The Daily Valet. - 5/7/21, Friday

✔️ About Those Pandemic Pets ...

Friday, May 7th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

There’s some good tree gossip in this newsletter. Enjoy!

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s Big Story

About Those Pandemic Pets …

Are we about to have a crisis (or two or three)?

It was the feel-good pandemic story we needed while still in the depths of COVID confusion: Animal shelters around the United States were going empty. As people sheltered in place, they adopted puppies and cats and birds to keep them company.

Fast forward a year later, where “The After” is on the horizon. Sometime soon, restrictions will fade and we’ll all re-emerge with places to go, trips to take and even offices to return to—if only a few times a week.

What about the pets? There were some news stories about American shelters struggling to accommodate the growing numbers of retuned cats and dogs. Some blamed prolonged unemployment, furloughs and layoffs. While others pointed to the end of working from home.

Those stories, thankfully, were overblown. According to the SPCA, not only have returns not increased—they have actually decreased by 2% when compared to the pre-pandemic period. But that doesn’t mean our new furry friends aren’t in a bit of trouble.

Pets who have enjoyed the added attention, especially those adopted during the pandemic, aren’t used to being left home alone regularly. And vets say any change in routine can be stressful to the animals.

InsideHook warns that many puppies adopted during these socially-distant times haven't been properly socialized. And will certainly go through some rough separation anxiety. The good news is that there are plenty of remedies to try before we all head back into normal life.

↦ Tried & True: Our team of pet lovers rounded up the dog and cat products we use and love.

People Are Taking Less Showers?

Lockdown affected people’s routines in strange ways

I can't believe after more than a year of constantly reminding people to wash their hands, this is where we end up: Reports that people started bathing less during the pandemic.

And as long as no one complains, they say they plan to keep the new habit. After the Guardian reported on a recent survey that showed 17% of Britons had abandoned daily showers during the pandemic, people started posting on social media that they'd done the same.

The New York Times points out how doctors and health experts have said that daily showers are unnecessary, and even counterproductive. Washing with soap every day can strip the skin of its natural oils and leave it feeling dry—though doctors still recommend frequent hand-washing.

Some report that cutting back on showering has made them feel and look better. But how do they smell? Perhaps social-distancing will stick around.

↦ Cold Showers: There are a myriad of health benefits to starting your day under the icy rain of a cold shower, all backed by some solid science.

A Battle for Battleground States

Texas Democrats wage all-night fight against restrictive election bill

Hours after Florida installed a rash of new voting restrictions, the Republican-led Legislature in Texas pressed ahead on Thursday with its own far-reaching bill that would make it one of the most difficult states in the nation in which to cast a ballot.

According to the New York Times, the Texas bill would, among other restrictions, greatly empower partisan poll watchers and prohibit election officials from mailing out absentee ballot applications. Gov. Greg Abbott is widely expected to sign the bill into law.

But state Democrats waged an all-night fight against the bill, vowing to file more than 100 amendments to derail or limit the impact of the bill, which they argue would suppress voting and disenfranchise voters of color. But they don't have anywhere near the votes to stop the bill.

Florida and Texas are critical Republican-led battleground states with booming populations and 70 Electoral College votes between them.

The Newest Status Symbol Is ... Trees?

The super rich are shelling out for trees

I love stories like this. It's a double-edged sword. People are recognizing the benefits of natural, living plants. But then there's the absurdity of shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring in huge old trees by helicopter, barge and flatbed truck.

Which is exactly what wealthy homeowners and businesses are doing these days, according to the Wall Street Journal. That tree above is a 150-year-old olive tree that was transplanted from Tuscany into a brand new Beverly Hills mansion.

One “tree broker” talks about a client who beat out basketball great Michael Jordan in a bidding war over a 45-foot canopied oak tree, because he deemed it the ideal tree for his new home. The deal for the oak closed in the low six figures.

What's the appeal? A unique or particularly old tree, like a piece of art, is a great conversation piece. And if you can afford it, it sure beats waiting for seedlings to grow.

In Other News

↦ Covid Vaccines: What Is Patent Waiving and Will It Solve the Global Shortage?

↦ Nearly Half of All Americans Believe They’re the Best Person They Know

↦ Heads Up! A Used Chinese Rocket Is Tumbling Back to Earth This Weekend.

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Vintage cameras

This Zoom fail

The shoes on our radar

A Weekend Pairing

The Optimist + an ice cold Coors

Friend of Valet. and consummate gentleman, David Coggins, has just written a book about fly fishing. The Optimist isn't another how-to guide on the subject—after all, we'd just watch a YouTube to learn technique, right?

Instead, the book is a meditation on the sport, on the outdoors and on life. It captures the things Coggins has seen and felt on fishing trips to Wisconsin, the Bahamas, Patagonia, the U.K. and other parts of the globe. I'm not much of a fisherman, but I always like to hear David's stories. Plus, my father was a big fly fisherman and I'm gonna read this to honor him and his memory.

↦ Your Pairing:I don't know what Coggins drinks on fishing trips, but I know my dad was a Coors man. He preferred small, old school Banquet bottles and it might've been the only thing we agreed on when it came to beer. I'll be cracking open a few as I turn the pages this weekend.

What We’re Buying

Arvin Goods already makes great socks. They look and feel good to wear, sure, but they're also much more responsibly and sustainably made than your average pair. Plus right now, during their annual Giveback Sale, they're donating 20% off all sales to Food Lifeline. Which means, while you save money updating your sock drawer, you're also helping people in need.

↦ Get It: $14 / $9.80 at Arvin Goods

Refined Summer Sneakers

Cool, calm, and color-blocked. That's how Moral Code defines these tonal sneakers, which offer an elevated take on a classic pair of low-tops. The premium leather looks sharp and the padded interior provides all-day comfort and natural breathability for long summer days.

↦ Get It: $149 / $120 w/code VALET20 by Moral Code