NexGard Chewables: Oral Flea and Tick Repellent - DON'T USE IT

Yesterday May 24th, I visited my vet because my dog has been itching like crazy and I wasn't able to find any fleas on him, but my vet was able to identify the little pests immediately. So he suggested this new chewable from NexGard, the same people who make HeartGard. I agreed because Yoshi has been on Heartgard for years. When we got back home, I gave him one as directed and he seemed fine. Although through out the evening he became lethargic and was sleeping a lot. I didn't really think much of it because I figured the excitement from the day had worn him out.

I woke up this morning to him having vomited everywhere multiple times. When I took him out to walk him, he had explosive diarrhea. He couldn't keep anything down at all. The water he drank came right back up. He's been lethargic all day long and sleeping off and on. The only time he's moved is if he's been following me or I took him outside to walk around a little bit.

I just visited their website to see if I could get a picture of the box to include with this post and I find this "DISCLAIMER" at the bottom of their site:  NexGard is for use in dogs only. The most frequently reported adverse reactions include vomiting, dry/flaky skin, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite. The safe use of NexGard in pregnant, breeding or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures.

 
WHY would anyone want to give their animals something which could cause them to be THAT sick????? Really? I am so upset. And this stuff costs a fortune. For a six month supply it was $120! The rest of this is going back to the vet's office Tuesday for a refund. I refuse to give this to him again and I recommend anyone considering it or 'recommended' it by their vet think twice before they give it to their own dogs. 

I wanted to get this out there to everyone who follows me and ask that you please spread the word to other pet owners like me. I am reporting this to the FDA as well and hope that anyone else who has given this to the dog and seen these types of reactions will report it as well. We need to start being more vocal about these things to protect our animals from the greed of the companies out there who care nothing for our beloved pets just what money flows into their pockets. THIS IS NOT A SAFE PRODUCT FOR YOUR PET!

2014 Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia - Same-Sex Marriage and What Being a Supporter means?

  

When I started writing this post, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to write. I decided to do what I do with my stories and just go. This week there is a huge group of authors, reviewers, and bloggers everywhere who are posting to support the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia. I think this is a wonderful way to show support within the LGBTQ community and I truly hope it makes the impact we all want to see it make. Raising awareness of the hatred still held within the hearts of so many to others outside of our community will someday bring about the one thing we still so desperately want... acceptance and equality.

While the United States and the people here have come quite a distance from how it was thirty, twenty, even ten years ago, we still have a long way to go as a society in accepting people no matter who they are. I'd like to see the distinction between marriage and 'gay' marriage gone. It's just marriage! No matter whether it's two men, two women, or one man and one woman. It's still just two people who love one another and support one another in times of hardship. Two people who want to spend their lives together and build a family. Isn't that all that matters? Why should anything else matter? 

 

To kind of take a tangent off in another direction, I wanted to express my opinion about something which touched a nerve for me recently. There are some people in the LGBTQ community who believe if you aren't out on the street dressed in a rainbow t-shirt with a rainbow flag marching in a parade or protest and proudly screaming for equality you aren't a true supporter. So because I'm not one of those who run out to every Pride festival or rally or stand on the White House lawn yelling at the President and demanding equality for all, I'm not allowed to say I'm a supporter of LGBTQ rights? Who says? Who makes that determination? I write gay romance. I hurt for those I see affected by the hatred still felt in so many hearts. I reprimand anyone in my little bubble of a world who says anything offensive or snarky about gay men and women. I CARE. I donate to LGBTQ charities. I openly and proudly tell people what I write without a care of what they think. Why doesn't this count? 

I don't see how there should be a distinctive way to support LGBTQ rights. I guarantee you a ton of those people who voted YES on same-sex marriage are like me. Are the ones saying if you aren't actively out there demanding equal rights you aren't a supporter those people don't count as one either? I think that's b.s. They are supporters because if they weren't there wouldn't be those states which now have legalized same-sex marriages. I don't believe you have to be shouting from the rooftops to be heard. Sometimes a whisper is much more effective than a scream. 

Maybe my post will anger some, but how is the judgment of those whispering any different? 

That sort of went all over didn't it? Sorry about that. I have been told more than once my thoughts are fragmented and I can't help how they come out sometimes. Same thing with my writing. My sentence structures tend to come out in unique ways because of the way my brain works. 

On for the part you're all here for... the give away! :D  So this is just a simple thing. Comment to win! I will randomly choose someone as the winner of a bit of swag from Rainbow Con 2014, some of it mine and some it from other authors. I have key chains, pens, and more! No restrictions on locale. If you live in the US or outside of it, doesn't matter. So feel free to comment no matter where you live! :) The winner will be drawn the day after the last day of the hop, May 25th. PLEASE include some form of contact, be it an e-mail or social media avenue. I need to be able to get in touch with you to get your mailing address. 

Please be sure to visit the many, many other blogs participating in this HAHAT event! There are such wonderful posts and awesome prizes to win! Please visit this post to find the links to the other blogs: Hop Against Homopbia - CLICK HERE!