So, the other day, my favorite little kitty, Lucky, was eating something in the back corner of my house. I see it is a plant my father got from his boss and stop my cat from eating more. It is a "peace lily" ([link]). I see from the little plant tag that it has nothing indicating a danger to animals, so I shrug it off. Then my cat gets a bit weird and is breathing funny, his eyes are watery and he is very lethargic.

I look it up.

#15 of the 17 common poisonous plants list from the aspca. ([link]) I was furious to further discover that this plant can lead to liver and kidney disease and early death.

Now, I am a meat eater, do not think I am one of those people who think an animal is worth more than a human. But, this is ridiculous! How is it no one has asked for labels to be placed on these plants that can be fatal to a pet?! It would be so easy to put a box on the plant tag with a kitty or doggie in a square marked out with a line to say "this plant is not good for your animal. Sure, you can tell me, well, look it up. But, seriously, there is a list of over 360+ COMMON plants that could be in your house right now.

Well, to make matters worse, I try calling the Animal Poison Control line offered by the ASPCA's website. They have the nerve to say that you have to pay $60 just to ask about your pet! Fucking ridiculous. I mean I KNOW they can't be hurting for money that badly when theres all these animal right activists that probably donate millions to the organization. That service should be free just as it is with humans. Animals are important to those of us who have them, and some of us can't just fork over $60 to be told we need to get the animal to the vet where we'll end up paying even more to fix the issue.

I am making the tags on plants issue my new years resolution. I plan on coining this endeavor "animal safe plants" or "asp". If you would like to help, then please give me your ideas on how to get really started as I do more research.

Thanks,
Amy Neal

Aye, in exactly 12 hours, I will be another year older... Go me!!! I suppose...


I am not gone btw, just taking some time to reflect and collect. What's everyone up to?

[link]

its not a spam link. only a movie dears

...wow. anyone playing it? my name is starfantazy on xbox live if anyone is interested...

So for a new year, I decided to get a new journal. Do you like it?


I have been busy lately working on a book, and I am finding it so fun to do. It is a child's book (well, a series dedicated to helping parent's be more involved in their child's life and a supplemental workbook for the child to do).

Kinda makes me wish I had kids... kinda...

More details to come.

New

York

Okay. The story. My husband and I had so much fun on that trip. I swear it was as amazing as you might think. Due to a storm passing through the country, we decided to drive the 1800+ miles to a city I have always dreamed of. Upon entering the city, we noticed how different the traffic was. Of course we were both very tired and bobby seemed to only get madder at the amazingly long line of traffic cutting everyone else off to get through the Holland Tunnel. We get to our hotel, The W, at 541 Lexington Ave. and circle back around as we were so lost we missed it the first time around. Here Bobby is pulling out hair he doesn't have (as he is bald) and yelling at the traffic which to New Yorkers seems perfectly fine. (He is so not an aggressive driver which is why I should've driven..) The hotel was INCREDIBLE!! Their signature bed became our habitat for most of the trip and their wonderfully delicious food was worth the amount we paid in charges. Then we go to the party hosted by Sony and Microsoft. Wow. The Mansion is by far one of the coolest places I can say I have ever been honored at. I had taken a Dramamine though and was tipsy all night. They made us feel so special as we were up in the vip section all night and all we could drink was free. They had a drink named after my piece which Bobby had a few of. We were given our checks on stage by the senior vp of sony vaio and I honestly had no idea what to say. I met Lauren Conrad...kinda, who seemed to be more interested in her stage time tbh and the sweetest person in the world, Maya Hayuk. (Maya also sent me a book which was so sweet of her..) Anyways, the drive home was long as well, and we didn't get to really see NY. But, due to the flight not being able to be canceled, we have tickets to fly anywhere in the US, and you know where I want to go.

All in all, NYC is AMAZING!!! Just do not drive there or in the city itself...

Much
(Especially to my incredible and irresistible husband, Bobby
Amy

=

star

fantazy

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