Michael Con-Vick

In light of the likely upcoming plea deal, here's hoping Vick serves enough time to become known as a 'con-vick'!

Cheers to another great cartoon by Gary Varvel!

Michael Vick: The Jury

While I would relish the thought of Michael Vick facing a jury of his 'pee-ers', I'm not naive. He'll accept a plea bargain to assure that ALL of the facts aren't made known to the public.

I find comfort in knowing that there is that other Juror, to whom he will one day answer.

Don't forget that DOG spelled backwards...

I really needn't expound further upon my thoughts related to Michael Vick's "alleged" heinous and despicable activities (but I probably will... how can I help but?).

This cartoon by Gary Varvel speaks volumes. as it contrasts sociopathic narcissism with the sentimentality and humanization of animals, dogs in particular.

Back Row from the left: Scooby Doo, Goofy, Underdog, Astro (from the Jetsons). Front Row from the left: Snoopy, Droopy, Grimmy (from Mother Goose and Grim comic strip) and Ren (from Ren and Stimpy animated TV show).

*The one plus to having this cartoon sent to me by email is that I discovered a talented artist with an extraordinary blog. Check it out!

Random Memo 073005

1. Woke up the first time at 630am and decided that I didn't have to get up right away.
2. Woke up the second time to a phone call at 745am. Cheerfully told MMSP that I was already up and could leave to meet him in 20 minutes. Relieved that he suggested that we meet in 45 minutes, which gave me another 10 minutes to make myself presentable.
3. Met MMSP at Starbucks for a quick java jolt, then followed him to a client's house. Drove through the neighborhood thinking, as I always do, I should have gone into a more profitable profession.
4. Helped MMSP field measure existing conditions. Greeted happily by a beautiful golden in the backyard!
5. On the way home, confirmed my previous decision to skip going to the Comets game this afternoon, in lieu of some much needed time to clean house and do pretty much nothing.
6. Considered dropping my clothes in the washing machine on the way into the house, but opted, instead, to reveal the truth of my indiscretion to Miss C.
7. Miss C's nose to my thigh, I confessed fully and reassured her that she IS the prettiest girl in the world.
8. From the comfort of home, watched the Comets stink up their game v. (last place in Western Conference) San Antonio, and fall to a second place tie with Seattle. On the bright side, I saved $21 in refreshments and washed three loads of clothes... things I wouldn't and couldn't have done at the Toyota Center.

Charity Dog Wash For Military Dogs

Launching a summer-long campaign, on the 4th of July, to raise cash and collect donated items to support military dogs and their handlers overseas, Happy Tails Dog Spa raised more than $8,500.00 this past weekend.

160 dogs received a bath, and all the proceeds from all of the events are dedicated toward purchasing cooling equipment for the canine patriots and heat resistant clothing for their handlers.

Lots of cool stuff was donated for the K-9 Patriots, as well: 210 pounds of dog bones, 40 pounds of dog treats, 10 pounds of beef jerky, 30 pounds of sunflower seeds, 81 rope toys, 143 tennis balls, 42 flying discs... as well as sun protection products for their comrades!

Shedding Preferred Over Wedding

There is a growing trend in Japan... women are choosing canine companionship canine companionship over dating and marriage. Some preferences cross cultural boundaries!

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

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!"

World Series of Dog...Shows!

I attended the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows, and this is what I learned:

Wheter he's in his own back yard, a public park, or in the concession line at a World Series of Dog Shows event... if dog's gotta go, he's GONNA go!