From the category archives:

Louisiana Trip

Yay for Hats!

April 8, 2006

Yay for pink hats!So, most of those who know me out of the digital realm, know that I wear a lot of hats (and scarves, but the title of this post isn’t "Yay for Scarves!" Anyway, I digress.) And most people who met me while I was down in Louisiana, probably met me on a day while I was wearing one of said hats.

One day, Ilona, a blonde Floridian who was volunteering her vacation time at Celebration Station, mentioned she wanted to knit me a hat and asked if I would want it if she made it. Would I want it!? Of course I would want it! In fact, even more so, I’d wear it!

After she returned home, she emailed me and asked me to measure my head so she could customized the size. I replied and, being the air head I am, forgot about it.

A few weeks later, I received a package with two, adorable hand-knit hats. I love them and wanted to post my favorite one. I wear it often and it keeps me toasty warm. I’ve already received several compliments on it. So, Ilona, if you read this, thank you for my hats, I adore them!

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Best Friends featured in Extreme Makeover, Home Edition

April 5, 2006

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: After the Storm – New Orleans” is scheduled to air at 8:00-9:00 pm ET/PT on Thursday, April 6 (that’s tomorrow!) on the ABC network. The Hurricane Katrina special will feature community-oriented projects, including the reunion of New Orleans families with their lost pets. Working with the non-profit animal rescue organization Best Friends Animal Society, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” producers flew in pets that have been relocated to foster homes and shelters around the country.

Paul DiMeo and IDuring my time in Louisiana, the Extreme Makeover people stopped by Celebration Station to film everything that we (Best Friends Animal Society) were doing. Then, as a surprise and to help outfit Best Friends with the tools needed for the reunion effort, Drs. Foster & Smith donated over $21,000 in pet essentials, including hundreds of carriers, dishes, collars, leashes, grooming supplies, and “welcome home” toys. After a long day of work while being filmed and interviewed, the Extreme Makeover people lead us out back and had us pile into this massive 18-wheeler to unload it all. The only lights we had were the bright-ass lights from a hand-held camera. It was awesome and a great change of pace for all of us. Afterwards, everyone there had to sign wavers, just in case footage of us was used in the show.

Before they left, I got a photo with Paul DiMeo from the show. He was super nice and a hoot. It was raining that day, which is why I’m wearing my rain jacket. You can’t see it, but I’m also wearing my rubber rain boots, as well!

To be honest, I never watch the show, but I am not going to miss this particular episode. Besides, what if I’m in it and I miss my network debut? ;-)

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Spotlight on Rescued Pets

March 31, 2006

Red with toyRemember Red? He’s that partially paralyzed pitbull, who pulled through above all odds and won everyone’s heart at Celebration Station. No one was really sure where he was going to go after we disbanded and came home. No one had adopted him, and even so, there was some pretty strict guidelines which not many people could keep. Well, I have an update on him.

He’s living in Texas at Spindletop Refuge until he finds a permanent home. The woman who runs the pit bull rescue group in Houston is fostering him at her home. She is concentrating on getting him rehabilitated before she finds him a furever home. Apparently, he is doing very well with her other dogs and cats! Also, the demodex mange Red had is nearly gone and his fur is starting to grow back. You can read all the details on Best Friends website, the article is titled ‘Celebrated Dog Says Goodbye, Looks Ahead‘. Good stuff.

I have also received several more updates from people who I met/worked with from Celebration Station about the kitties they adopted. I am so happy to hear about how well they are all doing! I still intend to feature every single kitty I receive an update about, because in my book, every single one is special and deserves the spotlight.

Speaking of rescues, the short story below was sent to me by Tim, a Canadian volunteer I worked with in Louisiana (his photo is on my ‘Cast O’ Characters‘), and I just had to post it. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I hope it does the same for you.

The Animals’ Savior

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter – the cast-offs of
human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread,
sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God", I said, "This is terrible!
Why don’t You do something?"

God was silent a moment, and then He spoke softly.
"I have done something", He replied.

"I created you."

Poem credit: Jim Willis Photo credit: Leah Purcell

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“Mr. Bitey” No More

March 17, 2006

Ahem.. Seems as if my spam module was severely overzealous and kept a comment by Sarah on the post about Ruby in moderation. I rarely check the moderation queue ’cause it usually is spam and I just leave it there until my next cron job wipes it into oblivion.

JoleeSo, my point… and I do have one… is that I am SO glad I checked the moderation queue because it lead me to Sarah’s blog, as well as updates and photos of Jolee (aka Mr. Bitey!).

Sarah adopted Jolee during the Best Friends Super Adoption and I was so overjoyed because I knew he went to the right home. She didn’t care that he had severely bitten our volunteer groomer, Cathy (any idea where he got his name?). She also didn’t care that he had to be completely shaved (to alleviate painful mats) and looked pretty silly at the time. I remember her saying she liked him "just as he is". Ahh, hearing her say that was music to my ears.

Anyway, I adore writing updates on the kitties I adopted out in New Orleans and Jolee is no exception!

According to Sarah’s blog, Still Life With Soup Can, Jolee was really needy at first and constantly yowled for her attention, even during the wee hours of the morning. Eww.. He’s much better now, though, and only yowls sometimes and not while she’s sleeping anymore. Plus, she adores him and fully admits to obsessing over him – all cats should have it that good!

In addition to her love of her new kitty, she has a pretty nifty blog, too. Check it out if you get a chance. Bonus: she updates on Jolee regularly.

Photo credit: Sarah Tolcser

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