I read a very interesting study about children and asthma. It seems that kids who live in antiseptically-clean environments have much more trouble with asthma and their immune systems than the kids who live out on the farm surrounded by animal dander and dust.

I read that study too. As someone who grew up asthmatic with cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, mice, and 3 siblings, I'm skeptical of how big a factor this is.

Not squicked by animal spit, although not particularly fond of it.

I'd be more worried about the cat's tail too.

Kitties can do some decent damage but dogs have bigger mouths. Not sure which is worse.

I reckon sharing dog food is not too bad, but I'd draw the line somewhere before playing in the kitty litter.

Good plan! Now if I could just teach my dog this trick...

Also, KATERINABEE! *smooches Katie 4-evah!*

(sings) Nicole and co-worker, sitting in a tree...

Which co-worker? If only I had one more, I could do F/C/M. (I hope the Universe isn't listening because I don't really want one more.)

I read that, too, Katerina. The study I read said that babies growing up in houses with more than two animals (especially if the animals were different species) suffered from fewer allergies. So we're pretty well covered.

The litterbox is in a completely unaccessable corner of the basement from Owen. Gated off. I had to figure out how to keep Sam (the shepherd mix) out of that and so I had a head start baby-proofing the litter box.

I'm currently figuring out how to section off a portion of the back yard for just the baby's use since it's officially dog-sewage city. They have a service that's reasonable that will come and pick up the dog waste from the back yard but I'm not sure I'm ready to drop $40 a month on it.

We used 4-foot standard steel fenceposts and wire fencing for that exact same issue.

Here's a (bad) picture that shows the fence.

[link]

That's also the base to the backyard spaceship, which doubled as a small, bright pink deck.

I read a very interesting study about children and asthma. It seems that kids who live in antiseptically-clean environments have much more trouble with asthma and their immune systems than the kids who live out on the farm surrounded by animal dander and dust. I reckon sharing dog food is not too bad, but I'd draw the line somewhere before playing in the kitty litter.

So that time I had to clean out the grainery, and the dust was so thick that I had black snot - that was a good thing? Cool.

I honestly am not bothered by anything that comes out of kids or dogs...except...and this is a major exclusion...pendulus drool. The hangy-downy, whippy over the snout, waves when you walk, stalagtite drool squicks me in the Xtreem. Not sure why but, ugh.

Fortunately, Bartleby never drools. We have an agreement.

Wow. I misspelled my own dog's name. I'm a bad human.

My dog doesn't do that, thank goodness. It kind of grosses me out too.

Mini-meara:

Back sucks, thanks.

Does that work better for you than long hot shower? I always go for heat myself. {{{Empress's back}}}

My doctor told me that cold is best because it will prevent swelling (which hot will aggravate). Ice the spot for 10 minutes, wait 50 minutes and repeat the process 3-4 times. This really works with my back.

They [greyhounds] come up to me all delicate, warm, and graceful with a look of, "I'm ever so pretty. Please pet me."

I love greyhounds. They are very beautiful animals.

It was announced on our local news that our city by the end of the year will have city-wide wifi

Dude! What city is that? Pretty sweet.

Grand Rapids, MI

{{JZ}}

Yay Anne!

(I apologize for things I've missed and didn't mention... {{}} for everyone who requested it this weekend.)