Would you like to win some delicious, yummy, healthy Biscuits by Lambchop? Of course you would! 1. Go to the Biscuits By Lambchop Facebook page to find clues (there are 4.) You don't have to be a fan to play, but shoot, who isn't a fan of these? ;) 2. Answers to the clues will be at the Biscuits By Lambchop website. 3. When you have the answers, head on over to Twitter and write @lambybiscuits with the #blogathon hashtag with the answer. 4. Winner receives a bag of Biscuits by ... Read more »
Be The Change
I survived another Mike Arms letter
Who dares to enter the Chamber of Secrets not once, but twice? I am clearly insane. I just back from reading a letter on the Helen Woodward Animal Center annual telethon, which although is technically not related to the blogathon was such a good cause I couldn't say no. I think my husband recorded the telethon so I will try and figure out a way if we can get a copy of the letter reading (not that I want to see it myself). They actually misplaced the letter temporarily so I was sitting ... Read more »
WE ARE ON!
Welcome to the Blogathon! For the next 24 hours I'll be posting, Tweeting, Facebooking, and giving away stuff. There are oodles and oodles of informative guest posts, prizes, and stories in store. If you're new to the blogathon, welcome. If you're a veteran, welcome back! Please jump on in and comment, spread the word, and have fun! The giveaways are open to everyone and do not require that you donate to play. Speaking of donations, see those two widgets to the side? That is how you do ... Read more »
Telethon is on!
I am about to go live on the air in San Diego and read a letter in support of the Helen Woodward telethon. It's not the same letter as the last one, it's a different letter. My emotions are already on overload from the blogathon so you can trust me that any sort of teariness will be genuine. It's easy to get me going. Which is why I am grateful I never had brothers growing up. So hopefully I can make it through the entire thing this time, and not make a total idiot of myself in front of Diane ... Read more »
See you in a bit!
... Read more »
It’s a major award
As we count down the final hours to the Blogathon Extravaganza, I thought you all might like a sneak preview of some of the prizes and awesomeness that will be heading your way here and on other sites during the blogathon. ... Read more »
Happy surprises part 3: The cooking segment
I wasn't sure how I could top eating dog food without actually, you know, eating a bully stick or something (NOT gonna happen) but I finally figured out a way to do so without actually going full 'Fear Factor'. So for the next day, I need to dream up some delightful recipes using.....da da da.... ... Read more »
Happy surprises: Part Two
I don't know how happy I will be come 10:30 or so, but through a very happy coincidence the Helen Woodward Animal Center is having their annual telethon the same day as the blogathon. Crazy, huh? And they asked me to come read a letter on air to start things off. Now, I'm older and wiser than I was back in September. I realize the shiny happy portion of the program is being saved for the miracle twin foals and Diane Keaton and that my work is probably going to be a bit grimmer. I ... Read more »
Happy surprises: Part One
I have three lovely things to announce today. Well, two lovely and one "this is going to be interesting." 1. Final numbers are in for the Home for the Holidays campaign! Blog posts: 609 Facebook pictures: 305 I told my Iams contact how some people had been having trouble tagging the photos on Facebook with 'Iams', so they graciously agreed to count all the pictures regardless of how they were tagged. That made me so happy since I too have cursed at Facebook when it made things ... Read more »
Brody, Bradyn. Bradyn, Brody.
I come from a very competitive family, starting from the age of 10 when, in response to something my mother whispered in his ear during a heated ping-pong exchange, my dad brushed off the paddle and said, "I don't LET anyone win." Thus began an epic decade long rivalry. I am my father's daughter- when I set a goal, I plan on reaching it. So I have a goal this weekend of getting Bradyn as close as possible to getting his service dog. Actually, my sub-goal is to actually get him to the full ... Read more »
The Eight Blogeteers
One for all and all for one! While we hammer out the last minute details for the weekend's festivities, I wanted to introduce you to the seven other intrepid typists who will be joining me in the quest for enlightenment through sleep deprivation and nonstop online shenanigans. Although we have a common goal (helping pets) and a common date, the manner in which these women interpret the challenge is very open ended, so I think you are going to see some fantastic stuff coming out of the ... Read more »
Start your engines: Blogathon 2010 is coming!!
Can you believe it? I can't believe it. It's only 6 days until Blogathon 2010, Bigger and Better than Ever. I hope you all are going to be around this weekend, because there is going to be a whole lotta stuff for you to check out! ... Read more »
We can all get along, and you’re the proof
For all the talk about Tuesday's election, my mind has been focused on a different sort of mandate this week, and it's come through loud and clear: 1. People want to help. I asked for people to comment on a blog post in order to help generate food donations for pets in need. A simple thing, perhaps, but still- I asked people to come, find the blog, take the time to type up a comment, and participate. I offered nothing in return other than the goodwill of taking part in something nice for ... Read more »
Home For the Holidays: let’s make some magic!
I despise the week between Christmas and New Years. Why? Because without fail, I see piles upon piles of new holiday pets. Pets from pet stores, whose owners overpaid for them and can then not afford to treat them for the parasites, distemper, or congenital disease they all too often wind up with. It happens every year. In 1999, Mike Arms at The Helen Woodward Animal Center decided to change that. With 14 local shelters, they launched the "Home for the Holidays" campaign to encourage ... Read more »
Water Creatures Need Love Too
Before I was Dr. V the vet, I was Jessica V the vet student. And before that, I was Jessica M (see, I wasn't married yet) the nerdy biology major with an emphasis in marine biology. Before realizing my constitution wasn't nearly hardy enough to tolerate life out in the field, I was sure I was going to be a wonderful conservation biologist. Sadly, I shrink from the sun like a sparkly vampire so field work was not to be. I tell you this so that you understand that despite dedicating my career ... Read more »
2010 Blogathon is ON!
For those of you who are new to the blog, let me 'splain a little pawcurious history: Last year as I was floating about on the internet, I happened upon Romeo the Cat's website and his staff's posting urging us to do something in honor of Animal Shelter Appreciation week, my first foray into Be the Change. I thought about it. I had one week to plan. I had no real well upon which to draw. All I know how to do is write (well, and spay and stuff but I figured that wasn't a great fundraiser.) ... Read more »
Genesis
When we last left this topic... I wrote to Mike Arms after the whole 'terror at the podium' thing, to ask him for his ideas about how we bloggers could help in the bigger picture to improve animal welfare. He was gracious enough to invite me to Helen Woodward for a tour, and then he got me lunch AND a drink. I mention that last part only because some of you were keeping tabs, so I had to make sure I let you all know he kept his word. ;) I didn't have to read the letter again, though he did ... Read more »
Pets for Patriots
One quiet Thursday afternoon, a young man in fatigues came running into the lobby, a beagle cradled in his arms. She was not in good shape. As it would turn out, Sandy had lymphoma. There was not much we could do, and the young man- a veteran of multiple tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan- made the difficult decision to euthanize her. Sensing the need for solitude, the staff cleared out of the room, leaving me alone with him and with Sandy. It was only then that he started to show his ... Read more »
