Happy International Polar Bear Day!

The annual event, International Polar Bear Day, is designed to bring attention to the plight of these magnificent hunters.  Their numbers are dwindling.  According to Polar Bear International,
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/community-outreach/save-our-sea-ice, "as the Arctic continues to warm due to climate change, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by mid-century—although hope remains if action is taken to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions." The world's largest predators are no match for intensity of the melting sea ice. It's up to us to do our part.  The organization urges people to take the challenge -- do little things, put on a sweater rather than upping the thermostat; turn out the lights when you leave a room.  What other things can you do?   How about

• Planting a tree (or two or three)
• Walking or biking rather than hopping in the car; for longer trips, catch the bus 
• Unplug power cords

Those suggestions are just the beginning.  Don't let International Polar Bear Day pass by without making some kind of change.  Do it for the bears.

 

 

Ella (6) and Elias (13) chill with Fergus and Rue.

I asked Elias and Ella's mom if I could share the adorable photo that she sent of the siblings with their pair of recently adopted kittens, Fergus and Rue, formerly known as holiday-reindeer-kittens Vixen and Blitzen.   Not only did she agree, but she shared some of the background that led to the kittens' adoption.  
Our old cat, Moose (almost 20), passed away. I was ready for a period of mourning, even a state funeral, but Elias and Ella knew better. We came to WARL and Elias says Fergus and Rue are my third and fourth children. They've completely changed the energy in the house. As I write this, they're both on my lap.
Her email reminded me that our animals time with us is short, but so is the time that children live at home with their parents.  If Fergus and Rue are able to manage the longevity that Moose enjoyed, Ella and Elias will be college graduates by the time the pair of energetic kittens hit their senior stride.  One of the many benefits of sharing our homes with cats and dogs is that there is rarely ever an empty next.  I'm hoping for a picture of the foursome in 10 years and another one several years after that!

Yes, Charlotte, I do want to wash my face!

Here's the thing with Charlotte.  She kind of, sort of, likes to be around me.   She doesn't sit on my lap or snuggle in bed, but she likes to be in the same general vicinity where I am.  And, more times than not, she enjoys causing a disturbance.   Okay, you might think that I am projecting my annoyance onto Charlotte when I say she "enjoys" causing a disturbance.   I am really not projecting, I am stating a fact.  We have a night-time routine -- I sit down to read a book, Charlotte chirps a warning and jumps up on the mantle.  I take Charlotte down from the mantle, pick up the cat toy -- that Charlotte use to like --  and sit back down to read.  Charlotte chirps again and jumps up on the piano.  We repeat this game/annoyance -- depending on your perspective-- several times before I give up and put Charlotte in the basement, where she is perfectly content to watch TV with Max or entertain herself with cat toys.   Charlotte's latest I am in your space activity is jumping into the sink every morning just as I turn on the bathroom light.  I chalk a lot of Charlotte's irritating behavior up to the fact that she's a kitten.  But, she's not;  she is two, and we've been doing this reading, jumping up, plucking down activity now for well over a year. And, if the last few days are a predictor of what's to come, I fear that Charlotte's sink-sitting is not going to end any time soon.

Home at Last!

The little dog, in the Zebra striped harness, was named Shortstack when she lived at the Washington Animal Rescue League.  She spent three months at the shelter, after her rescue from a puppy mill, before finding her forever home.  When I saw her self-assured photo this morning in an email update that read, Her name is now MeMe because we want her to think that her new life is now about "me me", I thought of Sam's poster with the sweet animal drawings and hard-hitting message.   There are millions of dogs and cats in the world.  Many of them are victims of animal cruelty.  Don't let an animal you know become a victim.  Little Me Me, once a victim, is now a much-loved family member in her forever home. Her guardian writes, she is "comfy on the couch with her blanket and on our bed by my feet at night to sleep. She likes to watch TV with me and play chase with my daughter.  Adopting her has been one of the best decisions I've ever made."

 

Let's Celebrate

 I've decided to be Canadian for the day on February 25th.  According to Modern Dog, February 25th marks Canada’s first ever National Cupcake Day! Donate your baking and, better still, eating skills to this awesome event to help raise money for tens of thousands of animals in local shelters, SPCAs, and humane societies across the country.  The British Columbia SPCA  is promoting the event by asking young animal advocates to Help end animal cruelty one cupcake at a time.  The money you raise selling your cupcakes will help the BC SPCA rescue, re-home, and provide emergency services for injured and abandoned animal in B.C. 

I'm all in favor of copying this delicious celebration.   Who says National Cupcake Day can't be International Cupcake Day.    No chocolate icing for Nigel and other pooches, but I've never known Nigel to turn down a crumb or two.  To find out more about this delicious charitable event in Canada go to nationalcupcakeday.ca.

Don’t kill the deer in Rock Creek Park

That is the title of an article, by highly respected scientists Jay Kirkpatrick and Allen Rutberg, that caught my eye in the Washington Post last week.  The researchers explain how the deer population, if truly burgeoning (but it is not according to their very detailed research), can be humanely controlled with a pregnancy inhibitor vaccine.  Their research confirms that shooting deer is not only cruel, but it doesn't solve the problem -- it actually increases population by increasing more room for other deer to move in.  There is a local grassroots effort to prevent the killings in one of our most used area parks. To sign the petition, National Park Service: Don't Kill Deer in our Nation's Capital, go to https://www.change.org/petitions/national-park-service-don-t-kill-deer-in-our-nation-s-capital?share_id=raMPKGeTON&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition.    To read the entire article click on http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-01/opinions/36679955_1_deer-population-urban-deer-deer-per-square-mile

Timely Poster Promotes Winning In More Ways than One!

Fifth  grade students in Mr. Goff's health class at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School continue to promote kindness through creativity.   Advertising executives take note. Simeon's poster depicting  Baltimore Ravens' tough guy linebacker Ray Lewis as a thoughtful animal lover gets your attention.     Simeon's hard-hitting words and carefully chosen pictures show a stark contrast between actions on and off the field.   The class'  critical look at Baltimore's award-winning, Show Your Soft Side Campaign lubowphotography.com/promotional/show-your-soft-side-campaign/ continues to spawn pro-animal messages weeks after our enthusiastic class discussion.   While the Baltimore Raven may very well be the next Super Bowl Champions, Mr. Goff's kind, caring and thoughtful students show their winning ways every day! 

This Picture Made Me Smile!

We send out a quick survey asking adopters to give us a brief update a month after their adoption is complete.  The replies with pictures are the best!   I often read the updates and then close the file, but I just had to share this one of Foxy and her new best friend.  Every cute little dog should have a cute little girl in a purple coat.  Don't let all the girliness in the photo fool you.  Foxy's grown-up person reports that the little dog has a big job -- by day she's a Corporate Watchdog with a real office.   Guess that's the next best thing to being with her BFF  24/7.  After all, kids do have to go to school.

A Big Tom Cat Melts My Heart

I'm one cool cat!

There is something about a big-headed cat.   They areabsolutely the most lovable cats, but they also aren't afraid to tell you what they do and DO NOT like.   My heart melted when I saw this big-headed guy this morning.   I was told that he was not happy about his new situation.  He was living on the streets when one of our volunteers' friend took him in temporarily.  He was happy there, and apparently didn't understand that that situation was not permanent.  He was brought here yesterday and made sure to let every staff member know that he was not fond of needles.   As someone who has been needle-phobic since birth, can't say that I blame him.   Today, he's settled in nicely.  He ate an entire bowl of breakfast and decided that the cat bed is warm and cozy.  When I opened his kitty condo he got up and rubbed all over me.   Whoever is lucky enough to adopt this big bruiser is not going to have any trouble getting him to settle in.  He's up-to-date on all vaccines.  No more needles for another year!  If you come looking for him at the League, ask for Banger.  I personally think he looks like a Chuck or Clint.  His rescuer likes Chico.  I'm sure he'll answer to anything that suits him.   After all, he's a big-headed tom cat who just may come when he's called, but just as well may not! 

Fifth Graders' Artwork Speak Volumes



Reinna's poster, modeled
from Baltimore's
Show Your Soft Side
Campaign,
 includes quarterback RGIII as spokesperson.

 I have had the privilege of visiting with an awesome fifth grade class at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School this year.  Their health and fitness teacher, Mr. Kennon Goff, introduced me to some of the students over the summer.  When he asked if I'd be interested in working with the class during the school year he told me that the entire class was just as empathetic, compassionate, and inspiring as the small group he brought to shelter as part of the summer enrichmentment program.   I thought he was exaggerating until I met the students.  When asked to come up with their own campaigns to promote kindness to animals, the students brainstormed during our 45 minute session.  But the ideas didn't stop there -- many of the students worked on their posters at home and returned to school with camera-ready art.


Fionna's exquisite life-like drawing of a cat
catches your eye and then delivers an emphatic directive.



100 Ways to Help Animals

Lafayette Elementary School 4th graders in Ms. Fratto, Hallstrom, and Culver’s classes strategized before the break on ways to help animals.  The brainstorming session resulted in a list of 100 terrific ideas.  Ten of those ideas are listed below. 

1. Give animals food
2. Adopt an animal
3. Buy animals toys
4. Protect animals
5. Hold a food drive, toy drive
6. Make posters to convince people to adopt animals
7. Volunteer at a shelter
8. Be nice to animals
9. Advertise shelter animals in the newspaper
10. Send ideas about caring for animals to congress
The students made sure that their fifth suggestion, hold a food drive, was not only carried out, but was a huge success.  The fourth graders' school-wide food drive to support the League's Rescuers Food Bank netted nearly 200 pounds of cat and dog food and treats!   Thank you! 

Look Who is Sitting Side-by-side

Just yesterday I was saying to someone that my cats, Merl and Charlotte, like each other okay, but that they don't cuddle or sleep next to each other, let alone groom one another.  And then last night, Max said, "Mom, look at this!"  There was Merl and Charlotte, side-by-side, fur touching fur.  And, you guessed it, while we were smiling at the pair and commenting on their cuteness, Charlotte started grooming Merl.  She bathed his face and ear. 
Maybe I can save my sofa by telling someone that I don't ever expect Charlotte to stop using it as a scratching post.  It's worth a try! 

A Very Happy New Year to All!

 This is a very happy time for many WARL alums, including three very recent adoptees.   I was thrilled to learn this morning that Sailor (pretty white cat) and Skipper (Sailor's very best friend) moved into  their forever home over the weekend.   Sailor is an outgoing fellow, but his timid friend, Skipper, rarely peeked her head out of the hidey-hole in the cat tree.  No one worried about Sailor, he is a cat with an abundance of personality.  But Skipper, though gorgeous, could rarely be seen. When their new person came to the League looking for a pair, Sailor must have known this was it -- he persuaded Skipper to come out for a quick introduction, and the rest, as they say, is history.  Their adoption was Skipper's holiday miracle.

More good news.  Judy, a rather round and extremely lovable cat had been a staff favorite for some time.   People were drawn to Judy because of her size, but no one applied to adopt her -- until this weekend.  Judy is starting out 2013 with a family of her own.   We hope that they will keep us posted on the weight loss program that Judy started while living at the League.   Four months ago, Judy tipped the scale at 24 pounds.  By her adoption day she had slimmed down to 22 pounds. 

And, what a treat to read about Carnival and see the picture of her at home with a huge rope toy of her very own.  Pretty Carnival came to League as part of a terrible hoarding case.  She was very protective of her newborn litter.  The pups were outgoing, and people-centered.  But Carnival remained fearful of people and came back to the shelter where she stayed for months.  Even though staff and volunteers worked with her, she remained hesitant. That all changed shortly after she moved into her forever home.  She is doing great - I hardly recognize her as the scared dog at the shelter, wrote a friend of Carnival's guardian. 

Skipper, Sailor, Judy and Carnival were among the  1,713 dogs and cats who left the League for permanent, loving forever homes in 2012.  Happy New Year!

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE updates.   And, look who we heard from the other day.  I miss having Donny or Jules sit on my desk, next to my keyboard while I'm working, but I am thrilled that they've not only found their forever home, but  have completely settled in.  Cats and beds go together like peanut butter and jelly.  And, we heard that Donny and Jules slept with their new person from day one.  During the day they tend to lounge wherever is most comfortable.  My guess, from the look of Donny sprawled on his perch, his forever person had to do a little redecorating in order for Donny to fit comfortably.  

IPad Games for Cats are Nice, But the Cat Dancer is Top Toy in My House

Yes, I uploaded games on my IPad for Merl and Charlotte.  And, yes they play with them sometimes.  Merl is a fan of Cat Fishing 2.  Charlotte likes the Jitterbug game, but would much rather play with the Cat Dancer.   The Cat Dancer is all about packaging.   You can barely see the toy, which is described on Amazon as the original interactive cat toy. Spring steel wire and rolled cardboard create an irresistible lure for cats...  It is the cheapest toy I've ever bought, and yet I resisted purchasing one for the longest time.  I refused to spend money on what is basically a piece of steel wire with four tiny roles of brown paper.   The cat room at the League has several Cat Dancers.  And, when the brown paper lures are pulled off of the wire, we get more.   We get more Cat Dancers because the cats love them.  I hesitated buying a Cat Dancer for home because I figured I could make my own, for about $3.80 cheaper than the $3.99 price tag.  After trying a number of combinations, and tiring of yelling at Charlotte to stop whatever improper behavior she was engaged in, I broke down and bought a Cat Dancer.  And, when that one was misplaced I bought two more.  The home Cat Dancers are pure entertainment for all.  Merl and Charlotte leap, twist and pounce on the waving wire and I, the controller of the Cat Dancer, break into hysterics watching their aeriel twists.  And best of all, when Charlotte is sharpening her nails on the sofa, or knocking photos off of the piano or  chewing on electrical cords, all I have to do is pick up the Cat Dancer and wave it.  Charlotte stops her naughty behavior immediately and leaps for the Cat Dancer.   At $3.99 a pop, the Cat Dancer is much less expensive than a new sofa!  

Fourth graders at Lafayette Elementary School in Washington, D.C. did some quick calculating and learned that caring for an animal companion can be costly.  They want to make sure that every cat and dog has plenty to eat this holiday season and beyond.   They also learned that the Washington Animal Rescue League's Rescuers' Food Bank helps people care for their cats and dogs.  Income qualified guardians apply for food assistance and then are eligible to pick up cans or bags of food every month.  Food in the Rescuers' Food Bank is donated to the League by generous patrons -- like those in the Lafayette Elementary School community.  The food drive is an all-school effort; the school's artistic security guard Officer Nicholson, created the drop-off boxes and Cozy Girl, a WARL alum and companion to school psychologist Harriet Kuhn, eagerly to lent her "Please feed my friends" pose in front of glittery donation box for a promotional photo.  Food will be collected between now and December 21st.    

So much good news!

Javi and Hachi settled in China

What a great couple of days.  The holiday spirit is in full swing.

Donny (and Jules)  will get lots
of brushing in his forever home

Best News # 1 -- Jules and Donny went home!    Their new person was looking for an older pair of cats and it was love at first sight.  

Best News # 2 -- We got an update from Hachi in China.   He is loving life and is thrilled to be spending so much time with his favorite boy, Javi, and all of his friends.

Sachin and Sidharth prepare for the
onslaught of book buyers at the
League's Holiday Open House.

Best News # 3 -- Sachin, and family including brother Sidharth and the ever rambunctious Sparky, came to our holiday event where the young author sold a lot of books.  Proceeds from Get A Clue benefit the Washington Animal Rescue League's medical center.  If you didn't get a copy at our event, the book is for sale through Amazon.

Best News # 4 -- Jeremiah, the older dog, who came here from West Virginia in hopes of finding a forever home just did -- two minutes ago his adoptions papers were signed and finalized.   

Can't wait to report more best newses!

Justice!

Animal abusers often get away with their crimes.   Not so in the case of Sean Delontay Branch.  He was sentenced to 120 days in jail for brutally killing a puppy.  The 24-year-old admitted to dropping a cement slab, that weighed more than 90 pounds, on King Tut.  The six-month-old sleeping puppy was tied to a neighbor's fence.  Branch's reasoning?  He was mad at the pup's guardian. 

Kudos to D.C. Superior Court Judge Herbert Dixon, who told Branch, ""I don't think you understand the depravity, what it says about someone who does that." The sentence was one month more than what was sought by prosecutors.  The judge who handed down the sentence didn't stop with jail time -- Branch will be placed on three years of supervised release after his jail time. And, he was ordered to pay $450 to a crime victims' fund and complete a class that teaches anger management

We are Thankful for caring kids!

Generous Janney Elementary School friends

The day after Thanksgiving has become a shopping frenzy -- but not for all.  At the League it looks like Santa made an early appearance and several second grade elves brought toys and treats for the dogs and cats. Ms. Da Silva's 2nd grade class at Janney Elementary School decided  to bring a little fun to the cats and dogs currently housed at the League.  Jack, Ben, and Tomas delivered a basket full of awesome gifts for the animals.  And, classmate Henry is here right now visiting the dogs in hopes of adopting a new family member! 

Sailor checking out the toys

During this season of goodness and gluttony, we are grateful for young people who care about the animals.   In addition to the basketful of toys and treats, the students dropped off colorful artwork.  The caption on a drawing of a cat and a fish reads, "I hope you get adopted.  I really hope so.  love Liam."  

Young Author Finds Healing in Writing & Adopting a Rambunctious Pup!

                                                                             

Sachin Muralidhar, a student at Great Falls Elementary School, asked his parents for a dog for his tenth birthday.  Sachin did his research and his family agreed that the time was right to add a pup to their family.   They travelled to the Washington Animal Rescue League where Sachin, his brother, mom and dad fell in love with a sweet, quiet and gentle pup.  The tan-shepherd-mix  dubbed Clue went home to grow and play with two growing and playful boys.  That was not to be.  Unbeknownst to our medical team, the puppy, with the soulful eyes, had a congenital liver defect that  would become obvious in a short time.  Little Clue was euthanized within weeks of moving into a home where he was loved and adored.   

Sadness overwhelmed the family.   Reminders of the little pup were everywhere.   Sachin dealt with his grief by writing a poem.   The poem, Get a Clue, is now a book complete with photos of Clue's brief life.

Sachin and Clue



Sachin includes a postscript to his poem that reads, Please tell your parents to take you to WARL – they do a such a great job rescuing abandoned animals and giving them a safe place to live until someone adopts them – and, they have the cutest puppies, like Clue, just waiting for you!

And that's what the Muralidhar family did.  They adopted a rambunctious retriever-mix, Sparky, who has so much energy that it is hard to get a photo of the energetic pup that isn't blurred by motion. 

To purchase a copy of Get a Clue, go to http://www.amazon.com/Get-Clue-Sachin-Muralidhar/dp/0985953608/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353099480&sr=8-1&keywords=get+a+clue%2C+sachin+muralidhar.  

Racking up those frequent flier miles!

It's been a little over a year since Javi picked Hachi and Hachi picked Javi.  Readers may remember that Hachi, formerly named Encore, a survivor of a horrible hoarding case  in Ohio, lived at the Washington Animal Rescue League for several months before finding his forever home.  He became totally depressed and shut down.  It didn't seem to matter what enrichment activitity he was offered, who took him out, or what treats he was given -- he looked sad.  And, then one day Javier and his mom came to the League to adopt a best friend.  The connection between boy and dog was immediate.  The two quickly became inseparable.  Javier even teamed with Hachi to report on Old Yeller for a creative book report presentation (see right side of the page).

In July I received an email from Dana, Hachi's other best friend, and Javier's mom.  "I just wanted to let you and the staff at WARL know that I've accepted a job in Beijing, China. Therefore, Hachi (aka Encore) is off on a new adventure. Although I'm worried about the stress of the trip, I've gotten us a direct flight from Washington to Beijing, and Hachi will fly on the same flight. After a 7-day mandatory quarantine, he'll be ready to come to his new home."

A recent email confirmed that the family has adjusted to life nearly 7,000 miles from Washington.  "Hachi is well. He lost 10 lbs in quarantine, but I was prepared for that. He has adapted to high-rise apartment living and no longer has his "eating disorder" where he freaks out at his food and barks at it. Our apartment complex is very large and dog friendly, so Javi and Hachi frequently socialize with other dogs in the small parks in our development. It's common to hear a little girl saying, "Da gou," meaning big dog. I find it curious because there are many  larger dogs in our community, such as huskies, chows, and retrievers. Nonetheless, I guess they still think he's big compared to a typical Chinese pug or Pekingese. At this moment, Hachi is asleep and snoring on my bed with me. He is taking up a third of my queen-sized bed."

Dana promises another update as soon as she has a working battery for her camera.

Welcome Stone Ridge Students

.

The Washington Animal Rescue League's social action partnership with Stone Ridge of the Sacred Heart started as scheduled.  Unlike some Sandy-stricken areas, schools in Montgomery County, Maryland resumed classes on Wednesday, October 31st.  Ten Stone Ridge sophomores spent the day learning about WARL.  Meeting, Jeremiah, an older pooch, was a highlight of the two hour visit.  He did his best to promote the notion that adopting an older dog is best!

Pre-Halloween Weather Tricks Leave a Welcomed Treat for the League

Power!!  We have power.  We anticipated the worst and was pleasantly surprised.   Lucky for the League we never lost power.  We've got some leaky spots, but the cats and dogs are fine and their quarters aren't directly impacted.  We were fully staffed the entire time.  Staff and volunteers are here today.  I left extra food and water for Jules and Donny last night-- just in case --  they ate what they needed and left the rest.  They were happy to see us this morning, but not overly ecstatic.

We did okay at home, too.  The power is on.  Nigel braved the outdoors around 8:00 p.m. for a quick potty break and went on a long walk before 9:00 a.m. this morning.   Merl slept with Max and Charlotte, well Charlotte, was Charlotte.  When I got up this morning at 8:00 a.m. and opened the front door for Nigel Charlotte dashed out.   I got my boots and plodded out in the rain to get her.   She would have happily continued exploring the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy! Once again, I reminded Charlotte that cats live indoors.

Our shelter is full, so for all of those folks who have been thinking of adopting a forever friend, we will be open for business tomorrow, so please stop by.

Hunkered Down!

Donny

Jules

 Do you know what is more amazing that the span of hurricane Sandy?  The incredible dedication of the Washington Animal League staff!   The League's shelter and hospital are fully staffed today.  We have emeregency supplies on hand, and plans in place.  Jules and Donny, my office friends, are on my desk serving as the my able body feline assistants!  Keep checking our web site, www.warl.org and our Facebook page for updates on possible power outages at the League and special requests.  We are set for now.  Everyone be safe.    

No New School Visits for Nigel!

Nigel, flat on the floor, making his pitiful "I'm not getting in the car" face.

I am totally baffled.  Until four or five months ago one of Nigel's absolutely favorite things to do was to ride in the car.  Short rides, longs rides; to the shelter, to Max's  baseball practice -- it didn't matter the destination, the treat was the ride.  And then, suddenly, Nigel refused to get in the car.  His apparent car-terror is so severe that if he even thinks that he is being lured to the car he will go flat to the floor.  And, if he makes it out the front door and then realizes that there could be a possible road trip, he glues his bottom to the porch and won't budge until he can successfully turn around and skedaddle back into the house.

I have absolutely NO idea why the dramatic change.   I've tried luring Nigel to the car with peanut butter, cheddar cheese, pasta, and bully sticks.  He hungrily eyes the the treat, but won't take the bait.    I can say the magic words, "Let's go," and these days he drops to the floor. 

There is a chill in the air on my morning  drive the League.  It's perfect Nigel travelling weather.  Nigel, however, has become a recluse and watches me leave from his pitiful belly-to-the-floor pose. 

Good Deeds Make a Difference

Lots and lots of young people are helping animals.  I try to spread the word when area students help the animals at the League.  Many of those good deeds are listed at the very bottom of the blog.  Scroll all the way down to read about some of those generous efforts. 

We could  host a
Pet-A-Thon at the League.
It would undoubtedly be
a huge success!

Today, I read about a number of students helping animals in other communities.   One of my favorite publications BARK --Kids Speaking for Animals, published by the BCSPCA, http://www.spca.bc.ca/ always highlights kids doing good deeds to help animals.   One that was totally new to me was a "pet-a-thon."   It's not what I initially thought.  For every dog Stella was able to pet, her parents donated $.50 to the BC SPCA.  Somehow, Stella, armed with a sign promoting her one-person event, in what I think is a public park, managed to pet 101 dogs in five hours!  Including donations from friends and family, Stella raised more than $2,000 for the local shelter!  What an interesting and fun fund-raiser.   It could be done locally, but remember to never go up to a strange dog without permission to pet the dog.  Even the friendliest looking dog may not want the attention.

Closer to home I read a story showcasing Sandy Spring, Maryland Girl Scout Troop 681.   KIND News, a publication for kids by The HSUS, humanesociety.org/kindnews, described how the girls researched the horrors of puppy mills and decided to do something about it.  They testified before the state House and Senate and were present when Governor Martin O'Malley signed a bill that would identify the number of puppy mills, the first step toward regulating the money making torture chambers. 

Jules and Donny Move into the Office -- Temporarily

The only thing better than living with cats, is having cats in the office.  Donny, a striking long-haired gray tabby, and Jules, a portly round black kitty, are hanging out with me until a permanent home can be found.  They are seven-years-old, like to be brushed, and love to sit on  or near the keyboard.   And, I believe that this reserved duo must party-hardy all night long.  I wish I had an office cat-cam because I am certain that Jules and Donny are enjoying all sorts of adventures when no one is around.  I notice when I come in in the morning that they have done a  little redecorating -- moving books and pictures.   Lately, the last thing I do before turning off my light  at bedtime is check the kitten cam, http://animal.discovery.com/tv/too-cute-kittens/kitten-cam/ and I see five snoozing kittens.   If I could peer into my office with the click of a mouse, I'd probably see Jules and Donny having a grand ol' time.   Hopefully, before too long, they will be enjoying a new and forever home.

A Guided Tour Through Congressional Cemetery

Callie contemplates her next move.

 
Thanks to Callie, a very lucky WARL alum, I spent this beautiful fall day learning how fast a squirrel can run from a herding dog -- VERY FAST.  Not only that, but Callie's person, Diane, gave me a an insider's tour of the Congressional Cemetery -- a cemetery with a history that is more than 200 years old!  I saw where John Phillip Sousa is buried as well as Herbert Hoover and some lesser known,but no less important  people, like baby Clara.  The main reason that we were visiting the cemetery is because it serves double duty -- it is a members-only dog park, where dogs can run and play and chase squirrels right in the heart of the District of Columbia.  Obviously, some of the people buried would be very happy to know that dogs and their people congregate in the cemetery.  Congressman Tom Lantos, a champion for animal welfare is buried there.  For in more information on the cemetery visit www.congressionalcemetery.org for information about the wonderful dog park hosted by the cemetery click herehttp://www.cemeterydogs.org/.