Reub's journey

18 February 2009

Two dogs and a cat


There is proof now, people, that you should let your dog lick you on your face, no, I mean right on your lips.

According to a recent New York Times article by Jane Brody, we citizens of developed nations have become too sanitized, not allowing our children to ingest...umm...dirt...and, uhh... worms: there, I said it. Turns out, intestinal parasites are kind of a good thing (honest! read the article!) In fact, we are developing problems of the autoimmune system probably because we are just too fussy about being clean all the time. At last! My messy kitchen, unswept floors, and neglected tabletops are possibly keeping my family free from allergies and all other manner of health problems. My favorite part of the article came at the very end:

... “Children should be allowed to go barefoot in the dirt, play in the dirt, and not have to wash their hands when they come in to eat,” (Dr. Weinstock) said. He and Dr. Elliott pointed out that children who grow up on farms and are frequently exposed to worms and other organisms from farm animals are much less likely to develop allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Also helpful, he said, is to “let kids have two dogs and a cat,” which will expose them to intestinal worms that can promote a healthy immune system.

So when I occasionally ask myself "How did we end up with two dogs and a cat* anyway?" I can now answer myself: "Doctor's orders."

*Yes. There is a cat. More about him later.

11 comments:

  1. I'm a dog and a cat short of a healthy immune system.

    I better get busy!

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  2. Go for it Barry! Time for a puppy. And a kitten. What will Lindsay think? Whoops...you will have another 500 followers on your blog, because the tension will be more than any of us can stand!

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  3. Where is Alphonso in the picture? You didn't take him hiking?

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  4. ok, i have NO problem with dirt or worms ( i think you know how much i love the worms). it's the, um, eating of the poo that some dogs (all dogs?) seem to engage in that i feel, well, squeamish about i guess! the rest i am totally down with...

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  5. Chrystal, I tell Alfonzo to go for a hike on a daily basis, but does he listen?
    And bigbooty, I know: eeeeuww, but apparently you'll have to tell yourself it's just a gross form of medicine. And hasn't your recent scholarly work on poo given you a sort of new respect for it?

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  6. I know where the cat came from at least....ahh the good ole' days.)

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  7. Marilyn, I still hold you at least partly responsible for "the cat."

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  8. haha I wasn't even there that day actually:) Henry and Jessica just showed up at my house with Alfonzo, but I think Jessica assumed I would take him if you guys said no....but she didn't ask me either. She is so funny. One of the many reasons I love her.

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  9. Well Marilyn, that is interesting; YOU were allegedly in the market for a cat, at least that was the story! We had no idea a cat was coming our way. Ah yes, the good ole days. Is your cat (who looks exactly like Alfonzo)lonely? I bet she is. Too bad you live such a safe distance from us.

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  10. Whenever someone compliments me on my skin, I always say it comes from dog kisses. It does!

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  11. Well, I'm gonna lean down and get some skin-toning treatment right now...there..a dog kiss, so easy to come by! Thanks Pamela & Edward!

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