tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post3765751627269278268..comments2024-02-28T12:35:06.460-06:00Comments on Barking from the Bayou: Does Your Dog Think That You Stink?M. K. Clintonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-88693868839051882732016-08-17T13:08:58.759-05:002016-08-17T13:08:58.759-05:00Bentley's face is the cutest thing ever! :D Wh...Bentley's face is the cutest thing ever! :D What a great decision you made for you and your pups! <3 Wishing you the best health ever for you guys! <3HAZELhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10285699371749020406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-78887724409217093042015-10-12T10:37:02.478-05:002015-10-12T10:37:02.478-05:00Both of my moms smoked. One was a closet smoker to...Both of my moms smoked. One was a closet smoker too (though my brother and I discovered later that she was smoking in addition to drinking), and the other one recently quit cold turkey. Going to her house is so much nicer now. The whole house isn't covered with smoke smell. My eyes would hurt from staying inside too long and when I got home I'd have to shower and wash all of my clothes to try to get rid of the smoke smell. My siblings and I stay and visit much longer now than we did before when it was cloaked in smoke smell. Congratulations on quitting smoking for and with the help of your pups :)<br /><br />www.tiffanysdiamonddogs.comThe Diamond Dogshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16370148890773200611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-82622212673914439662015-09-08T09:24:09.559-05:002015-09-08T09:24:09.559-05:00Congratulations on staying strong!Congratulations on staying strong!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435996813072478843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-66021209108923517272015-09-07T22:03:33.735-05:002015-09-07T22:03:33.735-05:00What an incredible post! I had no idea you ever s...What an incredible post! I had no idea you ever smoked, I can't even think of you as a smoker. I'm so glad you quit, it is such a great health benefit for you and I'm sure a huge relief to your family who love you so much. I know how hard it must have been, but what a great achievement - Congratulations! I loved the HABRI presentation at BlogPaws2014, especially when they spoke about how many people quit smoking for the sake of their pets' health. I'm so happy it motivated you to quit! Thank you for sharing your story, I hope it motivates someone else to take that step and quit smoking.<br />Love & Biscuits,<br />Dogs Luv Us and We Luv ThemDogs Luv Us and We Luv Themhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15638529120659322412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-34218716983881738992015-09-07T12:01:17.064-05:002015-09-07T12:01:17.064-05:00that is awesome, way to go! That is a big deal and...that is awesome, way to go! That is a big deal and I am proud of you too!JoAnn Stancerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17908735948454928872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-21752062163254265222015-09-07T00:04:16.632-05:002015-09-07T00:04:16.632-05:00First of all, Congrats!! Quitting smoking, like s...First of all, Congrats!! Quitting smoking, like stopping any other addiction, is incredibly difficult and should be commended. :) I know you had to put the work in to quit, and I'm proud of you for that.<br /><br />I'm glad that when you were a smoker that you had the courtesy to go outside to smoke. Not everyone does. Here in Denver, you are not supposed to smoke within a certain number of feet of a building or bus stop, but everyone does it anyway, and the laws are not enforced at all around this. It is really frustrating to me, as an asthmatic, as I cannot be anywhere near smoke or I had an asthma attack. Oftentimes, I'll be coughing and wheezing near a smoker and they don't even bother to move away (and it's hard for me to move due to chronic pain). I am not sure that many smokers realize the impact they have on other people, let alone their pets, so thank you for sharing this post. I know that some will not be impacted by your post, but my hope is that your post will touch some people and inspire them to quit smoking the way you have, not only for their own health, but for the health and safety of the people and pets around them. Fur Everywherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08064329146430899790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-449910441354223922015-09-06T22:40:28.621-05:002015-09-06T22:40:28.621-05:00Congratulations on quitting. I have a close frien...Congratulations on quitting. I have a close friend who is trying to quit, but she is having a rough time.<br /><br />My previous Persian couldn't stand being around people who smoked. Someone who walked in my house that was a smoker was immediately ignored, even if they loved cats. Sweet Purrfectionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06186515275952115797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-78047609251267164142015-09-06T21:00:09.203-05:002015-09-06T21:00:09.203-05:00Congratulations!Congratulations!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05565043193884340476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-55473394185458554252015-09-06T19:19:13.194-05:002015-09-06T19:19:13.194-05:00Congratulations on kicking the habit.Congratulations on kicking the habit.Millie and Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15880442203258355043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-91016143056518152822015-09-06T10:24:28.990-05:002015-09-06T10:24:28.990-05:00I congratulate you. I started smoking at 18 in the...I congratulate you. I started smoking at 18 in the 60' s. I tried a couple of times but really decided to stop after I was diagnosed with diabetes and see some pictures of what happened to peoplr' s feet from asking with diabetes. I stopped in 1999 but started up again after Hurricane Rita. I smoked for a little over a year and stopped on New Years Eve 2006-2007 and have never smoked again. It didn't bother me too much until about 3 years ago. Someone recently when things are ready stressful I find myself wanting a smoke particularly after supper. That is my worst time. I never was on the habit of one first thing in the morning since I wasn't coffee drinker. I refuse to give in not least is the cost. I don't know how anyone on a fixed income can afford to smoke. I am very proud of anyone who manages to quit. Cuffs are very very addictive.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06089485790638968274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-41884486587505339602015-09-05T20:28:29.102-05:002015-09-05T20:28:29.102-05:00Awwww, thank you very much. Your struggle is one I...Awwww, thank you very much. Your struggle is one I've seen with other friends too. It seems that once someone decides they aren't going to let cigarettes win, they are successful. I appreciate you sharing your story too. We can be in a mutual fan club! ♥M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-25087486868420005222015-09-05T20:25:04.079-05:002015-09-05T20:25:04.079-05:00Thanks so much! ☺Thanks so much! ☺M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-34066658021121256002015-09-05T20:24:45.544-05:002015-09-05T20:24:45.544-05:00That's wonderful! If we'd only known then ...That's wonderful! If we'd only known then what we know now, right?M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-70362878546815738472015-09-05T20:21:41.188-05:002015-09-05T20:21:41.188-05:00I'm glad that your dad quit too. I can smell t...I'm glad that your dad quit too. I can smell them now that I'm a non-smoker and it is...ugh! LOL!M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-55920224946512620882015-09-05T20:19:46.476-05:002015-09-05T20:19:46.476-05:00Thanks! He is certainly much happier!Thanks! He is certainly much happier!M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-87653023198670665642015-09-05T17:47:03.242-05:002015-09-05T17:47:03.242-05:00I decided I would quit smoking December 31, 1993 @...I decided I would quit smoking December 31, 1993 @ 11:59:59 p.m. cold turkey! It wasn't easy; it was definitely a challenge. I’ve never taken another puff of a cigarette since. I still miss it, and I know I always will. Cigarettes were my best friend for 21 years. I know if I were to ever take a puff of a cigarette again, I would never stop. I call myself a former nicotine addict knowing that at any time, I could easily be a smoker again. I can’t and won’t let that happen. <br /><br />Like you said, Melissa, when the person is ready to quit smoking, they will. I couldn’t agree with you more. The timing has to be right, and it MUST be their decision. They MUST want to do it for themselves first and foremost!<br /><br />I am so proud of you Melissa Clinton! Forty plus years is a long time to be dependent on something so deadly, but you did it. You are a wonderful writer, and such a positive influencer and inspiration to others. Your story can only help others move to their desired goals. Kudos to you. You have a real fan here!!!!<br /><br />I wish you only continued success in all you do.<br /><br />DarleneAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992361173612249846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-73291782999731644482015-09-05T16:42:41.394-05:002015-09-05T16:42:41.394-05:00First, congratulations, Melissa! Quitting smoking ...First, congratulations, Melissa! Quitting smoking was probably one of the most difficult things you've ever done. I admire your strength and determination and wish you continued success living a smoke free life.<br /><br />I, too, grew up in the 70's and learned that smoking was not just the cool thing to do, it was also how you fit in with your friends. I began with a puff or two of a friend's cigarette. I didn't even like it, but I wanted to be part of the "in" crowd. So those couple of puffs led to a few cigarettes a day to 1/2 pack to one pack. <br /><br />By the 1980's, I fell hard. Hook line and sinker! I was addicted and smoked one pack to one and a half packs of cigarettes a day!!!! I loved smoking, and I no longer cared about being a part of the crowd that smoked. I just wanted to be able to enjoy smoking cigarettes whenever and wherever I chose. Except during this time, the thing to do in the1980's was to quit smoking and be part of the population that wanted to live smoke free and healthy lives. It became a social stigma if you smoked. <br /><br />By the 1990's, I was now smoking two packs of cigarettes a day. The only time I wasn't smoking was when I was sleeping or teaching. I was now the only teacher in my school that continued to smoke. During this time you were no longer permitted to smoke in the school or on school grounds. You had to literally leave the property if you wanted to have a cigarette. The school district would fine you and you would receive a written warning if you were caught smoking on school grounds. If you were “captured” twice, you were fined and dismissed. The idea behind the fines and warnings was to make it difficult for anyone to smoke who still smoked. <br /><br />I began to think what my life would be like without my life preserver, my cigarettes, my best friend! I thought maybe I could do this. They're just cigarettes, how difficult can it be to quit? I tried nicotine gum! I tried the patch! I tried hypnosis! I tried talking to addiction counselors! I tried slowly tapering the number of cigarettes per day I could actually smoke! I participated in smoking cessation programs! I read books. I never succeeded at any of them. When I left the hypnosis session, I lit up a cigarette. I smoked while on the patch! <br /><br />I felt defeated. The cigarettes had won. I determined they were going to be a part of my life forever! <br /><br />Then one day I was on my lunch break and walked across the street from the school, my usual routine, to have a cigarette. Ironically, across the street is a cemetery. I stood there breathing in this wonderful smoke that gives me that quick buzz and draws me back for more and more! Ahhhhhh, such a sense of relief! <br /><br />As I smoked my cigarette, I looked around and saw myself surrounded by death, people who had passed on. For some reason, today felt different, and I don’t know why. I came her everyday. Here I was puffing on a cigarette, a cigarette that could slowly be causing my death, a slowly preventable death! Do I really want to be where these people are? I thought even these people in heaven didn't want to die. What would they have done differently if they could have lived longer? I realized I still have choices, and I needed to do something about it!<br /> ........continued below........Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992361173612249846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-70074002347408265462015-09-05T10:02:41.164-05:002015-09-05T10:02:41.164-05:00Well done you!Well done you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-80459004084850388912015-09-04T19:41:00.208-05:002015-09-04T19:41:00.208-05:00Yay!!! As a fellow "started in the 70s as a t...Yay!!! As a fellow "started in the 70s as a teen" smoker, I quit almost 15 years ago and can say I feel 100% better!<br />Great job!!The Adventures of the LLB Ganghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12502162429874740820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-86381227374675371942015-09-04T18:10:19.055-05:002015-09-04T18:10:19.055-05:00Congrats! Well done. :) I've never touched a c...Congrats! Well done. :) I've never touched a cigarette (I can't get over the smell. It makes me so nauseous and light headed), but my dad smoked for a long time. He was so much happier when he quit.Dachshund Nolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12050622761352753529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-46359209841514778272015-09-04T18:09:44.564-05:002015-09-04T18:09:44.564-05:00Paws up to you for quitting! It's a great thi...Paws up to you for quitting! It's a great thing you did for Bentley and YOU! :)The Island Catshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12916103855538422451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-58832739878056992812015-09-04T17:28:35.219-05:002015-09-04T17:28:35.219-05:00It was so weird the first time that I passed by so...It was so weird the first time that I passed by someone that had just smoked a cigarette and smelled them. Wow! I'm so happy that I don't have to worry about that again. Cigarette smoke stinks! LOL!M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-34312365615272998042015-09-04T17:26:46.497-05:002015-09-04T17:26:46.497-05:00That is awesome! I had tried the patch once before...That is awesome! I had tried the patch once before but was not really dedicated to quitting. It is a huge mind game.M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-85399381444110701362015-09-04T17:25:19.220-05:002015-09-04T17:25:19.220-05:00I think if more pet parents that smoke knew what a...I think if more pet parents that smoke knew what a difference it would make, they might decide to quit. M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-660403021590106773.post-18932265868338897102015-09-04T17:24:20.939-05:002015-09-04T17:24:20.939-05:00Thank you! Hugs to my Pugs. ♥Thank you! Hugs to my Pugs. ♥M. K. Clintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156362331542072877noreply@blogger.com