Hot Weather Hazardous To Pets

Summer’s hot and humid weather can pose a serious danger to pets. The American Red Cross has helpful steps to keep the family pets safe and healthy during the sweltering heat.
NEVER LEAVE PETS IN THE CAR. Pet owners should not leave their animal in the car, even for a few minutes, when the hot weather arrives. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Pet owners are urged to refrain from leaving animals in the car, even with the windows cracked open.
HEAT STROKE is a common problem for pets in the warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea.

 

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
PLANTS CAN BE HAZARDOUS. Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control web site to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.
Your pet is part of the family. And just like any other family member, pets deserve to be cared for and protected. Follow these important steps to help keep your pet at their best:

• Give your pet plenty of exercise. Regular exercise will help your pet feel better and live longer.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, cool water.
• Get to know a veterinarian and make sure your pet has yearly checkups.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines, especially rabies.
• Get your pet spayed or neutered.
• Keep dogs on leashes outside – another animal may be too much temptation.
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid until veterinary care is available.

Animals can’t tell you when they aren’t feeling well. Many hide signs of illness until a problem is very advanced. Knowing what is normal for your pet and being able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success. The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate - so you can recognize when something is wrong.
Additional tips are located on our Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist. Pet First Aid courses are offered at many Red Cross chapters throughout the country. The Red Cross has also developed Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid, comprehensive guides with DVDs to help your keep pets healthy and safe. From basic responsibilities, like spaying/neutering and giving medications, to performing CPR and preparing for disasters, these guides offer information pet owners can trust. Contact your local chapter to see when classes are available or to purchase guide books. Products can also be purchased online at the Red Cross Store.


Content Credit:
http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=e6b4c95d2c298310VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD



-Denea Duran

Fun Friday: Summer

Today is just a great day! First and foremost its Friday and it is my favorite time of the year! Summer time!  The perfect way to spend summer is by the pool, listening to great music and eating yummy food. This blog covers 2 out of 3 , great music and awesome recipes!

Summertime Tortellini Pasta Salad

19 oz. bag cheese filled tortellini (I prefer the tri-colored)
Small Container Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
4 oz. can sliced black olives
1/2 large yellow bell pepper, diced
1/3 c. red onion, diced
1 c. Zesty Italian Dressing
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
Cook cheese tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled through.

Roasted Shrimp & Broccoli

1. Heat the oven to 425.
2. On a large cookie sheet, toss together 2 pounds of broccoli cut up into florets (but not teensy tiny florets, I like a little stem attached), 2 Tbs olive oil, 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds (or 1/2 tsp. ground), 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/8th tsp hot chili powder. Spread into a single layer and pop into the oven for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, toss together one pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined, with 2 Tbs olive oil, lemon zest from one lemon, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper (I just eyeball the salt and pepper) in a bowl. When the broccoli’s been in the oven 10 minutes, add the shrimp to the broccoli and toss (carefully.)

3. Roast another 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until the broccoli is “tender and golden around the edges.”

And that’s your dinner!
I served it in a big bowl of rice and squeezed some lemon on top. It was a big hit.

Recipe: http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html

Tomato-Watermelon Salad with Feta and Toasted Almonds

Ingredients

• 8cups1 1/4-inch chunks seedless watermelon (about 6 pounds)
• 3poundsripe tomatoes (preferably heirloom) in assorted colors, cored, cut into 1 1/4-inch chunks (about 6 cups)
• 1teaspoon(or more) fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt
• 5tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2tablespoonsred wine vinegar
• 3tablespoonschopped assorted fresh herbs (such as dill, basil, and mint)
• 6cupsfresh arugula leaves or small watercress sprigs
• 1cupcrumbled feta cheese (about 5 ounces)
• 1/2cupsliced almonds, lightly toasted

Preparation

• Combine melon and tomatoes in large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon fleur de sel and toss to blend; let stand 15 minutes. Add 4 tablespoons oil, vinegar, and herbs to melon mixture. Season to taste with pepper and more salt, if desired.
• Toss arugula in medium bowl with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Divide arugula among plates. Top with melon salad; sprinkle with feta cheese and toasted almonds and serve.

Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2006/08/tomato_watermelon_salad_with_feta_and_toasted_almonds#ixzz1yXM67z8s

-Denea Duran

Servpro becomes Red Cross Heroes

Local SERVPRO Franchises Become Red Cross “Heroes”

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Columbia Region Red Cross

SERVPRO franchise owners Chris Cromer (Dutch Fork), William Hinson (Richland County) and Marty Williams (West Columbia/Cayce/Lexington) take a break from the tournament to meet with Red Cross employee, Paula Thayer.

We are verfy excited to announce that local SERVPRO franchises have become Red Cross “Heroes” by hosting the First Annual SERVPRO/American Red Cross Golf Tournament on April 12^th at Golden Hills Golf Club in Lexington.
A total of $6,746 was raised at the inaugural tournament, and 100% of the proceeds were donated to our local disaster relief program.

“This is a perfect partnership since we are both in the business of helping put lives back together following a disaster,” said Paula Thayer, major gift manager, American Red Cross, Columbia Region. “There is no greater feeling than that of bringing hope and comfort to someone who was lost everything.”

The tournament was a huge success thanks to the following local SERVRPO franchises for joining efforts: West Columbia/Cayce/Lexington, Dutch Fork and Richland County.

We would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors of the tournament but most of all the wonderful owners and employees of the three SERVPRO offices. It is because of people and organizations like these that the Red Cross is able to fulfill its humanitarian mission each and every day down the street, across the country and around the world.

The Red Cross “Heroes” program is a grassroots fundraising and awareness campaign through which the Red Cross partners with community groups and individuals to raise funds for the vital programs and services that the organization provides to the community.

To become a Hero, call (803) 540-1219 or e-mail Paula.Thayer@redcross.org. Click here to make a financial donation, call (803) 540-1241, or mail to the American Red Cross, PO Pox 91, Columbia, SC 29202.

http://crredcross.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/local-servpro-franchises-become-red-cross-heroes/

Social Media Expansion

We are now switching over to a new blog because we want to give our readers a variety of social media sources to choose from. Also, we have a new Ustream page. Ustream lets us broadcast from live community events, our office and from inside our classrooms. Check out the links below-- follow us, friend us and watch!

New Blog:   http://servprolexingtonsc.blogspot.com/

 

Twitter: @servprowcola

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/servprowestcolumbialexington

 

 

 Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/user/Servprowcola

 

 

-Denea Duran