deer ticks and other things i loathe about maryland

over the weekend, we discovered a deer tick attached to fin's belly - just above his navel. jon has noticed the day before, but thought it was a scab. when i saw it, and investigated further we discovered it was a deer tick. ugh - it had been attached for at least 24 hours!! two neighbors on the cul-de-sac already have lyme's disease and a dog lost his life to it. great - just what we need! so off to the drs we went today and now fin will be on antibiotics for the next 20 days (recommended by the CDC for endemnic areas like maryland). i am fed up with the ticks. and the humidity is really getting to me as well! it is only june! apparantly the deer ticks thrive on humidity as well - another reason to loathe it! oh sweet maryland - good thing you offer yummy steamed crabs or we would be so outta here!