GET A DOG -Poetry

Get a dog- they begged.

                We need it.

Get a dog-they pleaded

                We’ll care for it.

Get a dog- they cried.

                We’ll walk it.

 

I got the dog

                He tore apart my furniture.

I got the dog.

                I stepped in a pile of poop.

I got the dog.

                I take him for his walks.

 

They don’t play with the dog.

                They are at school

They don’t notice the dog.

                They are at club.

They don’t care for the dog.

                They moved out.

 

It’s just me and the dog.

                I fell in love.

It’s just me and the dog.

                He’s my companion.

It’s just me and the dog.

                He’s all I have left.

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Get a Dog

by Stephanie Daich

IS IT TIME FOR YOU TO GET A DOG -LITERARY SYNTHESIS

 

IS IT TIME FOR YOU TO GET A DOG -LITERARY SYNTHESIS 

When was the last time you petted a dog? Not everyone is a dog person, yet dogs have proven their benefit to humans in numerous ways.

A dog can read humans better than any other animal. They understand words and gestures, moods, and mannerisms. Dogs will respond to human emotions, such as crying, as they will nuzzle into them to provide comfort (Custance and Mayer, 2012). Scientists have used magnetic resonance imaging to prove that dogs respond to human emotions (Berns et al., 2013).

Jalongo (2021) states that dogs have 300 million scent receptors compared to humans' six million scent receptors. This gives canines an advantage in smelling and understanding scent on a much higher level than we can. With the dog's eighteen muscles that control the human ear, they can hear four times better than the human six auditory muscles (Bradshaw, 2011). Dogs have been trained to smell cancer (InSitu Foundation, n.d.), glue on computers Jalongo (2021), and firearms and explosives (Global Dog, n.d.). Jones (n.d.) states that dogs have better night vision than humans and can see at 250 degrees compared to humans at 180 degrees of vision.

Jalongo (2021) demonstrates how dogs have become eyes for the blind and ears for the deaf. They assist the disabled in bringing them items they need and can detect a change in human hormones, which helps dogs aid humans with diabetes and fainting.

Kline et al. (2019) show how dogs can reduce anxiety and stress in people and enhance their social interactions and opportunities with others. Dogs give people confidence that they may not find without their canine companion. Serpell and Duffy (2014) highlight that dogs help in hunting, law enforcement, security, farms, and war. Jalongo (2021). state that dogs improve human mental and physical health. They, indeed, are man's best friend.

 

References:

·         Berns, G.S., Brooks, A., & Spivak, M. (2013). Replicability and heterogeneity of awake unrestrained canine FMRI responses. PloS One, 8(12), e81698–e81698. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081698

·         Custance, D., & Mayer, J. (2012). Empathic-like responding by domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) to distress in humans: an exploratory study. Animal Cognition, 15(5), 851–859. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-012-0510-1

·         Global Dogs (n.d.) Dogs Detects Bombs K9. Www.global-Dogs.com. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://global-dogs.com/en/type-of-dogs/dogs-detects-bombs-k9/

·         InSitu Foundation (n.d.). Dogs detect cancer. InSitu. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://dogsdetectcancer.org/

·         Jalongo, M.R., (2021). The Canine-Campus Connection: Roles for Dogs in the Lives of College Students. Purdue University Press.

·         Jones, E (n.d.). Do dogs have night vision? Cavapop. Retrieved November 28, 2022, from https://ourcavapoo.com/do-dogs-have-night-vision/

·         Kline, J.A., Fisher, M. A., Pettit, K. L., Linville, C. T., & Beck, A. M. (2019). Controlled clinical trial of canine therapy versus usual care to reduce patient anxiety in the emergency department. PloS One, 14(1), e0209232–e0209232. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209232

·         Serpell, James & Duffy, Deborah. (2014). Dog Breeds and Their Behavior. 10.1007/978-3-642-53994-7_2.

 

 

WHAT COULD AN ANIMAL OFFER YOU -Literary Synthesis

Is stress pounding at your door, demanding you let it in? We live in a world with increased demands socially, mentally, and spiritually. When life becomes too overwhelming, could Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) benefit you?

AAT is catching on in psychotherapy as more hospitals and therapy centers are adopting the AAT approach. Animals offer support and companionship to humans with a connection of nurturing and loyalty. Ownership of animals moves humans into a field of responsibilities and social groups that benefit humans and animals (Policay and Falconier, 2019).

AAT is a therapy that uses animals to improve a person's mental health. Animals have reduced human blood pressure, decreased pain, improved heart health, and decreased medication needs. Humans using ATT tend to be active as they care for their pet and take it on walks or other forms of physical engagement (Klimova et al., (2019).

AAT has increased in availability in universities. Students are under lots of stress financially, socially, and mentally. As they participate in ATT, they have shown a decrease in anxiety and an improvement in well-being.

If you find yourself socially or mentally stressed, what could AAT do for you? One does not have to own a therapy pet to reap its benefits. Check with your local pet therapy chapters and mental health clinics to start feeling the healing power of an animal connection.

References:

• Klimova, B., Toman, J., & Kuca, K. (2019). Effectiveness of the dog therapy for patients with dementia - a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1), 276–276. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2245-x
• Policay, R., & Falconier, M. (2019). Therapy dogs in couple and family therapy: a therapist’s perspective. Contemporary Family Therapy, 41(1), 79–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-018-9472-z
• Ward‐Griffin, E., Klaiber, P., Collins, H. K., Owens, R. L., Coren, S., & Chen, F. S. (2018). Petting away pre‐exam stress: The effect of therapy dog sessions on student well‐being. Stress and Health, 34(3), 468–473. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2804

LEFTOVER NIGHT -Poetry

It's leftover night. Tonight. Tonight.

Mix it all together.

-What a delight.

Shove it in. Wash it down.

Their stupid elation.

-A casserole of brown.

The meat dug out from the freezer deep.

Mashed together,

From the leftover sweep.

"Come eat," to the oblivious I call.

They shovel it in,

Consuming it all.

"Oh, I ate at work." That's what I say.

-A little white lie,

as they swallow something gray.

I will not touch the franken-dish

As I hide in the closet,

Eating my almond-crusted fish.

It's leftover night. Tonight. Tonight.

Mix it all together.

-What a delight.

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Leftover Night

by Stephanie Daich

DID COVID LOCKDOWNS INCREASE OUR WAISTLINE-Literary Synthesis

Not only did COVID lockdowns alter people’s work, education, and lifestyle, but it also messed with their eating routines. During the lockdowns, many of the population experienced weight gain and an increase in BMI. Yet, many elderly’s weight shifted down as they showed signs of malnutrition. Meta analysis found the pediatric population increased their consumption of potato chips, sugary drinks, and junk food. At the same time, their physical activity declined (Chang, 2021).

 

Joob and Wiwanitkit (2020) said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, 90% of the US population became isolated to their homes. A deviation in regular routines can increase weight gain relatively quickly. During the pandemic, people tended to buy more nutritionally empty food that brought comfort, such as ice cream, alcohol, chocolate, and take-out. With gyms and trails closed, people became more sedentary as they ate higher calories. Also, as grocery stores faced food shortages, Americans lost access to healthier food options (Bhutani and Cooper, 2020).

As we move forward out of the detrimental effects of lockdowns, we can assess our health routine and make the necessary changes to embrace a healthier lifestyle. We can bring in more nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables. We can make more of our meals at home as we abandon take-out and restaurant eating. We can exercise more, rather it be with an exercise App or at a gym. We might not have much control over pandemics and lockdowns, but we can take a good look at our health goals and make them our priority.

 

 

REFERENCES:

 

Bhutani, S., & Cooper, J. A. (2020). COVID‐19–related home confinement in adults: weight gain risks and opportunities. Obesity. Silver Spring, Md. 28(9), 1576–1577. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22904

Chang, T-H., Chen, Y.-C., Chen, W.-Y., Chen, C.-Y., Hsu, W.-Y., Chou, Y., & Chang, Y.-H. (2021). Weight gain associated with COVID-19 lockdown in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 13(10), 3668–. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103668

Joob, B., & Wiwanitkit, V. (2020). COVID‐19, school closings, and weight gain. Obesity. Silver Spring, Md., 28(6), 1006–1006. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22825

 

 

GROW, THRIVE, GROW -Poetry

Creation falls across the land

As the summer crop thrives.

The gardener waits in anticipation

For onions, tomatoes, and chives.

Grow, thrive, grow; harvest time at hand

Grow, thrive, pick; the harvest preserved and canned. 

.

So crisp, how sweet; A garden treat.

The hard work begins to pay

Enjoy it fresh, such a delight.

Save some for another day.

Grow, thrive, grow; harvest time at hand

Grow, thrive, pick; the harvest preserved and canned. 

 

Oh, what a delight, the baskets full,

With fruits and vegetables splendid.

Soon fall will come, and sadly

The growing season ended.

Grow, thrive, grow; harvest time at hand

Grow, thrive, pick; the harvest preserved and canned.

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Grow, Thrive, Grow

by Stephanie Daich

A HOLIDAY OF THANKSGIVING, OR IS IT - Literary Synthesis

    The Pilgrims and Columbus did not start the inhabitation of America as many people believe. Native Americans have existed on the American content for at least 12,000 years before the European discovery (MSN, n.d.).

The first Thanksgiving may or may not have included Native Americans. It was a celebration, but it felt more apprehensive and tense than the celebration we see it as today. We are guided by Pointer (2014) not to look into the past with our moral ideals but exam the era's compass of morality and learn from it. We need to assess the dead and let them speak to us, to find what they must teach and learn from their strengths and mistakes.

Bradford and Winslow (1865) share the thoughts of the Puritan Separatist, George Mourt, as one of the first settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the first half of 1600. In Bradford and Winslow (1865), Mourt recounts his abundance of crops, including corn, and the blessing of killing many fowl. He expressed gratitude in his heart and wanted to share his plenty. He talks about the cordial relationship he shared with the Native Americans.

Not everyone believes Thanksgiving was a peaceful celebration between the immigrants and Native Americans. History has failed to talk about the tens of thousands of Native Americans that succumbed to colonizers' disease and tyranny. History has wrongly taught the slant that the Europeans civilized a group of savage people who were dirt squalors, for the Native Americans were a dynamic group of people (MSN, n.d.).

As you celebrate Thanksgiving today, read to your family the histories of Thanksgiving, and understand the implications this great feast had on both sides. What can Thanksgiving mean to you in uniting family and friends and moving past conflict? Is Thanksgiving a holiday representing gratitude to you, or merely a fantastic feast? It is up to you what you want the Thanksgiving Holiday to represent in your heart.

What will it be?

REFERENCES:

• Pointer, R.W. (2014). Robert Tracy McKenzie. The first Thanksgiving: what the real story tells us about loving God and learning from history. Christian Scholar's Review, 43(4), 416
• Bradford, W., &., and Winslow, E. (1865). Mourt's Relation, or Journal of the Plantation at Plymouth. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=rZvk2IzpygMC&oe=UTF-8
• MSN. (n.d.). The Real History of Thanksgiving. MSN. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/the-true-dark-history-of-thanksgiving/ar-AA1460pG

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