This is a weekend to be thankful. We should always be thankful, but more than any other time, this weekend is a time for us to think and reflect on the things we should be thankful for.
For me, I feel like I have a lot to be thankful for. I'm thankful for having three great dogs that bring joy to my life -- they also prevent me from sleeping in and sleeping my life away, and encourage me to go for walks.
I'm thankful for the many people out there who do rescue and help animals. You all do great things.
I'm thankful for the many people out there who are getting involved politically for animals and getting animal-unfriendly politicians and shelter employees out of office.
I'm thankful the thousands of people out there who are advocates for the dogs that have no voice -- both in their verbally educating people and in having their dogs be well-behaved advocates for their breeds.
I'm also thankful for the readers and commentors on this blog -- I've learned a lot from you.
And most of all, I'm thankful for my awesome wife who not only tolerates the time I put in on this blog, but is also one of the smartest people I know on the topics I write about. Most of my best stuff on this blog originated from her. She is a great partner in our advocacy.
It's been a really busy week so blog posting has been down a little. But there have been several things this week that I wanted to get out there -- interesting, fun, and just downright wrong:
Yes Biscuit! has a great post about HSUS's document from their website on "Selecting Animals for Euthanasia." It's a really detailed report that specifically recommends how animals should be selected for euthanasia. She does a great job of breaking down the document and what is wrong with the rationale in it. Meanwhile, apparently someone from HSUS contacted her and noted that the document was "outdated" and would be taken down (which it has). My hope is that they replace it with a document that is equally thorough and helps provide guidance on how to SAVE animals, not kill them. Meanwhile, I think this might be a good note for all of us that have organizations that have websites to look at all of the old material on there and ask the question -- is that information still current in the mindset of a nation that is quickly moving toward no kill? We should really take a hard look at the information we are making available to the public and be sure the information we have out there is current, accurate, and helpful in moving us toward a no kill, no BSL nation.
According to most reports, it looks like NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is likely to conditionally reinstate Michael Vick into the NFL with a 4-6 game suspension to start the season. I know many in the animal welfare community are (rightfully) upset at this development. I am not sure why Goodell would think that the NFL -- which right now is the most successful sports league in the world -- needs or wants Vick who will only be a distraction from their on-field product. So keep sending letters to the commissioners office. But with that said, even if Vick is reinstated, and signs with a team, you can still make your voices heard. Money is a powerful motivator, and we need to continue to speak with our pocketbooks. If an NFL team signs Vick, wouldn't it send a powerful message if all of the pet owners who have season tickets cancelled them. Sixty percent of the US owns pets, and if a team signed Vick and the next day had 60% of their fan base call and cancel tickets it would send a very powerful message. If he signs with your team, don't go to games. Don't watch them on TV. Don't buy jerseys. Money can be a very powerful motivator.
Meanwhile, I still can't help but think of the irony that could come out of all of this. One team that is notorious for bringing in players with troubled pasts is the Oakland Raiders -- and its a team that has struggled at the QB spot for several years. I can't help but think of the irony if he begins playing in the same city as the organization that is probably most responsible for giving his dogs a new and better life.
The stories of two of my three dogs are now up at the National Canine Research Council. Stella and SweetP both came to us under pretty horrible circumstances -- SweetP had nearly been starved to death and Stella had been hit by a car and left for dead along the side of the road in downtown Kansas City. Both are doing great now -- are best buds and Canine Good Citizens. Thanks to Karen for posting their info.
And finally, over the weekend I was watching Kansas City native Tom Watson nearly making history at the British open, and got to see a new TV commercial from Traveler's Insurance. This is a great spot that really takes a neat twist on protecting your most prized possessions. It also is nice to give a nice nod to the large percentage of the population that loves their pets and can really associate with the spot.
It's really unfortunate that while Traveler's Insurance hit a home run with their advertising campaign, that they don't with pet owners. Traveler's does discriminate against owners of certain types of dogs. So A+ for your commercial...Fail for your internal insurance policies.
Last night, Stella successfully achieved Canine Good Citizen Status. I'm really happy for her. She's a really impressive little dog for one that was found hit by a car and left along the side of a road badly bruised, with a broken leg, and horrible mange.
Now, she's a pretty darn cute Canine Good Citizen.
Stella celebrated by sticking her tongue out at me.
So, this weekend we took in a 10 week old puppy for 2 days. Gigi is a part of MABBR's rescue program, and a friend of ours was fostering her. We thought the exposure to the puppy would be good for Boomer -- who likes other dogs -- so we thought keeping Gigi for a couple of days would be worth the effort. Turns out, it was worth the time and effort, for my own personal enjoyment -- as well as for Boomer.
This first pic is of Boomer hanging out on the back deck. It was pretty cold, and Boomer wasn't the biggest fan of the cold.
As it turns out, Gigi was a huge fan of Stella -- and vice versa. Here's Gigi making a run at Stella.
The stare-down.
It doesn't take long before we realize that Gigi is Stella's mini-me.
Stella is an awesome big sis.
Gigi chased Grommit too. Grommit had zero idea what to do about this little dog.
Gigi settles in with Boomer for a little post-play nap.
Gigi sheds her eyes from the light for a better nap.
SweetP later joined Boomer for a nap.
Grommit and Stella took over the other couch - equally tired.
A close up of Stella sleeping. She's my petit delicate flower.
It was a fun weekend, but I'm with Stella. I'm tired.
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