Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Preparing for Strut Your mutt, 4 days and counting down!
My familiy and I are very excited to be participating in the Best Friends Animal Society 2010 NYC Strut Your Mutt charity walk. This walk is raising money to help BFAS continue lifesaving adoptions, spay/neuter programs, to rescue at-risk animals and to find new homes for them. These types of events allow BFAS to continue to save animals from the misery of life in puppy mills, a world with no more homeless pets.
This has been a very interesting journey to prepare for our first charity event as the Just Pawfect team. It all began a month ago with rallying up the troops , making the commitment to pledge the funds, $30 to walk $20 to sponsor the team and take home an event t-shirt. It was the first time since high school that we did anything like this and really had no idea the entire world that is behind this kind of fundraising. Then we began spreading the word which involved our big jump into social media. You can now follow us on Twitter, which we have alot of fun connecting with all the active members in our industry and you can become a fan on Facebook. There is a wonderful community out there that is just so passionate about animal wellfare and we have felt right at home because of them.
The making of our team T-shirt was an experience all on its own. I could not imagine the work to make your own t-shirt. A handful of shirts took my husband several hours when your include the time it took to come up with a design graphic and the application. *Be on the look out for a group in bright yellow with puppy face and bone patches on their sleeves. By the way, because of this I owe one of our team members a new set of bedsheets, (Note to self: do not leave iron and husband unattended!) It was all part of the experience of finding our voice and making our group a reality outside of the virtual world of the Strut your Mutt web page.
The next step was printing up flyers with all the information of the event and taking some plays from the guerrilla advertising handbook. Talk about pounding the pavement! Our whole neighborhood now knows about our event. Local businesses, bulleting boards, co-workers no one escaped without flyer in hand. Hopefully we will see results from this work, as of today we have collected $190 , 63% of our $300 goal. We will be collecting donations up until the day of the walk.
We ,and by we I mean the wonderful small group of friends and family I drafted for this event, really could not have imagined how much it would change our way of seeing what is important. I recently saw a video of key note speaker Mike Arms at the 2010 BlogPaws west conference where he said it was "not enough to love animals" he went on to say we need to "care about animals". I have always said I love animals and I now realize that was not enough, yet I stood up and did something which led to taking the second step and then the third, all leading towards making this world a better place for our beloved companions. Maybe I can not change the world but my world did change and I welcome you all to share in this experience and take your first step.
The breakdown: These are just a small number of examples of all the good things your contribution makes possible:
--$5 feeds 5 dogs a day
--$25 is enough to fix a dog or cat to prevent
unwanted litters
--$50 can provide five cats with microchip IDs
to help them find their families if lost
--$100 is enough to get a homeless dog or cat
out of a shelter and into a forever home
--$200 can provide bottle feedings and TLC
for two orphaned puppies
--$500 is enough to save 10 dogs from the misery
of life in a puppy mills
--$1,000 can provide shelter and care for 50 animals
displaced in a natural disaster
For more information:
This has been a very interesting journey to prepare for our first charity event as the Just Pawfect team. It all began a month ago with rallying up the troops , making the commitment to pledge the funds, $30 to walk $20 to sponsor the team and take home an event t-shirt. It was the first time since high school that we did anything like this and really had no idea the entire world that is behind this kind of fundraising. Then we began spreading the word which involved our big jump into social media. You can now follow us on Twitter, which we have alot of fun connecting with all the active members in our industry and you can become a fan on Facebook. There is a wonderful community out there that is just so passionate about animal wellfare and we have felt right at home because of them.
The making of our team T-shirt was an experience all on its own. I could not imagine the work to make your own t-shirt. A handful of shirts took my husband several hours when your include the time it took to come up with a design graphic and the application. *Be on the look out for a group in bright yellow with puppy face and bone patches on their sleeves. By the way, because of this I owe one of our team members a new set of bedsheets, (Note to self: do not leave iron and husband unattended!) It was all part of the experience of finding our voice and making our group a reality outside of the virtual world of the Strut your Mutt web page.
we will call these version 1.0 and 2.0 in hopes of future improvements :)
The next step was printing up flyers with all the information of the event and taking some plays from the guerrilla advertising handbook. Talk about pounding the pavement! Our whole neighborhood now knows about our event. Local businesses, bulleting boards, co-workers no one escaped without flyer in hand. Hopefully we will see results from this work, as of today we have collected $190 , 63% of our $300 goal. We will be collecting donations up until the day of the walk.
We ,and by we I mean the wonderful small group of friends and family I drafted for this event, really could not have imagined how much it would change our way of seeing what is important. I recently saw a video of key note speaker Mike Arms at the 2010 BlogPaws west conference where he said it was "not enough to love animals" he went on to say we need to "care about animals". I have always said I love animals and I now realize that was not enough, yet I stood up and did something which led to taking the second step and then the third, all leading towards making this world a better place for our beloved companions. Maybe I can not change the world but my world did change and I welcome you all to share in this experience and take your first step.
The breakdown: These are just a small number of examples of all the good things your contribution makes possible:
--$5 feeds 5 dogs a day
--$25 is enough to fix a dog or cat to prevent
unwanted litters
--$50 can provide five cats with microchip IDs
to help them find their families if lost
--$100 is enough to get a homeless dog or cat
out of a shelter and into a forever home
--$200 can provide bottle feedings and TLC
for two orphaned puppies
--$500 is enough to save 10 dogs from the misery
of life in a puppy mills
--$1,000 can provide shelter and care for 50 animals
displaced in a natural disaster
So if you are in the Tri-State area come out and walk with us, sponsor a walker or make a donation! We are looking forward to see you all!
For more information:
Follow us @JustPawfect on Twitter.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Animal by products...What are they really putting in our pet food?
If a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet, then animal by products would by any other name still be as disgusting.
When looking at the label of ingredients in your bag of pet food there will be many items listed which you have no idea what they mean and some which may not sound so bad. When you get to "animal by products", "meat by products" and " animal meal" I don't think any of us would imagine what it really means.
These by products are bits and pieces left over from slaughter animals,but not limited to, that are stripped of their meat to the bone for human consumption. It is pieces and chunks of animal body parts that are deemed unqualified for human consumption. Often this meat is coming from animals that are 4D: dead, dying, deformed, diseased.
It might say beef, chicken, poultry by products, but by products are not even required to contain any actual meat. And "rendered" meat on labels can refer to any "rendered" mammal meat.
It means that they are taking what is left over from other food industries and churning out "pet food". Beaks, hooves, bones, blood, brains, intestines, lungs, chicken heads, and even feathers and practically anything else that's of no real use. When we imagine our companions food we imagine whole chickens, prime cut meats, whole grains, isn't that what was flying across the screen of those cutesy pet food commercials?
These by products often come from sick animals and are high in hormones,pesticides and dangerous even cancerous meat. Our pets food has become a garbage disposal, dumping zone for waste which these companies find fit for consumption by your pets.
When these body parts are labeled unfit for human consumption it is because regulators have found it to be contaminated, diseased, filled with mold, poor quality, and in poor handling conditions. This includes cancer riddled body parts that are dangerous to humans as well as pets but end up in pet food regardless.
These companies take scraps that are beyond being edible by any means, grind it, repackage it, spray it with grease, dye it and mold it to appeal to consumers. Slap the label of "premium" on it and advertise a completely different product then what you are truly getting.
Top pet food production companies have turned waste management into profit. They use their different production plants to gather the garbage they need and put it in pet food.
So what does it boil down to?
When animals used for human consumption are stripped of meat to the bone, what is left, the blood the bones the brains and guts and beaks and heads are ground and end up in your pets food bowl.
We shouldn't even call it "animal " by products or even meat by products because not only are the body parts mostly lacking in any meat but sometimes aren't even part of the animal. There can be plastic from packaging found in this mix, ear tags and what ever else was with the road kill which is often added to the mix.
If they put hooves, beaks and feathers in what else do they put in?
Companies put in:
This last one may sound healthy but it is actually indigestible for cats and dogs and has been found to lead to bloat which takes the lives of many dogs every year. My 4 year old Bull Mastiff Rex Chex died of bloat and it is a horrible way to die. A death no animal deserves ever.
Corn syrup and corn gluten meal is often on the list of ingredient and several times at that. Yet this binds with water molecules and sticks to the animals intestines causing a blockage. This blockage then over time leads to colon and renal cancer.
Not only is having all this in food disgusting but it hurts our faithful companions. It leads to painful and costly medical conditions, the hormones cause them to grow at an unnatural rate causing muscle and joint problems. All the extra protein that the bag advertises is so cheap and degraded that it does more harm then good the harsh ingredients and improper handling leads to an overload on the kidneys and result in kidney disease.
How can this be on our shelves? It can because it is a multi billion dollar business with lobbyists and strong influences and are marketing geniuses. These pet food companies need only meet the bare minimum requirements set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). And they have developed many ways to get around these regulations.
The recent pet food recalls really come as no surprise when you take all this into consideration;
In 2010 specific products by Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat food where recalled for "potential for salmonella contamination"
On March 16 2007 Menu Foods announced a nation wide recall of over 40 popular brands of pet food. these included
Melamine is found in plastics, cleaning products, laminates, foam and fertilizers. The FDA confirmed its presence in wheat gluten samples taken from the contaminated lots. On its own it is not highly toxic but it was found along with another contaminate, Cyanuric acid . When combined they may lead to renal failure in pets, often resulting in death.
You are your pets best protection. It may seem overwhelming but little by little we learn ways to better distinguish the bad stuff from the good. Don't fall for catch phrases and big promises. Read, Read and Read. Read the labels read reviews read blogs like this and understand everyone is trying to sell you something so be cautious on where you trust your pets life .
This is just the tip of the iceberg stay tuned as I continue my quest for quality dog food. And this information may seem overwhelming or even too horrific to be true. And I encourage all of you to do the research for your selves. To take a good hard look at the nutrition label on your pets food and compare to that of others on the shelves. It may seem virtually impossible to find adequate food but there are many companies that are changing the way they prepare your pets food. There are more natural alternatives and plenty more information out there. Happy hunting.
Resources
http://www.preciouspets.org/
http://www.iamscruelty.com/notTested.asp
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-food-recall-overview.html
When looking at the label of ingredients in your bag of pet food there will be many items listed which you have no idea what they mean and some which may not sound so bad. When you get to "animal by products", "meat by products" and " animal meal" I don't think any of us would imagine what it really means.
These by products are bits and pieces left over from slaughter animals,but not limited to, that are stripped of their meat to the bone for human consumption. It is pieces and chunks of animal body parts that are deemed unqualified for human consumption. Often this meat is coming from animals that are 4D: dead, dying, deformed, diseased.
It might say beef, chicken, poultry by products, but by products are not even required to contain any actual meat. And "rendered" meat on labels can refer to any "rendered" mammal meat.
It means that they are taking what is left over from other food industries and churning out "pet food". Beaks, hooves, bones, blood, brains, intestines, lungs, chicken heads, and even feathers and practically anything else that's of no real use. When we imagine our companions food we imagine whole chickens, prime cut meats, whole grains, isn't that what was flying across the screen of those cutesy pet food commercials?
These by products often come from sick animals and are high in hormones,pesticides and dangerous even cancerous meat. Our pets food has become a garbage disposal, dumping zone for waste which these companies find fit for consumption by your pets.
When these body parts are labeled unfit for human consumption it is because regulators have found it to be contaminated, diseased, filled with mold, poor quality, and in poor handling conditions. This includes cancer riddled body parts that are dangerous to humans as well as pets but end up in pet food regardless.
These companies take scraps that are beyond being edible by any means, grind it, repackage it, spray it with grease, dye it and mold it to appeal to consumers. Slap the label of "premium" on it and advertise a completely different product then what you are truly getting.
Top pet food production companies have turned waste management into profit. They use their different production plants to gather the garbage they need and put it in pet food.
So what does it boil down to?
When animals used for human consumption are stripped of meat to the bone, what is left, the blood the bones the brains and guts and beaks and heads are ground and end up in your pets food bowl.
We shouldn't even call it "animal " by products or even meat by products because not only are the body parts mostly lacking in any meat but sometimes aren't even part of the animal. There can be plastic from packaging found in this mix, ear tags and what ever else was with the road kill which is often added to the mix.
If they put hooves, beaks and feathers in what else do they put in?
Companies put in:
- Left over restaurant grease, that is unattended and not tested for any quality control
- Hulled grains left over from other production
- Additives, preservatives and unnecessary vitamins that serve no purpose but to act as fillers
- Soy
This last one may sound healthy but it is actually indigestible for cats and dogs and has been found to lead to bloat which takes the lives of many dogs every year. My 4 year old Bull Mastiff Rex Chex died of bloat and it is a horrible way to die. A death no animal deserves ever.
Corn syrup and corn gluten meal is often on the list of ingredient and several times at that. Yet this binds with water molecules and sticks to the animals intestines causing a blockage. This blockage then over time leads to colon and renal cancer.
Not only is having all this in food disgusting but it hurts our faithful companions. It leads to painful and costly medical conditions, the hormones cause them to grow at an unnatural rate causing muscle and joint problems. All the extra protein that the bag advertises is so cheap and degraded that it does more harm then good the harsh ingredients and improper handling leads to an overload on the kidneys and result in kidney disease.
How can this be on our shelves? It can because it is a multi billion dollar business with lobbyists and strong influences and are marketing geniuses. These pet food companies need only meet the bare minimum requirements set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). And they have developed many ways to get around these regulations.
The recent pet food recalls really come as no surprise when you take all this into consideration;
In 2010 specific products by Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat food where recalled for "potential for salmonella contamination"
On March 16 2007 Menu Foods announced a nation wide recall of over 40 popular brands of pet food. these included
- Iams
- Eukanuba
- Purina
- Science Diet
Melamine is found in plastics, cleaning products, laminates, foam and fertilizers. The FDA confirmed its presence in wheat gluten samples taken from the contaminated lots. On its own it is not highly toxic but it was found along with another contaminate, Cyanuric acid . When combined they may lead to renal failure in pets, often resulting in death.
You are your pets best protection. It may seem overwhelming but little by little we learn ways to better distinguish the bad stuff from the good. Don't fall for catch phrases and big promises. Read, Read and Read. Read the labels read reviews read blogs like this and understand everyone is trying to sell you something so be cautious on where you trust your pets life .
This is just the tip of the iceberg stay tuned as I continue my quest for quality dog food. And this information may seem overwhelming or even too horrific to be true. And I encourage all of you to do the research for your selves. To take a good hard look at the nutrition label on your pets food and compare to that of others on the shelves. It may seem virtually impossible to find adequate food but there are many companies that are changing the way they prepare your pets food. There are more natural alternatives and plenty more information out there. Happy hunting.
Resources
http://www.preciouspets.org/
http://www.iamscruelty.com/notTested.asp
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-food-recall-overview.html
Friday, September 17, 2010
choosing the right dog food ...the search part 1
It is now the 17th of September and my puppy is still in utero. We decided to take the extra time Pumpkin has so generously given us to get together a few essentials for our puppy homecoming. Who would've thought something as essential as food could get so complicated.
It is difficult for a pet parent and even more so for a new puppy parent to make the right decision. There is so much information out there that it is difficult to make out what is helpful and what can be misleading. This is the very beginning of my search for the right dog food and I can already see the information will be helpful to the pet parents of other animals too.
What you feed your pet will be a major factor in his or her health and over all well being. There are many choices out there but unfortunately when it comes to do food you get what you pay for. The cheap dog food that can so easily be found in your local pet chain or supermarket is more often then not the wrong choice. In the long run what you feel you may be saving now will cost you a lot more in the future. Consider the thousands of dollars pet parents pet every year to in medical bills. A word of caution when I say cheap i dont just mean the store brand food but also that "premium" food that you are paying extra for, I wont go into brand names now but lets just say you see their commercials often and everywhere.
The type of food you choose will help your dog develop at the correct rate and this may help avoid future health proplems of the hips and joints. Proper nutrition will help regulate their energy levels, sugar levels and a good meal will help them feel fuller longer and prevent incesant and unnecessary chewing of everything they can get their little paws on.
Quality food will not only prolong the life of your pup but will make it a life they will enjoy living. Do not be fooled by the empty promises of many of these pet store cheaper brands of dog food, of natural feed, of premium puppy food. Read labels make a habit out of it, become and expert in your own way. learn what animal by products are, what chicken meal means, what corn meal is and what beet pulp. And research why exactly these companies are putting these things in your dog food, when you do you will realize why you dont want to put this in your dog.
Quality dog food does not have to force you to buy expensive feed either, there is also a lot of information on feeding your dog a raw meat diet. As with everything do your research first. Ask others what they feed their dog, as your vet, others at your dog park and look into local independantly owned pet supply stores. these are usually run by owners that are conscious enough to actually know about their products. They might prove to be an essential tool.
This is a complex topic. One on which the experts dont even agree with each other. But that is because there are many ways of feediing your pet correctly. There is however one wrong way and that is thinking that cheaper food is a bargain. Its not in the long run and it is not good for your pet.
I will be posting soon with more information in the mean time remember to keep an open mind and to inform your self by reading lables so when you read something either here or somewhere else you will recognize it and remember which brands put this in their food. For starters look for things you DO recognize like chicken or lamb or any thing else that is meat. the closer to the top on the list that this is the better it should be at the very top if not first. Dont be fooled by high percentages of protein and low percent of fat. When take into consideration the quality of this protein more is not better. So stay tuned and please as always your comments are welcomed and appreciated. You might end up helping me on my search for quality pet food.
Pedigree is hosting a 'Write a Post, Help a Dog' project. For every blog post written about the Pedigree adoption drive until September 19, the company will donate a twenty pound bag of their Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs to a shelter.
Also, for every "like" they get on their Facebook page, Pedigree will donate one bowl of food to a shelter dog.
Fellow bloggers, get writing and become a fan of Pedigree and feed shelter dogs!
Once you write you blog post the link to this site so Pedigree will see it and make sure that your blog accounted for.
It is difficult for a pet parent and even more so for a new puppy parent to make the right decision. There is so much information out there that it is difficult to make out what is helpful and what can be misleading. This is the very beginning of my search for the right dog food and I can already see the information will be helpful to the pet parents of other animals too.
What you feed your pet will be a major factor in his or her health and over all well being. There are many choices out there but unfortunately when it comes to do food you get what you pay for. The cheap dog food that can so easily be found in your local pet chain or supermarket is more often then not the wrong choice. In the long run what you feel you may be saving now will cost you a lot more in the future. Consider the thousands of dollars pet parents pet every year to in medical bills. A word of caution when I say cheap i dont just mean the store brand food but also that "premium" food that you are paying extra for, I wont go into brand names now but lets just say you see their commercials often and everywhere.
The type of food you choose will help your dog develop at the correct rate and this may help avoid future health proplems of the hips and joints. Proper nutrition will help regulate their energy levels, sugar levels and a good meal will help them feel fuller longer and prevent incesant and unnecessary chewing of everything they can get their little paws on.
Quality food will not only prolong the life of your pup but will make it a life they will enjoy living. Do not be fooled by the empty promises of many of these pet store cheaper brands of dog food, of natural feed, of premium puppy food. Read labels make a habit out of it, become and expert in your own way. learn what animal by products are, what chicken meal means, what corn meal is and what beet pulp. And research why exactly these companies are putting these things in your dog food, when you do you will realize why you dont want to put this in your dog.
Quality dog food does not have to force you to buy expensive feed either, there is also a lot of information on feeding your dog a raw meat diet. As with everything do your research first. Ask others what they feed their dog, as your vet, others at your dog park and look into local independantly owned pet supply stores. these are usually run by owners that are conscious enough to actually know about their products. They might prove to be an essential tool.
This is a complex topic. One on which the experts dont even agree with each other. But that is because there are many ways of feediing your pet correctly. There is however one wrong way and that is thinking that cheaper food is a bargain. Its not in the long run and it is not good for your pet.
I will be posting soon with more information in the mean time remember to keep an open mind and to inform your self by reading lables so when you read something either here or somewhere else you will recognize it and remember which brands put this in their food. For starters look for things you DO recognize like chicken or lamb or any thing else that is meat. the closer to the top on the list that this is the better it should be at the very top if not first. Dont be fooled by high percentages of protein and low percent of fat. When take into consideration the quality of this protein more is not better. So stay tuned and please as always your comments are welcomed and appreciated. You might end up helping me on my search for quality pet food.
Pedigree is hosting a 'Write a Post, Help a Dog' project. For every blog post written about the Pedigree adoption drive until September 19, the company will donate a twenty pound bag of their Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs to a shelter.
Also, for every "like" they get on their Facebook page, Pedigree will donate one bowl of food to a shelter dog.
Fellow bloggers, get writing and become a fan of Pedigree and feed shelter dogs!
Once you write you blog post the link to this site so Pedigree will see it and make sure that your blog accounted for.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
September 11 Paying tribute to the canine heroes
Another sun has set, another anniversary day has passed, yet that wound September 11, 2001 left behind is as raw and open as it was the day that great tragedy occurred. Nine years have passed and our lives were forever changed that day. It was a tragedy that today seems to need no introduction in great detail, the simple text : 9/11 brings with it every image and every piece of information that engulfed the public that day. To the nation, to the world that day the public watched in horror as the details of the day unfolded. But to New York, we watched every moment live as our citys' heart collapsed when the towers fell.
Today is a day of remembrance, to honor fallen heroes, survivors, families, to heal all our hearts to pay our respects.
Let us also take the day to honor the unsung heroes that stood side by side to those first response heroes, side by side to those relentless rescuers. Let us also pay tribute to the canine heroes of September 11, 2001.
As I searched for information on the heroes of 9/11 I came across an article at change.org , Tribute to Canine Heroes of 9/11 by Stephanie Feldstein. She writes of the tremendous courage showed by our canine companions on that day where they rose to the name of mans best friend. On that day 10,000 men and women answered the call of duty, 300 of those heroes were dogs. Search dogs, guide dogs, rescue dogs, K-9s , bomb dogs, therapy dogs all came to our rescue without a hesitant thought in their minds.
Many of the human rescuers at ground zero describe it as hell on earth. Just being there in that surreal situation must have shook them to the very core. But these dogs just moved forward stayed focused and helped the rescuers as much as they helped the survivors. They went where humans could not have possibly gone and saved hundred that would have died otherwise. They searched for survivors relentlessly and would not give up until every survivor was found. When absolutely sure all had been found they aided in the heart wrenching search for victims remains. They worked side by side their human handlers to bring peace and resignation to the hearts of the victims families. They kept the spirits of those working at ground zero afloat, kept them from total despaire. Offered constant and unconditional love, remaining true and obedient the entire time, even in the face of utter uncertainty.
Two examples of these heroes are guide dog Roselle and bomb dog Sirius.
Roselle guided her human companion Michael Hingson down from the 78th floor in tower one just minute before the tower collapsed. While they made their way down 76 flights of stairs Roselle was pet by fire fighters making their way up the stairs, she was perhaps the last bit of love and hope any of them would ever see again. She was the last bit of comfort any of them would feel in the moments after their brief encounter in those stair wells in a burning building she guided her human to safety, in a situation where it seems impossible for an animal to remain calm and focused.
Sirius the bomb detection dog bravely answered the call of duty on that day as well. Sirius died when tower two collapsed. His partner officer David Lim was found, alive, five hours later. The bravery of this animal is not the only example of its kind. Many gave their lives that day, and many of these fallen heroes were canine.
On a day where humanity seemed to have been turned on its head those dogs helped make sense of all the madness, all the chaos. To this day they are helping us cope. Therapy dogs are helping survivors rise above the horrors of that memory, they help families remember their loved ones with peace in their hearts. As I pet my pup, Tulip he helps me as so many others help you, by the couch as I watch in awe all over again when each image flashes on what feels like every single channel. As I feel that familiar puppy warmth it fills my very soul. Nothing can take away the pain of that day. We cope through remembrance. We cope through knowing we are not alone and that those at ground zero were not alone either.
So let us remember all the heroes of that day, lets pay tribute to all the heroes of 9/11.
Today is a day of remembrance, to honor fallen heroes, survivors, families, to heal all our hearts to pay our respects.
Let us also take the day to honor the unsung heroes that stood side by side to those first response heroes, side by side to those relentless rescuers. Let us also pay tribute to the canine heroes of September 11, 2001.
As I searched for information on the heroes of 9/11 I came across an article at change.org , Tribute to Canine Heroes of 9/11 by Stephanie Feldstein. She writes of the tremendous courage showed by our canine companions on that day where they rose to the name of mans best friend. On that day 10,000 men and women answered the call of duty, 300 of those heroes were dogs. Search dogs, guide dogs, rescue dogs, K-9s , bomb dogs, therapy dogs all came to our rescue without a hesitant thought in their minds.
Many of the human rescuers at ground zero describe it as hell on earth. Just being there in that surreal situation must have shook them to the very core. But these dogs just moved forward stayed focused and helped the rescuers as much as they helped the survivors. They went where humans could not have possibly gone and saved hundred that would have died otherwise. They searched for survivors relentlessly and would not give up until every survivor was found. When absolutely sure all had been found they aided in the heart wrenching search for victims remains. They worked side by side their human handlers to bring peace and resignation to the hearts of the victims families. They kept the spirits of those working at ground zero afloat, kept them from total despaire. Offered constant and unconditional love, remaining true and obedient the entire time, even in the face of utter uncertainty.
Two examples of these heroes are guide dog Roselle and bomb dog Sirius.
Roselle guided her human companion Michael Hingson down from the 78th floor in tower one just minute before the tower collapsed. While they made their way down 76 flights of stairs Roselle was pet by fire fighters making their way up the stairs, she was perhaps the last bit of love and hope any of them would ever see again. She was the last bit of comfort any of them would feel in the moments after their brief encounter in those stair wells in a burning building she guided her human to safety, in a situation where it seems impossible for an animal to remain calm and focused.
Sirius the bomb detection dog bravely answered the call of duty on that day as well. Sirius died when tower two collapsed. His partner officer David Lim was found, alive, five hours later. The bravery of this animal is not the only example of its kind. Many gave their lives that day, and many of these fallen heroes were canine.
On a day where humanity seemed to have been turned on its head those dogs helped make sense of all the madness, all the chaos. To this day they are helping us cope. Therapy dogs are helping survivors rise above the horrors of that memory, they help families remember their loved ones with peace in their hearts. As I pet my pup, Tulip he helps me as so many others help you, by the couch as I watch in awe all over again when each image flashes on what feels like every single channel. As I feel that familiar puppy warmth it fills my very soul. Nothing can take away the pain of that day. We cope through remembrance. We cope through knowing we are not alone and that those at ground zero were not alone either.
So let us remember all the heroes of that day, lets pay tribute to all the heroes of 9/11.
Friday, September 10, 2010
preventing food aggression in dogs
That cute little puppy may be all kisses and sunshine most of the day and suddenly become a flash of white fangs and low growls when he is around food. This is unfortunately an all to common scenario and it is how the pet parent handles this situation before it becomes a problem that is crucial. It is important to understand it is not the growling that is the problem behavior, the real problem is what is causing the growling. A growl is your dogs only way of warning you he will bite if you continue doing what you are doing. Do not punish or reprimand a dog for growling because to a dog your yelling is translated to you growling right back at him. If you successfully deal with what is causing the growling your pup will calm down and the growling will stop.
You must step back and review the situation if food aggression has already reared its ugly head you may need to seek a professional such as an animal behaviorist or a professional trainer. You will need all the help you can get because a food aggressive dog WILL bite. You need to take precautions especially if there are other pets in the home and especially if there are children.
Once you have accessed the situation there are a few simple rules that can help you get on your way to preventing food aggression and even making it a thing of the past.
First always keep in mind you are your pack leader, every person in the home must represent themselves as the pack leaders.In a wolf pack the alpha male and female eat first. In your home dinner time is for humans, do not give your dog table scraps. This will establish pack order
Second in the wild food is not served to a wolf , the wolf must work for its every meal. Use this primal need to work for their meals to your advantage. only feed your dog when you know he is at his hungriest. Feed him after taking him out for some exercise, a long walk. So when he comes home he feels like he has worked for his meal. Also exercise puts a dogs mind in a calm submissive state where it will be easier for him to accept you as his pack leader and will be hungry and rid of anxious energy, enough to be more willing to obey your orders. Only feed a calm dog, a dog that patiently sits and awaits for his meal. You wouldn't feed a screaming toddle who wont even sit still, same rules apply. anxiousness is like rudeness don't reward any unwanted behavior but reward a patient calm dog with a good meal.
Something I learned watching a training show and actually tried at home was to mix my pups food with my own hands to get my scent mixed in. This way he knows he is getting this food because of me. I am the packs provider.
Whatever your dog does not consume in say 20 30 minutes take away do not leave food around for him to feed on at his hearts content. Food is a reward and it is brought only by the pack leaders after hard work is done. Establish a feeding ritual. So that the dog knows what behavior will get him his meal and will be exhibiting this behavior quicker and quicker with every day that passes. Be consistent you cannot feed after a walk one day and then the next give your dog food simply because he whines. Other wise your dog will not learn the desire behavior, dogs thrive off consistency.
From puppy hood or from the moment you get your dog you must let them know that every need he has will be fulfilled by you. Let him know you are in charge and he never needs to feel like he needs to take the position of pack leader to seek stability. Dogs live in the moment so do not worry about the way you fed your dog before. He will begin to respond to these changes from day one. Food can throw your dog into a primal state where he might react in a way that he would never act during a walk or during leisure time, so execute extreme caution at all times.
Remember if there is already aggressive behavior present seek help in order to avoid further injury. But prevention is the best medicine:
*Establish yourself and the humans in the home as pack leaders they eat first at all times.
*Provide for an outlet to your dogs extra energy through proper exercise before feeding time.
*Feed only a calm pup and feed the calmest dog first if you have more than one.
*Make your dog wait patiently before setting the food down, any unwanted behavior will not be rewarded.
*If your dog does not finish his food right away take it away until he earns it again at next feeding time,
establish a routine and stick to it.
These tips will not only help prevent food aggression but they will help maintain a proper balance in your home. Take the steps and help your pup feel fulfilled and relaxed to know he has a pack leader. All your pup needs to do is follow his instinct to please you, this will make for a happy pup and for a happy home!
Get more information of the feeding ritual at:
http://www.cesarsway.com/news/cesarspeaks/The-Feeding-Ritual
You must step back and review the situation if food aggression has already reared its ugly head you may need to seek a professional such as an animal behaviorist or a professional trainer. You will need all the help you can get because a food aggressive dog WILL bite. You need to take precautions especially if there are other pets in the home and especially if there are children.
Once you have accessed the situation there are a few simple rules that can help you get on your way to preventing food aggression and even making it a thing of the past.
First always keep in mind you are your pack leader, every person in the home must represent themselves as the pack leaders.In a wolf pack the alpha male and female eat first. In your home dinner time is for humans, do not give your dog table scraps. This will establish pack order
Second in the wild food is not served to a wolf , the wolf must work for its every meal. Use this primal need to work for their meals to your advantage. only feed your dog when you know he is at his hungriest. Feed him after taking him out for some exercise, a long walk. So when he comes home he feels like he has worked for his meal. Also exercise puts a dogs mind in a calm submissive state where it will be easier for him to accept you as his pack leader and will be hungry and rid of anxious energy, enough to be more willing to obey your orders. Only feed a calm dog, a dog that patiently sits and awaits for his meal. You wouldn't feed a screaming toddle who wont even sit still, same rules apply. anxiousness is like rudeness don't reward any unwanted behavior but reward a patient calm dog with a good meal.
Something I learned watching a training show and actually tried at home was to mix my pups food with my own hands to get my scent mixed in. This way he knows he is getting this food because of me. I am the packs provider.
Whatever your dog does not consume in say 20 30 minutes take away do not leave food around for him to feed on at his hearts content. Food is a reward and it is brought only by the pack leaders after hard work is done. Establish a feeding ritual. So that the dog knows what behavior will get him his meal and will be exhibiting this behavior quicker and quicker with every day that passes. Be consistent you cannot feed after a walk one day and then the next give your dog food simply because he whines. Other wise your dog will not learn the desire behavior, dogs thrive off consistency.
From puppy hood or from the moment you get your dog you must let them know that every need he has will be fulfilled by you. Let him know you are in charge and he never needs to feel like he needs to take the position of pack leader to seek stability. Dogs live in the moment so do not worry about the way you fed your dog before. He will begin to respond to these changes from day one. Food can throw your dog into a primal state where he might react in a way that he would never act during a walk or during leisure time, so execute extreme caution at all times.
Remember if there is already aggressive behavior present seek help in order to avoid further injury. But prevention is the best medicine:
*Establish yourself and the humans in the home as pack leaders they eat first at all times.
*Provide for an outlet to your dogs extra energy through proper exercise before feeding time.
*Feed only a calm pup and feed the calmest dog first if you have more than one.
*Make your dog wait patiently before setting the food down, any unwanted behavior will not be rewarded.
*If your dog does not finish his food right away take it away until he earns it again at next feeding time,
establish a routine and stick to it.
These tips will not only help prevent food aggression but they will help maintain a proper balance in your home. Take the steps and help your pup feel fulfilled and relaxed to know he has a pack leader. All your pup needs to do is follow his instinct to please you, this will make for a happy pup and for a happy home!
Get more information of the feeding ritual at:
http://www.cesarsway.com/news/cesarspeaks/The-Feeding-Ritual
Monday, September 6, 2010
Strut your mutt charity walk
So on this new adventure that I have embarked I was inspired to take a more active role in helping homeless animals. I was told that every small step makes a difference. So we have teamed up with the Strut your Mutt charity walk, which will be held September 26 in NYC so far my husband and I have formed a "dog pack", a team, and will take part in the walk sooo if you want to show your support visit the link below and join the pack. 100% of the donations will go to help a homeless animal, you can join our pack or you can create your own.
Either way it is important to remember that the worst we can do is to do nothing at all. We have all at some point felt that feeling of hopelessness that feeling that there is no real way of helping put an end to the neglect and abuse that animals are put through. But we don't need to solve this problem on a huge scale to make a difference we can't save the world but to those we do help we have saved their world.
Don't let your sense of hopelessness stop you from taking a step in the right direction. Every year thousands of homeless animals are euthanized because they don't have a forever home, a home of their own where they are safe loved and protected. Thousands more live their lives in small cold cages, even the nicest of shelters at the end of the day must turn off their lights and leave behind an innocent animal alone in its cage staring out.
Donate, volunteer, spread the word every little bit makes a difference. If you already have a furry companion remember the importance of spaying and neutering. Fight the myths and do the responsible thing. Your pet does not "need to have puppies" to feel fulfilled they will not feel betrayed as if you took something away from them. They will not become obese after the procedure or because of the procedure. They will continue to be your beloved companion. Help stop the epidemic which is created when we bring unwanted litters into the world. There are thousands of thousands of wonderful animals awaiting a forever home. Young, older, pure bred, proud mutts open your heart to them and save a life, enrich your life.
I await the birth of my puppy anxiously, yet I am fully aware that there is an animal in need of a home in a shelter that could use my help. For as long as I can I will be willing to foster and one day when space permits, bring into my life an adopted furry friend.
I will always consider Adoption the best option. This puppy made its way into my life and my heart when i needed it most and I will continue to do my best to deserve the unconditional love of my dogs.
So please take a look at the site and go on take the brave step of saying abuse ends with me today I will take a step to help another being. There is a direct scientific connection between animal abuse and abuse of a human being. When we make it clear that we will not stand for the neglect and abuse of animals we are also making it clear that those humans whos' voices have been silenced by abuse are not alone or forgotten. Lets work together for a better world for all living beings! The change begins with you, with me, with our decisions and actions.
http://bestfriends.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.home
Either way it is important to remember that the worst we can do is to do nothing at all. We have all at some point felt that feeling of hopelessness that feeling that there is no real way of helping put an end to the neglect and abuse that animals are put through. But we don't need to solve this problem on a huge scale to make a difference we can't save the world but to those we do help we have saved their world.
Don't let your sense of hopelessness stop you from taking a step in the right direction. Every year thousands of homeless animals are euthanized because they don't have a forever home, a home of their own where they are safe loved and protected. Thousands more live their lives in small cold cages, even the nicest of shelters at the end of the day must turn off their lights and leave behind an innocent animal alone in its cage staring out.
Donate, volunteer, spread the word every little bit makes a difference. If you already have a furry companion remember the importance of spaying and neutering. Fight the myths and do the responsible thing. Your pet does not "need to have puppies" to feel fulfilled they will not feel betrayed as if you took something away from them. They will not become obese after the procedure or because of the procedure. They will continue to be your beloved companion. Help stop the epidemic which is created when we bring unwanted litters into the world. There are thousands of thousands of wonderful animals awaiting a forever home. Young, older, pure bred, proud mutts open your heart to them and save a life, enrich your life.
I await the birth of my puppy anxiously, yet I am fully aware that there is an animal in need of a home in a shelter that could use my help. For as long as I can I will be willing to foster and one day when space permits, bring into my life an adopted furry friend.
I will always consider Adoption the best option. This puppy made its way into my life and my heart when i needed it most and I will continue to do my best to deserve the unconditional love of my dogs.
So please take a look at the site and go on take the brave step of saying abuse ends with me today I will take a step to help another being. There is a direct scientific connection between animal abuse and abuse of a human being. When we make it clear that we will not stand for the neglect and abuse of animals we are also making it clear that those humans whos' voices have been silenced by abuse are not alone or forgotten. Lets work together for a better world for all living beings! The change begins with you, with me, with our decisions and actions.
http://bestfriends.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.home
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Properly introducing your child to a dog
It is now September 5 and still no puppy. Pumpkin was predicted to give birth between the first and the ninth of September and it seems to be she is holding out to the very end. With all the excitement of awaiting a new puppy I feel like a first time dog owner. Feels like there is still so much to get done. Where will this puppy sleep, what brand of dog food will I use. And by the way nothing has changed since I last wrote, no name picked out yet. I dont remember being this anxious when I was pregnant.
This puppy is going to be big from the very beginning and it is important to establish the pack order from the very start. What may seem cute and adorble now can quickly become dangerous as that 8 pound puppy rapidly grows to eighty pounds or more. I have always loved big dogs. I have had Bull mastiffs and have a goofy pitbull german shepherd mix who lives with my younger siblings and my parents. Big dogs have a scary reputation that often precedes them. Yet many studies have showed that the majority of dog bites reported in the U.S are from small breeds. Several years in a row the popular Cocker Spaniel has been number one on those lists as most likely to bite!
Yet it is crucial to know that there are no bad breeds. whether your dog is big or small as an pet parent you have the responsibility to teach your dog proper "manners" and create an enviornment where your dog will look to you for direction rather than taking it upon themselves to attack someone around them.
It may be easier to fear a big dog such as a pitbull over fearing a small chihuaha, but both animals deserve the same respect. when approached the wrong way or made to feel threatened they may react instinctivly. the important thing to remember is that given the right training and successfully establishing yourself and the humans in your pack as the leaders you greatly reduce the chance that your pet will opt to bite when in an uncomfortable situation.
Yet not all the training should be done on the pet, most of the training should be directed on the humans in the pack. If you have children teach them early to respect the animals in their household. this lesson will stay with them and may help them learn to cope with others around them too.
Children and especial very young children are fearless and may not know how to approach a dog in the first place. There have been plenty of times where when walking my dog a young child will run up and attempt to pet him. The parent who is already not even close enough to hold the child up if the encounter turns ugly simply smiles back. We must think of dogs as furry energy readers. They access their situations by reading the energy of those around them. And chidlren emit a lot of energy, out of control excitement kind of energy which can make some dogs nervous.
Steps to approaching a dog on the street:
Step one: First a child should always be supervised when playing with a dog
Step two: Always ask if the animal is friendly and ask for permission to approach the dog
Step three: once you have established it is ok with the owner to touch the animal make sure it is ok with the dog too
*Important* if the animals fur is standing up on its back, its ears down and its tail tucked within its legs DO NOT allow your child to continue to approach this animal
Step four: if all seems well have your child hold her hand out slowly with her palm open and face up and have her wait patiently for the dog to appoach her, have her hold her hand lower than the dogs snout some dogs feel intimidated to be pet over their head.
Lastly enjoy as you have shown your child to be respectable and responsible and procative in preventing dog bites.
So you see these are the new challenges I face this time around as I become a puppy parent again. I will face the huge responsibility of introducing this new puppy to my still so new home consisting of a newly wed husband a scruffy jack russell and a toddling toddler . I can only sit back and wonder what adventures lie ahead. so Pick your favorite spot on the couch curl up to your favorite furry friend and continue reading and dont be shy any and all suggestions are welcome. Oh and dont forget I still have no name for this much anticipated puppy.
Here is a link to an article which I feel truly describes an appropriate way to teach your child how to approach an unkown dog. Hope you find it helpful
http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/thebasics/prevent-bites
This puppy is going to be big from the very beginning and it is important to establish the pack order from the very start. What may seem cute and adorble now can quickly become dangerous as that 8 pound puppy rapidly grows to eighty pounds or more. I have always loved big dogs. I have had Bull mastiffs and have a goofy pitbull german shepherd mix who lives with my younger siblings and my parents. Big dogs have a scary reputation that often precedes them. Yet many studies have showed that the majority of dog bites reported in the U.S are from small breeds. Several years in a row the popular Cocker Spaniel has been number one on those lists as most likely to bite!
Yet it is crucial to know that there are no bad breeds. whether your dog is big or small as an pet parent you have the responsibility to teach your dog proper "manners" and create an enviornment where your dog will look to you for direction rather than taking it upon themselves to attack someone around them.
It may be easier to fear a big dog such as a pitbull over fearing a small chihuaha, but both animals deserve the same respect. when approached the wrong way or made to feel threatened they may react instinctivly. the important thing to remember is that given the right training and successfully establishing yourself and the humans in your pack as the leaders you greatly reduce the chance that your pet will opt to bite when in an uncomfortable situation.
Yet not all the training should be done on the pet, most of the training should be directed on the humans in the pack. If you have children teach them early to respect the animals in their household. this lesson will stay with them and may help them learn to cope with others around them too.
Children and especial very young children are fearless and may not know how to approach a dog in the first place. There have been plenty of times where when walking my dog a young child will run up and attempt to pet him. The parent who is already not even close enough to hold the child up if the encounter turns ugly simply smiles back. We must think of dogs as furry energy readers. They access their situations by reading the energy of those around them. And chidlren emit a lot of energy, out of control excitement kind of energy which can make some dogs nervous.
Steps to approaching a dog on the street:
Step one: First a child should always be supervised when playing with a dog
Step two: Always ask if the animal is friendly and ask for permission to approach the dog
Step three: once you have established it is ok with the owner to touch the animal make sure it is ok with the dog too
*Important* if the animals fur is standing up on its back, its ears down and its tail tucked within its legs DO NOT allow your child to continue to approach this animal
Step four: if all seems well have your child hold her hand out slowly with her palm open and face up and have her wait patiently for the dog to appoach her, have her hold her hand lower than the dogs snout some dogs feel intimidated to be pet over their head.
Lastly enjoy as you have shown your child to be respectable and responsible and procative in preventing dog bites.
So you see these are the new challenges I face this time around as I become a puppy parent again. I will face the huge responsibility of introducing this new puppy to my still so new home consisting of a newly wed husband a scruffy jack russell and a toddling toddler . I can only sit back and wonder what adventures lie ahead. so Pick your favorite spot on the couch curl up to your favorite furry friend and continue reading and dont be shy any and all suggestions are welcome. Oh and dont forget I still have no name for this much anticipated puppy.
Here is a link to an article which I feel truly describes an appropriate way to teach your child how to approach an unkown dog. Hope you find it helpful
http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/thebasics/prevent-bites
Friday, September 3, 2010
Vacationing With Your Pet
My Family and I had the recent rarity of enjoying a four day weekend away from home. And had the even bigger experience...leaving to vacation without our dog Jimmy the tulip. Now tulip is a relatively small dog but requires a lot of care. The place we were staying had a strict no pets rule and charged a whopping $100 a day for violations. Now our mistake was leaving most of our trip planning for last minute. Never before had we had to leave any of our pets behind.
It is crucial to make arrangements early! If you decided to leave your pet boarding take into consideration any special needs your pet has. Do they suffer from separation anxiety? One time our close friend volunteered to puppy-sit Tulip and we received a startling call at 1 am, no words were necessary to know what was happening we could hear Tulip crying in the background. Do they need a special diet? How will the place you board at handle an emergency?
Good sources to find a reputable place to board can usually be found right in you neighborhood. Ask your veterinarian if they recommend a place and some vets do boarding in their clinics as well. It is important to find a place that is up to your standards because your furry loved one can be exposed to things such as fleas, kennel cough and exposed to other parasites that you wouldn't want to bring home. Now if your opting for leaving your pet in the care of a friend be sure that your friend understands the responsibility they are taking on. Tulip, as most small terriers, has an abundance of energy which he will invest in any activity that he deems worthy. If this energy isn't drained through proper exercise he will turn it into destructive energy and that couch you just got, white in the case of our friend, will be used as target practice or worse a giant chew toy.
There are many options when you face having to leave your pet behind when going on vacation but it will all seem less complicated when you take the time to do the research. Now if you are at the early stages of your vacation planning check to see if the place you are interested in visiting allows pets. While reading an article in a Beneful sponsored magazine titled "Wag World" there was a list of hotels and resorts that allow you to take your pet with you such as:
Stanford inn by the sea in California (visit www.stanfordinn.com),
White gate court in Florida visit (www.whitegatecourt.com)
Hotel Teatro in Colorado (visit http://www.hotelteatro.com/)
Loews regency Hotel in New York (visit www.loewshotels.com/regency) and
Kimpton's Hotel Monaco in Portland in Oregon (http://www.monaco-portland.com/)
the article was written by Kristy Alpert.
Whether you take your pet with you or leave your pet boarding or with a friend it is important to pack for your furry friend appropriately. Make sure your pet has their collar, name tag, name of medication or special instructions for special care. As well as a list of emergency contacts and emergency instructions. If you have a pet that may not handle being away from you very well, ie Tulip :), consider leaving something with your pet that will remind him or her of home such as an old t-shirt that is fully loaded with your scent. Your pet and those left caring for them will greatly appreciate this. Best of luck on your vacations with or with out your furry loved ones!
This blog is in no way sponsored or linked by Beneful and referenced to its article in its WAGWORLD MAGAZINE "Fur-Friendly Five" by Kristy Alpert Dallas, TX 2010 for the purpose of providing a small list of places that allow pets.
It is crucial to make arrangements early! If you decided to leave your pet boarding take into consideration any special needs your pet has. Do they suffer from separation anxiety? One time our close friend volunteered to puppy-sit Tulip and we received a startling call at 1 am, no words were necessary to know what was happening we could hear Tulip crying in the background. Do they need a special diet? How will the place you board at handle an emergency?
Good sources to find a reputable place to board can usually be found right in you neighborhood. Ask your veterinarian if they recommend a place and some vets do boarding in their clinics as well. It is important to find a place that is up to your standards because your furry loved one can be exposed to things such as fleas, kennel cough and exposed to other parasites that you wouldn't want to bring home. Now if your opting for leaving your pet in the care of a friend be sure that your friend understands the responsibility they are taking on. Tulip, as most small terriers, has an abundance of energy which he will invest in any activity that he deems worthy. If this energy isn't drained through proper exercise he will turn it into destructive energy and that couch you just got, white in the case of our friend, will be used as target practice or worse a giant chew toy.
There are many options when you face having to leave your pet behind when going on vacation but it will all seem less complicated when you take the time to do the research. Now if you are at the early stages of your vacation planning check to see if the place you are interested in visiting allows pets. While reading an article in a Beneful sponsored magazine titled "Wag World" there was a list of hotels and resorts that allow you to take your pet with you such as:
Stanford inn by the sea in California (visit www.stanfordinn.com),
White gate court in Florida visit (www.whitegatecourt.com)
Hotel Teatro in Colorado (visit http://www.hotelteatro.com/)
Loews regency Hotel in New York (visit www.loewshotels.com/regency) and
Kimpton's Hotel Monaco in Portland in Oregon (http://www.monaco-portland.com/)
the article was written by Kristy Alpert.
Whether you take your pet with you or leave your pet boarding or with a friend it is important to pack for your furry friend appropriately. Make sure your pet has their collar, name tag, name of medication or special instructions for special care. As well as a list of emergency contacts and emergency instructions. If you have a pet that may not handle being away from you very well, ie Tulip :), consider leaving something with your pet that will remind him or her of home such as an old t-shirt that is fully loaded with your scent. Your pet and those left caring for them will greatly appreciate this. Best of luck on your vacations with or with out your furry loved ones!
This blog is in no way sponsored or linked by Beneful and referenced to its article in its WAGWORLD MAGAZINE "Fur-Friendly Five" by Kristy Alpert Dallas, TX 2010 for the purpose of providing a small list of places that allow pets.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Jimmy the Tulip relaxing...
Jimmy T. Tulip
6 year old wired haired Terrier
Meditating before his grooming session, stay tuned for the after picture
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