#NerdsUnite: The secret life of a veterinary technician (FARA, FDA, and Procrastination)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Lindsay. She and I met ... well, somewhere in the social space. I think we might have started talking through this site directly, then through facebook - maybe ... I'm not sure. But she's awesome. I talk to her on twitter almost every day, and she's really rad and TOTALLY a big huge animal lover. Like crazy huge!! In these series of posts she will be talking about her life and random adventures with sometimes more than two legged creatures. I guess there's only one more thing left to say ... HIT IT LINDSAY!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @TheCraftafarian

These three things (alliteration oh my!) have been on my mind a lot lately. 

Do you remember me talking about the Florida Animal Rescue Act (FARA)? Here's the link to the post. FARA was created in hopes to prevent shelters from euthanizing animals if any qualified non profit rescues were interested in taking them into their care. It was also supposed to create transparency at the animal shelters by requiring them to create a report that is available to the public that would detail what happened to each animal in their care from admission to the moment it left their whether adopted, transferred, or euthanized (and noting if they are still in the care of the shelter). To me it sounded like an amazing idea. PETA was vehemently against it, but if you know any of PETA's deep dark secrets then you wouldn't be surprised as to why they want to block life saving legislation. Anyway, the bill passed unanimously in the State Senate only to be dropped by the State House, the good news for us animal advocates is that this bill will be resubmitted at the next round. So good and bad times.

Back in February I mentioned that I had discovered my dog treats had been reported to possibly cause illnesses in dogs and that there had been some FDA consumer warnings regarding chicken jerky made in China. This is the link to that post. Since then I have purchased three different brands of high quality USA-made (keep in mind that just because its USA made doesn't mean its 100% safe--read your labels/ingredients!) treats to try out on my pups and so far they love them and haven't had any issues (they didn't have problems with their old treats but I figured better safe than sorry!). We tried out Wellness (grain, corn, gluten free) Lamb and Apple Biscuits, Fruitables Pumpkin and Blueberry biscuits (corn, wheat, gluten free), and Nutro Blueberry biscuits (corn, gluten free). Wynnie doesn't care for the fruit ones as much as the lamb but River could care less, she gets excited over broccoli, but don't offer her bananas--she won't eat them. Thanks to a reader of my blog I was able to see a copy of the leaked FDA testing documents (supposedly verified by FDA as real) which had some new testing as of March 2012. The FDA released this FAQ sheet on March 9, 2012, still no definitive information regarding the contaminant or safety. The leaked document revealed that the FDA was doing DNA testing on some of the sample to determine if they were actually poultry (supposed to be chicken) I have no yet heard if they came back yet. Some of the testing for March 2012 is still pending. If you want my recommendation: stay away from imported pet treats and food, read the labels/ingredients, and EDUCATE yourself about what's really in your pets food/treats. Thanks to the blogger at Poisonedpets.com I was able to get a copy of the video.

I have been trying to take control of my severe procrastination lately and I think I'm doing rather well. I don't mind sitting around doing nothing and relaxing if that's what the plan was; but if I plan to get errands/chores done and then don't, I just get annoyed with myself. I've realized that sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get your shit done! :) It feels good to complete things and move forward. 

Now, I'm going to take a nap and get ready for tonight as my coworkers/friends and I are having a girls night. Wooooo!

#nerdsunite

<3 Lindsay 
twitter: @thecraftafarian
blog: craftafarian.blogspot.com
email: craftafarian at gmail d c

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