Thursday, March 19, 2020

Free Essays on Puppy Mills

Who hasn’t walked by a pet shop and adored the cute little puppies in the window? I know many people have, because I worked in a pet shop for more than two years. In fact I even took one of the puppies home with me. But then I learned about the places most pet shop pups come from. More often than not, puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills, where a female is bred for the sole purpose of mass-producing puppies. There, she spends her entire life in a wire cage. Her only function is having puppies in some cases, more births than her frail body can tolerate. When she can no longer have those cute puppies that everyone falls in love with, she is euthanized. Puppy mills are also well known for being unsanitary. Many times cages upon cages are stacked on each other, and each animal’s waste runs into the cage below. Skin infections are rampant and food is often infested with maggots or shared with rats. These conditions leave the animals subject to many physical and mental diseases. Disturbing behavior often is noted in many puppies from puppy mills due to the total confinement they must endure. In many cases, a common puppy disease such as parvo or diphtheria both normally prevented through vaccination, wipes out an entire litter of puppies. Usually there is no veterinarian on site to care for these ailing puppies, who are lucky if there is someone there that actually cares. When do these puppies get to leave the puppy mill? Most often it is sooner than it should be. Puppy mill operators have been known to fake birth dates on official papers so as to get the puppies to the stores when they are young, small, and more desirable. What is wrong with this? The puppy’s immune system is not fully developed and is more vulnerable to illnesses. They are often not able to eat on their own and can starve. My job at the pet store was to take care of the puppies as they came in by airplane from Kansas. Scared, tired... Free Essays on Puppy Mills Free Essays on Puppy Mills Who hasn’t walked by a pet shop and adored the cute little puppies in the window? I know many people have, because I worked in a pet shop for more than two years. In fact I even took one of the puppies home with me. But then I learned about the places most pet shop pups come from. More often than not, puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills, where a female is bred for the sole purpose of mass-producing puppies. There, she spends her entire life in a wire cage. Her only function is having puppies in some cases, more births than her frail body can tolerate. When she can no longer have those cute puppies that everyone falls in love with, she is euthanized. Puppy mills are also well known for being unsanitary. Many times cages upon cages are stacked on each other, and each animal’s waste runs into the cage below. Skin infections are rampant and food is often infested with maggots or shared with rats. These conditions leave the animals subject to many physical and mental diseases. Disturbing behavior often is noted in many puppies from puppy mills due to the total confinement they must endure. In many cases, a common puppy disease such as parvo or diphtheria both normally prevented through vaccination, wipes out an entire litter of puppies. Usually there is no veterinarian on site to care for these ailing puppies, who are lucky if there is someone there that actually cares. When do these puppies get to leave the puppy mill? Most often it is sooner than it should be. Puppy mill operators have been known to fake birth dates on official papers so as to get the puppies to the stores when they are young, small, and more desirable. What is wrong with this? The puppy’s immune system is not fully developed and is more vulnerable to illnesses. They are often not able to eat on their own and can starve. My job at the pet store was to take care of the puppies as they came in by airplane from Kansas. Scared, tired...

Monday, March 2, 2020

Protect and Preserve Family Heirlooms, Antiques and Treasures

Protect and Preserve Family Heirlooms, Antiques and Treasures Family treasures link generations in a deep, personal way. Anyone who has seen their great-grandmothers baptismal gown, grandfathers wallet, or a photo of a relative going off to war knows how moving these pieces of history can be. These treasured items, passed down from generation to generation, provide insight into the lives of our ancestors and a richer understanding of our familys history. Sometimes these treasured family items make the journey from one generation to the next, but the stories that help give meaning to these treasures may not survive the trip. Ask family members to share with you their memories of each treasured family heirloom, such as the name of the original owner, how it was used in the family, or remembered stories connected to each item. Check with your local library or historical society, or browse the internet, for information on historic decor, furnishings, clothing, and other artifacts to help you learn more about the history of your family heirlooms and how to protect them. Family heirlooms are a great treasure, but can be easily damaged by light, heat, humidity, pests, and handling. Here are a few basic things you can do to preserve these heirlooms for future generations: Display or store your treasures in a stable, clean environment Filtered air, a temperature of 72 ° F or below, and humidity between 45 and 55 percent are ideal goals. If you feel that you must display fragile items, then try to avoid dampness, too much heat, and dramatic changes in temperature and humidity. If you feel comfortable, your treasures probably will too. Location, location, location! Display and store your family heirlooms away from heat sources, outside walls, basements, and attics. Write it down All objects deteriorate over time, so start caring for them now. Make sure to identify, photograph, and maintain records of your treasures. Describe the history and condition of each object; note who made, purchased, or used it; and relate what it means to your family. Shun the light Sunlight and fluorescent light fade and discolor most treasures, and are especially dangerous to fabrics, paper, and photographs. On the other hand, heirlooms stored away in a box bring much less enjoyment! If you choose to frame or display family treasures, place them on or near walls that get the least amount of sun. Framed photographs or textiles  may also benefit from having ultraviolet light-filtering glass. Rotate items between display and storage to provide a rest from exposure and prolong their life. Watch out for pests Holes in furniture or textiles, wood shavings, and tiny droppings are all evidence of bug or rodent visitation. Consult a conservator if you spot trouble. Heirloom allergies Historic objects can be harmed by a variety of items including abrasive cleaners; dry-cleaners bags; glues, adhesive tapes, and labels; pins, staples, and paper clips; acidic wood, cardboard, or paper; and pens and markers. Even if it is broken, think twice before you fix it! A smudged painting, torn photograph, or broken vase may seem easy to fix. They arent. Well-intended amateur repairs often do more harm than good. Consult a conservator for advice on valued items. If an item is especially precious, sometimes there is no substitute for expert help. Professional conservators understand what causes the deterioration of many different materials, and how to slow or prevent it. They master their subject through years of apprenticeship, university programs, or both, and usually have a specialty, such as paintings, jewelry, or books. A local museum, library, or historical society may know where to find conservators in your area and can offer other advice on preserving your treasured family heirlooms.