Thursday, September 29, 2005
Animal Smackdown At My House
Internet Privacy Issues
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
New Book Day
Despite feeling under the weather yesterday, I was happy to get my brand new book by Diana Gabaldon. The sixth book in her Outlander series is finally in the hands of readers. It's called A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Even in my incapacitated state, I managed to at least get a couple of chapters read. Hopefully, I'll get a lot more reading done today. My coworker, Kim, and I are really looking forward to meeting Diana Gabaldon tomorrow night at her booksigning. We are busy trying to decide what to wear, and what we would like to ask her. I suppose that I'll be lugging all six books with me to get signed.
There's not much else going on today. Just the usual. Here's a link to a dog health trivia quiz. It's pretty interesting and packed full of good information. Click HERE to take it yourself. Everyone have a great day!
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Little Dogs Lost
I hope all of these pets find their way back into the loving arms of their owners. Thanks so much Pennie, for letting me share your story!
New Art Charity Auction
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Fun Week Ahead
The only dark spot on life you ask? Casey's cousin, Andrew, is deploying to Iraq this week. He's in the army and is deploying out of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Casey and I both just love Andrew and dread seeing him leave. We know that he'll be there for at least 12 months. Andrew just loves mail and having paper letters especially. So if any of you readers would like to have an army penpal leave a comment or e-mail me, and I'll be glad to hook you up with his address.
I'm looking forward to an exciting week next week. On Thursday after work, I'm headed up to Nashville to Davis-Kidd Booksellers. One of my favorite writers, Diana Gabaldon, is doing a book signing there. Her new novel A Breath of Snow and Ashes the sixth in the Outlander series, is due for release this coming Tuesday. I've officially cleared my book reading schedule for this. I'm really looking forward to it. My co-worker, who introduced me to the Outlander series, is going with me. It promises to be a really fun night. I'll be sure to get some pictures to post here.
Tonight, Casey and I are going to do one of our favorite things. We are going to the Montana Drive-In. It's been a couple of months since we've been there, and we really miss it. I'm looking forward to one of their hand dipped corn dogs, big vat of popcorn, and funnel cakes (could this be the reason for non loss of weight.....naaaaah!!). Since dusk is falling earlier, we should get home at a fairly decent hour. Those 2 a.m. movies were killing me! I think we'll be taking in the double feature of Lord of War and Transporter 2. A night of action movies for Casey. Not bad entertainment for $5! I've got to go and get a ton of stuff done. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected as Hurricane Rita made landfall early this morning.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Flu Season for Dogs?
And while we are on the subject of health issues for dogs, I received this e-mail alert from DogAge yesterday. You can sign up to receive these DogAge tips weekly by visiting HERE.
New research reveals another potential health reason for keeping your dog tick-free.
Scientists have recently discovered that a very common type of dog tick can spread Rocky Mountain spotted fever to humans. Early-stage symptoms of the illness can include fever, nausea, muscle pain, and headache. So far, carrier ticks have only been found in a small area of Arizona, but an appropriate flea and tick control program is always a smart health move for your pet. Spotting Spotted Fever September 22, 2005
Just a couple of facts to consider, when planning for one of your best friend's health.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Keeping Them In Our Thoughts
Here's one more way that you can help future hurricane evacuees and their pets. I received this from my Petwarmers list. A petition is circulating asking the Red Cross to set up shelters that will accept pet owners, along with their pets.
PETITION TO KEEP PETS WITH THEIR OWNERS DURING DISASTERSDear Petwamers:
Several people on Petwarmers have asked what they can do so that in the event of another national disaster, pets will not be separated from their guardians. They can sign the petition at this website:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/750226838?ltl=1127397493
The petition asks the national Red Cross to emulate a local Red Cross program in Nassau County, New York, called Pet Safe, which was started by Red Crossvolunteer, Nancy Lynch. It is the first of its kind in the nation.
Over 25,000 people have already signed the petition and it only takes a minute to fill out. The system centralizes signature collection to provide consolidated, useful reports for petition authors and targets. Please forward this email to others you believe share your concern. Thanks.
You may click the link to sign the petition in the letter above or click HERE
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Guide Dog Reunited With Owner
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Good Night Moon
I SEE THE MOON
I see the moon
The moon sees me
The moon sees the one I long to see
So God bless the moon and God bless me
And God bless the one I long to see.
Friday, September 16, 2005
HSUS Request
The HSUS is asking for governmental help to rescue the remaining animals stranded by Katrina. They are asking all animal lovers to get involved. Here's the request that I received today:On Wednesday, one of our Disaster Animal Response Teams in New Orleans rescued a St. Bernard from a rooftop – a dog they described as the most emaciated animal they had ever seen in all their years of handling animals. The veterinarian who treated the dog was shocked that the animal, who weighed just 40 pounds, was still alive.
Who helped us rescue this animal? It was several National Guardsmen, who heeded our rescuers’ pleas to take them through the water on a tank so they could get up on the roof to save the dog.
But the troops’ actions were not ordered by the National Guard – nor by the White House, the Defense Department, the Department of Homeland Security, or the state of Louisiana. In fact, despite our repeated requests, none of these entities has formally agreed to marshal their ground forces to help rescue the pets and other animals slowly starving to death in the affected areas.
At a press conference just a few hours ago, I implored the federal government to come up with the nation's first animal rescue plan. Now, I am writing to ask you to give them the same message: Please call or email President Bush and other officials today and urge them to help us before it’s too late.
Time is running out for these animals. Every hour that passes means more pets, locked behind closed doors in the disaster zone, will die of starvation. Our teams are working as hard as they can to reach as many pets as they can - and as we reported to you on Wednesday, we’ve rescued thousands. But there are thousands more.
At this 11th hour, when so many lives are at stake, we are asking you to help. I urge you to contact these government officials today and ask them to help rescue animals before it is too late. Please click here to call or send an email to President Bush and other federal and state officials who have the power to order National Guardsmen and other responders to assist with food drops, help supply our own operations, and do whatever else it takes to save animals.
One of our rescuers said it best: “We should not have to rely on the compassionate instincts of individual Guardsmen to rescue these animals. We need the full commitment of the government.”
Members of Congress have also been calling on President Bush and the federal agencies to actively assist with direct animal rescue. With most of the human victims of the catastrophe removed from the city, it’s not too late to save animals’ lives. It’s time for the government to recognize the incredible bond between people and their pets, and step in to help.
Thank you so much for your support of our disaster teams, and for all you do for animals.
Sincerely,
Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States
To help click the link above or the button below:
When Interests Collide
Stress In Pets?
Thursday, September 15, 2005
A Salute to Heroes
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Confessions
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Things That Make Me Happy Today
1. My husband
2. My mother
3. My family (all my furries included)
4. A good job
5. Lunch out today
6. Taking Bear for a walk
7. Leaving for work with a clean house
8. A humane association INBOX full of offers to give our animals good homes
9. So many families finally reunited after the wrath of Katrina.
10. Good friends
11. Memories of a happy childhood
12. Tickets to a Moody Blues concert.
13. Meeting Diana Gabaldon later this month. There's so many more. I just have to remind myself to always remember these things. I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Moving On
Seeking the Lost
By Albert Schweitzer
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for any that are hunted or lost
or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to sleep.
We entreat for them all
Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us be true friends to animals
and so to share
the blessings of the merciful.
Friday, September 09, 2005
A Picture That Says It All
A really touching picture from MSNBC's Animal Tracks slideshow. It just makes my heart break in half every time I look at it. I spent most of yesterday calling everyone I know, e-mailing, and gathering cat and dog supplies. My humane association is helping to fill 2 tractor trailer loads of horse, donkey, cat, and dog supplies to be taken to the Baton Rouge area to the overloaded shelters there. I know that a lot of you are animal lovers out there and feel like I do. Even if you can't send money, look around your home for extras that you have. Just simple things like flea collars, regular collars, leashes, treats, and a couple extra cans of food are a huge help in a crunch. I'm awfully proud that Tennessee is living up to its nickname of the The Volunteer State. I know that the Nashville Humane Association is working with the American Humane Association on hurricane relief as is the Davidson County Animal Shelter and the Memphis Shelby County Humane Association. I'm sure there are many, many others in the area as well. I even heard that they are preparing a special animal shelter in Franklin, TN just for pets of evacuees. The volunteers that are in the affected areas rescuing and saving these pets have my utmost respect. It's a wonderful thing that they do. My heart and prayers are with them.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Dragon*Con Day 3
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Chasing Wookies
We spent forever at the con on Sunday. We were up and ready early. There were lots of programs and panels that we wanted to attend. The first up, was to meet Peter Mayhew, who to Star Wars fans is Chewbacca. Casey and I were lucky. When we arrived at the booth, we were first in line. I can't remember ever being first in line for anything. It was a welcome change from the day before at registration. Anyway, the autographs were supposed to begin at 10:00, according to the program book. We waited and waited. We finally found a Con worker to confirm that Mr. Mayhew was actually scheduled to be there. She confirmed that yes, he probably was on his way. While flipping through the programming, Casey discovered he had been double booked and was busy working a children's hour. We started to wonder if he was really scheduled at all. The children's hour was schedule two hotels over, so we took off. As we got there, we passed Mr. Mayhew on his way out. We decided to go and speak to the lady in charge of the Star Wars scheduling. She told us that he was indeed scheduled to sign autographs over at the main dealer's room shortly. Casey and I took off once again, racing the two blocks back over to where we were in the first place. We did really well. Not only did we make it back, but we beat Mr. Mayhew to the booth and were once again, first in line! I got my autograph and got my picture made with him. We also got to speak with him a little. A very nice man indeed.
After the Star Walk in the dealer's room, we headed out to our programs. We attended an Expanded Universe discussion, a MSTK3000 style showing of The Empire Strikes Back, which was absolutely hysterical. One of the most fun sessions we attended was lightsaber dueling. The instructor was Dr. Bill Ernoehazy, Jr, who is an ER doctor and martial arts, sword fighting instructor expert. Dr. Bill was highly entertaining, and while we were only fighting with our meager lightsabers, we were learning real martial arts swordfighting techniques. It was 3 hours long and too much fun. I guess I'm just a big kid at heart, and I still love to play. Here's a group shot of our session.
After we finished lightsaber dueling, we headed out for our last program of the night. It was Star Wars Fan Films. Most were spoofs and were hysterical! You can click the link above to view a few of the ones that we saw. We saw Sith Apprentice, Pink Five, Pink Five Strikes Back, and also watched the very first premier of The Return of Pink Five, and many others. By the time we finished it was almost 2 a.m.! We finally drug weary selves back to the hotel and turned in for the night. More tomorrow.....Everyone have a great day!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Charity Auction
I've also added a banner to the top of the page. Anyone wishing to donate to the HSUS Disaster Fund, may do so by clicking.
Home from the Con
When we finally got out of the registration line, we went to the Star Wars Costume Contest. It kicked off with a spoof band called Aero Sith. They did rock using the actual movie dialogue in songs. It was really funny. The costumes. Talk about creativity, these guys really had it going on!! All of the costumes were handmade. The details were amazing. There were several of Princess Leia and Padme'; really beautiful gowns. There were a couple of Stormtrooper types. One was of an especially intricate expanded universe character. There was a totally homemade costume of Chewbacca. It was so good that it looked very professional. While the judges made their decision, we were entertained by Luke Ski . He's a big parody guy, much like Weird Al. He's been a regular on Dr. Demento a lot. His show was really funny! The winners were announced by Daniel Logan, who played the young Boba Fett in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. After the contest, I ran into a guy who bears a striking resemblence to Ewan McGregor. His Obi Wan was spot on! Here's some pics of the Costume Contest winners, some great costumes at the contest, and me with "Obi Wan".
Costume Contest Winners:
Other Great Costumes at the show:
The Incredibles made an appearance.
Me and "Obi Wan":
Another one of "Obi Wan"
Afterwards, we went to the Star Wars Trivia Challenge. I so should have entered. I knew almost every answer. Then it was time for the Mr. Star Wars Contest. It was a male pagent of sorts, and it was absolutely hysterical. The guys all had to parade in and do all sorts of stuff like skits, answer questions, and cite pick up lines. I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time. Finally, it was time to head back to our room for the night. More tomorrow.....have a good afternoon everyone!
Thursday, September 01, 2005
The Animal Faces of Rescue
Away for the Weekend