Interesting Point

Lewiston Idaho Veternarian's Letter to the Editor re: Ebola, Nails it!
The present Ebola crisis in the world is frightening. I have submitted the following letter to the editor of the Lewiston Morning Tribune:

Editor, Lewiston Morning Tribune:

If I wish to import a horse into the United States from Liberia or any African country other than Morocco, the horse needs to undergo a 60 day quarantine period at a USDA approved quarantine facility prior to mingling with the general population of horses in this country. Africa has a disease called African Horse Sickness that does not exist in the US; this is the way we have kept it out of this country. African Horse Sickness does not cause disease in people, only horses; our government has determined that it would be devastating to the US horse industry if it were to come here.

The United States (and virtually all other countries) require a myriad of tests and often quarantine prior to bringing in a foreign animal.

I can’t legally cross state lines in the United States with a horse or cow without a health certificate signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian stating that the animal has been inspected and found free of infectious disease. In most cases blood tests are also required. In fact I can’t legally cross the Snake River and ride my horse in Idaho without a health certificate and a negative blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia.

I’m not complaining; the United States of America, the States of Idaho and Washington as well as the other 48 states take the health of our livestock very seriously, and we have a very good record at keeping foreign animal diseases out of our country. I am happy to do my part to maintain biosecurity in our animal population.

If I am a resident of Liberia incubating Ebola, to enter the United States all I need to do is present a valid visa, and lie when asked if I have been exposed to Ebola. Within hours (no quarantine required) I can be walking the streets of any city in the United States.

I feel very fortunate to live in a country that values our animals so highly.

David A. Rustebakke, DVM

How I Spent My Summer by Ms Martyr

Unpacking boxes. Donating stuff. Barely riding. Going to physical therapy. Trying acupuncture. Having outpatient surgery on my back (ongoing/more this week) Dealing with more deaths and bad news about other's illnesses than anyone should have to.

My back has been causing so much pain that I've given up riding for the time being. Doctor seems to think my facet joints may be causing nerve pain. Insurance company requires two diagnostic tests where they numb the joints temporarily to see if that helps. If it does, then they can laser the little suckers to death for permanent relief. I had a steroid injection a while back that didn't seem to make any kind of difference.

Sister's moving in with me is having its ups and downs. I think it will all work out once everything is unpacked and put in its proper place. Right now the house is pretty much in chaos which irritates me no end, to the point that I snap over the slightest little thing. There have been so many changes that some days I don't even feel like it's my home any more. I'm just set in my ways and have to adjust. Probably living alone for almost a year didn't help my adaptability. I'm a minimalist. The only time I decorate is at Christmas. My sister, on the other hand, loves "stuff." Right now I'm looking at five Hummel figurines on the fireplace mantel. There are others scattered throughout the house - one has even made it into my bedroom. We could open up a video rental store with all the VHS and DVDs she has. I intend to alphabetize them and then discard any duplicates that we may have between us. Right now I don't have enough storage for all of them.

I could go on and on with my bitchiness about changes but I'm just going to put on my big girl panties and deal with it.

One of my very good girlfriends has been diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Reading about it on the Net makes my breast cancer look like a walk in the park.

There have been two deaths recently of family members. I think the count is up to five now for October which qualifies it as the suckiest month of the year.

Let's see if I can be positive for a moment. I've set up a couple of aquariums which are kind of fun. My sister's dog integrated with my two without a hitch so now I have a pack of three running amuck. I've been forced to de-clutter, something I've been putting off since I moved here two years ago. The house should look really nice once everything is put in order. Attended a lot of horse shows this summer and went to the State Fair three times.

So, nothing too thrilling but just keeping busy which does not make for good blog fodder. I'm going to try to catch up with some of my favorites; even my reading time has been lessened.

Happy fall y'all!

PSA

Stop organized crime.
Re-elect no one.