Econo-Girl

Dog Walking is a Great Business

2012-01-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

Dog walking is a great business to get started because the capital requirements are ZERO, the credit requirements are ZERO and the bullshit office politics are ZERO. It’s just you and the dogs, every day.

If you are at a time in your life where you need to be distracted from life problems, depression, or are having trouble adjusting your way back into society, dog walking is a great way to connect with other beings, and then human beings.

The sunlight and exercise lifts your spirits and your outlook, and puts life’s essentials front and center: food, walks and napping.

CalBank Set to Foreclose on Synagogue

2012-01-28T18:32:00.000-05:00

The LA Times reports that CalBank is preparing to foreclose on a synagogue, Congregation Beth Shalom, in Corona, California.

""No question, we took a hit on the amount of money coming in. We built at the worst possible time, like a lot of people around here," said congregation President Bruce Williams. "We need some help getting our loan modified. But rather than sitting down with us, the bank wants to foreclose. It's mind-boggling."

Members of interfaith coalitions in Corona and Riverside will join synagogue leaders Tuesday for protest outside a local branch of the bank seeking the foreclosure, San Diego-based California Bank and Trust, known as CalBank. Williams hopes the rally will pressure the bank to renegotiate."

Click on the title to this post to see the original article. For assistance with bankruptcy in California, DC or Maryland, contact Axsmith Law at 202-285-5415, or www.Axsmith.net. For foreclosure defense litigation, Axsmith Law specializes in that practice.

Get an Audit of Your Foreclosure Case Against the Bank

2012-01-28T18:22:00.001-05:00

"Last year, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and other big servicers agreed to give more than 4 million borrowers who were in some stage of foreclosure between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010, the option of an independent audit of their loan account."

For information related to this audit, foreclosures and bankruptcies please contact Axsmith Law at 202-285-5415.

Foreclosed Home Reentered by Former Owners

2012-01-28T18:12:00.002-05:00

Homeowners who have been taken out of their homes have decided to reenter those homes to continue living there. There's a danger of being arrested for trespass, but that is a risk that some are willing to take.

Since many homes are left empty after foreclosure, often for years, and then the homes are left to go into disrepair, there is a certain logic to this action.

With a family living in the house, it will not be stripped for its wires and fixtures. The home will also not be occupied by criminals and vagrants.

The full article is at My Valley News.

Foreclosure help is available at Axsmith Law, a firm which also handles bankruptcies.

Does Your Dog Have a Broken Leg

2012-01-28T18:08:00.001-05:00

When a Dog’s Leg is Broken
A dog’s leg is broken when they can’t put any weight on it. Or at least that is what you should assume if that is what your dog is doing. The next step is taking her to the vet.
The vet says that you can tell if there's a fracture to a dog's leg if the dog is trying not to put weight on the leg. At least you should take the dog into the vet at that point. And if the dog is walking normally, there is no fracture. Just a handy rule of thumb.

The dog walker we had, before being in the business ourselves, had lost our puppy at least four times in the last two months while walking it. So he takes the dogs to the same fenced area with the gap in the fence every day, and keeps going back even though the puppy, Molly, runs away about once a week lately.

So this time Molly runs into the street and gets sideswiped by a car that naturally doesn't even bother to stop. Her leg is broken.

I ask you: what kind of walker takes a dog to the same place it always runs away from? My husband thinks that the guy is cheap and an old friend and means well. He says we should just insist that the puppy always be leashed, and since we never told that dog walker to do that we don't have room to complain about him.

I don’t agree. Always leash the dog.

Dog Walker Hell Week

2012-01-28T18:07:00.002-05:00

Dog Walker Hell Week

It's over. I had ten extra walks per day for the last week and a half. It has been a few decades since I have been that bone-tired. Dog walking is manual labor. It may seem like unfettered fun to you cubicle-dwellers, but there's a lot to worry about.

First, every single dog owner has a specific set of instructions that applies to their dog alone. You need to remember all of it. Then, the dog doesn't always WANT to go outside if it's raining or snowing. My dog Amber is like that. She just looks at me like I'm insane and pulls a sit-down strike.

Of course there's the old, lazy dog that suddenly gets a burst of youth and makes a run for it. Always keep a firm grip on the leash. No one was more surprised than my husband and me when this little one dashed off and we had to go chasing her.

Logistics is everything in dog walking. The clock rules your day. You need to be at certain places at certain times and have to map out your strategy for getting there.

Of course as your business grows, you hire people. Then it really gets tough. Like the guy who sat in someone's house and ate a bucket of chicken and left some of the bones and biscuits lying around. The client was a vegetarian, by the way.

There was another guy who thought of himself as a kind of roaming Dick Cavett and would get to houses as the people were getting home from work - big no no - and then have in-depth conversations about country music or the economy. And I'll bet they were great conversations. But you need not to lose your focus: caring for the dog. No matter how much they smile and laugh, they will get angry and fire you if you fail to do this.

That brings up another issue. As a dog walker, you are in the servant class. No matter how jovial clients are, they think of you as the maid. And neighbors delight in watching you and telling the client if you have not picked up poop.

Remember, your clients are the humans, not the dogs. It's hard to remember this fact. You may like the dog more than you like the owner. After a while, though, you will become close to many owners.

The up side is that you get into really good shape and the dogs are always so glad to see you. It really lifts the spirits. They are such sweet little beings and the weather in DC is very mild most of the time, making a nice walk with a dog such a pleasure. I would walk along Rock Creek and think of all the times when I was working inside how much I would love just a few minutes of walking around in that weather. And I do it every day. It is glorious.

Michigan Case Good for Foreclosure Victims

2012-01-17T11:21:00.003-05:00

A Michigan Court of Appeals has just ruled that lower court’s decision to dismiss a case against JP Morgan Chase was in error.

JP Morgan Chase failed to record their interest in the mortgage note held by Eui H. and In Sook Kim. Eui H. and In Sook Kim then sued JP Morgan Chase for wrongful foreclosure. The case was initially dismissed, but that decision has been reversed by the appeals court because JP Morgan Chase’s interest in the mortgage was not recorded.

This decision has the possibility of affecting many other wrongful foreclosure suits in the United States.

Get more information at Axsmith.net. Christine Axsmith is a foreclosure defense attorney in DC and MD.

2010 Foreclosures Down, More Foreclosures Expected in 2011

2012-01-16T15:45:00.000-05:00

The above article from AP discusses foreclosure trends in the U.S. and offers predictions, and reasons for them.

Basically, the reporter is drawing a straight line between the number of underwater mortgages and anticipated default rates. While that may be a valid analysis, it does assume that homeowners who are underwater in their mortgages will mostly opt for defaulting rather than waiting the housing price decline out.

See Axsmith.net and Axsmithlaw.wordpress.com for information on saving your home from foreclosure.

DC HPAP Participants in Foreclosure Trouble

2012-01-15T18:09:00.000-05:00

"D.C. housing officials have routinely subsidized home purchases that low-income buyers could not afford, paving the way for foreclosures, liens and financial hardships.

Nearly one in five buyers participating in the city’s 35-year-old loan program for first-time homeowners is behind on mortgage payments, city officials said — a default rate that’s at least three times higher than the overall rate in the region. Nearly 50 buyers have received notices of foreclosure in recent years, while more than 50 others have struggled with homeowner association or utility liens, The Washington Post has found."

See full article here.

See also Axsmith Law blog and Axsmith.net.

DeStorm's 2011 Overview

2012-01-02T16:29:00.002-05:00

Epic Rap Battles of History: Genghis Khan vs. The Easter Bunny

2011-12-22T02:49:00.000-05:00

Top quote:

"You're not even in the Bible.
You're a fluffy bitch mascot
for Hallmark in denial."

More Russian Hip Hop: Ву-Шоу - Как в кино (feat Маша) (Реальные пацаны)

2011-12-21T13:33:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: I don't speak or read Russian. They could be worshipping the moon for all I know. But it's a great song.

Ву-Шоу - Как в кино (feat Маша) (Реальные пацаны)

Epic Rap Battles of History: Justin Bieber vs. Beethoven

2011-12-21T02:48:00.000-05:00

Look what the cat dragged
back from the dead.
Man, it looks like Chewbacca
wiped his ass on your head.
I'm the next Michael Jackson,
you smell like Bette White.
Here's some aspirin,
you're catching Bieber fever tonight.
Because my voice is incredible
and your music is terrible,
who even listens to classical anyway?
Even Elise wants to do me
and now that you're right next to me
I can understand why they used a dog to play you in the movies.

Sit down, son
and let me give you a music lesson
ask Bach,
I've got more cock than Smith & Wesson.
Never say never?
You'll never be forgetting
I've crafted masterpieces
that will last throughout the ages
You're music gets you bitches
on your Facebook pages.
I'm committing verbal murder
in the major third degree
My name is Beethoven motherfucker
maybe you heard of me?
Not the St. Bernard version,
I'm the real OG.
You want to trade blows?
You can't even hit puberty.

I got Kim Kardashian
in my bed backstage.
When's the last time your music
got anybody laid?
I got a concert in five
so there's not much time left.
What else can I say?
You're own music made you deaf.

I would smack you
but in Germany
we don't hit little girls.
And I'm glad I'm deaf
so I can't hear that piece of shit
"My World."
There's a crowd of millions
waiting to hear my symphonies,
You want to be a little white Usher,
Here, show them to their seats.

Epic Rap Battles of History: Mr. T vs. Mister Rogers

2011-12-21T02:35:00.001-05:00

I think Mr. Rogers won this one.

"You call yourself Mr. T because you're too dumb to spell."

Epic Rap Battles - Hitler vs. Darth Vader

2011-12-21T02:28:00.000-05:00

Great stuff. YouTube's nicepeter has some terrific videos pitting various historic people against each other in rap battles. These are his Hitler v. Darth Vader videos.

It's a "can't miss."

Hitler vs. Darth Vader I

I am Adolf Hitler
Commander of the Third Reich
little know fact: also dope on the mic
You are Vader
With your little boots and cape
and helmet to cover up
that burnt-up face.
You have the force to move objects.
I am a force truly evil.
Even went back in time and tried to whack in the prequel.
Cause look at you, you're not even a real person,
I preferred you in Spaceballs,
the Rick Morenis version.

You can't rhyme against the dark side of the force,
why even bother?
So many dudes been with your mom
who even knows if I'm your father?
You're a pissed-off prick
with a Napoleon dick
You call that a mustache?
I call that Dirty Sanchez on your lip.
You bitch
Let me remind you who you're messing with
everything that you did
I'm the motherfucker who invented it.
I'm the original Dark Lord
You're like the sorcerer's apprentice
my stormtroopers make yours look like
someone took a piece of shit and cloned it.

You stink, Vader,
you're style smells something sour.
You need to wash up, dawg
here, step in my shower.
I'll turn all your friends against you
just my speeches breed haters.
What's your light saber against
a clan of all your white neighbors?

Suck my robot balls,
now take a step back
and let me freeze yours off.
A little carbonite bath for your
goose-stepping ass.
We'll call my homeboy in Israel
see who got the last laugh.

Hitler vs. Darth Vader II

Parody on Perry's "Strong" Ad

2011-12-10T20:19:00.003-05:00

Parody of Rick Perry's "Strong" ad:

Text of the parody:

"I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm an atheist, but you don't need to sleep in every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when Rick Perry can be openly homophobic but our kids can't openly celebrate evolution or learn science in school.
As a video blogger, I'll end Perry's war on reason. And I'll fight against conservative attacks on our rational heritage.
Logic made America strong. It can make her strong again.
I'm James Kotecki and I approve this message."

Another parody released by YouTube's The Partisans:

Another parody by YouTube's Funnyordie:

Original Perry Ad:

Text of original Perry ad:

"I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a Christian, but you don't need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.
As President, I'll end Obama's war on religion. And I'll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage.
Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.
I'm Rick Perry and I approve this message."

Removed YouTube video commenting on Rick Perry ad:

BESUREIS: Turning Music Video

2011-12-10T20:13:00.000-05:00

Starts out like a lot of Besureis' stuff: slow, mournful, dark. Then a little into the song the beat pumps up and the video just becomes disturbing in a fascinating way. You just watch to see what happens next. Creative video and not predictable.

The one thing I'd say about Besureis is their stuff tends to be dark and thoughtful. That's OK if you can tolerate it. Personally, I like something a little peppy with some hope.

YouTube's Greatest Freakout Ever - A Warning

2011-12-10T00:34:00.000-05:00

A YouTube user named WAFFLEPWN has an immensely popular video of his brother freaking out after getting punished for something.

But there's a problem. Looking at all 16 videos of his brother getting upset makes clear that his brother is mentally disabled, and maybe even autistic. So this little brother deliberately agitates his older disabled brother and films it for the entertainment of the world. Several million views at this point.

The disabled brother vehemently dislikes being touched. When a comedian did a riff on the video, the family was invited into dressing room to meet him, including the "freakout brother." The comedian deliberately touched him and set off another episode of panic. The family did nothing, including the parents, to protect him or to set boundaries. When a British film crew interviewed WAFFLEPWN about his video, the older brother came into the room in the middle of it. He was sat down and provoked by touching once again. And the mother filmed the episode rather than intervene. Of course that video was put on YouTube as well.

I want to say something here. This is a strong young kid, 18 years old, who has not hit his brother - yet. And some of the things the disabled kid says ("When I get angry I don't remember what I do") are serious indicators of rage control issues.

It is not wise to provoke someone like that, to humiliate them in front of millions of people, and then to do it again and again. We may be hearing from this family in the future, and not in a good way.

Anti-Putin Russian Hip-Hop

2011-11-27T14:48:00.000-05:00

Admittedly, I don't speak Russian, but this video's visuals compare Putin to Hitler and seem to slam the skinhead movement as pointlessly violent.

Let me know if that is off base, somebody. But the song is a good one, and unlike U.S. hip-hop, it seems to be something more than depressed young men holding their crotches and hating women.

Russian Rap: Hip Hop With a Smile

2011-11-26T14:16:00.000-05:00

A really infectious song that shows hip hop doesn't have to be angry. Another youtube video that you will want to watch over and over again.

What's so interesting is how the classic hip hop gang poses, with hand signals and standing with crossed arms, is adapted to another place across the globe with a mocking laugh. Nothing vicious, just fun. Another difference in this video in the incorporation of many regular people. There is no need for barely-dressed women draped on cars or around pools. The artistic confidence displayed by both choices is often missing in U.S. hip hop videos.

As the reader might know, I am a fan of the San Diego hip hop sound. However, the videos follow a formulaic visual track of anger, cement, barely-dressed women, big gold jewelry and cars. I understand that this message is a reflection of a life lived, but is there nothing else to say visually? Something to think about.

The video and the music speaks for itself and is fun to watch.

A-Pink My My Video - Japanese Girl Group

2011-11-26T14:04:00.002-05:00

This is a really fun music video by a Japanese girl group called A-pink. The clothes and choreography are engaging and don't be surprised if you wake up in the morning singing this song.

Make a Movie by Mack Twon

2011-11-13T18:22:00.002-05:00

Another blast of the San Diego hip hop sound.

Great New Song from Besureis "It's Not Your Fate"

2011-11-13T17:40:00.000-05:00

Great song and video. Powerful and great mingle of vocals. Never heard of Besureis before, I think they are from the UK.

Anyway, check it out.

Capital City Ball Benefits DC-Based Anti-Human Trafficking Group

2011-10-10T12:32:00.000-04:00

Are you looking for a worthy excuse to break out your fanciest duds and dance the night away?

Then come to this year’s Capital City Ball on November 19 at the fabulous and historic Washington Club. Beneficiaries of this year’s ball include a number of well-known DC-based anti-trafficking and human rights groups including Courtney’s House and Bridge to Freedom Foundation.

There will be live music provided by Bittersweet, an eleven-piece, high-energy dance band, plenty of hors d'oeuvres, assorted desserts, an open bar and a silent auction.

When: Saturday, November 19, 8:00p.m. - 1:00a.m.

Where: The Washington Club, 15 Dupont Circle, NW

Dress: Black tie formal

Tickets: Advocate level: $125 for a limited time; Angel level: $250; Tables are also available. To purchase your tickets, go to: http://www.capitalcityball.org/tickets.htm

Fashion Benefit for Stop Modern Slavery

2011-10-10T12:30:00.002-04:00

NEW - Can’t wait for the SMS Walk to show your support for the cause?

Come to a Fashion with Passion happy hour benefiting the DC SMS Walk on Friday, October 21 at Sutra Lounge in Adams Morgan. There will be live music by Society & Ariane as well as presentations by health and fitness trainer Jen Elyse, style expert Kyndall Douglas and Giovanna and The Capital Icon Team & Models,

There will also be drink specials, door prizes and raffles so don’t miss out on this fantastic event!

When: Friday, October 21, 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.

Where: Sutra Lounge, 2406 18 St., NW

Cover: $10 Donation

RSVP at: info@capitalicon.com; space is limited.

Impact of Human Trafficking Policies - a Debate

2011-10-10T12:29:00.002-04:00

Do you have concerns about the potential negative impacts of well-meaning anti-human trafficking policies?

Come to an interactive brown bag lunch lecture on “Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Pandemics and Politics: Do Anti-Trafficking Policies Hurt the Most Vulnerable?” this Wednesday afternoon at American University Washington College of Law.

Joanna Busza, senior lecturer in sexual and reproductive health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, will discuss her public health research conducted among Vietnamese sex workers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and among Eastern European prostitutes working in London to demonstrate how attempts to reduce exploitation can result in increased human rights abuse and vulnerability to health risks such as HIV.

When: Wednesday, October 12, noon - 1:20p.m.

Where: 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, American University Washington College of Law, JD Student Lounge

For more information, contact Melissa del Aguila at maguila@wcl.american.edu

The San Diego Sound: Cee Wee 3 - Chasing Mine

2011-10-03T03:14:00.002-04:00

Wait until :46. That's when it really starts.

Have you heard about the New Underground Railroad?

2011-10-03T01:37:00.002-04:00

REMINDER - Have you heard about the New Underground Railroad?

It’s a web-based portal where anti-trafficking activists across the globe can link up to share information about campaigns, one-time events, important legislation, internships and job positions. Create your own FREE account with End Slavery Now -- the world’s largest database of volunteers, organizations, facilities and service professionals fighting to stop modern day slavery.

To sign up, visit http://bit.ly/bTEvz1

Also, be sure to check out End Slavery Now’s BRAND SPANKING NEW "Action on the Ground" project map (http://bit.ly/ov8qkW ) -- the first comprehensive and interactive web-based app to track the global fight against human trafficking. This new tool allows partner NGOs around the world to upload projects, photos and links; making it easy to see what organizations are doing to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate modern-day slaves, as well as stem demand.

Want to get informed about the problem of sex trafficking in Haiti?

2011-10-03T01:36:00.005-04:00

NEW - Want to get informed about the problem of sex trafficking in Haiti?

Come to a brown bag lunch discussion featuring Dr. Laura Lederer, president of Global Centurion, this Tuesday at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.

Global Centurion is a nonprofit with a particular focus on reducing the demand for child sexual slavery. In Haiti, Global Centurion has helped to educate healthcare providers on recognizing the signs of sex trafficking, organized public awareness campaigns on trafficking using radio jingles in local Creole and launched an SMS helpline designed to monitor gender-based violence, child abuse and human trafficking throughout Haiti’s tent cities.

When: Tuesday, October 4, 12:30p.m. - 1:30p.m.

Where: Catholic University Columbus School of Law; 3600 John McCormack Rd., Room 220

2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

2011-10-03T01:36:00.002-04:00

GET OUT THERE

IMPORTANT - 2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

On October 22, 2011, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall for the annual DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk, a united effort to celebrate human rights, raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking, and raise funds for organizations that are working to end human trafficking. We hope for full participation from the SMS community.

REGISTER TODAY! http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org

If you are interested in volunteering on the day of the walk, please email walkvolunteer@stopmodernslavery.org.

Lady Gaga Message to Rebecca Black

2011-10-01T17:00:00.001-04:00

Another reason to love Lady Gaga.

Earthquake: M 3.6 - Southeastern Missouri

2011-10-01T00:53:00.002-04:00

Magnitude: 3.6
Location: Southeastern Missouri

Time: Thu, Sep 22, 2011 4:32:09 PM PDT
GMT: Thu, Sep 22, 2011 23:32:09 GMT

Latitude: 36° 49' 4" N (36.8180°)
Longitude: 90° 44' 55" W (-90.7487°)
Depth: 7.1 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%203.6%20-%20Southeastern%20Missouri@36.818001,-90.748703&z=6

More Information (while available): http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/nm092211b.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Earthquake: M 4.6 - North Atlantic Ocean

2011-10-01T00:53:00.001-04:00

Magnitude: 4.6
Location: North Atlantic Ocean

Time: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 4:55:57 PM PDT
GMT: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 23:55:57 GMT

Latitude: 21° 36' 55" N (21.6155°)
Longitude: 66° 34' 0" W (-66.5669°)
Depth: 9.4 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%204.6%20-%20North%20Atlantic%20Ocean@21.615499,-66.566902&z=6

More Information (while available): http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc000604n.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Earthquake: M 4.7 - Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

2011-10-01T00:53:00.000-04:00

Magnitude: 4.7
Location: Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

Time: Mon, Sep 26, 2011 1:08:46 PM PDT
GMT: Mon, Sep 26, 2011 20:08:46 GMT

Latitude: 52° 43' 2" N (52.7173°)
Longitude: 174° 0' 50" W (-174.0140°)
Depth: 126.4 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%204.7%20-%20Andreanof%20Islands%2C%20Aleutian%20Islands%2C%20Alaska@52.717300,-174.014008&z=6

More Information (while available): http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc00060mu.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Tsunami Report

2011-10-01T00:52:00.000-04:00

000 WEHW42 PHEB 222315 TIBHWX HIZ001>003-005>009-012>014-016>021-023>026-230115-  TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER   1 NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI 115 PM HST THU SEP 22 2011  TO - CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII  SUBJECT - TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT  THIS STATEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NO ACTION REQUIRED.  AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS     ORIGIN TIME - 0107 PM HST 22 SEP 2011    COORDINATES - 15.0 SOUTH  174.8 WEST    LOCATION    - SAMOA ISLANDS REGION    MAGNITUDE   - 6.8  MOMENT  EVALUATION   BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS  NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII. REPEAT. A  DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO  TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII.  THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED.  $$

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Surfers Rescue Baby Great White Shark

2011-09-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

In Venice, California, surfers decided to save a baby great white shark after pulling it out of the water. There was something stuck in its mouth. Takes guts to put your hands near shark's teeth, even baby shark's teeth.

Harry Potter Dog Needs New Home

2011-09-28T13:22:00.000-04:00

It seems the owner of the star dog didn't have the time for him anymore.

“[Berry] was given up for rescue because the gentleman couldn’t afford to keep him anymore and his companion,” said Jane O’Brien, who fields inquiries for German Shepherd Rescue. The two dogs were immediately put into a safe foster home but now need a permanent place to live.
On the organization’s website, Berry’s bio reads: “My Dad contacted German Shepherd Dog Rescue because he realized he didn’t have the time to look after us properly anymore. His work takes him away from home an awful lot and whilst his friends and family tried to help look after us, we weren’t getting the walks or brushes we were used to.”

I love German Shepherds and would love to adopt these dogs. They would get lots of attention, brushing and exercise on the Tijuana Slough every day, and even get to play in the ocean.

Alas, the chances of those dogs getting shipped to California are rather slim. Too bad.

Test: Are YOU What is Wrong with the World?

2011-09-28T02:47:00.002-04:00

Join the Modern Underground Railroad

2011-09-26T15:52:00.005-04:00

The Abolitionist's Digest

2011-09-26T15:52:00.004-04:00

REMINDER - Interested in reading news articles gathered from around the country and the globe that cover human trafficking crimes and efforts to eliminate modern-day slavery? Sign up to receive The Abolitionist’s Digest -- produced by DC SMS members and emailed each Wednesday morning.

Sign up to receive the weekly digest here, http://bit.ly/hPYzFd.

Push for Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation

2011-09-26T15:51:00.002-04:00

MOBILIZE

REMINDER - Can you be a part of ensuring a crucial piece of federal legislation that safeguards the rights of trafficking survivors is renewed before it expires at the end of the month?

The 2011 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) was only recently introduced in the House (H.R. 2830) -- so it’s important now more than ever to keep pressure on our representatives to pass this vital legislation! The TVPRA is one of the cornerstones of the United States’ anti-trafficking efforts. Initially signed into law in 2000, the law must be reauthorized every few years. The current TVPRA expires on Friday, and it is critical that the reauthorization be signed before this date to ensure the country maintains a consistent and comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking. The Senate version (S.1301) was introduced this past June.

You can sign the Polaris Project’s Change.org petition urging Congress to reauthorize TVPRA here: http://chn.ge/pyQ921 Once you've signed the online petition, go one step further to spread the word! Tweet about the petition on Twitter. Here's a sample tweet: I just signed this petition on @Change asking Congress to reauthorize the #2011TVPRA #trafficking http://ht.ly/6rX92 via @Polaris_Project. Spread the word on Facebook! Here's a sample post: Sign the petition on Change.org today to ask Congress to reauthorize the 2011 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act! Your signature can make a difference in the lives of human trafficking victims. [http://ht.ly/6rX92]

Brooks Bros. in Georgetown to Host Benefit to AId Victims of Sex Trafficking

2011-09-26T15:50:00.001-04:00

Come to a special night of cocktails, hors d’ oeuvres and shopping on October 6 at Brooks Brothers Georgetown to benefit Urban Light -- a nonprofit that provides educational opportunities and social and health services to teenage boys that have escaped the sex industry in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

As Chiang Mai continues to be the hub for tourism in northern Thailand while myriad economic and social factors fuel rural-urban migration, the population of young boys who are victims of sex trafficking continues to grow. Urban Light is the only organization of its kind to focus on connecting these young men with housing, health, and employment opportunities while offering in-house case management and personal development.

Participating shoppers will enjoy a 15% discount on their Brooks Brothers purchases during the night of the event with 10% of the evening’s sales donated directly to Urban Light.

When: Thursday, October 6, 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.

Where: Brooks Brothers Georgetown, 3077 M St. NW

RSVP by emailing events@brooksbrothers.com

Anti-Sex Trafficking Tonight at GWU

2011-09-26T15:48:00.004-04:00

Cargo is an award-winning anti-sex trafficking drama written and directed by Yan Vizinberg. The film tells the story of a young Russian woman, smuggled into America by human traffickers, and a notorious Egyptian transporter, hired to drive her from the Mexican border to New York City. The pair form an unlikely bond that transforms them and threatens to derail the traffickers' plans.

Vizinberg will be on hand after the screening along with film editor/producer Abigail Honor and Andrew Powell, the founder and CEO of FAIR Fund to take questions from the audience. Refreshments will be served.

When: Monday, September 26, 6:00p.m. - 7:30p.m.

Where: George Washington University, Lindner Family Commons, Room 602, 1957 E St. NW

RSVP at: http://bit.ly/owIRzs

2011 DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk

2011-09-26T15:48:00.001-04:00

GET OUT THERE

IMPORTANT - 2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

On October 22, 2011, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall for the annual DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk, a united effort to celebrate human rights, raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking, and raise funds for organizations that are working to end human trafficking. We hope for full participation from the SMS community.

**Early bird registration ends Friday. Prices will go up October 1 so REGISTER TODAY! http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org

Chance to Appear in DC Documentary on Human Trafficking

2011-09-21T15:04:00.000-04:00

REMINDER - Would you like your voice to be heard on a short documentary on human trafficking?

Local DC filmmaker and SMS member Dexter Sumner and the Hague Files crew are looking for anti-trafficking activists to provide 30-seconds or so of soundbyte outtakes on their feelings about modern-day slavery. Participants do not have to be an expert to talk about the issue though experts are welcome to contribute soundbytes!

Soundbyte topics the documentary is focusing on are:
• Runaways and the lack of shelter(s) to house them.
• Debt bondage practices with a particular interest in the experience of Korean women trafficked into the United States.
• Voices for the voiceless -- who speaks for trafficked victims, particularly children?
• Violence -- what kind of violence would someone who is trafficked face?
• The real reasons why individuals enter the sex trade and public misconceptions about those reasons.

Participants are also welcome to comment on other human trafficking issues not addressed above. To get involved, email, dextoor@msn.com

Human Trafficking in UAE

2011-09-20T15:00:00.001-04:00

NEW - Interested in learning more about the nature of human trafficking in the United Arab Emirates?

Attend a lunchtime discussion this Thursday on the new book Gridlock: Labor, Migration, and Human Trafficking in Dubai with book author and Pomona College associate professor, Pardis Mahdavi.

Gridlock draws on four years of Mahdavi's ethnographic research in the United Arab Emirates that examined disconnections between policies on human trafficking and the realities of gendered labor and migration in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The project seeks to illuminate the experiences of migrant women and men in the Middle East and how their stories have frequently been misunderstood by policymakers and activists. The book also offers steps that could be taken to improve policy, discourse and activism.

When: Thursday, September 23, 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.

Where: Woodrow Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Imperial Beach, CA

2011-09-20T14:11:00.000-04:00

A small video I put together highlighting our fun in Imperial Beach, CA. This is definitely a surfer town. Imperial Beachians are nice and friendly, too.

My husband and I take a romantic walk every night on the beach with our dog. It really feels like heaven.

Tiny Hands in Nepal

2011-09-20T13:02:00.000-04:00

NEW - Do you have a moment to add your name to another petition supporting enhanced border security in Nepal to ensure young girls are not trafficked into India to work in brothels?

An estimated 10,000 girls are kidnapped or coerced across the border into India where they are sold into a life of sexual slavery. Many of these girls are offered a chance to escape from their poor villages, either through a false marriage or job opportunity in the city. Once they arrive they are shuttled across the Indian border to brothels were they are forced to have sex with as many as 40 clients each day.

Tiny Hands is aiming to collect a minimum of 7,500 signatures before November when their vice president of justice operations, Jeff Blom, is slated to bring the petition before the Council Against Human Trafficking in Nepal. You can sign the Change.org petition sponsored by Tiny Hands International here: http://chn.ge/oQBB8B

2011 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA)

2011-09-20T03:01:00.001-04:00

NEW - Can you be a part of ensuring a crucial piece of federal legislation that safeguards the rights of trafficking survivors is renewed before it expires at the end of the month?

The 2011 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) was only recently introduced in the House (H.R. 2830) -- so it’s important now more than ever to keep pressure on our representatives to pass this vital legislation! The TVPRA is one of the cornerstones of the United States’ anti-trafficking efforts. Initially signed into law in 2000, the law must be reauthorized every few years. The current TVPRA expires on September 30, and it is critical that the reauthorization be signed before this date to ensure the country maintains a consistent and comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking. The Senate version (S.1301) was introduced this past June.

You can sign the Polaris Project’s Change.org petition urging Congress to reauthorize TVPRA here: http://chn.ge/pyQ921 Once you've signed the online petition, go one step further to spread the word! Tweet about the petition on Twitter. Here's a sample tweet: I just signed this petition on @Change asking Congress to reauthorize the #2011TVPRA #trafficking http://ht.ly/6rX92 via @Polaris_Project. Spread the word on Facebook! Here's a sample post: Sign the petition on Change.org today to ask Congress to reauthorize the 2011 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act! Your signature can make a difference in the lives of human trafficking victims. [http://ht.ly/6rX92]

Anti-Human Trafficking Happy Hour Fundraiser September 22

2011-09-19T17:58:00.000-04:00

REMINDER - Love happy hour? How about raising money for a really important anti-trafficking cause?

Swing by the L2 Lounge in Georgetown on September 22 for a happy hour fundraiser for the Bridge to Freedom Foundation. All proceeds will go directly to BTFF’s efforts to support human trafficking survivors as they work to build sustainable, thriving livelihoods.

When: Thursday, September 22; 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Where: L2 Lounge, 3315 Cady’s Alley, NW

Donation: $15 at the door

2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

2011-09-19T14:58:00.003-04:00

IMPORTANT - 2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

On October 22, 2011, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall for the annual DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk, a united effort to celebrate human rights, raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking, and raise funds for organizations that are working to end human trafficking. We hope for full participation from the SMS community.

**Early bird registration ends September 30. Prices will go up October 1 so REGISTER TODAY! http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org

If you are interested in volunteering on the day of the walk, please email walkvolunteer@stopmodernslavery.org.

San Diego Hip Hop Sound - Rap with a Touch of Funk

2011-09-17T00:50:00.000-04:00

Total fan of Dido Brown here. Just discovered some local San Diego hip hop talent Dido Brown.

Great stuff.

Give it a listen:

New Sound Out of San Diego: Dido Brown and Green-Eyed Boys

2011-09-17T00:46:00.000-04:00

Great new sound coming out of San Diego. Actually met one of the Green Eyed Boys in a parking lot selling his CDs. Led me to Dido Brown. You've got to hear this stuff. It's fantastic.

Give it a listen:

Classic DC: DC Drum Circle

2011-09-16T17:41:00.000-04:00

Some things are just classic DC and must be experienced to be called a true DC resident, and not just someone passing through. The DC Drum Circle is one of those things. Below is a video of DC Drum Circles. Not a substitute for the real thing.

Something about the pounding rhythm penetrates your body and resets your own personal rhythms. Must really feel it to know what I mean.

PETA Mobile Vet Clinic

2011-09-16T14:40:00.001-04:00

Nikita was found abandoned by a PETA fieldworker during the worst of Hurricane Irene. His only shelter from 70 mile-per-hour winds and driving rain was a piece of plywood barely covering a corner of the minuscule pen that he was trapped in.

Nikita was rescued from the storm in the nick of time, and as soon as he was well enough, he was neutered through PETA's mobile spay-and-neuter clinic program.

PETA's mobile veterinary clinics offer low-cost or free spaying and neutering and other veterinary care to the indigent community near our Norfolk, Va., headquarters. You can help PETA continue to provide these lifesaving community programs with a special gift today.

PETA's three mobile clinics work to help animals in the border areas of Virginia and North Carolina, which has one of the highest rates of homeless dogs and cats in the country. These state-of-the-art, mobile clinics have had a dramatic impact on reducing the number of unwanted and abandoned animals throughout the region. Since this lifesaving program's inception in 2001, PETA has spayed or neutered more than 70,000 dogs, cats, and rabbits—including feral cats and aggressive dogs whom many other clinics simply refuse to handle. The program averages 900 sterilizations a month, and with your help, we hope to do even more!

Our mobile clinics are impressive, eye-catching vehicles, funded by PETA donors and featuring celebrity friends like Simon Cowell and Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest—stars who make people look at the messages about adopting, getting dogs and cats fixed, and not chaining! We've recently expanded our fleet with a new clinic, and you can watch the dedication video here.

The issue of animal homelessness is urgent—a real matter of life or death. Unwanted animals are left on the street to fend for themselves. They succumb to untreated injuries and illnesses, become victims of abuse, or are turned over to animal shelters, with little hope of adoption. Our spay-and-neuter program is a simple and effective way to prevent the births of any more unwanted companion animals.

PETA staffers go into low-income and underserved neighborhoods and distribute fliers about the mobile clinics. We then drive in one of the clinics to make it easy for the residents to deliver their animals for surgery. Those who can't make it are picked up from home, delivered to the clinic, and driven back home at the end of the day through our one-of-a-kind transport program. We also visit underfunded animal shelters so that we can spay and neuter animals before they are adopted into loving homes.

The mobile clinics are equipped with the newest technology. The medical technicians run a safe and efficient program that allows for at least 25 sterilizations on the van each day. And then, thanks to PETA's work, there is no need to find homes for the offspring of the animals who have been "snipped"!

Please support our vital work to care for neglected animals and stop animal overpopulation.

PETA is working to bring about a day when every companion animal born has a good home waiting—when animal homelessness is non-existent. Until that time, we will continue to expand our spay-and-neuter services and care for the animals who are being neglected.

Thank you for all that you do for animals.

Kind regards,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President

Dogs in the Courtroom

2011-09-14T10:23:00.001-04:00

A criminal conviction against a child molester, who was a parent of the victim and got the girl pregnant, has been appealed on the basis that a dog was used to comfort the child during courtroom testimony. The defense attorney's argument is that the increased anxiety in testifying in a criminal case is a necessary part of the process, and that the jury is unfairly swayed by the presence of the dog.

Dogs have been permitted in courtrooms for over twenty years. This case is the first time that their presence is a basis for an appeal of a conviction.

Finnish Guide Dogs Respond More to Praise Than Treats

2011-09-13T22:21:00.002-04:00

FACTFILE: The Finnish Guide Dog School is located in the Itä-Hakkila district of Vantaa

There are 195 guide dogs in Finland, and 60 of them live in the province of Uusimaa. Almost all guide dogs are yellow, chocolate, or black Labrador retrievers.

A guide dog can be given to any blind or visually impaired adult who is able to take care of a guide dog properly.

Guide dogs are bred and trained at the Guide Dog School in Itä-Hakkila, which works under the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired (Näkövammaisten Keskusliitto ry.) and is a member of the International Guide Dog Federation.

The Guide Dog School has its own kennel, producing around 70 puppies every year.

Before they can begin their training, the puppies need foster homes where they grow up until they are 18 months old. Then the foster families return them to the Guide Dog School.

The puppies are first tested when they are six weeks old, and when they reach 18 months they are given a closer evaluation. The purpose of the tests is to define the dogs' suitability for guide dog use. Only half of them pass the tests and are admitted to the training programme.

Guide dogs retire at the age of 10 to 12.

Settlements on the Moon

2011-09-11T00:13:00.000-04:00

The New York Times published a story last Sunday about the need for philosophers for the U.S. space program.

Philosophers? The U.S. space program needs a dose of reality. The idea that the major feat of getting man to the Moon was immediately dismantled to chase the dream of Mars is disappointing, to say the least.

More Dog Surfing!

2011-09-07T12:30:00.002-04:00

2011 Loews Dog Surfing "Best of" dogs surfing video clips showcasing canine surfers hitting the waves to raise money for local charities. See more dog surfing videos from this event and other California dog surfing contests at the SoCal Beaches Magazine website at http://www.socalbeachmag.net

Trickle-Down Misery

2011-09-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

We've had enough of trickle down economics. Now is the time of trickle down misery. The affluence and success and money stays at the top, though. Because they are the "job creators" that bestow their wondrous skills on the America population to "spur the economy" and "get America working again." Except that they don't. No jobs were created in the last jobs report. None. How's that trickle-down garbage working for you now?

Eighty-Nine Dogs Saved From Being Restaurant Food

2011-09-06T22:34:00.000-04:00

The Bangkok Post reports today that 89 dogs were saved from Vietnamese menus.

"Civil volunteers in Ban Phaeng district yesterday seized two pickup trucks at Pho Sai village near the Mekong River and found them to be carrying fertiliser sacks containing a total of 120 dogs, 31 of which had suffocated.

The volunteers, who are members of a task force unit under the Ban Phaeng district office, apprehended the drivers of the two vehicles _ Issarapong Sankampai, 24, a native of Nakhon Phanom, and Vietnamese citizen Xern Nguyen Wan, 23 _ and took them to police for questioning.

The suspects allegedly admitted they had been hired by a gang to take the dogs across the Mekong River to Vietnam, where dog is a popular meat and is often served in restaurants."

See the full story by clicking on the title to this post.

"Obama! Obama!" Cried the Homeless

2011-09-06T19:38:00.000-04:00

There's something about DC's fine old buildings that draw homeless people to their benches. In this case, the National Building Museum. A casual walk to the courthouse led to a thought-provoking encounter, at least for me.

A group of homeless people were lolling about on the benches and lawn of the National Building Museum yelling "Obama! Obama!" to passers-by. I was one of them.

There were all kinds of hopes and dreams put upon President Obama when he was elected, including those homeless people. In retrospect, it would have been impossible for him to fulfill all of them. But wouldn't it have been possible for him to meet just a few of them?Defenders of the President talk about his accomplishments: capturing Bin Laden, health care, etc. All really big things.What's missing is the chest-thumping and the anger. Of course, those same defenders will say that that is just not his style. So change your style. Bankers essentially stole hundreds of millions of dollars and left the American taxpayer with the bill. Then they still throw people out of their homes without having possession of the underlying note and give themselves legendary salary bonuses. People are angry. They want a little blood. Give it to them. And you would even have the law on your side.

Surfing Dogs at Loews Dog Surfing Contest

2011-09-06T18:29:00.001-04:00

Dog Bites Shark in Australia

2011-09-06T15:27:00.002-04:00

Wow! A video of a dog biting a shark in Australia.

The Obama Puppy, Christmas Tree, etc

2011-09-06T06:30:00.000-04:00

For Heaven's sake. The puppy or Christmas tree chosen by the incoming President is not news.Now I like dogs, a lot. But this is just not news. It belongs on the social page or the style section of the newspaper. Other than finding out that President Obama is kicking his dog, I don't want to hear about his dog! We've got real problems in this country.

Jedi Knights on Police Force in Glasgow

2011-09-05T19:30:00.000-04:00

Eight officers on the Glasgow police force list their religion as Jedi. You know, as in Star Wars. Certainly, one of the legacies of the Twentieth Century was the birth of very many religions. It is no surprise that some of them sprouted from popular culture. When flying into one Middle Eastern country, the card we were handed to fill out had a blank for religion. I put "Druid." It was my little protest at having been asked the question at all. Maybe that's what is going on in Glasgow.

The Obama Apolog-O-Rama - Limerick by Leisure Lad

2011-09-05T08:39:00.000-04:00

THE OBAMA APOLOG-ORAMA
Beat cop shed some tears
Advancing Skip Gates’s career
Seemed scant consolation
Viewed by the nation
Hanging w’ the Veep and his non-alky beer

Nanowrimo: Great Writing Exercise

2011-09-05T07:45:00.000-04:00

I've read recent posts about the stupidity of Nanowrimo and how all it does is encourage very bad writing. The writers seem to dismiss the exercise, and that's all that it is, as the idea that spawned terrible writing.As a Nanowrimo survivor, I can honestly say that it really helped me get past internal barriers and just get the story down on paper, or on the hard drive.I've got so many mostly-finished manuscripts, it's embarrassing. My hopes are that our move to Imperial Beach, CA, will spur my creative juices and resolve to get these projects finished, at last. Certainly, living a few miles off of the beach is really cool and gives me the feeling of a permanent vacation. We can actually go to the beach every single day. I still can't get over it. We've woven a mile-long walk into our daily lives already. I want to add pilates, playing the saxophone and writing. Let's see how that goes.

An Idea for Detroit

2011-09-04T22:31:00.000-04:00

How about US automakers, rather than merge or go bankrupt, find a way to make a hybrid engine that will fit into their old cars? Or better yet, an electric engine just for urban use.

Imagine how cost-effective that would be! For a few thousand dollars, you can basically have a new car. That would be great! I'd be all over that.

And maybe those new engines could fit into old cars like Jaguars, too.

In those huge companies that spent all that money on research and development, there has to be some green technology engine in the works.

And the impact would be intense. Suddenly people could get new engines instead of completely new cars. Steadily, and over time, the American car could be transformed into a green machine. American consumers would save money, national pride and optimism would be restored. Not bad.

Auto Bailout, Car Bailout, Car Restructuring Plan, Chrysler, Gm, Obama And Auto Restructuring, Politics News

Coal and Energy Independence, circa. 1976

2011-09-04T18:18:00.000-04:00

An ad in Time Magazine by the coal industry lauds the use of coal as a means to energy independence. See copy above.

It is sad to see that the same issue is preoccupying America now as in 1976: energy independence. Imagine all the free money we would have since the U.S. would not have to fight all those wars to secure our energy supply. Think of all the lives saved. Think of all the schools funded. Thank you, Ronald Reagan. We appreciate what you did more than ever now. Not in a good way.

World Bank Realizes: Poverty Matters

2011-09-04T09:47:00.000-04:00

And here would be the limits of a world-class education. Only after the riots and revolutions of the Middle East do the geniuses at the World Bank realize that all those World Bank protesters were right all along. Poverty matters. Crushing poverty matters more.

Dog Loose Leash Training Tips

2011-09-03T15:46:00.000-04:00

Johnny Cat Reclining

2011-09-03T07:19:00.000-04:00

Treason !

2011-09-02T19:49:00.000-04:00

If Bill Clinton's White House had a senior staffer that committed treason, don't you think that the media would be jumping up and down screaming about it? But when George Bush's Administration outs a covert agent, which is TREASON, then the whole story goes away.

Great Hardball segment linked to this post.

Dog Detective in New York Airport

2011-09-02T19:13:00.000-04:00

A canine detective at JFK airport has been put on the case of the missing traveling cat. Fried chicken and sardines are being put out to tempt Jack the Cat, who escaped his cat carrier on a flight into JFK. "Specifically, Nicole Mabrey of Lost Pet Investigation is bringing her "scent specific" German short-haired pinscher to the American Airlines baggage center where Jack was last seen August 25 on his way to board a flight to California with his brother, Barry." There is a Twitter account for the adventuring Jack the Cat (@jackthelostcat), who tells his readers of his great adventures.

Doggie DNA

2011-09-01T21:56:00.000-04:00

The DNA of dogs is being used to determine which owners are not picking up the poop from their beloved pets.

Personally, I think it's kind of funny.

Dog poop can really bring down an apartment complex. The stink, the fleas, it can ruin even the nicest of places.

No doubt there are people who will consider this activity a violation of their rights. But the dog doesn't have any constitutional rights. Neither does his publicly-deposited poop.

So scofflaws - beware! The dog poop police are out to get you.

See article in New York Times on this issue by clicking on the title to this post.

So What Is Dog Agility?

2011-09-01T19:30:00.000-04:00

Dog agilityFrom ">Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAgility field left side: A competition agility field showing (clockwise from lower left) a tunnel, the dogwalk, the judge standing in front of a winged jump, two additional winged jumps, dog executing the teeter-totter with his handler guiding, and the tire jump.Agility field right side: The right side of the same agility field showing (clockwise from foreground) the weave poles, the pause table, the A-frame, two winged jumps, the collapsed tunnel (or chute), and a wingless jump. Numbered orange plastic cones next to obstacles indicate the order in which the dog must perform them.Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles.[1][2][3][4][5] Consequently the handler's controls are limited to voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal and coordination of the handler.In its simplest form, an agility course consists of a set of standard obstacles, laid out by an agility judge in a design of his or her own choosing on a roughly 100 by 100-foot (30 by 30 m) area that is made up of grass, dirt floors, or rubber mats, with numbers indicating the order in which the dog must complete the obstacles.Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction. In competition, the handler must assess the course, decide on handling strategies, and direct the dog through the course, with precision and speed equally important. Many strategies exist to compensate for the inherent difference in human and dog speeds and the strengths and weaknesses of the various dogs and handlers.

Pet Care Taught in Australian Elementary Schools

2011-08-31T21:12:00.007-04:00

Increased urbanization in Australia has been blamed for a rise in animal abuse and neglect cases. A program has been started that teaches elementary school children about animal care and the responsibilities of being a pet owner to try to stop that trend.

Not a bad idea, really. And the kids sure enjoy the dog coming into school, if my memory serves me right.

Click on title to this post for the full story.

2011 Westminster Dog Show

2011-08-31T18:28:00.001-04:00

Note to Paris Hilton: Dogs Are Not Fashion Accessories

2011-08-31T15:32:00.000-04:00

Dogs Trust, a charity in the UK, has worked with Nintendo to teach kids that dogs are not fashion accessories.

Young girls, seeing their cultural heroes in the form of Paris Hilton holding dogs, think that having a dog makes them like Paris Hilton, and get one to carry around. Then they find out that these little creatures are real, and need care.

Nintendo has created a computer program that Dogs Trust uses to teach children that very lesson. They learn that animals need feeding and exercise. It is called Nintendogs. When Dogs Trust goes to schools they are using that program in the classroom as part of the presentation.

It's a great way to teach all the work that goes into having an animal depend on you.

The Dog Walker's Handbook $3.95 Starting and running a dog walking business

2011-08-31T13:09:00.000-04:00

The ultimate handbook on dog walking and starting a small business. Great tips for rescue dogs.

When the Dog Owner Goes to Jail...

2011-08-31T07:07:00.000-04:00

Dogs who were owned by people currently in jail are often killed, not because they've done anything wrong.

Safe Humane Chicago's Court Case program, a new idea that allows these dogs to be rehabilitated, socialized and and then adopted out to caring families.

Often the dogs were locked in a cage all day long and then when they are let out to live a full life they change into new animals.

Click on the title to this post to read the full story in My Suburban Life.

It Takes Volunteers To Have a Low-Kill Shelter

2011-08-30T23:04:00.001-04:00

This is a letter to the editor in Hillsboro, NC from the animal control warden.

"It Takes Volunteers To Maintain Low Euthanasia Rate

Dear Editor:

Evidently a lot of misinformation and comments are circling around the county regarding the animal control facility. I would like to set the record straight for those who are confused.

As an animal control agency, our facility is not a "no-kill" shelter. I have been warden since late December 2009 and never once have I or any of my staff ever told anyone we were no-kill. Thanks to adoptions and rescues to shelters, we are a "low-kill" facility. Last year our euthanasia rate was less than five percent, and that includes severely injured animals, animals so neglected by irresponsible owners that they were beyond help, and aggressive dogs and feral cats.

Whenever we get a call from someone who wants to give us their dog or cat, we always tell them we should be the last resort as we can never guarantee an animal will be placed. We also offer suggestions for the owner to help find a new home for the pet, such as advertising, flyers, internet sites, etc. We rarely have room for owner released animals because we are so full with neglected, abandoned and otherwise stray animals.

Those who are upset that we occasionally have to euthanize an animal due to lack of space are welcome to help find homes for our dogs and cats by word of mouth, e-mail, facebook or other means. They could also help by walking dogs, giving baths, socializing cats, etc., so these animals will be more adoptable to visitors.

Thank goodness for the loyal volunteers we do have at Animal Control, including CRC clients, PAWS members and a few others. They try to effect change the right way.

Nancy J. Richardson

Animal Control Warden, MCAC"

Checking on the Dog Walker: Are You Being Cheated?

2011-08-30T14:55:00.001-04:00

Software is now available for you to check on the pesky dog walker. It has a bar code that the dog walker scans, and a GPS device for you to track the dog walker's walk.

This is a perfect example of how technology does not solve all problems.

A determined cheat will find a good, convincing way around this solution.

More than that, if your dog hasn't been walked all day long, don't you think you'd be able to tell? They would have to go to the bathroom, so to speak, and would be restless.

As a dog walker, the answer to this worry of clients, and they all think you are secretly not doing your job, is to leave little notes about what happened during the dog's walk. Such as: we met and played a little bit with a brown puppy down the street. We went to the park and ran up and down. Things like that.

The important thing is to build trust with your clients. More than that, recognize that dog walking is serious manual labor and there are no shortcuts. Someone approached me on the street asking that once. I suggested he find another line of work.

City Passes Law to Limit Chaining Dogs

2011-08-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

The city council in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has passed a law limiting the chaining or tethering of dogs. The initial legislation had a ban on all thethering, but after heated debate, a compromise was reached in the form of a final law.

The law will take effect in two years to give dog owners enough time to get educated and to make alternate provisions if chaining their dog outside is their practice.

Starting a Dog Day Care Business

2011-08-30T10:26:00.000-04:00

Stop Modern Slavery Meetup Change

2011-08-30T10:19:00.002-04:00

Updated this Meetup. For more details, see the full listing:
http://www.meetup.com/wdcsms/events/26875021/

When: Sunday, September 18, 2011 3:30 PM

Where: Meridian Hill Park
15th St NW & Chapin St NW
Washington, DC 20009

If the changes affect your plans to attend, please take a moment to update your RSVP. (You can RSVP "No" or "Yes".)

You can always get in touch with me through the Contact Us link on Meetup.

Is It Wrong to Consider Pets Personal Property?

2011-08-30T08:36:00.000-04:00

A good question. Do pets have rights besides what their owners think? Certainly the owner can be arrested for animal cruelty, and that implies rights of the animal separate from their owners. In Washington, DC, dogs kept outside have to have a certain amount of space to walk around in. And your dog can be seized by DC Animal Control if it is left outside in weather that is too cold.

So your pet has certain rights no matter what the owner thinks or does. So in that sense, the question has already been answered. Yes, it would be incorrect to consider pets strictly personal property.

Cat vs Dog in a Suspenseful Comedy Clip

2011-08-30T06:32:00.000-04:00

Dog Day Care Business Plan

2011-08-30T06:24:00.000-04:00

Taking Care of Your Pet After You Are Gone

2011-08-29T22:18:00.000-04:00

Planning for the care of your pet after you are no longer around to do so is increasingly necessary, says the Humane Society. They have even printed a pamphlet on the subject. "Providing For Your Pet's Future Without You" gives important tips for the continued care of pets in the event of your illness or death.

Too many times, pets are an afterthought in estate planning and they can suffer or even die from the resulting neglect.

"If you or your legal adviser would like more information, contact the HSUS Department of Philanthropy at (800) 808-7858 or the HSUS Office of the General Counsel at (202) 452-1100."

2011 Westminster Dog Show

2011-08-29T18:30:00.001-04:00

Special Dog Collars Used To Regulate Barking Dogs

2011-08-29T18:17:00.000-04:00

There are now dog collars that measure the loudness and frequency of a dog's bark.

One city council in Australia bought a bunch of these collars as a response to an oversupply of complaints against noisy dogs.

The dog wears the collar to record ten hours of barks. There is a printout for the owner, too.

Of course, there has to be rules for what constitutes a loud, disruptive dog:

"And if you are wondering what classified a dog as a "nuisance barker" here are council's guidelines:
- The noise has to "unreasonably disrupt" the activity normally carried out in the residential area in the opinion of an "authorised" person.
- Between 7am and 10pm there cannot be more than a total of six minutes of "noise" in any hour.
- After 10pm and before 7am, there cannot be more than three minutes of "noise" in any 30 minute period.
If your dog breaches these guidelines, you've got a problem pet."

To read full article, click on title to this post.

Tainted Pet Food Settlement Checks Sent

2011-08-29T18:10:00.000-04:00

With payments of about $2,400, settlement checks are being sent out to pet owners whose pets died because of tainted pet food.

I cannot even imagine the pain of watching my beloved dog Amber dying from poison dog food. At least the pet food companies in question, mostly Menu Foods, has had to pay for damage in a way that will caution other pet food companies regarding food safety.

2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

2011-08-29T11:14:00.004-04:00

IMPORTANT - 2011 DC STOP MODERN SLAVERY WALK

On October 22, 2011, thousands of people will gather on the National Mall for the annual DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk, a united effort to celebrate human rights, raise awareness about the crime of human trafficking, and raise funds for organizations that are working to end human trafficking. We hope for full participation from the SMS community.

REGISTER today! http://walk.stopmodernslavery.org

If you are interested in joining the walk planning team, email walkvolunteer@stopmodernslavery.org

Stopping Slavery in South America RIGHT NOW

2011-08-29T11:14:00.001-04:00

NEW - Curious about the status of efforts to combat modern-day slavery in South America?

Attend a stellar panel on the subject this Thursday evening at George Washington University. Journalists, law enforcement officials, NGO workers and government representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador and Panama will discuss their efforts to fight human trafficking in their respective countries, with an emphasis on combating the sexual exploitation of children.

Light refreshments will be provided.

When: Thursday, September 1; 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: GWU Elliott School of International Affairs, 1957 E St. NW, Lindner Family Commons, Room 602

RSVP: http://bit.ly/oYoeZM

Animal Rescue During Hurricane Irene by PETA

2011-08-29T11:13:00.001-04:00

PETA's Community Animal Project was out all night last night, braving impassable roads and downed power lines to respond to emergency calls and bringing relief to animals who were left outside or abandoned to fend for themselves during Irene, which pounded Hampton Roads all day and all night. Yes, they were pretty incredible, even though the worst of it came around midnight, when we were out in full force.

Purina Pet Comedy Challenge

2011-08-28T18:30:00.002-04:00

Super Discount Airline!

2011-08-28T18:19:00.001-04:00

Funny, back then the idea of a no frills airline still included pillows for passengers. Not any more!

The Dog Walker's Handbook

2011-08-28T10:24:00.001-04:00