I Rescued a Human Today

“I Rescued a Human Today” 
(Author Unknown)


Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.


I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel, I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.
I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card, I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds to me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that
She came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. 
So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. “I Rescued a Human Today”

A Rant About Flying...

OK, I have to get this out of my system!

Who else HATES to fly now days?? Anyone?
I flew from FL to CA on Continental Airlines (American is the same and so is Delta) this past weekend.

Why? Glad you asked.
I know my butt isn't getting any smaller, but holy cow... the seats on airplanes are freakin narrow and have NO leg room. When the person in front of me reclines their seat back - the seat hits me on my knees. The tray can't even fold out flat because it's so close me. What's up with THAT??  Oh sure - you can ask to sit at an exit row for more leg room... if you're willing to pay an extra $25 per FLIGHT for the exit row.  I don't think so.


The food - Food? What food? Pretzels, sodas and water for free! Big deal. Want a sandwich? That'll be $6 for a cold, nasty ham & cheese on some kind of bread. I thought I'd be smart and eat one BEFORE I got on the plane and I had to pay $10.00 for a freakin roast beef sandwich that was dry and skimpy on the meat to say the least. Where's the BEEF?? Not in MY sandwich that's for sure!

The movies - Oh yeah, if you're on a flight that allows a movie... just slide your credit card through the slot to pay the $6 it costs now and you get to watch the movie! As far as I know Jet Blue is the only airline that give you a movie for free. On the bright side, they GIVE you the head phones now. Remember when the movie was free and the head phones cost $2? HA!

Baggage - THIS has got to be the biggest rip off in the world. Paying extra to check your baggage is CRAZY! It causes a LOT of people to carry their luggage on board to save $25 - $30 so now you have to fight for space in the overhead to stow your "carry on." Hey - just charge everybody another $60 for the ticket and let us check our bags on the plan! I'd hate to fly with a family of 4. Not only are the costs of tickets up, but if each person had to check ONE bag, it would cost $100 more EACH WAY at the gate! That's ridiculous!

Changing Tickets - On this trip I had a little medical emergency and had to change my return ticket home from a Tuesday to a Sunday.  It cost me $433 to just CHANGE my flight!  WTF????  Are you kidding me???   And when I got on the flights... it wasn't even full.

I'm ready for trains...

Done with rant.

Kathy's Singing Debut...

Gosh, I sure love my wife for being such a good sport!

The other day I heard some cute clatter
So I rose from my couch to see what was the matter.

When I peaked through the door just what did I see?
My cute little wife - singing with glee!

So I got out the video and started to record
Hoping that my batteries would last ... to capture the reward.

I got a few minutes of Kathy singing a song
and now it's here, so watch it and sing along!

New York City October 2010

Well, of course, our timing was all off, yet again.  This is the 3rd trip we have made in the fall to various parts of the country to "see the fall foliage".  Not gonna' happen.  This time, we "Jet Blue'd" up to The Big Apple................yeah!!  Oh wait, the leaves aren't going to change for another 10 days or so!!  Anyway, we got some great pictures and saw lots of things we'd missed when we went there three years ago for Christmas.  We'd forgotten just how darn expensive that city is!  Our hotel room was so small there wasn't even room for a chair, nor a suitcase and it didn't even have a closet.  So, we upgraded there.  Got a great place at 59th and Lexington.............about a block from Bloomingdale's.  Saw a purse I liked there, but it was $600.00 so frugal little me, walked out!!  But at least I've been to Bloomie's now. 

We bought unlimited Subway passes because we really do like the Subway!  We took it all the way out to Coney Island on Sunday so Steve could get his Nathan's Hot Dog!  Turns out he likes his hot dogs at home on his own grill.  So do I.  Coney Island was desolate and deserted, but I guess it's a hot spot in the summer. 

We also did a lower Manhattan Island boat cruise.  (the boat cruise and the Subway passes were the best deals we found!)  We took lots and lots of pictures, they are in the slideshow below.  The day for the cruise was absolutely gorgeous and it the boat was nearly empty so it was a great photo op day. 

We also visited Ground Zero again.  Last time we were here, it was basically a huge hole in the ground.  Now you can see the construction going on.  Also, St. Paul's Episcopal Chapel is directly across from Ground Zero and we went in to see the memorials of 9/11.  It is pretty humbling to see the pictures and the patches from the NYPD and NYFD stations who worked, lived, and sadly, died in the attacks. 

We did Times Square (again)...................so many people, so little space. 

Central Park was beautiful even if I only spotted a few trees with some color.  Maybe next time.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I didn't put all of them in the slideshow because I didn't want to bore anyone to death!

We got home last night at about midnight and are still so tired that we need a long long rest.................

Cheers to all!

Fostering Dogs

Kathy and I have taken up fostering dogs from the Jacksonville Humane Society for a couple of reasons.

2. We felt that by helping the dogs recover from surgery, or just provide them a quiet and safe place to be for a week would help the dog get through the process of finding a “Forever Home” with a new family here in Jacksonville.

So this week we are taking care of a 5 year old Collie mix named “Eddie” that is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever seen.  He was found as a stray dog and turned over to the Center in July 2010. 

A health inspection showed that he had heart worms, and a huge kidney stone.  So the dear dog not only had to get neutered, he also had to under go treatment for heart worm and kidney stones as well!

Well… he made it!  So we are fostering Eddie for 7 days at our home to help him recuperate.  There’s a picture of Eddie below!

Eddie needs a home ASAP!  Please visit www.jaxhumane.org for details.

Technorati Tags: Dogs,fostered dogs

Newport Tennessee With Justin, Family and Friends

Just one week today that our Elvis has left us and we just didn't know what to do with ourselves.  Turned out that finding something constructive was just up the road  in Newport, TN!  Justin had just finished moving into his cabin so we drove up to "see what we could do".  Or, "how can Mom rearrange all my stuff!" 

Steve got him a charcoal grill, and we grilled for a couple of nights...great salads, steak, wings Yum!!!  We tried to not overstay our welcome, so we came home yesterday.  Still so sad to not have to stop and pick up Elvis from Doggie (Grandma) Day Care, but we are ok, and so is our dog, who is not in pain anymore. 

Elvis having a drink :)

So, I hope you take a look at the slide show.  His cabin is really cool, on a lake, big porches and he has wonderful friends that live right up the road.  We also went to his new job, it's really a great place to eat!  Angelo's, At The Point, in a little town called Dandridge, TN.  Beautiful restaurant; it's a big tourist place, plus banquets, etc.  I ate WAY too many oysters but they were great!  They were big and fat and plump and from the Gulf and I was so glad to know our seafood industry isn't totally hosed..................ok, enough from me!  Take care all!  Also, a link below to Angelo's...what a find!!  Good job Justin!! 

Here's where Justin works now: http://www.thepointresorttn.com

Elvis Is Leaving The Building

I'm writing this morning, as I know I will not be able to think about doing it later today. Steve and I have decided that today is the day we need to say good bye to our best little buddy, Elvis. He has had another stroke, and the medicine he is on is not working. He can barely walk and doesn't really know where he is. Steve has to lift him off the tile floor because he can't get up. We will miss him so much and the thought of waking up tomorrow without him is breaking my heart. He's going to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for us. We love you Elvis!!!  Below is the most beautiful poem I found at the Jax Humane Society Cemetary last week while I was walking dogs.  It says it all.  Our little buddy will be there waiting for us and I hope he finds Raider and Katie, the dogs he grew up with.

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

Family Visit Jacksonville August 2010

Great time had by all.............my husband the chef was the star of the evening!!