Tokyo Pet Show

Tokyo Pet Show 2006 in Chiba, east of Tokyo March 31, 2006. About 20,000 people are expected to visit the country's largest pet convention which will be held until Sunday, organizers said. Photos are from www.yahoo.com

Doga is dog's yoga - watch out for strokes!!!!!

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Welcome to the Pack, Molly

Requiem for the heroine of puppy pantoum

Junior’s all alone now. Kapok packed shoulders hunched from all those years since you were little
Nose gone, gray polyester fur stained with drool.
Junior’s all alone now. Blue plastic eyes staring off into forever.

You should have written another chapter in your life. Run the Iditarod at least
Heading up a team with a green–eyed mixed–blood Inuit musher named Mitch
Running through a blizzard while Mitch sings a country western song

My dog died
My girl friend left me
My pickup truck broke down.
Like grandma Togo running the serum to Nome
While Mitch sings a traditional song
My dog died
My girl friend left me
My pickup truck broke down.
Those last days you fell a lot.
Your bony spine was like a furry stegosaurus.

Junior’s all alone now.

Bath or Shower?

Remember the story of Archimedes lolling in his bathtub?

To an observer, he'd have seemed to be wasting time.

While ostensibly doing nothing, however, he discovered the principle of displacement, a cornerstone of physics.

Would he have reached the same insight in a quick shower?

From cnn's money magazine - I just like the graphics - and after help little m. study for the mcat, I finally understand the principal of displacement.

Update on Ms. Deaf Texas

Deaf beauty queen was text-messaging when hit by train
By Elizabeth YuanCNN


Wednesday, March 15, 2006; Posted: 2:56 p.m. EST (19:56 GMT)

(CNN) -- Deaf beauty contest winner Tara McAvoy was walking along the railroad tracks from her Austin, Texas, home to her mother's workplace, text-messaging family and friends, when a train struck her, according to the Austin Police Department.

Read for rest of article.

We could use one

Aging Japan builds robot to look after elderly
Tue Mar 14, 10:17 AM ET

A Japanese-led research team said it had made a seeing, hearing and smelling robot that can carry human beings and is aimed at helping care for the country's growing number of elderly.
Government-backed research institute Riken said the 158-centimeter (five-foot) RI-MAN humanoid can already carry a doll weighing 12 kilograms (26 pounds) and could be capable of bearing 70 kilograms within five years.

"We're hoping that through future study it will eventually be able to care for elderly people or work in rehabilitation," said Toshiharu Mukai, one of the research team leaders.
Covered by five millimeters (0.2 inches) soft silicone, RI-MAN is equipped with sensors that show it a body's weight and position.

The 100-kilogram (220-pound) robot can also distinguish eight different kinds of smells, can tell which direction a voice is coming from and uses powers of sight to follow a human face.
"In the future, we would like to develop a capacity to detect a human's health condition through his breath," Mukai said.

Japan is bracing for a major increase in needs for elderly care due to a declining birth rate and a population that is among the world's longest living.

The population declined in 2005 for the first time since World War II as more young people put off starting families.

A chuckle for Wednesday

2006 Iditarod

20 Reasons Y the Furries don't Use CPUs

20. Can't stick their heads out of Windows XP.

19. Fetch command not available on all platforms.

18. Hard to read the monitor with your head cocked to one side.

17. Too difficult to "mark" every website they visit.

16. Can't help attacking the screen when they hear "You've Got Mail."

15. Fire hydrant icon simply frustrating.


14. Involuntary tail wagging is dead giveaway they're browsing www.pethouse.com instead of working.

13. Keep bruising noses trying to catch that MPEG frisbee.

12. Not at all fooled by Chuckwagon Screen Saver.

11. Still trying to come up with an "emoticon" that signifies tail-wagging.

10. Oh, but they WILL... with the introduction of the Microsoft Opposable Thumb.

9. Three words: Carpal Paw Syndrome

8. 'Cause dogs ain't GEEKS! Now, cats, on the other hand...

7. Barking in next cubical keeps activating YOUR voice recognition software.

6. SmellU-SmellMe(tm) still in beta test.

5. SIT and STAY were hard enough, GREP and AWK are out of the question!

4. Saliva-coated mouse gets mighty difficult to manuever.

3. Annoyed by lack of newsgroup, alt.pictures.master's.leg.

2. Butt-sniffing more direct and less deceiving than online chat rooms.

and the Number 1 Reason Dogs Don't Use Computers...

1. TrO{gO DsA[M,bN HyAqR4tDc TgrOo TgYPmE WeIjTyH P;AzWqS,. *

Addiction

You know your addicted to huskies when...

You spend your last 20 bucks on dog food and you go home and eat ramen noodles.

You sleep on the couch because they look so cute asleep on your bed and you don't want to disturb the angels.

People have quit commenting about the hair that is always on your clothes.

You start giving your children hairball rememdy during coat blowing season.

Eating husky hair really doesn't bother you anymore.

You have spent over 50 dollars on finding "the best" brush for your sibes.

You have worn out more than one vacuum in a years time.

You buy vacuum bags in bulk.

You wished the pet super store had it's own credit card.

Your huskies have a health care plan, but you don't.

Your safe in knowing that if someone broke into your back yard they would never reach the house because they would fall in a hole and land face first in a sibe "land mine".

Your back yard looks like a area that has been bombed full of craters, but you won't fill in the holes because it upsets "them".

Your picket fence out front is falling over and needs paint & repair, but your dog run is secure and fantastic!

To heck with a better mouse trap, your trying to build a "better" fence.

You laugh at the idea of escape proof.

You think husky kisses are the best feeling in the world.

You don't mind sibes playing leap frog over your back while weeding the garden.

Your neighbors think your weird because you stand outside and woo at your dogs every morning.

You had to have the plumber come out twice in one year to unclog husky hair from drain in the tub.

You buy a kiddie pool, when you don't have kids.

You find yourself praying for heavy snow.

You spend more time brushing your sibes fur, than you do your own hair.

You shop for sibe bumper stickers, coffee mugs, mouse pads or t-shirts.

You miss the 4th of July fireworks because you had to stay home with the dogs because they were scared of the noise.

You bought your sibes their own tree ornaments.

You have pictures of them on your desk at work.

And last but not least, You know your addicted to huskies when.... you laugh off other dog owners comments of your "obsession" thinking....... "Their just jealous cause their dog isn't a Siberian Husky!"

Dog Rules! - Am at #10

1. The dog is not allowed in the house.

2. Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.

3. The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture.

4. The dog can get on the old furniture only.

5. Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.

6. Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.

7. The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.

8. The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.

9. The dog can sleep under the covers every night.

10. Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

Author Unknown

Nanotechnology May Repair Damaged Brains

TUESDAY, March 14 (HealthDay News) --

Rodents blinded by brain damage had their vision partially restored within weeks after being treated with nanotechnology developed by bioengineers and neuroscientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The findings provide evidence that similar strategies might someday work in humans.

"If we can reconnect parts of the brain that were disconnected by stroke, then we may be able to restore speech to an individual who is able to understand what is said but has lost the ability to speak," study co-author Rutledge G. Ellis-Behnke, research scientist in MIT's department of brain and cognitive sciences, said in a prepared statement.

This method uses an extremely tiny biodegradable scaffold that provides brain cells with a place to re-grow -- like a vine on a trellis -- in the damaged area of the brain. This is the first study to use nanotechnology to repair and heal the brain and restore function in a damaged brain region. The approach may one day help treat stroke patients and people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

The findings appear online this week in the journal National Academy of Science Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

.

What's Bill Waiting 4?

Last year, you and I stood together to help push the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act through the House. Then we got Senate Republican Leader Bill Frist to buck the White House and announce his support, and victory seemed within reach.

It's now been eight months - eight months - since Senator Frist said he had changed his mind and would support expanding stem cell research beyond President Bush's stifling limitations. That was a moment when millions of Americans suffering from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease, spinal cord injury, diabetes, and other tragic illnesses found renewed hope for a cure - if not for them, for generations to come.

All Senator Frist had to do was schedule a vote. Nobody demanded that he do anything more. One simple vote on the bill that had already passed easily through the House, and it would be placed on President Bush's desk to test his veto threat.

Summer ended, and still no vote. Fall came and went- still no vote. Now, as we are coming up on the 2006 elections, many are fearing that Senator Bill Frist's promise was empty. And today, we have a chance to demand action.

Spread the Word, Tell Senator Frist: Time's Up, Hold the Vote on Stem Cell Research

Senator Frist may think that we've forgotten his promise - we need to make clear that we have not. This is far too important. So we're renewing our petition to Senator Frist. You signed it last summer telling him to hold a vote -- can you tell five friends and family members that Senator Frist needs to hear from them too?

Spread the Word, Tell Senator Frist: Time's Up, Hold the Vote on Stem Cell Research

Last week, we lost Dana Reeve to lung cancer. Touched by the great personal challenge of her husband's paralysis, Dana worked to ensure that other families would not have to endure the same pain. Her fight to fulfill the potential of stem cell research brought the issue from the brink of oblivion to the cusp of success. As Dana said after the passing of her husband Christopher, no less an American hero himself: "Today is the right moment to transform our grief into hope." Even after her loss, and even as she suffered through her own dreadful illness, she fought for the hope that stem cell research gives to millions of Americans.

The National Institutes of Health tell us that a range of diseases from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, to spinal cord injury, to stroke, burns, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer could potentially be addressed with this research. Perhaps it will be years, or even decades, until this potential is fulfilled. But every day Senator Frist makes us wait is another day that people will suffer waiting for a cure.

The last obstacle to putting this bill before President Bush is Senator Frist's refusal to hold a vote in the Senate, where most expect it to pass overwhelmingly.

Spread the Word, Tell Senator Frist: Time's Up, Hold the Vote on Stem Cell Research

Please consider doing what you can to make sure the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act gets the vote that Senator Frist promised. Together, we can help ensure that President Bush recognizes the will of the American people and signs it into law.

The bipartisan bill proposed by my friend, Congresswoman Diana DeGette of Colorado, had already passed overwhelmingly in the House, one of the few moments where many Republicans bucked both President Bush and Tom DeLay to do what was right for American families.

But the hopes of millions of Americans, depending on American innovation, were dashed when the matter became trapped again in cruel legislative limbo.

Together, we'll send a united message to Senator Frist that we haven't forgotten his promise.

Spread the Word, Tell Senator Frist: Time's Up, Hold the Vote on Stem Cell Research

This isn't a matter of partisan politics. It's time to move forward. Let's work together to help those around us and to continue the legacy of our friends and fighters for the cause. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,




Nancy Pelosi
House Democratic Leader

P.S. - When I need reminding of what's at stake with stem cell research, I still go look through the hundreds and hundreds of stories that ordinary Americans sent into the DCCC last year explaining their personal reasons for supporting it. I invite you to do the same:

Snow in Wisconsin

Winter in Butternut Wisconsin March 13, 2006

Population (2000 Census) City residents - 407 Median age - 36.8 years Tax Rate - $16.18 per thousand Area - 3 square miles	Climate Average summer temperature - 70º Average winter temperature - 18º Annual snowfall - 99.8 inches Annual precipitation - 32.81 inches
Photos by Crystal Meindl

Butternut is located on U.S. Highway 13 approximately 55 miles south of Ashland and 6 miles north or Park Falls. We are about 2 hours from Wausau, Duluth, and Eau Claire. We are 4 hours from Green Bay and Minneapolis, MN and about 5 hours from Madison.

Oh dear!

Miss Deaf Texas struck by train, killed
Tuesday, March 14, 2006;
Posted: 9:27 a.m. EST (14:27 GMT)
http://www.deaftexas.org/miss_deaf_texas.htm


AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The reigning Miss Deaf Texas died after being struck by a train, officials said.

Tara Rose McAvoy, 18, was walking Monday near railroad tracks when she was struck by a Union Pacific train, authorities said.

A witness told Austin television station KTBC the train sounded its horn right up until the accident occurred.

McAvoy, who had been deaf since birth, won the state title in June and represented the state "with dignity and pride," state pageant director Laura Loeb-Hill told The Associated Press via e-mail Monday night.

McAvoy was to represent Texas at the Miss Deaf America pageant this summer, Loeb-Hill said.

McAvoy graduated last year from the Texas School for the Deaf, attended Austin Community College and then started at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., in January, but had returned to Texas, Loeb-Hill said.

Join the Revolution

CONFERENCE PROMOTES A REVOLUTION TO END BREAST CANCER
APRIL 29 – MAY 2, 2006 WASHINGTON, D.C.

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER COALITION FUND’S
ANNUAL ADVOCACY TRAINING CONFERENCE

Beyond Ribbons to Revolution Theme of Conference Marking Coalition’s 15th Anniversary

Washington, D.C., January 26,2006 --- More than 700 women and men from around the United States and the world, will gather in Washington DC for the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund’s Annual Advocacy Training Conference from April 29 – May 2, 2006. “We will learn together, help each other, and re-charge our batteries to keep up our motivation and inspire our activism,” says Fran Visco, president of NBCCF.

Attendees will participate in three days of plenary sessions and interactive workshops on cutting edge breast cancer research, quality health care efforts and public policy developments. The breast cancer advocates will hear from more than 70 dynamic and influential speakers who are among the leading researchers and policy makers in the country. Featured speakers will include:

· Leslie Bernstein, PhD, on exercise, nutrition and breast cancer; professor of preventive medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

· Mauro Ferrari, PhD, on nanotechnology research; Edgar Hendrickson professor of biomedical engineering, Ohio State University

· George Askew, M.D., on access to quality health care; senior fellow, Center For American Progress, Washington, D.C.

Attendees will learn how to work effectively with the media, use the Internet to engage new activists and be as influential as possible wherever breast cancer decisions are being made. New features include an orientation for first time attendees and the 1st Annual STRIKE Breast Cancer Activist Bowling Challenge. Other events include a silent auction and the annual conference reception.

After three days of intense training and skill building, the conference will culminate with Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, with advocates visiting Members of Congress to promote NBCC’s legislative priorities. Key among these goals is NBCC’s effort to pass the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.

Attendees will learn how to work effectively with the media, use the Internet to engage new activists and be as influential as possible wherever breast cancer decisions are being made. New features include an orientation for first time attendees and the 1st Annual STRIKE Breast Cancer Activist Bowling Challenge. Other events include a silent auction and the annual conference reception.

After three days of intense training and skill building, the conference will culminate with Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, with advocates visiting Members of Congress to promote NBCC’s legislative priorities. Key among these goals is NBCC’s effort to pass the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act.

The 3 Furries Fall 2005

Mel is telling little M the secrets of the Internet.
Miss you Melba Toast. You are the best dog!

We are gently weeping your passing. The 2 furries are lost without your alpha guidance.

x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

Our March Dog

Margaret
Sponsored: March 7, 2006

I was rescued from a breeder. After 5 years of having litter after litter, I am happy to be spayed. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with a loving forever family. Thank you to my angel for sponsoring my care at WHS.

It's Humor, it must be Hump day

Leash: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your mom and dad where you want him/her to go.

Dog Bed: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

Drool: What you do when your mom and dad have food and you don't. To do this properly, you must sit as close as you can, look sad and let the drool fall to the floor. Or better yet, on their laps.

Sniff: A social custom to use when you greet other dogs. Place your nose as close as you can to the other dog's rear end and inhale deeply. Repeat several times or until your person makes you stop.

Garbage Can: A container where mom and dad put food they don't want to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.

Bicycles: Two-wheeled exercise machines invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards. The person then swerves and falls into the bushes and you prance away.

Deafness: This is an affliction which affects dogs when their mom or dad want them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction or lying down.

Thunder: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. Mom and dad remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly and following their every move.

Wastebasket: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your mom and dad come home.

Sofas: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating, it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.

Bath: This is a process by which mom and dad drench the floor, walls and themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently.

Lean: Every good dog's response to the command "sit!" Especially if your mom and dad are dressed for an evening out. This is incredibly effective before black tie events.

Bump: The best way to get your mom and dad's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

Goose bump: A maneuver to use as a last resort when the regular bump doesn't get the attention you require. Especially effective when combined with the sniff. See above.

Love: Is a feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail. If you're lucky, a human will love you in return.

Best with the sound turned on: http://saoma.com/temp/bush/