The Clever Greens

Spring Greening

     While most people make resolutions at the turn of the New Year, spring is a great time to make some green resolutions (or just try a couple new things).  Last spring, my car broke down.  Though I live in a small town with virtually nonexistent public transportation, I was still able to make it through the summer pretty easily.  I busted out the bicycle, and shared car transit with friends and neighbors. 
     Of course, everybody knows that riding your bike is good for you and the planet.  But this year, there's the added incentive of bike-riding being good for your wallet.  It's definitely worth a shot to see how many car trips you can replace with bike trips.  As for the necessary car journeys, try carpooling and sharing rides with your friends.  When I needed to borrow a car for certain things, there was usually a harried parent around who was happy to trade my running an errand for them in exchange for being able to use their car for the afternoon.  Also, not always having a car available forced me to ride when I would have rather driven.
     Being spring, the time is also ripe for checking out some Community Supported Agriculture in your neighborhood.  Start looking around for farm co-ops, CSAs, and other produce sharing ventures.  I LOVE participating in that sort of thing.  It's somewhat reassuring to remember that we're able to produce our OWN food, rather than relying upon mega factory farms and gallons of fossil fuels to bring it to the table.  Working on a farm for an hour or two a week can be a great stress-reliever and/or social opportunity, and you have the added bonus of getting locally grown organic produce for a song. 
     Also, have you ever thought about what would happen to our food sources if the supply lines were disrupted?  Say, by overly high gas prices (I heard on NPR yesterday about protesting truckers, some of whom just parked their rigs because they couldn't make enough money delivering their loads for the whole thing to be profitable).  We'd be screwed, since the vast majority of us have no idea how to grow anything or even bake our own bread if need be.  Not to say that the sky is falling, but it's just reassuring to know how to do certain things "in case".  I was talking to my grandmother a couple weeks ago about the Great Depression.  She was saying the only way she and her family (and most of the people she knew) made it through those years was by producing as much of their own food as possible.  It's worthwhile to remember the past as we watch food prices skyrocket.  The next time you have a little time on your hands at the grocery store, take a look at the shocked/angry/fearful expressions on people's faces and listen to their random outbursts about the prices as they shop.  It's a sobering experience; but remember that we don't have to just "bend over" and take it.
     If you don't have the time or the inclination to be involved in a CSA activity, try to at least make it a habit to visit your local Farmers' Market or to buy stuff from truck gardens along the road.  This is a huge step in the right direction, and you'll feel better about supporting a farmer.  Also, your food will taste better!  Supermarkets buy produce in bulk when it's cheap, and then store as much as possible in the back.  Maybe that "fresh" bag of apples you just bought is a month and a half old!
     Try it out.  Use your momentum in coming out of hibernation this spring to attempt a few new green practices.

Ecological Footprints

     We have a duty to be the earth's stewards.  I don't like to be preachy about stuff like this, so I'll just say that I think that we should each do what we can, to the best of our ability.   It's important to remember that we are responsible for and able to control only our own actions, for the most part.  Without going all "crying Indian commercial" on you, I'd like to adress a few things.
     Some people have no desire whatsoever to attempt to reduce their impact on the Earth's ecosystems.  In fact, I've seen people that went out of their way to waste and pollute, driven by (what they perceived to be) over-preaching on matters ecological.  Some people just don't believe that we are destructive by the very nature of our existence; some believe it's our right as the human race to use it up and trash it out.
     Here in America, I see a lot of purposeful and conspicuous overconsumption.  That's what bothers me the most, really. It's fashionable to buy too much car, too much food, too many clothes, too many gadgets, too much STUFF.  I think that this is going to blow up not only on the ecological front (it already is), but also on a social front.  The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is just getting wider by the minute, and anyone who refuses to acknowledge that is a liar, a fool, or both (in my opinion).  In certain regions, it almost seems like you have to be rich to be "middle class".  People are getting angrier on both ends of the socioeconomic spectrum, and the hungry end of that spectrum is more likely to act out in "shocking" ways.  If you've ever known true hunger or desperation, you know why.
     While there is some debate as to the validity of ecological footprint analysis, it's interesting to consider.  Check out http://www.myfootprint.org/ for a personal footprint calculator.  My score?  15.  "If everyone lived like you, we would need 3.3 planets."

DIY Doggie Diner

     Factory pet food is gross!  Disgusting for numerous reasons.  Why not learn how to make your own dog food instead?  It's so easy!  Check out our featured project over at Instructables.com:  DIY Doggie Diner

(And, if you like it, give us your vote for the "Pets Month" contest)
    
     This Instructable shows you how to make your own healthy and frugal dog food.  It's not RAW (which is probably best for doggies), but we think it's the next best thing.  A lot of commercial dog chow is of such low quality that it just seems like you're feeding your pet the canine equivalent of human fast food every day.

From The CleverGreens' Instructable:

     "Last year, I decided to start making my own dog food. I started my research by picking up a copy of "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats," [Rodale] which includes nutrition advice and several recipes. Then, I read more on the Internet and talked to my vet. I think the BARF (Bones And Raw Food, or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet is probably best, but I don't have the resources to do it at this time. Homemade seems to be the next best thing. I definitely feel better about feeding this than I did about feeding commercial chow.
     It's important to vary your dogs' diet somewhat, to make sure they're getting everything that they need. Mine also get a daily multivitamin, plain yogurt, and the occasional whole egg. This diet may not be appropriate for all breeds, so you should check it out with your vet.
     There have been numerous benefits to feeding my little pack this way. They are shinier, have less "doggy" smell, better breath, smaller stools (because there're more absorbable nutrients and less food filler). They even seem to be a bit more mellow and relaxed.
     Making your own dog food is very easy, and it's also pretty cost-effective."

These dogs love to dine at the DIY Doggie Diner.

Greens nibbler!

Satisfied, tail-waggin' customer!

Margaret Leng Tan (a 4-minute smile)

Wow.

Universal Dough and the Anti-McMuffin

Universal Dough

     Both of your humble authors here at theclevergreens.com are DIY bread fanatics.  Sometimes, we're cranking it out daily, but it gets made at least once a week without fail in both of our households.  The reasons are many and varied (it's healthier, cheaper, more mindful, etc. than buying bread products)- but the main reason is- it's a delicious sensual experience!  We love the whole process- from the earthy smell of proofing yeast to the fresh bread smell that permeates the whole house.  Kneading the dough is really tactilely satisfying; from the icebox-chilled flour on your fingers, to the supple elasticity of the moving dough.  It can also be a nice mini-workout, especially if you're working with whole grain dough.  There's also something really basic and human about making bread, since we've been at it for thousands of years.
I've found that even people who aren't into cooking and also kids are often really into the process once they try it out.
     A couple years back, my housemate came home with two loaves of store brand "whole wheat" french bread from our local Stupor Market.  One loaf was put on top of the refrigerator and forgotten when it fell down between the fridge and the wall.  When we discovered it three months later, it was EERILY UNCHANGED.  The same appearance and texture, we wondered why no mold had deigned to settle upon it's nobbly brown surface.  Reading the ingredients, we discovered a list of strange sounding chemicals 20 deep.  "Just like mom used to make!"  Gross.  "Whole wheat" bread shouldn't have the same shelf life as a Twinkie- and it shouldn't have the same lack of nutritional value.  Your DIY dough won't last long enough to go bad.
     I like to make a batch of general purpose dough and stick it in the fridge to be used as-needed.  It's great to be able to have fresh bread products on demand.  I can use this dough for pizza, pitas, breadsticks, naan-like flatbread, sandwich buns, and probably a couple others I'm forgetting.  It's super convenient, because I can have my breadstuff ready to eat in as little as 5 minutes (naan or pita), or as much as 40 minutes (pizza, buns, other risen items).  Making the dough itself only takes about 15-20 minutes.
    This recipe has been made so many times, it's become somewhat approximate.  There's plenty of room for variation, so you can customize it to your needs/tastes.  We usually use a blend of ⅓ to ½ whole grain flour, with the balance being UNBLEACHED (this is key for taste and health) bread flour.  You can use any kind of grain (Organic is best, of course!).  We like wheat, rye, and oat.

Ingredients:

1 c. + 2 TBSP very warm water (not too hot to comfortably hold your finger in, though)
1 TBSP sugar, honey, brown rice syrup, or other sugar source (to feed the yeast)
1-2 TBSP active dry yeast (to taste; we buy it in bulk because the packets & jars are a ripoff)
3 c. flour (approximate, more or less to achieve proper consistency)
1 TBSP oil (We use extra-virgin olive oil, & you can add up to ¼ c. to taste)

Optional Ingredients:

dash sea salt
minced/crushed garlic
herbs (like oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, etc)
caraway seeds
flaxmeal (ground flax seeds)

Directions:

     Combine warm water and sugar in a big steel, ceramic, or glass bowl.  Swish it around for a second to get the sugar to dissolve, then sprinkle yeast over the surface of the water.  Let it sit for a few minutes, until the yeast has foamed up into a big, frothy dome.
     Stir in a cup of flour, and then stir in the oil along with whatever optional ingredients you're adding.  Add remaining flour a little bit at a time, until the dough is a solid mass, not too crumbly or so sticky it sticks to the bowl.  You may need more or less flour.
     Scrape doughball onto floured surface and knead for approximately 10 minutes, until your dough is smooth and elastic.  It's ready when you can pinch it and strech it out.
     Coat the inside of your bowl with oil, and put your doughball in it.  Turn ball once to coat with oil.  Now, you have a couple options: if you want to use it immediately, do the dough sauna method; or if you want to make it up later, you can cover it and stick it in the fridge.  Make sure you punch down the dough within a few hours so it doesn't overflow the bowl.

Dough sauna method:

Boil water in a small saucepan.  Either turn your oven on to 350˚F for exactly one minute, or set your dishwasher on the "heat dry" setting.  (A cool way to maximize your energy usage is if you time your dough rising for right after you've finished unloading the dishwasher).  Set the pan of boiling water, along with the uncovered bowl of dough, in the oven or dishwasher.  It should double in volume within 20 minutes or so.  Punch it down, set it back inside.  You can re-boil the water if it's not steamy enough in there.  I also use this method when doing the final rise for pizza, bread, etc.  It's super fast, and you have the added benefit of not needing to cover your rising dough, as the humidity keeps a dry crust from forming.

Anti-McMuffin

      This is a breakfast (or anytime) sandwich I've been keen on lately.  Of course, you can add whatever other toppings you want (sometimes I dig tomatoes, Sriracha, and/or cheese).  But most often, I eat it as plain & clean.

Ingredients:

2-3 inch ball of dough
1-2 eggs (I get 'em either from the Farmer's market or our CSA- local, organic, fresher & cheaper than the StuporMarket)
few leaves of romaine
seasonings to taste
high-heat oil (like grapeseed) and/or Earth Balance

Directions:

     While heating an oiled skillet on high heat, roll out dough ball VERY thinly on floured surface into an 8-9" round.  Slap your round down on the skillet, and cook a minute or two on each side until browned.  Reduce heat, and break eggs onto still-hot skillet.  I like to sprinkle them with a little sea salt and curry powder while they cook, but do it however you like best.  Tuck eggs & romaine into buttered bread round, and eat.  Fast, delicious energy!  Also good with tofu instead of eggs.

DOG Is My Co-Pilot (or, Cat Is My Cardiologist)

It's so true.  I'm writing this entry with the head of a certain sweet little black dog nestled in my lap.  Whenever I'm feeling not-so-hot (whether it be in the physical, emotional, or psychological sense), my critter housemates always seem to help out.  Looks like this might be yet another natural way to boost your health and happiness.

I've compiled a list of interesting articles linking animal companionship to human health & wellbeing:

Dog Owners Lead Healthier Lives - BBC News

"A psychologist from Queen's University, Belfast, said dog owners tended to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol."

Pet Ownership Can Bring Better Health - VA State Coop Extension

"Several years ago, one of the earliest studies showed that stroking an animal promotes relaxation and can lower a person's blood pressure and slow their heart rate..."

Can Cat Ownership Lower Heart Attack/Stroke Risk? - ABC News

"They found that over a 20-year period, those who had never owned a cat had a 40 percent greater risk of death due to heart attack and a 30 percent higher risk of death due to any sort of cardiovascular disease than previous or current cat owners."

Dogs Ease Anxiety, Improve Health Status of Heart Failure Patients - American Heart Association

"Researchers discovered that a 12-minute visit with man’s best friend helped heart and lung function by lowering pressures, diminishing release of harmful hormones and decreasing anxiety among hospitalized heart failure patients.  Benefits exceeded those that resulted from a visit with a human volunteer or from being left alone."

UCLA Researchers Find AIDS Patients With Pets Are Less Likely To Suffer From Depression - Science Daily

"The phenomenon cannot be explained simply by the extra exercise one gets walking their dog -- the emotional bond between the animal and the owner adds something more"

Natural + Non-Toxic Cleaning Methods

     Every day, we're confronted with one gross household mess or another (some of us more than others; here at my house it's more like every five minutes).  When my housemate began a holistic cancer therapy regimen four years ago, one of the biggest rules was "no toxic cleaning products".  Every suspicious chemical was rooted out of every broom closet and undersink cabinet.  I say "suspicious chemical," because it's easy to forget that everything surrounding us is a chemical.  Including plain old water.  The health issue lies in the fact that certain chemicals are far more dangerous to your body's wellbeing than others.  Many very common cleaning products are known to contribute to "Sick Building Syndrome."
      There are many and varied reasons for avoiding the use of mainstream commercial cleaning products in your home.  Health is my foremost reason for doing so, and since the environmental and financial motivations should be obvious, I'll concentate on toxicity here.  Having sickened myself on several occasions as a result of ill-advised cleaning practices, it's also pretty near and dear to my heart.
      Of the multiple characteristics which determine a particular cleaning product's level of hazardousness, the biggest offender is a class of chemicals known as Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs.  These compounds are emitted from your cleaning product into the air, in the form of vapors.  Exposure (both short-term and prolonged) can cause headaches, respiratory problems, nausea, and other problems (some VOCs are known to be carcinogenic). According to the New York State Department of Health, common items contain such nasties as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde.  The method of applying these cleaners also depends on how much you're affected by them- aerosols are the worst, as they are dispensed in such a way that ultrafine chemical particles are spewed into the air (and subsequently, your lungs!)
      My grandmother has told many stories of her youth in the West Virginia mountains during the 1920s.  They used no fancy commercial cleaning products; just a host of multipurpose household staples.  Now in her 90s, she still uses many of the same methods in keeping a fastidiously clean home.  Baking soda was always her go-to chemical, and I find that it has become mine as well.
      Baking soda might well be the most versatile chemical I keep in the house.  I use it for just about everything; dishwashing, laundry, deodorization (it's the only substance I've ever found that was able to absorb and neutralize cat spray, a vile substance which resists nearly every cleaning product and curse leveled at it).  Other common items in the arsenal include: white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, borax, salt, grapefruit seed extract, and tea trea oil.  I use a few prepared consumer products, like Dr. Bronner's castille soap and Aubrey Organics' Earth Aware.  I've found that I can accomplish about 90% of my cleaning needs with these items alone.

Here are some ways I like to use them:

· Multi-purpose Cleaner- Mix two teaspoons each of baking soda & borax, one teaspoon Dr. Bronner's (or any vegetable-based soap), and two tablespoons of vinegar in a quart-sized spray bottle of water.

· Sink, Tub, & Tile Cleaner- Make a paste of baking soda and Aubrey's Earth Aware, or veggie dish soap.  This also works great for scrubbing coffee stains off of china.

· Toilet Cleanser- Apply a paste of vinegar and borax to stains in bowl. Let sit about 20 minutes, then scrub with a bowl brush.

· Silver Polish- Plain old garden-variety toothpaste.  Yeah!

· Mold/Mildew Remover- Borax + hot water.

· Fabric (Blood)Stain Remover- hydrogen peroxide followed by cold water (and salt, optional).

· Upholstery Spot Cleaner- saturate soiled area with club soda, and then sprinkle liberally with salt.

· Burnt Stainless Steel Pans- Boil clean water in pan for awhile to loosen contents, and then drain/scrape out as much burnt matter as possible.  Sprinkle liberally with baking soda, and then slowly pour vinegar over the soda.  Scrub with plain steel wool & more soda/veggie soap as needed.

· Furniture polish- Mix one part vinegar (or lemon juice) with three parts vegetable oil (like olive oil)  and apply with a soft cloth.

· General Disinfectant/Freshener- You can add a few drops of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract to water (with or without a splash of optional rubbing alcohol).

· Pet Odor Remover- Take a fresh quart bottle of hydrogen peroxide.  In a larger container (with room for foaming!), add one cup of baking soda & 1 teaspoon of veggie dish soap.  Use immediately.

     Sometimes, you may have to break out the hard stuff to get the job done.  But for most basic household cleaning operations, these should do the trick.  Besides being healthier for you and your wallet, these methods are healthier for the earth.

Stuffed Squash

 

   This recipe is my favorite on the cheap awards list. Talk about frugal living; this recipe costs only a few bucks to make, depending on whether you have a decent grocery store or olive oil already in your cabinet. Skip the oil; hell...that’ll work too. This recipe rules, its one of my favorites.  I can’t go without making it for very long, either. Originally my co-author’s recipe, I have claimed it as my own through  sheer repetition and variations.

      

Ingredients:

One large acorn squash (I get organic ones at my 99cents store; they are 2.19 a piece at the local  StuporMarket.)

   

A few cups of mixed vegetables (you can use fresh, frozen, or canned- but fresh are best.)

   

Olive oil (the real stuff is not cheap; you can get a good bottle for a few bucks that will last several recipes.)

   

Few cloves of garlic to your taste (garlic is so cheap, and it's the poor man’s medicine cabinet. It is going to be the subject of many posts here, I’m sure)

Spices of your choice.  Everyone like different spices.  Try cumin, paprika, curry, tarragon, etc.

Sunflower Seeds, dried fruits, nuts, cheese crumbles.  Any mix in you think would be good. (Optional)

 

Cooked Brown Rice

             

****************************************************************************************************************************

     Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Take whatever spices you have going on, I like basil and garlic on everything, a few cloves chopped garlic, (sunflower seeds, or nuts, or none,) and toss those with a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a large bowl.
     Chop up three cups or so of whatever veggies you have lying around: mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, etc., I have varied every veggie in here and they all taste good together.  Toss your chopped bunch of stuffing veggies in a drizzle of olive oil, just enough to make the veggies evenly shiny with the spices evenly coating the veggies.
     Microwave your squash 30 secs or less to make cutting easier. Or lightly steam for a few minutes; whatever.

   

     Carefully with hot pads, grab squash and hold with hot pad steadily to cut of ends of squash.

      

Cut off ends carefully with a suitably large and sharp knife.  Cutting squash and other hard un-cooked vegetables takes some doing and some practice; please proceed with caution.

                   

     Scoop out seeds. Do something cool with those? Make an ornate squash seed votive holder.

     Just kidding.

     Carefully cut a flat surface in the outside rounded skin of each squash half to sit straight up and still on.  Make it a level dish so to speak.  Rub a small bit of olive oil inside the scooped out squash halves.
     Stuff each halve with your spiced veggie mix.  Use your hands to mold a mound onto the squash base. Allowing the mixture to mound up out of the hole is fine, it will stay put.

   

     Bake in 375 degree oven for half an hour, or until squash is tender.

   

     Serve with brown rice (my best friend likes to melt a little cheese on the top).

   

     Sriracha  goes great on this all over the place.

 

 

Beauty Au Naturelle

Basic Ground Rules for Natural Hotness:

 

• DO try to stay away from excess products in general. There are endlesss rows of shelves lined with brightly colored bottles full of chemicals we don’t need on our hair, face, or skin. Keep your collection to a few things you really need and use.  If you can’t fit all your bathroom toiletries into one small bath basket, you're buying too much stuff.  Also bear in mind that our skin is our bodies' largest organ- that's a lot of surface area to absorb all the chemicals we apply to ourselves during our primping and preening rituals.

• DO try to stay with natural, easy-moving fabrics.  They're more comfortable, better for the environment, and tend to be more flattering.  They allow your body to breathe and help to combat sweat and body odor.

• DO try to go with natural, easy-moving hairstyles.  Avoid the creepy mannequin look.  Choose something neat, easy, and flattering.

• DO take care of your teeth, skin, and hair.  You only get one set of each- the adage "moisturize early and often" applies.

• DO remember that you're a living creature.  Even a houseplant needs some fresh air, water, and natural light each day.   Make sure you get some too, along with some exercise (even if it's just a short walk).

• DO invest some care and concern into your diet.  Proper nutrtition and hydration play a larger role in your complexion's appearance than anything you can slather on your face ever could.

• DO remember to laugh! A pleasant demeanor is often reflected by a pleasant face, and an sour demeanor is often reflected by a sour face.  The same goes for confidence- if you project an air of confidence, you'll automatically be more attractive.

      

• No acrylic nails.  (Oh god please when will it end? Those things are disgusting.)

      

• Stop wearing nail polish.  It's gross; it always looks and smells gross.  And it's highly toxic- one of nail polish's main ingredients is toluene, which is also used in embalming fluid!

      

• No hair dye.  No highlights, no home jobs, nothing.  I was recently told that my "hair color went well with my face” …the compliment payer was shocked when I told her I had never dyed my hair.  As well as destroying the texture and structure of your hair over time, many hair dyes are made from nasty heavy metals including cadmium and lead.

       

• Whoa, easy on the baby rabbits.  Only non-animal tested make up, please. Seriously, come on now. If it does not say “not tested on animals” on the container, then it was tested on animals.  Some bunny got  blinded via mascara smeared into his eyeballs (that's how they do it, folks), just so you could put on your makeup.  Just so you could smear your face with waxy smudges in an attempt to compensate for the effects your poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are having on your complexion.  Also, watch for the nasty animal byproducts- is that "Ravishing Red" lipstick you love to apply to your lips really pulverized beetles suspended in whale blubber?  Yuck!

      

• If it’s too tight, it’s not right.  Stop wearing the tight slacks ladies, face it when its time to upsize.  I’m talking about everything from dress pants to khakis, you girls are wearing those things way too tight.  While jeans can sometimes be a little tighter, avoid the "overstuffed sausage" look.  It's bad for your image and your circulation.  Depending on the garmet and how tight it is, it has the potential to constrict your internal organs, too.  Not attractive!  Conversely, too baggy can make give you that refugee look.  Go for something fitted that FITS comfortably.   

• No shiny metal objects larger than an Olympic medal on your person.  No sequins, no flashy beaded nightmares, no silver metallic accessories, no shiny silver belts, never ever wear too much jewelry.

         

• Don’t cake on the foundation.  Everyone hates the look of waxy foundation buildup on your skin; it shouldn't look as if it was applied with a trowel or a spackling knife.  (By the way, it also scares the crap out of guys when you look like some kind of FemBot. Blend the stuff into your neckline if you must use it; don’t leave an obvious and vivid foundation border around your jaw line.)

   

• Don’t apply too much make up as a general rule.  You "need" way less than you think you need.  You probably don't need any at all!

   

• Don’t worry about fashion magazines.  Those things are so stupid. They fill your head with total nonsense.  Ignore them completely, as they are all trash aimed at making you feel guilty for not attaining a certain (narrow) ideal, and pressuring you to buy products designed to soothe your battered self-image.  Sorry, but that expensive butt cream isn't going to make you look or feel like a celebrity.

 

• Don’t go for the fake tan look.  Forgo the orange glow.   

• Don’t go for the real sun-tan either.  You will look like leather (if you survive the skin cancer.)

 

• Don’t drink carbonated beverages.  They're bad for your teeth, your bones, and your skin.

 

• Don’t wear clothes made out of any kind of plastic material.  Unless you wake up one day to find yourself transported back in time to a Berlin nightclub circa 1988.

• Don’t wear clothes made out of any kind of shiny metallic material.  See above.

Foster Dog

     The authors of this blog are "crazy dog ladies."  I talk to my dog (and fully believe we have some kind of telepathy going on), I make my own dog food (more on that later), and I give her vitamins. 

I've shared my life with Halifax for the last year and eight months:

     Having always been a total sucker for animals, I should have known this would happen sooner or later.  It just so happens a dog with a sad story ended up facing a trip to the shelter in Kentucky.  Unfortunately, black mutt dogs get euthanized pretty quickly because no one wants to adopt them.  So, this Black Lab and German Shepherd Dog mix came to live with us on Saturday.  She's listed up with a few dog rescue organizations, and she'll stay with us until she finds the right family to adopt her.

Here's Lexi:

     It's an interesting process, for sure.  We are working out the kinks with regard to how things work around here and pack hierarchy.  She still seems kind of timid and traumatized, but she is very gentle and good-natured.

     If ever there were a strong case for spaying + neutering, this is it.  It's so sad to know that there are a multitude of dogs just like this one who get put down every day for the simple reason that there aren't enough homes for them all.  According to Spay USA, each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. - and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born.

     Please consider taking a shelter/rescue/foster pet into your home over buying an animal.