Tag: Extreme Blonde Moments

The Questions People Ask Google

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

googleweedquestionsI had some time to kill this morning and saw a headline that teased answers to the 10 answers people ask most about marijuana on google.  Of course that meant I had to click on the link to  www.herb.co  (thank God I have no plans to run for office and the contents of my internet searches  wouldn’t be of interest to anyone).  While funny, intriguing and certainly worthy of someone’s consideration, I have to admit that reading them led me to a few other questions of a more journalistic nature.

But to get to those, I guess we first should look at some of the things enquiring minds just have to know, so they seek out the always helpful Google.  Just for fun, I’ve added some snark in red:

  1. Will I get higher if I hold in my hit longer?  A real head scratcher I know, but, disappointing though it may be, the answer is NO.  More than 95% of the THC is absorbed into the system within seconds of inhaling.
  2. If I smoke before exercising, will I increase my endurance?  Hmmm, I’ve never known any of my weed smoking compatriots to be bundles of unspent energy…  To hear Google describe it, exercising while high is just “capital.” Wink and nod to Curly Bill Brocius of Tombstone fame.  Science says Cannabis raises metabolism, helps with muscle recovery after the workout and helps increase endurance. Cannabinoid receptors in our brain are calmed by the THC, reducing anxiety and increasing stamina.  All that fun stuff about endurance and stamina, but I don’t see anything about giving you more energy or motivation to perform the workout…
  3. Is weed stronger now than it was in the 1970’s?  Well, DUH!  Since people had to sneak around dark alleys to find the crap smuggled in from Columbia and smoke it down to the stems and other woody parts then vs. today, when it’s not so hard to come by, OF COURSE IT IS!  Who needs Google for that answer?
  4. Is there a way to reduce my high quickly?  UM, what’s the point of getting high if you just want to get it over with?  For the newbies or scardy cats (who really have nothing but a mad snack attack to fear) drink icy cold water, eat super spicy food or eat citrus fruit and you’ll be back to your boring self in no time.
  5. Can I make dabs at home?  This one stumped me.  Not being a connoisseur of any type of edible nor an afficienado of the herb as smoked, I don’t even know what a dab dabs1 is.  The weed blog tells me that it is butane hash oil smoked to get “as high as you possibly can.”  Ooookay.  I digressed.  Google’s answer was that some expert home users have used a hair straightening iron and some parchment paper.  My guess would be that some more internet research would need to be done on this topic.
  6. What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?  Again, WHAT?  This one apparently even stumped some users.  This is a recreational drug discussion here people, you’re getting way too technical… For those who just must know all of the proper names for the strains, Google says Indica strains are meant to calm, relax and reduce anxiety – great for nighttime tokers, while Sativa strains induce creativity and heighten energy for daytime smokers.

That does however lead to some more of my questions:

  • How many states, as of today, allow legal recreational use of marijuana?  Right UnitedStatesofMarijuananow there are only 4.  Washington & Colorado since 2012 and Alaska, Oregon, & the District of Columbia since 2014.  Maine & Nevada have initiatives for recreational use on the ballot in 2016.  There are 16 states where use/possession of minimal amounts of marijuana have been decriminalized and 25 states that have passed medical marijuana laws.  It is absolutely amazing how many cases of anxiety, chronic depression, glaucoma, and other ailments that only respond to treatment by cannabis prescription have been written since those laws have passed 😉 

To that end, other questions asked of Google are the semi-obligatory:

  • Where do I find a doctor to write me a prescription for marijuana?  Can these people walk and chew gum at the same time?  Google the area OF COURSE! Check the ratings and reviews and you’ll find dozens upon dozens of doctors more than willing to write you a prescription for weed to smoke, to eat, to drink as tea, and God knows what else…
  • Can I become addicted to cannabis?  PEOPLE, how many times does Google have to tell you NO?  Weed isn’t physically addicting.  Mentally is a whole nother discussion…; and the giant pink elephant in the room of all marijuana discussions…
  • Why is cannabis still not legal in the United States as a whole when alcohol and cigarettes, which are physically addicting, are legal?  Google didn’t have any good answer, except to say that the Federal Government hasn’t figured out how to exploit it for the maximum financial benefit OF the government.

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Sorry Parents, It Is All Your Fault

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

helicopter-parent-1024x768It sucks that no matter where we turn we are being judged on our skills as parents.  We get called everything from too soft to too hard by those who appoint themselves judge, jury and executioners.  We all want to point to society, other kids, and TV as co-conspirators in the behavior of our little darlings, but the reality is that the buck starts and stops with what we practice and allow at home.  As much as I hate to admit it, and to point out the obvious,  if your kid is turning into an obnoxious brat you are to blame.  Hmmm

Society calls you a “Helicopter Parent” destined to raise a “fragile” child:

  • If your entire life revolves around your children and their activities;
  • If you shield them from every disappointment, every slight, injury or conflict;
  • If you hover around them 24/7; and
  • If you swoop in to rescue them, fight their battles with teachers, coaches, friends, co-workers/bosses (yeah it happens), and solve every problem for them.

What this is creating in the real world is a segment of this generation of up and coming workers and leaders who:

  • Demonstrate stunted maturity and social growth;
  • Lack confidence;
  • Fear failure;
  • Experience higher anxiety – often leading to more use of prescription drugs; and
  • Show more anger and resentment than their more well-adjusted peers

Some other ways that we, as a society of parents, are creating bratty kids are:

  • Making excuses for our kids’ bad behaviors (hitting/biting/etc.) by referring to them as a temporary stage and letting them go without consequence.
  • Not establishing expected behaviors from the beginning and not following through with age appropriate discipline for inappropriate or dangerous behaviors;
  • Being afraid of others judging us as “too harsh” or ruining our child’s self-esteem by disciplining them.
  • Failing to remove a misbehaving or melting down child from the situation so that others aren’t annoyed, instead teaching them they can act anyway they please and you just don’t care….
  • Not letting kids grow up/assume age-appropriate responsibility/accepting their maturity; instead attempting to keep them “innocent.”
  • Not restricting what kids watch on TV, not talking to kids about what they’re seeing in society as well as the media and not making clear how they are expected to behave.
  • Giving in to the whining when we tell our kids “No.”  Rewarding that behavior only makes them into more entitled brats….
  • Letting our children have a vote in how our households and/or lives are run.  Newsflash!  You are the parent!  You don’t need to negotiate or explain anything to get your child to agree to it. You need to take the reins and establish who is in charge so that the problem below does not occur.
  • Letting your child call you names, act disrespectfully toward you in front of other adults or their friends, or demand things without saying please or thank you – can we all say it together? “Out of control, disrespectful, entitled, spoiled brat!“

The good news is that it is never too late to undo the damage ignoring the behavior, or chalking it up to a “stage that will pass” has already done.  As parents it IS our responsibility to fix the behaviors we helped instill.  Your kids will hate the changes (maybe) but their friends, teachers, coaches, future spouses, and bosses will thank you.  Start today!

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Did You Know?

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

killerkangarooI’ve been errant in posting while on a very needed vacation. Hmmm

I love random facts so here are some I have come across in the past couple of weeks.

Did you know…

  • you shouldn’t brush your teeth until 30 minutes after a meal because eating softens your tooth enamel and brushing sooner could damage it?
  • a bag of skittles has 50% of the RDA of Vitamin C?
  • if you place a wet paper towel around a warm beer bottle then place the bottle upright in the freezer it will chill in about two minutes?
  • the big jolly, white bearded man in the red suit we are accustomed to seeing as the embodiment of Santa Claus was created by Coca Cola?
  • cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis or hurt your bones, the sound you hear is gas bubbles bursting?
  • the dot over the lower case j or i is called a “tittle”?
  • a group of pandas is called an “embarrassment”?
  • scientists concluded that the chicken came before the egg because the protein needed to make egg shells is only made by hens?
  • in Australia kangaroos kill more people than sharks?

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Legends Never Die, Their Words and Deeds Live On

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment
patsummitt
I am really sad to hear about Pat Summitt passing away today. She was only 64 and her last five years were marred by Alzheimer’s, but nothing can erase the memories the rest of us have of her 38 years earning:
  • The most wins in NCAA Division 1 history.
  • She NEVER had a losing season in her 38 years at Tennessee.
  • But I think an even greater achievement was her UNPRECEDENTED 100% Player graduation rate in every one of her 38 years at The University of Tennessee.
She was a great role model for me and my fellow female players when there weren’t many women coaches achieving the same success as men.  In “Reach for the Summit,” Pat said, “Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.” Powerful words that are true in life AND sports.
Coach Bobby Knight was a friend and fan of Pat Summit and was once quoted as giving her his biggest compliment, “She could have coached at any level, men’s or women’s.”

If you haven’t seen the ESPN Nine for IX about Pat Summit and how she brought women’s basketball to the place where it is today, do yourself a favor and go get it on iTunes or Amazon – both have it.  You can also view it on the ESPN Sports Programming page by following this link.   She also co-wrote 3 books with Sally Jenkins telling her history and giving her perspective on coaching: “Reach for the Summit,” “Raise the Roof” and “Sum It Up.” They are a few of the books I didn’t get as eBooks – they are actual real books on my shelf.

In the simple obituary there is a great quote: “This is one simple statement that Patricia Sue Head Summitt embodied, lived by and passed on to so many throughout her 64 years of life. She ‘won’ every day of her life because of the relationships she developed, nurtured and cherished. Relationships with her family and friends. Relationships with players, coaches, and fans. And most importantly, a strong relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Alzheimer’s Disease is a brutal disease that robs people of their memories, their relationships and their dignity.  I lost my Grandmother to early onset Alzheimer’s / Dementia, the same disease that Pat Summitt died from.  I hope there is a cure in my lifetime.  Hmmm

Time to Repent

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

Too Much of This
And This
Forgot to Take These
Then Ate Too Much Stuff Like This

I love to travel and have plans to do a lot of it this summer, to places that will be hot and mean wearing a lot of these:

So I’ll be spending my next two days detoxing with these:
Ug! The price I pay for fun…hmmm.

The Last Straw

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

Divorce-ARTI came across an article this morning that gave me pause.  It was entitled, “19 Divorced People Answer ‘What Was the Final Straw?‘  Having had the thought a few times over the course of my 25 year relationship and 16 year marriage, morbid curiosity led me to click on the link and see what led the people, who posted their responses on  Reddit, to finally say enough is enough.

All I have to say before I summarize the reasons they gave is, you can’t make this crap up!

Real Life Marriage Breaking Points

  • Over 10 years of marriage, his wife gained 170 lbs.  He supported and encouraged her weight loss attempts.  He got an old jersey out of his closet and found it didn’t fit due to the 15 pounds he’d gained over their 10 years of marriage.  He mentioned he’d need to go get a new one, she responded with, “We’re not blowing money on a stupid jersey. You’ll just have to lose weight.”  Yep, he was done! 😐
  • 10 years into the marriage, his formerly non-religious wife stated, “You’re going to Hell for believing in dinosaurs.”  He was done, but really?  Over that?  Hmmm
  • Here’s a deal breaker: “When I came home to find her sister’s husband naked in my bed.”
  • “The day after my father died (which happened to be Thanksgiving Day) my husband erased and reset my phone. Everything on it gone. Pictures of my dad with my daughter, pictures that only I had. He did it knowing that I had not backed up my phone and it wasn’t connected to the cloud either.”  Sounds like a real control freak she should’ve left well before this….
  • “…peeked into a jewelry bag at what I thought was my Christmas gift, on Christmas morning got a goddamn Nook instead. I was confused until a week later, via Facebook snooping, I saw his ‘friend’ showing off the gift.” There’s a real peach for you!
  • Ahhh the never satisfied wife: “When I did all the chores for us to have a relaxing weekend. I vacuumed the apartment, cleaned everything, did the bathroom, went grocery shopping ($250+), washed two loads of clothes and hung them to dry, new bed sheets, made dinner that was on the table when she got home. And all during the day I sent her texts telling her what I did. Her reaction when she got home? WHY HAVEN’T YOU DONE THE DISHES?!”
  • This one wanted to have his cake and eat it too:  “My husband was cheating. I found out, and instead of immediately dumping his ass, I said, ‘Let’s try to work this out, but you have to dump the girlfriend.’ His response: ‘But what if you and me don’t work out?’ DIRECT F—ING QUOTE. And THAT was the final straw.”
  • The stark reality of this one cuts right to the heart of it: “The one they kept snorting coke with.”
  • Financial control broke this marriage up:  “When he handed me several spreadsheets laying out every time I stopped for a drink at McDonalds ($1) on my way to/from running errands across the city in the desert. He then took my bank ATM card and cut it up. Because I got a drink, I wasn’t allowed to use or have any cash, it all had to be accounted for at all times.”
  • Can we all say “Asshole” together: “Called to tell him my mom had just died and he said, ‘Ok’ and nothing else.”
  • It is obviously ALL ABOUT HIM all the time:  “Him leaving the hospital when I was in labor with our daughter because I was whiny. It stressed him out. For me to be whiny.”
  • Another “All About Him” scenario:  This woman was hospitalized for appendicitis, released the next day to rest.  Husband comes to pick her up, but sits in the car about a block away and makes her to walk to him.  He took the day off but not to help her, he spent the day in bed or playing PC games. He refused to go grocery shopping because ‘that was her job,’ so she asked him to pick up dinner which led to a fight that ended with: ‘Well we can get a divorce if you want!’ She said, ‘Yes please. I’ve actually been thinking about that for a while.'”
  • Another  version of the same old story:  “I came home early from work because of a migraine. Found him in bed with my best friend. Oddly, I was more hurt by her behavior than his. Broomed them both that day.”
  • Never marry someone who can’t separate her gaming life from her real life: “She flew to Texas to spend spring break with a man she met on World of Warcraft .”
  • They say tragedy strengthens or destroys marriages…: “It was 3 days after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. I was a police officer in New Orleans and was standing on the levee at the NOLA/JP line. My wife and small child relocated to my father’s house a few hundred miles away…We established a checkpoint at the NOLA/JP line. Someone passing through the checkpoint had a Nextel phone (which were the only cell phones that could get a signal out). I stood on top of the levee so I could get a good signal and managed to get a call to my wife. The only thing she did was complain about ‘how hard’ everything was on her without once asking me if I was safe or even if I was okay.”

Kind of makes the usual day-to-day complaints pale in comparison.  Hmmm

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Do You Really Love Your Dog?

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde Moments, Pisses Me Off, SafetyLeave a comment

dogsinhotcarsI am shamelessly cutting/copying and pasting the article below (thank you American Veterinary Medical Association) because of a story a friend shared today that really pissed me off!  “Today at Target/Diamond Bar as I was going to my car, I saw a dog in a car in the parking lot. It was panting heavily and trying to stick its head out the couple-inch opening in the window so I went back in to ask the manager to page the owner. It had been half an hour since I walked by the dog!! When the owner came out she said it wasn’t that hot! SMH! Please remember dogs have a higher temp than us and cars get hot fast! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR!”

Thank you for the inspiration for this blog post Simone!

TV, Internet and Newspapers all share stories just like this, often with tragic consequences.  Still people leave pets, and babies, in the car.  WTF?  PEOPLE NEED TO SMARTEN UP!  Please read the article below and keep in mind that, even on a cool day, a car is up to 40° F hotter inside.  If your pet or baby can’t go with you, wherever you just must go, then leave them home in another’s care.  It’s just not worth the risk and potentially deadly consequences.

You can see this article “Pets in Vehicles” at the highlighted link.

Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. We’ve heard the excuses: “Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,” or “But I cracked the windows…” These excuses don’t amount to much if your pet becomes seriously ill or dies from being left in a vehicle.

The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F…and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.

Want numbers? An independent study showed that the interior temperature of vehicles parked in outside temperatures ranging from 72 to 96º F rose steadily as time increased. Another study, performed by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, found that the temperatures in a dark sedan as well as a light gray minivan parked on a hot, but partly cloudy day, exceeded 125oF within 20 minutes.

 

Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time
Elapsed time Outside Air Temperature (F)
70 75 80 85 90 95
0 minutes 70 75 80 85 90 95
10 minutes 89 94 99 104 109 114
20 minutes 99 104 109 114 119 124
30 minutes 104 109 114 119 124 129
40 minutes 108 113 118 123 128 133
50 minutes 111 116 121 126 131 136
60 minutes 113 118 123 128 133 138
> 1 hour 115 120 125 130 135 140
Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

Watch an animated video about in-vehicle temperatures.

This study also found that cracking the windows had very little effect on the temperature rise inside the vehicle. This is definitely a situation where “love ’em and leave ’em” is a good thing. Please leave your pets at home at home when you can…they’ll be safe and happily waiting for you to come home.

…but wait, there’s more!

The risks associated with pets in vehicles don’t end with heatstroke. Just as you should always wear your seatbelt to protect you in case of a collision, your pet should always be properly restrained while in the vehicle. That means a secure harness or a carrier.

A loose, small pet could crawl down in the footwell, interfering with use of the brake or accelerator pedal. A small pet sitting in your lap could be injured or killed by the airbag or could be crushed between your body and the airbag in a collision, and a large pet leaning across your lap can interfere with your view of the road and can be injured by the air bag in a collision. Unrestrained pets could be thrown out or through windows or windshields in a collision. And not only could your pet be injured in the collision, but it might also increase your risk of collision by distracting you and taking your attention away from where it should be – on the road.

To learn more about the importance of restraining your pets, visit Paws to Click.

Most of us smile when we see a dog’s face happily hanging out a window, digging the ride and the smells wafting on the breeze, but this is a very risky venture for the dog for three reasons. One, it means your dog isn’t properly restrained – and we’ve already told you why that’s so important. Two, your dog is at high risk of eye, ear, face and mouth injury from airborne objects when it’s got its face hanging out the window. Three, letting your dog hang any part of its body out of the window increases the risk that (s)he could be thrown out of the vehicle during a collision, lose its balance and fall out of the open window during an abrupt turn or maneuver, or jump out of the vehicle to threaten another dog or a person.

And let’s not forget the severe dangers of driving with your dog in the bed of a pickup truck. Dogs can fall or jump from the truck bed and be injured or killed on impact, or be struck by other traffic. And just as letting your dog hang its head out of the window puts it at risk of injury from debris, a dog in a truck bed is even more exposed to airborne hazards. Using a appropriate-length tether may reduce the risk that your dog will exit the truck bed, but the tether could tangle, injure, or even choke your dog. If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup truck, use a secured and appropriately sized and ventilated dog kennel. (For more information, read our Dogs Traveling in Truck Beds literature review.)

Before you put your pet in the vehicle, ask yourself if you really need to take your pet with you – and if the answer is no, leave your pet safely at home. If you must take your pet with you, make sure (s)he is properly restrained so the trip is as safe as possible for both of you.

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National Best Friends Day

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

dyed-easter-eggsRather than go on a rant about the made up holidays I see popping up on my Twitter Feed everyday, I’m going to play along nicely on this one.

I have 2 very very very best friends.  One who’s known and loved me since we were tweens and another I was lucky enough to acquire via marriage.  The marriage didn’t last buy my forever friendship did.  For that I am extremely thankful.  I am also thankful of my mini-herd of great friends that all could easily, and have, slip into BFF duties when the occasion has called for it.

So, since I decided to play along nicely, I am going to share my favorite best friend memes in honor of this made-up-holiday.

I hope all of my Extreme Blonde Moments followers have their own set or herd of BFF’s and can get a little giggle out of memories of shenanigans, drunken disasters, proper occasions spent together, inappropriate behavior, and other times that will be taken to your grave. Hmmm…

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10 Signs of Skin Cancer

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde Moments, SafetyLeave a comment

This article comes courtesy of Self Magazine.  Skin Cancer is far too important and potentially deadly to ignore the signs and symptoms.

Along with outdoor happy hours and weekends at the beach, summertime calls for an important reminder of skin cancer risk. Since you’re probably spending more time in the sun wearing less clothes, it’s important to take note of any new or different growths on your skin.

“Most skin cancers really are not symptomatic,” Aleksandar Sekulic, M.D., principal for Stand Up To Cancer’s Melanoma Research Alliance Dream Team and Mayo Clinic dermatologist, tells SELF. That means a cancerous spot won’t hurt, or even itch most of the time. “Occasionally people will say a red and scaly spot has become more red and tender, but most true cancers are asymptomatic.”

So how can you tell if a spot is suspicious? “What to look for depends on which skin cancer,” Sekulic says. Here, he lays out the biggest signs, so you can be wary of any potential red flags.

Melanoma

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is usually pigmented and will resemble a mole. “What we really look for is change, that’s the most appreciable thing,” Sekulic says. The American Academy of Dermatology uses the acronym ABCDE for how to recognize a melanoma—any time you notice a new mole or that an old mole looks different, look for these signs:

1. Asymmetry: If you cut it down the middle and one side looks different from the other, it’s asymmetrical.

2. Border: In a normal mole, the border should be smooth. If it is irregular, scalloped, or ragged? “That may be a warning sign,” Sekulic says.

3. Color: If the mole is three or four different colors instead of one uniform color, you should be suspicious.

4. Diameter: “If it’s larger than 6 millimeters, basically the size of a pencil eraser, we tend to look at it a little closer,” because melanoma is found disproportionately in larger moles.

5. Evolution: “Any change in an existing spot or mole is something that should be looked at further,” Sekulic says. That includes a change in size, shape, color, or if the mole bleeds without being provoked. “Sometimes the spot may even start disappearing.” The rate of change is very relative, so it’s important to know what’s normal on your skin and when things change.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer; SCC is the second most common. “Many start as small, unsuspicious spots, and if they’re not treated they get bigger,” Sekulic says. Luckily, they’re both very curable and can be removed with surgery, though removals can cause scarring. In rare cases, they can grow deeper and spread. Though some signs are more typical of one or the other, the general symptoms are the same. Keep an eye out for:

1. A red scaly patch: A red, itchy spot of skin that doesn’t resolve in a few weeks with moisturization is most likely SCC. These might itch, but oftentimes do not, and can be easily confused for eczema.

2. A bump that won’t stop bleeding: This can look like a little bump or pimple that begins to ulcerate. A sore that continually bleeds, heals, and splits open again, is a common sign of BCC but could also be SCC.

3. A shiny bump: This nodule is usually pink, red, or white, but can also be tan, black, or brown and look like a regular mole.

4. A pink growth: The border will likely be slightly elevated and the center indented and maybe even crusty.

5. A scar-like spot: This can be a sign of an aggressive form of BCC, so if you notice a white or yellow scar-like spot that appears shiny, see your derm ASAP.

Be proactive about your skin health by visiting your doctor for regular skin checks. Many dermatologists recommend getting a full body scan once a year or more frequently if you have certain risk factors or a family history of skin cancer. If you ever see anything suspicious, go get checked out sooner rather than later. Early detection is key.

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Dog Owners Rock!

On By ls1228In Extreme Blonde MomentsLeave a comment

themorepeopledogIf you own at least one dog, you are part of a whopping 44% of Americans who do.  According to an American Pet Products survey, 54.4 Million Americans own at least 1 dog.  Don’t fear cat owners, you are represented too.  35% of American households own at least 1 cat. 🙂

The survey also revealed that spending on pets has DOUBLED since 2001.  Between 2001 and 2015 Americans jumped from spending $28.5 BILLION to $60.28 BILLION.  That’s a lot of kitty litter, toys, food & whatnots for our pets!

Ranked by the number of households with dogs, the number of dog parks & trails, dog friendly restaurants & stores, pet stores and dog walkers, these are the 10 top cities for dog owners:

1. Charleston, S.C.

  • Median home price: $349,000
  • Households who own a dog: 68%

2. Temecula, Calif.

  • Median home price: $519,000
  • Households who own a dog: 85%

3. Las Vegas

  • Median home price: $249,000
  • Households who own a dog: 62%

4. Scottsdale, Ariz.

  • Median home price: $596,500
  • Households who own a dog: 69%

5. San Diego

  • Median home price: $689,000
  • Households who own a dog: 63%

6. Austin, Texas

  • Median home price: $450,000
  • Households who own a dog: 61%

7. Tampa, Fla.

  • Median home price: $230,000
  • Households who own a dog: 57%

8. Fort Collins, Colo.

  • Median home price: $419,000
  • Households who own a dog: 67%

9. Atlanta, Ga.

  • Median home price: $314,900
  • Households who own a dog: 54%

10. Seattle, Wash.

  • Median home price: $609,000
  • Households who own a dog: 52%

I didn’t notice any Orange County, California cities listed and that really surprises me!  It seems everywhere I look there’s a person walking at least one dog, there seem to be dog parks springing up left and right, people are bringing their dogs to every store they shop at, and the number of dog friendly restaurants is going up.  I’m sure we’ll be represented in next year’s survey, right NAR? Hmmm.

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