Not your ordinary dogs

Yes, I love dogs. And yes, these are lovely photos of dogs. But they are more than just companion canines. These dogs have been trained to find peanuts. Peanuts? Why peanuts?

Well, for all of the people, mostly kids, who are allergic to peanuts they are trained to sniff out the nuts to warn people that they are around them. Some people can go into anaphylactic shock just by inhaling peanut dust. These dogs provide a lifeline for these people. It allows those that have not had the freedom to move about, to now go places they have not been able to go before.  

Yet another reason to love our four legged friends! They are amazing indeed.

We can learn something from these four

Unlikely pairs are a passion of mine. If the animal kingdom can be accepting of others why can't the human race? 

These pairs are fast friends who hang out with each other every moment of the day and evening. Perhaps we could all learn from these fabulous four!

Fashion

I love fashion. But only if it is good fashion that is flattering.

I'm, at times, more interested in the clothes at the Academy Awards than the awards themselves. While I was watching the 81st Awards tonight, I was surfing the photos of the clothes worn on the red carpet. I came across this photo. The following is what accompanied the photo.

"Amanda Seyfried wears a brick red Valentino gown with a bow embellishment."

Good thing they pointed out the bow. Might have missed it otherwise. 

And, uh, who the heck is Amanda Seyfried? I know I'm getting older, because I didn't know A LOT of the people listed in the photo section. 

But it doesn't really matter because I don't care that I don't know. I'm more interested in the clothes....

Broccoli and Mr. Knuckles

Yep. Broccoli. I love it. So does my cat. I first discovered this when I had two pieces left over on my dinner plate. I set the plate on my counter and walked away for a few minutes. When I came back it was gone. My cat had eaten each piece. 

I didn't realize how much he liked it until the next time I made it. I was sitting at my dining room table and he was inching closer and closer to my plate. Then he made his move and stole a piece off my plate, ran off under the table where I couldn't reach him and ate it. I realized that I couldn't eat my broccoli in peace, so I began building a barrier around my plate. Eventually I relented and gave in and now when I make broccoli, I make him his very own serving. Now I can eat my dinner in peace.

This cartoon brought back my learning curve. Fortunately, he doesn't suffer form the same symptoms as Rover the dog.

Good Grips misses mark

This timer is produced by a company called Good Grips. They originated as an alternative for folks who had trouble gripping items. They began with the potato peeler with a wide handle. It was so successful that they have expanded to areas such as timers. 

Frankly, I don't understand why this is different than other timers as the buttons are small and the stop/start button is annoying as heck. But that is not really the reason I posted this. No, the question that I had concerns the packaging. This timer came in a blister pack that was exceeding difficult to open. It was one of those thick packages that are hard to cut open. Then when you've cut it open it is near impossible to pull the pieces away from the timer. 

So, my question is, shouldn't someone be paying attention to the packaging as well as the product? Who cares if the product is easy to use, if you can't get it out of the package? Yet another example of good design ideas poorly executed through to the last step. I see this everywhere.

Thanks to a great car

I donated my car to the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor today. This is the second time I've done this. With a little work, it could be a good car for someone who doesn't have one. It made more sense to go this route than to take the trade in value which would have been a pittance. 

It was a good car that ran for 11 years with little work done to it. I never got stuck in snow, I could barrel though anything. It carried my two big dogs easily in the back cargo area. It was an anonymous car so people ignored you. Police and idiots alike. It was hard to part with it today as it has so many memories associated with it. Mostly my beloved past dogs whom I still miss dearly. Hopefully whoever gets it will have as much luck as I did with it. 

Think before you name your pet

It's good to know that people are looking out for one another. As sometimes this can be a very cruel world. However, if this situation continues, it has the potential of turning into a result of crying wolf if help is someday needed. Let's hope that never happens.