Friday, January 22, 2010

So cute...

This is easily the cutest, sweetest video about the unlikeliest of buddies.  As the story goes, a family discovered a motherless baby deer, nursed it back to health, and then released it.  Apparently the deer comes back daily to play with the family's lab.  Watch...

Friday, January 15, 2010

Still Joking...Kind of... Conan Selling Tonight Show on Craiglist

While the Late Night wars have been given new meaning lately, this takes it to a whole new level. Conan *jokingly* said on his show that he was going to sell the Tonight Show on Craig's List, while he still could. Funny, right? Except, as Adam Ostrow points out in his Mashable article, the listing is for real... or it was until it was recently flagged for removal. Read the article for the screen shot of the actual listing...

Conan Puts The Tonight Show for Sale on Craigslist

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The Flu Ain't Over Yet - Its Nat'l Flu Shot Week

From the HHS website:

HHS Announces Nationwide Effort to Encourage H1N1 Vaccination During National Influenza Vaccination Week January 10 – 16, 2010

National, state, and local events will encourage more Americans to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 flu
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide effort to encourage more Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine during National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10–16, 2010.

“This is a challenging flu season for millions of Americans and their families, and it’s not over yet,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.  “The H1N1 vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent the flu.  We urge all Americans to protect themselves and their families by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.”

From April 2009 until mid-November 2009, H1N1 flu infected approximately 47 million Americans and contributed to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and nearly 10,000 deaths.  Flu season is unpredictable and typically lasts until May.

“The window of opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccine is still open,” said Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC. “We do not know how many more cases of flu there will be in the coming weeks and months, but we do know that the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself.”

Launched in 2006 as an annual initiative, National Influenza Vaccination Week brings awareness of flu’s risks and complications—and encourages vaccination—by designating each day of the week for an at-risk group or individuals who are in close contact with them.  So far, over 130 events are planned around the country, and more are being added.
Some scheduled events and initiatives are below:

National Influenza Vaccination Week
  • Sunday, Jan. 10          Vaccination Week Kick-Off
    • Secretary Sebelius Visits 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington, DC to urge congregants to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
    • Faith-based and community organizations around the country urge Americans to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
  • Monday, Jan. 11:       Healthcare Workers and General Public Flu Vaccination Day
    • Health care workers and first-responders around the country urge colleagues and the public to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 12:       Underlying Health Conditions Flu Vaccination Day
    • The CDC will hold a webinar along with the American Lung Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Cancer Society to discuss the importance for people with chronic health conditions to get the H1N1 vaccine
    • Secretary Sebelius and Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of HHS’ Indian Health Service will hold a press conference call to announce new public service announcements (PSAs) on the importance of American Indians and Alaska Natives getting the H1N1 vaccine. 
    • Secretary Sebelius will also hold a press conference call to announce new PSAs urging African-Americans to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu.
  • Wednesday, Jan. 13: Children, Pregnant Women, and Families Flu Vaccination Day
    • CDC holds a bloginar on the importance of pregnant women getting vaccinated.
  • Thursday, Jan. 14:     Young Adults Flu Vaccination Day
    • Secretary Sebelius attends roundtable discussion at Hunter College in New York City to discuss the importance of young people getting the H1N1 flu vaccine.
  • Friday, Jan. 15:          Seniors Flu Vaccination Day
    • Secretary Sebelius and HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee attend a vaccination event at Congress Heights Wellness Center in Washington, DC and encourage senior citizens to get the H1N1 flu vaccine.
    • HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard Koh, M.D., and Massachusetts Health Secretary JudyAnn Bigby attend a vaccination week event the State House in Boston.
Additional information on National Influenza Vaccination Week can be found at www.flu.gov/getvaccinated

Sunday, January 10, 2010

NBC Confirms It Is Pulling Jay Leno From 10 P.m.

File this under: Don't Mess with a Good Thing. I know I watched Jay religiously at 11pm - now its all about which CSI or SVU re-run is on at 11.

NBC Confirms It Is Pulling Jay Leno From 10 P.m.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Puppy Parenting: Week One in Review

So, as many of you may know DRB and I have become the proud parents of Beauregard's Chocolate Penny aka 'Beau.'  He is a chocolate lab who we got from friends of ours' parents, The Haxthausens.  He is now 10 weeks old and over 15 lbs - and has a clean bill of health from our Dr. at Hockessin Animal Hospital

In the past week, all five of us (Beau, DRB, Lilly (Siamese 16 yo), Darby (Tabby 14 yo), and me) have had some major changes and adaptations, but over all its been a week filled with love, learning, patience and PUPPY!

Here are some of the things we learned/accomplished:
Transporting Pets - A long plane ride (including a lay-over in Houston) from Louisiana to Philadelphia makes for sad, scared puppies. Huge kudos to Continental Airlines for taking good care of him while on the flight.  And thanks to PetRelocation.com for putting me in touch with the right people at PHL to figure out where to pick him up!

Crate-training - not so much.  The first night we put him in the crate we borrowed from Odin's parents.  He howled for 3 hours straight, late into the evening.  My ear plugs worked pretty well to muffle the sound, but DRB had none and between the threat of the neighbors calling the police and the insanity created in your head by puppy barking, caused him to break down and let him out of the crate.  Under some good advice from a long-time dog owner/trainer, we started feeding him in the crate to get him to realize - crates are good!  That's where you get yummy food!

House-breaking is a process! - We thought we had him housebroken and during the week he was!  The weekend hit and as our schedule relaxed and became less rigid and routine, so did Beau's.  That didn't work out so well and resulted in some accidents on the kitchen floor.

Puppies need exercise! - I think we are both going to lose weight with this dog.  We are trying to take him on three long walks a day through our property and give him lots of "outside time" with playing in the yard.  We've started him on retrieving a chew toy after learning that sticks aren't very visible to puppies when they land far away in the grass.  We also took him on about a 3-4 mile hike on Sunday.  It included learning to swim, splashing in the Creek and following his new best friend Odin everywhere! 

Puppies are NEEDY! - Wow, having raised two cats, I didn't realize that little itty bitty baby puppies have lots of insecurities and need lots of love and attention.  Little Beau is quite a snuggle bunny and tries hard to be a lap dog.  Right now, we are letting him get a little lap time and carry time, but we will wean him off that as he gets bigger - which is soooo soon!

Many people have asked how the cats are adjusting to having the new addition in the house.  We took many precautions to be sure that the cats we able to acclimate slowly and didn't feel left out.  We have a puppy gate up separating the first floor from the rest of the house to give the cats "safe space" in their favorite area.  We are coaxing them down to the first floor by feeding them on the steps - where they can see Beau. 
They have quickly learned that the gate protects them.  Darby has ventured down to the landing and been nose-to-nose with Beau.  There was some hissing and Darby put Beau right in his place by smacking him hard right on the nose.  While I am sure it did not hurt and Darby doesn't have claws, it sure scared the little guy!  He yelped as if someone had stepped on his tail and then cowered between my legs for protection.  It was sweet.  Since Darby continues to venture back to observe the new family member, I'm sure each will get enough courage up to eventually become fine friends.  Lilly on the other hand has become completely content to rule the 2nd and 3rd floors and never leave her kingdom.

Well, its time to take him out again.  This week, we are learning to "ring the bells" when he has to go out.  Off to practice!  More next week.  Stay tuned...
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