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Malloy Monthly
MALLOY LAW OFFICES, LLC
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April 2025
4.5 MILLION DOG BITES A YEAR? Learn to Keep Yourself and Others Safe
Did you know that every year, nearly 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs, and about 800,000 of those bites require medical attention? That’s an eye-opening statistic. While dogs are often loving companions and family members, it’s important to remember that any dog — even the sweetest, most well-behaved pup — can bite under the right (or wrong) circumstances. That’s why National Dog Bite Prevention Week (April 13–19 this year) exists. It’s a time to raise awareness about why dog bites happen and how to prevent them. Whether you’re a dog owner or just someone who enjoys giving belly rubs to every dog you meet, knowing how to interact with dogs safely can prevent a lot of pain (literally and figuratively) down the road. Why do dogs bite? Dogs don’t bite because they’re mean or bad; they bite because they feel scared, threatened, or protective. Some common reasons include: • Fear or stress: A dog that feels cornered or uncomfortable may bite as a defense mechanism. • Protecting their territory: Dogs are naturally protective of their home, food, toys, and even their humans. • Pain or injury: A normally friendly dog may snap if they’re in pain or recovering from an injury. • Overexcitement: Even playful dogs can accidentally bite if they get too worked up, especially when playing rough games. • Lack of socialization: Dogs that haven’t been exposed to different people, environments, or situations may be more likely to react aggressively when faced with something unfamiliar. How Dog Owners Can Help Prevent Bites If you’re a dog owner, the responsibility falls on you to make sure your furry friend is safe and well-mannered. Here are five simple ways to reduce the risk of bites. • Socialize your dog early: Expose your dog to a variety of people, places, and situations while it’s young. The more experience your dog has, the more comfortable it will be.
• Teach basic commands: Simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “leave it,” and “come” can help manage your dog in situations where they might feel nervous or excited. • Give your dog space: If your dog is eating, sleeping, or not feeling well, let it be. Teach kids (and other adults) to respect adog’s space. • Recognize stress signals: A dog’s yawning, licking lips, showing the whites of its eyes, stiffening up, or backing away are all signs it is uncomfortable. • Use a leash and supervise interactions: Always keep your dog on a leash in public and supervise their interactions with new people and animals. How to Interact Safely With Dogs If you’re a dog lover who likes to meet new furry friends, here’s how to ensure every interaction is safe. • Never approach an unfamiliar dog without permission: Always ask the owner first. Just because a dog looks friendly doesn’t mean it’s comfortable with strangers. • Let the dog come to you: Instead of reaching out immediately, let the dog sniff you first. It’s their way of getting to know you. • Avoid sudden movements or loud noises: These can startle dogs and make them feel threatened. • Don’t pet a dog over its head: Many dogs find this intimidating. Instead, offer your hand for them to sniff and pet them on their back or side. • Don’t disturb a dog while it’s eating or sleeping: Even the sweetest dog can react defensively if startled during these times. • Never run from a dog: If a dog seems aggressive, stay calm, avoid direct eye contact, and slowly back away instead of running. Dogs are incredible, and it’s up to us to understand their needs and respect their boundaries. By learning how to interact with dogs safely, owners and non-owners alike can help reduce dog bites and create safer communities for everyone — on two legs and four!
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Motor Vehicle Accidents • Workers’ Compensation • Slip and Fall • Premises Liability • And More
Did you know distracted driving is responsible for over 3,000 deaths each year in the U.S.? While that number is incredibly high, we’ve all seen (or been) that person trying to multitask behind the wheel. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month — a great time to step back and remind ourselves why staying focused on the road is so important. When it comes down to it, no text, notification, or snack is worth risking a life. When most people think of distracted driving, they picture someone texting. While that’s a huge issue, taking your eyes off the road for just five seconds to do anything at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded. 5 Common Culprits of Distracted Driving • Phone Use: Texting, calling, or even checking your GPS can take your eyes and mind off the road for too long. • Eating or Drinking: That sandwich or soda can wait! Keep both hands on the wheel. • Adjusting Music or GPS: Set it before you go — you don’t want to be driving and fumbling with buttons. • Personal Grooming: Checking yourself out in the mirror, applying makeup, or fixing your hair can take a back seat. • Talking to Passengers: Even if your eyes are on the road, engaging in conversations (even on hands-free Bluetooth) can be just as distracting. A TEXT CAN WAIT Distracted Driving Isn’t Worth the Risk
The Roman Colosseum is famous for its gladiator combat, but did you know it was once flooded with water for full-scale naval battles? While this might sound like Hollywood fiction, it actually took place and is one of the more epic tales from Roman history. Known as naumachiae , a Greek term that translates to “naval combat,” these battles were a feat of ancient engineering and showcased Rome’s appetite for over-the-top entertainment. For a society captivated by lions and gladiators, transforming the iconic Colosseum into an aquatic battlefield was the ultimate flex — a bizarre yet undeniably brilliant display of Roman ingenuity and excess. The Spectacle of Naumachiae Imagine thousands of spectators cheering as tiny warships clashed in a flooded arena. Dating back to the third century B.C., these mock sea battles weren’t small staged skirmishes; they were elaborate naval reenactments complete with ships, soldiers, and condemned criminals and prisoners of war forced to play the role of combatants. In some cases, these spectacles recreated historical battles or mythological scenes. One naumachiae held by Nero in 57 A.D. even included seals and hippos. So, why did Romans go to such lengths? More than entertainment, naumachiae was a statement of imperial power. Such Roman spectacles entertained the masses while reinforcing the empire’s might. The Challenge of Arena Battles Of course, flooding the Colosseum was not easy. It’s believed the same aqueducts used to supply the city with water were also used to fill up the arena, and special flat-bottomed ships capable of navigating shallow waters made the events possible. The discovery of an ancient drainage system also provided new insights into how Roman engineers may have efficiently removed water from the arena to prepare it for other events. Why It’s More Than Just a Weird Story The logistical challenges of flooding an arena to a depth sufficient for floating ships eventually led them to abandon the naumachiae after only a handful of events. Yet, these extravagant displays reveal much about Roman culture. They highlight the empire’s unmatched ability to combine practicality and imagination to create spectacles that continue to captivate and inspire us centuries later. The Colosseum’s Wildest Spectacle ROME’S AWESOME AQUATIC BATTLES
Take a Break
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Working toward big goals is a rewarding and exciting process, but it can also feel overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged down thinking about how far you still have to go, but you can use a simple strategy to maintain your momentum: Focus on small achievements. The Science of Small Wins While seemingly insignificant, celebrating small wins has psychological benefits that can carry over into every aspect of your life. When you celebrate small achievements, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel good” chemical that lifts your mood and motivates you to keep going. This positive reinforcement generates momentum, making it much easier to tackle the next step. Acknowledging small wins also has a measurable impact on mental health. It reduces stress, improves resilience, and helps build a growth mindset. Focusing on your accomplishments allows you to alter your perspective, and you learn to see challenges as opportunities for growth. WHY EVERY WIN MATTERS CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS
Stay focused behind the wheel. We are all tempted, but here are a few ways to reduce distractions and make the road safer: • Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb”: Most smartphones have a driving mode that silences notifications. Use it! • Plan ahead: Set your GPS, pick your playlist, and send any last-minute texts before you start the engine. • Use voice commands: If you must make a call or change directions, use hands-free features. • Avoid multitasking: Your car isn’t a dining table or beauty station — keep both hands on the wheel. •
Get enough sleep: Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as distracted driving. If you’re exhausted, pull over and rest.
Let’s all commit to staying alert and keeping our focus (eyes and mind) on the road. For more information and facts on distracted driving and how we can help, scan the QR code!
Hearty Gnocchi Soup
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
Ingredients • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 medium onion, diced • 1/2 tsp celery seed • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth • 16 oz fresh gnocchi • 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided • 2 tbsp chopped chives • Salt and pepper, to taste
Practical Ways to Celebrate Small Wins Incorporating small celebrations into your daily routine doesn’t have to be complicated, so here are three strategies to help you get started. • Track your achievements in a progress journal: Seeing progress in writing can be very rewarding and provide much-needed motivation when things get difficult. • Share your win with friends and family: When you celebrate your achievements with others, you strengthen personal connections and add positivity to the experience. • Reward yourself: Even simple rewards reinforce the habit of recognizing progress and help make the journey more enjoyable. Achieving small goals is always worth celebrating. Acknowledging every step forward, no matter how seemingly insignificant, helps you stay motivated and confident while improving your overall mental well-being.
Directions 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery seed and cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. 2. Add broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Add gnocchi and cook for about 3 minutes, then stir in half-and-half and 1/2 of the bacon. 3. Remove from heat and add 3/4 cup cheese, then rest until thickened, about 5 minutes. 4. Top with remaining cheese, chives, and bacon as desired.
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Happy Easter
Inside This Issue
1
Love Dogs? Here’s How to Interact With Them Safely
2
Naval Combat Inside the Roman Colosseum?
2
The Do’s and Don’ts of Staying Alert Behind the Wheel
3
Hearty Gnocchi Soup
3
The Psychology of Celebrating Small Wins
4
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
Ditch the Plastic Plastic pollution is a huge problem, but reducing plastic use can help! Switch to reusable shopping bags, stainless steel straws, or a refillable coffee cup. These small steps help keep plastic out of our oceans and landfills. Embrace Your Green Thumb Trees, flowers, herbs — whatever makes you happy! Trees help clean the air and provide shade, and a backyard garden can attract pollinators and even provide fresh produce. Clean Up Outside Earth Day is a great excuse to go outside! Take a walk in your neighborhood or local park, and if you see litter, pick it up. Better yet, grab friends or family and make a mini cleanup event out of it. You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Just a few small changes, when done consistently, can help keep the planet clean and green for future generations. So, this Earth Day, find one thing you can do to be more eco-friendly — because when we all do our part, the world becomes a better place!
Every year on April 22, we celebrate Earth Day, a great reminder that we all share this planet and should do our part to take care of it. But don’t worry — helping the environment doesn’t mean you have to go off the grid or give up your morning coffee. Even small changes can make a big difference when enough people get involved! If you’re looking for easy ways to be a little kinder to the planet, here are five ideas: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle We’ve all heard it, but it’s still one of the best ways to reduce waste. Before tossing something in the trash, ask yourself: Can I reuse this? Can I recycle it? Simple swaps like using a reusable water bottle instead of plastic or bringing your own bags to the grocery store can add up over time. Cut Back on Energy Use You don’t have to install solar panels to make an impact. Just turning off lights when you leave a room, unplugging devices when not in use, and adjusting your thermostat a couple of degrees can help conserve energy (and lower your electric bill — win-win!).
Small Acts Add Up on Earth Day
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