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Infuriating - Mistreatment of Animals

Okay - this is the third story I've heard like this in a month. The other 2 came from West Virginia. One of them involved dachshund puppies living in filth (or dying in it). Another one came from a woman we met last weekend at Panera Bread in Bowie, who had a beagle pup with her-- She said the pup was one of the pups left alive in a puppy mill, where dogs were literally piled on top of each other. Now this: Hellish conditions found at Almost Heaven Kennel in Pennsylvania
Story Highlights:
*Kennel owner Derbe "Skip" Eckhart cited for cruelty, loses license
*65 dog and puppy carcasses found in freezer, officials say
*800 to 1,000 live animals, including monkeys, mini horses rescued
*SPCA says animals lived in filth, lacked access to fresh water
FULL STORY: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/02/kennel.cruelty.charge.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
There is absolutely nothing more infuriating to me than people who mistreat innocent animals. They should be reamed and forced to exist in the same conditions they made dogs and cats live in, until they're no longer breathing. Thank God for the SPCA, the Human Society and Rescues like Wolf Creek Weimaraner Rescue in TN (where I adopted Dolly from). THAT's why I support those charities.

The Outrageous Cost of Assisted Living

My friend Beverlee (85) wants to go into assisted living, because she's legally blind, frail, and in failing health. She finds it difficult to cook for herself and is unable to leave her apartment.
My friend Cynthia is looking into them now for her dad, and discovered the range is between $3,500 and $6,000 for assisted living! Here's a link to a fact sheet: http://www.eldercare.gov/eldercare/Public/resources/fact_sheets/assisted_living.asp
As for nursing homes, she said they're cheaper but rooms are shared and you can not bring your own belongings. To get into a nursing home that medicare will pay for, you have to be hospitalized for 3 days or more, then medicare will pay 100% of a nursing home for the first 20 days, 80% for the days 21-100...then you have to get medicaid from the state if you can prove you cannot pay.
This is what so many are facing now, and everyone should plan...

Even a Dog Walk Can Be an Adventure!

Life is always an adventure!
This morning's walk with Dolly and Franklin was filled with it! Every Tuesday and Thursday when I work at home, I walk the dogs about 1 mile around the neighborhood in the early morning and afternoon (and then at night with Tom). About half way through, there's a small park with tennis courts and a playground, where we stop so I can toss their "business" in a park trash can. This morning, on the other side of the tennis court were a Pack of 3 red foxes! Needless to say, I tossed the bag in the trash and ran out of there with the kids. I've seen one fox before here on a rare occasion, but not a pack!
Later, a brazen cat (the kids don't like 'em) decided to strut into the middle of the street ahead, glare at us and hunch its back and hiss. Well, the kids took that as a challenge, so they were pulling me down the street like crazy! That's about 80 pounds of pull! (Dolly is 58 pounds, Franklin 21). The cat got smart and ran like hell!
Rounding the corner to our house, a black poodle mix darted across the street toward Dolly and Franklin. The dog seems to be allowed to walk around freely when the owner is outside (an hispanic man that "no habla ingles"- doesn't speak English- and this morning, the dog was a foot away from being struck by a car turning onto our side street.
So, next time you think nature is peaceful, pay close attention. There's an adventure around every corner!

Visiting Beverlee / What is Portable Kitty Litter?

Last night after dinner, I drove to downtown Baltimore to visit my friend Beverlee, who is 85 and lives in an apartment building for retired folks. Beverlee is pretty frail, about 80 pounds, standing about 4'11" and has lung disease (she's a lung cancer survivor), so she's on oxygen all the time. I try and visit Bev about once every week or two weeks (it takes about 1+ hour to get there from home) on a weeknight. She usually has company on the weekends.
Beverlee has a cat named Stitch. Although her doctors said "no cat, no kitty litter" - because kitty litter makes breathing more difficult, she loves her cat (understandably so). Beverlee is home bound pretty much, and can't even take the elevator to her lobby to get her mail every day, so it's a pretty lonely life except for visitors. We agree that it's a tough life. Her husband passed away when she was in her 40s, so she's been on her own a long time. She's a firecracker, though. She's got all her wits about her, and really knows people. So it's always entertaining to visit her.
Lately, Bev has been asking me to get "disposable kitty litter trays filled with kitty litter." I bought 10 at Petsmart and brought them, and together they weigh about 20-25 pounds. Kitty litter is heavy! Anyway, she likes it better than scooping a litter box, because Bev is legally blind, and can't see to scoop. She can see a little with the use of a tabletop machine that magnifies words about 50 times. - So, last night I brought her the 25 pounds of "mobile kitty litter" with some Dunkin' Donuts coffee (as I usually do). Nothing like coffee and conversation and she's a hoot!
(Tom stayed home with the dogs, as he has severe allergies to cats and can't even breathe around 'em. Luckily for me, I'm chock full of allergy medicine every day of the week.)

Middle of the Week!

It's Wednesday and seems like the week has been dragging, and so am I! It's definitely more challenging to get up at 4am because the sun doesn't come up until 7am! - Anyway, lots going on as usual.
Our weimaraner Dolly had her stitches removed yesterday at the Anne Arundel Vet Hospital in Annapolis, and is back to normal (almost). I can finally give her a bath this weekend, as well as little Franklin (the dachshund) as his injured front leg is now working correctly again.
We're looking forward to a doggy event this coming Saturday... will write more about it later.
Meanwhile, I'm getting dog costumes ready for the event - Dolly will be a "Green Lantern" of the Dog Star (to match my Green Lantern outfit), and Franklin will be an ear of corn! Wait to see that outfit. It's a challenge to make.
Today is comic book day! Yay! That's what gets me through the first part of every week.

Comic Con/ House / Doggy Stuff / Eyes Have it!

Yesterday's Baltimore Comic Book Convention was great. It was very crowded, and I went with my friend Grey, and Tom's friend's partner (both of whom are HUGE comic book fans). We spent hours there going through the aisles of comic books, seeing artists and writers, looking at toys, tee-shirts, and other superhero stuff. It was fun! We also took a lunch break and went to the Federal Hill Street Festival (nearby) that our friend Jane organized. We met Jane and Steve for a quick lunch and enjoyed the festival before going back to the convention!
- HOUSE PROJECT Meanwhile, Tom stayed home with the dogs, and installed 4 new in-ceiling lights in the Kitchen. They look awesome, and provide great light in there now!
DOG NEWS- Dolly gets her stitches out tomorrow!!! Franklin's leg is much better, too. The doc apparently worked it back into place.
- EYE STUFF- I pick up my 2nd pair of glasses tomorrow, and in 2 weeks, Tom goes for his cataract surgery consultation. Yup, he's got them and they're driving him crazy, so they need to be removed. Stay tuned.

You wait all week for Saturday, and...

It's raining. Yup. A dog event that I've had on the calendar for 2 months is cancelled due to a pain-in-the-butt Low pressure system that's now sitting near southwestern Virginia and bringing clouds and showers from VA to Maine. We were supposed to go the Pet Appreciation Festival and Pet Memorial Day observance
at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in Timonium, MD with our friends Brooke, Pat and their dog Eli. Well, I'm pretty miffed. I wait all week to finally do something that's not work and it's cancelled. Okay, it wouldn't so bad if we didn't have 17 straight days of Sunshine and No rain beforehand. Timing is everything.
On top of that, we got our haircuts this morning at a nearby barber. There were 4 people cutting hair, and an older gentleman (who was one of the barbers) said "Next." I went next. Big mistake. I have a big "lump" of hair on the side of my head that he didn't thin out to match the other side. I now have to trim it myself or pad it down with lots of hair gel until my next haircut. I knew he'd screw something up when he wouldn't stop talking about his wife and kids great "2 week adventure out west." He kept stopping and talking with his hands over and over again. Yeah, I was exasperated. Meanwhile, Tom and another person were done with another barber (a more talented woman) in the time it took the Talker to finish chopping my hair. Thaaaaaat's great.

Lots of Dogs in Wash DC Need Foster Homes ASAP

Our friend Jeff F. came upon this great dog-saving organization in Washington, DC called "The K-9 Lifesavers Dogs" that try and place dogs in foster or permanent homes. Some are in kill-shelters and their time is ticking...Read their profiles
COPY AND PASTE WEBSITE IN ANOTHER BROWSER: http://www.k9lifesavers.org/all-adoptable-dogs.php

Here's one that needs Immediate fostering: Name: Mellie (HOW CAN YOU RESIST?)
Breed: Cocker Spaniel Mix Approximate Age: 5 months
Approximate Weight: 18 lbs -- will grow to be about 25-30
Currently Living at: A horrible high kill shelter -- Please foster Mellie today!

Looking Forward to the "Muscle Relaxing" Weekend

After a tough week, BOTH dogs are on the mend. Dolly has her energy back, and had the stitches from her upper back removed at the Vet yesterday. Her surgery stitches come out next week. Franklin is on muscle relaxers like Dolly, for his sprained front right leg. So, BOTH dogs are on muscle relaxers!! They're going to have a lazy weekend. :)
SATURDAY: We are going to take Dolly and Franklin to a doggy event on Saturday (and may wind up carrying them quickly...Franklin is 21 pounds, Dolly is 58, but hey, we work out). If it doesn't get rained out... it's a "Pet Appreciation Festival" in Timonium, Md. (www.dulaneyvalley.com) with lots of pet vendors, etc. - and we're meeting our friends Brooke and Pat and their dog Eli there.

SUNDAY: It's the Baltimore Comic Book Convention for Rob!! (Tom is staying home to garden with the dogs in the backyard). (IMAGE: Superboy and Krypto- DC Comics).
Rob and his friends Grey and Tom (another Tom) are going to the convention, then may go to a street festival in Federal Hill to see Steve and Jane. The Baltimore Book Festival is also on all weekend, so there's much to see!

Today is "ONE OF THOSE DAYS"

It's Thursday, Sept. 25th and by 9:30 a.m. it was already "One of Those Days."
- FIRST- Our heartfelt and sincere sympathy and condolences to our friend Mike Fitzgerald, who's dad passed away on Sept. 23rd, losing a battle with cancer. After just losing my dad less than 2 months ago, I know what he's feeling. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts. His blog: www.zentropolis.com
- SECOND - Our friend John in Virginia Beach is facing cancer for the 4th time in his life. He's conquered it 3 times. Now it's not in one place, but throughout his body and he's on a new chemo treatment. John's the most optimistic, loving person you'll ever know. If you want to send him a note of encouragement, his email is: jrkies-dion@cox.net. He said "This new chemo is the new 'designer' chemo, and it's supposed to kill ONLY the cancer cells, and not any of the healthy cells."
- THIRD - Our dachshund Franklin is now at the Hospital for his Injured right front foot - Now he won't and really can't walk without whimpering in pain. I had to carry him outside last night and this morning to do his business. I took him into the Vet this morning, and had to leave him all day for X-rays and an exam. Either it's sprained or broken, we're unsure. Stay Tuned.
- FOURTH - A morning COMPUTER UPDATE for WINDOWS crashed our home computer early this morning on my "Work at Home Day." - So, after dropping Franklin to the vet, I had to drive to work and leave Dolly at home in her protective collar. The computer is rebooting and self-fixing over the next several hours. Hopefully it will work!
- FIFTH - Little things- after Tom left for work this AM, and the dogs and I went back to bed, a gust of wind from the slightly open kitchen window knocked a dish off the counter that was drying (from Tom's breakfast) and it shattered - scaring Dolly, Franklin and I!
YES, It's another "So Happy It's Thursday! - or S.H.I.Thursday! :)
Hope your day is going better, and keep Mike and John in your thoughts and prayers.

Krypto Flies Again! (as do Dolly, Franklin and Low Pressure Systems)

Krypto Flies Again in the pages of this week's SUPERMAN Comics #680!!!
In "Atlas," part 4: It's the grand finale of the Atlas epic and Superman's foe ia seemingly victorious! With Superman down for the count, who can stand in the way of the city's supposed new ruler? Enter Krypto, (Super)man's best friend, who will do anything to protect his master. Don't miss Krypto at his most heroic, a worthy addition to the Superman Family – and a very good boy. (a MUST BUY!!) - After all, Dolly loves dressing up like Krypto.
DOLLY AND FRANKLIN FLYING
It's day #7 after Dolly's surgery. Today we've noticed an incredible improvement. She's finally not wincing and scooting after doing her business. Her ears are up, she's perky again, and her tail wags again! She's Flying High again! We're so happy to have our little "poo-poo head" getting back to normal. FRANKLIN, however, flew through the air when he jumped from a chair and hurt his left front paw. He's now limping. He keeps thinking he's a big dog. He's going to be limping for awhile, and we MUST keep him off the chairs (we've tried for years).
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS FLYING:
A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OFF THE CAROLINA COAST WILL MOVE ASHORE OVERNIGHT AND THURSDAY. DETERIORATING CONDITIONS EXPECTED ACROSS THE MID ATLANTIC AS OVERCAST SKIES...SHOWERS AND STRONG WINDS OVERSPREAD THE AREA.
Watch Mid-Atlantic Live Radar here: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=DOX&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes