Beagle Mafia

Thats right! One day out of the week that I purpose to blog about things I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful that I live in Florida from right about now until May. The weather was perfect today. Hot but with a nice cool breeze.
   
2. I am thankful for my Pastors. I am continually amazed at how anointed they are. Every single time I enter a service I come expecting to hear from God and I am NEVER let down.
   
3. I am thankful for my true friends. This year in particular, I have finally been able to nail down who my true friends are. Friends that are there for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
   
4. I am thankful for my rescue. I am so blessed to have the resources, the people and the wisdom to keep it up and running smoothly and successfully.
   
5. I am thankful for my mother. While decorating for Halloween yesterday, I had to pause and say "I would not be doing this, if not for her". She created very memorable moments in my childhood around this time of year. Even when she was sick, she made sure I got to go to the famous Halloween parade in the town I grew up in. Some of my favorite memories are from that parade. I dream of taking my own child to it one day.
   
6. I am thankful for the evening time with my husband. The most exciting part of our day is snuggling in bed to watch Dexter. I am addicted! We start season 2 tonight.
7. I am thankful for whoever makes Wet Noses Organic Raw Hides for dogs. I can not tell you the hours of peace these bones bring me. Worth every penny.
8. I am thankful for the little things in life. Things like homemade chicken noodle soup I made yesterday and the pumpkin rice pudding I will make tomorrow.
   
9. Lastly, I am thankful for massages. My back is mostly thankful for its biweekly treat.
   

On the rescue front, things are going well. Our puppy has found what appears to be a very good home. Adoption will not be finalized until after his neuter can be done. We also had one of our older beagles also get adopted this weekend. She went to the perfect home with an older couple and their elderly mother. It was a perfect match. Adopting the older beagles is a much slower process but is still warms my heart to see them go to their new forever home. Our adoption events are in full swing creating lots of work for all. This is seriously more then a full time job but I love every minute of it.

As for the family front, we are just one busy family. The boy is playing football now so two days of practice, one game on the weekend and lots of school work in between. The man of the house is always busy making sure we have lights, food and money in the bank. He also coaches. I married such a good man. Such a good man is really an understatement.

As for me, I think I am sick. I think because I really am not sure but something is lingering in my body. Last week, I was definitely sick, like in bed. This week I have this itch in my throat and it causes a deep cough I can feel in my chest which usually subsides in the evening. I cant seem to get enough sleep because it seems each of the dogs takes a turn waking us up for a night time do do session. I have not had a good nights rest in over a week which isn't helping. I just feel very run down and exhausted. I am hoping that I am not coming down with something big but on the other hand, I just want to either be sick or not. This in between feeling good and not good is really draining.

Which brings me to my inner debate of whether to get the damn flu shot for the first time EVER in my life. I am not a big fan of vaccines in fact I selectively and delayed vaccinated my child. It has never made sense to me to inject a virus into my body instead of letting my own immune system work it out. Not to mention, my mother in law gets the flu shot every year and every year she gets the flu. I know, I know you can get the flu from the flu shot, its a dead virus blah blah. I guess its just a real coincidence. Anyway, I watched Dr Oz (because I have nothing else better to do) and when he said that more then 1/2 the people that hear his voice would end up with the flu this year, I got scared. He also said that Vitamin D is your best protection which reminds me that I need to get my arse to the store for some. Be damned pig flu! Be damned!




Soo do are you getting the flu shot this year? Why or why not?

1. Read the site information. Its clearly spelled out in crayon that we RARELY take in owner surrender beagles because that means we take up a spot for a beagle who may be in a shelter facing euthanasia. So don't send me an email talking about how you don't have the time for your beagle and you must have the beagle gone before you leave for vacation. Let me inconvenience my life for your situation and lack of responsibility. Let me jump right on that.
2. I am very sorry that you take our "no fence, no beagle" policy so personally. I assure you that there are plenty of other beagles out there that you do not have to have a fence to adopt. Start with the local shelter right now. There are several in there.
   
3. I promise your child will not be scarred for life if she does not get "this" beagle. The child has only seen this beagle on a website. If she had to have a pink pony, what would you do?
   
4. Please don't guilt trip us and use "my child is adopted and wants nothing more then to adopt this beagle" What kind of sob story is that?
5. Dont assume that just because we require a fence before we will look at an application means that we are NOT looking at the dog's best interest and YOUR family is the only family that can give the dog a good life regardless of a fence. What about the other 9 applicants who are better qualified?
   
6. Did it occur to you that there is a reason we have these beagles because they probably escaped a yard and followed their nose to the next zip code? Do your research and you will see that every qualified source will tell you beagles need a yard. Period!
7. Oh and before you speak, know who you are speaking to. I once had 3 beagles in a town home without a yard and it was a NIGHTMARE. I have leash burns on my ankles, so don't tell me. Know what happens when you assume? Yeah.....
8. If I spend all day going out of MY way to help you find boarding for your beagles because you are about to lose your home, the least you can do is call me back and tell me what option you choosing. Especially when I offer to help with the boarding expense. Shall I look at the shelter list to see if you just dumped them off there?
9. Lastly makes sure that everyone in the family is on board for adopting one of our beagles, especially the primary care giver. Dont waste our time hoping that we will help you convince your spouse to adopt a beagle. We can see past that and you will end up with an unapproved application. Sorry....
   

So far this month has been a total cluster. There are so many storms swirling around and I have to somehow figure out how to weather them all.

Per my last post, we talked about how Sirius(who is one awesome and smart puppy btw) was the light in the darkness of September 11Th. Well just when I thought that was the case, I found out that one of my dear internet friends died of colon cancer leaving behind two young children and a husband. To make it worse, her son was to turn 1(yes that young without his mommy) the day after she died. The family was planning a birthday party in the hospice center. I can not even tell you how devastated I am about this news. Its almost unrealistic to most people to have such a connection with someone you never even met yet she seemed like family. While we all knew it was going happen, we were still holding out for a miracle. A miracle that never came. The only comfort and solace I/we have is that we will soon see her again in heaven. She was a woman of strong faith and trusted in God. This strong woman actually became at peace with her destiny. Never did she complain regardless of her pain. I cant imagine looking at my babies and my husband knowing that I would leave them in this world alone. I can not even imagine the mental torment that she had to gone through. She continued to stay strong and trust in God. I have not mastered that level of faith yet. I pray that she left this world truly in peace and floated on up to heaven's gates and she met Him with arms wide open. He speaks according to His word: 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:21

Times like this is when I wish I were not blogging anonymously so that I could share with everyone who I am talking about. We all made a beautiful video that she did get to see before her last day here. I believe in my heart she knew how much she was loved and how we would all make sure her family would be well taken care of.

I hate that date. That date is just cursed. I want nothing more then for it to disappear from the calendar. I want to go from the 10Th-12Th. Yet another tragedy that I have to reflect on.

Pronounced Sy-rus. The new puppy will be named Sirius in memory of the fallen K-9 dog killed on 9/11. Please visit his site. Sirius, his memory and his name will live on. I have already sent an email to the family as I hear they appreciate things like this.

http://www.our.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/sirius.html

I start this post off with just a sigh. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I remember the chaos, I remember the phone calls, I remember watching the news and never turning it off, I remember hugging Capo harder then I ever hugged him before, I remember the complete helpless feeling, I remember the ash on our cars, I remember the smoke, the empty skyline, I remember and I will NEVER forget.

I remember waking up on every anniversary and watching all the memorial services. I remember all those feelings and wounds being opened up again. The feeling that I have on this day is that of deep depression. Its almost paralyzing, I dont want to go anywhere or do anything but basically replay that day in my head over and over again. Probably not healthy but the truth. There was a mark made my heart and soul that day and it can not be erased or forgotten. It stays for ever with me.

As I sat here in my gloom and doom all day, I got a phone call from a lady who found a beagle puppy at her granddaughter's bus stop. Normally we do not take in strays because it costs too much to vet them but I knew this little boy was the light in the darkness of the day. This is our very first puppy we have gotten to rescue, you see we are usually only called by local shelters to rescue beagles(older, sick, heart worm positive) who we are there last chance before facing euthanasia. This is a very big day for our rescue.

In honor of this day, we think we are going to call this little guy Sirius. Look at how stinking cute he is....

This debate is like the song that never ends. It goes on and on my friends. I think for the most part the one thing that most of us agree on is that reform needs to happen. We certainly cant keep going in the direction we are now because it will bankrupt this country and more lives will be lost. People without insurance should be able to get it affordable health insurance and people who cant afford it should be able to go to the government to get it. No one should be without coverage or be afraid to enter an ER or doctor's office without worry if they will lose their homes due to the cost.

I think the major debate is how we go about reform. I am NOT on board with universal health care/single payer system Yes, it may work in other countries but I do not think that is the answer for us. The main reason I am not ok with this is that the govt does not run Medicare/Medicaid very effectively or efficiently. Waste has been going on forever in those systems. I would like to see those areas corrected so maybe the American people can have a bit more faith before they take on a much bigger venture such as UH.

I was very excited to see President Obama's speech on this topic last night, and actually watched it several times before I made heads or tails of what he said. I thought he effectively explained what the plan is, he discussed the current debates, debunked the non sense coming from the right BUT he in no way shape or form, told us how he plans on paying for this plan.

The only thing he said was that he would not sign a plan that would add one more dime to the deficit and correcting the waste in Medicare and Medicaid would help fund this plan. Really? So he plans on correcting Medicare/Medicaid FIRST? That needs to be done anyway but I am having a hard time believing that cleaning up those programs first is going to foot the bill for the massive plan. To me it seems that we are going all be paying more taxes which is one thing, but just say that. Why dance around it? Anyone with a brain knows that is exactly what is going to happen. Say what you need to say.....

Secondly, if the plan is to penalize businesses for not covering their employees by charging a 8 percent fee, would it make sense for some businesses to take the 8 percent penalty then to cover their employees? I mean would that not make business sense to do that? That would mean people like my family would have NO choice but to either pay for their own private insurance or go to a govt run program. That scares me.

I am all about choice. If I choose to pay and arm and leg for my premiums(and we do) to have private insurance through my husband's employer then I should have that right to do so. Just like if you choose not to be covered by insurance and want to go to the govt run coverage. Don't take my right to choice. You could say, you would still have a choice to go out on our own. Yes, but what if the private insurers raise their premiums even more since now they are going to be forced to take patients with pre existing conditions. What if they private insurers all go under because most people start jumping ship to the free insurance? Then I wont really have a choice and we would then all go into a single payer system and be left with no other option. That is SCARY!

This other business about mandating that everyone have some sort of coverage. Really? How are we going to police that?

The only plan that I can get totally on board with right now is this market plan. Where WE not the govt, can shop around and make insurance companies compete with one another for our business. They would have no choice but to start lowering their rates since people will have other options. Right now, we personally are stuck with one carrier and we get a choice of four different plans to choose from. I hear we are lucky we can even do that. I am all for shopping around and making the private insurers work for their business instead. Market plan GOOOO!

The bottom line is this. Something needs to be done sooner and not later but that does not mean that we all need to jump on the "lets give this a shot" band wagon. We need to first clearly think about the cost of doing this and where the funds are really going to come from. We need to evaluate if the govt can really handle this huge undertaking.

People with preexisting conditions need coverage too. Its not fair that they are turned away and this is where I think the govt needs to step in and either cover those people with pre existing conditions or offer a subsidiary.

I am just really afraid that we are headed to a single payer system with a govt that cant handle what is already on their plate. I cant imagine any other outcome if this bill gets passed.

I have literally spent all day working on my iphone. We have a love hate relationship but I can honestly tell you that I could not LIVE without this phone. It is quite possibly the best invention on the planet Earth.

However its like a never ending project. Trying to learn all the different features and apps is a chore in a half. Of course, whenever you meet a fellow iphone junkie you have to switch phones to check out each other apps which then leads into ohhhing and ayyinng. "You got to get this app. "do you know this app does this and that", "did you see the latest and greatest such and such". You almost start to feel that your phone is smarter then you.

So today I spent all day figuring out how to add ring tones, then configuring which 30 seconds of the song you want to use, and last but not least buying and syncing said songs. I think I got it down pat now but man it took me ALL day. Capo was not so impressed as I yelled over at him to help every 2 minutes. I believe he said "some of us have a job and cant take a whole day off to iphone". LOL!

I will leave you with the greatest song and ring tone EVER. Very fitting for me and my life. I need to make my own video but for now this will have to do....

This is actually a Beagle Bed and Breakfast out in Idaho. Someday I plan on taking trip out there to stay. Its on my must do before I die.

1. Is it possible to miss your husband in the first 30 minutes he is gone? Loves me, Loves me NOT...
   
2. I really love couponing but sometimes its too much work just to save a buck here or there. I can hear Capo "yeah, you save .75 was it worth your time?"Money vs Time...
   
3. I highly recommend this recipe for those of you who like a little spice in your dishes, feed the kids chicken nuggets or mac and cheese however: Brooklyn Girl's Penne Arrabiata
   
4. I rarely watch movies especially before bed but Next Friday was on last night, it should be illegal to put a comedy like that on so late at night. I could not turn it off. Sleep or Watch?
   
5. My poor child is traumatized about this "tardy slip" ordeal. Somehow its his fault that there are 456465463513213 people in the car line each morning. This is why I prefer to walk to school. Walk or ride....
   
6. By 6 o'clock I have to pick which area I want to head in the PTA. None of the options sound the least bit appealing. Box Top Mom or Campbell Soup Label Mom?
   
7. I am irrationally excited to watch LA Ink tonight. I also end up irrationally mad at how awful they treat Aubry. Mean or Not Mean?
   
8. Speaking of tattooing, I think I am ready. The main reason I started to watch the show was to see if I could handle getting one with my needle phobia. I think I am good to go. Should I or Should I not?
   
9. Capo is extremely picky about who should do our tattoos so I suggested we fly out to LA Ink. Corey or Kat?
   
10. If you have an upcoming teen daughter and are thinking of the Gardisil vaccine, BEWARE..read HERE Yay or Nay?
11. Did you know Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Frapps are back? Cold or Hot?
12. Is it time to break out the fall decorations? Early or Not?
13. Last but not least, Go Girl To Stand or To Sit?

Ugh! I use to love the rain. Rain washes the outside, it makes everything clean again, makes the grass green and most importantly washes away the beagle do do. :) Rain also makes my stubborn hounds REFUSE to go outside and therefore hold their business for as long as they can before going on my floor somewhere. For my hounds that will go outside in it, makes them STINK like well wet dog which permeates my house for the day. YUCK! With rain also brings thunder and lightening also know as "boom booms" around here. Our geriatric beagle starts to shake and tremble. Off I run to break out the Rescue Remedy to calm his nerves. Not sure if it really works but it makes me feel better that I did something to calm his old self down. Rain and I have a love hate relationship.

Rain always seems to come whenever we have an adoption event scheduled so that we and the hounds get to romp around in the mud. Very appealing to potential adopters after they are jumped all over with dirty dirty paws by wet and excited dirty hounds. Least we forget how everyone needs a bath there afterward. Fun stuff! Rain rain go away leave the beagles alone to play.

Rain also forces me to wait in the dreaded car lane to pick up Capretto from school. For a 3 minute round trip, I wait in a 25 minute long line with every other compassionate parent. Of course on the way back I see the poor kids whose parents are not so compassionate walking all the way home. The mom in me wants to stop and pick them up but then the stranger danger thoughts cross my mind causing me to drive on....

I will say on a positive note, we have not turned on our irrigation system since May. One would think that our water bill would be lower but not so much.

Tonight we are off to church where we will be fed a nice Fiesta(Mexican) dinner and a nice hot Word from our Pastor. I will be serving my terrific two year old's who I have not seen in a few weeks. I am eager to get back in the classroom and minister to my babies. Our Pastors laid hands on all the teachers on Sunday. Expecting a new mantle of ministry to come upon me.

He covers the sky with clouds, he supplies the earth with rain,
and maketh the grass grow on the hills.
- Psalms 147:8

Part of the interesting life as a "soccer mom"( although now I am "football mom" ) is the commentary that goes on by the sideline parents. It never ceases to amaze me. As I sat in the pouring rain watching my son practice these are some of the conversations that were going on around me. Mind you, we were all squeezed in under a 10X10 quick tent...

" What if my kid doesn't make weight on Sat, is there lee way?"
hmmmm, well then Johnny will have to sit out because I sure do not want all 80 pounds of Johnny tackling my 50 pound kid. You signed the form in the beginning of the year that Johnny would have to be at 75 pounds to play. Pretty cut and dry to me.

"Wow, this is pretty hard core to practice in the rain"
hmmm, really?

"Are the same kids always going to run the ball?"
hmmmm, well its called positions and every kid has a position with very little rotation involved. You chose a competitive league vs the instructional league down the road. Again, read before you sign.

"I am sure glad you brought this tent because I sit in the rain on the daily basis working, do you know how uncomfortable it is to sit in wet underwear for 10 hours a day"
hmmmm, TMI anddd I don't care

Last but not least we have the divorced parents and depending on who Capo plops my chair down next to, I get to hear why so and so is such a crappy parent as they shoot eye daggers at one another.
"well Johnny is not going to make weight because his FATHER over there takes him to Hooters, Krispy Kreme and McDonald's while I only feed him healthy foods. I have not had that kid in a drive thru in years"
hmmm, bitter much? Its interesting that last week he said the opposite. Bottom line is stop dragging other people into your drama, for the kid's sake get over yourselves.

Ohh yes, the life of a side line mom. I need to remember ear plugs......

Hellloooo fellow bloggers! Its been years since I stepped out into the open blog world. I have been blogging in what I call Ft Knox but recently decided that I would reach out and touch someone. So here I am!


First let me get some housekeeping done around here and just express one rule that I hope is respected. If you know me in real life, please do not comment me nor my family using our real names. I also ask that you respect my privacy and understand that I will be using fictitious names and locations to protect myself. I want my open blogging experience to be enjoyable and to do that, I need privacy.

Now that the housekeeping is done, we can move on to more important business. Cast of characters include:

Capa: You will see why I am Capa once you meet Capo below me. I am the matriarch of this family and basically run the show. I am a mom of one 2 legger and too many to count 4 leggers. I am also a founder and director of my very own beagle rescue. While its not a very high paying job(HAA) it is rewarding in so many other ways. I believe its truly my calling.

Capo: Capo is the CFO and head patriarch of the family. He keeps the ship sailing. Also known as my gravy train. More then that, Capo is my best friend and husband all in one.

Capretto: Our 6 year old going on 36 young boy. Capretto is pretty much a carbon copy of Capa and Capo. He keeps us both going specifically from ball field to ball field. You name it, he plays it.

Beagle/Hound Brigade: Changes frequently and frankly there are too many to list. The brigade is the heart beat of our family. They fill us with unconditional love, laughs and stress. The brigade will be the main source of entertainment here at Beagle Mafia.

In closing, I hope you enjoy your time here and hope not to bore you too much. We are simple people really, we love our beagles and hope to connect with other beagle lovers as well.