The Northern Rivers Times
January 11, 2024!!!
20 NEWS Take a good book at yourself…by Nigel Dawe
WITH a brand-new year already underway, I’ve been not so much forced as lulled into reflecting on what the last 12-months have brought about, and what the next dozen might have in store. Not that I’ve ever been overly invested in making resolutions, but this year I want to read far more books than I did in the full 365-days just gone. I want to increase what I know, not bask and bewail in the scant all-encompassing accumulation of experiences and happenings that constitute my life. For as long as I can recall, reading has broadened my mind and understanding of the world, not to mention the tiny place we each occupy with regards to all that can be said, seen or made known. Having grown up prior to the internet, books were my touchstone to all that was fascinating and fundamental to who I wanted to be, and what I considered special - if not sacred in every sense of the word. That my house is filled with books is more a reflection of wanting to constantly remind myself of the crucial need for insight and culture – as provided by history’s finest minds, than wanting to show off or parade anything akin to a flaunted learnedness. None other than Winston Churchill once said, “Books, in all their variety, offer the human intellect the means whereby civilisation may be carried triumphantly forward.” By reading and knowing what previous generations have thought and gone through, we
each become infinitely more rounded, albeit grounded in ourselves if not on behalf of everyone we love or deal with on any given day. The benefit of being well-read transcends any explanation or pitch as to why such an aspiration might assist in helping us all become the best possible versions of ourselves. Relatedly, the Nobel Prize-winning author Andre Gide once declared, “May my book teach you to care more for yourself than for it - and then more for all the rest than for yourself.” Great works of literature remain relevant and ‘alive’ by offering us an abundance of promise and potential to enter into, if not embark upon – so as to see further, and fathom more of life – however little or a lot. The German wordace Georg Christoph Lichtenberg once cautioned, “A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly likely to look out.” As such, it is up to each one of us to keep chipping away, and to not lose sight of the self-serving inner ape that resides somewhere in us all. Through the reading of books our collective ignorance is reduced one solitary sentence at a time. In the very least, according to one study carried out by Sussex University in 2009; reading for just six minutes a day can reduce our stress levels by as much as 68%. That alone, and forget about the getting of any wisdom – if reading merely helps to make us more calm and relaxed – then honestly, what do we have to lose?
DR. KATRINA WARREN JOINS PETSAFE®ANZ AS SPOKESPERSON FOR THEIR ANNUAL PET HYDRATION AWARENESS MONTH AUSTRALIA: PetSafe® ANZ is excited to announce beloved Vet and TV Host Dr. Katrina Warren as their official spokesperson for the annual PetSafe® Pet Hydration Month awareness campaign throughout January/ February 2024. Dr. Katrina Warren, a highly respected veterinarian best known for her extensive work in the media as a presenter and spokesperson across TV, radio, print, and online, is also an accomplished author with four books on pet care and wellbeing. Katrina has devoted her career to strengthening the bond between pet parents and their animals, which aligns perfectly with PetSafe®’s mission to raise awareness about pet hydration and wellbeing. “Pet Hydration Month is a pivotal event in the PetSafe® calendar,” comments PetSafe® ANZ Marketing Manager Sarah Ambler. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Katrina Warren, a renowned veterinarian and media personality, who shares our
dedication to improving the lives of pets and their owners.”
a part of this awareness campaign with PetSafe,” expresses Dr. Katrina
“I am deeply passionate about pet health and safety and thrilled to be
Warren. “My goal is to assist PetSafe in sharing invaluable insights
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and simple tips to help safeguard your pet’s health”. During the summer, veterinarians across Australia witness an increase in dehydration and heat exhaustion cases among domestic pets, which can be fatal if left untreated. PetSafe® Australia’s Pet Hydration Month aims to educate pet owners on how to effectively manage their pets’ hydration needs during the warmer months, potentially preventing visits to the veterinarian. Running through January and February, Dr. Katrina Warren, in partnership with PetSafe®, will release a wealth of tips, tricks, and information, including insights into your pet’s hydration needs, methods to keep your pet cool throughout the day, early signs of dehydration, and strategies to encourage your pet to drink. PetSafe®’s Pet Hydration Month runs through January and February 2024. Stay updated by following PetSafe® ANZ on Instagram (@petsafeanz) and Facebook (@ PetSafeANZ).
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