Traditional Memorial Day exercises at Mt. Rest Cemetery
No Words
courtesy of Kelly L. Schafer, Executive Director, The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
There are not too many points in time that I am at a loss for words–or at the very least have an opinion or two. Right now in our world words and actions can be challenging and always finding the “right” words can feel hard.
For self-care I limit the amount of news from various sources, but do check social media and/or local news in the morning and evening. Right now my vantage point seems an overload of tragic events, extreme division, and little patience for varying viewpoints. All of these things occurring in tandem with our experience of living through a world wide health pandemic.
More often than not, it all feels a bit exhausting. Bigger, more urgent questions that come to mind are how do our kids even possibly absorb and process (in a healthy manner) everything that is happening? How will they come through the tragic events that seem to keep coming in our world? Are they learning more hate or empathy and caring for others? Are they finding their own voice or remaining silent out of fear?
As adults are we really doing everything in our power to support children’s healthy views, are we having the hard conversations, are we modeling healthy, positive behaviors? Yes, our present may be unsettling at times but here we are, together even when our journeys are different.
There are many, many resources available on guidance and support to keep kids safe–safe from predators, mental health safety, basic needs safety, and safe (and fun) activities for all seasons. We are happy to help with connecting you to helpful resources (local and/or online), please contact us!
Words and actions do matter, even when you are at a loss for words or it is harder to find the “right” words.
Consider how you will use your words and actions to protect children, help keep children safe, and ensure your actions model healthy, positive behaviors. “Our” kiddos are listening and watching.
We wish you and your family peace and health!
Stay Safe!
SJPD says thanks
Thank you Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan for the cookies
Remember When? – The Goose Hangs High
In November of 1932 the Junior class of Rodney B. Wilson High School presented their play, The Goose Hangs High
Standing: Robert Waters, Geraldine Plowman, Wayne Burch, Betty Ballentine, Gerald Ruth, Maxine Dellamater, Matha Pappas, Neil McDiarmid
Seated: Durward Vaughn, John Leucht, Edna Shaw, Kenneth Olson, Alice Cressman
– The Wilsonian
Letters – 1972 EMTs continued
Herb Brown was able to name more.
Front row front left: Gary “Radar” Price, Dennis Koenigsknecht, Walt “Sonny” Russell, Neil Barnhart, Carl Fonger andTom Benson
Middle Row: Herb Brown, Ken Gilson, Ron Motz Jr, ???, Bob Kissane & Dick Mead
Back Row: ???, Jim Ritter, Jim McQueen, Craig Knight, Jack Birdsley
Still not sure who is between Sonny and Neil in the middle row. Herb says Sid Lounds is in the photo also, not sure if he is one of the ???
Annette Snyder
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Tapeworms in Cats
Tapeworms are common parasites, and they are among the few worms that you can often see with the naked eye. Cats (as well as many other mammals) can have tapeworm infections, and they typically settle in the small intestine.
Treatment to destroy tapeworms is a critical step in preventing transmission to humans (typically children), and for preventing damage to your cat’s body.
An infection with the most common species of tapeworms in cats is not transmissible to humans, and when treated promptly, the prognosis is good.
Here’s some info on tapeworms and what you can do to keep them away from your cat.
How Can You Tell if Your Cat Has Tapeworms?
As a tapeworm grows, pieces of its body break into segments and pass into your cat’s intestines. You may see dried, white or cream-colored segments of the tapeworm in your cat’s feces, or you may find them stuck to the fur under your cat’s tail.
Some tapeworm species will break into segments that are too small to see, while the segments of other tapeworm species will resemble sesame or cucumber seeds in size and appearance.
If a tapeworm has traveled into a cat’s stomach, and the cat vomits up the worm, it may come up as a large and moving segment.
Cats may bite or lick their anus, or drag their hindquarters across the floor. Keep in mind that a tapeworm infection is often asymptomatic and, contrary to popular belief, rarely a cause of weight loss in cats.
If you notice tapeworms, take your cat to the vet for an evaluation. A fecal sample can be used to diagnose intestinal parasites like tapeworms. It’s always helpful to save any worms that you find and bring them to your veterinarian for diagnosis. They can be transported in a sealed plastic bag or jar.
How Do Cats Get Tapeworms?
The tapeworm requires an intermediate host before developing into an adult. So, for a cat to get tapeworms, they need to ingest the intermediate host. For example, tapeworm eggs are frequently ingested through adult fleas.
The fleas actually ingest the tapeworm eggs before jumping on a cat, and then the cat eats the flea and becomes infected. The tapeworm eggs then hatch once they have been digested in the cat’s intestines.
Other hosts that a cat is likely to ingest include rabbits, birds, and rodents. Scavenging may also lead to an infestation of tapeworms.
How to Treat Tapeworms in Cats
Treatment for adult tapeworms is given on an outpatient basis in the form of an injection or oral medication. Deworming medications are effective at removing tapeworms and very safe for your cat.
After treatment, the tapeworms will normally dissolve in the cat’s intestines. You don’t usually see an expulsion of the tapeworms into the feces unless it is an unusually high worm load.
You need to administer the full course of the prescribed medication to ensure that the tapeworms are removed from your cat’s body.
How to Prevent Tapeworms (and the Fleas That Cause Them)
Keeping your cat free of flea infestations with flea and tick medication is the best protection against tapeworms. However, if infestation does occur, the environment must be treated along with the cat to prevent recurring infestations.
Since cats are fastidious groomers, you may not see the fleas that they are ingesting or know that they are contracting tapeworms until there is an infestation.
Ask your veterinarian which flea and tick prevention products are safe for your cat. Keeping your cat indoors and away from dead animals and garbage may also help prevent them from ingesting tapeworms.