Meet Me At the Fair!!

The dog show was fantastic last night. It was a really nice group of participants. I had a co-judge last night. Jennie, the owner of the kennel (Kindred Spirits) where I worked, was my co-judge. It was really nice to have a partner. It took the pressure off a bit. Everyone seemed pretty happy with the results. There were 13 classes to judge. There was a good mix of dogs. I was so suprised when a lady from Fayetteville came up with her two Schipperkes!! One was a male a year or so old, and one was a female 5-6 months!! They were both so bearlike and cute!! I HAD to tell them about Bear of course. Anyway, turns out she's a breeder. She has two three month old female pups right now. I made sure to get her name, e-mail, and phone number. I have to have a look at those puppies!!

It took about two and a half hours to judge the entire competition. I didn't get a whole lot of pictures. It's really hard to judge a class, hold a water bottle, and make pictures at the same time. I did manage to snap just a few and quickly found out that my memory card was full!! DRAT!! It was my first visit to a my own county fair. Much to my suprise, Bedford County puts on a quite good fair. I'm trying to convice Casey that we need to go back this weekend and really explore.

My humane association got quite a bit of publicity for our upcoming event, Celebration Pet Day. We also made a good contact and were able to secure some borrowed agility equipment, along with a group to run a competition for us. I'm REALLY excited now. Things are coming together!

I'm taking a few days off, so everyone have a good weekend. I'll be back next week!

Scenes from the dog show.

The cute Schipperkes that suprised me!!

Doesn't he look JUST like Bear!!

A scene from the "Lap Dog" class.

Happy Birthday Mama!!

I wanted to take a minute to wish my Mama a very Happy, Happy 75th birthday!!

Mama,

You are my hero!! I love you!

My family circa 1986 or 87: My Mom, Dad, and me...eeep!

Mom, February 2006

Dogs Galore

I'm feeling a little better today. I have no idea what has me out of sorts this week. I have a big evening planned. Tonight, I'm judging the dog show at the Bedford County Fair. It's just a fun dog show, nothing serious. I did this similar thing at the Walking Horse Celebration dog show last August. In August, we had over 500 entries. It took more than three hours to complete that dog show. I just wonder how many entrants there will be tonight. I may be in for a rather late night. They are holding the show at the Bedford County Agricultural Center. This is the same location my humane association is holding its Celebration Pet Day event. Several of us, from the pet day committee, are going to be there. It will be an excellent chance for us to get a feel for how you can set up the grounds and how things operate. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm definitely taking the camera along, so I'll have plenty of pictures to share. Until tomorrow....

Out of Sorts

I'm just generally out of sorts today. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'm fidgety and grumpy. I'm having a hard time deciding what to blog about too. I'm going to just go swim some laps today. That usually makes me feel much better. Tomorrow, I'll be back on schedule and in a much better mood!

I Wish

Every morning, when I get out of bed, I turn on the local news. I always like to see what's happened during the night, what the weather is going to be for the day, and the special interest stories too. When our local station finally decided to do a Saturday morning newscast, I was thrilled. One of their features every Saturday is a feature on the local animal shelter, hosted by one of the local personalities, "Big" Joe Dubin. This morning, as usual, I oohed and awwwed over the featured pets. Then, I heard Joe say a big thank you to all of the viewers. It seems that every shelter pet they have featured on the weekend piece for the last two months has been adopted!! What an accomplishment!!! I think it's wonderful. Every spot made, is another spot vacated to help another pet.

Anyway, it got me thinking. It would be wonderful if my small town of Shelbyville had this same venue for our homeless pets. It's at times like these, I wish that Shelbyville were a big city, like Nashville. What a wonderful opportunity for our animals. It just makes me feel that our pets deserve as much as all of the big city pets. We unfortunately don't have the city support that Nashville does for our programs. That's why my humane association is an "ALL volunteer" organization. We do what we can, but we always wish that we could do more. I think it would be a wonderful idea for the news station to feature an out of town shelter from their surrounding area once a month. Our shelter does LOTS of out of town and even out of state adoptions. Maybe one of our pets is just what someone is looking for a few towns away. BUT, you know what they say, "Wish in one hand....." Still it would be a fantastic opportunity for shelters and humane associations from the middle Tennessee area.

To all of you in other areas, how do you get your homeless pets exposure? Feel free to drop me a comment.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!

Where I Live

I was reading my local newspaper a couple of days ago, and found something absolutely hysterical. Well it's hysterical to me, since I live in Shelbyville. Until a recent boom in growth, all Shelbyville had in the way of entertainment was a two screen movie theatre and a Wal-Mart. Let's just say us residents have a way of keeping ourselves amused. As I read this little blurb in the blotter, I found myself actually laughing out loud. I've taken the names out to protect the not so innocent. Enjoy!!

Wrong Place

Allegedly intoxicated persons showed up in unusual locations over the weekend, according to Shelbyville police.

xxxxx, 46,xxx Road, fell into the salad bar after staggering into Faye's Cafeteria, North Main Street, and attempting to fondle a waitress late Sunday afternoon, police said.

xxxxxxx, 21, xxxx Street, was asleep in his car at the Pacific Pride fuel pumps, Depot Street -- where law enforcement officers obtain gasoline for their patrol cars -- when Officer Jerry Lawrence arrested him shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday. xxxx and xxxxx were each charged with public intoxication, Shelbyville police reports indicate.

Do you think it's the heat? Nah, I don't think so.

Joining the Crowd

With much protest, gnashing of teeth, and general whining, I've finally created myself a MySpace account. You see, I'm an old fashioned girl. I'm a blogger. I've made many fantastic friends through my blog, and I've become quite loyal to it. Not to mention, I've always felt a little bit "old" for MySpace. About a month ago, Casey's cousin, Andrew, sent me an e-mail with a link to his MySpace address. So, as a way to communicate with him easily in Iraq, I took the plunge. It's only been in this past week, that I've had a chance to play with my profile, view, and other buttons and whistles. Personally, I still don't think it's as user friendly as blog programs and definitely not as explanatory, but I press onward. They have a space on your page to place blogs, but I just crosslinked the "Zoo". Call me lazy, but I don't really want to get into my personal blog on two spaces. I do love all of the premade layouts that you can use. So if you all get a chance, visit me over at the Richardson Zoo MySpace place. There's a little extra trivia about me over there. I'd love to hear my reader's opinions on MySpace. Also, if you have a MySpace account, leave a comment. I'd love to add you to my friend list!

How Hot Is It?

It's been another hectic week. I'm short on time, so I'll just ask....how hot is it where you're from? Do you have airconditioning in your home? I ask because, living here in the south, it's such a strange notion NOT to have airconditioning. It's just something I'd never really thought about, until my visit to Cincinatti. I'll post more tomorrow. Everyone have a good evening.

It's Hot Out There!!!

I'm just taking a few minutes out of the sweltering day (the thermometer reads 100 degrees as I type this) to remind all pet owners of Hot Weather Pet Tips from the ASPCA.

- A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.

- Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle—hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.

- Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.

- The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.

- Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

- A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.

- Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

- Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

- When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.

- Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length—never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun—helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.

- Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

- Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets' reach.

- Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.

Yesterday, a local news station aired a wonderful piece about pets and hot weather. Simply because of the report, a pet's life was saved. Click HERE to read Heather Orne's after story update.

Everybody keep cool out there!

Dangerous to Pets

I just wanted to share this with everyone. Tylenol and its generic counterparts is dangerous to pets. I got this alert from the ASPCA yesterday. Read on:

JUST HOW DANGEROUS IS ACETAMINOPHIN TO PETS?

No one needs to tell Beth Tucker of Syracuse, NY, how harmful acetaminophen can be to pets. In February 2006, Beth’s cat, Scooter, ingested a 500-milligran acetaminophen tablet that had been accidentally dropped on the floor.

Despite treatments by a local veterinarian, the beautiful grey cat did not recover. “She suffered tremendously for five days as we tried to save her,” says Beth. “We finally made the extremely painful decision to end her suffering.”

Sadly, Scooter is one of many cats to have succumbed to accidental acetaminophen poisoning. In 2005, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) handled close to 300 cases from around the country. Explains the APCC’s Dana Farbman, “Depending on the amount ingested, clinical effects can include a condition called methemoglobinemia, which affects blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen to vital organs.” In addition, liver damage and even death could result. And because cats lack a specific enzyme that enables the body to metabolize the drug well, they are especially sensitive to acetaminophen toxicity—although it can be toxic to dogs and other pets, as well. Cautions Farbman, “Pet owners should never give this medication to their animals, and should always store potentially poisonous substances in a secure cabinet above countertop level and out of the reach of pets.”

Beth and her family continue to miss Scooter every day. “She was the most loving kitty in the world,” says Beth. “And every evening at 5:00 P.M., if you were anywhere near the kitchen, you could count on Scooter meowing for her nightly treat.” Beth hopes that by sharing Scooter’s experience, she can help others avoid having to go through the anguish she suffered by losing her feline friend. “I feel that telling what happened to Scooter will help make something positive come out of our tremendous loss.”

If you think that your pet has accidentally ingested acetaminophen, or any other potentially dangerous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.

Everyone have a GREAT weekend!

I Wanna Go to the Zoo

I was surfing around yesterday and came across a really cool program from the Nashville Zoo. It's called Adventure Socials. This is how it works:

Nashville Zoo's new event series, Adventure Socials, brings together festive food, drink and music with unique animals and exotic "locations," right here at Nashville Zoo! The Socials are held on Zoo grounds after hours and since alcohol will be served, the events are only open to adults 21 years of age and older. Purchase tickets now while spots are available! Cost per ticket per event: $25 for Nashville Zoo members, $35 for non-members.

I somehow missed the information about this program back when it started, but there are a few really good programs left. Here's the info:

Down Under at Lorikeet Landing

Friday, July 14, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Rain Date: Saturday, July 15th

G'Day Mate! Taste Australian wines, enjoy great food and visit with colorful parrot friends inside this interactive habitat. Lorikeet Landing provides a lush and naturalistic environment for visitors and flocks of lorikeets to "meet and greet" while enjoying a peaceful summer evening on the Grassmere property. Don't miss the artistic elements of this exhibit's unique and amusing hand washing & drying stations.

**Please don't be late, the lorikeets go to bed at 7:30 p.m.

Mardi Grassmere at Alligator Cove

Friday, August 25, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Rain Date: Saturday, August 26th

Rendezvous with our new alligators down in the bayou for Cajun fare and hurricanes. A new habitat opening in 2006, Alligator Cove showcases one of our planet's greatest survivors: the American Alligator. Throw your Mardi Gras beads for this worthy reptile who has endured relatively unchanged for over two million years.

Safari Swizzle at the Elephant Savannah

Friday, September 15, 2006, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Rain Date: Saturday, September 16th

African wines and "elephantinis" are running rampant through the Savannah under the stars. Kiba, Hadari and Sukari, Nashville Zoo's elephants, welcome you to their home for some safari fare and a visit with the earth's largest land mammals. Learn about the extensive work that went into creating this spectacular habitat and how it provides a comfortable atmosphere for these gentle giants .

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to go to the Safari Swizzle. I think it will be awesome with the elephants. Guess I'd better make my reservation!!

Dogs Are Helpful

I'm always amazed at the many ways dogs are used to improve our lives. There's search and rescue, guide dogs, bomb dogs, therapy dogs, and now we can add one more to that list. Did you know that dogs can help children learn to read better? Let me introduce you to the R.E.A.D program (Reading Education Assistance Dogs). These dogs are therapy dogs that sit, while the children read to them. Here's how it's explained on their official website.

The Reading Education Assistance Dogs® (R.E.A.D.) program improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: reading to a dog. But not just any dog. R.E.A.D. dogs are registered therapy animals who volunteer with their owner/handlers as a team, going to schools, libraries and many other settings as reading companions for children.

The are spotlighted in today's Dog Age Tip of the Week. Here's how they explain it:

The R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program pairs specially trained therapy dogs with children who are struggling with reading skills. The dog serves as an audience as the child reads aloud. Dog owners volunteer to take their trained dogs to schools and libraries throughout the U.S. and Canada. Contact your local R.E.A.D. organization to participate, or try this read-aloud approach at home.

R.E.A.D's programs are being used across the United States and Canada to improve children's literacy. What a great thing! I definitely want to learn more about this program.

Thank You

I just wanted to take a minute to say "Thanks" to everyone who has left such wonderful comments and e-mails about the newspaper article. It has meant a lot, along with everyone's support. Gotta run right now. I'll have a longer update tomorrow.

How Was Your Weekend?

My weekend was a whirlwind of activity!! Saturday afternoon, Casey and I headed up to Clarkville for a monthly prop party. Because of good ol' Kenny Chesney and his concert, it took us 3 hours to get from Mufreesboro to Clarksville. Sheesh!! I-24, our interstate route, was a parking lot!! We kept thinking we were stuck in construction, only to find out it was Mr. Chesney's fault. Needless to say, he is NOT on my favorite list of people this week. We finally got there and commenced to building armor. The talent of the guys at the prop parties ALWAYS astounds me. They are all extremely talented, and as smart as any prop builders in Hollywood too! A friend of ours, is making a latex mask. A few of the guys made him a face cast with nothing but aluminum foil, duct tape, and plaster of paris. It was ABSOLUTELY incredible to watch. We got lots of pictures of the process that I hope to get posted tomorrow. After a lot of work and visiting, Casey and I finally got home around 2 a.m.!

Sunday morning, Casey did the shelter and let me sleep in a little. When he got back home, we got cleaned up and went to eat lunch with a friend. After a nice lunch we went to our local theatre to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. It was FANTASTIC!!! I think I like it even better than the first one. The pace of this one was much quicker than the first too. I won't give anything away, but the ending sure was a suprise. I just wish that I had watched the first before seeing the new one. What can I say about Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow that hasn't already been said? He gives a wonderful performance again. I can't wait for the next one!

Yesterday, I woke up to my cell phone ringing. It was Casey. His car battery died, so I had to go and rescue him at 6:30 a.m. So, I was up early. By 1:00 p.m. I was so exhausted, that I was down for the count. I had a rather lengthy afternoon nap just to recharge. Casey fixed us a really nice dinner, and afterwards I did all of my weekly cleaning.

Who knows how exciting this weekend will be?

Weekend Mayhem

This week has been unusually busy. I can't seem to catch a break. I think after next week, everything will slowly get back to normal. I've already got a busy weekend all planned out too. Tonight, Casey and I are heading up to our friend's house in Clarksville. About once a month, the members of the 501st Southern Outpost get together to work on costumes and build props. We have a full schedule of trooping events this summer, so we always have a large gathering. Anyway, Casey is just about finished with his Snowtrooper armor. He's planning to break it in at the end of this month. We are going to appear at a charity event for the Ronald McDonald House for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. So, Casey is quickly trying to get the last little details finished up. Now, I just have to get started on my Imperial Officer costume. I spent an afternoon last week getting fabric ideas and getting my pattern. When you costume, it takes a while just to get everything together to start. I'm also getting stuff together for a Jedi Costume, Jocasta Nu, and for a Padme costume, Naboo Fighter Pilot. Someday, I'll get all of this done.

Tomorrow is our shelter day, so we'll be there first thing. Then, we are having lunch with a good friend. Afterwards, we'll head out to the movies to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. I can't wait. The reviews have been good. I'll be sure to let you all know what I think. So, my weekend is cram packed.

I gotta run for now. Time to go and get all of this weekend stuff done. I hope everyone has a great weekend too!

Local News Story

My local paper, the Shelbyville Times-Gazette , ran the story about my blog on Monday. I was featured, along with my friend Jennifer. Go and have a read. It was written by another local blogger, John Carney. Let me know what you guys think.....and now the nervousness sets in......

To read the story, click HERE.

Unbelievable and Incredible!!

As I was just waking up this morning, I heard an incredible survival story on the local news. It was a survival story about a kitten named Chipper. It is suspected that Chipper was asleep inside a wood chipper, when it was started up for the day. Miraculously after several surgeries and a lot of help, Chipper is doing really well. He'll be looking for his very own home soon. To read the full story of Chipper, click HERE.

Photo credit: (Sun-Sentinel/Danny Ghitis) Jul 3, 2006

Absolutely incredible!! I've never heard of anything like that before. I hope Chipper finds the loving home that he deserves!!

Happy 4th of July!

EVERYONE HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!!

I'm off for several days of respite and relaxtion!! I'll be back next week!