Spotlight on Wyatt

I'm not sure if you remember my good friend, Wyatt, the boxer who was campaigning to become the Spokesdog for Milk-Bone. Unfortunately, Wyatt did not win the grand prize of $100,000 for which he had wonderful plans — to promote the importance of canine blood donation — however, he was one of the three dogs chosen to represent Milk-Bone on millions of boxes of biscuits across the world.

Besides being boxers, Wyatt and I share something else in common. We both tend to take things too personally. I consider myself fortunate to have met such a fine friend and confidante. Often times, after a last place finish in the ring, I'll post a message on Facebook for my man Wyatt, seeking his guidance, and he's always there for me. Yes, Wyatt always seems to bring me back to reality with a statement like, "Dude, look at this way, you're still carrying the family jewels!"

Typically, I'm the one seeking solace after getting my boxer butt handed to me in the ring. However, after finding out on national TV during the Bonnie Hunt show that he was not the grand prize winner, Wyatt sought my reassurance that he had not disappointed his fans.

In response to Wyatt's sadness, I penned a poem that I titled "Ode to a Bruised Boxer."

Ode to a Bruised Boxer

When I lose in the ring, it doesn't mean a thing, so I keep my head high.

When I'm down in the dumps and I feel like a chump, I keep my head high.

When my jewels hang low and they swing to and fro', I keep my head high.

When I feel like dirt and my pride is hurt, I keep my head high.

After receiving my cheerful advice, Wyatt has rebounded from his bout of post-Bonnie Hunt show depression and is back in the limelight. Not only was he profiled in the Baltimore Sun, he also appeared on WJZ-TV out of Severna Park, Maryland, my old stomping grounds before relocating to Brushtown.

Learn more about Wyatt's courageous life-saving efforts by visiting the Baltimore Sun online.

Baltimore Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor, November 16, 2008

Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, Baker's Man

If you've been wondering why I haven't been blogging much lately, it's because I've literally been up to my ears in flour, baking cookies at the Brushtown Barkery for the Sassy Mae Fund Drive.

Conceived in 2001 by a young and aspiring philanthropist named Beulah Ruth, the Brushtown Barkery began as a modest operation and has expanded greatly over the years. In addition to the brindle baker, the staff now includes a full-time quality control technician, Monsieur Roger. The mission of the Barkery is simple — create an irresistible product for pooches, beg for bequests by batting big, brown Boxer eyes, bake biscuits and donate the resulting dough to a charity of choice.

Sounds simple, eh? Believe me, until you experience business at the Barkery firsthand, you have no idea of the amount of work involved. Roger and I alone have pounded the pavement and peddled more than 200 orders of biscuits thus far. So last weekend, Mom and I pumped out close to 2,500 biscuits in various shapes and flavors to fulfill the initial round of orders. Before being bagged and leaving the Barkery, each batch is sampled by Senior Quality Control Tech Monsieur Roger to insure perfection!

The financial support from everyone for the Sassy Mae Fund Drive has been absolutely overwhelming. Equally important is that Sassy Mae continues to steadily improve because of the exceptional medical care and loving foster care that she's receiving.

Although the bulk of my begging has ended, I continue to accept donations. Unlike Shippensburg University, Mom's alma mater, I won't pester you every single evening with a phone call pleading for money. All that I ask is that you periodically stop by my blog to read about upcoming fund drives near you. And, it's always great to receive expressions of thanks and support through e-mail messages and comments posted to the blog, so keep 'em rolling, rolling, rolling rawhide.

The culmination of our Sassy Mae Fund Drive will take place at the Cherry Blossom Cluster dog show in Timonium, Maryland on Saturday, April 18, during which time Roger and I plan to present a giant check to Adopt A Boxer Rescue. I also plan to be in the ring that day, so if you're in the area, we'd love for you to come out and show your support. It should be a howl of a good time.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Monsieur Roger and Herr Newman wishing all you laddies and lassies a Happy St. Patrick's Day from across the Channel. And, we don't mean Chanel No. 5.

I'm sure you've heard of raising the bar. Well, Roger decided to "lower the bar," which is where he ended up after an evening of Irish cheer at the Brushtown Belly Up Bar. Whether it was the alcohol clouding his judgment or merely a lack of brains inside his little big head, he clearly doesn't know that the phrase "drinking under the table" isn't meant to be taken literally.

Methinks that the little Frenchman will think twice before sucking down Jameson's Irish whiskey as if it were a glass of Bordeaux rouge Château du Masson that he's accustomed to consuming with dinner.

Roger drinks himself under the table

Beggin' Beggin' Beggin' - I smell Beggin'

Sassy Mae

With the exception of teenagers who find begging for money second nature, there aren't many people who enjoy doing it. I admit it. I detest solicitation pleas as much as the next guy. That's why I limit my begging to issues which I feel are of the utmost importance.

Like my late sister Beulah Ruth, I find donating to charities that are near and dear to my heart personally rewarding. Yesterday, I found out about a sweet, brindle boxer girl named Sassy Mae who desperately needs help to pay for extensive medical bills because of injuries she sustained from an attack by a Pit Bull/Dingo mix.

Injuries Sustained from Pit Bull Attack

I personally have nothing against Pit Bulls and will not make this a platform about their ferocity. My intent is only to solicit funds to help nurse Sassy Mae back to health, which will hopefully include being able to save her front left leg from amputation.

Sassy bandaged up

Aunt Beth Downey will be fostering Sassy Mae until she is well enough to be placed in her "fur-ever" home through Adopt A Boxer Rescue (AABR). While Sassy Mae couldn't have a better foster mom/nurse, she still needs our financial support. Her hospital bills are already several thousand dollars. AABR depends on donations to survive so any amount of donation is very much appreciated. Although Roger doesn't know it, I have already pledged to donate his weekly allowance, as well as mine, to the "Sassy Mae Fund." Every penny counts.

Additionally, we will be selling homemade dog biscuits to generate funds. If you'd like to place an order, please e-mail me at NewmanOnTheBlock@gmail.com. So, if you're looking for a perfect treat for a special K-9 companion's Easter basket, consider buying a bag of biscuits from the Brushtown Barkery. Each bag contains a Baker's dozen of assorted flavors and costs $3.00. All proceeds will benefit the "Sassy Mae Fund."

Make no bones about it, times are "ruff" for everyone right now. But, if you can find it in your heart and wallet to reach out for Sassy Mae, I encourage you to do so. You can donate by PayPal or credit card on the Web site of Adopt A Boxer Rescue and note "Sassy Mae" when you make your donation. Checks should be made payable to "AABR" and sent to P.O. Box 423, Harrison, NY 10528. Any amount is greatly appreciated! All donations to AABR are tax deductible, too.

Finally, while not the journalist that I am, Aunt Beth does a wonderful job of telling Sassy Mae's story on the Amity Hall Boxers Web site. I encourage you to visit often to view her progress.