PETS at risk of self-harm are increasingly being prescribed anti-depressants because they cannot discuss problems in their lives with others, a leading veterinarian says.

I thought this article was quite funny, and a good way to return to blogging. It's funny how quickly a month can pass once you get out of the habit -- and things have been so far from the routine in my personal life that I haven't been able to work up the energy to blog about my usuals <sex show at a college that removed a cross some thought was offensive, co-ed showers in Maryland, 13-year-old arrested for throwing a pencil, and a brothel in Prague offering free services if you're willing to be filmed for their website>.

Since Christmas I've been in a season I jokingly refer to as payback. Though my parents aren't what you'd strictly call "perfect" and my grandma and aunts always roll their eyes when I refer to their daughter/sister as my sainted mother, I'm thoroughly and completely grateful for the parents God granted me.

Through the months of January and February I've been making small repayments for all those years of care, laundry, pocket money, moral support, meals, dishes and diapers <in no particular order>. Both have had rather significant health crisis' in the past months -- significant enough that I experienced my first real brush with thinking about them as mortals rather than superheroes who would always be around.

There are some real bummers on the road of life, but being forced to recognize your parents' mortality has got to be one of the majors.