Funny email I got...

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY. FOR THOSE THAT DON'T, IT IS A TRUE STORY.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this.

Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however.. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered.

Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.

(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.

(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

(1) eat less,

(2) don't ask for money all the time,

(3) are easier to train,

(4) normally come when called,

(5) never ask to drive the car,

(6) don't smoke or drink,

(7) don't want to wear your clothes,

(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,

(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and

(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children ...

Halloween Safety for Dogs - Keep Your Dog Safe for Halloween

Halloween Safety for Dogs - Keep Your Dog Safe for Halloween: "Halloween can be a fun time of year for the whole family - even your dog. However, there are also many potential dangers and sources of stress for your dog. Just remember to keep your dog safe from these Halloween hazards."

Foster a Friend

Give a Dog a Second Chance by Fostering
Helping pets in need doesn’t always mean adopting a dog or even donating money (although these are always good too). Fostering a dog is wonderful way to support overcrowded shelters and rescue organizations and get a pup ready for finding his forever home. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to help dogs in need without taking on the commitment of a lifelong pet adoption or to see if another dog is just what you need. And did we mention the unconditional doggie love?

How Fostering Works. Shelters often have dogs that need a little extra socialization before they’re ready for adoption, or those that need time away from a crowded shelter for personalized care after a medical procedure. Or in the case of rescue organizations, which typically do not have a facility to house the dogs they rescue, there’s simply a need for foster homes while permanent homes are found for the dogs through adoption efforts.
What Foster Parents Do. You’ll be responsible for the basic daily care for your friend in your home. In other words, your job is to shower him with the love and attention he needs to prepare him for adoption into a permanent home. The shelter picks up the cost of any medical expenses and in some cases, all costs for food. You’ll be asked to bring your foster dog to adoption events, medical appointments, and training classes if his manners need work.

Who Can Foster. Like any parenting situation, quantity and quality time are essential, so shelters and rescues prefer foster arrangements where at least one adult is home during the day. Also, the shelter will consider other pets and your lifestyle to make sure the match is the right for everyone involved. In most cases, it's fine if you already have a dog, as long as your dog and the foster dog are both healthy and well behaved around other dogs.
How long does a foster dog stay? Based on the individual needs of the pup, the time can range from days to months. Upon initial placement, you’ll likely get an idea of the probable length of the stay. But be prepared – your foster just may need you for awhile.

Foster it Forward. Like anything worth doing in life, fostering will require patience, dedication and tender loving care. The dogs you welcome into your home may need to be housetrained or learn their manners. They may be rambunctious or very shy. But these issues are far outweighed by the benefits and rewards of fostering – the honor to save little lives one pup at a time.

The Scoop:
Learn more about foster care for dogs.http://www.fosterdogs.com/index.html
Use Petfinder’s search tool to find your local humane society, animal shelter or rescue organization and see about fostering opportunities.http://www.petfinder.com/awo/index.cgi?action=location
Woof Report’s list of Bay Area and ‘Beyond the Bay’ shelter and rescue organizations. If your favorite one is missing, contact us through the site and we’ll add it to our list. http://woofreport.com/adopt-a-dog/index.php

Facebook | Save a Dog

I am loving this Facebook application...

Facebook Save a Dog: "If you are crazy about dogs and want to support animal rescue efforts by helping to keep real dogs out of shelters and in good homes, now you can.

Simply browse our photos of real-life adoptable dogs, and choose one to virtually “foster.” Invite your friends to co-foster your dog, or send them a different dog to foster, and you’ll draw much-needed attention to thousands of dogs living in shelters and with rescue groups all across the country. The more you spread the word, the greater the chances these dogs will find happy and loving homes."

My current "virtual" fosters are Sophie and Murphy (Eli isn't too jealous as he isn't too Facebook savvy)...

Grumpy dog ready for bed?

Grumpy dog ready for bed? Perhaps... | TweetPhoto

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Rain Heads for California

Uh ohh...rain in L.A...get ready

KNX - Rain Heads for California: "The first significant rain of the season is heading toward wildfire-scarred California.

The National Weather Service says a storm approaching the West Coast will bring rain by Monday, mostly in the northern and central portions of the state. It's not clear how much will reach Southern California.

The U.S. Geological Survey has warned that this season's rains could unleash debris flows into Los Angeles' foothill suburbs below slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains stripped by a 250-square-mile wildfire this summer."

Celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

Great article from Jenna on About.com: Dogs...

Celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month: "October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog month and I could not be happier. Adoption is something very near and dear to my heart all year round. No doubt you have heard plenty about the millions of homeless pets in shelters, many of which are euthanized for lack of space or forever homes. Did you know that black animals are among the hardest to adopt out? All of this is heartbreaking, but we can help. If you are ready for a dog, why not try your local shelter first?"

Photo © Joe Raedle / Getty Images

How to Travel Solo for Less - Travel - FOXNews.com

How to Travel Solo for Less - Travel - FOXNews.com: "As a solo traveler your money-saving strategy need not involve sleeping with a stranger."

What I mean, of course, is that if you want to curb your lodging costs when you hit the road alone, your options aren’t limited to permitting your tour company or cruise line to match you with a roommate.

If for you traveling solo means always having a private room as well as partaking of your destination’s best food and other offerings, you can save some dough despite being on your own, and because of it.

Avoid the single supplement.

Most tour companies, cruise lines, resorts, and hotels price their rooms based on per person, double occupancy (PPDO). This means that if you want to sleep in a double-occupancy room solo, as you know from staying in most U.S. hotels, you’ll pay the same rate as couples do. And in many cases where your room fee is built into the cost of a package you might be expected to pay your own per-person cost as well as a “single supplement.” (Read on...)

Ebay: Frank Sinatra Pop Art

OK, I know I'm a bit late to the game, but I'm hooked on eBay...

"If you’re a fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes…you must add this to your collection. A rare Italian cover of TV Guide made into this one-of-a-kind piece of pop art…the piece truly speaks for itself…"

Ahh the anticipation...how much will it go for?

Hello Blue Skies...

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My Hometown: Micanopy, FL

The main street of my hometown, Micanopy, FL...the oldest inland town in FL...second oldest town in the state next to St. Augustine, FL. Perhaps it looks familiar from such films as Cross Creek and Doc Hollywood (of which I appeared as a blur in the parade scene...a star was born).

Visit if your looking for a slice of Florida history...
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Eli at the park

I wish a tennis ball made me this happy...
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24 LA and OC Museums Free-For-All this Weekend

MuseumsLA.org: News: "MUSEUMS FREE-FOR-ALL
24 Los Angeles and Orange County Museums
Free Admission Days October 3 and/or 4, 2009

In a joint effort to present the arts and culture to the diverse and myriad communities in Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the fifth annual 'Museums Free-For-All' Saturday-Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2009. The following museums - presenting art, cultural heritage, natural history, and science - will open their doors wide and invite visitors free of charge.

Im going to check out CAFAM....

Can I be Anonymous if I Win the Lottery?

Bummer...guess if I win big I could hire some security...

Frequently Asked Questions: "Can I be anonymous when I win?
California state law requires that the California State Lottery to release the following information: your name, and the name and location of the retailer where you bought your ticket. You may request no media coverage aside from that."