'Wasted': The Real World of Drugs, Alcohol and Your Teenager, by Trent Southworth with Josie Gagliano: BOOK

I have been knee deep in research and interviews and transcripts for many months, for a book I am co-authoring with Trent Southworth.

Trent is a former police officer with the NSW Police, with over fourteen years policing experience, including eight years employed in the Youth Liaison role.

It was during his time in this role Trent worked closely with numerous government and non government agencies to identify youth related initiatives such as underage drinking programs, truancy, road safety, drug programs, and bullying.

Trent also assisted in the implementation and monitoring of the State Governments Young Offenders Act, which targets all young offenders aged between 10 and 18 years of age.

It was through his experience with the NSW Police, Trent witnessed the importance of ongoing education of young people in today’s society.

It's why Trent in now actively speaking to school students and university students, founding a talk he is now actively sought out for, with various tailor-made seminars for students, teachers, parents and community groups Australia-wide.

And so: 'Wasted'.

The name of the book I have been co-authoring with Trent has seen the cover being released, and I thought I'd take the liberty of posting a fun photo of us together, from our first read through on Friday (yes, he is VERY tall: 6 foot 4, to be exact), with the fabulously supportive team at Ventura Press, formerly Jane Curry Publishing, after its founder, Jane Curry, now director of Ventura Press, alongside Jasmine Standfield the publishing manager, and Eleanor Reader, social media guru and media liaison.

Here is their new logo, at their Paddington, Sydney offices, and below... the cover!

The book: 'Wasted': The Real World of Drugs, Alcohol and Your Teenager', by Trent Southworth with Josie Gagliano - will be out March 2016.

It intends to be a bible for parents and their children, teachers and educators, and those wanting to be kept abreast of the drugs conversation.

Amy Schumer on Gun Violence: VIDEO

This.

Amy Schumer - our opinion of you is now right UP HERE.

The mass shooting that happened in a Louisiana cinema during a screening of the movie 'Trainwreck' saw the deaths of two women: Jillian Johnson and Mayci Breaux, who lost their lives after sitting down in the apparent safety of their local movie place on July 23.

Amy spoke up and made us love her even more. Gosh, the emotion:

Jesinta Campbell: Adam Goodes support VIDEO

Jesinta Campbell has spoken out about the ongoing debate about racism and booing and Adam Goodes, the Sydney Swans player who is not playing this weekend, until further notice, citing the stress from the constant booing as the reason for his retreat.

She gave a different spin on "creating a better future" for her future children with her fiancé Buddy Franklin, also a player with the Sydney Swans, and also indigenous.

See the video here.

Feel free to comment.

Mothers and Mothers-In-Law: Mother's Day 'Rights' When You're A Mother

This has to be the most insensitive, self centred opinion piece I have read. Smack bang in the middle of Mother's Day. But just the point, right?

It's an article about Mother's Day and how this particular writer - and mother - wants Mother's Day to be all about her. And only her. Not about her mother, and definitely not about her mother in law. NOT about the MIL AT ALL.

Read the whole piece here - originally posted on iVillage - and let me know what you think.

Me? Well, I am a firm believer that you reap what you sow. And your husband or partner is on the planet because of his mother. And she never stops being his mother.

And one day, YOU will be a mother in law.

This is my first Mother's Day without my mother and it hurts. A lot. But, I have found comfort in remembering all of the good times, the countless super fun times we had together.

And then, when I met my husband, I LOVED taking out my mum, my husband, and my mother in law. Dinners, and shows, and more dinners, and New Year's Eve in the city, and more dinners and fun.

Here were these two vulnerable women, alone, and not by choice. My mum, a widow. My boyfriend's (and later fiancé, and later husband) mum a divorcee.

My motto in life: NEVER take advantage of the vulnerable, the person with little 'status' in the family hierarchy. You know who I mean. The person without much 'pull'. Often the women without a husband, in the old school days, were considered 'down' a few notches. Not able to have the same status as those with both sets of parents when it came to decision making around days of significance.

And my mother in law and I: we've had a long and varied relationship. There were some years in between she lived overseas. When she came back, I gave her a place to stay, and she later became a carer for my mother. They way she cared for her meant that - even more than I would have cared for her anyway one day - she was now recognised in my eyes as someone who I could never repay for all she did for me and my family, immediate and extended. She made my life, our lives, MUCH easier.

And, I was the one who sometimes nudged my husband when we were newly married: "We haven't  seen your mum… hello, let's go over!" Or: "Your mum is on the phone. You're never too busy to say hi. Gosh, what's wrong with you!"

Again, I will say: you reap what you sow.

And: love your mother in law wholeheartedly, do things for her, and with her, and respect her and treat her well, and if she's vulnerable, care for her, and your husband will love you all the more for it. And you will teach your kids that love and respect is for BOTH sides on the family, not just for you, not just for your mother.

The comments on this post's Facebook page say it all, really.

Read on, here's what some people had to say. Right on the money:


Karma will come when your son marries a woman just like you!

Wow I didn't know that the term "mother" had an expiry date. 
ALL mothers should be celebrated on this day, ALL single fathers doing both jobs should get a shout out, ALL new mothers, old mothers, step-mothers and grandmothers should get celebrated.

You're right. You are selfish. Fast forward your life and think about YOUR child's spouse behaving so appallingly... The fact you think your mother should get a 'look in' just because your MIL did speaks volumes to your character... Geez, a birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas, your obligations are OUTRAGEOUS. Fool.

Gosh aren't you just a ray of sunshine? I hope you still feel the same when you are the grandmother-in-law.As long as you're happy for your daughter-in-law in to have the same attitude one day!

One commenter, Sonia Smart, hit the nail on the head not one, but three times:

Don't worry. When all those inconvenient people die you can have Mother's Day all to your self.

Be interesting if you still think this in twenty years time when you are the 'pain in the arse mother in law' who wants the day to be all about herself. Did you ever think that your MIL wants her turn at Mother's Day because when she was your age she was spending the day running around her MIL/mother. Payback is a bitch. Hope your kids repay your kindness

There are so many people who wished they got one more mothers day with their mum / grandmother etc.

And this, agreeing with the writer:

Sorry I agree with the writer. I'm a mother-in-law and a grandmother and I've had my turn. I'm more than happy with a call and I would hate to think I was centre stage in my son's life, that's where my daughter-in-law (who I love dearly) should be.

'The Invisible Discriminator' - Stop. Think. Respect. Beyond Blue Viral Video

This Australian video by Beyond Blue is set to go viral.

And it should. You might shed a tear. I did.

Says the YouTube description:

Why should anyone be made to feel like crap, just for being who they are? 

Subtle or 'casual' racism can be just as harmful as more overt forms. Stop. Think. Respect. encourages everyone in Australia to check their behaviour. 

Share this video to help make a difference. For more info head here.

First, watch the video:

Female on male violence: viral video

Interesting.

Thoughts on this video?

DareLondon for the Mankind Initiative created this video, saying they were inspired by the recent Solange attack on Jay Z.

How do you think YOU would react if you saw a woman attacking a man in public?

The real effect of pornography on relationships: 'Psychology Today'

I find this fascinating.

This piece - by Heidi Reeder, Ph.D., an associate professor of communication at Boise State University - in 'Psychology Today' starts:

'You might think viewing pornography can’t hurt a real-life relationship. Some even claim that erotic material impacts their relationships in positive ways. So a team of researchers at Florida State University developed an experiment to determine how consuming pornography affects adults' commitment to romantic relationships.'

The final par kinda nails it:

'We may think it doesn’t matter where we place our attention, or that viewing pornographic materials will spice things up in bed with our existing partner. But what and whom we focus on, and what we choose to ignore, makes a big difference when it comes to maintaining our commitment to an existing relationship. If you value your relationship and want to remain loyal to your partner, be mindful of where you place your attention. Focus on your lover and the realness of that interaction and leave the fake thrills of pornography behind.'

To read the whole article, click here.

Thoughts?

Domino's Pizza Complaints (First World Pizza Problems): Viral Video

Created by the company Stuntbear, this now viral video is made up of real complaints from the Domino's Pizza Australia Facebook page. It's called 'Domino's Pizza Complaints (First World Pizza Problems)' and it's set against a backdrop of confronting footage of refugees and people experiencing real famine and hardship. The point is: to show how completely irrelevant our complaints are in light of the globe's serious issues. The comments are so grating and petty it of course all sounds so ridiculous it's funny.

Watch:

What do you think?

You can donate to the UNHCR charity here: http://donate.unhcr.org

Rosie Batty: Studio 10 Interview Video + Joe Hildebrand Statement

First, a warning: this is very confronting viewing, and may trigger traumatic memories of violence.

This morning, Rosie Batty, the mother who lost her precious only child Luke at the hands of her ex-husband Greg went on the Channel 10 show 'Studio 10' to talk about her new fundraising efforts for the Luke Batty Fund but first, the discussion turned to the proposed Victorian laws that will send mothers to jail if they do not report abusive partners.

Photo: 3AW

It's a gob-smacking new law, and the panel discussed the law before they interviewed Rosie.

Rosie responded to the comments she'd heard on the panel before the interview, and took exception to panellist Joe Hildebrand's comments in particular.

Watch both clips below (the discussion prior to Rosie's interview, as well as the interview with Rosie and the panel). Joe's statement to the below - just released around an hour ago - is after the clip:



Here is Joe's statement, posted on his Facebook page:

Joe Hildebrand

2 hours ago

Hi all,

Here is the statement I made earlier today about the controversy my comments on reporting child sex abuse have caused. In short, I said there is no excuse for allowing children to be exposed to child sex abuse and I stand by this 100 per cent. There have been many other comments and opinions wrongly attributed to me. Some of them are appalling. I will shortly post the full video of both segments and people can make up their own minds.

Cheers,
Joe

The statement:

My comments today about proposed laws attempting to enforce the reporting of child sex abuse have been misrepresented and misunderstood.
For the record I do not support the jailing of domestic violence victims who fail to report child sex abuse, and never said that I did. On the contrary, I said I thought it was extremely unlikely it would ever happen and that under the proposed reforms women in fear for their safety were exempt.
My comments were in no way directed to or about Rosie Batty, who was scheduled to appear on the show for a separate segment about a fundraiser for her late son Luke. I am certainly very sorry for any distress they caused her.
To suggest that I support the jailing of women in these circumstances is completely wrong. In the initial segment I stated that I did not think anyone in that situation should or would be jailed. In the discussion that followed with Rosie Batty, I stated again that there was in fact a specific exemption for people who failed to report child sex abuse because they felt their safety was threatened.
What I did say was that the safety of a child must be paramount in considering these issues. If a child is being sexually abused then I strongly feel it is the responsibility of all those who are aware of it to report it. I also said that to allow a child to be continually exposed to sexual abuse is, frankly, inexcusable. I stand by this completely.
The main point that I repeatedly made was that tougher reporting requirements would hopefully act as a point of contact to help liberate women and children from abusive relationships.
The paramount concern for me – and I suspect most people – is and must be the protection of children. We cannot allow a child to be exposed to abuse if it is in our power to stop it.

Facebook 10th Anniversary: Mark Zuckerberg + What Facebook Means To Me

Today, Facebook turns ten!

Yes!

How long ago did you join?

I signed up to a life of kids' photos, food pics, selfies, unnecessary updates and oversharing (my own, and that of others) six and a half years ago.

I recall the moment.

My friend and work colleague Jessica Ainscough (now an accomplished blogger and author) told me about this 'thing' called Facebook.

She described it for me, and before seeing it I told her I didn't quite get it. And then I added:

"And anyway, I have no time! I am too busy!"

Now... anyone who knows me well and is either a) my Facebook friend and/or b) a follower of this blog knows that somehow, I manage to find time to post. Often.

Thing is, I post quickly and often because I never overthink it... and because I have my laptop in the common area where my young family are. I post and then stir some pasta sauce. Or post, then write more of the book I am working on. Or post, then continue on with my day with my kids if we are out and about. Or post, and blog for this blog, while posting a blog post. See? It's easy when Facebook fits in with YOU.

When people talk about Facebook in a deragatory manner, I never nod in agreement because it has given me so much - connections with long lost friends, the opportunity to share photos and bond with friends and see the adventures of others wherever they are in the world.

Facebook has increased the traffic on this blog, connected me with the lives of my readers.

What has Facebook meant to you, given you?

What are the negatives of Facebook for you?

And just in, a message from Mark Zuckerberg founder:

Mark Zuckerberg

Today is Facebook's 10th anniversary.

It's been an amazing journey so far, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it. It's rare to be able to touch so many people's lives, and I try to remind myself to make the most of every day and have the biggest impact I can.

People often ask if I always knew that Facebook would become what it is today. No way.

I remember getting pizza with my friends one night in college shortly after opening Facebook. I told them I was excited to help connect our school community, but one day someone needed to connect the whole world.

I always thought this was important -- giving people the power to share and stay connected, empowering people to build their own communities themselves.

When I reflect on the last 10 years, one question I ask myself is: why were we the ones to build this? We were just students. We had way fewer resources than big companies. If they had focused on this problem, they could have done it.

The only answer I can think of is: we just cared more.

While some doubted that connecting the world was actually important, we were building. While others doubted that this would be sustainable, you were forming lasting connections.

We just cared more about connecting the world than anyone else. And we still do today.

That's why I'm even more excited about the next ten years than the last. The first ten years were about bootstrapping this network. Now we have the resources to help people across the world solve even bigger and more important problems.

Today, only one-third of the world's population has access to the internet. In the next decade, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to connect the other two-thirds.

Today, social networks are mostly about sharing moments. In the next decade, they'll also help you answer questions and solve complex problems.

Today, we have only a few ways to share our experiences. In the next decade, technology will enable us to create many more ways to capture and communicate new kinds of experiences.

It's been amazing to see how all of you have used our tools to build a real community. You've shared the happy moments and the painful ones. You've started new families, and kept spread out families connected. You've created new services and built small businesses. You've helped each other in so many ways.

I'm so grateful to be able to help build these tools for you. I feel a deep responsibility to make the most of my time here and serve you the best I can.

Thank you for letting me be a part of this journey.

'One Punch, Can Kill' Danny Green: VIDEO

This just in.

The 'One Punch, Can Kill' ad campaign. Very powerful stuff.

Published on YouTube just yesterday, and certain to go viral, it's an initiative supported by The Loyal Foundation and authorised by the State Government, Perth. Danny Green has thrown his support behind it, and features in it:

Watch:



Effective, yes?

One family who knows that one punch can kill is this one.

Parents bringing their kids to work: yes or no?

This morning on 'Studio 10' (which screens 8.30am - 10.30am daily on Channel 10 - I never miss it, I love the debates and banter on this weekday morning show) Ita Buttrose shared her thoughts on bringing kids into the workplace (especially relevant topic during school holidays time) and Jessica Rowe expressed her opinion.

It's a robust discussion.

Watch:

Post by Studio 10.

What do you think?

Should parents be allowed to bring their kids to work? Has this happened in your workplace? Or, have you done this? Please share your thoughts below.

Reasons to Quit Facebook in 2014

I don't remember a lot of birthdays... maybe I am getting old? Or maybe I have Facebook to blame... I just don't need to know, do I! Those little almost-daily reminders do it for me. Some people close to me: I still don't know their birthdays! And if I miss Facebook that day, and only access it via my mobile... well, I don't see birthdays. I know, I know... first world problems.

Anyway, today I recalled it is the birthday of a friend. I remember his birthday because it's five days before mine. And I think it's pretty special to have a birthday around Christmas, New Year's Day, or New Year's Eve - because everyone is celebrating anyway. You tell them it's your birthday and they always say... "Oh, seven days into the New Year! How lucky are you?!"

So, I searched for my friend on Facebook... and he was gone. Without a trace. Not unfriended... just... gone! Gone from FB world is so... peculiar to me. This is because I rely on it so much to stay in touch with lots of friends the world over. It peps me up and makes me laugh, informs me, and inspires me daily. I also post my blog posts - just like this one - to share on my personal page and my Josie's Juice blog Facebook page.

BUT. There are plenty of people deactivating their Facebook accounts. By 'plenty' I mean anecdotally I hear they are, the occasional news-y report on breakfast shows tell me people are leaving, and now... my birthday friend AND his girlfriend. Gone-ski from FB.

I came across this article a few days ago giving us reasons why we should leave Facebook in 2014. Starting with...

1. Nobody actually wants to just read about what you're doing anymore.

Think about it: What sounds more appealing (and believable)? Reading a status that says, "I'm currently hanging out with Will Smith!" or a picture of that person actually posing with Smith? A photo is definitely more engaging. Here's the most-liked Instagram picture of 2013: Justin Bieber's snap with Smith.

When TIME interviewed teenagers about their social media use in March, 16-year-old Hamp Briley explained that kids these days don't have time for Facebook: "Twitter’s all statuses, Instagram’s all pictures. People like to do more specific things like that instead of being on just Facebook.”

2. Facebook makes it impossible for you to stay "private."

For many valid reasons (think stalker exes or potential employers), some people don't like having their name come up when it's typed into the Facebook search bar. However, most users this year found problems with changes to privacy settings. For one, Facebook removed the option to keep your name hidden when people search you. They also forced people to control their privacy settings on a cumbersome item-by-item basis. Today, the only way to make sure certain people can't access your profile is to block them. Or alter your name so it doesn't appear when people search your real one. Or, of course, quit Facebook entirely.

3. Your parents (and even grandparents) are now watching your every move.

This year seemed to be the year everyone's mom, dad, grandmother and great aunt got hooked on Facebook. And that meant every time you posted a status about something innocuous, these Facebook novices started breathing down your neck the minute you hit "post." We get enough scolding from our parents "IRL" -- no need to let it trickle onto a social media site where our friends can laugh at our familial bickering.

4. Or they're posting photos of you that you would never want anyone to see

What's worse than getting no "likes" on an Instagram photo you posted? Checking your Facebook and realizing that a horribly embarrassing photo of you that your mom posted is getting over 50 "likes," along with some pretty serious mockery in the comments section.

5. Facebook is even keeping track of what you don't say.

You may have been happy you didn't post that one over-share about your extended trip to the bathroom the other day, but Facebook may have a record of exactly what you typed and what time you were about to publish it. This month, Facebook released a study revealing that they were undergoing a new type of data collection in which they were tracking when people typed content out and then removed it without publishing. Their mission is to understand why users "self-censor" themselves in updates. According to Facebook data scientist Sauvik Das, a "self-censored update" is "an entry into either [a status update or comment box] of more than five characters that was typed out but not submitted for at least the next 10 minutes."

6. Facebook makes you feel less positive about your life.

Even though the purpose of Facebook is effectively to reveal details about everything and anything you do, access to this knowledge could take a toll on your mental well-being. A recent study done by the Department of Behavioral Science at the Utah Valley University discovered that heavy Facebook users aren't the happiest people out there. The researchers found that just using Facebook makes you view your life more negatively. Of 400 students questioned, "those who have used Facebook longer agreed more that others were happier, and agreed less that life is fair, and those spending more time on Facebook each week agreed more that others were happier and had better lives."

7. The "friend suggestions" tell you to befriend people you don't even know.

Facebook's "friend suggestions" algorithm needs some work, because these days we're discovering that your potential "friends" are people we only know through someone else, or someone we haven't even met at all. If you want people to stop using a platform that is supposed to connect them and bring them together with the people they care about, you should definitely adopt Facebook's strategy of trying to get you to care about the lives of complete strangers.

8. You realize you only know and care about only 20 people out of your 1,000 friends.

It starts to get kind of weird when you check the birthdays for the day and don't remember who any of the five people are. How do you know them? Are they some random person you met at a bar in college one night, and in a drunken stupor decided to "add on Facebook"? Probably. Do you need to know that this person is moving to California this week? More importantly, do you care? Nope. It could be time to overhaul your friends list. Or maybe it's time to realize that your Facebook account is being used pretty much entirely to keep tabs on these kinds of strangers.

9. Your friends keep announcing their engagements.

There's nothing more obnoxious than being a busy twentysomething and starting to see all of your friends post statuses about getting engaged. While you are happy for them and wish them the best in their prospects for a lasting marriage, the bombardment of status updates is starting to make you feel like something is wrong with your love life. Why aren't you getting married? What is wrong with you? Why the hell do you need to be thinking about marriage right now?! Once that anxiety subsides, you realize you have to endure continued updates on their wedding preparation. You could unsubscribe to this friend, but you know more are coming.

10. The excessive ads are about to ruin the whole experience.

If the regular sponsored ads hadn't already destroyed Facebook for you -- seriously, why the hell do you think you're obsessed with guitars and horses -- the upcoming launch of video ads will definitely do the trick. Facebook started testing these annoying ads out in December. They'll soon be coming to a newsfeed near you, automatically playing a video as you scroll through. However, the sound will only play if you click or tap on it. The good news? There is a way to block these ads from automatically playing. You just have to use a Flash blocker.

11. It makes getting over a breakup really hard.

Back in the days before social media, people broke up and never called the person again. It was relatively simple to move on (providing you weren't forced to physically see the person on a day-to-day basis). But today, being able to have constant access to your ex's timeline can easily cause serious obsessive tendencies and behavior. Samuel Axon at Mashable accurately summed up how Facebook makes breakups harder, because the platform makes your change in relationship status public and it allows you to see all the action your ex is getting.

Oh, and my birthday friend? I remembered I had his phone number and sent him a message! If I was feeling reallty radical, I actually woulda called him! And guess what? He told me he and his girlfriend have deactivated their Facebook accounts. Because they want a break, a fresh start and some messages they'd seen were kinda toxic. Apparently, they're joining a growing number of ex- Facebook aficionados.

How are you faring with Facebook? Ready to say goodbye, a little complacent/'meh', or very much still enjoying the love affair? Why is it you stay?

Man sues 'ugly' wife for 'ugly' children: hoax

You've probably read the story by now. Man sues 'ugly' wife for producing 'ugly' babies. You've wondered about it authenticity. The audacity. The accuracy.

The story is accompanied by this picture:

Guess what, guys?

It's a beat up.

Here's what urban myth debunker site Snopes has to say:

This item has now been circulating on the Internet for the better part of a decade, periodically resurfacing when some news outlet unaware of its background picks it up and runs it as a current and true news story. Recent outbreaks of this tale typically reference "children" rather than a single daughter and are accompanied by a purported photograph of the family in question, comprising three children: 

And here's an example of a version of the story:

"A Chinese man divorced and then sued his ex-wife for giving birth to what he called an extremely ugly baby girl, the Irish Times reported. 

Initially, Jian Feng accused his wife of infidelity, so sure that he could never father an unattractive child. 

When a DNA test proved that the baby was his, Feng's wife came clean on a little secret — before they met, she had undergone about $100,000 worth of cosmetic surgery in South Korea. 

Feng sued his ex-wife on the grounds of false pretenses, for not telling him about the plastic surgery and duping him into thinking she was beautiful, The Huffington Post reported. 

The kicker? He won. A judge agreed with Feng's argument and ordered his ex-wife to fork over $120,000. 

"I married my wife out of love, but as soon as we had our first daughter, we began having marital issues," he told the Irish Times. "Our daughter was incredibly ugly, to the point where it horrified me.""

Continues Snopes:

Clearly this photograph has nothing to do with the story to which it is now attached, as the Fengs supposedly divorced after the birth of their first child, a daughter, but this family portrait includes three children, the eldest of which is a boy. Indeed, this image actually originated with an advertisement for a Taiwanese plastic surgery center:

What do you think of this picture? A handsome father and pretty mother surrounded by three children who very much resemble each other all smiling in front of the camera — it looks like a happy picture of the perfect family, doesn’t it? But wait, is there something about this family that doesn’t quite look right?

Well, this picture is an ad for a plastic surgery center in Taiwan, and you can see that the children in the picture don't look like their parents at all. The ad features the line, "The only thing you have to worry you about after plastic surgery is the explaining you'll have to do to your children."

So, is any aspect of this story true?

According to Snopes, "Probably not, as it apparently originated as a single-source item printed in a Chinese newspaper (the Heilongjiang Morning Post) known for publishing urban-legend like tales without verification, such as its recent fictitious story about a man who arranged to meet his online girlfriend for their first "real" date only to discover that she was his son's wife:

The Heilongjiang Morning Post apologised for publishing a false story without verifying the facts. 

The newspaper published the story "Man's online date is daughter-in-law," saying that a 57-year-old man in Muleng, Heilongjiang province, asked his online girlfriend out for a date only to find out that she was his own daughter-in-law. 

The story became a web hit after it was published. 

The newspaper published an apology, saying that the police of Muleng had confirmed that the story was false and was fabricated by Wei Hongji, a reporter with Muleng Television. 

The newspaper said it had asked Wei to help provide photos but did not verify the facts any further.

Read more at http://www.snopes.com/media/notnews/uglybaby.asp#ogC475kyyOr88iVx.99

You guys... don't believe everything you read. Especially on the ol' inter-webs. Stories can be... made up. I know, I know...

"Racehorses are treated like kings" - Verema's death and reaction on social media

This afternoon I missed out on anything Melbourne Cup related. A few words: school pick up. No time.

I found out the name of the horse who won ('Fiorente', Gai Waterhouse's first Melbourne Cup win), and that was that. Another crazy fashion slash betting year done and dusted.

But then... I saw all over my social media news feeds the news of the death of 'Verema', one of the horses in today's race.

She was put down after suffering a fracture to her right foreleg during the running of the Melbourne Cup.

I was in shock, also mindful I knew NOTHING about the industry.

I posted my sentiments on Facebook and... the responses which followed both shocked and surprised me.

I'd asked an old friend - a longtime veteran in the field of breeding and raising horses - what she thought of it all.

Here is what she said:

"Horse break legs running around paddocks at home - some heal, some don't. It depends on the break and finances of their owners. I'm sure a lot of you know how expensive dog and cat vets are... times that by 300% for larger animals as a minimum.

I can also guarantee there is more wastage and cruelty with your household pets. Racehorses are treated like kings and a huge number ARE rehomed once their racing careers are over into the pleasure industry or other competition pursuits (show jumping, eventing etc)

I get annoyed when people are misinformed by the media extremists. I don't believe that trainers should be targeted as I have read all over Facebook tonight. Owners of these animals are completely responsible for the horses wellbeing after they have finished or if they aren't good enough to continue with."

Said another friend:

"Horses unfortunately cannot recover from broken shoulders/legs. Horses weigh close to half a tonne and that weight is supported through fragile bones in the legs. It is similar to when a dog or cat has a terminal illness and they are put to sleep to stop their suffering. Horses with broken legs have little quality of life and cannot walk or stand and putting them to sleep is the kindest thing we can do. In regards to the knackery, owners have to take more responsibility. We insist when we sell our horses that they are treated in a humane manner, one currently does PR for Royal Randwick, another is with the police. Owners need better information from trainers and the industry to prevent their loved horses from becoming dog meat."

She then added: "Having experience in the industry it is actually more humane to put the horse down if they break/fracture a leg, shoulder etc. It is so very sad but better for the horse. We have had horses that have broken down and it is heartbreaking but ultimately it is the best decision for the horse and done in a very humane manner. The horrible part of the industry is for those horses that are not successful on track and are sent to the knackery. This is something that needs to be looked at."

What are your thoughts?