02.29.08
Anecdote and a Warning
One time when we were hiking in the White Mountains near a stream, a “city slicker,” (apparently), was calling his children to come drink out of the pure mountain stream. I thought to myself, “Oh, boy, giardia!” Giardia, you say? Yes, giardia: a microscopic organism that lives in fresh water and causes severe abdominal cramps and “the runs,” to put it nicely.
Well, today was a first. We received a phone call from someone who told us that their family dogs have giardia. Yes, they were drinking water from a lake. Giardia aren’t picky. They will live anywhere.
So, let this serve as a warning for you, your children, and your pets. If you must drink water when you are outside, bring it with you! The water in streams and lakes, at least in New England, is not safe to drink.
I like to pass along tips and new points of information, as I learn of them. That is one tip for the day. The other tip is to never leave your pet unattended, whether that be in a car, running around the neighborhood, or anywhere out of your sight.
All kinds of bad things can happen. Even a mild-mannered dog will bite in self-defense, when provoked by mean children. Dogs and cats are attracted to spills of radiator fluid and that can be fatal. Some people feed loose animals food with cut up glass or laced with poison.
All in all, it is not a good idea to let your precious pets wander alone. Even in the sewing room they can get into trouble. Cats eat thread and that can result in injury and death. So, if you love your pet, be sure you ensure the safety of your animal. And remember this: don’t let them drink the water outside!
Patricia Cummings
