My Christmas Wish List 2009

This last Sunday of the last weekend in November is the beginning of the Christmas season. I've been listening to Christmas music, vacuuming and cleaning, and preparing to bake rhubarb crisp. I've been giving thought to what I'd like for Christmas, as we have most of what we need. People ARE going to buy us gifts, and I'd like them to be ones we can use.

A friend of mine, @jezebelcapture mentioned that she wanted to see people's Christmas lists. Hers includes: "#giftlist Stop by more. Have dinner parties (to which I'm invited). Tell me you love me.

Send more pictures. Invite L for slumber parties."

In this economy, and considering what most people's families are like, maybe spending time IS the more important thing this year. But, there's also the opinion that my friend @sculfy has: "I've tried not doing list, people buy stuff anyway. I'd rather they spend their money on something I might actually use".

I feel that there's a place for lists and a place for altruistic wishes. So, here's my mash-up of what I want for Christmas 2009.

1. Missouri to ban the use of the gas chamber for unwanted animals.
2. 100 More foster homes for Safe Haven.
3. Verizon MiFi 2200
4. A great Birthday Party in January with all my friends there
5. A fun BBQ with the new charcoal grill this summer.
6. A new deck. IBissel Pet Hair Eraser OR Dyson Ball I lean toward the Dyson--more expensive, yes, but no extra pieces to constantly replace. I hate HEPA filters and belts, which at $9 and $5 per purchase, add on $40-60 per year in costs. The Dyson doesn't have these things and comes with a 5-year warranty
7. A copier that scans photos and negatives.
8. A push mower
9. A rain catcher

Fight the Good Fight: Volunteer

The day before Thanksgiving, I helped Hounds Haven move two Bassets from Jewell to Iowa City. Jewell is about 20 minutes north of Ames, in SE Hamilton County. The great rescue/vet hospital there is South Hamilton Animal Alliance and Jewell Animal Hospital The vet there, is fighting the good fight, against 2 puppy millers in the same town.

The Basset drop to Mix'n'Match Rescue was uneventful, but I was so happy that I could incorporate doing good on behalf of animals into my usual drive. Sometimes I stop at Safe Haven to walk or tend to the dogs there. Someday, I will foster for them. Right now, I have still have Buford at home.

Please take a moment to read the blog of Lisa Hindle Deppe, DMV. She's fighting an uphill battle, with people who view animals as property to be casual with--not fixing their pets, shopping instead of adopting, and the general small-town poverty-malaise that happens when people don't want to upset their neighbors, so they don't do the right thing for suffering animals. Bottom line: Jewell needs volunteers. If you are headed North, consider stopping in and helping out with the animals there. Call ahead to check hours, but any amount of time you could donate helps. If you know anyone in Ames, Webster City, or otherwise, please let them know about Jewell, and encourage them to volunteer as well.

I OFFERED to help Joplin: W. T. F!?

Update 7:24 AM Thursday, November 18, 2009

I sent THIS to Joplin, and this was their response.

I'm not forwarding the email to her. I emailed the person who sent it to me and I'm DONE with it. Gossip or not, they DO have a gas chamber.

The Email that Broke My Heart:

If you can help, please contact Alma asap at: MidwestWheatenRescue@Yahoo.com (@Yahoo.com)

Joplin is a small town in South MO. They have a gassing shelter. Sheila was hired as a manager, and in just 2 months she has worked with rescues and made a huge difference in lowering the kill rate. Sadly, yesterday, Sheila was let go. The shelter gassed 30 animals the same day.

Seeing this happen is heartbreaking. These poor dogs think they’re being led out, hoping they are going for a walk. They perk up, get excited, their tails wag, they are glad. But instead of a walk, they are led into the gassing chamber. There they die a slow, agonizing death as they struggle for every breath. It is a terribly inhumane way for any creature to die.

Sandi, who lives in KC but has helped transport the Joplin dogs, had pulled a few of them out, she couldn’t stand to have them gassed. These dogs are very nice. Sandi was hoping to find rescue commitments, but with time running out, Sheila being fired, and the shelter ‘cleaning up’ which means actively gassing dogs, they can be taken in and gassed anytime. We don’t know exactly how long before they gas them, but they will unless a rescue angel steps up to save them. Please see their pictures and if you can help them, please, please, let me know asap. We don’t have much time.

1.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15054797&mtf=1

Dilan likes other dogs and is only 1 year old.

Dilan is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered. Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever [Mix]

2.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15014012&mtf=1

Gracie's owner brought her to a shelter because her landlord was going to kick her out but she said that she took Gracie in from an abusive situation when she was 5 months old. She had been drop kicked and slammed into the wall. She had a displaced hip from this that doesn't seem to bother her now. She is now 3 years old. She said that Gracie is the best dog she has ever had, she goes to the door when she wants to go outside to potty and she LOVES people. This is one sweet dog.

Gracie is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered. Golden Retriever [Mix]

3.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15013641&mtf=1

Timber is a very calm and quiet boy that likes other dogs and people. Timber is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered. Golden Retriever, Husky [Mix]

4.

Another Golden Mix, Sandi says it is very young and so very sweet.

5. http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15013947&mtf=1

Starla is a young pretty girl that likes other dogs and is very affectionate and well behaved. Aren't you ready for a companion? Starla is!

Starla is up-to-date with routine shots and spayed/neutered.

We Don't Need a Stinkin' Dunkin!

Seriously people? Seriously!!!????

Des Moines has been BETRAYED !!

Someone NOT from Des Moines started an Actly initiative to bring a Dunkin' Donuts chain to Des Moines. And Des Moines Tweeps are voting it up!

Please help bring a @DunkinDonuts Location to Iowa! Show your support! http://act.ly/1 RT to sign #dunkiniowa (I intentionally broke this link, if you want to vote for it, you go do your own search to find out where.)

First of all: Shame on you! Y'all preach and preach about local DES MOINES business, then what do you do!? You support a National CHAIN. Looking at you who have signed this thing own or work at local businesses who would FREAK if national chains came in and were doing what you do...quite possibly better, cheaper?

Second of all: We already have all of coffee we need RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. Tweeps who I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN ENJOYING FREE WIFI AT LOCAL SHOPS are tweeting that they want one! TRAITORS!

We NEED local shops like:

Being There Coffee, Village Bean, Frederich's Java Joe's, Mars Cafe, Zanzibar, Kup o Kryptonite, Ritual Cafe and Grounds for Celebration!

DID I MISS ANY? LET ME KNOW!

So, Des Moines Tweeps, the next time you mindlessly sign some twit-brained poll, why don't you think about how YOU will look STUPID the next time you flap your gums about "how great Des Moines is" and "how much you love living here" when the local shops go out of business. Lots of problems come with empty real estate and don't think that a national chain will weap ONE TEAR for closing its doors. Starbucks opened and walked away from several Des Moines Metro properties earlier this year and NOTHING has replaced them.

OTHER TALKING POINTS:

• Don't forget there's chains--LOCAL chains! Kum & Go, Hy-Vee, Dahl's, CASEYS are BASED here in town, employ LOTS of people in their stores and at the Corporate level. You can get donuts to plaster right on your ass there.

• There isn't even evidence that it would be good for DD to come here. They have analysts, they know what we want and don't want. There is only ONE Krispy Kreme in town, and it looks pretty desolate every time I look over while I'm getting my oil changed!

• The Dunkin Donuts I am acquainted with are in large cities. There's no place to sit down, the people working there look strung out on drugs and could care less. Somewhere on my laptop there's a picture of a homeless guy taking a leak on a Dunkin doorstep, and I'm too lazy to find it.

• We pour thousands and thousands of dollars into the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Having another sugar-factory in town is flying in the face of all of their efforts!

• Junior League of Des Moines (might I add that *I* was the one who advocated for this particular focus) has changed its focus from literacy to CHILDHOOD OBESITY. What does DD do for that community initiative?

• ADDED: My Twitter friend and Buying Local advocate @dlayphoto recommends: http://www.the350project.net/home.html

2 more dogs in need of Fosters or HOMES!

From: paws_4_fun@msn.com
Subject: Volunteer Assistance Needed for Dogs
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:59:21 -0600

Clarke County Animal Control is in urgent need of fosters and/or adopters for some long time residents in their facility, specifically Frenchie
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14404273



Mr. Red
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14394348

They are looking to partner with RVAS for adoption opportunities. The Animal Control Unit would like to try and bring more exposure to their organization to increase their adoptions, rather than surrendering them to other shelters for euthanasia.

Please spread the word, that they have some great dogs that are in urgent need of adoption and/or foster homes. Connections need to be made no later than Wednesday to save lives.

Clarke County is willing to have fosters to help them as well.

Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary & Rescue
Ph: 515.577-1745
Fax: 515.432-1970
www.raccoonvalley.com

900 Greyhounds Need Homes By 2010!

Joanne Kehoe
P: 312.559.0887
Dairyland Race Track Adoption Center direct at (262) 612-8256


Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack in Kenosha, Wisconsin will be closing on December 31, 2009.

900 Greyhounds will need to be adopted otherwise they will be euthanized, now is a great time to consider adopting a Greyhound. They are very loving and laid back. They don’t need the space people think they need. They are great for an active family because they have been crated almost all their lives and they sleep about 18 out of the 24 hours a day. They are just looking for someone to love them and supply them with a warm bed!

They test the dogs to see if they are cat friendly and or small dog friendly. They also know if a dog should be a single dog or if they would be great in a 2, 3, or 4 dog house!

Please help me get the word out; we only have 6 weeks to get this task done.

My Hawkeyes: Used

While watching this week's Gossip Girl, I noted that Prairie Meadows "Racetrack and Casino" is using a little snippit of a guy wearing an Iowa Hawkeyes t-shirt in their ad.

First: I hate gambling. It's a tax on STUPID people. Case in point: I used to have a neighbor who admitted to me that he has lost over $28,000 at Prairie Meadows over the years. Sure, he won some, too, but he's nearly 60 years old and has NO retirement savings. He has to work until he dies.

I just got back from Las Vegas where I can proudly claim that for 4 days, despite having to walk through casino to get anywhere, I didn't spend one penny on gambling. It's for idiots, the odds are against you, we're STILL in a recession and unemployment is STILL over 10% no matter what the news wants to report about 3rd Quarter gains. Now, if you like to play poker with friends, that's one thing, but gambling against a "house" is totally another. Second: I hate horse racing. Get the facts here. It's cruel, and something this website doesn't point out is that the successful racehorses are bred once retired. Over and over and over. Then, their young are taken from them and given to another mare to nurse. That other mare's milk has to come from somewhere--she had her own "inferior" foal that was either taken away and shot, or left to starve. All so that the racing baby could nurse. Cruel. AND I haven't even started on how the racing industry exploits illegal immigrants!

Second: I graduated from Iowa. I have a lot of fond memories from my time there. Just like any big school, sometimes you get rotten apples on the sports teams, like nutjob/rapist Pierre Pierce, but for the most part Iowa has teams full of hardworking, honest student athletes. I want to see my University get all the money it can, especially if it can wring it out of the hands of those who prey on the gambling oafs. So, I'll be calling the licensing office today and pointing this out to them. Hopefully they already know about Prairie Meadows' little Iowa tie-in and are getting money for the tiger-hawk cameo.

Iowa: you're welcome. Prairie Meadows: cram it with walnuts.

Heartbreaking.

Got this email earlier today....

Guys – can you send this to everyone……Poor boy is scared of everything, loud noises, grass, cameras :0( He is completely vetted other than neutering, which I will get him into Pella for that! He is going to need a foster home that has the time to work with him extensively. Karin said his tail does wag, but it is glued to between his legs. He is with Karin who has 7 puppies and he is terrified of them.. so a quiet place would be nice.

His story… he was purchased from a breeder we have been trying to shut down with little success. His owner has been mentally and physically unstable. We tried to get the dog a year ago with little success eventhough his doctor recommended that the dog be allowed to go to rescue. The owner was keeping the dog in the bathroom at that time. Now the owner is even more unstable and the doctor has signed over the dog to us. The dog has spent the last 3 months of his life in a closet. YES in a CLOSET. He is only 18 months old – he has seldom gone outside and is afraid to even eat but is VERY SWEET.

Can you help foster him?