“PLEASED TO MEETCHA!”

Meet my new little friend, Jasmine

It gives me great pleasure to announce that :”Jasmine,” with the nickname “Jazz,” is the new name of my little orange kitten.
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LADYBUGS BY RAY MENGEL, BAY POINT, CALIFORNIA

Dear Gary:
I was performing my monthly volunteer work with the Mount Diablo Trail Crew yesterday when I came across a rather amazing sight. Thousands of ladybugs piled high on many plants and rocks.
The day was overcast and threatening to rain. The location was near lower Trail Through Time, south of the Rock City area.
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When press releases about president-elect Obama’s promise to give his two darling daughters a new puppy started pouring into my e-mail basket the day after the election, I decided I better take a closer look.

Here’s what I discovered:
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Did President Bush order his killer attack dog, Barney the Presidential Scotty, to take a bite out of the press?

Thursday, when Reuters reporter Jon Decker reached down to pet the presidential first Scottish terrier, Barney bit his right index finger. Reporter April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks captured this presidential canine moment on her video cam. And, naturally, it soon wound up on YouTube …

NOTICE TO ALL WHITE HOUSE REPORTERS: While covering the White House until president-elect Obama takes over on Jan. 20, 2009, be sure and wear thick gloves and Ice Hockey pads. /Gary

Donna Reynolds, executive director of BAD RAP, the non-profit pit bull rescue organization that is trying to find homes for many of the dogs than Michael Vick abused in his dog fighting operation, dropped me a note commenting on my Nov. 3 blog, “Not sure making dog fighter and ex-Falcon Michael Vick a Raider is a good idea.”
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CASTLE ROCK ON MOUNT DIABLO, by Brian Murphy

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of the people to a healthy environment. They bring about far-reaching changes by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.

Statement of Earthjustice president Trip Van Noppen on the election of Barack Obama:
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President-elect Barack Obama had a special comment to his daughters when he gave his acceptance speech last night after being elected as the 44th President of the United States:

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

Just about every U.S. president has had a First Dog in the White House, ever since George Washington had his 17 hounds and Martha Washington’s parrot. You can find out more about presidential pooches at http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1.htm

The big questions now are:

1. What kind of dog breed will the Obamas bring with them to the White House?

2. What will they name it?

3. Will they spay or neuter their new pet and do other good  and proper things to set a good example for the rest of the nation and its pets?

You can add your answers below. Have fun! /Gary

LOOK OUT FOR DEER

We need to pay close attention to and support  recent statements by The Humane Society of the United States urging investment in wildlife collision avoidance systems to make roads safer for drivers and animals.

Most drivers know the basic strategies to avoid or at least reduce the chances of a collision:
** slow down
** leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you
** look for eye shine at the edges of the road ahead
** where there is one animal, expect others.
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There was a column on the Sunday sports pages in Bay Area News Group newspapers headlined, “Vick could be a dynamic fit in the Raiders’ offense,” and a sports story just below the column, “Could ex-Falcon Vick join Raiders out of prison?”

Both thought Vick would fit right in and be a “dynamic” addition to the Oakland Raiders pro football team.
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