Environmental Protection Innovations

Something as simple as a place to put your fishing line can save the lives of animals in the habitat the fisher used. I found this is South Carolina and was impressed that someone had the fortitude to design, fund and place this in the state park. Nice work.

This other find, is in Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor. This company looks at so many aspects of doing business that improves the community it serves. Not only does this flushing device save water, but it also lowers their water bill. Often doing what is right, is also smart in more ways than protecting the environment. Another good job by Zingerman's!

Times Are Tough

We have a 15.3% unemployment rate in Michigan right now. Because of that, we are seeing more creative ways to make a living of any kind. I found this at the bottom of driveways during my daily walk. The sign is asking for used books and is placed in a ziplock baggie with two stones used as weights. 

It is a sign of how hard things are getting here. At the same time it is uplifting, as this is an example of a person looking for alternative ways to earn some kind of income. I like this a lot, as it encourages recycling while helping someone at the same time. This is the first step for any entrepreneur. I wish him luck!

This made my heart melt!

I found this notice posted on the community bulletin board at a local coffee shop. A nine year old entrepreneur working to market his dog walking business. How can you not want to support this young man? 

Very industrious! Love it!

Dumb Car

Now that is not my idea of this car. If you look closely, the license plate reads 'Dumbcar". 

Hmm. I didn't know what to make of it. Had the owner come out, I would have asked what the story behind the plate is. 

Is it supposed to be ironic? Did they buy their car and then have reservations?I don't know and probably never will. 

What I do know, is I like this car - A LOT! So, cute! Although I wouldn't want to drive it on highways or fast streets. It is adorable, but also doesn't feel like it would survive a high speed crash very well.

Pilots-N-Paws

In early 2008 pilot Jon Wehrenberg flew a Doberman Pincher dog from Florida to South Carolina for his friend Debi Bois. Thus Pilots-N-Paws was founded. They have become a nationwide team of small-aircraft pilots and animal rescuers who move animals from over crowded facilities to shelters and rescue groups committed to finding them homes. 

Since that time nearly 300 pilots have joined the group that uses a web-based message broad to let them know about animals in need. So far this fantastic group has saved over 300 animals. Yet another example of folks working together to make a difference. 

Go Pilots-N-Paws!

Lemon the Duck

If this story doesn't warm your heart, you better check yourself into a hospital.

Meet Lemon the duck, her canaine friend Casey, and mom Laura Backman.

Lemon was born in Laura's elementary classroom and it was immediately apparent that the duck had a neurological disorder that prevented her from standing upright. Being a kind and caring person that values animal life, Laura decided to take her home and care for her.

Casey, a foster mom to other unfortunate animals, befriended the duck and is often found sleeping next to her when she is not pushing herself around in her PVC pipe custom chair.

How delightful is this? If we could all learn to be kind to other beings of all physical abilites, this would be a much kinder world to live in. 

Lemon, Laura and Casey are an inspiration!

Bella and Tara

This is the story of an elephant, Tara, that befriended a dog Bella, at a Tennessee sanctuary. When elephants appear at the sanctuary, they seek out a friend that they hang out with. Tara decided that Bella was the friend for her. They are so dedicated to one another that when Bella had an injury that caused her to be isolated for three weeks, Tara stood in the corner near the building Bellas was housed in until she was better.

Gotta love how wonderful animals treat one another. This is an amazingly endearing story. To see the video click here.

Seeing eye horse?

That's right. That is what you are seeing here. This is a mini horse that has been trained to function as a seeing eye "dog" (horse). The primary advantage to a horse is the lifespan of your companion. Horses live much longer than dogs so one doesn't have to experience the pain of loosing ones best friend and companion every decade or so as one does with a dog. 

I love the little tennis shoes that the horse wears! 

To learn more see the Guide Horse Foundation at this link.

Who knew? I love it!

And now for some good news!

Vestergaard Frandsen, a Swiss company that developed LifeStraw, a truly life saving invention for the estimated one billion people around the world who lack access to clean water. The personal water filter is housed in a polystyrene cylinder that hangs around the neck., cleaning at least 700 liters of water and removing 99.9% of waterborne bacteria and 98.7% of waterborne viruses. 

It's design is simple, with no spare parts or batteries needed. According to VF spokesperson Peter Cleary, humanitarian organizations have purchased 200,000 of the $5.50 devices for distribution in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. 

The world health organization estimates that roughly 1.8 million people, mostly children, die each year from waterborne illnesses.

Now this is something that is truly making a difference in peoples live. Very cool.

Pets and kids

Meet Boomer Hodel and his rat Tofu.

Boomer lives in Hawaii and has taught his pet rats, Tofu and Fin to surf. 

He made the one foot long surf boards himself so that his pals could surf solo. They take to beach twice a week for about 20 minutes of surfing and then its a little warm up on the sunny beach before heading home. 

He feeds them a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to enhance their performance. Seems to be working well so far.

Makes you wish you could be a pet rat in Hawaii!

Peg leg Riley

This is Riley, a horse that was given a second chance with a new leg. He arrived at Best Friends (one of my favorite charities) with a bad injury that ended with the amputation. Fortunately, the Guardian Animal Program came to the rescue and provided him with the prosthetic. He is now up and running (truly!) with the other horses. Heartwarming. It restores my faith in human nature after having a difficult day.

If this doesn't warm your heart...

...then you must be dead.

This young man is from Khabul, Afghanistan and is the first athlete to win a medal for his country ever. He took the bronze in Taekwondo. 

Fabulous!

What a wonderful feat for a country that can desperately use a hero right now. Congratulations to Rohullah Nikpai!

Another woman for animal rights!

Olympic swimming gold medalist Amanda Beard launched her naked, anti-fur campaign poster for PETA this week at the Beijing Olympics. She posed nude in the PETA campaign because she loves animals and is horrified to see how fur in produced for fashion in some places. The original campaign launch was scheduled to take place inside Olympic Village, however, she was forced to unveil the poster outside the village gates after Chinese Authorities canceled the scheduled event because of safety concerns.

Yea, Amanda! You go girl!

Redneck Stonehenge

I love this! 

This farmer erected this car fence as a comment to his neighbors who complained about living next to a farm that they built their home next to. They didn't like the smell and bugs that were associated with farm life. They liked looking at the animals, but apparently the animals weren't supposed to have animal smells, noise or waste. 

Gotta love those urbanites!

The farmer has a great sense of humor as he has buried the cars so that they will easily be removed. He doesn't want to cause a rift. He just wanted to make a point that he was there first and it is now a little late to complain about the situation that they put themselves in. 

I'm sure they are also complaining about the cost to drive to their homes from the distant cities they left. 

Strong Women

There has been press about strong women lately. 

First, there is the amazing 41 year old mom who made the Olympic swimming team this weekend. Dara Torres qualified for the team with her win in the 100 meter freestyle swim and is being herald as an inspiration for all women and men too! Not bad for a woman who retired in 2000 after the Sydney Olympics. She accepted her victory metal with her two year old daughter who waved to the crowd not quite understanding what was happening. However, the crowd most certainly understood the pivotal moment!

Then we have Carla Wallenda. She is a 72 year old great grandmother who comes from a long line of aerialists. This amazing woman climbs atop her 110 foot pole and preforms a ten minute show without a net. Members of her family (including her father) have died while preforming but this gutsy woman keeps going. She can't imagine not preforming. It is her therapy. She is part of the Flying Wallendas that preform around the Ann Arbor area and the country. I encourage all to go and support this family when they have the opportunity.