Good Thursday morning and welcome to my GUS: Another Reason Why I Quit diary with Open Thread!
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And here is another reason why I quit smoking
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The picture above shows my room-mate, my bestest pal, my cohort in mischeviousness, Gracielou Freebush. (the cat, not the camel btw...)
She is currently 8 years old and I would like her to make it another 8 years at least. So when I started hearing her cough this winter, it got me worried. I had already had another kitty pass earlier than expected after a similar cough, and the vet told me that while my smoking hadn't caused it, it hadn't helped matters.
An estimated 50,000 Americans lose their lives to secondhand smoke annually and 4 million youth (16 percent) are exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. A number of studies have indicated that animals, too, face health risks when exposed to the toxins in secondhand smoke, from respiratory problems, allergies and even nasal and lung cancer in dogs and lymphoma in cats. http://healthypets.mercola.com/...
So I started smoking in the garage with Gracielou at the door the whole time wanting to know why she couldn't be out there with me and being VERY vocal about it.
In the end, it was for BOTH our best interests to stop and stop I did!
If, however, you aren't there yet, here are some tips that may help your pet deal.
To minimize their risks while you’re working your way up to quitting smoking, you can:
•Follow the advice of the ASPCA and “take it outside.” Smoking only outdoors will prevent a large share of smoke particles from settling into your home or car, reducing your pet’s toxic load.
•Use a high-quality air purifier in your home to help remove excess toxins.
•Change your clothes after smoking, and wash your clothing right away--or at the very least, air it out outside.
•Wash your hands after smoking, and before you touch your pets
•Ideally, wash your hair after you smoke, especially if you have a pet (or a child) that will be in close proximity to you.
•Keep ashtrays clean -- don’t leave them for your pets to find.
•Dispose of cigars, cigarettes, nicotine gum, patches, snuff, smokeless tobacco, etc. in receptacles that can’t be accessed by pets.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/...
Anyway, thank you for your kind attention and see you in the funny pages! (or comments as the case may be...)
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