So You Want to Adopt an Animal...

As a farewell to my job at the humane society, I wanted to post the info everyone should know before adopting an animal. As you can imagine, I have dealt with many, many idiotic people in the short 4 months that I worked there.

1) Spay and Neuter your pets!
If you don't want to be perceived as a complete idiot, never never never say that you would like your animal "spayded"... it's just spayed. And a hint for everyone else, male animals get neutered and female animals get spayed. You will look like a complete idiot if you schedule your animal for a neuter and bring in a female pet.

2) Don't declaw your cats!
Just so you know, it is illegal in many European countries to declaw your cat. That should make you think that maybe there is something wrong with it. Let me paint you a visual... Imagine going to the beauty parlor to get what most people consider just a nail trim or manicure. Then as they are pampering your hands, they get out a knife and saw off your fingers to the last joint. If it's not a humane practice for humans, it shouldn't be a humane practice for cats. If you want a clawless animal, get a fish!

3) Why are breeds so important?
At the shelter we hear hundreds of stories of people paying thousands of dollars for "pure breed" dogs... What's the point. Besides costing more to adopt a pure breed, they most likely cost you more at the vet since they are more likely to have medical problems. Pure breeds also have a shorter life span. Go to a shelter, save a life, and adopt a dog with a mix of breeds. You won't regret it!

4) Keep your animals...
If you have made the decision to adopt a animal, make the decision to keep the animal. It's horrible the reasons we've heard of people dropping of animals. Don't move to a place that doesn't allow you to keep your pet. Don't expect your vet bills to be cheap. Don't dump your animal at a church assuming they'll be able to take care of it. Don't assume that if you have to get rid of your animal in a short time, that you can get it into a no-kill shelter. If your new dog chews your furniture, pees in the house, and doesn't know how to walk on a leash, realize that you need to get your dog into a training school and not to the nearest shelter to drop off. Understand fully what you are getting into before you get an animal!

Okay... that's enough ranting. I loved my job at the shelter, because for as many horrible people you met, you also met as many wonderful people. I met a woman that adopted two cats, because we noticed at the shelter that when we separated the cats, their health worsened. I met people who donate hours and hours every day to scoop poop for our animals. I met a family with small children that adopted a pit bull, because they could see past the breed (they sent us pictures of their two year old kissing the dog and hanging on her tail!).

WEDDING PICTURES!

Yay.... The wedding pictures are finally up!!! If you want to look at them (or only some of them considering there are over 1,000), just go to www.shanrenee.com and click on 'view & order'. Our pictures are under 'Kevin & Mary'. Tell me what you think!

Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?

It's a rainy dreary day here in the Austin area, and it has inspired me to write about a subject that I truly love. It's something we all do, but most are either too ashamed or too oblivious to realize it. Of course, I am talking about the much loved and much dreaded emotional eating. It's used in all occasions. I'm bored... give me a fruit snack pack. I'm upset... let's go for the super-size meal. I'm excited... I think there are some chocolate chips in the baking cupboard.

So just for kicks giggles, here are some of my top emotionally charged foods:

- The taco bell 'supreme' chalupa... sour cream, ground meat, cheese, and a fatty shell. could I ask for more, I don't think so. Once my sister asked where in all of Lubbock would I like to go for her to give me a free dinner, and no lie, I chose taco bell. viva la creama!

- Puffed Cheeto's... there has been a long debate in the world about which is better, crunchy or puffed cheeto's. some people say crunchy, but I must say that you are just plain wrong. That puffy-ness is like the icing on the cake.

- Purple Skittle's... I used to work in a glorious establishment that had a free-for-all, junk-filled snack room. I would spend hours just picking out the purple skittle's. Now I'm not a 'grape' fan, but there is something with those things that is truly divine. By the way, more than a bag of any color skittle's will give you a nasty stomach ache.

- The Big Mac... I know the secret sauce isn't really a secret anymore. But that burger has something so intriguing and special that it keeps me dreaming about it year after year. I even had it for my last 'single girl' meal before the wedding!

Now, I don't eat these things all that often. Mostly because I know the staggering fat content and calories that are in these, but nothing can be more comforting than these. I would love to here what your comfort foods are!