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Saturday, July 25, 2015

ANOTHER AFTERNOON IN NYC...

New York is full of jaywalkers, in Brooklyn it's a way of life, but this particular jaywalking story is definitely out of the ordinary.

Thursday afternoon rush hour in the Inwood section of the Bronx, the police were called to handle a jaywalker at 205th Street and Ninth Avenue. A crowd had gathered to watch the proceedings. Usually a jaywalker doesn't attract more than minor attention but this jaywalker wasn't your everyday type. This one was a 3 food juvenile alligator.

Once corralled, he was taken into custody by Animal Care & Control. Most likely an escapee from an exotic pet owner or an abandoned pet, this guy was on the hunt for a body of water. Exotic pets are illegal in NYC and plans were in place to move the gator to a sanctuary but unfortunately he died the next day. At this time there has been no determination as to the cause of death.

There are plenty of dogs, cat, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, fish and the assorted reptiles, all legal, that are in need of good homes so think twice before you purchase a cute little alligator because he's not gonna be so cute when he grows to more than a foot in length.

New York's reptilian jaywalker.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

A WIZ OF A SOLUTION!

Anyone who lives in Brooklyn knows we have to contend with dogs pooping and peeing on the dirt around trees. Pee isn't good for trees I guess because there is the age-old never-ending battle between homeowners with trees in front of their houses and dog owners. There must be a few like me who own a dog and have a tree in front of their house who don't give a hoot-in-hell if a dog pees on the tree but I do take exception to owners not picking up their dog's poop but that's fodder for another story entirely.

A guy named Jon Crow in Park Slope was fed up with his canine neighbors peeing on his trees and flowers so he came up with a unique solution for this issue - kiddie pools and plastic saucer sleds filled with soil and planted with grass. It makes for a very creative solution. Of course the mini lawns need special tending but the person who created them is also taking care of them. He trims and waters the lawn and claims as long as drainage holes are put in prior to potting up and planting they don't smell.

It seems like a pretty decent solution to an eternal problem. Only time will tell it if really works.

Neat solution to an ongoing problem.

Monday, July 20, 2015

A FELINE GODDESS

While going through a copy of last month's daily news I came across an article about a Calico named Tama who recently passed away.

Tama was a stray who acquired the position of Stationmaster for a Japanese railway eventually earning the position of Super Stationmaster then Vice President of the railway line. Her job was to greet the customers but Tama was very serious about her job. She attracted much attention becoming a world famous celebrity and a tourist attraction. At the age of 16 Tama died of heart failure on June 22. She was given a Shinto-style funeral and was elevated to the status of Goddess.

Tama was enshrined this month in a nearby cat shrine. She was also given the title of Honorable Eternal Stationmaster and her successor has been named - another Calico dubbed Nitama (Tama II). What a great story...
Tama at work.




Friday, July 17, 2015

BROADWAY BARKS 2015

Saturday, July 11th was Broadway Barks. It was my intention to skip the event this year. Not that I don't enjoy it but Annie's condition hasn't improved to the point where I can leave her for a very long period of time.

My friend Terri emailed asking if I would be attending as usual. We haven't seen each other since last fall so I decided a quick trip into Manhattan along with a fast turn around all the rescue tables and some time spent visiting Terri at the City Critters table was in order.

I met Artie after work and we quickly spent some time at the various tables visiting the dogs and cats available for adoption, watching a bit of the raffle/adoption proceedings before ending our time at the event with our visit to Terri. Artie made our monetary donations while Terri and I caught up on our furry family news. I filled Terri in on the rescues we were involved in since last fall and Annie's cancer surgery and subsequent illness.

Terri told us about Chester's final illness. Chester was a real character. Terri's only dog, he ruled the house as his seven feline housemates deferred to his choice of sleeping arrangements. He had a long life of 16 years but the past few brought loss of eyesight, incontinence and a need to sleep most of the day away but that was alright as Chester was comfortable, well cared for by Terri and still the boss of the house.

Terri misses him, sometimes catching herself thinking that she has to take care of him or needs to buy his dog food. Artie and I miss Chester as well and talk fondly of him. We think of him often. I know wherever Chester is he's having a great time bossing around all the cats.

Our buddy, Chester.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

POST SCRIPT TO JULY FOURTH

Just a brief note as I'm sure everyone knows by now - Joey Chestnut unsuccessfully defended his crown in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest losing by 2 hot dogs.  Oh well, there's an entire year to prepare for the 2016 event...

Saturday, July 4, 2015

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Today Artie will bring home 'dinner' from Nathan's Famous - Philly Chicken Cheese Steak heroes, Fish 'n Chips platters and of course, Nathan's hot dogs with the 'works' - I don't want to cook for this holiday.

Annie is doing much better but isn't completely out of the woods yet so it is my intention to spend the day with her, Orphée and Handsome who is becoming acclimated to other animals because of the time he is spending with mine. I also have Belle, a stray Calico who has taken up residence on my back porch. She keeps me company when I'm outside unless Annie is with me then Belle will retreat to a neighboring yard until Annie goes in.

Besides indulging in Nathan's all-American fare, I keep checking TV and the internet for any news on Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Why you might wonder would someone who doesn't eat beef, veal or lamb be interested in a hot dog eating contest? Well, there's a very simple explanation. I'm born and bred in Brooklyn. Coney Island, Nathan's, the hot dog eating contest along with the amusements and rides are a big part of growing up here. So I'm hoping Joey Chestnut will successfully defend his championship with his ninth win. Joey's a native Californian but he has a Brooklyn sensibility so I have a soft spot in my heart for Joey. The women's event already happened at 11 AM; Miki Sudo of Las Vegas won. I was hoping Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas of Alexandria, Virginia would regain the Mustard Belt but it wasn't to be.

Some patriotic music is in order so I will play John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copeland and anything John Williams then tonight we will watch the Macy's Fireworks Display and A Capital Fourth.

So, Happy Independence Day to all!

Happy Independence Day now put on Nathan's Hot Dog
Eating Contest!