Monthly Archives: February 2011

The right pedigree

Without sounding like a broken record or a public service announcement, it can’t be said enough: there are millions of dogs that wind up in a shelter somewhere across the country every single year. And not all of them survive.

Fortunately, there are many organizations who work every day to make sure they do survive. They give adequate care to animals in need, while working to find them a forever home. One such organization is the Pedigree Foundation.

The Pedigree Foundation aims to provide grants to shelters and animal rescue groups across the United States while encouraging dog adoption at the same time. The foundation can help you find volunteer opportunities and dogs available for adoption near you. If you’re not in the position to care for an animal, that’s okay too because all donations directly benefit rescue organizations across the United States, are tax-deductible and are accepted all year long.

Be sure to check out the foundation’s video on their homepage, voiced by David Duchovny. I dare you to watch without tearing up.

How could you resist a face like this (although, sorry, he’s already taken)?
Adopt, volunteer or donate.

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Filed under Dogs

Cheeseheads unite

The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl last night and I’m really not all that excited about it.

After watching the Bears’ horrifying loss to the Packers two weeks ago–effectively stomping out their chances of yet another Super Bowl title–I just couldn’t get into the game. Although, the fact that I’m basically the world’s worst sports fan and could care less about professional sports, especially the NFL, might have something to do with it. Let’s celebrate, idolize and pay millions of dollars to people who have been accused of repeated sexual assault violations and dog fighting.

But, I digress. What can you do?

Fortunately, the commercials aired throughout the Super Bowl are always better than the game. Admittedly, I wasn’t even all that into them yesterday, but there were still a few I enjoyed. And for those who know me well, no, my favorites were not the Bud Light: “Dog Sitter” ad or the Doritos: “Pug Attack” ad. The NFL: “American Family” ad was by far my favorite. Any commercial with 90210, Golden Girls, Full House, How I Met Your Mother, Happy Days, Modern Family and The Sopranos in it is good by me.

Here’s a full roundup of all the commercials aired last night, courtesy of AdAge:

Click here to watch!

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Filed under Journalism, Random

A delicious new book

You know that feeling you get when you start reading a new book that you just can’t put down? That feeling that everything else in your life can wait, as long as you can finish the story? Those tried and true literary feelings don’t come around nearly as often as I like. But thank the Lord above, they did today. I started reading Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer and so far so good.

As an ALA Best Book for Young Adults it’s probably a bit young for me, but seriously, the book is pretty great so far. And besides, I’m a firm believer in not putting an age level on books. Mostly because I’m a sucker for fabulous children’s books. Like this one: Please Take Me For A Walk by Susan Gal. The pooch on the cover looks just like my dog Frasier, so naturally I have to have it.

My dad–who is an eighth grade English teacher–sent Life As We Knew It to me with rave reviews (although technically he hasn’t read it yet). His school is hosting a Literary Night next month complete with quizzes and Jeopardy-esque questions, all revolving around this book. I think I may have a chance [INSERT SARCASM HERE].

On a brighter note, I saw these adorable pups at the Dane County Humane Society last night. They’re not up for adoption yet, but they should be soon. And they’re irresistible. See for yourself:

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Filed under Random

And the search continues

As a recent college grad (well, at least for one who didn’t major in business or hasn’t decided to go on to grad school), the working world tends to arrive a little slower.

For the most part, my days as of late have been consumed with job searching, job searching and more job searching. My only reprieve has been working as a Pet Care Specialist for The Pet Squad and becoming slowly obsessed with Parenthood and Modern Family (the two best TV shows out there right now), and reacquainting myself with The Sopranos (one of the best TV series of all time).

Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, yesterday Madison saw a blizzard like no other one I’ve seen in my mere 23 years. This allowed a slight reprieve and gave me an excuse to eat not-so-authentic but super yummy wanna-be Chinese food, watch five straight episodes of The Sopranos and not feel guilty about it.

The entire city, southern half of Wisconsin, plus all of Chicago was incapacitated for the day as government officials worked feverishly (well in Chicago, maybe) to get the roads up and running again.

Check out all the snow:

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Filed under Jobs