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The Reluctant Dog Owner How I Learned to Have Patience and Love Ranger
Today’s pets have hit the jackpot; owners dote on their animals now more than ever. The American pet industry has ballooned to more than $100 billion in value in recent years, so it’s probably no surprise the first week of May has been declared National Pet Week. But I didn’t grow up with pets — except for a few stray cats my brother brought home. Since I don’t consider myself a dog person, it was a bit of an adjustment when my family decided to adopt Ranger. My wife, Jenny, always had pets as a kid, and all three of our boys are obsessed with dogs. They’ve wanted one for years, and we finally adopted a rescue dog shortly before the pandemic in December 2019. Ranger is a handsome mixed breed who has more energy than I knew was possible. He came to us at one-year-old from Georgia, where we sadly think he was mistreated. Ranger had marks on his legs and was so skinny you could see his ribs. He must have been terrified because he barely made a sound for the first three weeks he lived with us. I thought I’d gotten fortunate with the world’s quietest, calmest dog. Then, he started to feel safe and comfortable. One day, the doorbell rang, and Ranger’s personality came out. It hasn’t disappeared since.
Barking at the UPS or Amazon driver is now one of his favorite pastimes, and we seem to have packages coming every day. Ranger sounds ferocious, and the delivery folks probably can’t stand him. But while he sounds like a killer, Ranger will only attack any visitors to our home with cuddles. It hardly takes a minute before he’s down on the floor, asking them to rub his belly. When he’s not barking, he’s usually eating. Perhaps he’s obsessed with food because he once didn’t get
enough of it, but he now lives to eat. After we fill up Ranger’s bowl, he’ll scarf down his meal and then sit there waiting for more, as if we didn’t just feed him. You also cannot leave any food on the counter — he’ll gobble up a whole pizza in seconds! His insatiable appetite drives me nuts, but Jenny reminds me it’s not his fault. Living with Ranger has definitely forced me to rediscover my patience. I was pretty laid back as a young man, but I’ve become a bit testier with age and used to snap at Ranger after finding remnants of food, paper plates, wrappers, etc. that my kids left out in the open. After several years together, that’s a rarity, so I suppose he has helped restore my sense of calm. I also can’t deny that he’s good for the kids. They all love him, and “Where’s Ranger?” is the first thing my 9-year-old, Finn, says when he comes home from school. Ranger has also taught all three of them responsibility. My 12-year-old, Owen, takes him on walks for the exercise he desperately needs, and Finn and Sean help feed him. I think it’s good for them to have someone to look after. I still can’t claim to be a dog person, but Ranger has grown on me in the last three years, and he’s now a member of the family. In the end, Ranger makes the people I love most happy — and nothing could matter more.
-Brian O’Connor OConnorLawFirm.net | 1
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4 Steps to Happy, Healthy Aging It’s Never Too Late to Take Charge
Fuel your body. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in your health and quality of life. Center your diet around fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy. Limit the frequency of eating processed foods, fatty meats, and sugar. Following these guidelines reduces your risk of many illnesses and sets you up for a more active lifestyle in your golden years. Stay social. Loneliness has been linked to declining physical health and concerns. Those who do not engage in social activities tend to battle dementia and Alzheimer’s more than those who interact with others and form relationships. To maintain your physical and mental health, get out and mingle! Take your vitamins and supplements. As a child, you likely remember your mother reminding you to take your
Aging can bring some of our most exciting and rewarding decades. After years of working and saving a nest egg, we can finally retire. Many of us welcome grandchildren into the world, and we have more time to travel to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. These are just a few reasons our health is our most prized possession as we age! Here are some tips to stay healthy and active as you grow older and wiser. Check in frequently. Keeping up with your health is much more than seeing your doctor whenever you feel under the weather and remembering to take prescribed medications. It’s essential to have regular checkups and screenings for health conditions and diseases. After all, it’s always better to catch something early than to find it too late.
vitamins. Now, it’s time to really listen. While it’s always better to get your essential vitamins and minerals from the foods you consume, sometimes, that can be tough. Be sure to talk to a trusted health professional about taking additional calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to keep your body operating at its optimal potential. Your body has been along for the ride your entire life. With many more wonderful years ahead of you, take care of it so it can continue to care for you!
Can You Identify the Red Flags?
3 Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
Everyone becomes increasingly vulnerable — both socially and financially — as they age. As technology evolves and new tools become available, more channels open for the elderly or those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to be exploited by strangers, family, or friends.
necessary medical treatment, they are likely victims of neglect, intentional or unintentional. Financial Abuse The unauthorized and illegal use of an elderly individual’s funds, assets, or resources is financial abuse. Signs that an older person is being financially abused may include evidence of unpaid bills, eviction notices, patterns of missing items, canceled checks, or someone taking an increasingly intense interest in the spending habits of a person over the age of 65. Physical Abuse While physical elder abuse is more common in nursing homes, it can occur at home by family members or loved ones. If an aging adult is enduring physical abuse, there may be evidence of burns, bruises, broken bones, cuts, scrapes, sprains, or head injuries. They may experience hospitalization patterns for repeat injuries, delays in care and treatment, or multiple trips to the emergency room. Our advancing world brings education for elder abuse prevention, but unfortunately, it also provides avenues for others to exploit aging adults. To protect yourself and those you love, know the signs and be observant!
Whether you are the caregiver for your parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor, or you want to ensure you are protected as you
age, consider these three most common forms of elder abuse. Neglect
Aging sometimes means that we cannot care for ourselves as well as we once did, and we must rely on others to step in and lend a hand. However, when a caregiver fails to provide essential care or protect an elderly individual from harm, they can be charged with neglect.
If an aging individual is malnourished, dehydrated, suffering from an infection, living in unsafe conditions, or not receiving
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TAKE A BREAK
PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN The First African American Supreme Court Justice
Blossom Derby
Emerald Fertilize Gemini Horse Lightsaber
Thurgood Marshall was the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court and was a powerful attorney, but did you know Thurgood wasn’t always his first name or that he held a second job while practicing law? Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing facts about this amazing lawyer! The Reason Behind the Name Change On July 2, 1908, Thoroughgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. As a young child, friends often teased him about his long name — not to mention it was difficult to write and spell out! When he was just 6 years old, he had his name changed to Thurgood. Thurgood, a Dentist? When Marshall was attending Lincoln University, he first aspired to be a dentist but went on to receive his degree in literature and philosophy. Then, he attended law school at Howard University. Law by Day, Health Care by Night Early in his legal career, times were tough. So, Marshall took a second job working at Baltimore Health Clinic at night to make ends meet. Even while working large cases, he continued to put in long hours at the clinic. Fighting for Equal Pay Thurgood Marshall’s mom was an African American teacher, and while he attended Lincoln University for undergrad, she struggled to pay the hefty tuition. It wasn’t uncommon for his family to be late on making payments to keep him enrolled. Once he graduated law school, Marshall began seeking equal pay for African American teachers, and six years later, he won a big case that got rid of unequal teacher pay. Not Only Civil Rights Cases While Marshall is commonly recognized for monumental civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education , which went on to shape our society, he also took on many other police brutality, death penalty, and women’s rights cases.
Mother Nature Parade Seedling Veterans
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com GINGER PORK STIR-FRY
Looking for a healthy stir-fry that has all of the delicious flavors and none of the heavy ingredients? This one might be perfect for you!
• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce Ingredients
• 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
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718-948-3500 OConnorLawFirm.net 651 Willowbrook Road, Suite 104 Staten Island, New York 10314
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Meet the O’Connors’ Dog Ranger!
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Safeguard Your Health Into Your Golden Years Know The Signs of Elder Abuse
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry Why Thurgood Marshall Rules
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4-Legged Friends Who Benefit Our Health
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Companionship, Exercise, and Purpose! The Healing Power of Pets:
Four-legged companions are cute, cuddly, and friendly and work wonders for our mental health and well-being! It makes sense, then, that the first week of May is National Pet Week, part of Mental Health Month. According to the Human and Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pet ownership improves the mental health of 74% of pet owners.
In fact, studies have shown that caring for a pet helps relieve anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. It even boosts your heart health! The best part is that it doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have — feathered friends, rabbits, and even snakes can be great companions! Here are some of the top benefits of bonding with your pet daily. They provide companionship. Let’s be honest: Nothing beats having a four-legged friend greet you at the front door every time you come home! That companionship bond can boost your immune system while reducing depression. Also, having a buddy can help you to feel needed, wanted, and valued. Many pet owners even talk to their animals! They encourage exercise. Especially if you have a dog, your pet is sure to keep you active. Canines crave exercise, so while you meet their movement requirements to stay happy and healthy, you also get in your daily steps! Likewise, keeping
a cat active requires your energy behind a laser pointer, feather wand, or other toys.
They reduce anxiety. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, petting a dog helps lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. Pets live without concern for yesterday or tomorrow. They only care about the here and now, which helps their owners feel calm and relaxed. Also, petting and holding an animal allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature, which can be soothing. They add structure and purpose. Pets are creatures of habit — they like to be fed around the same time each day, go on their morning or evening walks, and look forward to playtime. No matter how badly you’d like to stay on the couch, your pet will get you up and moving. A pet’s unconditional love certainly does more than just keep you company! Our pets can genuinely be little lifesavers!
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