One year in 40 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.

There are a lot of things I like about Hanover. This town is made up of a lot of great individuals and small businesses. However, when it comes to taking care of its animals, I’m afraid there are some serious issues. I’ve come across a few strays in my time here, and I’ve not been able to find help for any one of them locally.

That’s why I do my fundraising for OSAS, the no-kill animal shelter in Owen Sound. Lenny  isn’t the first critter Renee has taken in from outside her jurisdiction simply because it had nowhere else to turn. She, and her team, have helped thousands of animals rise from awful circumstances to find their forever homes.

This June, they will be holding their 2nd annual Mutt Strutt, and Pal, Justin and I will be strutting proudly that day! If you’ve been to Hanover lately, you may have seen Pal and I strutting around. He’s pretty easily recognizable with his little “funny” paw held up in the air, running on the other three.

If you’d like to pledge us, your donation will go to help so many friends of fur, like Lenny, who need medical care, spays and neuters, and forever homes.

Email me, or leave a comment here if you’d like to pledge us If you see us bopping around, be sure to stop and say “Hi!”

If you’d like to mail a cheque, make it out to “Owen Sound Animal Shelter”, and mail it to me at RR#1, Hanover Ontario, N4N 3B8. Please include a note with your name, address, and phone number if you’d like a tax receipt.

The kitten who was found at Grant’s Independent now has a name, or two. We have a tendency to give them names when they come through our house, and this little guy is no exception. We had called him Lenny after many of our treasured muses, Leonard Cohen, Lenny Breau, and John Lennon.

However, on Friday night, we just missed an important call. A young girl named Natasha looking for her kitten, “Pumpkin”. After trying the number she left (wrong number), I spent the weekend going to great lengths to find her. There as only the one call, and no more.

By Monday, Justin and I decided that Lenny, or Pumpkin wasn’t getting the medical attention he needed. His congestion and stuffy nose were most definitely a sign of something more serious, and we have our resident felines to worry about.

After exhausting my local options for finding some help, we brought him up to OSAS where Renee immediately put him on antibiotics and fluids. Little Lenny’s fate is out of our hands, and we’ve been thinking of him every second.

Please go to OSAS’s website and read Renee’s blog entries about Lenny!

All in all, it was a very good night. Jory Nash was a wonderful host, and the 12 acts provided a wide variety of entertainment. Justin was among the contenders for that final slot on the main stage at Summerfolk, he played a great three song set. Others who stood out were Brian Macmillan, a great solo guitar player, Beckon, a femme duo with backup in the form of a guitar and what looked like a djmebe drum, and Hard Ryde, a bluegrass band from… well, lots of places!

Hard Ryde earned themselves a well deserved spot on the main stage at Summerfolk this year. Can’t wait to see them there!

Tonight at 8:30pm, people in every country in the world will be shutting down for an hour!

We won’t be home at the time, however, we will definitely be sure to shut everything down before we leave. Justin will be onstage at “The Last Chance Salloon”, vying for the elusive last spot on Summerfolk’s main stage.

What are your plans for Earth Hour? Send me an email with what you’ve been doing, with pictures, and I’ll feature you in a post!

I know you might not all read this entire post, so I’ll start at the end of my story. Afterall, this is the really important part.

I came across a kitten in the parking lot of Grant’s Independent this evening. He’s about 6 months old, and has his fuzzballs intact. He was wet, cold and sneezing. I brought him home, warmed him up, and have fed him. He’s very friendly with people and dogs, which leads me to believe that this is somebody’s kitten!

If you know of anyone who’s missing a kitten of this description, please call me: 519-364-6417 or email me: jody@viddyworks.ca.

The Backstory

Still reading? Good.

While walking Pal near Grant’s Independent, I spotted a worried looking woman with a kitten rubbing against her legs. We stopped, and took a few steps toward them. The kitten trotted over to Pal and I, obviously not alarmed by the dog at all. After we spoke a bit, I assured this kind woman, who was late picking up her kids, that I’d make sure the kitten got somewhere safe and warm.

I really wasn’t sure how this would go! Kitten and dog in the same car with no carrying cages? I had to do something though. I picked up the little guy, and stuffed him in my jacket. Lucky for all of us, he was just happy to be warm and out of the rain! He snuggled right in and purred between sneezes. I drove home with him like that, snuggled in my jacket, one hand holding him and the other switching between the wheel and the shift, all with a friendly dog nose over my shoulder!

The Upsetting Part

If you’re familiar with Hanover’s big box area, you’ll know that Grant’s Independent shares a parking lot with Zellers, and is right near Canadian Tire. At Canadian Tire, I was told that I could not put a poster in their window! It’s against corporate policy! I snapped at the woman, but went back to apologize. My anger was misdirected; she didn’t make this rule.

I went on to the next one in line, Zellers, and got the same answer. This time, I kept my temper and handed them a poster, hoping that the little guy’s owner would inquire at some point.

After that, I went on to Grant’s Independent, in whose parking lot the little guy was found. Surely they would care, right? No such luck. I was livid, but I did not show it. The girls in customer service were just following orders, afterall. No posters anywhere, period! Corporate policy!

A Call to Action

I applaud businesses, large and small, who will do something to help their communities, even when it’s as small an act as putting up a little poster on their big glass doors. Shame on those big box stores for having such policies!

Consumers: please support businesses who are willing to support you. It’s the small businesses in your downtown core, not the big box stores on the outskirts that make a community. Real businesses run by real people.

Businesses of Hanover: please consider downloading and displaying a copy of the poster that I made up. If we can reunite the little guy with his family, it will be well worth the paper and ink.

Everyone: I know that there are people out there who feel the same way as I do: We need a no-kill animal shelter in Hanover! The animal control in this area is atrocious and needs to be improved. People who care about the strays they find end up taking them up to Owen Sound to OSAS, which is a wonderful place, but out of our area. Our municipal taxes don’t cover any of their costs, and it’s really not fair. We need something like it down here. Write to the post about it! I am planning to.

Signs of Spring

For the last few days, we’ve been treated to some mighty fine weather in Grey/Bruce! I’m told it got all the way up to 15c yesterday afternoon. Our woodpile is dwindling, and the ice is slowly being overtaken by water on our little scummy pond. Dogs, cats and humans alike have an extra spring in our step, and we’re all breathing in the emerging scents of grass and earth. Around our neck of the woods, one of the greatest signs of spring is my first bike ride of the year.

A Fixer Upper

After a long cold winter, temperatures like this inspire me to throw off the shackles of gasoline and hop on my bike. You guessed it, that’s my old clunker up there. A few years ago, it was given to me by my friend, Ellen at Indira Devi Studio of Yoga. Neither of us thought it would be fit to ride when she pulled it out of the storage room, but since I love fix-up projects, I thought I’d give it a try. I brought the bike to a small shop in Durham (I believe they’ve moved to Owen Sound now), Bikeface Cycling. I had figured that the bike would need a total overhaul, and that only the frame would be salvageable (the most desirable part of course!). When I arrived to pick her up, the owner told me that all he’d had to do was oil the chain, and pump up the tires!

Where to Tune Up

After reading this blog entry, I hope you’ll all haul your bikes out of the garage and take ‘em for a spin! However, you might be needing a tune-up, or perhaps you’ve outgrown your old bike and need a replacement. Here are a few suggestions on where to go in Grey/Bruce:

Bikeface Cycling Owen Sound 519-376-9777

Jolley’s Alternative Wheels Owen Sound 519-371-1812

Wheel Fast the Bicycle Shoppe Scone 519-363-3175

Martin’s Bicycle Shop Southampton 519-797-3645

Please leave a comment and let us know where YOUR favorite bike shop is!

In With the Old

It’s now been about 2 years, and I’ve put a lot of miles on this old bike. It has affirmed what I already knew; we shouldn’t throw away the items of the past in exchange for modern gadgets. Many people might have seen this old bike and sent it to the dumpster without a thought. So here’s your lesson of the day Grey/Bruce: Think twice before you toss that “old piece of junk”, it could definitely turn out to be someone else’s treasure.

The fact is, I haven’t allowed bleach in my home for over a year, and yet I can still smell it leeching out of my counters when I wipe them down with plain hot water. I knew there was more to it than just a bad smell, so I looked for more information. Here’s what I found out:

Why it’s bad for you

Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite (chlorine added to lye) which is highly corrosive, and causes burns and caustic skin irritations. Studies have also shown a relationship between bleach and cancer, birth defects and many other ailments.

Sounds bad enough, right? Well that’s just bleach on its own. The truth is, most people use several different products when cleaning house. Windex for the windows, Bowl Brite for the bathroom, Fantastic in the kitchen, need I go on? The problem is, many of these cleaners contain an ingredient that is sometimes left off of the label: Ammonia. When bleach comes in contact with ammonia, it can have one of three reactions:

1. Chlorine Gas (Cl2) - “The gas tears into your nasal passages, trachea, and lungs by causing massive cellular damage.” - source
2. Nitrogen Trichloride (NCl3) - “even if you did get close enough to ingest it, it would probably explode in your face first,” - source
3. Hydrazine (N2H4) - “The heat is so great that it usually leads to an explosion.” - source

Who else is it bad for?

Your cat may be one of many who are actually attracted to bleach. Maybe it’s because I’m such a cat person, but while researching this article I decided to search for cats and bleach. What I found horrified me! Apparently, many cats are attracted to bleach, and will roll in it, and lap it up if given the chance. Part of me wasn’t surprised because I’ve heard too many times about animals dying after drinking anti-freeze. What really horrified me was that so many cat owners think that this behavior is adorable, and will give their cats little puddles of bleach to play in.

People also clean their litter boxes with bleach. They think the bleach will kill any kittie poop bacteria. Did you know that cat urine contains ammonia? What did I just say about ammonia?

You’ll be much better off cleaning your kitties commodes with a lot of hot water, and a little bit of hydrogen peroxide (which breaks down into water/oxygen in wastewater). Which leads me to my next point:

What to use instead

Have I mentioned that I use three basic ingredients to clean my whole house? They are: Water, White Vinegar, and Baking Soda. Here are a couple of great little recipes that you can use in lieu of bleach:

Drain De-Clogger

1. Boil 10 cups of water
2. Add 1 cup of white vinegar
3. Add 1 cup of baking soda
4. Pour solution down drain while fizzing

Cutting Board Sanitizer (Can even be used after cutting meat)

1. Sprinkle backing soda over cutting board
2. Spritz vinegar over baking soda
3. Pour a bit of boiling water over all
4. Watch it fizz, then wipe it clean with a cloth

4 ways to get your whites whiter.

1. Pour 1/4 cup of Vinegar into your load
2. Squeeze some lemon into your load
3. Use a homemade eco-friendly laundry detergent that contains baking soda
4. My personal favorite Hang your clothes out in the sunshine to dry!

In conclusion

A lot of the points in this article seem harsh or extreme. Of course you’re not going to drop dead the second you open the bottle. Many people use bleach “properly” (read:extremely diluted) and suffer no side effects. However, there are thousands of .

Besides, we need a certain amount of germs around to keep our immune systems up to snuff. As babies we were exposed to all kinds of great immune system building germs and bacterias. Sure we may have caught a cold, or even the flu, but this is far safer than the completely germ free world that we’re sold nowadays.

Now, in my 27th year, I don’t remember every toy, every trinket, every colourful bit of paper strewn aside. The gifts from my childhood that move me still to this day came from my Grandma Betty. An envelope, usually covered with cat and dog stickers, containing a card. No cheque, just a birthday wish and a little note saying “Dear Jod-Lee: I’ve donated $10 in your name to the SPCA. Love, Grandma-ma Betty”

This Valentines Day, I have the opportunity to continue her tradition. The Owen Sound Animal Shelter is doing a little V-Day fundraising. Give your loved one the gift of a donation to a cat or dog in need. Here are the details from their website:

For a $10.00 dollar donation, you can sponsor a homeless animal who has no one to be their valentine, the proceeds will help keep them well, or go to the spay/neuter fund. This donation can be made via Paypal, at the Shelter, or you can email me [Renee Robins] for directions to mail a cheque. Please make sure you attach the message “for valentines sponsorship”. Please specify if this is in honour of someone or in memory. Letters can be provided if this is a gift for a person loved one, or can be emailed too.

We also have great treat bag valentines for your four legged friend. These are available at the Shelter for $2.00/each. Every penny helps and is appreciated. Your donations will help save lives and ensure more help and love for all.

It’s not a diamond ring, or a romantic dinner, but these little donations mean the world to the animals who benefit from them. And if your sweetie is anything like mine, they’ll be moved by the thoughtfulness and kindness of your gift in years to come.

I’m grateful to this day that my Grandma, who still strolls to the dog park every day to see her friends of fur, has inspired such a love of animals in me.

In the meantime, I’d like to make it up to those of you who waited by featuring you in a blog post. So, without further adieu, here are the 6 latest Green-Book business listings:

Healthy Waves
Phone: 519-370-0081
Location: Owen Sound
Email: info@healthywaves.ca
Web: www.healthywaves.ca
About this business: A place where you can get assessed and get relief. A very effective stress reduction device and other natural medicine tools are used. Certified Quantum Biofeedback Specialist with over 3 years experience. Background includes a BSc & MSc in Nutritional and Food Sciences, plus related work experiences. Enrolled in an Integrative Medicine program since 2007. Currently doing case studies for Urinalysis, Hair Analysis, and Blood Analysis through the Canadian College of Humanitarian Medicine (CCHM). These are simple tests that allow people to get to the bottom of their health issues and start on the road to recovery. A Quantum Biofeedback (EPFX/SCIO) device is used to assess stress and achieve relief. Biofeedback corrects imbalances related to stress, pain, insomnia, migraines, digestive distress, circulation, neuromuscular, TMJ, anxiety, asthma, incontinence, and more.

Dig ‘N It Naturals
Everybody digs the treats
Phone: 705-431-1344
Location: Innisfil
Email: info@dignitnaturals.ca
Web:www.dignitnaturals.com
About this business: Dig ‘N It Naturals provides all natural, organic artisan pet treats in eco friendly packaging.

ECO Building Resource
The Source for Sustainability
Phone: 905-841-3535
Location: 136 Wellington St. E. Aurora ON
Email: info@eco-building.ca
Web: www.eco-building.ca
About this business: Distributors of UltraTouch Natural cotton insulation, Zero VOC paints and Satains, LED Bulbs, Cork, Bamboo and water recovered wood flooring, Bamboo fencing and MUCH MORE

Murphy Property Maintenance
We’ll Keep You Growing
Phone: 519-538-3999
Location: Meaford
Email: office@murphyslawns.com
Web: www.murphyslawns.com
About this business: Welcome to Murphy Property Maintenance. Servicing Collingwood, Town of Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Meaford and Owen Sound. You are one step closer to experiencing a beautifully maintained landscape as well as freeing up your time. We thought you should know… Murphy Property Maintenance is committed to giving what you, the customer, wants. Customer service is key, and all too many companies out there seem to have forgotten that. Our customer service focus is apparent right out the gate, from the very first visit and continues well beyond the time you show your satisfaction. This could be the beginning of more time for yourself, because “We’ll keep you growing”

Go Green Lighting
Go Green!
Phone: 519.369.4684
Location: Durham
About this business: New T5 retrofit lighting technology saving 60 to 70% on lighting costs with almost 50% Hydro One rebates.

Shards Restyled Beaded Jewellery
Beaded jewellery - vintage, recycled and more!
Phone: 519.799.5406
Location: Neustadt
Email: shards_jewellery@live.com
About this business: Fall in love with my unique necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more. Or let me design a piece for you or someone you care about! I can use beads you already have, or revamp / repair existing pieces!