Restored Faith: Phelps Gives up Spot to Teammate

Phelps is a class act... and a team player!

In a world of bad news, this is will restore your faith in mankind.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images at Getty Images at the US Olympic Team wabsite!

Rant: Scott Peterson

Scott Peterson says that Laci knew of his affair with Amber Frey, and was "cool" with it.

I have a little experience in this sort of thing. And while I think she probably discovered his 'little' escapade... he'll never convince me that she didn't have a problem with it!

A.W.O.L.

Sorry folks... I've been A.W.O.L.

ALWAYS WORKING OFF LINE!

There's so much going on, my mind is spinning... but if I'm awake and upright, I'd better be working.

My project, (God's willing, blessings, mercies, miracles and prayers answered), is due and will be complete by the end of the month. At that time, I can (hopefully) resume my regular 'blogcast' schedule.

In the meantime, my prayers go out to the folks in Florida...

BEWARE of TOXIC PLANTS!

I had no idea how many plants are highly toxic to pets, and I'm sad to say that my yard is full of them. Please check out this list for yourself.

If you're not sure what they are... do another Google search and look for photos.

It may save a precious life!

In Memory of Bailey

Dude's seven week-old, adorable puppy
entered the peaceful slumber that leads our sweetest companions
to the Gates of Heaven, today, around noon.

I'm filled with sadness today...

I visited Bailey last Friday evening and found her completely captivating... such a sweet face, beautiful eyes, soft fur... and that seductive puppy breath. Dude tells me that she was the perfect houseguest. She never, not even once in her five day residence, made an accidental (or otherwise) mess in the house. Upon taking her outside, she immediately took care of all of her business.

She seemed so content, like she knew she had found nirvana... and didn't want to do anything that might send her back into the world she knew before. In hindsight, though, she probably wasn't feeling well, then, as she played with us, with her new toys, her chewies and with the cats.

By Sunday, Dude became concerned as she grew more and more lethargic... an adjustment period, perhaps... depression, maybe... or the effects of a first six weeks with a heat index hovering around 110. The visit to the vet last week yielded nothing out of the ordinary.

By Monday morning, though, another trip to the clinic was definitely in order. The vet ran tests and found her liver enzymes "way out of whack" (my words, not hers), indicative of the slow and long-term ingestion of poisons, most likely from feeding and chewing on plants during her days on the streets. Bailey was a very sick puppy. And Dude's orders were to do everything possible, within the bounds of all hope, but to spare insurmountable and long-term suffering.

Bailey showed some signs of improvement through early this morning, as Dude visited her at the clinic, but took a turn for the very worst just before noon.

My heart goes out to my dear friends, S & K. They had fallen in love, and knowing who they are, I know that they gave Bailey the best five days of her life. They did everything that could possibly be done, and were willing to do so much more.

I know their hearts are broken... such a loss

How I Woke Up

Once you've gone DOG...

My best friend, Dude (to ensure her anonymity and perpetuate her participation in the witness protection program), found a puppy! And took it home! Let's say it all together... "AHHHH OHHHHH".

Dude is about the biggest CAT dude I know. And her house is a HAVEN for homeless felines. I consider each and every one of them my godkitties, and I love them dearly, but I swear... there's a sign on the back gate that reads in kitty scrawl "VaCAnSeee". Her kitties sit (and lie) in the window sills during the day and beckon out to the masses, extolling the wonders of kitty water fountains, dried morsel appetisers and a variety of wet and tasty entrees! I'm sure her kitchen receives 5 stars in the ca(t)fe review in Cat Daily... because at feeding time, outsiders line up on the sidewalk!

Oh, the stories I could tell to embarass Dude. But I won't, because they would also be stories about ME!

I digress... Dude is one of the most compassionate people I know, and particularly when it comes to animals. She and I can watch people get slaughtered right and left in a movie, but when it comes to animals... the tears flow. (OK, I said I wasn't going to embarass us, and I just did).

She called tonight to tell me... “You’ll never believe it, I got... ::no no don't eat that!::... a puppy... ::no no that's not yours!::... yesterday and it’s just the... ::no no stop barking!::... cutest thing. don’t you... ::no no not in the house!::... want to come see her?

And in between telling me that she didn’t realize that puppies were so much work, and that the neighbors were going to hate her... she asked, didn’t I want a companion for my pup?! Trust me. I know her. Once in the door, they don’t go anywhere. So it didnt' matter what I answered (which for the record book, was "hell no!).

Of course, her future status as a cat dude is in jeopardy now... because as we know... "Once you’ve gone DOG, you never go CAT!"

Rant:Reach Out and Touch John Kerry

So many times, we feel powerless to voice our concerns... and we feel politicans, like John Kerry, are unreachable.

Even if it's 2:00am and the bars are closed... you have options!

Rant: Foreign Phrases

Is it just me?

Or do you think there were a few other phrases in the article in the article that he didn't understand???

RNC in NYC

Why would the Republicans choose New York City
to hold their national convention???

I have a few theories!

Rant: The Tale of Two Cyclists

I was born Virgo, on the cusp of Libra. And I have a tendancy to analyze events and see through the indescrepancies.

Such is the case in The Tale of Two Cycling Candidates.