Thank you for letting me write a guest post for your blog!

 My name is Susan Daffron and I’m the founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals and the author of books on caring for adopted dogs (Happy Hound)  and adopted cats (Happy Tabby).

This week is National Poison Prevention Week and I’d like to offer a few tips people can take to keep their cats (and other pets) safe from poisonous substances. As every cat owner knows, cats and particularly kittens love to get into things. That old saying “curiosity killed the cat” can be all too true when it comes to poisons.

Cats are hunters and unfortunately people often use poison to kill rodents or other “varmints” in their house or yard. In the world of toxic substances, you sometimes see references on labels about injury or death of “unintended target species.” If a cat hunts, kills, and eats a poisoned rodent, she can become one of those “unintended targets.” (So can kids, dogs and wildlife!)

Another unintentional way cats are poisoned is when humans attempt to give them over-the-counter medication. For example, acetaminophen, which is used in Tylenol and various cold medications is extremely toxic to cats. Never give your cat Tylenol; one tablet can kill a cat.

Cats are particularly sensitive to chemicals absorbed through their skin, so read labels carefully on the pet-care and household products you use. Topical flea products, soaps, cleaning chemicals, and insecticides you might use in your house or garden often contain chemicals that are toxic to cats, so read the label of any product you intend to use.

Also be sure to “pet proof” your household. Many common houseplants and outdoor plants are toxic to cats. The ASPCA site has a lists of toxic plants and other common poisons.

Toxic Plants

A Poison Safe Home

Any time you suspect your cat may have been poisoned, get her to a veterinarian immediately. Prompt treatment can save her life. You want your cat to stay healthy and live a long time, so take a few simple steps to keep her safe.

Last night we took Logan to see “Walking with Dinosaurs”.  All I can say is that it was AMAZING!!!

Walking with Dinosaurs, based on an award-winning BBC  television series, is brought to life by Immersion Entertainment.

From their press release:

“Walking With Dinosaurs” is a live theatrical show that is performed in two acts with an intermission.

The arena is laid out with a proscenium stage at one end and the entire arena floor is our performing surface. Because the dinosaurs are the size they were in real life, the only venues large enough to accommodate them are arenas. We use both live and recorded video to enhance the scenes in the show; and the cinematic scope, dramatic lighting and symphonic sound used in the performance bring the creatures into three-dimensional reality as they walk around the arena floor.”

This show was totally mesmerizing, as they took us through the evolution of the dinosaurs.  To see them walking on stage, made you feel like you were actually there when they walked the earth.

Logan just LOVED the show, his bright blue eyes as wide as quarters the entire time!!

Walking with Dinosaurs is doing a North American tour and I urge you to go see it when they come to your area!!

I know that I say families should share.  This week my son shared his strep throat with me. It has been a rough week, but another lesson learned the hard way, seems that if I slip and get less sleep than I need, don’t eat right, and in general let myself get run-down, the universe sends me a reminder of what my life will be like without good self-care.  All I have to say is Message received loud and clear!!

I am happy to report that I am on the mend, feeling better and itching to see more signs of spring!

Remember to take good physical care of yourself, YOU ARE IMPORTANT!!

The month of March is Women’s History Month and Journey to Self will be celebrating by highlighting some great but little known women that have made an impact and contribution to our world.

Our Women’s History clips were researched, written and narrated by Diane Tegarden of Fire Walker Publications, and I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Diane for collaborating with me on this project!