Thursday, January 20, 2011

Give the Gift of Life

Ve vant your blood

Ever stop to think about your community blood supply? Probably not, but you should, because most communities across the United States are in short supply.

January is National Blood Donor Month. While blood shortages come and go all year long, blood centers struggle to meet the demands of hospitals in January for various reasons, like flu season, busy holiday schedules, etc.

The good news is you can help by giving a pint of life-saving blood. Contact your local area American Red Cross or blood bank to find out where to donate in your area. Don’t just think about it, give it a try.

As a recent member of the 3-Gallon Club, Mom can verify that it's a painless yet very rewarding experience. After every donation, she is entitled to unlimited treats, like Lorna Doone and Fig Newton cookies for being a good girl.

Unfortunately, there are no Dog Blood Banks near me, or I'd be right beside my good boxer buddies CJ and Wyatt, who have saved numerous lives by donating blood. Thank you, CJ and Wyatt, for your devoted service to dogkind. You're the best!

GCh. Amity Hall's All About Me, RN ~ CJ
Wyatt and his mom, Dr. Jackie

For those of you wondering what the prefixes and suffixes mean in CJ's registered name, I'll gladly tell ya! 

GCh. stands for Grand Champion and completion of the title requires the following:
  • Twenty-five Grand Championship Points
  • Three majors won under three different AKC judges
  • At least one point won under a fourth AKC judge
  • Must have defeated at least one other AKC Champion of Record at three shows.
RN does not stand for registered nurse, but rather Rally Novice. The letters RN may be added after a dog's name when it has been certified by two different judges to have received qualifying score in Novice classes at three licensed or member rally trials. 

Stay tuned for more information on titles when I explain the meaning of the abbreviations  DSA and CGC  after my name.

Monday, January 17, 2011

The Gift of Giving

Today was a good day! In addition to it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this morning for breakfast we polished off the last of the latest 30 lb. bag of Taste of the Wild which means the opening of a fresh bag and a pre-dinner crunchy scramble. Yee-ha! I knew that Dad would have something special planned for us on this historical day. He is so good at coordinating fun activities for us that I think his next job might be as an activities director at a nursing home -- except he's not looking for one!

Newman demonstrates how to properly empty a bag a food

While we are on the subject of nursing homes and in the spirit of MLK Day, Roger fulfilled an hour and half of community service yesterday by spreading cheer at a local nursing home. 

Roger takes a break from visiting Manor Care residents

I think it's great that MLK Day reminds people that community service is important, but community service is important every day of the year. Since day one, M&D have stressed the value of providing community service.

For instance, as part of Dog Scout Troop 161, I helped ring the bell for the Salvation Army and we brought in a record $1,138.32. See post 'Tis the Season for Sharing.

Erinne turns her dad into a snowman

Thelma Lou made her second debut as Buckley Beaver at the ACNB bank in Newville last weekend for Kids Day. One of the activities was for kids to dress their humans up as snowman by wrapping them in toilet paper and adding snowman-like gear (gloves, hats, etc.), so Mom thought it would be fun to dress Thelma Lou up as a "snow-dog."


Thelma Lou as Frosty Paws the Snow Pup


I hope that you do something good for someone today and every day! In the words of Edmund Burke, "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Happy Birthday Daddy Dawg!

Today is Daddy Dawg's birthday. I won't reveal how old he is because he looks so young that you wouldn't believe me if I told you. Suffice it to say, he would be Methuselah in dog years.

Happy Birthday from your favorite pack ~ We love you!

The Triple Threat with Dad this summer

Paprika with little grand-spices, Trent and Kayla

From these pictures taken a few months ago, do you think that Dad looks like Methuselah? I say "Absolutely not!" For Dog's sake, I hope that I inherit the "Fountain of Youth" gene that he did and still have a full head of hair when I'm 8 years old. In any event, cast your vote today as to whether you think Dad looks like Methuselah! 

Methuselah