Blog Posts by Mother Nature Network (mnn.com)

By Matt Hickman, Mother Nature Network

In a perfect world, an employee's relationship with his or her supervisor would be an affable yet respectful one based on trust, communication and a sense of working toward a common goal. But don't get too comfortable. Friendly workplace repartee is fine and all, but as a rule of thumb you should always think before you speak in the presence of an authority figure so as to not regret keeping your tongue leashed in your mouth.

Below we've rounded up eight cringe-inducing things that you should never say to your boss unless you're itching for an awkward censure session, a good, old-fashioned chiding or even a pink slip. And these count for telecommuters, too; just because you don't see your supervisor on a regular basis doesn't mean you can set them up on hot dates, discuss your wicked hangover or complain about how horribly bored and unmotivated you are.

1. Did you hear that hot gossip about Andy in IT? Scandalous, am I right?
Unless the

By Morieka Johnson, Mother Nature Network

Old labrador retriever

If your pet suffers from arthritis, prescription medication isn't the only solution. Holistic options such as acupuncture, chiropractic medicine and rehabilitative therapy can reduce the need for medication, while significantly improving your pet's quality of life. Veterinarians Evelyn Orenbuch and Susan Wynn offer information about greener treatment options for arthritic pets.

Keep pets moving
"Just getting the joints to move, a lot of time, decreases the pain and increases joint fluid," says Orenbuch, a veterinarian certified in chiropractic and canine rehabilitative therapy. At Georgia Veterinary Rehab, her state-of-the-art facility, four-legged patients get laser therapy and massages or undergo low-impact rehab sessions on an underwater treadmill. Treatment options focus on increasing flexibility and strength while decreasing pain.

When pets struggle with arthritis, Orenbuch frequently recommends a solution that begins at

By Bryan Nelson, Mother Nature Network

NIMBUS II: Artist Berndnaut Smilde has perfected the art of generating an indoor cloud.

These stunning photos of indoor clouds might look like digital creations, but they're actually of real scenes created by Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde.

The clouds are generated using a smoke machine, but Smilde must carefully monitor a room's humidity and atmosphere in order to get the smoke to hang so elegantly, and with such life-like form. Backlighting is used to bring out shadows from within the cloud, to give it that look of a looming and ominous rain cloud.

Related: 10 images of ominous roll clouds

"I wanted to make the image of a typical Dutch raincloud inside a space," Smilde told Gizmag. "I'm interested in the ephemeral aspect of the work. It's there for a brief moment and then the cloud falls apart. The work only exists as a photograph."

The effect is enhanced by Smilde's choice of setting. For his original work utilizing this method, titled "Nimbus" and first presented in 2010, the artist chose an empty studio

By Laura Moss, Mother Nature Network

Cuddling cat.

In a country where two-thirds of households have pets, and nine out of 10 owners say their animals are regarded as family, it's no surprise that pet owners want to comfort their four-legged loved ones in their final days.

However, kissing and nuzzling dying pets can be dangerous, according to a new study - all that close contact puts devoted animal owners at greater risk of contracting life-threatening illnesses like Pasteurella multocida infections.

In the latest issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Dr. Joseph Myers discusses three cases of pet owners who contracted the deadly bacteria while providing palliative care for their dying cats and dogs.

[Related: Sharing a bed with Fido can make you sick]

P. multocida bacteria live in the mouths of 80 percent of cats and 60 percent of dogs and are a common cause of skin infections from animal bites and scratches. Still, only about 5 percent of dog bites and 30 percent of cat

By Matt Hickman, Mother Nature Network

Heels and fishnet stockings.For those of you in the deepest of denial, a brutal reality check: Tax season is indeed in full swing and the April 17 deadline isn't that far off.

Still there? Hello?

For those who we haven't scared off and sent into a full-on receipt-gathering panic attack, you'll want to read on to learn more about nine of the oddest and most obscure tax write-offs on the books. Ranging from mammary-related business expenses to baby sitting as a charitable donation, most of these eyebrow-raising write-offs - by the way, they all "worked" and/or are legit although some were challenged by the authorities - may throw even the most seasoned tax professional for a loop. Who knows, maybe you qualify for one. So all you bodybuilding whaling boat captains with overbites or junkyard-owning feral cat-feeders who had reverse vasectomies in 2011, pay close attention.

1. Baby sitters
Take note, philanthropic night owls: Although there is an existing

By Morieka Johnson, Mother Nature Network

Fat cat

Lady Blackthorne was beginning to look a little spherical. But it took a vet visit for Vryce Hough to take matters into her own hands and help the feline conquer her battle of the bulge.

"I didn't really think about it as a problem, but when the vet started talking about the risk of diabetes, I realized we had to do something," Hough says. "Those are really scary words."

Changing a cat's diet can be risky, so Hough worked with her vet to gradually reduce Lady Blackthorne's daily kibble intake. Unfortunately, there was another challenge to overcome. In a household with three cats, she wanted a way to feed each without setting up separate feeding areas.

[Related: Found! My cat litter solution]

Hough did a little online research and settled on a high-tech cat door called SureFlap. Like a virtual bouncer, the battery-operated door can be programmed to read your pet's microchip, denying access to unapproved guests.

By Starre Vartan, Mother Nature Network

Happy couple

If you are better about scheduling in your spin classes than your nookie sessions, you might want to rethink your calendar this month. While most of us see sex as "fun time" (and it should be that, too!) and something we get to do when all our other obligations are satisfied, the evidence is mounting of several benefits of sex.

You might be justified in moving it from "when I can get to it" to "legit priority": here's how even a quickie can benefit our bodies and minds, as well as our relationships:

1. It's a free mood booster: Happiness is priceless, right? When both men and women orgasm, oxytocin (a.k.a. the "love hormone") is released, which tends to lead to feelings often described as happiness. This free brain chemical calms anxiety and fear and increases trust and contentment. Positive interaction with friends and family increases the chemical somewhat, self-arousal even more so and sex with a partner you care about tops the

By Laura Moss, Mother Nature Network

Hank for Senate

The Virginia Senate race is turning into quite the catfight now that Hank the cat has thrown his paw into the race.

Hank, a moderate, is a 9-year-old Maine Coon who is running as an independent against former Govs. George Allen (R) and Tim Kaine (D) for the state's open Senate seat. A Virginia native, Hank has no previous political experience, but he has a wealth of life experience: Born to a single mother and raised on the streets, Hank clawed his way to the top and now lives a comfortable life with his owner, Anthony Roberts.

In fact, it's Hank's unique background that makes him such a qualified candidate, according to his campaign manager, Matthew O'Leary. "It definitely gives him a great insight into how difficult it is to live on the streets and to almost being put down. He realizes that the judicial system needs reworking and that there needs to be opportunities for everyone," he says.

[Related: 10 cats made famous by YouTube ]