CT Green Scene

A Doghouse With Dignity

by Amanda DeMatto

While enrolled in New York University's Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting program, Amanda found herself captivated by and drawn to topics on the environment. Obsessed with learning more about the chemical and physical processes that occur between organisms and the earth, and determined to show through well-crafted writing that while our environment boasts a seemingly steadfast resilience to onslaughts of all kinds, she realized that we are swiftly chiseling away at its self-renewing abilities. She says her goal is to help others understand how important their role is in maintaining environmental stasis and to illuminate the tightly interwoven relationships between all organisms, mobile or sessile, single-celled or multicellular. In a world where the air we breathe and water we drink are of a communal supply, we need every other mind in that collective to understand and join the coalition as sentinels of the earth. Amanda has previous written for Popular Mechanics.

Whether you’re a dog or a human, being “in the doghouse” is rarely a position of honor. On a normal day, Stephanie Rubin, a sustainable landscape designer in Oakland, CA, would agree. Traditional doghouses tend to be dark, musty, undesirable places of solitary confinement.  But Rubin firmly believes that doghouses simply haven’t been given a fair chance. “I think people are inclined to think that dogs don’t like doghouses,” she says. “But it’s really just that they haven’t been given the right kind of doghouse yet.” 

After losing her Rottweiler, Gust, to a cancer-related disease, Rubin was determined that her next pup, Gretyl, wouldn’t suffer the same fate.  She had a suspicion that Gust’s ailment was triggered and accelerated by long-term exposure to chemicals, many of which fall under the general category of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.  These chemicals have a stealthy presence in paint, varnish, cleaning solutions, cosmetics, and other products that furnish our households. 

Doghouses are no exception. So, in the summer of 2007, Rubin built a doghouse like no other. With red cedar planks, zero-VOC paint and beeswax waterproofing, the doghouse was such a hit that, to Rubin’s surprise, it paved the way for a full-fledged business: Sustainable Pet Design.

Backyard Chickens

by Eileen Weber

Some say it’s because of the recession. Others say it’s an increased interest in organic food. Others look at it as a way to help the environment. Either way, there are a growing number of homeowners that have a backyard chicken coop.

For chicken enthusiasts, these birds are not just dinner. They say they make great pets and their waste can be used as fertilizer for any vegetable garden. Kind of like killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

According to an article dated July 15th in The Wall Street Journal, homeowners are increasingly turning to raising chickens as a way to economically benefit from the free eggs. But those opposed to backyard coops say it draws unwanted pests like raccoons and coyotes. Barbara Palermo, a chicken owner and resident of Salem, Ore., said that in her opinion the pros outweigh the cons. "In 24 hours, it will be an egg and fertilizer," she said.

For some, having a fresh egg with a vivid orange yolk for breakfast seems to be a great motivator. But the economy is on everyone’s mind and people are looking to find ways to ease their financial burdens.

In a New York Times article dated August 9th, Lloyd Romriell of Annis, Idaho recently received seven grown chickens and a coop from a relative. He sees it as a way to beat the tough economy. “It’s because times are tough. You never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “If you lose your job tomorrow, you’ve still got food.”

On April 15th, The U.S. News and World Report quoted Rob Ludlow of Pleasant Hill, Calif., owner of BackyardChickens.com, on the increased interest in raising chickens. He said they are relatively easy to care for as pets, lots of people are interested in getting food from humane, local sources, and, as with Romriell, they provide a food source in tough economic times.

"With the way the economy is going, people like the idea they can have access to quality eggs and meat right from their backyard, if they need to," Ludlow said.

Chemical Cocktail

by Heather Burns-DeMelo

The cleaning products we use in our homes contain pesticides, neurotoxins and other poisons that are giving us cancer, respiratory illness, ADHD and more. Pets and children are particularly sensitive, as their systems are still developing. And after they're finished wreaking havoc on us in our homes, they make their way to our water supply. Did you know that you can't just throw away your laundry detergent because it's considered HAZARDOUS WASTE?!

This news segment had my mouth gaping open.

Organic Pet Food

by Eileen Weber

 What’s in Fido’s supper dish these days? Organic pet food. The market for these products has taken off in the last few years. Many consumers are keen on choosing food that has no hormones, chemicals, or additives used in the manufacturing process.

There are a number of choices. From NaturaPet and Newman’s Own to Karma Organic and Castor & Pollux, pet owners are paying attention to the ingredients in the brands they buy. And certainly with pet food recalls like the one in 2007 in which contaminated food caused renal failure and even death, pet owners want to know that the food they put in that supper dish is safe.

According to the Organic Trade Association, organic pet food is one of the fastest growing non-food items with almost 37% of overall sales. Some of the top brands include lean, organic, fair trade meat in their food line. Newman’s Own gets their beef from Uruguay, a country frequently praised for their organic practices.

“The higher end organic pet foods are still growing in spite of the economy,” said Dr. Phil Brown, Corporate Veterinarian for Newman’s Own Organics Premium Pet Food. “Organic food is certainly natural. But natural doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t include additives and fillers. Organic foods have certification.”

Don't Forget Fido!

by Heather Burns-DeMelo

This is the longest I've ever been without a dog in my life. Growing up we had Huskies, as a young adult I had Labs, in Thailand I befriended packs of wild dogs who'd burrow beds into the sandy beach each night and come to my porch to give birth to their pups.

My last dog, Lucy, found me while driving a 1971 VW bus across country solo. She had been abandoned at a camp ground. We took one look at each other and that was that. Lucy spent the next four weeks sitting in the front seat as my co-pilot, and at night she'd keep us safe from bear and wolves that ventured too close to our camp.

She died 3 years ago, and boy do I still miss her!
Particularly when I stumble across pictures like this one from Winer & Diner. What a comfy, cozy idea -- and talk about up-cycling materials that would otherwise find themselves in the landfill! Catherine and Stephen Simms have created luxurious, comfortable and eco-chic pet feeders and beds. Visit their site to find out more.