$0.02 [Toxoplasmosis]

Cat butts on door knobs.

When I see photos like this, I can't believe I didn't test positive for a Toxoplasma infection.  I have had ample opportunity to become infected.  One life could not possibly have been filled with more cat poop.

I requested a toxoplasmosis screening test from my doctor because, wait for it, I'm pregnant!  Yep, we're expecting a little human sibling for Lola, Betelgeuse and Lulu in less than six weeks.

If the tests results were positive, it would have meant previous exposure and immunity, so the baby and I would not be at risk for contracting toxoplasmosis during my pregnancy.  (A first exposure to toxoplasmosis during pregnancy = really really bad news.)  But I tested negative, so I have spent most of this year being ever vigilant in fighting feline fecal matter.  Lola may not carry Toxoplasma, but this is another one of those better-safe-than-sorry pregnancy rules.  Kyler had to assume full responsibility for scooping the litter box and all cat and dog poop from the backyard (Lola's actual litterbox), which, I'll admit, hasn't been so bad for me.  But I also had to be careful when spending time in the backyard or gardening -- no fun -- and extremely diligent in cleaning surfaces in our apartment.  Because, let's face it, when you live with a cat, cat poop can be anywhere.  See photo above.  The proof is in the pudding/the cat butt on the door knob.

$92.48 [There are Kittens in the Office]

Okay, so yes there are kittens in the office, but I can explain.

$10.00 [The Great Outdoors]

Parking at Stokes State Forest on July 4, 2011 for a day of mostly dog-friendly hiking along the Kittatinny Mountain ridge.

I say "mostly dog-friendly" because the bugs were in no short supply, but I'm not sure these two really cared:

Betelgeuse is an excellent hiker, no matter what the terrain.  She is reminiscent of a little mountain goat, often climbing up and down rocks along the side of the trail just for the sake of climbing. 

Lulu holds her own, but she tires easily and is quite clumsy, so we throw her in Betelgeuse's old puppy sling every now and then (Outward Hound Pet Sling, $15.00) when she starts slowing down or when the terrain gets difficult.

$10.00 for a full day of fun and two dogs tired enough to sleep through the next twenty-four hours (including Independence Day fireworks).  Worth the money and the bugs.

$0.02 [Tick]

I was sitting on the couch early this morning, finishing up something for work and absentmindedly petting Betelgeuse. And then I made a discovery under her arm.

A tick.

Yes, a tick.

In Brooklyn.

First stop, Google.com. Confirmed the tick is indeed a tick. Learned the basics of tick removal. Learned the horrors of leaving behind the head and also the symptoms of Lyme disease. Oh, the Internet, with its image search results, wiki hows, wiki how nots, youtube videos, pet MD, my-dog-had-a-tick-and-then-died message boards, etc.

Close laptop. Back to reality. My dog has a parasite the size of a pencil eraser on her armpit. I need to remove it and then I need to go to work.

I texted my veterinarian (a pro of being pals with your vet). Should I bring her in or just remove it with tweezers? "You can do it. Grab it as close to the head as possible and pull slowly." Do I need to keep the tick or anything? "Nope. Just make sure it's dead."

I sanitized a pair of tweezers and prepared a cup of soapy water. Pulled the tick off (along with his stupid little tick head) and drowned him. We went to the park for a celebratory game of fetch, and I was only ever so slightly late for work, mostly because of the fetch.

My two cents: Flea and tick medicine every month, even in Brooklyn, folks!