The skies are getting grey here in San Diego. Police helicopters are hovering overhead. I'm pretty sure things are coming to a head here. I have a crossbow. I have my computer. I'm ready. Are you? See you tomorrow...if we survive. Blogpocalypse is coming! Be there...or be lunch! Thank you to Generation Vet for the awesome logo! ... Read more »
Be The Change
Blogpocalypse Countdown
Hello, I have a logo now. I can't stand how awesome it is. A huge thank you to the talented Phillip Barnes at Generation Vet for making this for me! And I'm so glad I have it, because I've had a headache for two days, and I think it's my zombie sensor kicking in. I have a feeling I'm going to need that crossbow. BE PREPARED. Ahem. May I introduce to you the 2011 Blogpocalypse Survival Team? These are the diehards who are keeping watch all night with me on Saturday when things are going ... Read more »
Blogpocalypse Survival Guide
I have it from trusted sources that the blogpocalypse is happening THIS WEEKEND. There is not much time to prepare. Are you ready? I found a crossbow, so there's a start. High in the hills east of suburban San Diego, a 90 acre refuge awaits those seeking respite from the impending zombie masses. Tip 1: It's good to be surrounded by giant carnivores. They may look comfortable and content on their custom hammocks made out of recycled fire hoses, but give them a zombie and ... Read more »
The Blogpocalypse is coming!
Blogathon 2011 starts in ONE WEEK. That means I have one week to catch up on sleep before I throw it all away on yet another ill-advised all nighter yammering on about whatever in the hopes someone will be listening long enough to toss a few pennies my way. And by "my way", I mean of course this year's beneficiary, San Diego sanctuary Lions, Tigers, and Bears. They've been first to offer help whenever it's needed in the US, be it the Oklahoma circus bears, offering space for animals ... Read more »
Like Mike
Remember those "Like Mike" commercials with Michael Jordan? They were cute enough, I suppose, but the idolatry of sports figures never really went over well in my head. Every time I saw that commercial or one like it, I would scratch my head, think about all the people I knew who had done so many more extraordinary things, and wonder how come he gets to be the hero of so many hearts. Now that I have kids, it's even worse. I want them to admire innovators, humanitarians, advocates; scholars ... Read more »
Announcing Blogathon 2011!
I take a break in my regularly scheduled safari recap to make a very special announcement. That, and the overwhelming task of sorting through the meat of those 8000 photos we took in Africa is going to take a bit. I want to take the time to share the chimp experience with you all properly, especially considering the insanely dramatic turn of events after we left with the assassination of the alpha male and all. I am super excited about this year's Blogathon. I mean, I'm always excited about ... Read more »
Bits and Pieces
I think I'm ready to leave the continent tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure I'm not. My method of packing usually involves making a meticulous list, ignoring it, and then dumping things into my bag until it's too heavy to lift or I've emptied the closet, whichever comes first. What usually ends up happening is I pack the DEET but forget the toothbrush, and guess which one I end up needing more. That sort of thing. I realized I have no binoculars. I hear they come in handy on safari. My husband ... Read more »
Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week!
I love Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, because it gives me a chance to reminisce about how flipping cool all my 'less adoptable' pets have been. Apollo and Kekoa, stuck at the bottom of the barrel because of their coloring; Nuke, left to fend for himself in a kennel because he was 10 and a little neurotic; Mulan, given to me to be euthanized because of her flea allergies. I know it's anthropomorphizing to say these pets came into my home with a deep and abiding sense of gratefulness, but ... Read more »
Inherent Danger
My own fair city is back in the spotlight dealing with the aftermath of yet another tragic dog attack. In this case, a 75 year old woman was critically injured in her backyard by two pit bulls that got through a gap in their fence. My thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family during this terrible time. Now let me be clear on this: despite what you might read, the city is not considering a pit bull ban (quote from City Hall to that effect at the bottom of the article), and I am ... Read more »
A snapshot of surgery
We were a pretty tech-heavy crew in Peru with the April Amazon Cares trip. One of the items I packed was a Flip camera, which unfortunately chose to poop out entirely about one week into the trip. For the first half, though, it was a cool camera to have since I could set it up on a tripod and just film a half hour of activity. I put together about 40 minutes of footage from 2 clinics the first week in Iquitos. I then sped up the footage so you can see all of this in two minutes' worth of ... Read more »
Selling and Eating and Bowling
First of all, please don't forget the big Be the Change for Pets initiative starts this week! The Facebook page also has information, but as a reminder: sell something, at a garage sale, craigslist, ebay, whatever you wish. If it is posted online we will have a linky list so that everyone can list their sales. Then donate your proceeds to the shelter of your choice- it's that simple! If you have questions, you can ask here or over at Facebook. We're here to help! Secondly, I'm in ... Read more »
Sell your Stuff, Save a Life!
It's time for another Be the Change Challenge- and this one is really cool! Let's call it "The World's Biggest Garage Sale." The concept is straightforward: Sell something- anything- and donate the proceeds to your animal-related charity of choice. It's that easy. ... Read more »
The Perfectly Glorious Petco Gala
"I wish we lived in a world where caring for animals wasn't so rare that it deserved an award." -Ellen DeGeneres There are innumerable ways people can show how they love animals. Of all the things I've learned since I've started blogging, this has really struck me the most. I ended up becoming a veterinarian because it seemed like a logical step for a pet lover, but I see other people serving in their own ways every day: accountants, marketing reps, artists. Everyone has a gift to ... Read more »
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Amazon
I have a couple of posts I wanted to direct specifically to people heading down for future volunteer trips with Amazon Cares, since I know there are multiple people reading this who are planning on going to Peru. Please feel free to e-mail me directly with questions if you are considering going! The rest of you, sorry, this might be dull. Before I headed off to Peru at the start of the month, I really had no idea what to expect. I'm not much of a backpacker or camper so I was starting off ... Read more »
Attitude Adjustments
It's been an oddly disquieting 24 hours. You know how they always say a modest life in an industrialized country is a life of untold wealth and riches in the third world? It's true. I mean, it's something you know on an intellectual level, but to experience it, and to live within it for even that short period of time, really cements the impression. Indoor plumbing? Luxury. Hot running water? Absolute decadence. A house with more than one toilet and multiple bathtubs? Palatial, really, by the ... Read more »
The River of Destiny Trailer
Now that I made it back to the luxury of my couch, my Brody-pillow and my reliable plumbing it feels like a dream that I spent the last 2 weeks in the backwoods of Peru. 24 hours ago, I was scratching my bug bites in a third world airport while trying to convince a ticket agent from LAN that 12:40 does not equal midnight and that my ticket was indeed changeable for a nominal fee, all while wishing desperately for a Starbucks. Tonight, I got to enjoy Easter with my family while scratching my ... Read more »
The Suite Life
In my world, surgery is always done in the same sort of suite: sterile, with bleached floors, bright fluorescent lights that shine with blinding precision upon what needs to be illuminated, and an ergonomic table that can be lifted to the exact height one needs to eliminate those pesky hunchback issues during surgical procedures. Needless to say that is not really the case here in Peru. Here, we stack benches in old schoolhouses, cover pool tables with plastic, and balance a plank on a ... Read more »
Just another day at the office
Yesterday we visited the second of the four villages along the Amazon river basin on our trip, a small town called Tamanco. We rose early, having planned to go do some sloth viewing at 6 am. Of course it had been pouring rain since midnight and was continuing to pour as we got up, so no sloths for us. Instead, we sat around in the common area and hatched up a plan to borrow the resident dogs of the ExplorNapo lodge for some much-needed care. Paco, an older male, and Lola, a 12 week old female ... Read more »
