To read the full dossier of events, click HERE for all of the prior coverage on HoundsGood.com.

Now, a new wrinkle in events has occurred. Hustler magazine is trying to obtain photos of Emerson from the crime scene and autopsy. The photos are being requested under the guise of the Public Information Act. This is clearly a request that is not only insensitive to the family, but downright sickening. Legislation that State Rep. Jill Chambers will introduce will exempt autopsy and other similar photos from such requests. It may or may not apply to this case, but will protect future victims from being exploited.

Representative Chambers can be reached at:
State Representative Jill Chambers
614 Coverdell
Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA, 30334
(404) 656-3949
jill.chambers@house.ga.gov

She also has a Facebook Page

Over at the Freaky Frugalite, the tragic story of a young girl with a cell phone bill approaching $2,000 was told. Click here to read the sordid tale. Of course,”sordid” is not the proper vocabulary word, but I do think that the parents in control of said cell phone bill won’t have a warmed heart.

Please stress to your children that it is not a case of a company donating per the amount of texts, but that the money actually is charged onto the cell phone bill.

A January 10th episode of the PBS Newshour revealed that the donation process isn’t as instantaneous as people think.

TOM BEARDEN: Unfortunately, the whole payment process isn’t quite as quick as punching a few buttons on a cell phone. Charities don’t usually receive any money until people pay their cell phone bills. Sometimes, that can be as long as three months.

TONY AIELLO: In this case, we’re facing a disaster of epic proportions. And I think everybody within the mobile giving ecosystem, including the carriers, recognizes the need to get dollars down there as quickly as possible.

TOM BEARDEN: Some of the carriers have said they will now advance the money before the bills are paid. As for questions of accountability, mGive says it only handles reputable charities, which must also be approved by the phone companies that process the transactions. Plus, texting doesn’t involve giving out credit card information.

TONY AIELLO: Think about it. You’re sending the word “Haiti” to 90999. That’s much different than communicating critical financial information over the digital network.

I recommend that if anyone wants to make the biggest impact with their donation, contact your local church to find missions groups that regularly work in Haiti. These folks already have a network in most cases to reaching people in neighborhoods and on the streets. I know of one church that raised money to send tents and other needed equipment. The American Red Cross is another legitimate charity on the ground. Be wary of charities that suddenly pop up out of nowhere until you do proper research.

Cryo-Cell is donating $25.00 of each enrollment in their Cryo-Cell  U-Cord® and other services to the Save the Children: Haiti Relief Fund. The promotion lasts through the end of February. Cryo-Cell is a cord blood bank that cryogenically preserves the umbilical cord of newborn babies for future use. Stem cells in the normally discarded umbilical cord has future potential use for treating a variety of diseases.

Successful stem cell transplants of cells retrieved from preserved umbilical cords have been used to save or improve the lives of donors and their relatives.  The most likely match besides the baby is to full siblings, future offspring and parents.  However, there was a case that I read about where there was successful niece-uncle transplant. If you have been seriously considering the program and have a little one on the way, if you enroll now, the purchase will benefit Save the Children also.

There is an initial enrollment fee, plus storage fees for the service. Hopefully, an individual or family will never need it, but some feel it is a small price to pay for the chance to cure or manage a disease later in life.  To me, it seems like a viable form of using stem cells without controversy. No human embryos are used or will ever be used and the procedure does not utilize animals.

Last year, 12,113 Valentine’s were delivered to homes all over the country (plus to some areas of Canada and Australia).

They are asking for three things:
1) People to make Valentines

2) People to send in discount coupons for dog treats and donations for Valentine postage and materials.

3) People to send in addresses where they know a dog is chained up outside or penned. Last year there were more cards than addresses. This is so important.

At first I was skeptical, thinking that an owner of a chained dog would just throw out the card, and maybe some do, but response from the previous years has proven that some people take it to heart:

From Bobbie (2009 ):  On Valentines day a woman called me and said she received our Valentine again this year. She had received them in previous years and called the police to report harassment. I sent one again this year. And she called and said “come get her.” Not because she was angry with us, but with her family for wanting to keep the dog chained. Her daughter has severe allergies which is why Mackenzie was out there in the first place. She did the brave thing and went against her familys (sic.) wishes and surrendered the dog to us. Now we need to get her out ASAP. She told her husband and children “how would you like to be chained?” She read the brochure and looked at the website and she now believes that chaining is cruel and inhumane and is going to try to teach her family. Mackenzie is about 9 years old spayed, submissive with other dogs. She comes when called off-leash. We took her for a walk but I have 9 dogs and 4 cats here. Regan got adopted and was returned after 4 days or I would have been able to take her. We can help transport almost anywhere.
Thanks,
Bobbie and Terry, Greencastle PA REPS

From PA Rep Tena Emerson (2008), “Two dogs, a chocolate lab and a terrier mix have been taken inside by their owners after getting their Valentines card. I have been working with this family for some time. The husband was all for bringing in the dogs and wife not…she told me ‘that Valentines card just did it, it pushed me to the yes’. Her husband said he was very happy when she said ‘bring them in’ with tears running down her face. Well, after getting their valentines cards, the dogs are happy inside and groomed. I have let them know I am here if they need anything…

From Martha Honus, North Carolina: “I am a volunteer with Carolina Poodle Rescue. One of our members lives in your area and gave us information on your organization. I sent a neighbor’s dog a valentine. It is a beautiful brindle dog that is tied to a tree with a piece of loose tarp for a house. I found out their name and address and sent one of the Valentines to the pup. On February 16 the little dog had a little barn house and is not always tied out there now. Thank you so much for the valentine.”

Ohio Rep, Marla Dakes, reported her first Valentine Success Story. Harley is a beautiful long-haired German Shepherd who spent his life living in a pen. As a Valentine’s Day gift of love - His caretakers called Marla, and released Harley to rescue. On 2/24/08, Harley was delivered to his forever home in Canada! Marla drove many of the miles from Ohio north herself. She is Harley’s rescue angel.

Sometimes its a little message that someone reads in private that makes all the difference.

Some people look at their dogs and say “they have dog food, they have a water bowl, and there’s an awning in case it rains,” and they think that they are fine. Well, a dog is a “pack” animal and being seperated from their “pack” (YOU!) is torture to a dog. It can cause loneliness, behavior problems, and more. Some may justify this because they go out and pat the dog a little each day and then refuse to bring the dog inside because the dog jumps and acts crazy when they are paid attention to. You would act desperate too if you were stranded alone somewhere and saw a chance at being able to be with family again. In a “Pack”, you walk together, you eat together, and you sleep together. Now, I am not saying that every dog has to sleep in a person’s bed, but a dog who is not allowed in the “den” and is forced to live a part has a lonely and unhealthy life indeed.

If you can make Valentine’s, provide addresses of chained dogs, or can help in other ways please go to Dogs Deserve Better’s Valentine’s Day 2010 page http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html

There are many self help books out there particularly targeted at motivation and “life coaching.” Whether the focus is having a career or personal life take off, there are titles that come and go. The latest is a workbook to accompany the Blast Off! book, written by Allison Maslan, based on her experience as a motivational speaker and coach. I am very cautious about any “system” that purports to be life changing. Call me a cynic, but “feel good” books only go so far if they do not contain practical steps required to achieve an outcome. There is no magic pill or secret formula. It is indeed about a positive attitude, but there is also hard work, and having a little bit of talent in your chosen avocation, too.  Maybe I am impervious to warm and fuzzy, having spent my formative college years as a Franklin Covey girl checking off my “To Do” boxes and avoiding any celebrified methods.

One of the chapters “Blast Off! to Limitless Living” did not give me much hope that it is anything more than another “you can do it” tome with a slightly new agey bent.  The book retails for $24.00, but is also available on Amazon, where it can be purchased for less. However, there is a new workbook that was just released yesterday. Ah - that’s the key. The practical steps just might give readers a concrete outline on how to carry out the principles in the book.  I am not meaning to be a downer, but sometimes people can get very pumped when a motivational speaker is in front of them whipping up their energy, but the principles fizzle out in day to day life.  I know I need my butt kicked every once in awhile. Okay, more than once in awhile.

Maslan may have something there…she went from a single mom to successful businesswoman to happily married successful business woman. I am going to have to read to find out how she did it.  Books from folks who have achieved limitless business success are pretty worthless if the author did not achieve any level of personal happiness along the way.

Have you grabbed a copy of the Blast Off! workbook.  If so, what do you think?

The Chip-in Widget has been put up by the marine’s wife. An address for checks has been posted. I am not really sure why, if an organization is helping them, funds are not directed to the organization to protect the home address of the Marine. It would also encourage people to donate as their gift would be tax deductible.

There is a page that shows a photo of Bear on the NowZad dogs website. However, there is no mention of the names so I can’t corroborate the validity of the Chip-In.  Hopefully upon further investigation, or through contact by involved parties, I can verify it. For now, please direct inquiries to NowZad dogs in the U.K. until I can sift out some more info.

These servicemen and women who are caring for abandoned animals deserve help, but please verify before giving if the information contained in an email is valid before opening your pocket, which I am looking to sort out.

One of the reasons that is most popular for surrendering a pet to a pound is the inability to find living accommodations where the pet is accepted. If you can afford to pay rent, but find apartments that accept larger dogs or multiple cats dwindling, what about purchasing a small home or condo? Sometimes the mortgage is equal or less than paying monthly rent. Homeowners also receive tax credits for mortgage interest paid. Now is a good time to call your own shots with the 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits that are available.

• First time homebuyers can receive a tax credit of up to $8,000. To qualify, you must not have owned a home in the past three years.
• A credit if up to $6,500 if you are purchasing a home, and have lived in your current home five of the last eight years.
• Income limits are $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples.

Paperwork must be drawn up and a binding sales cntract must be present by April 30th.  Home must transfer ownership by June 30, 2010.

Home ownership not only saves the lives of pets through the owner being allowed to keep their pets, but stimulates the local economy. A home owner purchases lawn equipment or employs a service, spends money at the hardware and home improvement store to customize their home and to make repairs, and outlays money to decorate.  In addition, neighborhoods with occupied versus vacant homes deter crime.

Emily, who frequently volunteers to spread the word about the dogs and cats at the shelter, has the opportunity of buying 10 cases of Halo canned dog food for $75.00. The food normally runs $35 a case, so this is definitely a great opportunity. The money is not going to a nonprofit organization, but to an individually who is picking up the food, so you will not receive tax credit for donating.  I just thought I would be upfront about that.  The previous source of donated food has dried up. A chain of pet food stores that used to donate daily food is no longer doing it, so the two staff members at the shelter are scrambling to feed the dogs there.  There have been previously pleas to donate food, but since no one has done it, a few volunteers are trying to pick some up, even though funds are limited. The shelter is located in rural Franklin, Georgia.

If you cannot see the widget in the left hand corner of this posting, please visit: http://www.chipin.com/contribute/id/2397e4f2ba0ba6e2

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you been thinking of a romantic getaway this Valentine’s Day, but have run into a little snag? Aunt Matilda will take the kids, but she and Uncle Chester are a bit iffy when it comes to taking care of your cat, Bertha, or your beagle, Ginger?  A little while back, I discovered that the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing will let Bertha and Ginger settle right in. It might not sound too romantic to have the “kids” glued to you at all times, but a crate fits in the bathroom, or you can always get a suite to have private grownup time away from the furkids.

There is an icon on the site that indicates the hotel is friendly, but the website doesn’t give all the details. I am sure that things have not changed dramatically since I called, but you may want to verify when making a reservation. Dogs are required to be kept on a leash at all times when the dog is outside of your room.  There is a $75.00 fee per room that is a deposit against pet damage. The front desk will give you a special hanger for the door that will tell staff that there are pets in the room, so they do not disturb them when they are alone.

As far as the number or size of the pets, they allow pets up to the size of 75 lbs.  While this is good news in general, it is bad news for owners of the giant breeds.  However, typically those whose lifestyle includes an XXL companion, they have learned to adjust that their dog will not be welcomed everywhere. There are some great pet resorts that you can take your friend to while you are away if that is the case.

The hotel’s sister property, Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, seems to have the same rules and regulations. It is such a relief to be able to find a luxury property that offers a spa and restaurants that accepts our four legged friends as guests.  To me, the deposit is a very small price to pay for having a best buddy around, and certainly is a savings over a week at the kennel.

All of the pets pictured were either rescued from a highkill shelter when their time was “up,” or were rescued through the Puppy Promises program.

Q:  What is a Puppy Promises Puppy?

A:  A Puppy Promises puppy is a lucky pup who has been enrolled in the Puppy Promises program.

The puppies are intercepted from being dumped at the shelter, sometimes even at the shelter door!  Their owners are given another option.  If they will quarantine the pups at home for another two weeks, SSP will give them their shots on the spot.   In two or three weeks, pending they are deemed healthy by a vet, they will be transported to a reputable rescue where a family is waiting to adopt them.

As for “mom dog,”  she gets spayed after the pups are well on their way so that there are no more accidental litters.  What’s more, is that all the other adult dogs and cats at the house are spayed or neutered by SSP as well. It was noticed that the same last names and addresses would come up, and is more proactive to spay everyone than hope there will not be another litter.  Some of these families take good care of their pets, but just cannot financially handle a litter of puppies or are not allowed to have so many, and feel powerless.   On the other hand, many other families do not care what happens to the pups, but have been convinced to give Puppy Promises a try instead of the alternative (dumping pups at the shelter, drowning, leaving them to fend for themselves).

It costs $50 per puppy to save them.  This includes, but is not limited to:

Age appropriate vaccinations
Transport to rescue
The Spay of the mother dog and other family members

Q:  How Can I Order a Calendar?

It is simple.  Go to the Saving Shelter Pets homepage and click on the smiling puppy, or go directly to the calendar order form here:  http://www.yearbox.com/ssp/

So many people who stretch themselves thin for good causes tend to put their personal maintenance last. It is one thing if you have a brand spanking new Chevrolet Silverado that’s under warranty, but it still doesn’t make life easier than having a beater truck if you don’t make the time to take it in. Then, when it is in the shop we scratch our heads and say, “why me?”  That’s exactly what someone I know said when they pushed their van into a Dallas auto repair shop.  It would seem like not such a big deal, but she was from South Carolina!  She was driving across the country to take a dog from a county pound to a rescue that had an opening. When a relayed transport could not be organized, she stepped in.  While at the shop, she sent a message to others involved and asked them for “donations” to get her back on the road.  In other words, money that would have gone to the rescue of other dogs and horses went to fixing her car that she should have been maintaining in the first place.

The moral of the story? Before volunteering to make a long haul drive, check the logistics.  Is your car road worthy?  In addition, if you skip maintenance, you are not saving money.  It is like preventative medicine for humans.  A little money now can save a lot of money in the long run.

Volunteer opportunities that are a one time gig, or require a time commitment of less than 2 hours per week are being sought.  Also, if the volunteer need not handle currency, that would be a plus. Opportunities that require even less are highly welcome to receive the most amount of volunteer interest possible.  Please submit your specific calls for volunteers, with the guidelines in mind.  The volunteer opportunity must be able to be filled by someone that fits this profile:

• The volunteer need not have a specific degree or certification.
• The volunteer does not need to own special equipment (i.e., sensor equipment, a dump truck)
• Gender of the volunteer does not matter.
• Age of the volunteer is 16 or over.  Upward age does not matter.
• Volunteer opportunity can be fulfilled as a one time gig, or in a time allotment of less than 2 hours per week.

There will be two categories: Live opportunities, where a volunteer needs to appear in person at a site, or needs to be in close proximity.  The second category is for virtual opportunities.  The volunteer CAN be in close proximity or further away, but the opportunity does not call for meeting regularly in person to fulfill their duties.

Please submit opportunities with the following information:

Name of organization or cause
Type of cause (if not obvious from the name. What are you all about?)
Physical location (city or locality)
Decription of opportunity
Time commitment
Dates of opportunity if applicable
If the opportunity is an ongoing need or at the volunteer’s convenience, indicate it.

Send the following information to: volunteers  at gmail.com.  The list will be published at the discretion of houndsgood.com.  Some opportunities may not be published due to space, complexity of the opportunity, or if the cause conflicts with the mission of Houndsgood.com.

Deadline for submiission  but will be rolling, but it would be super nice if you could submit by january 23rd.

While it may be noble, the big issue is that they don’t spend money on themselves at all, or more importantly, their vehicles.  When you neglect your vehicle and don’t get a simple oil change, it may cause problems later.   The price of a tune up may seem like a big chunk of change, but it is a small investment compared to paying to rebuild an engine or transmission down the road.   A friend of mine, who has an Acura Integra, found out very quickly that foreign made cars are more costly to repair than domestic cars due to the cost of parts.  However, basic maintenance, such as break pads and fluid changes are the same or about the same as domestic.  It prompted her to pay attention to her car more.

There are other challenges that are induced by the weather changes.  I am sure a Houston auto repair shop doesn’t see quite the same weather damage to cars as a shop in Maine would.  Salt damage causes a body to rust much more quickly.  The remedy is to wash your car regularly to avoid salt damage.  I know, as a new owner of a “late model” car myself, cleaning it is important.  I have a great engine, but quite frankly, the car is only going to be good so long as the body doesn’t disintegrate.  It may not matter in the day to day, but I am hoping to get another two years out of my car by protecting it from the road salt. In the southern states, humidity and heat can be more of an issue, so don’t leave your plastic comb where it can melt to your dashboard.

I know, I know: an oil change may equal so many pounds of dog food or a tune up may equal winter coats for kids for the local shelter, but you aren’t going to be able to go to the store to buy them with a dead vehicle, nor will you be able to help the injured wildlife on the side of the road.    When you are figuring out your monthly expenses this winter, remember your car.  It may prevent you from donating as much this week, but in the long run, it will make you available to volunteer more time, as it will get you where you need to go.

The details of the event are up to you,  but you surely would be the only group in town, or one of the few, who would be doing it.  I am invited to so many “Jail and Bail” events and asked to purchase so many charity cookbooks that its refreshing to see a new idea that you don’t begrudgingly participate in because you support the charity. I think the idea would attract parents of the little league team, hot shots who want to impress their friends, and just the plain curious.

As far as procurring the radar, perhaps you could recruit a sponsor to purchase it.  Later, you could donate it to the baseball team.  A lot of folks wonder why instead of having sponsors fund it, that the sponsors just couldn’t donate money and then you wouldn’t have to have the event?  Some groups and companies are limited in what financial donations they can give, and an “in kind” donation may be more possible.  Also, if a variety of sponsors get together on it at your rcruitment, it would only cost each a little.  It is like seed money to generate more donations.

Unlike the quaint 1980s and early 90s life that went on when I was a kid, there is just no “appointment viewing” today.  All of your friends didn’t just see the same thing on television last night.  You didn’t get your homework out of the way to watch it, or run around outside until it was on.   If we don’t see our favorite show, we can usually wait until the next viewing.  It is not always that easy sometimes.   I guess I really don’t mind if I miss something.  In fact, I hardly watch tv at all sometimes, but sometimes I wish I could sit and watch a show that was on earlier because I am ready now.  Not before.

On the weekends, My Favorite Guy and I get so busy. It is good that we don’t base out lives around television, but on occasion, someone I know in the non profit sector or in animal rescue ends up on television. I usually miss the show entirely, or waste so much time “checking my local listings” that I get it wrong. The other factor is that when I actually do get to watch it, I tell someone how great it was, and wished I taped it but I didn’t.  One show I would like to see is the documentary Fifteen Legs, which documents a rescue transport.  I would be remiss if I also wanted to catch the British Antiques Roadshow because it amuses me how the British way is so much more reserved.  An American may jump up and down to hear their knickknack is worth $10,o00, but on the British version, they may have a poker face.

I have been reading up about Charter on Demand and it seems to be for people like me who are too busy to watch television, but darn it, there is stuff that I need to see. There is a very lengthy list of shows and movies you can order up whenever you want.  It is not like PayPerView where you pay for every viewing, but an upgraded service.  You can learn more at charter.net/ondemand. The drawback is that you will have to be a Charter customer, or supply a valid zipcode to see what programming is available, as it may vary by region. Luckily, you can get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page if you don’t want that kind of a commitment.

What do you think of this or similar “On Demand” services.  Are they convenient, or do they merely feed into our desire for instant gratification in a good or bad way?

Items that are needed:

Flea shampoos and flea repellants
Regular dog shampoo
Dog food (Petsmart used to donate food, but have discontinued the practice)
Chew treats such as pig ears
Towels and blankets

Sometimes, there are Grocery Coupons for dog food in the paper, or when you go to manufacturer websites. It may bring down he price of food you may buy for a donation. Do not send them a check, as it will go into the general fund and will not be earmarked for food and supplies. The small staff of two is not able to hold it aside.

Also, if you are not near enough to the shelter to take it there and you find it too prohibitive to mail items, please spread the word.  Also, help is needed to spread the word about this handsome Labrador Retriever that is there.  He is very sweet and friendly, and his id number is 87309.  He is slated for euthanization and could really use an angel.  Please contact the shelter right away:

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570