Quote of the day

"Each time you stand up for an ideal, you send forth a tiny ripple of hope."

-Robert Kennedy

Heels hold on to Victory Bell

Despite some terrible refereeing, the Heels came out on top Saturday night defeating Dook 24-19. The Heels haven't lost to Dook in Durham since 1988, and they've won 20 of the last 21 games against the dookies. GO HEELS!

Maria, Abby and I took some self-portraits to celebrate our lead in the second half.



We gave in to Abby's request for a "goofy shot."

Everybody's Fine

I watched this movie on Thanksgiving day. I was just looking for something to bide my time. I thought I'd heard a bit about it in passing but couldn't really remember for sure. I saw Robert De Niro, Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and Kate Beckinsale on the first-billed list and thought, "how bad could it be?"

I'm so glad I spent the time to watch it. In a role far removed from most anything he's ever done, De Niro is wonderful as a widower (Frank Goode) reaching out to his children.

After his wife's death, he realizes that she was his only connection to the rest of his family and despite his ailing health he embarks on a cross-country trip to visit his kids.

None of his surprise visits turn out as planned. The viewer can figure out what's going on in the meantime given the behind-the-scenes phone conversations between three of Frank's children.

There's something amiss, as there has always been because Frank's children always told their mother everything, and their father nothing.

But by the end, Frank gets his happy ending, and so do we.

Quote of the day

My friend Kathy gave me an adorable mug in the shape of a dog with this quote on it. I see it every day on my desk, but one of my friends had a particularly bad day yesterday (which didn't start out that way) so I thought I'd post it.

"Some days you're the dog. Some days you're the hydrant."

-unknown

Frigid Terrier

I am beyond cheap when it comes to heating my home, but I've recently noticed my tiny terrier shivering regularly. Therefore I dug out Zoe's many sweaters. Some of them I knitted myself, some of them I purchased. This pink one was purchased at PetSmart. Zoe doesn't love wearing "clothes," but when she is wearing a sweater there is a noticeable lack of a doggie "chill".

Last home game of 2010

I can't believe how fast this football season went by. Yesterday's game was not a good ending, but I did have a lot of fun tailgating with Todd, Maria and Abby for every home occasion. We'll be going to the drab Duke stadium next weekend to support the Heels at a semi-away game. Looking forward to 2011 football. Go HEELS!

Following the Walking Dead

One of my very favorite movies is 28 Days Later, and The Walking Dead pilot episode was practically a replica of the first 45 or so minutes of 28 Days. I admit there was a bit of what I felt to be unnecessary backstory at the beginning of the pilot, but I never lost interest.

The coma patient who wakes up in the deserted hospital - stumbles through the city looking for signs of life - shortly finds a couple of people who have managed to avoid becoming zombies. All gore and violence in between. I was immediately hooked.

I missed the pilot that aired on AMC on Halloween, but caught it on a free on demand channel. I was completely expecting Sarah Polley and Mekhi Phifer, but was pleasantly surprised by a bit of talent from some mostly unknown actors. Don't get me wrong - I love Sarah Polley - especially in Go - but Dawn of the Dead was a great big DUD.

It's true that zombies have been done, time and time again, but The Walking Dead offers a bit of novelty to the tired tale. It's well-done television - the effects are pretty good and it appears to be invested in a plot rather than just a gore fest.

Based on recent plot developments, The Walking Dead is shaping up to be more of a sick pairing of Lord of the Flies and Night of the Living Dead. Disturbing.

After watching episode 3, Tell it to the Frogs, I heard the message that there are only 3 new episodes left. Who ever heard of a six episode television series?! I'm hoping for some clarification. God forbid they plan to cancel it - I will be so upset!

A child's memory of Bailey & Zoe

Abby brought me this drawing on Saturday. It means a lot to me that she still thinks of Bailey so much. He is missed more than anything in my world.

Quote of the day

I've recently been exposed to tragedies - at work, in the books I've read, in lingering memories, etc. It's been slightly depressing so I wanted to share a quote that encourages us to LIVE!

"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had."

-Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Dog Town preview

A preview of the episode of Dog Town I mentioned in my post about "The Lost Dogs."

John Garcia, co-manager of Dogtown at Best Friends in Utah is amazing. His love and compassion for those broken and abused dogs is inspiring.

The Lost Dogs video spot

Quote of the day

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

-Mahatma Ghandi

The Lost Dogs

I began crying on page 2; but by page 20 I was weeping so hard that I couldn't see through my tears and page 20 did not hold the most brutal details.

I'm not sorry I'm reading this book, but I know that some of my fellow dog-loving friends will not be able to stomach it. The only way I can really express my overwhelming anger and despair is to say that while I realize my soul will suffer, I wish I could throw Michael Vick and his accomplices into a pit of blood-lusting dogs who would rip them to shreds. Beat them to death. Strangle the life from them in the same way they felt it was okay to shove their "underperforming" dogs into a bucket of water until they suffocated or were nailed to a tree to hang. Or for that one little red dog, to be repeatedly pounded into the ground until she died.

What's more disturbing is what Gorant reveals in his introduction - that many complaints sent to Sports Illustrated after the 12/29/08 issue featuring a sweet-faced pit bull with the title, "The Good News out of the Bad Newz Kennels," revolved around the following sentiment, "Why does it matter, they're just dogs?" For that thought to pass among intelligent human beings makes me sick to my stomach. I am beyond disgusted.

I could go into a crazed diatribe about how wrong that statement is - for so many reasons - but that shouldn't be necessary. Anyone who has ever owned and loved a pet knows that the aforementioned sentiment is absolutely ridiculous and could only be uttered by a heartless person.

I recently lost a beloved pet, a Norwegian Elkound named Bailey, and I miss him more than anything I've ever lost in my life. I was shocked to learn that the Norwegian Elkhound garners the #21 spot in the list of most dangerous canines. Anyone who knew Bailey knows that is beyond ridiculous, which just goes to show that a dog, just like a human, should be innocent until proven guilty.

Losing Bailey was a huge blow, and my family has been amazing, but I am still reeling and no one can really help me with that. Reading about these dogs who were forced to suffer so much brings it all to the forefront. Not because Bailey suffered, because I really don't think he did, but because I mourn for the happiness those puppies could've had - the happiness I know my Bailey enjoyed.

National Geographic's Dog Town admirably covered the extensive efforts to rehabilitate the most aggressive of the "Vick dogs" and truly provided an outsider with a tender look into those poor dogs who were trained to fight - something most dog lovers/advocates know is AGAINST their nature. I recommend viewing it - available on iTunes.

Envious

Check out these lashes. I bet even Latisse couldn't produce these beauties. No mascara, nothing fake - just gorgeous lush youthful lashes! My niece's lashes. Definitely envy-worthy!