Some Greyt Dogs

Yesterday I was at the feed store, and it was AZgreyhounds Adoption Day. They had several of these beautiful dogs. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, and they look delicate to me but I'm sure they're very strong. I once thought my dog was a greyhound mix, but when I first saw one up close I realized she probably wasn't. They were very calm and sociable. Some get along with cats, and some don't. I was told one of the members has seven greyhounds and two cats.

They are participating in International Greyhound Planet Day on September 20 with two locations. Here is their web site. They are also looking for foster homes if you have room in your house and heart for them.

Speaking of Gold Medals...

It's not news to anyone that Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer, a seemingly down-to-earth guy, and close to his mother and two sisters.

He also said he can't wait to get home to his dog (and his own bed). It's no wonder so many young women want to marry him.

In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, an article called "Now, Phelps Chases Gold on Land" by Christopher Rhoads talks about the many offers his agent has been receiving. It says "A dog-food idea was pitched, given Mr. Phelps's well-known love for his British bulldog, Herman."

Personally, I'd rather not see him become another Tiger Woods. Woods seems to be a nice guy, and I know he does some charity work, but with all the money he's made from golf it's a little less honorable and cheapening to see him in so many commercials.

I'd be an even bigger fan if Phelps were to endorse the plight of homeless pets in this country.

If you're anywhere near my age you may have figured out why I have a picture of Cheeta, Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan, and Jane on this post. Weissmuller, one of my Saturday morning heroes, won five Olympic gold medals in swimming in the 1920's and went on to star in the Tarzan movies.

On Sunday night Nature on PBS had a wonderful show called "Wisdom of the Wild" which featured chimpanzees among other amazing animals. It focused on the treatment of research animals, since chimpanzees are closest to us genetically than any other animal, and a rescue facility where they could actually walk on grass in the open air and not be in a cage for the first time in their lives. It showed Sparky, one of the chimps responsible for the hepatitus virus, who aged twice as fast as they normally do so he died a premature death. One of the original workers returned to the facility 18 years later, and the chimps were excited to see her and showed their affections.

The last chimp to play Cheeta is in his 70's (the world's oldest primate) and living at a rescue facility set up by his trainer's nephew, although he's had to give up beer and cigars. You can see him at C.H.E.E.T.A. Primate Sanctuary. Cheeta, Umgawa!

Gold Medals to My Relay Team AKA The Collie Express

Yesterday I received a foster-to-adopt Rough Collie through a four-leg relay from Phoenix (I was the last leg). It happened so fast through Southwest Collie Rescue it made my head spin. Bruce, who handed him off to me in Benson, said it was his 111th transport. I was totally amazed and touched that people would do so much to help a rescued dog, who is a totally wonderful and beautiful boy. His family did not want to give him up, and I can tell how well he was treated. I feel very sad for their loss, and I will do everything I can to give him a wonderful home as they were promised. He is very much like Jessee, the beautiful boy pictured in my profile, but I know better to expect him to be like him. But tonight I am feeling very blessed by angels, human and otherwise.

Good News for Cloud's Herd

According to Ginger Kathrens of The Cloud Foundation, the BLM announced it would not begin roundups of the Pryor Mountain Herd. They received many phone calls and e-mails questioning the roundup, especially because they had announced in June they did not have the budget to feed the ones they already have rounded up.

As taxpayers this is an issue we CAN do something about, and we must. Many people are upset about the frequent breakdown of racehorses, but the industry is regulated by individual states and it is a very complex situation. The BLM is entrusted to manage the program under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, and they should be held accountable.

Someone made a comment about an e-mail I posted in a Yahoo group about Cloud's herd saying maybe it was better if the land was left to the wildlife. Most people don't know the horse's ancestor originated in North America. See the Desert USA article.

Besides, wild horses do much less damage to the land than cattle. And did you know that ranchers only pay $1.35 a head for grazing rights which has been the same rate for decades?

Right now I am reading "Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West", an new book by Deanne Stillman, a journalist. It took her 10 years to research and write it, and it is a very interesting and thorough history.

Here is a photo from Ms. Kathern's e-mail, which shows some very healthy members of Cloud's family, including his granddaughter Ember: