HSUS - Do Not Support Them

Feel free to share this information with all of your blogging friends. You can bet I am and I will also post it on FB. We have to stop these money hungry thieves. That is exactly what they are, thieves. They are taking our money making us think they are giving to local entities and then they keep it for themselves.

http://www.porkmag.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=720&ed_id=7622

A Not-so-Glowing Report for HSUS
By Marlys Miller Thursday, May 21, 2009
The Human Society of the United States likes it when the public ties the group to local Humane Society animal shelters. The implication is if you give money to HSUS, some of that money trickles down to local Humane Societies too, and everyone feel good about helping homeless and abused cats and dogs.Well, HSUS is not that kind-hearted. The entity's funding efforts go into HSUS coffers and that's pretty much it; and among the organization's top self-proclaimed priorities is to focus on, some might say end, animal agriculture.Last week, Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta shone the media spotlight on the HSUS — and the animal rights' group didn’t fare so well when they didn’t control the message or the camera’s direction.Atlanta reporter, Amanda Rosseter, traced for viewers where the organization’s vast donations go, explaining that little of the millions of dollars given to HSUS each year end up at local animal shelters. (The HSUS 2007 annual report indicates $120 million in revenue.)Yet, HSUS is adept at generating media attention for animal rescues. For example, this week a animal "shelter" in southern Wisconsin, which contracted with a local humane society to care for stray cats, dogs and other animals was raided for neglect and abuse. Volunteers helping with the horrendous scene included folks wearing HSUS logos, implying HSUS funding support as well.The Channel 2 Action News Story sources told the reporter that HSUS is very successful at using misleading tactics to raise funds. Meanwhile, that same annual report shows $112 million in expenses — money Rosseter’s sources say is spent on lobbyists for animal-rights bills, salaries and benefits.Source: WSBTV Channel 2 Action News

Puppy Updates

Sorry that I have not been posting updates with photos but things are pretty hectic. I am sure you can all understand that having 3 puppies is almost like having real babies in the work that is involved. Anyway, excuses, excuses, I know. Here are some more current photos of the babies. They are adorable and growig so fast. I hope you enjoy.

Little girl in front, Big boy in the middle and big girl on top.

Butt, butt, butt......

We got Puppies

3 to be exact. 2 girls and 1 boy were born on May 4th around 2pm (EST). They all were very respectable in thw weight department. Boy was 8oz, lighter Girl was 7.5 and the darker Girl was 7oz. In the two days they have been alive they have gained 1 or more oz each. The boy is now 9 1/4 and has gained the most.

Here are some random pictures. I hope to get some better ones as they grow. It is pretty difficult at this stage.

Here they are just minutes old.

Here just a few minutes later.

Here they are after their first good meal at home doing what they do best, sleeping.

This is boy. We do not have any names picked out. Not that we will be keeping them all or anyting like that. I do like to be able to call them something besides boy, girl, girl, etc.

This is darker girl. She will be more fawn in color and the other 2 will be a really light cream color.

And this is light girl.

Sisters!

And this one is just two cute not to share. Momma and dark girl sleeping cheek to cheek.

I just realized that it has been almost a month since I last posted. I had a good time in Vegas. Mostly since then I have been working to catch up and get ahead so I would be ready when the puppies arrived. Since their arrival I have not gotten much sleep. But last night was better. Binde is a really good and attentive mommy.

Back to work. Will try to get more pictures and information out soon.

Vegas Baby!!

Tomorrow morning I leave Tampa

And arrive in Las Vegas where I will be staying here.

I am hoping my room looks like this (that is what it looked like the last time I went)

I may even get some time to go here.

I am sure I will see this guy too.


No, not that guy standing in front, the other one. (This is the lobby of Ceasars)

But most of my time will be spent doing this.

No, I won't be wearing the Gi. That is me in the suit. I will be doing alot of this all weekend.

A couple of months ago we were planning for Shay to fly down to meet me for the weekend but that is not going to happen now. She wants to save all of her leave time so she can take 2 weeks in June when she comes to Florida.

I definately won't have time to blog while I am there. Not that I have been blogging much and I have been home (LOL).

I will post when I return to tell you about my trip.

Let me introduce you

Bindi. She is my 2 year old French Bulldog that I bred.And this is Simon.

Together (and with help from the owners) they created this.

The vet says she sees at least 3 puppies. Says there could be more but she did see 3.

They are due on May 3/4. But we have an appointment for May 2nd (Saturday) and if her hormones support it they may be born on that day. That way I won't have to call her in on a Sunday.

There is nothing cuter than a litter of French Bulldog puppies. I will keep you posted.

And sorry for not posting that often. Life is very busy.

I really HATE to tell you this, but.......

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet Hallie and John. We met at Wolfgang Pucks (BK had given John a gift card for his birthday). Hallie texted to tell me they were waiting outside at Bongo's. I am sure they were enjoying a nice beverage. Then she texted to tell me they were now in front of Wolfgangs because the sun had moved (damn sun). I was still driving on I4 almost to my exit so being the safe driver that I am, I texted back that I was on my way and then that I was parking. Of course my luck, I parked at the way other end of Downtown Disney from the restuarant. So I let Hallie know I was walking and she told me to come upstairs. I have to tell you, I was a little nervous. But after the first minute I knew I had no reason to be. It was so natural and flowing. Hallie is a hugger (me too) so she greated me with a hug. I got to hug John too.

We had a fabulous dinner. I had never eaten there before and I had a lovely steak. Well, I ate 1/2 of it and brought the other half home for the doggies. They are gonna love it tonight. After dinner we walked towards Pleasure Island and stopped for drinks outside the Harley Shop. We talked and talked and talked. We talked about all of you in blogger world. Hallie is the first blogger buddy that I have met and I am her first too.

But like the title of this blogs says, I really hate to tell you this but Hallie is just as sweet in person as she is in blogger and facebook world. And John, well he is just as handsome in real life as his pictures depict and he was great. He participated in conversations and never once made me feel like this was a awkward situation.

We walked to the west end of Downtown Disney because I was on a mission. I am an annual passholder and get to buy the special pins for passholders. So we walked all that way, I stood in line only to find out that they are out. DAMN! I did end up buying Shay a new Eyeore Stocking. But don't tell her shhhhhssshhh. We stopped at another outside place for one last drink and some people watching. Yep, there are all kinds of people in Florida. Then we parted ways and I hope to go visit them up in Maine someday. Kim-D, need a buddy to go with you in October?

I took a few pictures and Hallie made me promise to delete one but I can't remember which one is was so here they are. (wink wink)

Don't they look natural on this? I think Hallie could really be a biker babe.

This one is while we were having the first drink.


This one was on eht bridge looking at Planet Hollywood. (I think this is the one I was supposed to delete)
I have met AIrman Moms son, John. He was at Wright Patterson AFB when I went to pick up Shay after her graduation and now I have meet Hallie.

So, who do you have on you list of blogging buddies that you would like to meet?

Ask the Captain

NBVC, Magu Point, CA has a newsletter. I am not sure how often it is published but the one I am looking at is dated January 15, 2009. In this newsletter is a section call "Ask the Captain!" I guess this is where people can write in and as him questions. Then the one selected to be answered gets published in the newsletter.

OMG! I love this Captain. I want to hug him. I want to salute him (because he has earned it. I can't insert it because it is a PDF document so I am going to copy and paste for your enjoyment.

Question:
What is the deal with the gate guards not surrendering salutes to officer’s vehicles? I don’t think an admiral’s wife or your wife would appreciate that either. We’ve worked hard to get here and should be recognized. They learned to recognize your vehicles. On every base I’ve been on they have a sign WE RENDER SALUTES PROUDLY. Here they work on trying not to salute the vehicle if the active duty member is not present. Isn’t it by UCMJ code they are supposed to render a salute to an officer? The vehicle has a sticker so why do they not (salute) whether or not the active duty member is present or not? Fill me in!! DO THEY NOT TRAIN THESE PEOPLE ANY MORE?? If not, I see more and more laxness going on in this military.

A CWO wife.

You are going to love this.

Answer:Wow. That’s quite a sense of entitlement you have. Are you sure a salute is sufficient? Perhaps a curtsy or a genuflect would be more appropriate? We could have one sentry prostrate himself before you while the other fetches some oats for that high horse you’re riding. First, the irony of addressing what you perceive to be an issue of respect in such a disrespectful tone is not lost. Secondly, since you specifically brought her into the dialogue, my wife thinks your question indicates a regrettably narrow perspective. Third, yes, we have training which encompasses many things for which a post sentry is responsible and accountable, primarily focused on force protection, anti-terrorism, law enforcement, defense of critical assets and infrastructure, and the use of lethal force. But thanks for asking. Fourth, if you consider standing a post 65-70 hours a week as “laxness,” then I invite you to put on your winter coat and go stand on the asphalt in front of your house for four hours holding your vacuum cleaner when the temperature reaches 85 degrees. That will give you some very small sense of what it is like to man a post, without of course the lethal responsibility. Salutes are a custom between military members dating back as far as Roman times when soldiers approached each other in a manner to indicate they were not armed. The custom evolved over many centuries in many militaries, but it has always been a custom exclusively between military members. It is also important to understand that the salute is a custom of mutual respect, not subservience. That is why both members salute. It is customary (and required under Navy regulations) for the junior to render (not “surrender”) the salute first, but the senior member must return the salute promptly and in the same manner. This tangibly expresses the reciprocal respect among military members. NBVC sentries will render salutes to properly identified officers, active or retired, immediately upon identification. The salute was never intended as recognition of, or as a reward for, your “hard work to get here.” While I certainly value that hard work and your support of your husband’s military career, along with the sacrifice it entails, you ma’am are compensated in other ways for those achievements and accomplishments. You rate many things other than a salute as a dedicated Navy wife, our gratitude, appreciation, and respect among them. I sincerely hope, expect, and require that you are always treated courteously and professionally on our bases. I would ask that you give the sentries their due as well rather than leaping to the most cynical of all conclusions when our execution is imperfect. Send your questions, issues and concerns to Capt. Brad Conners, NBVC commanding officer, c/o the Public Affairs staff at lighthouse@navy.mil. You may also write to the following address; 311 Main Rd., Bldg. 116, Code

Didn't I tell you you were going to love it?