Month: September 2008

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Tiger Mom Golden Isabella – Video & Photo Updates

Allie Harvey with Tiger Cubs and Golden Family

On August 1, 2008 we brought you the story of Isabella. This very special Golden Retriever from the Safari Zoological Park, east of Caney, Kansas, nursed three white tiger cubs after they had been abandoned by their mother at the park.

Safari Zoological Park really needs our support so do check out their site and learn more about what the Harveys are doing with their special venture. Here are some incredible updated photos of the cubs and Golden Mom Isabella.

I love napping with Mama.

I love napping with Mama.

August 20, 2008 with Cubs 24 days old

August 20, 2008 with Cubs 24 days old

September 11, 2008 with Cub 46 days old

September 11, 2008 with Cub 46 days old

Between Mom's Legs

Recently, on September 19th, Isabella and the three cubs traveled to NYC with Tom and Allie Harvey to appear on the Today Show. Here is Allie and Golden Isabella in the Limo, being treated like royalty, of course.

The Today Show was amazing! Everyone was very kind and are real people just like you and me. After the show we were able to spend time with everyone from producers to the control room. Later we were back to the Essex House in the limo. I think Allie and Isabella could get used to the Star treatment! Truly a special time in our lives that we always remember and be thankful for.

Click on the video below to see how they did.

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Sunbear Squad Watch Tip of the Week: Sept 28th

The Sunbear Squad has resolved to make a difference for neglected and abused companion animals. They are transforming animal lovers into animal welfare defenders — with knowledge, tools, and inspiration.

Watch Tip: As you drive your regular routes, watch for stray pets along roads. Be ready to call the authorities, so they can be taken to safety. Be a Good Samaritan for animals.


Be Sunbear Squad Informed
►5 Simple Things
►Bill of Rights for Pets
►Risk Factor List
►Learn about Abuse
►Action Guidelines
Be Sunbear Squad Active
►Neighborhood Watch
►YouNet FAQ
►Start a Squad
►Free Materials
Be Sunbear Squad Prepared
►Wallet Card
►Roadside Rescue Kit
►Disaster Plans
►Reciprocal Fostering
►SCRAPS Breathing		 Be Sunbear Squad Inspired
►Roadkilled Blessings
►Be a Good Samaritan
►Inspirational Sayings
►Avoid Dog Slang
►Humane Awards
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My newest discovery

Dancing Paws Pills 2 Go Pillcase for Pet Meds
I simply love this new pillcase. It is just great for dogs and their people as well. It helps you organize your pet medications when you’re on the road, and is great at home as well. Remembering to give your dogs their supplements and medications each day is vital to their health. That’s why this cleverly designed sturdy plastic pill carrier is such a great idea! We have never seen something this adorable as well as functional. And, the wonderfully large size makes the case great to use for people’s daily medications as well. The entire unit is 9″ L x 1.25″ H x 1.75″ D.

  • Convenient travel size
  • Easy to open and stays shut
  • Holds larger size pet tablets
  • Detachable Compartments
  • Key chain tab on each compartment
  • Durable
  • Daily pill organizer

There’s a tray for every day of the week — each with a paw print to remind you how important remembering medications is. There’s plenty of room for medications and supplements. Plus, each compartment is detachable and has its own key chain tab. If you are leaving for 1 or 2 days, you can detach them and carry only the days you need! You do not have to carry the whole 7 day chain. Pills 2 Go is great for around the house too! It comes in either yellow or orange, but we like the yellow better. It is actually more translucent, thus enabling you to see the contents better.

Come order this here, where for a limited time only, it is being offered on sale!

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Support our cancer work & win a Dyson Vacuum at the same time!

I recently had to buy a new vacuum as I had surely killed my original and beloved purple (DC07) Dyson Animal vacuum. Golden fur can really be something else, no matter the vacuum, and I had not been the best at taking care of my Dyson, never having cleaned the filter (out of sheer stupidity and never reading the manual thoroughly).

Well, I went online to check out the prices and several places had the same deal, all authorized dealers, free shipping, best price guarantee, yadda yadda. But, the tricky part was understanding just what model to get as there were so many new improvements and changes. And, these vacuums are not cheap. But, trust me, there is no other brand to buy these days. Ask any dealer and they will tell you that the return level on these vacuums is unbelievably low at much less than 1%.

I found only one guy who was actually willing to be honest with me. He talked me into buying a less expensive model, in fact, if you can believe that. And, his website had a buying guide that you can find at no other that answers questions that actually make sense and are important. Below, is just part of his special guide. It is really much more as it discusses each special aspect of each vacuum so that you can weigh out the positives and negatives.

If I have a pet do I need to buy an “Animal” Model?
No. When Dyson first started selling in the US they only had two models. The DC07 All Floors and the DC07 Animal. The only way back than to get the popular Mini Turbine tool, which is great at removing pet hair from furniture, was to purchase the Animal model. Now you can purchase the Mini Turbine tool separately for any Dyson upright.

Than why do some websites and salesman say I need the animal if I have pets?
 We can think of only two reasons they would say this. They do not understand the product or they are trying to influence you into buying a more expensive model.

But, honestly, I really needed to do my reading and then talk to Matt, the owner at Max-Vacuum to really understand just what model to buy. So, my recommendation is not to do the online ordering there first. Google Dyson and find the best prices out there. Then, with that price in hand personally call Matt of MAX-VACUUM at 1-800-450-0147. Tell him that Rochelle from the Land of PureGold Foundation sent you and that you want the same kind of help that she got in determining the best model to buy.

IF I HAD NOT CALLED MATT AT MAX-VACUUM, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE WRONG MODEL. And, that is with all my reading and previous knowledge as a Dyson owner.

Even with a highly shedding Golden (my Alfie boy) and shedding kitty, it turned out that the best model for me was not the animal model. I got the DC25, after Matt helped me weigh out all the options. It is $100 less than the animal model, and lots lighter. And, it didn’t have all the attachments, the same attachments that I never once used from my previous animal model.

But, let him help you decide what YOU need. And, then buy from him because the service could not be better. Matt is an animal lover himself with dogs and cats of his own and he has had the Dyson forever and tested out all kinds of models.

Oh, and just in case you think I am making something out of this deal, think again. There is no affiliate program and Matt is not paying me to make this recommendation. I am just wanting to pass on some valuable shopping information that can benefit all my fellow animal pals. When you find someone who is genuinely honest and wants to make a living but also do it with a conscience, it’s just a great feeling to spread the news to others so that they can benefit as well.

Oh, btw, I love love love my new DC25 vacuum. The first thing I did after it arrived and I put it together (3 snapping parts), was to try it out. I even used the cool wand to do the oh-so-furry carpeted steps. Then, I called Matt and somewhat out of breath told him I loved it. Of course, I told him I had to try it and that it worked great. But, I did admit that I did not love it enough to want to vacuum the entire house.

Buy your Tickets Today to Enter our Fundraising Raffle!
Matt is such an incredible guy, and so appreciative of the good press the foundation has provided him, that he has donated a brand new top-of-the-line DC25 (shown above), Dyson’s newest model for 2008.

This vacuum cleaner retails for $499 and comes with Dyson’s 5 year warranty. And, Matt will be personally shipping it for free to the winner’s door!

COOL BONUS – Buy a Dyson from Matt and mention the Land of PureGold and he will buy a raffle ticket for you and refund your purchase price if you win!

The DC25’s Great Features

  • Amazing maneuverability with the Ball
  • Telescopic Wand
  • Lightweight Dyson – only 16lbs!
  • Motorized brushbar
  • Wide channel
  • Clear bin
  • Lifetime Hepa Filter
  • Hygienic and quick to empty
  • No loss of suction
  • Included Accessories of Crevice Tool, Stair Tool & Large Brush

The DC25 continues with one of Dyson’s most popular features, the ball, and serves as a welcome addition to the Ball category. While a normal vacuum rests on four wheels making it easy to go forward and backward but difficult to turn, the DC25 moves effortlessly in any direction with just a slight twist of the wrist. Now it is easy to vacuum around furniture and other obstacles that impede a normal vacuum. The DC25 also features an easier to use kickstand for releasing the ball that first appeared on the DC18.

The DC25 serves as an upgrade over the DC15 Ball model by upgrading to the quick release wand, the newer easier to use kickstand, and the new brushbar head as introduced on the DC18.

Besides the ball, the DC25 features a motorized brushbar. The motorized brushbar will more aggressively clean your carpeting in comparison to the DC07 and DC14. Additionally, there is an on/off button for the brushbar next to the power button which make it easy to transition from carpeting to hard floor surfaces.

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Please buy your Tickets Today to Enter our Fundraising Raffle!

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We’ve discovered our FAVORITE ORGANIC TREAT, bar none!

We have just discovered our new FAVORITE TREAT, bar none! We have not been this excited about a treat in a very long time. It just came out this summer from Primal Pet, so you will not see it but at a couple of online stores. It is the first treat we actually tried ourselves, and then had to remember that despite it being delicious, that it was not about us. Golden Alfie, of course, loves it, but then again, he eats anything. And, kitty Cindy, who eats hardly anything, actually enjoys these as well.

Primal Pet Organic Jerky Chicken & Honey Nibs is simply 6oz. of pure organic goodness. The ingredients are solely organic chicken, organic honey, and sea salt. Period. In that order. These 1/2 inch treats are simply great for training OR for calorie-conscious canines. And, there are about 340 treats in one re-sealable bag. BTW, it is a wonderful addition to see organic honey as an ingredient as honey’s unique composition makes it useful as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant.

BENEFITS

  • Certified Organic Chicken raised in USA without antibiotics or added hormones
  • Single Source Protein
  • Gluten Free
  • Grain Free
  • No Preservatives
  • High Protein Snack for Dogs & Cats
  • Great for Training

Do yourself (you will love to eat these as well) and your furry companions a favor. Order a bag to try asap. You will not be sorry. And, you better hurry. I only have a few bags left from my initial shipment that I ordered to investigate these goodies. JUST CLICK HERE!

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I was confused, but now I’m not.

I received this in a viral email forward:

This took some figuring out . . . . .

If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you’re “exotic, different.”

Grow up in Alaska eating mooseburgers — a quintessential American story.

If your name is Barack you’re a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track — you’re a maverick.

Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.

Attend five different small colleges before graduating, you’re well grounded.

If you spend three years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a constitutional law professor, spend eight years as a state senator representing a district with more than 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate’s Health and Human Services committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works and Veteran’s Affairs committees, you don’t have any real leadership experience.

If your total resume is: local weather girl, four years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with fewer than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you’re qualified to become the country’s second highest ranking executive.

If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising two beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you’re not a real Christian.

If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you’re a Christian.

If you teach responsible, age appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state’s school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you’re very responsible.

If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner-city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family’s values don’t represent America’s.

If your husband is nicknamed “First Dude,” with at least one DWI conviction and no college education, who didn’t register to vote until age 25 and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, much clearer now.

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Freebo – Golden news & a $700 free music/book deal! -UPDATED 3x

garbo.jpg

Some time back I found out about the talented musician and performer, Freebo, and his Golden Retriever Garbo. Of course, I fell in love with him when I found out he had dedicated the CD, DOG PEOPLE, to her.

I lost touch with Freebo for a couple of years, and when we caught up with each other he thought I knew that Garbo had left for The Bridge. I didn’t know, but I was happy to hear that she had been able to share her joy of living for almost 15 years.

He told me of his newest Golden girl, Harlow, and I just learned Harlow became a momma (I can’t wait to see the photos).

Harlow, our beautiful 2 year old Golden Retriever and direct descendant of Garbo, had a litter of 8 puppies on August 2nd. Their eyes are not yet open, but they are growing by the minute. Harlow has been an incredible mom, instinctually knew what to do, nurses the pups diligently, and still finds time and energy to play with her humans. My wife Laurie was there for the birth, helped Harlow with all details, and was thrilled with the whole process.

Freebo has been very busy and his latest CD is just wonderful. I have created a special page for him at the Foundation and it includes sound clips from all his CDs, including dog lovers’ favorites from his DOG PEOPLE CD. We just learned that WE ARE ALL ONE PEOPLE, a song from his Before the Separation CD, has been nominated for a 2008 Posi Award in the “Most Uniting” category (the award show is tonite!). The Posi Awards are all about music that has a positive message.

Freebo also told me about Teri Hawkins, who on Tuesday, Sept 16th, is releasing her new book, Life Retold. Everyone who buys the book THAT DAY from Amazon (just click on the link here) will receive 30 downloadable CDs, including Freebo’s “BEFORE THE SEPARATION” CD, as well as other free audio books.

Go check out the actual artists and writers featured in this incredible free package by clicking here.

In short, it’s $700 worth of free books and CDs for simply buying Teri’s book for $17. But, the book MUST BE ORDERED ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH.

When you place your order, Life Retold might display as “Temporarily out of stock”. Don’t worry, I’ve been assured that there will be NO DELAY in receiving your book. After you get your order confirmation, which will include your order number, you need to GO HERE and enter that number into a special form to claim your $700 bonus gift package. After you fill out the form, you’ll be taken to the bonus page to download your goodies. I CANNOT WAIT!

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UPDATE: I got the book and just finished downloading a gazillion songs. Whoa do I have some serious listening to do.

UPDATE 2: I just heard from Freebo and what GReat news he had for me. Check it out:

Looks like we’re going to keep one of the 2 girls whom we named “Hepburn”…..”Harlow” & “Hepburn”! Pretty cool, huh? It is an amazing litter, not a dud in the bunch…all excellent dogs.

Last night at the awards show, I won the award for BEST SONG IN THE UNITING CATEGORY. It was like The Grammys…..”And the winner is….FREEBO for “We Are All One People”. I was the most surprised person in the theater!

Time to go to bed….it’s 4:30 AM and I need to get up in a few hours.

UPDATE 3: What a small world. Teri Hawkins just contacted me, and I should not be surprised, but she is a Golden person. Of course, I told her I just had to see a photo of her Golden love and that I would want to share it with everyone here. It turns out her boy looks like my Ollie.

Here is Teri’s note that accompanied the photo below of her charming dude, Maxer:

Here is my Maxer. – He is a beauty in appearance but a silly pig pen in life…so I sent you a picture of his real self. He is talking to you can you hear him?

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Adopt a Golden Atlanta …. way cool!

My all-time favorite Golden site is the one for Adopt a Golden Atlanta. It is simply adorable and just too clever for words. With my having over 1000 pages at our foundation’s site, it would be impossible for me to have such a setup. But, it is so cool for those who have smaller sites. There is no mention of who designed the site, though.

The rescue is pretty tech-savvy and upload videos to youtube of some of their rescue orphans, as they refer to them. This is their September Orphan of the Month.Stormy is a male Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix who is estimated to be between three and four years old. He comes to Adopt A Golden Atlanta from a goat farm where his owner decided he didn’t want him anymore. He is doing great at his foster home and can’t wait find a forever family. Watch to see him playing around in the yard with foster family in Suwanee, GA.

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Rescue Golden Puppy Blaze needs our help!

13 lbs, Up to date on immunizations

This is Golden Retriever 14-week-old puppy boy, Blaze. He is approximately 13 lbs in weight and up to date on his immunizations.

Malay, Blaze’s current foster dad, just sent me the following letter asking for some help. I have just sent a donation. I am hoping some of the folks that visit my foundation and this blog can pitch in as well.

Blaze came to Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue (GSGRR) from the Baton Rouge Animal Shelter n August, 2008. He is currently being fostered in Metairie, LA by GSGRR volunteer, Malay. Blaze is a very sweet, playful, and affectionate golden puppy. He loves people and enjoys playing with other dogs. Blaze already knows how to sit and carries the lease in his mouth when he wants to go for a walk. He definitely is all golden love.

On a recent visit to the veterinary clinic, Blaze was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a commonly diagnosed congenital heart defect in dogs. The veterinarian doctor suspected PDA in Blaze when he heard characteristic continuous “machinery” heart murmur during examination at the time of vaccination. He recommended that surgery be performed as soon as possible – as early as 16 weeks of age – before changes have occurred as the heart tries to compensate for the defect. According to him, the prognosis for a normal life with early surgery is usually very good. The estimated cost to perform the surgery is about $3,500.00.

GSGRR is requesting donation from anyone and everyone towards Blaze’s surgery. Even small donations will make a big difference in Blaze’s life. If you or anyone you know are interested in donating money towards Blaze’s surgery, please visit www.gulfsouthgoldens.com and use our paypal account. You can also make checks payable to GSGRR and mail to:

Mr. Jim Robertson
Treasurer — GSGRR
2664 Choctaw Trail
Marianna, FL 32446

PLEASE INDICATE THAT THE DONATION IS FOR BLAZE’S SURGERY. (When the Paypal screen comes up after entering your donation amount, you will see “Add special instructions to merchant.”) GSGRR is exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Section 501 (c) (3). Your donations are considered tax deductible. Thank you so much for your consideration!

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It was grossly inappropriate

I agree with Keith Olbermann. This travesty at the RNC was not a 9/11 tribute.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

The video below shows this so-called tribute. A tribute to 9/11’s victims or a memorial retrospective is one thing, but that is not what this was. This was actually a tribute to the event itself, trying to stir up the initial pain and anger for retribution.

Vodpod videos no longer available.