Brauns Law - May 2020

404-418-8244 May 2020 WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM

3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330, DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

Gone to the Dogs

Good Ol’ Boys (and Girls)

National Pet Week kicks off the month of May, so this month, I’d like to share a few stories about the great pets I’ve had in my life — or, more accurately, the great dogs I’ve had. I’ve had dogs around all my life. When I was born, my mother had a miniature dachshund named Duffy. He was a funny little guy, though I don’t remember too much about him. By the time I was 4 years old, Duffy had gone blind and started walking into walls and stairs. It was alright, though, because my parents found Duffy a great farm where he had plenty of room to run and play. At least, that’s what they told me. Our next dog almost literally fell into my lap when I was in elementary school. We were playing touch football in the front yard of a neighbor’s house when a stranger pulled up, let a small, white dog out of their car, and drove off. Using a rope as a makeshift

leash, we caught the dog, and I brought her home and asked my mom if we could keep her. This dog was a little Lhasa apso- mix, so how could my mom say no? We named her Daisy. When we took Daisy to the vet, we learned that she had heartworms. Whoever dropped her in our neighborhood probably couldn’t afford to take care of her and hoped one of us kids would take her home. We fixed her up, and Daisy was with us throughout my high school years. I didn’t have another dog until my senior year of college when my girlfriend (now wife) and I got a golden retriever named Bearon. He was a super cool dog who loved swimming and hiking. We did all kinds of outdoor stuff with Bearon. He just had boundless energy. Bearon was with us until our late 20s when he died of stomach cancer. That was a rough loss. When we were ready for another dog, we got a Yorkie named Jack. He was basically the opposite of a golden retriever. We had Jack for a while before our daughter was born. Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t thrilled to have a new baby in the house. He was really nippy and aggressive with our daughter, so we couldn’t keep him. But, no, we didn’t send Jack “to the farm.” Instead, we found him a new home where he lived to a ripe old age. After Jack, a number of years passed before we got another dog. It’s really hard to take care of a new dog when you have a new baby in the house, but when our daughter was a little older,

Bearon

Yuki

we decided we were ready to bring a dog into the family again. By that time, we’d had big dogs and small dogs, and we wanted something in the middle, preferably a breed that didn’t shed. That’s how I ended up with three miniature schnauzers in my house. Mini schnauzers are great dogs. They’re big enough to play and roughhouse with but small enough to hang out on the couch without crushing us. And did I mention that they don’t shed? It’s really nice not having dog hair on everything.

Blossom left, Boomer top right, Bentley bottom right

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Why Some Exercise Is Beneficial When You’re Sick Should You Skip Your Workout if You Don’t Feel Well?

Getting sick is terrible, especially if you’re trying to stick to a consistent workout routine. You may think sickness means more rest days — but in fact, depending on your symptoms, continuing to exercise could be a good thing. While it may seem like common sense to avoid exerting yourself too much when you’re feeling under the weather, the effects of exercising while you’re sick are a bit more nuanced than you think. If you’re sick and trying to decide if you should try to get a workout in, assess where you feel your symptoms. Are they only above the neck? Or are they above and below the neck? Symptoms of a head cold, such as a runny nose, a mildly sore throat, and some congestion, shouldn’t keep you from exercising. At the very worst, you might just have to cut back the intensity of your workout. If you usually go for a run, try decreasing the time of your run or going for a walk instead. There’s actually evidence that exercise can help alleviate symptoms located above the neck when you’re sick. For

instance, walking and jogging can help clear up congested nasal passages. Many runners will attest to the fact that their workout actually helps them feel better when they’re sick. There’s also evidence that yoga can boost your immune system and ease aches related to sinus issues. Saying “om” might even help too, as one study found humming could actually aid in opening clogged sinuses.

If you have a fever or any type of stomach problem, however, you should skip your workout altogether. And if your workouts seem to exacerbate your sickness, take a break until the sickness subsides. That said, it’s nice to know that it takes more than a little case of the sniffles to throw off your workout routine!

Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“David Brauns is the best lawyer in Atlanta! He won the whole insurance policy for me, and I couldn’t be happier! I’m buying my first house thanks to David! I recommend him to anyone!” –K. R.

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How to Help Your Family Avoid Dog Bites Dangerous Puppy Love

According to research from the American Veterinary Medical Association, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and almost 20% of those who are bitten require medical attention. But what’s most alarming is that the majority of these victims are children, and they’re the most likely to require serious medical attention. Educating your children about how to treat dogs is the best way to help keep your kids safe. Here are three important things to communicate. No. 1: Approach a dog by not approaching at all.

the dog to perceive you as a threat. Let the dog approach you and decide how much space it wants. No. 2: Not all dogs want to be pet. While some dogs are humans’ best friends, others don’t trust humans easily and instead rely on their survival instincts. So when approaching a dog you don’t know yet, never pet it without its owner’s permission. Also, make sure the dog is comfortable with you before you attempt to touch it. Often,

letting a dog sniff your hand or giving it food first will help. And if you’re raising a puppy, make sure you include healthy socialization in the dog’s routine, whether it’s playtime with people or other dogs, to help it become accustomed to interacting with others. No. 3: Learn dog body language. If a dog isn’t looking at you or is repeatedly yawning or scratching itself, it’s likely that it wants its own space. When a dog lowers its ears and tucks its tail between its legs, these are tell-tale signs that it feels anxious and threatened by your approach. If the dog seems friendly and excited to meet you, it’ll often show its belly or clamor at your feet and raise its paw to your leg. Educating yourself and your kids can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe and developing happy memories with the puppies in their lives. Stay safe!

Don’t make eye contact. Instead, when interacting with a new dog, stand near it and let it approach you and sniff your clothing. Avoid common mistakes like leaning over the dog, putting your hand in front of its face, or kissing and hugging its face, which may lead

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Springtime CACIO E PEPE Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of cacio e pepe, which is Italian for cheese and pepper. This dish combines a wholesome flavor profile with fresh, seasonal ingredients to satisfy any craving.

Our first schnauzer was Yuki (Japanese for “snow” because she was white), a great dog who really helped us fall in love with the breed. Not long after we got Yuki, the breeder had another puppy she couldn’t find a home for. Somehow, my wife convinced me to let this puppy come live with us “just for the weekend” to learn how to socialize, and that’s how we got Blossom, who’s still living with us. Talk about a long weekend. After Yuki passed away, we got another dog, Boomer, to keep Blossom company. However by that time, Blossom was already an old lady who just wanted to chill, and Boomer was a rambunctious puppy who wanted to play. So our only option was to get another puppy so that Boomer had someone to play with. That’s how Bentley joined the pack. (Notice the three B’s? Blossom, Boomer, and Bentley.) Having three dogs running around can be a bit wild, but it’s fun. They’re good pups, and I love having dogs around because they bring good energy, and quite frankly, I appreciate the unconditional love. Dogs are so happy-go-lucky, and they’re always excited to run up and greet you when you come through the door. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s that no day is truly bad when you have a dog waiting for you at home. -David Brauns

Ingredients • 6 oz multigrain spaghetti • 8 oz fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated • 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 cup baby arugula

• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp lemon zest

Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large pot, cook spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of water before draining and put spaghetti in a covered pot to keep warm. 3. Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with foil and toss in asparagus and olive oil.

4. Cook asparagus for 5–7 minutes and sprinkle with lemon zest. 5. Add 3/4 cup of the reserved water, Parmesan cheese, and pepper to the spaghetti. Stir until creamy. 6. Toss in asparagus and arugula before serving.

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Inspired by Eating Well

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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096

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What’s Your Dog’s Name?

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Should You Skip Your Workout if You’re Sick?

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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying

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Dog Bite Safety Information

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Springtime Cacio e Pepe

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The Timeless Charm of the Drive-In Movie

The Timeless Charm of the Drive-In Movie Plus, How to Create Your Own Outdoor Cinema

Summertime is synonymous with many childhood experiences: hours splashing in the pool, sleepaway camp, and snow cones, to name a few. A quintessential summer destination that isn’t as common these days is the drive-in theater, yet many childhood memories are built on this little bit of nostalgia. The first drive-in theater opened in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. At the time, films cost 25 cents per person, plus 25 cents per car, and drive-ins usually got movies in the second run, after they’d shown at indoor

started off slow, but by the ‘50s, Americans had fully embraced the outdoor theater experience. The ‘80s brought a charismatic Michael J. Fox to audiences in “Back to the Future,” and shortly after, “The Sandlot” hit the big screen and gave us lines that we’d quote for the next decade (“You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”). As of 2018, USA Today estimated that only about 330 drive-in theaters still exist in the United States. But if you don’t have one in your area, there’s a way you can enjoy the outdoor movie experience without having to leave your backyard. Your outdoor cinema starts with a projector. If you don’t have one, they are readily available to purchase at most big-box stores. For playing the movie, you’ll need a laptop and streaming service or a DVD or Blu-

ray player. You’ll connect these devices to your projector through an HDMI port. As long as you’re not broadcasting to the whole neighborhood, stereo or computer speakers should be just fine, but you can also opt for a Bluetooth speaker that will give your audio a big boost. Next, you’ll need a flat surface to display the movie. A plain, white bedsheet makes a good screen, or you can make your own with white fabric from craft stores or online. Cushions, blankets, and outdoor hanging lights add a fun touch to your cinema. Just be sure to turn the lights off before the movie begins — and silence those cellphones! Once your setup is complete, select your movie, get the popcorn popping, and enjoy some movie magic right in your backyard.

theaters. The trend

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