Don't Abandon a Dog, Call Rescue , you Idiot!

Okay- I'm on a roll against STUPID people who are cruel to animals. This story was in today's Frederick, Md, newspaper. 23 dogs were abandoned in the cold (temps near 8 the past two nights). Some died. The rest have been rescued from the local animal shelter.
All I can say is What in the hell is wrong with these people that do this? I would LOVE to put these people out in the same frigid temps, naked, hungry, and see how they deal with it. This makes me furious. I can't believe people do this! How cruel, how stupid, how inhumane. I say to these cruel people "If you can't care for your dog, bring the dog to a shelter, idiots!"

23 abandoned small dogs rescued
Originally published February 06, 2009
Frederick (Maryland) News Post
Michael Bermudez was driving on Sundays Lane after midnight Thursday when he saw two small white dogs run in front of his vehicle.With the temperature in the low teens and a brisk wind, he stopped to see if they would come to him or if they had collars. They didn't. He continued home.
After turning onto Bartgis Road, he saw at least 13 more run into the road. "I've never seen that many dogs at once," he said. "I thought I was hallucinating."
As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Frederick County Animal Control officers corralled 23 dogs and all are thought to have been owned by the same person, said Harold Domer, Animal Control director. Ten were found in the Sundays Lane area, and 13 were found in the Walkersville area.
Authorities think the dogs were kept indoors and possibly crate trained. Domer said none of the animals had injuries from being out in the cold.
There are eight poodle mixes, three cairn terriers, a cairn terrier mix, a Yorkie, a dachshund, a rat terrier, a Pekingese, a Chihuahua, two terrier mixes and four Shih Tzus mixes. "We are extremely concerned the animals were left in the elements without protection," Domer said.He thinks the dogs range in age from 2 to 8 years old and have had different levels of care.
"They were so cold, past shivering," Bermudez said. "Some were just laying on the ground."
He loaded the animals into his vehicle to keep them warm while waiting for an officer.
The dogs must be held for five days prior to being placed out for adoption or given to a rescue organization. They are social -- many wagged their tails and did not bark while being housed in two cages at the center Thursday. "We are hoping," Domer said, "they are all adoptable." http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=86115

Big Problem: Pregnancy and Tossing Dogs Out of a Family

Tom and I are now being considered to foster a homeless dachshund. Today, I heard back from the Dachshund rescue about a possible foster from a woman who has had a dachshund for 3 years now wants to abandon the dog because she had a baby. Arrrggggh!
This is the fourth story we've just heard just like it in the last month (Some from the Weim Rescue that I work with sometimes) where there's a pregnancy or new baby and all of a sudden the people want to give the dogs up. This is really infuriating to us, as it shows total lack of responsibility. Why in the world do people opt to foster and then suddenly abandon their dogs because of a pregnancy or new baby? Don't they think these things out? (How heart-less)
Don't they consider these dogs part of their family?
If not, they shouldn't have one in my opinion.
Further, it takes 2 people to get pregnant, so the man in the family should take responsibility for the dog if the woman can't handle it (understandably). What does that say about men in these families? (read L-A-Z-Y).
How sad for the little innocent dogs that have to be tossed from place to place. We've seen too much of this happening lately, and it's frustrating because its not a monetary thing, it's a choice. People can be cruel. I wish they'd learn better behavior from their dogs!

Comcast Provides Great Customer Service!

On Monday, 2/2 when our Comcast internet modem went on the fritz, I called the 1-888-COMCAST number and set up an appt. for today 2/5 (I couldn't be there on 2/4) to get a tech to the house to fix it. I noted that as part of our Blog (see previous entry), not thinking much of it.
Well, I was really impressed that Mark Casem of Comcast (Philadelphia) responded to the blog, and asked what he can do to ensure the service is fixed. I responded back by email to the general email: We_Can_Help@cable.comcast.com, to have another rep. answer it and check on the status of the home service. Wow. I was impressed. The tech did show this morning before 11am, as promised, too, and replaced the modem, so I'm back on-line -- as is evident with this blog!
Normally people complain about customer service, so I thought I'd take the time to give a public thanks to Comcast for customer service - the way it should be!

Snow, No Internet, Dunkin' Donuts, No. Carolina, Feet!

What does Snow, No Internet, Dunkin' Donuts, Feet and No. Carolina have in common? The last two days of our lives.
SNOW -Today, we received a dusting of snow from the backside of a low pressure system centered over New England - it fell from 6-9am, just in time for the commute, which was hell. I took the dogs to doggy day care, just 11 miles north of us, and there were no issues (from 6:30 to 7). Then accidents galore, shutting down lanes in main routes (BW Parkway -from Balt to DC, Route 50 from Annapolis to DC, Route 3 from Doggy Day care to work, and more) TONS of accidents in 1/4 to 1/2" of snow. My 25 minute drive to work from Doggy Day Care became 90 Minutes!! - So, I had to take an hour of vacation time (all in traffic).At least I got to enjoy the radio!
NO INTERNET - We couldn't blog yesterday because our Comcast modem blew out the night before, and it takes comcast 3 days to get someone over there. So much for working at home...
DUNKIN' DONUTS - My extra large coffee this morning was a perfect comfort in 1 1/2 hours of traffic, AND I just read about "THE TASTE OF HOMEMADE WAFFLES ON THE GO: DUNKIN' DONUTS INTRODUCES NEW WAFFLE BREAKFAST SANDWICH" - see www.dunkindonuts.com. Looks good.
NORTH CAROLINA - Tom flew to a jobsite in NC yesterday. It was a long day for both of us. The dogs and I dropped him off at BWI Airport at 5am, picked him up at 7:30pm... ate dinner driving back from the airport and crashed last night at 8:30pm. FEET - I went to the podiatrist and sure enough, my right foot has plantar fasciitis (PLAN-tur fas-e-I-tis) That's heel pain is caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia — the tissue along the bottom of your foot that connects your heel bone to your toes. It's worse in the morning because the fascia tightens (contracts) overnight. Once your foot limbers up, the pain of plantar fasciitis normally decreases, but it may return after long periods of standing or after getting up from a seated position. So, stretching exercises are now on the daily agenda. I'm glad my foot wasn't sweaty when the doc had to examine them. :)
Boy, as I get older and things keep "going out" this blog is gonna turn into a medical blog! :)

Groundhog Speaks to Channel 2 News About Winter

It's Groundhog Day! ..More Winter or Early Spring?
Thousands of onlookers in the western Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney watched in the cold this morning as Punxsutawney Phil popped out of his hole in the ground to make his annual Groundhog Day appearance. He lept up into the arms of one of the tuxedoed men helping out with the annual ceremony, and proclaimed to KDKA-TV Channel 2 news "Keep your winter coats on, because La Nina told me she's gonna keep the U.S. East coast in the deep freeze for at least 6 more weeks of winter."
Apparently the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center's "La Nina Outlook" made it into Phil's mail slot last week, and he studied it well. "Don't blame me," Phil said. "Blame La Nina, she's nasty!"
German tradition holds that if a hibernating animal cast a shadow on Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter would last another six weeks. If no shadow was seen, legend said spring would come early.
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

Second Chance Architectural Warehouse

Here's a fun way to spend your Saturday afternoon- Jeff and Gary joined us for a walk through a place called "Second Chance Architectural Warehouse" 1645 Warner st. in Baltimore near Ravens Stadium.
Second Chance gives old buildings new life. They work with local and regional architects, builders and contractors to search out old buildings which are entering the demolition phase. They rescue the wood, metal, marble, plaster, stone and other architectural elements that make the building special. They give these pieces new lives, in new homes, in new ways, with new uses. In fact, there were FOUR Warehouses that we went through! We saw doors, shutters, stained glass, church pews, office furniture, lights, old glass doorknobs, chairs, even an old bathtub made of TIN in a wooden frame! - yup, stuff circa 1900. It's like going through a museum almost, but you can buy stuff (and reasonable).
The WEBSITE: http://www.secondchanceinc.org/
Here's the list of what they sell: Architectural Elements, Stained Glass, Tin Ceilings, Iron Work, Lighting, Interior Shutters, Exterior Shutters, Garden Architecturals, Fireplace Mantels, Period Hardware, Period Tile & Much More
Windows, Interior & Exterior Period Doors, Modern Doors, Wood Flooring, Lumber, Building Materials, Antiques, Furniture, Home Décor, Architectural Salvage, Lighting, Rugs, Appliances, Cabinets, Sinks, Toilets, Vintage Fixtures, Claw Foot Tubs, Radiators, Radiator Covers

Cloning a Dog Doesn't Bring Its Spirit Back

(Photo: My beloved late pup, Buzz Wyatt from 2004)

FLORIDA COUPLE CLONES BELOVED DOG FOR $155,000
FULL STORY: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/01/29/cloned.dog/index.html
I just read this headline on CNN, and people just don't understand how life, spirits and personalities work. I wish I could tell them.
Although I understand the grief after witnessing my first puppy (Buzz Wyatt) being killed by a car in front of me when the leash opened, when a dog's spirit moves on, just like a humans, it doesn't come back. Another spirit takes over.
Cloning pets and expecting the same personality and behavior is like cloning people. They'll never be the same person. Further, it's each individual's life experience and environments that help shape their behavior. The people who spent all this money to clone their late dog doesn't understand that they won't be able to duplicate everything they did with the original dog. Dogs all have individual spirits and personalities, just like people. These folks don't understand that this dog will not behave exactly like their late dog.
They should' have given the $155K to a shelter and adopted a dog that's been living without love.

Colder than Normal in Eastern U.S. - Record Heatwave in Australia

If you're in the eastern half of the U.S., you've been locked under a dome of colder than normal air since November 1st... making for a colder-than-normal winter, all due to La Nina's changing of the jet streams. If you want to feel warmer, look no further than Australia. Right now, that continent is experiencing a severe heat wave. Below is a story from Jan. 30, from World Environment News:

SYDNEY - A heatwave scorching southern Australia, causing transport chaos by buckling rail lines and leaving more than 140,000 homes without power, is a sign of climate change, the government said on Thursday. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a total of six days of 40-plus Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) temperatures for southern Australia, which would equal the worst heatwave in 100 years.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said the heatwave, which started on Wednesday, was the sort of weather scientists had been warning about. "Eleven of the hottest years in history have been in the last 12, and we also note, particularly in the southern part of Australia, we're seeing less rainfall," Wong told reporters. "All of this is consistent with climate change, and all of this is consistent with what scientists told us would happen."
The maximum temperature in southern Australia on Thursday was 46 degrees Celsius (114.8 Fahrenheit) in four towns. While uncomfortable for residents in towns and some of Australia's biggest cities, the heatwave was seen as having little effect on Australia's commodities-driven economy, with the worst of the weather away from the nation's grain belt.
Health officials in South Australia and Victoria states have advised people to stay indoors, use air conditioners and keep up fluid intake. More than 140,000 homes were without power in southern Australia as the heat took its toll on the power grid.
In Melbourne, which recorded its hottest day in 70 years at 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, rail lines buckled and trains were canceled, stranding thousands of hot and angry commuters.

The Digital TV Conversion is Coming- Check This Funny Video

On February 17th television signals will go from Analog to Digital. Ready or not. The Nielsen Co. estimates more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals could see their TV sets go dark next month if the transition is not postponed.
Here's a tragically funny video about the struggle some will have trying to cope with it (Thanks, Jeff F!): http://www.hulu.com/watch/36608/talkshow-with-spike-feresten-cable-psa#s-p1-st-i1

How to Figure "Partly Sunny" vs. "Mostly Cloudy"

Our friend Micky in Massachusetts recently asked for the difference between "Partly Sunny," and "Mostly Cloudy." The National Weather Service bases these terms on sixths of sky cover.
Here's the breakdown:
1) Sunny/Clear - no clouds, 0/6 clouds
2) Mostly Sunny - 1/6 clouds
3) Partly Cloudy - 2/6 clouds
4) Variably Cloudy - 3/6 clouds (Which is what this photo shows)
5) Partly Sunny - 4/6 clouds
6) Mostly Cloudy - 5/6 clouds
7) Overcast - 6/6 clouds

In the News: 50% of Americans Want to Move

From CNN today... I wonder if this is because people want a change of scenery due to the bad economy or just don't like living where they are. As for us, we agree that this is the best place to live.
It's odd how more men prefer Las Vegas -could the attraction be the gambling and legal prostitution?- that would be a sad commentary on men. Meanwhile right now, the real estate market in Las Vegas has crashed, and condo and home prices have drastically fallen, due to some of the highest foreclosure rates in the U.S. (so I've read). They also have water shortages out there to contend with, so I feel for the folks that do live there.
Meanwhile, if you're not happy about where you live, make a plan and do something about it. You don't HAVE to stay anywhere unless you're jobless, then just start looking for a job via Internet in the city you want to live. I did it. That's how I moved to Tennessee/Kentucky in 1995 to go back to school. With faith and determination, you can do anything.
Otherwise, FIND good things and reasons why living where you live! Life is short. Appreciate the time you have, wherever it may be. - Rob
(CNN) -- Nearly half of Americans would like to live someplace else, according to a national survey.
* Denver, Colorado, top choice among people surveyed by the Pew Research Center
* Researchers polled 2,260 adults during telephone interviews
* More men than women prefer Las Vegas, Nevada, according to the surveyhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/29/liveable.cities/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Comic Book Review: Final Crisis various series

For those of you who aren't comic book fans, you can skip this blog entry!
I just finished reading the last of DC Comic's "Final Crisis" issues (#7). When I read Final Crisis #6 and saw the introduction of that "wish machine" or whatever the hell it was, I knew that Superman would be the one to "put everything back to normal." - Besides him, in "Final Crisis Revelations" #5 (I think it's called that) the Spectre erases all of the bad things. To sum these storylines up, here's this horrible crisis where the world is chaos, and Oh, at the end of the world and multiverse, we'll come up with some machine that fixes everything. Stupid... and sending Batman back into prehistory or wherever the heck he is, was another stupid thing. If Superman could make things "right" then he could have resurrected Batman in present day. It's non-sensical and frustrating. Now I'm sorry I even bothered with Final Crisis. The Superman in 3-D was also horrible and not worth $4.50 per issue. The only saving graces: The Spectre (IMAGE FROM THE COVER- Credit: DC Comics) storyline was good, and so IS the Legion of Three worlds storyline (which is still going on), both of which really have nothing to do with the "Final Crisis" and Darkseid. Meanwhile, the storyline in Green Lantern, "Rage of the Red Lanterns" that started as a Final Crisis one-shot special and went into GL's own book, is a great storyline. That's it from Rob's comicbook corner!