How Could You

So . . . you need to "rehome" your dog?

By Jim Willis

 

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief.

The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself --a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

 

A Note from the Author:

If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. Jim Willis

Subject: Dog's Pet Peeves

 

Pet Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans

 

 

1. Blaming your farts on me...not funny... not funny at all!!!

 

2. Yelling at me for barking… I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG, YOU IDIOT!

 

3. Taking me for walks then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?

 

4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose... stop it!

 

5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we

chew your stuff up when you're not home.

 

6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch-throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo What a proud moment for the top of the food chain.

 

7. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip", then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!

 

8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

 

9.Dog sweaters. Hello??? Haven't you noticed the fur?

 

Now lay off me on some of these things. We both know who's boss

here!!! You don't see me picking up your poop do you???

 

EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY.

This is a little long, but well worth the read – you will have tears of laughter coming from your eyes; if you are a roper, a hunter, a wildlife lover, or a person who enjoys humor, this is THE story for you!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Subject: Fw: deer season...freaking hilarious!!! (long but funny)

 

I think a deer tag and bullet would have been cheaper and easier.

 

I had this idea that I was going to rope a deer, put it in a stall, feed it up on corn for a couple of weeks, then kill it and eat it. The first step in this adventure was getting a deer. I figured that since they congregated at my cattle feeder and do not seem to have much fear of me when we are there (a bold one will sometimes come right up and sniff at the bags of feed while I am in the back of the truck not 4 feet away) that it should not be difficult to rope one, get up to it and toss a bag over its head (to calm it down) then hog tie it and transport it home.

 

I filled the cattle feeder then hid down at the end with my rope. The cattle, who had seen the roping thing before, stayed well back. They were not having any of it. After about 20 minutes my deer showed up...3 of them. I picked out a likely looking one, stepped out from the end of the feeder, and threw my rope. The deer just stood there and stared at me. I wrapped the rope around my waist and twisted the end so I would have a good hold. The deer still just stood and stared at me, but you could tell it was mildly concerned about the whole rope situation. I took a step towards it. It took a step away. I put a little tension on the rope and received an education.

 

The first thing that I learned is that while a deer may just stand there looking at you funny while you rope it, they are spurred to action when you start pulling on that rope. That deer EXPLODED.

 

The second thing I learned is that pound for pound, a deer is a LOT stronger than a cow or a colt. A cow or a colt in that weight range I could fight down with a rope with some dignity. A deer, no chance. That thing ran and bucked and twisted and pulled. There was no controlling it and certainly no getting close to it. As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I originally imagined. The only up side is that they do not have as much stamina as many animals. A brief 10 minutes later, it was tired and not nearly as quick to jerk me off my feet and drag me when I managed to get up. It took me a few minutes to realize this, since I was mostly blinded by the blood flowing out of the big gash in my head.

 

At that point I had lost my taste for corn fed venison. I just wanted to get that evil creature off the end of that rope. I figured if I just let it go with the rope hanging around its neck, it would likely die slow and painfully somewhere. At the time, there was no love at all between me and that deer. At that moment, I hated the thing and I would venture a guess that the feeling was mutual. Despite the gash in my head and the several large knots where I had cleverly arrested the deer's momentum by bracing my head against various large rocks as it dragged me across the ground, I could still think clearly enough to recognize that there was a small chance that I shared some tiny amount of responsibility for the situation we were in, so I didn't want the deer to have to suffer a slow death. I managed to get it lined up to back in between my truck and the feeder...a little trap I had set beforehand. Kind of like a squeeze chute. I got it to back in there and started moving up so I could get my rope back.

 

Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody so I was very surprised when I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist. Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head...almost like a pit bull. They bite HARD and it hurts. The proper thing to do when a deer bites you is probably to freeze and draw back slowly. I tried screaming and shaking instead. My method was ineffective. It seems like the deer was biting and shaking for several minutes, but it was likely only several seconds. I, being smarter than a deer (though you may be questioning that claim by now) tricked it. While I kept it busy tearing the daylights out of my right arm, I reached up with my left hand and pulled that rope loose.

 

That was when I got my final lesson in deer behavior for the day. Deer will strike at you with their front feet. They rear right up on their back feet and strike right about head and shoulder level, and their hooves are surprisingly sharp. I learned a long time ago that when an animal like a horse strikes at you with their hooves and you can't get away easily, the best thing to do is try to make a loud noise and make an aggressive move towards the animal. This will usually cause them to back down a bit so you can escape. This was not a horse. This was a deer, so obviously such trickery would not work. In the course of a millisecond I devised a different strategy. I screamed like woman and tried to turn and run. The reason I had always been told NOT to try to turn and run from a horse that paws at you is that there is a good chance that it will hit you in the back of the head. Deer may not be so different from horses after all, besides being twice as strong and three times as evil, because the second I turned to run, it hit me right in the back of the head and knocked me down.

 

Now when a deer paws at you and knocks you down it does not immediately leave. I suspect it does not recognize that the danger has passed. What they do instead is paw your back and jump up and down on you while you are laying there crying like a

little girl and covering your head. I finally managed to crawl under the truck and the deer went away.

 

Now for the local legend. I was pretty beat up. My scalp was split open, I had several large goose eggs, my wrist was bleeding pretty good and felt broken (it turned out to be just badly bruised) and my back was bleeding in a few places, though my insulated canvas jacket had protected me from most of the worst of it. I drove to the nearest place, which was the co-op. I got out of the truck, covered in blood and dust and looking like heck. The guy who ran the place saw me through the

window and came running out yelling "what happened"

 

I have never seen any law in the state of Kansas that would prohibit an individual from roping a deer. I suspect that this is an area that they have overlooked entirely. Knowing, as I do, the lengths to which law enforcement personnel will go to exercise their power, I was concerned that they may find a way to twist the existing laws to paint my actions as criminal. I swear....not wanting to admit that I had done something monumentally stupid played no part in my response. I told him "I was attacked by a deer." I did not mention that at the time I had a rope on it. The evidence was all over my body. Deer prints on the back of my jacket where it had stomped all over me and a large deer print on my face where it had struck me there.

 

I asked him to call somebody to come get me...I didn't think I could make it home on my own. He did.

 

Later that afternoon, a game warden showed up at my house and wanted to know about the deer attack. Surprisingly, deer attacks are a rare thing and wildlife and parks was interested in the event. I tried to describe the attack as completely and

accurately as I could...I was filling the grain hopper and this deer came out of nowhere and just started kicking the heck out of me and BIT me. It was obviously rabid or insane or something. EVERYBODY for miles around knows about the deer

attack (the guy at the co-op has a big mouth). For several weeks people dragged their kids in the house when they saw deer around and the local ranchers carried rifles when they filled their feeders. I have told several people the story, but NEVER anybody around here. I have to see these people every day and as an outsider...a "city folk"...I have enough trouble fitting in without them snickering behind my back and whispering "there is the dumbo that tried to rope the deer.

GOD BLESS THE PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US…

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.

 

"Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

 

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

 

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

 

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.

 

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cocklebur's out of dad's fields.

 

I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

 

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

 

God bless the parents who drugged us.

God has a positive answer:

YOU SAY                                                                         GOD SAYS & BIBLE VERSES

 

You say: "It's impossible"                                 God says: All things are possible    (Luke 18:27)         

 

You say: "I'm too tired"                                      God says: I will give you rest    (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

You say: "Nobody really loves me"           God says: I love you

                                                                                               (John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

 

You say: "I can't go on"                                       God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

 

You say: "I can't figure things out"           God says: I will direct your steps

                                                                                               (Proverbs 3:5-6)

 

You say: "I can't do it"                                         God says: You can do all things

                                                                                               (Philippians 4:13)

 

You say: "I'm not able"                                        God says: I am able

                                                                                               (II Corinthians 9:8)

 

You say: "It's not worth it"                               God says: It will be worth it

                                                                                               (Roman 8:28 )

 

You say: "I can't forgive myself"                 God says: I Forgive you

                                                                                               (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

 

You say: "I can't manage"                                 God says: I will supply all your needs

                                                                                               (Philippians 4:19)

 

You say: "I'm afraid"                                             God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

                                                                                               (II Timothy 1:7)

 

You say: "I'm always worried                        God says: Cast all your

and frustrated"                                                         cares on ME

                                                                                               (I Peter 5:7)

 

You say: "I'm not smart enough"                God says: I give you wisdom

                                                                                               (I Corinthians 1:30)

 

You say: "I feel all alone"                                   God says: I will never leave you or forsake you                     

                                                                                               (Hebrews 13:5)

Daddy's Poem

 

Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and she couldn't wait to go.

 

But her mommy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.

 

But she was not afraid;

she knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

of why he wasn't there today.

 

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

 

But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees

a dad who never calls.

 

There were daddies along the wall in back,

for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats

 

One by one the teacher called

a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

as seconds slowly passed.

 

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

a man who wasn't there.

 

"Where's her daddy at?"

She heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one,"

another student dared to shout.

 

And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."

 

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher,

who told her to go on.

 

And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.

 

"My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.

 

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

 

He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.

 

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.

 

"Cause my daddy's always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart".

 

With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favorite dress.

 

And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,

her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.

 

For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was right.

 

And when she dropped her hand back down,

staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.

 

"I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far.

 

You see he is a Marine

and died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

and taught Americans to fear.

 

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes,

and saw him there that day.

 

And to her mother's amazement,

she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

 

Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.

 

"I know you're with me Daddy,"

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

 

Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

 

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.

 

They say it takes a minute to find a special

person, an hour to appreciate them,

a day to love them, but then an entire

life to forget them.

 

Take the time...to live and love.

Until eternity. God bless

The Long and the Short of It!

Terry & Sharon McGhehey

512-269-9080

715 E. Hwy 79, Rockdale, TX 76567

Source Unknown but will Credit Author when Known

 

How to grade your dog's food:

Start with a grade of 100:

1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points

2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points

3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points

4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points

5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewer's rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points

6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points

7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points

8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points

9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points

10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points

11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points

12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points

13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isn't allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

 

Extra Credit:

1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points

2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points

3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points

6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points

8) If the food contains barley, add 2 points

9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points

10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point

12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point

13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

94-100+ = A

86-93 = B

78-85 = C

70-77 = D

69 = F

Here are some foods that have already been scored. If you don't see your dog's food here, ask and someone will score it for you.

 

Dog Food scores:

Authority Harvest Baked                                         Score 116 A+

Bil-Jac Puppy                                                           Score 96 A         

Bil-Jac Select                                                           Score 68 F

Black Gold Black bag                                                Score 63 F

Canidae                                                                   Score 112 A+

Chicken Soup Senior                                               Score 115 A+

Diamond Maintenance                                            Score 64 F          

Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice                                    Score 92 B

Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula                          Score 99 A

Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium   Score 122 A+

Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato                         Score 106 A+     

Foundations                                                            Score 106 A+

Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold    Score 93 D

Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium               Score 73 D

Innova Dog                                                             Score 114 A+

Innova Evo                                                              Score 114 A+

Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables   Score 110 A+

Nutrisource Lamb and Rice                                     Score 87 B          

Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy                Score 87 B

Nutro Ultra Adult                                                     Score 124 A+

Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice                             Score 23 F 

ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley                              Score 103 A+

Purina Benful                                                           Score 17 F          

Purina Dog                                                              Score 62 F

Purina Come-n-Get It                                             Score 16 F          

Royal Canin Bulldog                                                Score 100 A+

Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult                             Score 106 A+

Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice                          Score 97 A

Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+               Score 63 F

Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies                      Score 69 F

Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken                                 Score 110 A+

Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold               Score 97 A

Here are some tricks to help you get your money's worth at the Gas Pump.

 

1. Fill up your car or truck in the morning when the temperature is still cool. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground; and the colder the ground, the denser the gasoline. When it gets warmer gasoline expands, so if you're filling up in the afternoon or in the evening, what should be a gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and temperature of the fuel (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products) are significant. Eve ry truckload that we load is temperature-compensated so that the indicated gallonage is actually the amount pumped. A one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for businesses, but service stations don't have temperature compensation at their pumps .

 

2. If a tanker truck is filling the station's tank at the time you want to buy gas, do not fill up; most likely dirt and sludge in the tank is being stirred up when gas is being delivered, and you might be transferring that dirt from the bottom of their tank into your car's tank.

 

3. Fill up when your gas tank is half-full (or half-empty), because the more gas you have in your tank the less air there is and gasoline evaporates rapidly, especially when it's warm. (Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating 'roof' membrane to act as a barrier between the gas and the atmosphere, thereby minimizing evaporation.)

 

4. If you look at the trigger you'll see that it has three delivery settings: slow, medium and high. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to the high setting. You should be pumping at the slow setting, thereby minimizing vapors created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump are corrugated; the corrugations act as a return path for vapor recovery from gas that already has been metered. If you are pumping at the high setting, the agitated gasoline contains more vapor, which is being sucked back into the underground tank so you're getting less gas for your money .

 

Hope this will help ease your 'pain at the pump'.

 

Taken from an email that was sent to me but no credit given as to the writer. I will be glad to share that info if you contact me.

- "The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.” Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

 

DRYER LINT SCREEN DANGER

 

I’ve tried and verified that this is a good “Dryer Safety” tip.  This was forwarded to me – I thought it was interesting and worthwhile to share.

 

I had a wonderful morning, until the heating unit went out on my dryer!  The repair man went in to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes. He told us that he wanted to show us something.  He took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. Now, the lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. WELL... the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!!!  It didn't go through it at all!!!

 

He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over the mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire and potentially burn your house down! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.

 

He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!  How about that???!!!!  Learn something new everyday!  I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that.  So, I thought I'd share!

 

Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it.  The water ran thru a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen.  I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds.  Then when I rinsed it and the water ran right thru the screen!  There wasn't any puddling at all!  That repairman knew what he was talking about!

 

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO OTHER PEOPLE.  NOT ONLY COULD IT SAVE SOMEONE'S HOME, BUT IT COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE.