruel act!

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center receives many calls from owners whose animals were maliciously poisoned—sometimes right in their own backyards.
APCC has provided the following tips to prevent this from happening to your animal companions:

1. Be a good neighbor! Please don’t allow your pets to have access to your neighbors’ yards and trash cans. If your dog is an incessant barker and/or howls and whines while you are away, you may want to work with an animal behaviorist or dog trainer to solve the problem. Should your neighbors have concerns, try to address them in a positive, constructive manner to avoid serious conflicts.

2. Is your pet allowed outdoors in your fenced-in or otherwise secure area? It’s smart to do routine checks of this enclosed area.

3. Be sure to remove unfamiliar or questionable items from the enclosure.

4. Supervise your pets when they are outdoors whenever possible. Do not allow your pets to spend significant amounts of time unsupervised outdoors.

5. Develop relationships with neighbors who have pets. You can join forces to create a neighborhood watch for the companion animals in the area. Be alert for anything out of the ordinary!

6. Provide a safe, confined area with a secure gate when pets are left alone outdoors.

7. Never let your pet run loose or allow him to roam free. Animals who are allowed to roam simply have more opportunities to get into potentially poisonous substances.

8. Teach your pet not to accept food or treats from strangers.

9. Report any suspicious behavior to local authorities. Remember, animal cruelty is a crime!

10. If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned,
call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at:
(888) 426-4435.
 
For more information on substances in and around your home that could be potentially toxic to your pet, read what our experts have to say.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/top-10-tips-to-prevent.html

Talking to Kids About Animal Cruelty

www.animaland.org/

From cats to canaries, from Dobermans to dachshunds, our pets often seem to know how we feel. They comfort us when we're hurt, and make us happy when we're sad. They share our joy, and stay by our side when times are bad.

But, sometimes, some people are mean to animals.
How do you explain this to a child?

What Is the Impact of Animal Cruelty?
Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Animals feel pain and fear like we do, but they are often helpless victims because they can't say what happened to them. In fact, some people choose to abuse animals instead of people for this very reason! If we wish to create a humane society, we must stop cruelty against those who are most vulnerable-like animals.

Cruelty toward animals does more than cause other living, feeling beings to experience pain and fear. Like the death of a canary in a coal mine, violence toward animals can be an indicator that people are also in danger. Someone who commits animal abuse may have serious psychological problems.
Studies have found that many people convicted of violent crimes had a history of animal cruelty. Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Andrew Cunanan, David "Son of Sam" Berkowitz, and Albert "Boston Strangler" DeSalvo were cruel to animals before they started hurting people.
Adults are not the only ones whose cruelty to animals can be a sign of deeper troubles.
Many murderous children and teenagers-such as Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold of Columbine High School-also have histories of animal cruelty.

Animals in homes with family violence are also often victims of violence.
One study found that animals were abused in 88 percent of the homes in which a child was abused. Another study found that 83 percent of families reported for animal abuse also had children at high risk of abuse or neglect. Although most of the abuse toward the animals came from the parents, about a quarter of abused children abuse animals.

What Can You Do About It?
"Animal cruelty is a national problem," says ASPCA Supervisory Special Investigator Annemarie Lucas. "Violence towards animals crosses all racial and socioeconomic lines and reaches from coast to coast." No matter where you live, there is a lot you can do to stop animal cruelty.

One of the most powerful tools we have for preventing cruelty to animals is education.
It is important to plant the seeds of kindness in children early, and to nurture their development as the child grows. Children not only need to learn what they shouldn't do, but also what they can and should do. When children see that their pets are happy and loving, it will make the child feel good, too. This in turn will help the children care for their pets' feelings.

However, since people don't always realize that they are being cruel, adults need education, too.
If you are not a teacher, please urge your local schools to integrate humane education into their curricula.
If you are a teacher, bring humane education into your classroom.
To help you, your local shelter may have outreach programs, education materials, camps, etc. You can also find plenty of humane ideas and activities on our children's website, ASPCA Animaland, and our site for educators, librarians and parents, ASPCA Education.

Every child is unique, and adults should use caution and careful thought when discussing cruelty with children.

• In general, children under four simply should not be exposed to cruelty.
• Two-year-olds can begin to learn that their actions make others-including animals-happy and sad.
• With two- and three-year-olds, discuss their own experiences and how they would feel if they were treated the way they treat their pets or other animals in their immediate lives. Help them relate not only the ways they would feel hurt, but also the ways they would feel happy.
• With all children under six or so, you may wish to help guide their hands so they can learn how to pet and hold their animal companions. Children do not have fine control over their movements and impulses—they will want to treat their pets with love, but will need a little help from you to do it correctly.
• Children who are between about four and six often begin to understand basic moral concepts, such as fairness. These children can learn to be kind to animals because the animals "deserve" it. Children may discuss injuries they have had themselves, but do not introduce discussions about other types of injuries. Try to limit discussions of animal cruelty to the simple fact that animals can be hurt; do not describe how they can be hurt (e.g., starvation, physical abuse, etc.).
• With most children who are six to ten years old, you can begin to discuss why someone might be mean to an animal-as long as you make sure the child always keeps in mind that it is wrong to hurt animals. In addition, do not let discussions of animal cruelty satisfy the morbid curiosity some children of this age may have. Children of this age often form some of their earliest memories and impressions about the state of the world beyond their families. It is very important that adults filter what these children perceive! Even if children witness violence as a "bad example" or as a way NOT to act, they are still witnessing violence, and can be strongly affected by it.
• Many children between 10 and 14 are exploring their self-image and reflecting upon their relationships with others. Studies indicate that children of this age are still strongly affected by violence, so discussions about animal cruelty should still be kept free of details about the violence. Nonetheless, the issue can be raised directly—if delicately—with most of these children. Adults should make it clear that they do not condone violence in their own thoughts and behavior. Children of this age are finely attuned to the words and actions of adults, and still rely on them as role models.

Parents, teachers, and trusted adults can also discuss with 10- to 14-year-olds how they would act if their peers or friends treated animals cruelly. By couching the advice in terms of what you would do if you were in a given situation, you can help children overcome peer pressure and follow what they know is right. These children may encounter others abusing animals—knowing that they are in the right and will be supported for standing up to it is very important at this age of strong peer pressure.

Again, with all children-even older teens-keep in mind the importance of modeling appropriate behaviors.
Our children do emulate us, even if they wouldn't admit it. If we treat animals cruelly or as unfeeling machines, our children will probably think that this is right or, at least, normal. The more a child identifies with an adult, the greater an impact that person will have on the child-in both good ways and bad ways.

Children who know of animal cruelty should tell an adult about it.
Make sure children know who they can trust—such as parents, teachers, police officers, etc.—and nurture their trust so they can tell you.

For an in-depth explanation of animal cruelty written especially for older kids, please visit the Real Issues section at ASPCA Animaland, the website for kids who love animals.

http://www2.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=kids_ri_home


RESOURCES
DeViney, E., Dickert, J., & Lockwood, R. (1983). The care of pets within child abusing families. International Journal
for the Study of Animal Problems, 3, 321-329.
Ascione, F. R., Weber, C. V., & Wood, D. S. (1997). Animal welfare and domestic violence: Final report. Logan, Utah: Utah State University.
Further Reading:
Ascione, F. R., & Arkow, P. (Eds.). (1999). Child abuse, domestic violence, and animal abuse: Linking the circles of compassion for prevention and intervention. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press.

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/talking-to-kids-about-animal.html

Bovines, Backs, and Islet Cells

  

A hole in the cloud...
Near Menominee, WI

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Good Evening All;
I am not sure I remember how to blog anymore... hehehe
I may have to apologize, in advance, to the good people of Ringle- I do not ever mean to offend, just having fun...

We are home from Minnesota once more- Highway 29 is the east/west route across central Wisconsin. I have always hated Highway 29.
When my sister Mary was married to her first husband, Paul Cotter, they lived in Apple Valley, Minnesota-
(A hop, skip, and a jump from Burnsville and The Mall of America). Not a shopper, I have never been there...

Anyway, my 3 oldest girls and I made the drive to Apple Valley many times-

I had an old AMC Hornet in those days, with a Standard "H" transmission.
The hills on 29 really tested this old car of mine, yet the Hornet never gave me any grief away from home; though it gave me plenty of troubles in its little spot in the parking lot. (Odd that way).
I ended up shooting that car. True story.

But I digress...

Highway 29 has changed a great deal in the past 25/30 years. it is now a 4 lane route to 94, and much much safer that way.
What was once called "Bloody 29" is now a decent flowing highway.

Maybe so.
Know that my freakin' back did not take the trip so well. CaseyAnne did most of the driving. After we had left her place on Tuesday morning, we got stopped by a train on Packerland Drive, not even out of Green Bay.

At that stop, we changed drivers. Punk thought it hilarious, (as I am sure a few other drivers around us did).
I joined the dog in the back seat.
Forgetting my Sobakawa at home, I used a roll of paper towel, covered with one of my t~shirts, for a pillow. Punk was then sent to the front seat, and I actually fell alseep! (Small miracle, that).

I resumed driving the last 90 or 100 miles. We did basically the same on the way home. Just that the drive back was a little rougher on my back.
Happy I had that appointment this morning. Unhappy that all that got done was a change in meds. Grrrrr.......
Scared I am, to take what he prescribed, so will just deal with it all from here on out.
(I hope to be able to do that anyway).

Suffice to say I have NO idea how Casey got through almost 4 years of intense pain. I admire her fiercely for that. She is brave. I am proud.

Her own doctor appointment went much better- Dr. Sutherland is amazed with her progress, and was elated to be able to tell her that she no longer should need her insulin.
HOW COOL IS THAT?!
I am ever so happy for her! And for him also. He even had to take a photo of his little success story- Said he keeps a board of everyone he has done this surgery on- (Since the late 70's that board must be pretty full)!

It doesn't matter what picture he has of her, because THIS is my favorite.
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He said he will do about 60 of the TP/AIT and TP/ICT transplant surgeries this year; (which is almost the same as he did last year, by the way).

And so, it was a rough trip, but a very happy one too!

These miles were made even longer by Punk.

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Punk was constantly asking...

"C'mon, are we there yet?"

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Of course we HAD to stop at her favorite little town of Ringle, WI.

You may remember our favorite pitstop this way...

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But it has changed SO much in the past 3 months.

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Amazing what a little green assorted foliage will do...
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Do you remember the truck Casey wanted for her own?

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Looks quite green around there too!
hehehe

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And somebody even threw in a few trees!

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Remember the "maple syrple"???

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I think it's stored in big plastic vats now...
eeee~youoooo

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hehehe

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Added to our favorite rest stop are a few bovines...
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(They put a "C" on the 1st ones forehead so they know it's a "cow").
hehehe

By far, she is the most unique cow I have ever seen!

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And their home...
hehehe

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I am getting a bit slap~happy here, and time for sleep-

Will be keeping an ear out for my weather radio to go off tonight as rain, and lots of it, (IF it comes) is predicted.

I hope this finds everyone well, and enjoying Summer.

Love to all!

XOXO
Me

free hit counters

Friday July 10, 2009 - 01:47am (CDT)

Chocolate Nutrition Drink Mix Recall like the gravy mix? Contains NONFAT DRY MILK and WHEY PROTEIN

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm171044.htm
OK Kids- Here we go again- Just the beginning of lots of products that have NONFAT DRY MILK and WHEY PROTEIN in them.

Please check your labels...
...(This is probably why the gravy mixes were recalled a few days ago).

XOXO
Me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

***** The recall was initiated when Lewis Laboratories was notified by its supplier, that the product contained an ingredient supplied by Plainview Milk Products Cooperative, which has issued a voluntary recall on the non-fat dried milk and whey protein because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Lewis Laboratories International, Ltd. Recalls Weigh Down Chocolate Flavor Nutrition Drink Mix Because of Possible Health Risk
Contact: Diana Lewis Lewis Laboratories International, Ltd
Westport, CT 1-800-243-6020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- July8, 2009 - Lewis Laboratories International, Ltd. is voluntarily recalling Weigh Down Chocolate Flavor Nutrition Drink Mix as a precautionary measure, Lot Numbers: 170C110 Best By Date 12/16/2011, 170C111 Best By Date 03/12/2012, 170C112 Best By Date 4/28/2012 and 170C113 Best By Date 6/5/2012 - Net Wt. 16 oz. (454 grams) >because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The product was distributed to one distributor in NY and sold mail order through the Internet.

The product should not be used or consumed. Consumers who have any of the product are urged to destroy it. Lewis Laboratories has not received any notification of consumer illness associated with the consumption of its product.

Lewis Laboratories International, Ltd., says it expects to resume sales shortly.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall should contact Lewis Laboratories 1-800-243-6020 between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm EST .

Recall For Gravy and Sauce Mixes

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm170845.htm
Brands (so far) are Sauer, Gold Medal, Piggly Wiggly

The products affected by this voluntary recall include foil packets and plastic jars in cartons of 6 to 24 individual containers distributed to retail stores in AL, GA, NC, SC, MS, MI, OH, TN, VA, WV, KY, FL, and PA.

The C. F. Sauer Company Recalls Gravy and Sauce Mixes Because of Possible Health Risk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 7, 2009 - The C. F. Sauer Company, of Richmond, VA is taking the precautionary measure of voluntarily recalling brown gravy, brown gravy with mushrooms, brown gravy with onions, turkey gravy, pork gravy, country sausage gravy, country style gravy, Alfredo sauce mix, Cajun gumbo mix, and Hollandaise sauce mix produced under the Sauer’s, Gold Medal, and Piggly Wiggly labels because they contain instant non-fat dry milk manufactured by the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. Plainview has recently commenced a recall of instant non-fat dry milk and other ingredients that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more serious illnesses such as arterial infections (i. e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

No illnesses have been associated with this recall.

Only the codes listed below are affected by this recall notice. Customers should look on the foil packet for embossed codes along the edge of the package, and on the jars for printed codes located on the jar immediately below the bottom of the cap. Packages of recalled products can be returned to the store where purchased for a full refund, or contact the C. F. Sauer Company at 800-688-5676 between the hours of 8:00 Am and 4:30 Pm Eastern time, or at www.cfsauer.com.




PRODUCT NAME UPC CODE CODE DATES
Sauer's Country Style Gravy Mix 1.31 oz. Pouch 52500 02327 8018R, 8162R

Sauer's Hollandaise Sauce Mix 1.12 oz. Pouch 52500 02340 8029R, 8155R

Sauer's Onion Gravy Mix 1.12 oz. Pouch 52500 02356 8011R, 8084R, 8184R, 9056R

Sauer's Pork Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02373 8016R, 8087R, 8176R, 8217R, 9078R

Sauer's Turkey Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02394 7339R, 7347R, 7365R, 8105R, 8106R, 8183R, 8255R, 8282R, 8295R, 8301R, 8325R, 8359R, 9166R

Sauer's Cajun Gumbo Mix 1.25 oz. Pouch 52500 02364 8028R, 8143R

Sauer's Alfredo Sauce Mix 1.60 oz. Pouch 52500 02360 8028R, 8029R, 8107R

Sauer's Country Style Gravy Mix 1.31 oz. Pouch 52500 02331 9119R

Sauer's Brown Gravy Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02312 8008R, 8066R, 8092R, 8093R, 8133R, 8141R, 8142R, 8148R, 8217R, 8273R, 8302R, 8303R, 8344R, 9070R, 9105R, 9120R, 9124R

Sauer's Brown Gravy Mix 4.5 oz Plastic Jar 52500 00691 8007R, 8072R, 8178R, 9008R

Sauer's Brown Gravy 10 oz. Plastic Jar 52500 01507 8178R, 8197R, 8198R, 8288R, 9078R, 9162R, 9166R

Sauer's Brown Gravy Mix 19 oz. Plastic Jar 52500 01776 8115R, 8129R, 8134R, 8136R, 8142R, 8184R, 8192R, 8206R, 8232R, 8252R, 8266R, 8275R, 8287R, 8301R, 8316R, 8339R, 8364R, 9012R, 9036R, 9069R, 9082R, 9105R, 9153R, 9160R

Sauer's Brown Gravy with Onions Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02314 8009R, 8043R, 8093R, 8196R, 8268R, 8358R, 9117R

Sauer's Brown Gravy with Mushrooms Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02313 8011R, 8086R, 8248R, 8289R, 8294R, 9117R

Gold Medal Turkey Gravy Mix .87 oz. Pouch 52500 02103 8073R

Gold Medal Brown Gravy Mix .75 oz. Pouch 52500 02100 8133R, 8339R, 9056R, 9077R, 9141R

Piggly Wiggly Brown Gravy mix .75 oz. Pouch 41290 41229 8262R, 9013R, 9014R, 9154


Consumer Contact:
Sauer Company Consumer Relations
800-688-5676 (Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern time)
www.cfsauer.com


***
Link for photos of some products
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm170847.htm


XOXO
Me

Out of Sorts, On The Road Again, and Baby Sam!

  

Punk.
Taking Casey for a drag...

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Good Morning All;
Thought I should thank everyone for their "wunnaful" birthday wishes!
Even Jenne came down yesterday, no 'good morning' as she came around the corner-
Just "Happy Birthday Mom"    Very cool!

She was up before 4AM, to make sure that Aaron was up and ready to come and drive her back.

• He flew into Milwaukee where Jenne and Isaiah picked him up.

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Jenne waving!

She left a bunch of stuff here, saying for me to sell it in the rummage sale- Aaron had to fit his stuff in the little car as well.

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Randy stopped here yesterday.

He was working up by his Dads all weekend, but will be here to watch the place while we are gone. (Nice to have a zillion vacation days, eh)? Maybe he can pull a weed or ten thousand.

Gone?
Seems as though everyone is leaving... hehehe

Casey and I will be leaving this morning for Minnesota- She has some testing to be done, and an exam by Dr. Sutherland- (Both for the TP/AIT transplant, and the colon removal).

Her appointment is for 8 tomorrow morning, so unless I care to leave at 3AM tomorrow???
Nah. So I made reservations for tonight...

Punk went to the vet yesterday-
She has been 'tired' for the last 5 days now-

She has all of her energy; just for some very very short spans of time.

The vet checked her over and saw everything was fine.

If it continues I will bring her back in for blood test and maybe an Xray-

(Given the fact that Mama Milly had cancer, this behavior kinda scares me). 

No wait, it scares the hell out of me.

Will include the toxicity tag below so I can go through all the recalls and potential poisons.

She is eating and drinking- (Wait a second, I must feed her. Hang on). hehehe

Ok. (Yup, she IS eating and drinking just fine)!

Now she is full, and has had a rimadyl and her joint meds too- & back to resting.
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Took this 2 days ago- She sure is out of sorts.
Not sure how to explain it... Just "not right" for sure.
It occurs to me that makes her fit right in!

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We had a full weekend!

As did Baby Sam...

 He turned ONE on the 4th!

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1st you have to wait for Daddy to take the picture!

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Then you have to dig in!

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Then you have to wonder where it went?!?!

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And then have some watermelon
(washes everything off)! hehehe

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I shall have to get one of Daddy Chucks baby pictures because Sam doesn't look like anyone I know!
His Grandpa Rick, has blue eyes, but not as bright-
Berta's are hazel. Chucks are blue.
At any rate, this grandmother says Baby Sam sure is a doll! Thank you Chuck!

Kelli and Michelle rode over on Friday-

All the way from Michelle's place- (She lives about 9 miles away).

These are 2 of Michelle's horses, she said they needed the exercise!


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Kelli and Leo

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Michelle and Spirit

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And then they were off again!
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Oh I have SO many pictures to show you-
And not enough time as we will leave by 10-

We went to Brandy and Johns place on the 4th too- They have a party every year.
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*** I took a million pictures there, and still have to upload them all!
(My computersaurus and I are both kinda slow these days)!

*** Sunday found Casey over at Kelli's to give May and Breeze their baths.
(Again, more pictures to upload).

These blogs will follow.
(I promise).
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I had some fun with the full moon...
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Through the Black~Eyed~Susans...

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Through some weeds...

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And across the west lawn...

West?!? hehehe

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Oh wait. That is one of JoAnne and Jim's driveway lights.
hehehe

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Through the grasses...
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Crown of Thorns?
or migraine aura?

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I'd better fly!
Time to motivate...
Hope you are all having a 'wunnaful' week so far!
And that it continues forever!

XOXO
Me

free hit counters

Posted to my dying Y! 360, Tuesday July 7, 2009 - 08:00am (CDT)

For Catholics Only

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

hehehe
Thank You Aunt Marlene!

XOXO
Me

*************************




This information is for Catholics only. It must not be divulged to non-Catholics.
The less they know about our rituals and code words, the better off they are.

________________________________



AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.


BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending Mass.


CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the Parish to
lip-sync.


HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.


HYMN: A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves higher than
that of the congregation's range.


RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at Mass often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.


INCENSE: Holy Smoke!


JESUITS: An order of priests known for their ability to find colleges with good basketball teams.


JONAH: The original 'Jaws' story.


JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.


KYRIE ELEISON: The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize
besides gyros and baklava. (for you non-Catholics it means Lord have
mercy)


MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.


STABLE: Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. (The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.)


MANGER: Where Mary placed Jesus because Joseph forgot the crib when
packing the donkey.


PEW: A medieval torture device still found in Catholic churches.


PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for
seats.


RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.


RELICS: People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually
know when to sit, kneel, and stand.


TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman .


USHERS: The only people in the parish who do not realize the seating
capacity of a pew

________________________________

Little known facts about the Catholic Church in Las Vegas :
There are more churches in Las Vegas than casinos. During Sunday
services at the offertory, some worshippers contribute casino chips as
opposed to cash. Some are sharing their winnings - some are hoping to
win. Since they get chips from so many different casinos, and they are
worth money, the Catholic churches are required to send all the chips
into the diocese for sorting. Once sorted into the respective casino
chips, one junior priest takes the chips and makes the rounds to the
casinos turning chips into cash. And he, of course, is known as
The Chip Monk ..

________________________________

Moved my 'back' appointment to 10:30 today. ..... And Punk has bath and groom appointment... Later. XOXO, Me

Independence Day ~Many Links

http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Independence_Day.shtml
Fourth of July is Independence Day

Independence Day honors the birthday of the United States of America and the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It's a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks, and a reason to fly the American flag.

**********************

This is an awesome site for everyone, even kids!

Enjoy!

XOXO
Me

When I Grow Up...

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

When I grow up, I want to take a picture like this.

XOXO
Me

~

~
Stolen from here:
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090704/ap_on_re_as/as_nkorea_missile
~

Now how cool is that?

XOXO
Anne

Scientists Find Heart Stem Cells!

http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/702/1
Scientists Find Heart Stem Cells
By Constance Holden
ScienceNOW Daily News 2 July 2009


Scientists have identified a cardiac stem cell that gives rise to all of the major cell types in the human heart. The find opens the way to using patients' own cells to heal their damaged hearts.

The cells in question express a protein, called Islet 1, which is present in the early stages of fetal heart formation. In recent years, scientists have identified the cells in embryonic mouse hearts. And now, a team in the laboratory of Kenneth Chien, director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, has found the same cell type in human fetal hearts.

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Key to the heart? Scientists have identified what they say are the heart's "master" stem cells.
Photo Credit: Lei Bu et al., Nature 460, 113 (2009)

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Once the group pinpointed the cells, it took the next important step: generating new cardiac stem cells from human embryonic stem cells. Using fluorescent tags to identify the ones containing Islet 1, the researchers obtained a purified population. They then proved that the Islet 1 cells are what Chien calls "master stem cells" by showing that single cells could be made to grow into any of the heart's major cell types: heart muscle (cardiomyocytes), smooth muscle, and blood vessel lining (endothelium).

Chien cautions that these primordial stem cells, which are found only in fetuses, could not be used for therapy because they could develop into undesired cell types.
Instead, he says, researchers need to isolate "intermediate" cells that are already heading for a particular fate.

In the meantime, the primordial cells could be used for disease modeling and drug screening.

They may also help shed light on congenital heart malformations.

In the fetal heart, Islet 1 cells are clustered in areas that are "hot spots" for congenital heart defects, says Chien: "Congenital heart disease may be a stem cell disease."

Ultimately, researchers may be able to use the cells to grow human "heart parts" such as strips of heart muscle or a valve on scaffolds that could be inserted into patients, Chien says.

"The findings are very important if they can be reproduced," says cardiologist Richard Schatz of Scripps Clinic in San Diego, California. But Eduardo Marbán, director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles, says he's doubtful that the identification of Islet 1 cells will hasten new therapies. Marbán is currently heading a trial that involves removing a tiny chunk of heart tissue from a patient, cultivating cells from it, and reinjecting them into the patient's heart. He says Islet 1 cells "do appear to be important in development" but that "normal heart tissue can and does form in the complete absence" of the protein.

Chien has a different view, saying that there's little or no evidence that scientists can obtain stem cells by "grinding up hearts and culturing cells from them."

It's important to identify authentic progenitor cells, he says, in order to identify cells that will help repair damaged hearts.

****************

To all of our scientists, researchers and many potential life savers, "Keep up the good work!"

XOXO
Me