Adventures in Justineland

The Pet Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center Feb 21-22, 2009

2009-02-18T15:18:00.001-08:00

Join us at the Pet Expo where Dr. Justine Lee, our Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline will be discussing her book It's a Cat's World... You Just Live in It.

She'll be featured at the "Dancing with Dogs" stage on Saturday at 4 pm, and at the "Star Tribune Speaker" stage on Sunday at 10:30 am.

She'll have autographed books available for sale immediately after her lectures. Proceeds from the book sales benefit the local Twin Cities animal organization FELINE RESCUE!

http://www.twincitiespetexpo.com/TCP/schedule_main_TCP.asp

Unsuccessful audition video to play host on an Animal Planet show...

2008-12-26T16:53:00.001-08:00

Well, if you don't try, you don't know, right?

Recently, I sent in a 4 minute video for an audition to try out (unsuccessfully!) for a host position on an Animal Planet show. I had to explain who I was, what qualified me to talk about dog breeds, talk about an origin of a particular breed, and discuss the location and it's significance. Of course, everyone who knows me (and JP!) would know that I picked the pit bull!

Check it out at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWmrc0-l9MA

Journey through the Middle East

2008-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

In the past month, I've been playing in Jordan, Israel and Egypt. Hard to believe it's gone by so quickly! People often asked me why I wanted to go to that part of the world: for the historical, religious, and spiritual sites out there!

Each country had a different special place in my heart. In Jordan, I fell in love with Petra. Climbing to the top of the Monastery was one of the most rigorous but rewarding climbs I've done in a long time... and when you're standing at the top of the mountain, you can see why this is one of the seven wonders of the world! Jerusalem's Old City was my favorite part of Israel; being able to see the path that Jesus took on the way to his Crucifixion was amazing. Finally, floating down Egypt's Nile river in a felucca (sailboat) taught me how to relax "old" style.

Back to the grind of the USA! It's really lovely to be back. One of my favorite parts of traveling the world is that it's a great reminder of how fortunate we are in the States. Till the next adventure!

Exploring the Middle East

2008-11-08T09:31:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm currently in Jordan, and am off to Israel and Egypt shortly! I've always wanted to go to Petra (after seeing Indiana Jones and all), and have to say the whole experience was incredible. Not only did a weep from joy, find my spirit, and feel like I was touched by God (all at 4000 ft. on top of Petra), but I got a great 10 mile hike in while I was at it. In my past 4 days in Jordan, I've discovered Roman ruins (Jerash), floated in the Dead Sea (eyes! burning! Agh!), visited Jesus' baptism site, drove up to the top of Mt. Nebo (where Moses viewed the Promised Land before dying) for the sunset, and snorkelled in the Red Sea.

My pictures are stuck on a flash drive, so no pictures for now, but more later!

How to go green, for your pet's sake and your own.

2008-10-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

After adventuring off in Barcelona, I realized how "ungreen" I was when I was traveling. I had brought some food to munch on from the USA to Barcelona, and as I was flying back to the USA, I pondered as I ate my apple, thinking "I have to eat this well-traveled apple... and can't possibly bring it back to the states!" While we may think that our impact to the earth is minimal, I'm afraid it probably isn't... especially with a few billion people and all those extra carbon footprints. If everyone just made one or two small, extra steps, we just might be able to make a difference after all.

1. Recycle. Thankfully, most of us do this already, but let's take it to the extra level. When I travel to veterinary conferences, I'm depressed about how much advertising crap that I receive. Find out if your hotel recycles, and ask them to if they don't. Write a letter to your business hotel and demand that they provide recycling in the rooms. Next, look around your house. When you're throwing away that extra plastic bag (like a bread bag or that bag in your cereal box), think of all the poop you can pick up with it instead! When I'm scooping the backyard, I use a regular plastic bag to scoop into an empty cereal bag... and then just dump it all in the trash. Remember, when your dog poops once or twice a day, that's a lot of plastic bags. Try to conserve what you can! When you go to the grocery store, try to minimize the plastic bags that you take to bag up your veggies... after all, you have a ton at home if you just look for them.

2. Go online. When it comes to paying bills, don't bother doing it via snail mail. After all, you are dramatically reducing your carbon footprint by not asking someone to walk to your house to pick up your mail (your under-appreciated postal worker), driving it to the post office, utilizing energy to sort it, and deliver it again... and you can save yourself a stamp in the process. Nowadays, pay for everything online to help reduce inefficiency. Reduce paper production by asking that you get you electronic bills - no need for paper copies nowadays! That goes for those of you receiving newspapers nowadays. While it's relaxing to read the newspaper over your coffee, it's a lot of energy for that daily paper. Splurge and save the earth and just get the weekend newspaper instead.

3. Scoop poop. How does one go green scooping poop? If you're a cat owner, save an empty kitty litter container (you should be using the scoopable kind anyway, not the environmentally unfriendly, cheaper clay stuff that comes in 50 lb. bags!), line it with a plastic bag or two, and put it right next to your kitty litter container. I scoop every other day, and just scoop out the urine clumps and feces directly into the empty, covered container. You absolutely do not have to dump all that expensive, landfill-filling kitty litter - just scoop instead. I describe this more in my cat book It's a Cat's World... You Just Live in It (release date December 30, 2o008), so check it out. Once your plastic container is full, voila... just empty the bag and dump it out weekly. Not only does it help make your cat healthier (having a clean litter box), but it reduces the amount of litter and plastic bags that you are wasting. I scoop the yard once a week, reducing it from 7-10 bags to just 2 bags while scooping. I use one as a glove, and just scoop into the empty bag and help minimize plastic that way.

4. Use those reusable grocery bags. Thankfully, grocery stores are jumping on the bandwagon of popularity (and they are probably trying to save some $ in the process). Most grocery stores now sell $1 reusable sturdy bags. Leave them in your car, and remember to use them. Help minimize the number of plastic or paper bags you are using. If you need more plastic bags for scooping, no worries - just grab them out of the container at the supermarket where people are recycling them!

5. Go organic. I'm a huge gardener, and believe that if everyone just converted a small plot in their backyard (or a few pots on your balcony for you city dwellers), we could help save the world. I never have to grocery shop from July-October, thanks to my productive garden supply of tomatoes, catnip, basil, thyme, leeks, beans, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, garlic chives, etc. Seriously - you can do it too. Not only is it fun to harvest, but it reduces the amount of gas needed to ship your veggies to your local market. If you are a city dweller, plant something small - herbs, etc. Those green plants are still helpful in minimizing carbon dioxide!

6. Save water. I admit, I use water to water my garden... but if you live in a location where grass wasn't intended to live, please don't water your lawn. Instead, think about converting your lawn to a rock garden or perennial garden (with local, native plants that have reduced water requirements) instead. Seriously. Also, consider using a water barrel. I rigged up a water bucket to catch all that extra, free water from my gutters, and use this to water my flowers. It's amazing how many gallons of water you get free this way with just one storm! Remember that this water is "dirty", and may contain chemicals from your rooftop and gutters, so only use it appropriately (not on your garden veggies). I use it to water my compost (it needs watering, you know!) and my flowers. Another more neurotic way of saving water: when I'm washing and refilling the water in my pets' huge water bowl, I dump the dirty water into a plant container... saving and reusing every last drop.

7. Compost and minimize your crap. When I lived in Ithaca, the eco-crunchy, hippy, granola, crunchy college town of Cornell, we had to pay for garbage by the pound. That wouldn't work in the rest of America because people would just litter instead, but it was motivation to recycle and compost. It's amazing how much you can reduce your waste by composting. Go online and learn how to make a secure one for your yard (chicken wire, and voila, you're done!). I bought one off craigslist and love it (black plastic). Any kitchen waste (aside from dairy or meat) can go in there, and it's a great way to fertilize my garden each spring. Stop by your local coffee shop - they are usually giving away their coffee grounds, which acts as extra brown material for your compost. Composting is really easy - once you research it. It's alternating brown and green materials. Leaves, then grass clippings, then leaves. Or veggies, then coffee grounds, then veggies. Better yet, just stir, add some water, and you're on your way to being eco-crunchy.

8. Boycott plastic bottles. I'm all for staying hydrated, and don't drink much soda, Gatorade, etc. Instead of buying those small plastic bottles (no matter how many times you refill them), splurge on a BPA-free 1 liter container to bring to work. It's easy to wash and helps minimize all those plastic bottles. Get them as holiday gifts, so your plastic wielding friend can go green to. Spread the word.

9. Travel light. OK, I admit, I wear the same clothes over and over again when I'm traveling, and I don't care. At the airport last week, I was shocked when a woman had exceeded the baggage weight on her both her huge bags during her cruise. Each weighed 54 lbs. I mean, how does one petite lady lug 108 lbs of crap? Go light. Pack, and then reduce it by 50%. Ask yourself if you really need to lug all that crap. Bring 2 t-shirts instead of 4, and just be dirty for a few extra days. I actually support the airline industries in charging people for their bags - after all, with the price of gas going up, it's expensive and environmentally unfriendly to lug lug it. Reduce your carbon footprint.

10. Be efficient. Ah, as if that wasn't the answer for all of life's problems. When running errands, be efficient. Write a shopping list of things that you can save up and wait on so you're just making one trip instead of 4-5 smaller trips. Go with your neighbor to minimize the cars out there. Fill up on gas, stop by the bank, get your groceries all at once, so you're minimizing the amount of gas. Don't idle your car. Don't drive around in circles looking for a parking spot - just grab one, shut off the car, and walk to where you can. While it sounds small, if we all did this, we'd really reduce the amount of fossil fuels that American seems to be obsessed with using. Turn down your thermostat at night when you're under those covers. I turn my thermostat off when I leave the house, and that's in the middle of winter in Minnesota! Carpool. Join your local co-operative to refill large bottles of laundry detergent or supplies, so you don't have to use another plastic bottle. Buy in bulk - better to buy a huge container versus 10 smaller containers, right? Reuse those Ziploc bags. Stop splurging and help reduce America's obsession with consumerism. After all, do you really need it?

11. Spay and neuter! Please promote spaying and neutering - think about the 8 million pets who are euthanized each year because of pet overpopulation. Think of all that extra crap that someone has to poop scoop each year, and all those extra plastic bags needed in the process. Each extra animal contributes a small amount towards a cute, little carbon footprint also...

I'll get off my soapbox now, but remember, all these things that we attempt to do are making a difference... for the air that you breath, and more importantly, for the air that our pets' breath. Let's cowboy up and save the world!

Twin Cities 2008 Medtronic 10 miler

2008-10-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

The ongoing adventures of Justineland continue! I completed the Twin Cities Medtronic 10 miler on 10/5/08, and while I wasn't breaking any top speeds, my goal was just to finish. Despite the rain and really cold weather, it was a wonderful, fun run! I'd hate to admit it, but it did put the running bug into me, and my next goal is a 1/2 marathon!

Upcoming challenges!

2008-09-28T21:24:00.001-07:00

Wish me luck as I run my first 10 miler this Sunday! JP and I have trained for the Medtronic 10 miler, and hope to succeed (i.e., finish) on October 5, 2008. Hopefully my next picture update will be me at the finish line, making all the pets proud!

Nantucket bound...

2008-09-03T20:31:00.001-07:00

Exciting news! The official cat cover for It's a Cat's World... You Just Live In It has been chosen! Check out my cat blog at: http://questionsaboutcats.blogspot.com/ for more details.

On a lighter note, I'm off to Nantucket to lecture, and am excited to visit for a book signing at Geronimo's Pet Supplies while I'm there.

Author event at "Common Good Books" with Pet Haven!

2008-08-10T15:50:00.001-07:00

On 8/9/08, Pet Haven and I co-sponsored a successful author event and outreach at Common Good Books, Garrison Keillor's bookstore. I discussed It's a Dog's Life... but It's Your Carpet while Pet Haven had the opportunity to talk about their mission as a non-profit foster-based animal rescue. They also provided some gorgeous foster dogs who are looking for homes. It was a great day to love four-legged friends!

Do you know how hard it is to photograph cats?

2008-07-26T21:51:00.001-07:00

In an attempt to make an author photo for my upcoming cat book It's a Cat's World... You Just Live In It, Seamus, Echo, and myself had to take about 100 action-packed, scratch-filled shots. Bet you can't wait to see which one we ended up with...

Retrospectively, as a vet, why wasn't I smart about it? Better living through chemicals! I should have drugged them! :)

2008-06-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

I did a lecture for the St. Paul Public Library tonight called "Tails from an Iditarod Vet" - what fun! 60 some kids and adults showed up, and JP got to dress up in sled dog gear, which he probably didn't appreciate. It was great to be able to spur kids' interest in dogs and cats, and to see what a great impact pets have in our daily life and society

2008-06-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

I just finished lecturing in Moab, UT, and love it out here. It's 80F, hot, dry, and gorgeous. I played in Arches & Canyonlands National Park for two days. Check out mini-me under Delicate Arch.

UPENN and Cornell Book signings

2008-05-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Nothing like strolling down memory lane... I visited NJ, Philly and Ithaca for book signings at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell book stores, and had a successful trip. Met up with family, a new nephew, old professors, old friends, and old hiking trails.

Part II of Adventures in Justineland

2008-05-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving to visit the good ole' East Coast. Can't wait. I'll be visiting family, seeing my new nephew, and playing at my old stomping grounds in Philly and Ithaca. I'll also be doing some book signings at my former alma maters (UPenn and Cornell). High above Cayuga's waters...

Traveling in Belize...

2008-04-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I just got back from Belize for some much needed R&R. As a veterinarian, Belize was animal-paradise. I saw hummingbirds, toucans, hawks, howler monkeys, reptiles, tarantulas (from a safe, far away distance), green turtles, loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, and loads of fish. After my second book It's a Cat's World... You Just Live in It (which comes out December 2008), maybe I'll write a third book on random animals...

Traveling the world...

2008-04-26T23:24:00.001-07:00

Well, I just got back from Belize for some much needed R&R. Needless to say, the 60 degree temperature difference between Ambergris Caye, Belize and St. Paul, Minnesota was a bit disheartening to come home to.

As a veterinarian, Belize was animal-paradise. I saw hummingbirds, toucans, hawks, howler monkeys, reptiles, tarantulas (from a safe, far away distance), green turtles, loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, and loads of fish.

After my second book It's a Cat's World... You Just Live in It (which comes out December 2008), maybe I'll write a third book on random animals...

NBC Weekend Today

2008-04-06T14:28:00.000-07:00

I'm in NYC this weekend, and just finished my morning debut with NBC's Weekend Today. What an incredible experience: hearing the fans screaming from Rockefeller Plaza, being interviewed by the one-and-only Jenna Wolfe, and taking a picture with Lester Holt!

I have to admit, it was the fastest 3.5 minutes that I've ever experienced (where did the time fly), but it was a ton of fun. Check it out at:

Life is crazy...

2008-04-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well, life is crazy, but good. I had a book signing at the Veterinary Student Supply (VSS) yesterday (April 3rd). It was my way of officially announcing my book to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. See, book signings are tough - you're sitting alone at a booth, and it's reminiscent of looking for an empty seat in the junior high cafeteria... you never know if a friend or fan will show up. Thankfully, lots of technicians, veterinary students, emergency staff, and a few doctors showed up. It was pretty successful, and I think I signed 50-60 books! JP accompanied me, so I knew I had at least one fan.

Today, I was called back to the University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial Bookstore. Not only did they sell all 29 copies at my book signing, but they received additional requests for autographed copies!

On a low note, I stopped by my local Barnes & Noble, and they weren't even carrying the book... so I guess the lesson I learned today was "With the good, you must take the bad!"

Justine

Snow, snow, and more snow...

2008-04-01T12:20:00.001-07:00

Ahhh... signs of spring. I stepped off the plane at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport late Sunday night (March 30th), only to come home to six inches of wet snow. Thankfully, my body adapted from the 50 degree difference in temperature from Trinidad. Guess this means no more flip-flops for a few more weeks...

It's been an exciting week. I had a radio interview this morning (Atlanta, GA) with WFSH-FM. I think it went well, even though Kevin & Taylor asked me about my "dig" on their UGA mascot ("Uga"). I assured them that I love their mascot (who won the 1997 Sports Illustrated "top college mascot"), but the bulldog's nose just wasn't meant for hot, humid weather.

Off to the University of Minnesota Coffman Memorial book signing... have to go trudge through some snow.

Justine

Trinidad Aventures - March 2008

2008-03-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

For the past week, I've been in Trinidad, teaching an emergency and critical care course at the University of West Indies, School of Veterinary Medicine (St. Augustine Campus). Needless to say, it's been a phenomenal experience. While I had heard some warnings about traveling alone in this southern most Caribbean island (which is 7 miles to the east of Venezuela), I have to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed island life, mon. Of course, it's 60 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than Minnesota, but who's counting?

While here, I've been under the wonderful care of the faculty, who have shown me around the island. The first day, I visited Maracus bay (beautiful beach), where I enjoyed a classic "Bake and Shark" sandwich while roasting gently in the sun (equator = sunburn). Later that day, I was able to visit Caroni Swamp, where the beautiful Scarlet Ibis nests. I also visited the Asa Wright Nature Center, where I took about 200 pictures of all the wildlife. Not only did I see a huge variety of birds, but I also spotted several agouti and tegu. While I'm not an avid birder, I have to admit I was in wildlife heaven.

Over the past week, I've had delicious food, great company, a phenomenal backdrop, and hot weather. This has been a cultural experience that has been incredible, and I can't wait to come back as a visiting faculty member next year! The veterinary students have been a joy to teach, and I'll be sad to go home.

Signing off to enjoy my last few hours out in the sun,

Justine