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July 2023 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
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My Short Life as a Bottle Sniffer THE WORST JOB I EVER HAD
to clean. Ironically, that wasn’t why they moved me off the line after about 10 days. People usually kept these empty bottles in their garages, and constantly inhaling dust gave me a bloody nose. I frightened my coworkers more than once by walking into the breakroom with blood down my shirt. They reassigned me to a different part of the plant that wasn’t much better. My new job was to strip the old metal water dispensers and repaint them. I spent my days in a giant rubber suit, dipping water coolers into caustic vats of paint stripper. Clearly, workplace safety standards for kids were not what they are now. Who knows how many chemicals are still lodged in my body all these years later? It was a miserable summer. I dreaded every day and could hardly wait for school to start again. Homework and tests sounded like a breeze compared to this. When I did return that fall, I was a much better student. Understanding the type of work available to unskilled workers motivated me to get good grades. But as much as I hated every minute, I still gutted it out that entire summer. It was a point of pride for me. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and I didn’t want the job to beat me. I hate feeling like a quitter; everything I’ve quit, I always regretted. I remain proud that I kept my commitment and finished something challenging. Still, when the boss asked me to return over Christmas break, I politely turned him down. I had no intention of walking through those doors again. After a job like that, I knew the only place I could go was up.
Summer jobs are a rite of passage for American youth. Countless teens are toughing it out at their first workplaces doing some undesirable tasks. If your kids complain, remind them they could have it much worse. They’re lucky they weren’t hired for my first job: a bottle sniffer. You’re not alone if you didn’t realize bottle sniffer was an occupation. I didn’t either until I found myself doing it. My dad knew a guy who owned a place called Crystal Bottled Water, and he volunteered my services. The company rented out water coolers and delivered 5-gallon water jugs for home use. When the company dropped off new bottles, they’d pick up the old ones and bring them back for reuse. Each bottle had to go through a gigantic washing machine bigger than my entire veterinary clinic. One contaminated bottle would ruin a whole batch of work, so weeding them out was essential. These bottles were made of glass, not plastic, so they were cumbersome. They’d come down a conveyor belt, and a worker had less than 2 seconds to check each one and flip it into the next part of the assembly line. We didn’t have time for a visual inspection; instead, we sniffed while we flipped. Before long, there was a ring mark around my nose, and you never knew what you would smell. If you were lucky, it was cheap cologne. But other times, you’d inhale old oil from someone’s car. Gasoline was a surprisingly common substance to find in the bottles. Bodily fluids also appeared much more frequently than you’d expect. A sudden whiff of something foul and unmentionable could turn your stomach. I lost my lunch more than once, and they had to stop everything
–Dr. Jeff
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S u mWm ehraGt aYr ao ug er Sale Can Teach Your Kids The Best Companion A summer garage sale is a tried and tested way to earn a little cash while eliminating things you no longer need. But it’s also the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their children a few life lessons. Making your garage sale a family project can teach kids about organization, money management, and the pride of a hard day’s work. The lessons start immediately as your family determines what they no longer need. Younger children, in particular, often struggle to part with their possessions. A garage sale is an opportunity to discuss what they use, what they don’t, and why we can’t keep every object we own forever. This process will teach kids organization as they create their “keep,” “sell,” and “toss” piles. On the big day, your children can also play a significant role in organizing and displaying your merchandise. Kids can help determine which items should share a table and what should be front and center to catch buyers’ eyes. Math and money management also play a pivotal role in any successful garage sale. First, you must determine what the items you’re selling are worth. While letting your kids set prices is probably unwise, you can help them understand market value and what people will pay for used merchandise. Your children can take a more active role in the sale itself. Depending on their ages, they can gain valuable experience making change for customers or negotiating a deal on the items for sale. The best part of using your garage sale as a learning opportunity is that your children can personally experience the value of hard work. They’ll watch their old possessions disappear and the cash trickle in. More than anything, they’ll probably love adding up the day’s takings. Whether or not you give your kids a cut of the earnings is up to you. But even if they don’t end up with fatter pockets, your children will walk away from the family garage sale with lessons that will last longer than any extra cash could.
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Many children are fascinated by the mystery and beauty of outer space, but most tend to lose their reverence as they get older. That doesn’t have to be the case! A night of stargazing is the perfect way to spend a romantic evening or have a fun time with your family. But creating the ideal experience isn’t always as simple as stepping outside and looking up. Here are some tips to make the most of an astrological adventure. Pick the right night. All nighttime skies are not created equal. Would-be stargazers must consider the weather and cloud cover. Further, the light from the moon tends to wash out the dimmer sparkle of distant stars, and it’s best to go during or immediately before or after a new moon phase. It can all be complicated, so make it easier with a stargazing forecasting site like GoodToStargaze.com. It will provide all the technical details and a simple “yes” or “no” verdict about the evening’s stargazing suitability. Find the ideal spot. Those who live in rural areas without much light pollution won’t have to go far to see the stars, but everyone else should do a little planning. Scope out a location away from city lights that has an unobstructed view of the sky, and make sure it’s legal for you to go there. You’ll also need a place to set up blankets or chairs for a comfortable and relaxed experience. Bring essential supplies. Don’t ruin the perfect evening by being unprepared! After so much planning, the last thing you want is to be run off by a chilly breeze or some pesky mosquitoes. The summer night in an open space may be cooler than expected, so bring a sweater or jacket. Ensure your clothing and seating are comfortable, and don’t forget bug spray. It’s also wise to pack some snacks and plenty of water. Further, you can step up your game by bringing binoculars or a star map. But remember to take all your goodies home with you. Leave nothing behind so the next amateur astrologists can enjoy their experience as much as you did. CSrt eaar tgea tzhi ne gPEe xr pf eecrti e n c e
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THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS
Behind Canine-Feline Rivalries It’s the basis of countless cartoon gags and the phrase “fight like cats and dogs”: felines and canines don’t mix. Of course, we also know many inseparable cat-dog duos, so there’s no hard and fast rule against the species getting along. But it’s hard to deny their interactions often come with tension. Why do cats and dogs struggle to coexist peacefully?
to show excitement and friendliness; cats whip their tails as the prelude to an attack. Many of a dog’s playful movements seem threatening to cats, especially when the dog is significantly larger. Meanwhile, cats purr to indicate contentment, but dogs may mistake the noise as an aggressive growl. Fortunately, there are ways for cats and dogs to overcome their differences. Puppies and kittens that grow up together will learn each other’s mannerisms early and find ways to communicate. At the same time, negative experiences with the other species during their first weeks of life can create permanent distrust. For adults, cat-dog interactions often come down to personalities and proper training. Two laidback animals are more likely to get along than an excitable dog and a grumpy cat. Choose your dog species carefully and invest in training. Further, remember cats and dogs also fight for the same reason human siblings do: they’re competing for attention and resources. You’re more likely to find success if your cat and dog have their own belongings, quality time with their owners, and spaces to decompress.
Simply put, they’re two very different animals. While both make excellent pets, their instinctual behaviors often clash, leaving plenty of room for miscommunication. The problems start from the moment a dog and cat meet. Cats greet others by making eye contact but otherwise behave aloofly. It’s their way of saying they mean no harm. Meanwhile, dogs perceive eye contact as a sign of aggression and prefer to approach others with excitement. It’s easy to see why the two get confused!
While some dogs and cats will never get along, remember, it’s not anything personal. Your dog doesn’t “hate” cats or vice versa — they just
profoundly misunderstand each other. Still, trying to force a relationship two
There are other ways cats’ and dogs’ fundamental body language conflicts. Dogs wag their tails
animals don’t want can do more harm than good.
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding
Peanut butter and jam is a classic flavor combo — even for dogs! Your pups will love these PB&J frozen snacks to beat the summer heat. aPn ud pJpaymPFe ar no zuetnBTur et taetrs Inspired by Rover.com
Kent Woodard John Triebwasser Bill Helmsing Liz Neff Cheyenne Anderson Kyndra Robidoux Terry Kneebone Derek Udy
INGREDIENTS
• •
1 cup strawberries
1/4 cup water
• A few dollops of xylitol-free peanut butter (Xylitol is a sweetener sometimes found in peanut butter that is toxic to dogs.)
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash strawberries thoroughly and slice off the tops. 2. To a blender, add strawberries and water and purée until smooth. 3. Pour the liquid into an ice cube tray or mold until each slot is 3/4 full. 4. Using a spoon, top each ice cube slot with a small amount of peanut butter. 5. Pop the tray into the freezer and leave until completely frozen. 6. Serve treats straight out of the freezer, and watch your pup enjoy!
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What Is a Bottle Sniffer? inside this issue
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How to Stargaze Like a Pro
Help Kids Learn While They Earn
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Why Dogs and Cats Don’t Always Get Along
Puppy Peanut Butter and Jam Frozen Treats
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The Swine That Dared to Defy
An Unconventional 'Bacon' of Hope New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable. THE STORY OF THE DANISH PROTEST PIG
got crafty. Danish farmers began to crossbreed their pigs to create a new breed, one that had the same markings as the Danish flag. These pigs were red in color, with one white vertical stripe and one white horizontal stripe. The farmers named their new pigs Protestschwein, or the Danish Protest Pig. This protest pig quickly became the mascot of Danish cultural independence, and their efforts didn't go unnoticed by Prussian authorities. In 1881, a local Prussian police station sent communications back to the government in Berlin that farmers were breeding strange-looking pigs. However, while they could not prove that farmers were knowingly breeding the pigs to look like the Danish flag, "it was believed that the farmers were well aware of this and that this pig represented an affront to the Prussians," according to records from the Red Holstein Breeders Association. Today, the Danish Protest Pig is
In the 19th century, Denmark and Prussia couldn't agree on where to draw their border. Both countries refused to concede or couldn’t reach an agreement on which country would ultimately control Southern Jutland, which today is Germany's northernmost state called Schleswig-Holstein.
This refusal to compromise ultimately led to war, and in 1848, Denmark won control. However, their victory was short-lived, as roughly a decade later, the Second Schleswig War was underway. This time, though, Prussia was victorious. After their victory, the Prussian authorities slowly began to move into the peninsula, implementing new laws over the Danes living there. These new laws prohibited anything Danish, including all uses of the Danish flag. Needless to say, the Danes were not happy — especially the farmers.
recognized as its own breed but has a different name: the Husum Red Pied. And, the now-German state of Schleswig-Holstein supports the protection of this
pig due to the cultural significance it offered
These Danish farmers knew they had to protest this oppressive Prussian government, but they couldn't just publicly wave the Danish flag. So, they
its Danish ancestors so many years ago.
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