Aroma Pets

Lavender - The Aromatic Dog

Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolial Officinalis)

History and Character
An evergreen perennial herb with pale spiky leaves and violety blue flowers that rise above the main bush on slender stalks. Native to the Mediterranean but now cultivated all over the world, the best oil traditionally comes from Provence (France).

lavender has been with us as a folk remedy for a very long time and is intimately interwoven with the development of aromatherapy as it is known today. Lavender is said to have a highly synergistic nature, strengthening the actions of other oils it is blended with Energetically, lavender is cool and dry, soothing our brows in times of feverish emotions.

It stills the heart and helps over sensitive individuals express themselves freely. It is particularly useful for those whose emotions overwhelm reason, paralyzing action or inducing hysteria.

Many countries now produce good quality lavender , and it is worth having a selection as each lavender carries the energy of the land and culture producing it. For example, lavender from England is genteel, moist and very soothing. lavender from Israel is hot, dry and very fast acting. Lavender grown at a high altitude is the most energetically refined.

I call lavender Florence Nightingale, after the famous British nurse, because you an always call on it for a little light nursing or when in need of extra TLC ) tender loving care), either physically or emotionally. I have also heard it referred to mas the "Swiss army knife" of essential oils.

Principle Uses - Physical
Burns - Flea repellent - Proud flesh - Scars - Sinusitis - Stress related conditions - Swellings - To support other oils - Wounds.

Behavioral
Nervos hysteria - Shock - Shyness -

I most often use lavensr for:
All types of skin conditions, especially burns and proud flesh, especially if dogs show nervous restlessness and/or have a strong need for connection.

Extraction and Characteristics
Steam distilled from the fresh flowering tops

Fragrance: Sweet, herbaceous, floral, slighly camphoraceous

Safety & Cautions: Generally held to be non toxic, non-irritant, emmenagogic, hypotensive, sedative, tonic.

Maximum dilution: 5 drops in 5ml/1tsp. Can be used undiluted in emergency first aid.

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag

Maine police officers get jail time for beating porcupines to death while on-duty

Two former Maine police officers were sentenced to prison for beating porcupines to death while on duty.

The shocking behaviour was reported to Rockland police bosses in August by another officer and both were fired from their jobs in September.

Addison Cox, 28, and Michael Rolerson, 31, pleaded guilty in Knox Superior Court to misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and night hunting, according to court documents.

Rolerson told investigators from the Maine Warden Service that he had killed eight of the spiky rodents, which he believed were a nuisance that caused damage, according to The Bangor Daily News.

He was sentenced to 270 days in jail, with all but 20 days suspended.

He was also fined $1,000, placed on probation for six months, and must give up his Maine Criminal Justice Academy Credentials.

Rolserson will serve his prison sentence in January, court documents state.

Cox admitted that he had killed three of the animals and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all but 10 suspended.

He was also fined $1,000, cannot apply for a law enforcement job for six months, and must complete 100 hours of community service.

Cox will serve his prison sentence on weekends, according to court papers.

Prosecutors asked for a heavier sentence for Rolerson as the was the senior officer and had killed more of the animals.

District Attorney Natasha Irving said that prosecutors had agreed to reduce the charges to misdemeanors, partly because both men were military veterans who had seen active duty.

Rolserson had previously told investigators that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving as a Marine in Afghanistan.

Both men are now receiving treatment from the Veterans’ Administration.

“That was a mitigating factor, that they both experienced war zones. Ultimately I want them never to hurt another living thing again,” said Ms Irving.

And she added: “I think that addressing the mental health component, I think that’s a really important part of it.” 

Reference: Independent: Graeme Massie 

Couple find 18 snakes under their bed as they are about to go to sleep in Georgia

A couple in Georgia have described the moment they found at least 18 snakes under their bed while they were getting ready to go to sleep on Sunday night.

Trish and Max Wilcher, residents of Georgia’s Augusta city, placed each snake in a linen bag with the help of a grabber tool and successfully released them at a nearby creek.

Ms Wilcher said she found something moving on the floor under her bed at their home in the city’s Tanglewood area. “Before going to bed, I spotted what I thought was a piece of fuzz on the floor, went to reach for it and it moved,” she told local news channel WJBF-TV.

A second later, another piece moved, she said. “And I went to my husband, (and said) ‘we have snakes!’”

They soon counted at least 18 snakes there: one mother snake and 17 recently hatched babies.

The Wilchers didn’t want to harm them, despite the shock. Mr Wilcher, using a grabber tool, put each serpent in a linen bag. “The entire ordeal took until around midnight,” Ms Wilcher said.

The couple also called a wildlife catcher to help find whether their house had any more snakes or snake babies.

Ms Wilcher added: “He brought them out there to the creek area and released them there.” The snakes are now near Rae’s Creek in Augusta.

If you have a mouse problem, the snakes are going to come and try to help you with that,” said Camilla Sherman, an environmental educator for the Phinizy Centre for Water Sciences based in Augusta.

She said one way to keep snakes away was to rid your home of rodents.

However, she warned that this isn’t a foolproof system, particularly during summer when they are most likely to move around and enter homes. “In the winter when it’s cold, they slow down because their body is not able to produce heat like ours is. So, in the summertime, they have got plenty of heat. They are a lot more active, so you’re more likely to see them,” Ms Sherman said.

But there is no need to worry, she added. Snakes in Georgia “are more than likely non-venomous”.

Terminix Wildlife, a local pest control organisation, told WJBF-TV they had indeed seen an increase in snake calls. They were taking “five to 10 per week”, branch manager John Blythe said.

“If you give them a way out, they’re going to take it. They’re not going to chase you,” Ms Sherman said.

One way to identify a venomous snake is by the shape of its head, she said. Dangerous snakes are likely to have a triangular head due to their venom sacs, and thin, black, vertical pupils like cats’ eyes.

“I am struggling to move about the house much less sit down anywhere!!! I may need a cardiologist after this !!!” Ms Wilcher wrote on her Facebook after the incident.

One user commented on her post: “Dear God woman! I’m trying to stop smoking! You’re not helping.”

“While I’m sure it was quite the shocker, thank you so much for not killing them,” said another user. 

Reference: Independent: Maroosha Muzaffar

Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World is to close its doors for good after nearly 40 years - your views online

Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World is to close its doors for good after nearly 40 years

Gemma Riddles

So sad, used to take my dad there many times when he became disabled and we both loved it. As someone says here, it is a pity they cannot get charity status to remain open.

Kerry Donaldson

It’s an Edinburgh institution! Hope it can be saved.

Becky Hume

Utter crime to let this happen.

Doreen Mcfadyen

No, this is so unfair, people need this beautiful place, the only way people and the hundreds of children can see nature as it is. Can it not be sponsored by several companies?

Louise Wilson

All the people saying it shouldn’t be shutting haven’t bothered supporting it in years. Maybe if they had gone they wouldn’t need to shut. Every time we have gone it’s always been dead. Nothing to do with the government, more to do with the public!

Susan Stevens

Sadly I don’t see how it can open while Covid is still rife. It’s a greenhouse environment with little space for social distancing. I hope they find homes for all their birds, insects and reptiles.

Peter Keenan

Midlothian Council should not be allowing this to happen!

Holly Patrick

What a pity that Dobbie’s has made no money from folk spending all their time in their gardens, otherwise they might have been able to help out.

Vinnie Devine

Gutted for them. Would happily contribute to some sort of fund to save this place. Our kids absolutely love this place and is a godsend on those cold/rainy days when outdoor activities are difficult. If anyone is organised enough to start some sort of crowd funding for this, we'd be eternally grateful they could continue to operate.

Clarihew Lynn

What a tragedy! This place is awesome. They helped me get over my serious fear of spiders.

Caroline Koo

Gutted. I was hoping to take my son when it finally opened as he’s never been…….such a shame.

Stephanie McCormick

Folks of Midlothian, write to your local MP! This is an Invaluable learning resource for local children. If it can't be run as a business any longer, it should certainly be considered as a social enterprise venture. Unfortunately I'm Borders based or I'd write to them myself.

Douglas Murdoch

Another one the government will not help. Primary school kids go there as part of there education, now what are they going to do?

Liz Crosbie

I really hope this place is saved. I’ve been once just before lockdown and was looking forward to going back.

Catherine Ross

Visited many times with my kids and sad to hear they won’t be able to do the same with their own kids one day. Surely it will soon recoup losses, especially as more visitors arrive over the summer? Tough choice to pull the plug now. 

Reference: Edinburgh News: