Gaia Community: Shelly 's Blog

Good News for the New Year

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:31:17 GMT

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What The Duck?

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:20:13 GMT

Ducks who Truck

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Candidates & Animals

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:39:35 GMT

I am typically not the political type, believing that everyone is capable and deserving of determining for themselves which candidate they choose to support. This link came to me today however that, as an animal lover, particularly hit home.. The Humane Society of the United States is, for the first time ever, endorsing a presidential candidate based solely upon past support and action for the animals. For those who care about the future of our animal companions, perhaps you will find this informative:

Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses Obama-Biden

Tags: obama, animals, vote

Where on earth is Shelvis?

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:05:03 GMT

A couple of people have asked me if I vanished off the face of the planet or scrapped the blog thingy all together. Neither has happened, just a few things have changed. Thanks a bunch to those that stopped by to check in on me! Here's a couple of the goings on in the last few months....

Graduation

Surgemakatin.... I got to scrub in & assist!!! (left)

Makin' My Own "Edible Estate"

That's just a bit in between lots and lots of studying for the pre-med requirements. The new blog is at: http://docdolots.blogspot.com Now ya'll come see me from time to time. Ya' hear?

Tags: shelly horten, new blog

Vet School Update.....

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:15:25 GMT

Chippin' away....day-by-day.

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Some Things Just Leave Me Speechless.....

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:04:13 GMT

This is one of them. No bit. No saddle. Just amazing!

bridless riding competion

What an amazing bond and trust they both have in each other!

Tags: horse, bitless, bridless, trust, bond, amazing

Funny Stuff.....

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:13:00 GMT

Whether you dig their work or not..... you have to admit the end is pretty darned funny.....

Abraham Resolves Case of Cognitive Dissonance -Esther Hicks

More Abraham on YouTube......

Tags: abraham, youtube, hicks, Law of Attraction, funny, clever

Dr. DoMore

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:25:31 GMT

The future is bright for our critter friends.....

Dr. DoMore

Tags: dr. domore, holistic, veterinary, medicine, wellness, animals

Bill's Last Day

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:00:13 GMT

Bill Gates' Last Day

I almost fell out of my chair when he rolled off the fitness ball. Not only is he a gazillionaire but he can be pretty darned funny too. Good stuff.

Tags: bill gates, last day, funny

Oh....to be a kid again.....

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:20:30 GMT

Boy, if these toys had been available when I was a girl, Santa would have been in trouble! This one goes out to all the little future veterinarians, marine biologists, animal rescuers, and animal lovers in the world.....creating compassion through play.

Breyer Veterinary Care Set http://www.amazon.com/2007-Breyer-Hor

Breyer Veterinary Care Set

Vet Pet Kit

Animal Hospital Horse Rescue

Animal Hospital Safari Resque

Animal Hospital Safari Rescue

Animal Hospital Safari Location

Animal Hospital Safari Tent

Animal Hospital Orphan Safari Play set

Animal Hospital Orphan Safari Play Set

Animal Hospital Sea Plane Rescue

Animal Hospital Sea Rescue

Barbie Teresa Mika Cat

Barbie & Cat

Barbie w Tanner and Mika

Barbie & Pets

Nintendo My Vet Practice

My Vet Practice Game

Mintendo My Animal Center

My Animal Center

Nintendo My Pet Hospital

My Pet Hotel

vet care center animal play set

Vet Care Center Animal Play Set

Tags: veterinary toys, veterinary, play, animals, kids, care, vet, toy

Time Flies

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:34:59 GMT

Seems like it was just two weeks ago that I was saying I was two weeks down and now I have only one week to go. Where does the time go? Apologies to anyone who has writen me and I haven't responded. The plan is to tend to emails during break.

Next week is finals week and all my professors blessed us with the news that the tests would NOT be cummulative. Horray! All my final presentations, papers, short stories, etc. went off without a hitch and it looks like my GPA will be right where I'd like it. (Little tip for those who use muscle testing in their lives..... it works for multiple choice exams and while doing research. I did a little experiement with it this semester because, hey, sometimes you just can't cover or retain a gazillion facts. I started muscle testing the questions I didn't know answers to and turns out I passed with B+ and above on all my exams.) I'm not suggesting you don't study, but it seems there is something to tapping into collective consciousness to succeed in school too! More on that as school goes along...... assuming I don't get burned at the stake for bringing up something so "woo-woo". :)

My classes were pretty cool this semester. I ended up particulalry liking the nuerophysiology part of my Childhood Behavior course. Pretty cool how the brain develops and works! Turns out I will graduate in May after 5 classes next semester. Yay! Then on to pre-req's for vet school. I discovered (completely by chance) that UNLV has an Animal Behavior course with several other mammalian/animal physiology, immunology, and related biology courses. For those of you who can not understand my excitement (you probably have an Ag school in your state), UNLV is in LAS VEGAS. Las Vegas.... our college takes pride in being the lead provider of Leisure studies so that our casinos can be stocked full of edumacated cocktail waitresses and card dealers. Feel my pain?

Next semester gets even better because I get to do directed study and I have found a professor who has agreed to direct my self-made class on the psychological benefits of animals on humans. I get to create the curriculum and will be addressing how having a childhood pet effects child development, equine-assisted psychotherapy, the healing power of animals in hospice, hospitals, foster care, etc. and probably something on canine and equine programs in prisons. Should be fun.

I've been volunteering in a vet clinic during spay-nueter clinics for the local human societies to gain clinical hours and experience. I love the doctor and gals I work with and it feels like the hours there pass in minutes. Nothing like being in the flow! I generally assist in post-op.... removing intubation, catheters, checking vitals, cleaning surgery wound, checking for other injuries, helping the animals to wake up, etc. They've let me take part in things most aspiring vets would kill for and I truly appreciate Dr. Henderson for being so gracious.

This past week I was allowed to observe an amputation on a stray kitty who had a severely broken leg (probably from a car) and removing the leg was going to save her life. (Think: Grey's Anatomy surgury gallery but for animals). It probably would have been sad to see her loose a leg but knowing she would get another chance at life as a result of the surgery was exhilarating. The surgery was a true art. Finding (and stoppping) the main blood flow to the leg was such a delicate manuever. One slight cut in the wrong area and she would have bled out. It was fascinating to watch the doctor gently unearth the tiny life-giving vein and then prepare it for its new function. The goal was then to prepare to give her the best possible use of what will now just be a counter balance. Watching her recover reminded me of how much I take for granted in my own life and how much I will be able to make a difference as a veterinarian.

Speaking of making a difference.... in the two and a half months I have been helping with the spay clinics, we have spayed and neutered over 600 feral felines. Since research estimates that a pair of breeding cats having two litters per year can potentially produce 420,000 cats in a seven year period, then we have reduced the cat over-population in our valley by millions of animals per year. Now those are some amazing numbers.....something it feels really good to be a part of.

Well, enough diversion from studying. Better sign off for now. Will chat more over the holiday. Wishing you all a fantastic day

Tags: veterinary, vet school

Cat's Talking?

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:25:19 GMT

What we hear.....

The two talking cats

What they really say.......

Cats Talking, A Translation

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Thanksgiving Feast For The Kitties

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:49:19 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving!

The carnivores at Ol' Mc Shelly's Farm do enjoy a celebration. In gratitude for all they bring to the world they were served their own special Circle of Life Pet Foods feast this morning. The reviews were a resounding "Four Paws Up" so I decided to pass the recipe along.

Circle of Life Cran-Turkey and Stuffing

2-1/2- lbs Very finely ground raw, humanely-raised, hormone and anti-biotic free whole turkey thighs (If using ground turkey meat only, a calcium source will need to be added)

4 oz. Organic Chicken Liver or Giblets

1/4- cup Organic Pureed Sweet Potato, Yam or Pumpkin

1 slice Finely Crumbled Sprouted Organic Whole Grain Bread (Stuffing)

2- Raw Cage-free Egg Yolks

2 cups water

2 Tbls Brewers Yeast

2000mg Taurine

2-3 Tbls Organic Cranberry Juice or Finely Chopped Organic Cranberries

1 Tbls Finely Chopped Fresh Organic Parsley

3/4 Tsp Iodized Salt or Sea Salt

Bless with love and serve! Makes Approx. (15-20) average kitty servings so they will get to have left overs too (unless you share with the homeless kitties in the neighborhood....hint). If your kitties are "carb-free" as the kitties in the wild are, just leave out the veggies and bread. My kitties enjoy having the added carbs as a treat from time to time so they get this full recipe on special occasions only. Otherwise they eat as their wild ancestors do. The meat is raw so be sure to handle accordingly.

Doggies love this dish too. Larger amounts of yams/pumpkin and 1-2 more slices of bread can be added to their meal. And fear not...... if this all seems too daunting to make on your own, Pay It Forward Pets will have it available for next season's celebration.

Wishing all beings on the planet unlimited peace and love today and everyday.

With love and gratitude for all our friends here at Zaadz,
Shelly and The Farm

Tags: kitty, cat, thanksgiving, turkey, recipe, special, holidy, meal

If They Can Do It So Can We

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:01:33 GMT

Plays Well With Others

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If You Can't Say Somethin' Nice.....

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:49:00 GMT

Thumper: He doesn't walk very good, does he?
Mrs. Rabbit: Thumper!
Thumper: Yes, mama?
Mrs. Rabbit: What did your father tell you this morning?
Thumper: [clears throat] If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all.

So, I have this question. Is it really necessary to share your personal belief with someone if in fact it is counter to their own? Is there really such thing as healthy debate if both parties don't wish to participate? What if that person never solicited your debate or asked for your personal opinion? What if they are just sharing something that they find interesting or something they believe in (or disagree with for that matter) simply just to share? Is there some ego need being fulfilled when we interject our opinion without being asked for it? Or maybe it is just that we automatically assume that if someone is talking about something, they are expecting our response?

I bring this up because I've found myself missing some of my favorite bloggers that used to participate way back when Zaadz was just a seedling. I wondered to myself why some of my first friends here just don't write anymore. When I've had the chance to finally ask them about it there were the general responses that we are all very busy, we're using our lives to contribute to the bigger whole, that the novelty of blogging has worn off, etc...... all understandable reasons. What really confuses me though is that many have said that they quit sharing simply because they didn't meet a warm reception to their words.

This has come from more than three people now. Some catching slack for something they truly were excited about and wanted to share. Some being confronted with some sort of retortion of thier beliefs even though they did not request feedback in their blog. Be it disbelief in The Law of Attraction, the Da Vinci Code, a particular habit or lifestyle, whatever. It even goes so far as for women to recieve sexual comments about material that is not remotely sexual. I can speak from experience on this particular advance, having erased more than a few sexually connotated comments.

Granted, this doesn't only happen in Zaadzland. There are no real rules of conduct when it comes to properly responding to a persons blog. Some might argue that their retortion is simple opening conversation about alternate views. Some might propose that the author get a "thicker skin" and stand in their personal truth regardless of what others think (or say) of them. Possibly the author should shut the opponant down and say that their retortion was not solicited and thus not welcome. Some might even suggest that the person turn off the comments function of their blog and write away, devoid of any nay-saying back lash.

I guess for me though, I see Zaaadz as a sanctuary, a place where all humans can come and be themselves, stand in their truth and trust that they are safe from judgement in all forms. I imagine it a place of unconditional love and acceptence. I sort of liken it to going to yoga class. Were someone in class casually speaking of their own personal experience with a particular religion let's say, most of us would not speak across the room and express our disbelief in the whole dogmatic affair. We would simply respect their place in life and sit quietly in our own understanding, trusting that we all uniquely make up this perfect journey. Should not the same respect be applied to the comments function here at Zaadz?

I understand that many in the group truly enjoy a good philosophical debate. They find great pleasure in comparing and contrasting and standing strong for their truth. I also know that there are equally as many people who prefer to live in harmony and peace and are content just to be, without having to defend their personal position. Just knowing what they know and being content within themselves is enough. The later (myself included) tend to avoid confrontation even to the point that we will leave a energetically elevated environment to protect our own personal vibration. Neither is right or wrong. Neither is better or worse. We need both for balance on this great planet of ours.

So what can we do here at Zaadz to ensure that we don't lose anymore of our dear friends over silly debate or disrespectful comments? Part of "being the change" may start with the very simple act of, as Shiri Sai Baba suggests, asking ourselves, "Is what I have to say kind, necessary, true, and does it improve on the silence?" I tend to subscribe to the wisdom of Thumper's papa: "If You Can't Say Something Nice. Don't Say Anything At All."

Any one else have an approach that seems to work?

Tags: respect, blog, kindness

I HART Nerds

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:19:47 GMT

Happy Halloween!

Nerds In Tights

These guys are the best! I dare you not to laugh....

The Big Bang Theory - Heavy Lifting

The Big Bang Theory - Talk Nerdy to Me: Quietly, Please

The Big Bang Theory - Talk Nerdy to Me: About Superman

You know you want to see all the episodes...... (click on video and enjoy!) The Luminous Fish episode will have you ROFL.

Tags: big bang theory

Stray's Anatomy

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:33:47 GMT

Strays Anatomy

McDoggy

Ha! Somethings are just too perfect not to have. Now if someone would just make a line of organic cotton and/or hemp scrubs I (and many other people according to the demand at the uniform places) would be one happy pre-vet camper.

Tags: Stray's anatomy, scrub

A Cakewalk

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:45:51 GMT

OMG....has two weeks passed already??? If time is relative, I believe my last few weeks greatly resembles my second cousin ....FAST and easy. ;} School is a cake walk thus far. Don't know why I haven't done it sooner. I also realize that I am SO OVER psychology courses. They (who?) say we choose our work/studies based on things we wish to fix within ourselves. (Sounds like something a psych. major would think up!) I guess I have figured out that the world is just a tad off (me included) and that's all OK. Who really needs to assign labels and reasons for why we do questionable things in life? How's about we all just admit there are going to be good days(or years) and bad and laugh about it all? Geesh!

Anywho, I found out I will for sure graduate in May. Granted my Psych. BA isn't exactly what the vet schools are looking for as far as pre-req's but little do they know, I am doing "The Secret" voo-doo until the day I graduate and when they recieve my application they will have no idea why but they will be tickled pink.....begging me even..... so much so that they will ALSO pay my way (hey!...doesn't hurt to "ask" for everything we want huh?)..... to come and study with their university. Ha! Who said getting into vet school is hard???

Speaking of mind voodoo....I've been focusing on Grey's Anatomy being released ahead of time this season. So far it's not working. I guess it's because I am too attached to the result? Dang I miss it though! I did this "I'm going to be all studious and responsible" thing and had my cable turned off since I was going to be "SO busy studying" instead. Well that lasted all of, um....two days before I realized I must have been having one of those above "off" moments. I think my psych. prof. calls it "delusional"? Bless all those people who have the will power to go without the "brain washing box" but I, well I find an occasional TV zone-out to be quite enjoyable. I think they call it "cathartic". Boy, I am SO going to ace my first exam. :)

Speaking of exams, I have the coolest anthropology professor. He prefers us to call him "George" to his more formal, as he calls it, "stuffy" name. George is in his late 70's and still an avid rock climber....or at least he will be again when his torn meniscus heals from the damage he incurred while running with his dog recently. (Did I mention he is almost 80?) George was born in Chile and tells the most amazing stories of hiking in the Himalayas, going on expeditions in Mayan ruins with his Grandmother (it was not culturally acceptable for a woman back then but she went anyways), growing "medicinals" in the 60-70's and finding unique ways to utilize their crop (like the Marijuana cake they made for "rush week" at Cornell).....all the while tying in the anthropology lessons.

It's easy to learn from real life experience....especially one that has been so interesting. He says on a difficulty scale of 1-10, his class is a 3.....that he'd rather have us walk away with real life knowledge and understanding of others culture than a bunch of facts and definitions that we'll never recall again. Seriously? Maybe I need to have him make some of those "medicinal cakes" for some of my other professors so they can lighten up and smell the reality.

So that's it for now. Two weeks down. Thirteen to go. Off to bury my nose in the books.

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What would you do if you weren't afraid?

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:11:45 GMT

Backpack?

$15.00 on eBay

Parking pass?

$48.00

Overcoming fear of failure and returning to school to become that which I was always meant to be?

Priceless

So, I know that this Q&A went around months ago. Truth be told I hated it when I read it. Didn't much like Brian and all his ThinkArete blah-blah either. It wasn't anything personal. It was just, in my heart, I knew there was one big, hairy, audacious fear of failure that was holding me back from pursuing my BIGGEST dream...... becoming a holistic veterinarian.

What if I am too old? What if I can't make the grades? What if I can't get accepted to vet school? Where will I get the money? What will I do with my animal family while I am away? Blah blah blah...... I had been telling myself that BS for more than 20 years; frozen solid on a path of fear without even stepping out on it to see if in fact any of those things were true.

Not anymore. Yippee! Today I return to UNLV to finish my BA in May and will be applying for vet school in approximately 18-24 months. I feel like this is my actual very first day at school. I've got my backpack, notebooks, multiple pens (just in case one runs out of course) PB&J, about 40 gallons of water (got to keep this brain hydrated for optimal use), campus map....do you suppose they let you tie your pack mule at the bike racks? It's pathetic really. But what was more pathetic was that it took me 20 years to finally give this a shot.

Don't get me wrong. I know that everything I have done until this very moment has prepared me to succeed on this new adventure. I am so very grateful for every challenge, opportunity, job and person from my past that has given me the strength to fulfill to this dream. I know that timing is always Divine and now is the time that was always planned to do this.

Fear of failure is a funny thing. It's like the monster under the bed. It gets bigger and bigger the more we think about its potential. Then one day we get just about curious and courageous enough to lean over and take a peak under the bed and we find there was nothing there to begin with. We made it up all along.

Thank God to Brian and all his dang questions, to all my friends here at Zaadz (especially Mandy who was one of the few people I had the guts to tell this dream to and who encouraged me to no end), to my dear friend Ted who recently asked the question, "When you are sitting on your porch sipping lemonaide when you are 85 years old, what would you rather look back and reflect upon......that you gave it your all in the pursuit or that you were too afraid to try?", and to my other friends and family who all these years never gave up on me or the dream either. Here's to becoming that which we were always meant to be!

Vet School or Bust

Tags: QAR, fear, courage, fearlessness, vet school, holistic veterinarian

Little Horse, Big Win

http://Shelvis.gaia.com — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:32:24 GMT

Teddy

This little guy, a pony at only 14.1 hands tall (in comparison to his opponents 17.5+hh) created a fairy tale ending in Rio de Janeiro as he and his rider Karen O’Connor captured the Individual Gold Medal in eventing and helped the United States win the Team Gold at the 2007 Pan American Games recently.

Eventing, the triathlon of equestrian competition, includes a cross-country race, dressage and show jumping events held over three days. Someone however, forgot to tell little "Teddy" that despite his deficit in size, he'd still have to jump the same heights and run faster than the others. He did just that and then some!

Size Doesn't Matter

Just goes to show that it is not the size of your body, brain or wallet that matters but instead, it is the size of your heart. Thanks little Teddy for reminding us of that.

PHOTO GALLERY

For more on their big win, go to http://www.useventing.com/competitions.php?section=fei&id=1047 or http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/22/AR2007072201067.html

Tags: horse, win, courage, teddy, inspiration