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Megan Minkiewicz
Megan Minkiewicz has raised six puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Over the next year and a half, she'll write about her adventures as a volunteer puppy raiser for The Bark blog. She lives in Bend, Ore., with her husband Alex, a Quarter Horse named Chip, and a one-eyed goldfish named Flobie and Caleb.
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A transition for our family
Posted by
January 19 2012
Well, I really did not anticipate I'd be using the words career change; in fact, I delayed writing this post just to avoid it. I take it very hard when one of my dogs is dropped; I feel for a second that I failed as a guide dog puppy raiser. For 13 months Caleb and I have been a team and to an outsider we look like we know what we're doing. But truth be told, Caleb made the decision he does not want to be a working guide dog. Not all dogs are up to the task, and clearly Caleb has a different agenda and that's okay too.
Over the last few months we have been working on and have made great improvements in his dog distractions; however, his nemesis continues to be small dogs. He just finds them too interesting and he wants to play with them. I get it: dogs are social animals and who doesn't want to visit with every friendly face they meet? Caleb has not failed in my eyes; he's made a conscious career decision.
No doubt, we have really enjoyed raising Caleb. He fit well into our lifestyle, enjoys all sorts of adventure and loves to snuggle—the most important quality of all. But we are not keeping him as a pet. I am just not there yet and I don't know that I will ever be. I fall in love with every dog I meet and I think it would be amazing to have a ranch full of senior dogs that I could spoil into their golden years, but the loss of Noah still hurts too much to consider having a pet dog. I suppose that's what makes me a good candidate to raise guide dog puppies: I can give up a puppy even after a year together.
Don't get me wrong; there have already been lots of tears over the anticipated good-byes. I adore Caleb, and he'll always hold a very special place in my heart. He proved to be such an accommodating and easygoing companion on road trips, vacations and business travel that I will really miss him tagging along. But he is going to be a very happy camper in his new digs, and for the next few days we are assisting in Caleb's transition to being a pet.
He's sleeping on the couch next to me now, a novel experience he's grown very used to in just 48 hours. He is enjoying a whole new world of previously off-limits toys and treats! On the flip side, he's no longer going to be available as my movie date and I had to go grocery shopping alone today. But if the trade-off is sleeping on the couch, I know what gets Caleb's vote.
We have the great fortune of a long list of family and friends waiting to adopt a career-change dog and among them was a perfect family for Caleb. He will be living a lifestyle very similar to the one he's grown up in and we will be able to visit him as often as possible.
The opportunity to share Caleb's story with a new legion of fans has been wonderful and rewarding. For the first time in six puppies, I actually have a record of our time together and I thank The Bark for giving me that. Perhaps out of this someone will raise a guide dog puppy, become a breeder dog custodian, adopt a career-change dog, or visit one of the Guide Dogs for the Blind campuses and/or choose to support their work. While I will not have the opportunity to share with you stories of Caleb's progress through formal training or his partnering with a vision-impaired person, there is always the next puppy in training! On January 27, we'll meet our next puppy and begin all over again.
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Thirteen months and countless miles later
Posted by
December 26 2011
As I type this, we're waiting for our flight home after a good but long week traveling. Caleb's fast asleep at my feet, having grown very used to the San Francisco International Airport, and I have no worries about traveling with him. In fact, I've got no concerns about his ability to become a guide dog if that's his chosen path.
Recently, I re-read each of the blogs I've written for this series. What I found most interesting was how the tone evolved. In the beginning, I saw these as progress reports but as the year progressed and we came to know Caleb, the story has become much more personal. Caleb's personality and our relationship with him has shaped this series to be a lot more than progress reports. He's part of our family; we love him and it will be hard to see him leave us. So far, he does not have an official recall date to formal training, but it's looming like a great big rain cloud. How quickly a year has come and gone but, at least, we'll be spending the holidays with Caleb!
I am a big fan of the holidays, and we've already had quite a few highlights this year. The biggest so far was our participation in the Guide Dogs for the Blind Festive Holiday Luncheon in San Francisco. In its 35th year, it's a pretty big event, drawing approximately 700 attendees. To me, it marked the official start of the holiday season, and this year, Caleb and I were part of the program.
I had the honor of speaking on behalf of the puppy-raising community and sharing some puppy-raising wisdom with the attendees. I brought along a crew of friends and family to support me, and Caleb, as always, was my trusty sidekick on stage. I am not an experienced public speaker, so the prospect of all those faces staring at me was a little daunting. I focused on two goals: not crying and making the audience laugh. I did both, so we'll count it as a success.
Here's a snippet from my speech:
In one year, we accomplished a lot. Caleb has grown from a chunky 16-pound puppy to handsome 62-pound dog. He's learned how to walk on a leash, potty on command, maintain good manners, keep calm under pressure and, most importantly, to trust me.
We've traveled on planes, BART, buses and boats. We've visited California, Montana, Washington and Idaho, stayed in downtown hotels and fishing lodges. We've gone to plays, movies, meetings and appointments, stores, offices and black tie events—all of which prepare Caleb for life as a working guide dog. At home, we play games of tug, go hiking, practice our obedience commands, take naps and enjoy endless belly rubs—all of which prepare Caleb for being the best companion.
We happened to run into the breeder custodians of Caleb's mom while there, they were so proud to see one of their grand-pups on stage. He has become a great ambassador for the organization and its mission. All in all, it was a wonderful day and just one more opportunity to test Caleb's socialization and obedience skills among all those people—not to mention the puppies!
Caleb is really ready for his next adventure. I cannot think of a situation or distraction that he cannot handle. I am excited and sad as we prepare for his next career move and our next puppy. In the meantime, we'll just curl up in front of the fireplace and relax this holiday season.
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Plus, some serious off-leash challenges for Caleb
Posted by
November 17 2011
This is my favorite time of year; I love the changing of the season and how it changes our activities. The temperature drops, the leaves change colors and soup becomes a staple on the dinner table. The one negative I can find is the shorter day. It's an adjustment for all of us. We go from weekends spent on the water to weekends hiking the amazing central Oregon wilderness, and as always Caleb partakes in the fun. While he gets plenty of exposure to the public and new experiences we try to balance all of this with fun activities. These not only build trust but make working more fun and rewarding.
With no shortage of places to explore, we've been spending a lot of time up in the mountains taking advantage of the less crowded trails before the snowpack arrives. Caleb clearly enjoys the change of pace and scenery. Some of the toughest challenges we face on our hikes are off-leash dogs. I will be the first to admit Noah, our pet dog never walked on a leash. He was trained to respond to verbal commands and could be counted on to listen no matter the circumstance. However, when we were approaching or approached by any dog we'd but him on a leash for the safety of everyone.
It's a bit different with Caleb; he's not allowed off leash in areas that are not fenced and more often than not we can count on an off-leash dog encounter no matter where we go. These provide us with two different challenges. The first being a good distraction exercise for Caleb to work through. Ignoring an off-leash dog can be tough even for the most reliable dog, so we work some training into our fun hikes.
The second and more concerning for all of us is the unknown and in some cases aggressive off-leash dogs. This can be particularly detrimental to a Guide Dog puppy and end a working career before it even starts. One negative experience can cause unrecoverable damage that stresses out a dog enough that he cannot regain the focus to work successfully. Dog attacks are the number one reason for early or sudden retirement of working Guide Dogs. Luckily, I can simply pick up Caleb and move away from any off-leash dog approaching us in a dominant or aggressive posture. Caleb still thinks he's a lap dog and doesn't mind a little pick-me-up now and again. As long as our adventure continues he's a happy.
Playing and being a family member are just as important in Caleb's training as socialization and public outings. At home, just like any pet dog, Caleb enjoys playing with toys, napping on any number of beds around the house and following our every move. He sleeps in our room and loves racing around the backyard with a toy in his mouth. It's not all work for this Guide Dog puppy; we make sure to have plenty of fun. One of my favorite games to play with Caleb is tug. He loves it and when he does he gets quite animated and makes the strangest noises. We call him the Wookie because he sounds exactly like Chewbacca from Star Wars. It is one of the most hilarious traits about Caleb, and I hope his future partner finds it as funny as we do.
More and more we are preparing ourselves for Caleb's recall. This week marked his final evaluation by our community field representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind. We spent time reviewing Caleb's monthly reports and discussing all of the different things we've exposed him to. He's right where he should be in training. His obedience is spot on, he's been exposed to all sorts of people, places and things, all of which he takes in stride. He's confident but cautious, at the end of the meeting it was determined Caleb's got a few more months with us before his recall. Since he's a little immature we'll get to keep him for a bit longer than the average pup. Finally, I found the silver lining of those Golden Retriever genes, and am thankful for some extra time with this little pup of whom I've grown so fond.
Next month, Caleb and I will have the honor of speaking at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Festive Holiday Luncheon in San Francisco, stay tuned.
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The puppy-raising phase is coming to an end
Posted by
October 17 2011
This afternoon Caleb and I returned home from a five-day trip to San Francisco, where I learned two of his littermates had been career-changed. Since only about 50 percent of puppies in training make it as working guide dogs this is not unheard of, but after another successful travel experience with my stoic little dude it stung just a little. Luckily, Caleb remains on track. We have yet to encounter a situation he cannot handle. He is a willing participant in whatever activity we are headed for. Tail wagging and feet prancing, he's very good at showcasing those Golden Retriever traits.
We spent a few days in San Francisco, which is a great experience for this little country bumpkin. Caleb has become such a seasoned traveler I believe he absolutely knows exactly what's going on when I begin to pack my bag and his food. Thinking back to the little chuck of puppy I picked up last winter, I am very proud of how far Caleb has come. Watching him navigate slipping under the seats on a plane and traversing through San Francisco Airport is really amazing. He's ready to face whatever path he chooses. He is confident and smart and loves to please, I think he'll make a wonderful guide dog and partner for someone.
From San Fran, we made our way to Napa for a few nights to visit some friends and attend the Guide Dogs for the Blind Canine Heroes Wine Gala. Guide Dogs for the Blind supports and funds the veterinary care for all program dogs for the duration of their careers. The funding will support everything from urgent-care treatments and life-threatening conditions, to annual exams including vaccinations and lab work.
The evening included amazing wine and food from local restaurants, a silent auction, a spirited live auction and lots of dogs! Caleb was more than willing to pose for photos and work the crowd. I managed to win the raffle drawing for 13 magnums of wine but most importantly nearly $500,000 was raised to ensure Guide Dogs for the Blind can provide the best veterinary care to their clients free of charge.
Even with all the excitement and Caleb's successes, I think we've reached the point I should address the white elephant that's been in the background of this series since the start, the reality of giving Caleb up, which is only growing closer with each passing day. I am hoping we'll have him for another 3 to 4 months but we are starting to prepare for his recall, knowing it's only a matter of time.
He's the first puppy we've had who didn't meet Noah, my yellow Lab companion of nearly 14 years. I think this worked in his favor as we refer to him as our clean slate pup. Our previous guide dog puppy-in-training, Arden, was with us when Noah passed away and the entire year was hard for all of us. I still miss my Noah every day but my heart aches less.
Caleb is with us—and more specifically, me—all the time; I am his person. He will go anywhere and do anything for me. Over the last year, we've built an amazing bond and trust that we'll always have no matter what his future holds. He may go weeks, months or years without seeing me but his reaction will be the same and the reunions will be joyful no matter how long we've been apart.
I honestly don't think any of my pups spend their days pining for me. All of them are with their soul mates and where they are meant to be. I am the awesome aunt who brings special presents and treats. From day one, I remind myself eventually we'll have to say goodbye but as recent as last night I find myself tearing up at the prospect. It never gets easier, in fact, sometimes I think it gets harder with each dog.
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Our Guide Dog pup travels four states, sniffs a T. Rex and turns one-year-old
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September 16 2011
It's 8:02 on a Friday night, we are in a hotel room in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and I am the only one still awake. We have been on the road for a week; Caleb is officially a road warrior. Last Sunday, we packed up our car and headed west. A few years ago, my husband Alex went on a fly-fishing vacation to a lodge in Montana and had an amazing time. Since then he's been trying to work another trip into our schedule and really wanted me to join him. I agreed on the condition we take Caleb with us; I don't fish so I figured I'd need a buddy to hang out with for the 12 hours a day Alex and the other guests were on the water.
We mapped out a route that would allow us to stop and visit Alex's parents in Boise before continuing on to Twin Bridges, Mont. I wanted to make sure none of us were in the car for more than six hours at a time day. It worked out perfectly: Each travel day was about 300 miles or less. Caleb was excellent in the car; he slept or chewed on one of his many toys. We stopped about every two hours for a stretch, walk, potty and water break.
Overnights in hotels are a breeze for him. As long as he's got us, a bed and his meals, Caleb's a happy pup. When we finally arrived at Healing Water Lodge, we all knew the drive had been worth it. Beautifully manicured grounds, a vegetable garden to die for, perfectly appointed rooms with plenty of room for Caleb's giant crate, a gorgeous dining room and a pond complete with a resident beaver!
Caleb was welcomed with lots of love from the guests and staff and was part of every activity, from long walks and outdoor adventures to cocktail hour on the sun porch and gourmet dinners in the dining room. We hit some local museums, shopped and took a ton of photos. We spent a day in Bozeman with a friend and her two lovely Labrador ladies. Before heading back to the lodge, we made a visit to the Museum of the Rockies, where Caleb came face-to-face with some very large dinosaur bones. I am happy to report not once did he try to lick them.
The highlight of the trip for me was the opportunity to take Caleb out on a drift boat for a day of fly-fishing. We've spent a lot of time going with Alex to fish the streams and rivers around our house, but it means just grabbing a camp chair and setting up with a book on the water's edge. Caleb had never been on a boat and frankly I'd never been on a drift boat trip but Alex's guide, Cassandra, and the lodge, were phenomenal in coordinating this little family outing for us.
Caleb is comfortable enough around water I figured he'd do fine but I wasn't prepared for how awesome he was. Within minutes of me putting him in the boat he was resting at my feet watching the world go by. Occasionally, he'd sit up or rest his head on Cassandra's seat to see what was going on. We stopped on banks to let Alex work the water and land some fish, giving Caleb some time to explore and enjoy the scenery. We did have to raft through some small rapids but Caleb was fast asleep so he missed it completely.
By afternoon Caleb and I were relaxing in the boat while Alex was landing fish after fish in a small riffle. After a while, Cassandra brought over the fish for me to see and photograph. Guess who wanted in on the action? Caleb. We introduced him to a brown trout. He was not aggressive or overly interested; he sniffed, gave it a quick lick and looked back at me for approval. Since it's all catch-and-release, no fish were harmed in the experience. Here's a video glimpse:
This trip really solidified how grown-up our pup is. We've given him just about every opportunity to experience life as a working dog. I can confidently say Caleb has handled everything thing we've put him up against. We are getting closer to his recall date and know we probably only have a few more months with him. His first birthday is this week. Happy Birthday Caleb, you rock!
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Caleb reunites with his littermates
Posted by
August 22 2011
Once a year Guide Dogs for the Blind hosts their annual "Fun Day" at each campus, an annual recognition event for puppy raising volunteers to thank them for everything they do. It's the biggest event of the year. The day provides raisers from the various territories with the opportunity to learn about new training techniques, changes in the breeding program, new community placement options and, of course, to meet littermates and other raisers.
Three of Caleb's seven siblings were attended—Cleveland, Carol and Clinton—all are yellow and being raised in the Portland area. We were able to spend some time chatting with the other raisers and comparing notes on our pups. Turns out, there are definitely some shared traits. All of them have the same "hook" move: When playing, they'll wrap a front paw around you and hang on. They are all cuddly, love to play and are generally mellow personalities. However, when it comes to appearances they are all over the map. Cleveland is significantly bigger with a wavy long Golden Retriever coat, Carol is very petite and Caleb was commended as the cutest, and I have to say I agree!
It's hard to say if they recognize each other as sibling since in general they show the same level of enthusiasm for all dogs. But it was fun to see some of his littermates and learn how they have been progressing through their training. To date, all eight are still in program and none have been career changed.
We also had a few visitors this month. My mum spends part of the summer in Bend and along with her comes her Black Labrador, Hobson, who is a community placement from Guide Dogs. Community placements are essentially ambassadors. They are paired with active community members, educators and others who help spread the word about Guide Dogs for the Blind.
My mum lives in a retirement community in Arizona where she and Hobson do outreach work on behalf of Guide Dogs for the Blind. They speak to Veterans organizations, vision-loss support groups and social clubs about the services and options available for the visually impaired. Hobson is a wonderful companion for my mum as well as perfect representative for Guide Dogs. When visiting, he also provides some welcome instruction and mentorship for Caleb. Caleb has learned to respect his elders, a bit, and that just because there is another dog around does not mean we are opening a wrestling camp in our living room!
Add to this mix four of my siblings and their families including kids ranging in ages from 2 to 16 and we had a really different vibe for Caleb to experience. This was again invaluable socialization and training for him, on any given day there were at least five additional people in our house, kid's toys all over the place, and mealtimes were crazy. With our house as the hub of activity, Caleb got a dose of what I grew up in. Lots of people, food, noise, activity and kids running around, he handled it all very well but needed a few long naps in between.
While summer may be coming to a close, we are preparing for our long awaited vacation to Montana for some fly fishing, hiking and relaxing. Caleb is going with us to the lodge and we are looking forward to giving him even some more new experiences. Until next month, enjoy the rest of the summer!
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Swim lessons, playing with a pal and a new tattoo
Posted by
July 20 2011
To say we've had a busy month is an understatement. I got my first and only tattoo (more on that in a second), while Caleb has been traveling, trekking and celebrating his first summer in style. Summer has officially arrived in Bend and that means one thing around our house—getting outside as much as possible, preferably near water. For Caleb this meant his first swim lesson. Mind you, Caleb's been splashing around in the river and creek for months but he'd yet to learn to swim. So we took him to one of our favorite swimming holes for a lesson.
Most people assume a Labrador will jump right into the water and begin paddling, and occasionally it happens, but little Caleb is a bit of a cautious gent. I knew it would take some coaxing. While a dog may instinctively know how to swim that does not mean he wants to. Knowing Caleb, we took it slow and played along the water's edge, splashing around until he was comfortable with his surroundings and didn't show any indication of stress. Every few minutes, I'd step a little deeper into the water and call him to me, not wanting to disappoint his mum he'd cautiously step forward and before we knew it he was swimming. We paddled around for a while, got out, took a walk for a change of scenery, and came back for round two. Now we've got a full-fledged swimmer on our hands.
Since we spend a fair amount of our summer in and on the water it's important Caleb knows he can swim but that does not mean he can charge into water upon sight. He's still got to maintain his ability to resist the urge to fling himself into the water, which is hard for a puppy, especially on a hot day. Needless to say, Caleb is just as happy to sit on the water in the canoe or kayak as he is to be swimming. Clearly being a cautious old soul has its benefits in this training exercise.
Thanks to the holiday activities and strange summer weather patterns, Caleb also got some experience with loud noises. Live music, fireworks and thunder have been very popular sounds around here. Knowing I've got a cautious old soul at the end of my leash, it's very important that Caleb doesn't experience a fearful or anxious reaction from me. Out for a walk one evening the sky erupted with a huge crack of thunder right above us, Caleb balked for a split second, looked at me and kept walking, on the next crack he simply looked up towards the sky and by the third installation he could have cared less. Without a reaction from me, there was clearly nothing to get worked up about. Never underestimate the energy that flows down the leash from you to your dog.
Another training exercise we've been able to work on is self-control. A slew of visitors, of the human and canine variety, have made home much more interesting for Caleb. Plus, we've had many new opportunities for socialization with more restaurants, movies and street fairs. We even volunteered at a half marathon.
Most of the time our household is pretty quiet—just the three of us, doing our routine. To mix it up, we had another Guide Dog puppy-in-training visit for a week. Suddenly, the humans no longer outnumbered the canines, it was going to be nuts. I expected chaos but all in all it went very well. With a schedule and routine there was little room for negotiating, the dogs could go from wrestling to relaxing with just one "that's enough" command—impressive for a pair of boys whose combined age was not even a year! Vance was the first yellow Lab pup we've had in the house since Noah passed away; it was good to have some yellow fur around.
Speaking of my blonde bombshell, I had Noah's paw print tattooed on my foot. A bit of the backstory: Before he passed away and before Jennifer Aniston made headlines with a tribute to her best dog, I said if I ever got a tattoo it would be Noah's paw print on the bottom of my foot so he could take every step with me for the rest of my life. After he passed away, I told myself if a year went by and I still kept thinking about it was meant to be. Finally, I made the appointment and the evening before I was out on my paddleboard cruising up river for some exercise when I saw something floating in the water towards me. As it got closer I saw that it was an orange Kong on a rope—Noah's favorite toy, the toy he carried on every walk and that we still have sitting in a bucket on our front porch. The next day, without a reservation, I got my tattoo.
Still to come this summer: a road trip to Montana and a road trip to Guide Dogs for the Blind to meet Caleb's littermates!
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And loving up first graders
Posted by
June 22 2011
Caleb has officially reached the halfway-point of his puppy-raising year; today he's 9 months old! We took another plane ride this month; in fact, we took a few. Caleb even bravely managed an early morning flight, which sets back mealtime by an hour—a lifetime to a Labrador.
I left the Alex in charge for a week, while I rode my bike 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles as a participant in AIDS LifeCycle, a fundraising event support the programs of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and when I returned there was a dog where Caleb should have been. He had filled out and looked more like an adult; he had developed this wide ribcage and must have grown an inch in my absence.
Also, while I was gone, someone forgot what his day job was, no doubt a result of being home alone with the "easy" parent. A day after returning, I was working in my office with Caleb and after it was too quiet for a little too long I turned around to find him on his bed with a pack of Post It notes in his mouth. He was just holding them gingerly, not chewing on them but appearing not to know what to do or how he ended up with them in his mouth. He's never picked up anything other than his own toys so I'll chalk it up to teenage rebellion.
Speaking of kids, one of Caleb's earliest socializations was a visit to the first grade classroom of another puppy raiser Mrs. M, who has graciously allowed all my pups to visit her class. Since he's been visiting on a regular basis, we made a special trip back to say goodbye to the kids and give them a chance to ask me some questions about Caleb before summer break. Quite a list of questions had been compiled in anticipation. Here are a few of my favorites:
In turn, I asked the students what they liked most about having Caleb in class. The responses were hands down some of the best ever. First graders are awesome!
While the learning experience for Caleb is phenomenal, it's clear his impact on the students has been tremendous. I received a note from Mrs. M after one of Caleb's visits describing the incident of Caleb and the new kid.
"When a new student arrived scared and unsure, he was greeted by Caleb's wagging body and bright happy smile. Immediately, he relaxed and melted into Caleb's fur, petting him and loving him up so carefully. It was an amazing way to get him to open up, tell me about his dog and what he likes about them. I think having Caleb there yesterday made a huge difference in the life of one little guy with a lot of baggage. School was warm, wiggly and happy! Caleb was there for him whenever he needed to be loved up."
I certainly will not be the first person to tout the power of the pooch when it comes to the human emotion spectrum. But you can't tell me it's not there!
Now that summer has finally arrived in Central Oregon, we are looking forward to being outside, and we're cleaning up the canoe, kayaks and paddleboards in anticipation. Caleb is going to learn all about water sports. Stay tuned.
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Caleb's first fundraiser
Posted by
May 30 2011
Our little dude is growing up so fast; we've completely lost all semblance of a puppy around our house except during playtime. He's come to be known by one of his many nicknames, "Little Goat," as he loves to jump straight in the air and race around the track he's created in the yard, kicking up his heels and burning off steam.
Caleb is almost eight months old now, which means he's about halfway through his puppy year. My best estimate is he'll be recalled for formal training sometime next winter. But for now we are continuing to work on obedience, manners and socializing, all of which Caleb excels at. I had a light travel month for work so Caleb and I are proud to report we've made it to the gym every morning for the last two weeks and have been able to do some more daily outings and routines. Now that we've built a strong foundation of training, we've started to challenge Caleb with more complex outings and socializations. This month was no exception.
Twice a year, Guide Dogs for the Blind hosts annual wine gala fundraisers in Napa and Portland to raise funds for veterinary care. Guide Dogs for the Blind is unique from other schools in that it commits to the healthcare of working dogs for the lifetime of the dog, well beyond their guiding career. Everything from routine vet visits, cancer treatments, orthopedic surgeries, flea, tick and heartworm prevention to kibble—it is all free of charge to Guide Dog graduates. Knowing the dogs I raise will receive the best care for their lifetime is extremely important to me. We make a point to attend the events and contribute financially to support this cause, so Caleb went with us to Portland for the weekend.
Now remember, we live in the country, so visiting the city is a big change; there are more noises, more distractions and more smells! Since we made a weekend out of it Caleb also got to experience another hotel stay. His first hotel stay was quite controlled; we were in a ground floor room with easy access to an exit for potty breaks. This time we stayed in a downtown high-rise hotel, where leaving for a potty break involved walking down a hallway, riding in an elevator, crossing the lobby, out the door and around the corner. Luckily, all of the practice and consistency of teaching Caleb to relieve on command came in handy. He was perfect. Saturday we spent the day walking and shopping throughout Portland, a more urban 'hood than Caleb's used to so it proved to be a good training experience for him.
After an afternoon nap for Caleb and spa treatment for me, we headed over to the Portland Art Museum for the main event, Pinot and Pups. The evening consisted of a reception and silent auction followed by a sit-down dinner, keynote speakers and a live auction. This was Caleb's first large event, and there was a lot going on from the moment we stepped out of the elevator. There were people, servers, working guide dogs, musicians, puppies-in-training and even some tiny little eight-week-old pups.
Those first few minutes were a little overwhelming for Caleb, so I took his cue and gave him some time to stand in one place and take it all in. Once settled, we spent some time navigating the silent auction tables, placing our bids and talking to attendees. As expected, the question I'm asked most often is how can I give up a puppy; don't I get attached? Yes, I absolutely do. But to see what these dogs are capable of, I have to be capable of letting go.
Puppies are, of course, the highlight of the event, which was perfect for my little social butterfly. By the time we sat down for dinner, Caleb was more than ready for a nap and was asleep before the first course plates were set. After so much activity and stimulation, Caleb was more than happy to sleep in the next morning until almost 7 am!
All in all the experience proved to be a new one with a slew of new challenges for the little rock star to navigate. Up next on Caleb's calendar: back-to-back weeks of airplane travel, plus the end of the school year party and interview with his first grade fans. Tune in next month.
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Caleb's first plane trip, photo shoot and evaluation
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April 20 2011
Last week was a big development week for Caleb. He took his first plane trip, met our delightful friend and photographer Amanda Jones (video below), explored San Francisco, and had his six-month evaluation with our field representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind.While in theory it would be great to have our dogs always travel with us, I can tell you from years of experience it's not as easy as it looks! Guide Dogs for the Blind puppies under six-month-of-age are not permitted to fly and approval is required to ensure the experience is a positive one for all involved. Travel can be very stressful for dogs, and pets in general, so I take into account as many of these factors as possible. I gauge if my puppy can handle not relieving himself for a number of hours. Can my puppy navigate crowds and airport security? Will I be staying in a location where my puppy will be comfortable? Will I have access to a fenced yard for him? And, finally, is it a worthwhile training experience? When I travel with a dog I change my schedule to accommodate his, I fly at non-peak times on slow travel days, not during meal times and always on direct flights. In this case, I had to be in San Francisco on a Sunday so Caleb and I took a Saturday afternoon flight. Clearly all of the other socialization activities Caleb's been exposed to up to now parlay into his ability to accept the stress of traveling on a plane. If you plan to travel with you dog on a plane please consider if it's the right thing for your pet; how much travel your dog been previously exposed to, noise sensitivity, stress triggers, age and most importantly be sure you are willing to drive home if air travel proved to be too much for your dog to handle. Flying out of a small regional airport means I know the staff by name and they know I often show up with a dog in tow. Security is relatively easy to navigate, but we also have to walk directly onto the tarmac where the noise and planes can be daunting for a puppy. Caleb handled it all like a champ. The flight was only about half-full, which gave Caleb some extra room and the flight crew was accommodating as always. Once on the plane, I brought out a new toy for Caleb and he settled right down under the seat. At not quite seven-months-old, Caleb's the youngest pup I've taken on a plane. He's also the only one to sleep from before take-off to after landing. Neither the noise nor the motion bothered him at all, as I've said throughout this series as long as he's got a pair of feet to curl up on he's fine. Once in San Francisco, we had to make our way out of the airport to the pet rest area and then rode the tram to the rental car center—all of which were very new experiences for the little man. The week provided the opportunity to give Caleb many new experiences: We stayed in two different places both with resident dogs of their own, took the ferry from Marin to San Francisco, and enjoyed dinner in quaint downtown bistros. But my favorite experience I shared with Caleb was having a photo session with Amanda Jones, a frequent Bark photo contributor. Now, Amanda's not only the most talented, photographer but also a dear friend who always finds the time to fit my pups into her busy schedule. These photos are my keepsake of my short time with these amazing creatures. I see it as a present to myself for the love, hard work and heartache that comes with each puppy. Here's a video snippet from the shoot. By mid-week we were ready to head home, which proved again to be a walk in the park for my little travel companion. Even the busier San Francisco International Airport security process could not shake Caleb's confidence. We followed the same rules of travel for our return home: off-hours flight, slow travel day and new toy for the flight home. Although he was asleep before we hit the runway. All in all, it was a perfect introduction to air travel for Caleb and a great training opportunity. Caleb also had his six-month evaluation with our field representative from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Each month puppy-raisers complete a report that helps provide development and socialization feedback for the staff. In addition, puppies have two annual evaluations, at six and twelve months. This provides raisers with the opportunity to ask questions and gives field reps time to assess any problems or concerns and also to implement any new training techniques. Caleb and I met with our rep at the local library where we reviewed paperwork and then set off on a walk to see how Caleb behaved out in public with other dogs and environmental distractions. He was nearly perfect—I was told he already acts like a Guide Dog! Caleb only has one slight issue with some dog distractions, so he was put on a food protocol to help change the behavior and its already working. It never fails; food is the great motivator.
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PHILADELPHIA — RHP Joe Blanton's first start of the postseason tonight in Game 4 is sure to be exciting, but it's going to take a lot to be more memorable than his last one.
That was Game 4 of last year's World Series, when he not only threw six solid innings in the Phillies' 10-2 rout of the Rays, but — in the fifth inning, off Edwin Jackson, with a nation as his witness — hit an actual home run.
"Fans bring it up quite a bit," he said. "It's a very special moment to be able to do that. … I enjoyed it but almost didn't get to because I was so worried about trying to bring myself back down to pitch and not letting myself get out of rhythm."
Blanton, 28, didn't get the ball back but was honored when the Hall of Fame asked for his bat. "Not everybody has the opportunity to have a piece of something they used to go in there," he said. "So it's very special that that went in there for me."
It's just that — being a pitcher and all, and with a career .111 average — he didn't expect it to be his bat.
"Maybe when I was 12," he said. "But since then, I think that would be the last thing I'd ever think would be in there."
THE WOLF PACK: Dodgers starting LHP Randy Wolf has lots of memories from his eight seasons with the Phillies, including throwing the first pitch in the inaugural game at Citizens Bank Park.
But even cooler was the kinship he developed with a group of fans who banded together as the Wolfpack, sitting in the upper deck for his home starts and wearing wolf masks.
"I know they'll be here (tonight), but I don't think they'll be in costume," Wolf said. "They're born and raised Philadelphians, and they're Phillies fans first and foremost. I think for the sake of their own lives, they'll keep that under wraps."
MISCELLANY: RF Jayson Werth passed Mike Schmidt to become the Phillies' all-time leader in postseason extra-base hits (14). … Of the 29 teams to take a 2-1 NLCS lead, 20 won the series. … Former Phillies star C Darren Daulton, a longtime bay area resident, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. … Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he's leaning toward using LHP Cole Hamels on Wednesday.

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Having a Lucrin kit bag gives you the guarantee of travelling with consummate ease and elegance! Our 24 or 48 Hour travel bags have been conceived with great usability (thanks to intelligently-designed interior pockets), with solid assembling (large leather plaques perfectly sewn), and keeping the luxury factor well felt (premium leather, microfiber interior). Boasting of timeless designs, our duffle bags and carryalls will accompany you for years to come during your city trips or prolonged weekends. Lucrin also proposes pocket travel bags that are relatively smaller than the holdalls, and in which you can keep essentials such as: ticket, passport, phone and money. Of course, all the collection of leather carry-on bags is customisable, for example, with initials engraving.
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Sao Paulo suffer defeat to Chilean minnows
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 11 (Reuters) - Brazilian champions Sao Paulo slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat away to modest Chilean side Audax Italiano in the Libertadores Cup. Renato Ramos scored in the 77th minute for Audax, who overcame the absence of their inspirational midfielder Carlos Villanueva, missing through injury, in the Group Seven match in Santiago late on Thursday. Colombian champions Atletico Nacional won 3-1 at Paraguay's Sportivo Luqueno in the same group to go top on goal difference from Sao Paulo with one match each to play. Both teams have eight points while Audax have seven and Sportivo four. Sportivo host Audax on April 23 and Atletico visit Sao Paulo. Chilean champions Colo Colo left Group Three wide open by beating UA Maracaibo of Venezuela 2-0 in Santiago with goals early in the second half from Gustavo Biscayzacu and Lucas Barrios. With one round of matches left to play, Mexico's Atlas lead with 10 points, Colo Colo have nine and defending champions Boca Juniors have seven. Boca need to beat UA Maracaibo by five goals at home in their final game on April 22 to make sure of qualifying without having to depend on the result of the Colo Colo v Atlas game the same day. However, if Atlas beat Colo Colo, a straight win will be enough for Boca.


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A person representing Barok Carpet and Jewelry Kusadashi Turkey
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We bought a carpet in Kusadahi Turkey in 2011. Last night we received a phone call from the above number. He said he sold us a carpet in Turkey and was here because a customer has recently bought 6 carpets in Turkey and this customer had died. He ...
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies have signed eight-time All-Star Vince Carter to a multiyear contract.
Carter averaged 11.9 points in 81 games, all off the bench, last season for the Dallas Mavericks. The 37-year-old guard has scored 20.2 points per game over his 16-year NBA career.
Sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the terms of the deal are for three years and $12.2 million.
Carter moved into 25th place on the NBA's career scoring list last season, and the player once known best as a dunker also is now seventh all time in 3-pointers made. He led the league last season with 146 off the bench.
The Florida native also has played for the Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns before winning a ring in 2011 with the Mavericks.
Photo via Soobum Im/USA Today Sports Images
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An "intergalactic" battle is raging - and you and your Embo action figure are about to enter the fray! Arm your warrior with his bow-caster so that he's ready to charge into combat against his fiercest enemies. Whether fighting for the fate of the universe or standing at attention in your collection, this awesome action figure puts all of the excitement of the Star Wars saga right in the palm of your hand!
3.75" scale figure comes with a bow-caster, Galactic Battle Game card, battle base and game die.
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Upcoming Red Cross blood
donation opportunities
Chisago County
Oct. 4, 2 to 6 p.m., at Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center, 5200 Fairview Blvd., Wyoming.
Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center, 5200 Fairview Blvd., Wyoming.
Isanti County
Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Campus Center, 300 Spirit River Dr. S., Cambridge.
New to Medicare session
Going on Medicare soon or just interested in how it works? There will be information on Medicare given out Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to noon, at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, conference room B. Questions will also be answered. Aspects of Medicare Parts A, B, C and D will be covered, as well as information on supplemental insurance to Medicare and how to report Medicare fraud and abuse. There is no cost to these sessions, but registration is required so the proper amount of materials are available. Call Amy Tvedt at 1-800-333-2433 ext. 83026 and leave a message with your name and phone number to register.
'Wine and Art Krawl'
North Folk Winery in Stark is hosting its second annual Wine and Art Krawl Oct. 5, along with Wild Mountain Winery of Taylors Falls. On site will be many local artisans selling art, produce, vintage items and food products. Charlie Parr also will be performing a concert 5-7 p.m.
North Branch Farmers Market
The North Branch Farmers Market is open this month through October, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Lake State Parking Lot. For more information, call 651-674-7624.
RC homecoming parade and pig roast
The Rush City High School Homecoming Parade will take place Oct. 4, 2:15 p.m. The parade will begin on West 1st St., just east of Jacobson Elementary.
The 19th annual homecoming pig roast will take place 4:15 to 7 p.m. in the Rush City High School commons area on the same day. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 12 and under. Advanced tickets may be purchased in the principal's office at the high school and elementary school.
RC Garden Club annual Octoberfest
Rush City Garden Club's annual Octoberfest is Oct. 5, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the park in Rush City. Dried flower arrangements, chili, cookies, coffee and painted pumpkins will be for sale. Proceeds fund the various projects and programs in which the club participates. Vendors are welcome — just come to the park and set up.
Water quality of the St. Croix and Sunrise Rivers
Join the Amador-Sunrise Land Registry, the Women's Environmental Institute, and special guest Dr. James Almendinger, Sr. Scientist at the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, to dig deep into the water quality issues of the St. Croix and Sunrise Rivers Oct. 5, 1 to 2 p.m. at the Wild River State Park Visitor Center. Streams and lakes in both of these crucial basins have been declared "impaired." What does that mean, and what is being done about it? Discover how scientists are using the past to inform the present for the St. Croix, and how computer modeling can simulate the future of the Sunrise River. See how our actions can make a real difference. Refreshments will follow this free program. Registration not required.
'All are welcome' concert
There will be a benefit concert for 'A Place for You' transitional shelter for the homeless Oct. 6, 2 p.m., at the Lighthouse in Pine City. The concert highlights music and musicians from the six Pine City churches. Coffee and fellowship will follow the concert. Tickets can be purchased at the Flower Box or at the door the day of the concert.
Driving refresher course
There will be a "55-ALIVE" 4-hour refresher course Oct. 7, 6 to 10 p.m., at the Rush City High School Media Center.
To register call Carrie at 320-358-4795, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prepaid registration is due by Sept. 30. Limit 30.
After completing this course persons 55 and over will be granted a l0 percent reduction on their private passenger auto insurance by their insurance company. Please note: You must first attend the 8-hour class before you can attend the 4-hour class. The Rush City Lions provide refreshments for these classes.
Parenting plus
All grandparents/kinship givers who are raising grandchildren/relative's children are invited to a support group meeting Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m., in room No. 110 at Pine City Elementary School. Enter door No. 5 by Dragonwood Playground. There is free childcare at this meeting. Call 320-629-4030 to sign up for childcare or for more information.
Bell Museum presentation
Jon Wild River Audubon Oct. 8, 7 p.m., at the Chisago Lakes Area Library, 11754 302nd St., Chisago City, to hear a presentation by Don Luce, curator of art at the Bell Museum. He will present a preview of the museum's upcoming exhibit: Audubon and the Art of Birds. This one-of-a-kind exhibit will feature original art from John James Audubon and other renowned bird artists. Coffee and treats are provided at this free event. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Paying for college:
deconstructing the costs
Join Lynne Bossart, owner of Muse College Consulting LLC, Oct. 9, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Rush City Public Library, 240 W. 4th Street, Rush City, for a free workshop on the nuts and bolts of paying for a college education. Topics covered will include saving for college, types of financial aid, scholarships, grades and ACT/SAT test scores, and budgeting for the college years. Please call 320-282-6237 or email [email protected] to register.
Almelund seniors meeting
Almelund seniors will be at the Amador Town Hall Oct. 11, 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy cards and social time.
NB teen center opening
On October 11, the new North Branch Teen Center, 6381 Main St., will be hosting a community open house 5 to 7 p.m. Come to celebrate the opening of the North Branch Teen Center and to learn more about programs for area youth and the North Branch community. There will be free food, door prizes and games to play.
Those with questions about the teen center can call 651-277-0098 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Fall book sale
The Friends of the North Branch Library fall book sale will be held Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room at the library, 6655 381st St. Purchases provide funding for many non-budgeted items for the library. All proceeds benefit the library.
Fish Lake playground dedication
There will be an open house dedication of the new playground and picnic shelter at the Fish Lake Township Hall Oct. 12, 1 to 3 p.m. Come see the new facility, meet township officials and local service providers. Refreshments will be provided.
Wild 'shiver' weekend
Celebrate this MEA weekend with a variety of fun fall activities including cauldron-caching, creepy crawlies, campsite decorating, and the All-Camp Trick-or-Treat (Saturday night in the main campground) Oct. 18-19 at Wild River State Park. Campsites and cabins go fast so book your spot today.
Crex Halloween Haunts
There will be a "Halloween Haunts" program at Crex Meadows in Grantsburg, Wis. Oct. 26, 5 to 8 p.m. Crex is looking for students ages 11-18 to develop short skits for the haunted trail. Theme: "Creatures of the Night." Volunteers are also needed to assist with children's activities, crafts and games. More volunteers are needed to direct traffic, greet and float 4:30 to 8 p.m. If interested, call 715-463-2739, or email [email protected]
The scariest places of Minnesota
The Rush City Public Library presents Author Chad Lewis 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Lewis will be talking about Minnesota's most haunted locations — the scariest places of Minn.
Piecemaker Quilt Guild
On Nov. 5, 7 p.m., at Rushseba Town Hall, members of the Piecemaker Quilt Guild will display their 14 mini landscape quilts of scenes along Old Highway 61, from Wyoming to Pine City. Scenes are of the past and present. Member Ilene Olson-Holmberg will give the history of each one. The public is invited. Refreshments are served.
Learn Swedish
Learn Swedish from native-speaking Swedish teacher Signe Fluegel-Svensson at Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia Monday evenings now to Nov. 18. Fluegel-Svensson has been teaching Swedish class at the museum in the spring and fall since 2008. Her classes are very personalized and a fun way to master this musical and challenging language.
The cost for the fall session is $80 and includes all materials. Registration can be made by calling the Scandia Butik at 651-433-5053. This year, Fluegel-Svensson has added a third level to accommodate her students. A student with no prior knowledge of Swedish pronunciation will want to register for the Beginning Class at 7:30 p.m. Mondays.
Annual chow mein dinner
Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Rush City is having its annual chow mein dinner Oct. 18, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at the church. Those with questions can call 320-358-4309.
Blessing of the animals
All animals (and their owners) are invited to receive a special blessing at Spring Lake Lutheran Church, 8440 Erickson Rd. NE, North Branch, Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m., in the church parking lot. Pets of all shapes and sizes are welcome.
St. Francis of Assisi (12th Century) loved animals and told them that Jesus loved them, too. In honor of this saint attendees will gather with the animals they love and give thanks for what they do for us and for what they mean for us. Invite neighbors and friends and their pets to come to this service.
For information, call the church office at 651-674-4606 or email [email protected]
Calvary harvest supper and bake sale
The annual harvest supper and bake sale will be held at Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church of Rush Point Oct. 10, 4:30 to 7 p.m. The bake sale will begin at 4 p.m. The supper menu features meatballs, potatoes, gravy, rolls, baked squash, vegetable, pickles, coleslaw, dessert and beverages. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and under eat free. Bake sale proceeds will go to the Caring for Kathy Bohman benefit. All are invited to this event in the ground level, handicap accessible, air-conditioned fellowship hall. Calvary Ev. Lutheran Church is 5 ½ miles east of Grandy at County Road 6 and 6 miles west of Rush City on County Road 7.


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Folks, if you were one of the millions of Deadly Chemists that loved that sick backing track to those snowboarding highlights, then you are not alone. I have already gotten six text messages and eight e-mails (five of them not spam) since those hot synth licks tickle-smashed your e-drums. It is the new hotness and I'm expecting the OSN director of programming to reverse his "one-time only" edict any minute now.
Until you have the chance to be re-assaulted by D-Chem on a future Dome, d-l some of the aud here (that means download some of our hot new audio). This sweet stuff is called "Harmony of Sickness".
Almost regret sharing that stuff with you, very personal track for me. A lot of people ask what the red meat is. I'm reluctant to say… but it's my soul.


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Riding Beams of Light: Einstein & the Holidays
During this season of light – may you attune to the inner light.
It's said that Einstein conceived the powerful E=MC2 while meditatively riding on a light beam. It worked for the great professor and it can work for you.
By attuning to the inner light, you free your mind from entanglements.
May today – and all days – be filled with awareness of the light.
We wish you many blessings and deepest peace.
Love & Shanti
Now may be the perfect time to ride a light beam over to our info page for The Meditation Habit. The Holiday Special ends this week.
If you haven't seen the three FREE videos that explain more about how start, sustain, and deepen a daily meditation practice – click here.
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Discussion in 'Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech' started by Sevan, Feb 6, 2004.
hey only a few more for you.
Im getting there...COMON CHEER ME ON EVERYONE!!!!!
..How bout these commercials during the bud shootout! Some of them are really funny.
:OT: :damnit:
DId Smockdoiley send you a nasty private message? OOps to the laughter.
oh yea...well how about...
why is it when you post in 5.0 talk your post count doesn't go up?
No he didnt, I was polite in that post. Mustang talk is just BSing, it shouldnt count. Who cares if u talk alot...cuz anyone can talk, u know what i mean, or do i need to give an example?
no this whole thread is example enough.
Oh really........ : :OT:
Ok [email protected] wanna get serious now huh... :OT: :damnit:
YEAAAAAAAAAA, 400 posts BABY!
one last post whoring for the night.
I own page 4
Im a street master....how BADAS$ is that...NASTY!!
goodnight gaslight...
Well the Muff bearings I heard could fetch as much as 50Rwhp if they are kept lubed real nice.....
[QUOTE='90DarkBlueLX]Well the Muff bearings I heard could fetch as much as 50Rwhp if they are kept lubed real nice.....
yea but you need to use an expensive, non abrasive vegetable based oil to properly lube them


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potete aiutarmi a fare un riassunto d' inglese di questo testo?!?
the entire history of Ireland is marked by bitter confrontations between the Catholic Irish and the Protestant English. In 1921 the English granted self-government to the 26 counties which later became the Republic of Ireland; the remaining six northern counties, Northern Ireland or Ulster, where Protestants were in the majority, remained an integral part of the United Kingdom. Ulster occupies the north-eastern part of Ireland and is separated from Britain by the North Channel and the Irish Sea. Its central area is a plain surrounding a lake, Lough Neagh, the largest lake of the United Kingdom. Like the rest of Ireland, Ulster has a rainy climate, made warmer by the influence of the Gulf Stream. The development of Belfast as an industrial centre began at the end of the 18th century when great importance was given to its textile industries and to the harbour.
- Inglese
riassunto in inglese (46149)
crazy_siren - Sapiens Sapiens - 904 Punti
The Irish history is characterized by the bitter confrontation between Irish Catholics and English Protestants. In 1921 26 counties became indipendente and later they formed the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland and Ulster, which occupy the north-eastern part of Ireland, are divoded from UK by North Channel and the Irish sea. Here there were a majority of Protestants and they remained a part of the United KIngdom. In the central area of Ulster there is a large lake, Lough Neagh. Ulster has a rainy climate, made warmer by the Gulf Stream. In Belfast, from the 18th century, textile industries' development began and harbour became very important.
Ci ho provato... C saranno sicuramente degli errori gramaticali perchè l'ho fatto senza vocabolario... Vedi se va bene...
Ci ho provato... C saranno sicuramente degli errori gramaticali perchè l'ho fatto senza vocabolario... Vedi se va bene...
Burdella - Sapiens Sapiens - 822 Punti
The Protestant Northern Ireland or Ulster which occupies the north-easten part of Ireland, has always been an integral part of the United Kingdom, but the Republic of Ireland was granted self-government in 1921.The central area of Ulster is a plain surrounding a lake Lough Neagh and it has a rainy climate. The industrial centre is Belfast.
Questo topic è bloccato, non sono ammesse altre risposte.
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Great White Shark 'Swallowed Whole' Man Free Diving Off Australian CoastA man who was free diving with spear fishermen off the South Australian coast was "swallowed hole" by a great white shark.
Shark Riding Trend Deemed DangerousA vacation trend, swimming with sharks, could lead to some catastrophic circumstances.
Florida Scientists Discover 2,000-Pound Great White Shark Near Surf SpotSurfers in Florida might want to think twice before heading out into the water.
Transform Father's Day Into The Adventure Of A LifetimeWant to do something fun with your dad for Father's Day? Check out these exciting activities that are sure to be an adventure!


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i had botox injected under the eye. i'm not sure of the quantity but i can say that it is only one or two injections. i developed bags and puffiness after 12 days. could it be a side effect of the botox. i think it is relevant to metion that i had a facial cleansing after 10 days of botox.i'm worried about the way i look and hope the bags will disappear soon.
Is It Possible to Have Bags and Puffiness in the Undereye After 12 Days of Doing Botox?
Doctor Answers 4
Use caution with Botox under eyes
It is hard to know for sure without seeing pictures and knowing where exactly the injections occurred, but if the puffiness developed 12 days after the injection, it most likely is a sequelae of the injection. Botox must be used cautiously under the eye because weakening the orbicularis muscle (which supports the lower eyelid) can cause the bags that you are describing.
This problem is something that an experienced injector should be able to avoid. This is a good example of why one should seek out an experienced and reputable injector, even if they cost a bit more than the competition.
The silver lining for this cloud is that you should see things start to tighten up again in 3-4 months. I would go visit your injector with your concerns. Good luck!
Botox & eye puffiness
I have seen a few patients in my practice over the past 12 years develop some eyelid puffiness after having Botox or Dysport injected. The likely cause is fluid accumulation from decreased lymphatic clearance. Our muscles help the tiny lymphatic vessels do their job well. If the muscles weaken and thus the wrinkles improve, you may experience a transient fluid accumulation here. I advise my patients to massage the area in long strokes from the side of the nose then flowing to the mid ear when they can throughout the day. Sleeping with a firm eye pillow may also help. There are not any topical creams I have found helpful for this condition. Good news is that it will go away as your muscles begin to regain some contractions. You may not be a good candidate for these injections under the eyes but usually treating the lateral crows feet (side of eyes) does ok.
Botox and puffiness of eyelids
It is not clear as to which areas were treated with the botox. Rarely, an off-label procedure, botox has been done on lower eyelids for various conditions. However, the pump action of the lower eyelid muscle then is relaxed and swelling can accumulate, especially in the morning after lying flat. This tends to be noticable soon after the botox was injected, not 12 days later but it is possible.
If the botox was around the crows feet only and didn't affect this area, then it might be some other factor that is causing the puffiness such as the cleansing or products they applied.
Learn more: http://www.thenyac.com/botox/index.html
You might also like...
First a photograph would be very helpful here.
Botox in the lower eyelid weakens the orbicularis oculi muscle. This causes a sag to the lower eyelid that accounts for the "puffiness." One does not need to invoke an unsubstantiated theory regarding the operation of lower eyelid lymphatics.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.


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Black Box Snap-On Patch Cable Boot - Network cable boots - yellow (pack of 50 )Item#: 8569643 | Model#: FMT722-SO-50PAK
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text:
Professor Dr Joachim Moeller
Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB)
der Bundesagentur für Arbeit
Regensburger Str. 104
90478 Nürnberg, Germany
Professor Dr Martin Baethge
President of the Sociological
Research Institute (SOFI) at the University of Goettingen, Germany
Professor Dr. Martin Biewen
Professor of Statistics, Econtometrics and Quantitative Methods
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Tuebingen, Germany
Professor Dr. Andreas Diekmann
Chair of Sociology
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, Switzerland
Professor Dr. Peter Ester
Lecturer at the University of Rotterdam and member oft he Dutch Senat, Netherlands
Professor Bernd Fitzenberger, Ph.D.
Professor for Statistics and Econometrics
Institute for Economic Research, Department of Applied Economics, University of Freiburg, Germany
Professor Dr Dr h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz
Former President of the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Germany
Professor Dr Laszlo Goerke
Professor of Business Administration, particularly Personnel Economics
Director of the Institute for Labour Law and Industrial Relations in European Union (IAAEU) at the University of Trier, Germany
PD Dr Nicole Gürtzgen
Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW), Department of Labour Markets, Human Resources and Social Policy, Germany
Professor Dr Thomas Hinz
Professor of Empirical Social Research
Department of History and Sociology, University of Konstanz, Germany
Professor Dr Stephan Lessenich
Lehrstuhl für "Soziale Entwicklungen und Strukturen"
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Professor Dr Aderonke Osikominu
Professor and Chair of Statistics and Econometrics I
Institute of Economics, University Hohenheim, Germany
Professor Dr Christian Pfeifer
Professor of Economics, especially Applied Microeconomics
Institute of Economics, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany
Professor Dr Dr h.c. Dieter Sadowski
Professor für Betriebswirtschaftlehre em.Institut für Arbeitsrecht und Arbeitsbeziehungen in der Europäischen Gemeinschaft - IAAEG , Trier
Professor Dr Claus Schnabel
Professor and Chair of Labour and Regional Economics
School of Business and Economics, Institute of Labour Market and Socio-Economics at the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Professor Dr Susan Seeber
Chair of Business Education and Human Resource Development
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Faculty of Economic Sciences
Professor Dr Joachim Wagner
Professor of Economics, especially Empirical Economic Research
Institute of Economics, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany


text:
Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to say farewell to the Senate after 12 years. I would like to take time to convey my heartfelt thanks to all of those who have helped me during my time in the Senate and to reflect briefly on the work we were able to get done, work that I think made a difference for the people of my State and our Nation.
I also will share a few observations with my colleagues, both those who are staying as the 112th, as well as Senators yet to come. At this stage in my life, I look back on my 44 years in public service and I cannot help but thank God for the immeasurable blessings he has bestowed upon me. Each time I walk the steps of the Senate, I look up at the Statue of Freedom on the top of our Capitol dome, and I think of my grandparents who came to America with nothing but the clothes on their back. They could not read or write and spoke only a few words of English.
I have to pinch myself as a reminder that this has not been just a wonderful dream. The grandson of Serbian and Slovenian immigrants who grew up on the east side of Cleveland is a U.S. Senator. Only in America.
Truly none of us should take for granted the economic and political freedoms we have. My dad used to say the reason we have more of the world's bounty is because we get more out of our people because of our free enterprise and educational systems. Mr. Gudikuntz, my social studies teacher, said: A democracy is where everyone has an equal opportunity to become unequal.
So during my final days in the Senate, I think of the people in my life who have gotten me up the steps to this hallowed Chamber: My wife of 48 years Janet is God's greatest blessing to me. She has never pulled or pushed me, but she has always been at my side; my three children on Earth, George, Betsy and Peter, and my angel in Heaven, Molly, and my eight grandchildren, my siblings and their extended families. It is not easy to have a father, brother, or uncle in this business. The people of Ohio who have facilitated my election to seven different offices, who have stuck with me even though on occasion they have not agreed with me, have my deep appreciation. I can never thank them enough. I hope they know that every decision I have made and every policy I have crafted, although not always the easiest or most popular at the time, was aimed to improve and make a positive difference in our lives. I am very humbled to have been given the privilege to serve them through the years.
Here in the Senate, my wonderful staff, both in Ohio and in Washington, I am so proud of what they have done for me and the people of Ohio. I take fatherly pride in having had the chance to touch their lives and see them grow. I also think of our colleagues in the other Senate offices who have helped and cooperated with them as we worked together to solve our Nation's problems, meet challenges, and seize opportunities. My colleagues and I should be most humble; for all we are is a reflection of these wonderful, loyal, hard-working individuals.
I also thank all of you in this Chamber for your courtesies you have extended to me. I miss my first 2 years when I presided over the Senate, the first one to get to 100 hours in the chair. It was a wonderful time, and thank you all for what you have done for me over the years.
The folks in the Attending Physician's Office have taken care of me physically. Our two great Chaplains, Lloyd Ogilvie and Barry Black, along with the wonderful priests at St. Joseph's on the Hill have helped me grow spiritually. I have to mention JIM INHOFE, hosting our Bible study each week. He honored me by inviting me to a codel to Africa this year. There is no one in this Senate who has done more for public diplomacy for the United States in Africa than JIM INHOFE.
I have learned in my life that you cannot do anything alone. So, of course, I think of my colleagues in the Senate whom I have learned to know and respect. I have been blessed to call them friends. The American people have made it clear that they are not happy with partisanship in Washington. But the fact is, there are some great partnerships here, and those partnerships and relationships result in action.
I do not think many people outside Washington understand that a lot gets done here on a bipartisan basis. Many Americans think the only action in the Senate is on the floor of the Senate. But much of the action in the Senate is in the committees and meetings with other Members off the floor, as well as through unanimous consent.
Once a bill gets through committee, perhaps one or two people might have a problem with it, but we work it out, call them, go see them, it gets done. But it is never reported in the paper about how we are working together on so many pieces of legislation.
I am proud of the contribution I have made to the country in the area of human capital and government management. The fact is, though, without my brother, DAN AKAKA--and he is my brother--the changes never would have occurred. There is nobody who has done more to reform the way we treat our Federal workers, to make us more competitive and work harder and smarter and do more with less than what DAN and I have tried to do over the years, 12 years of working at it. It is an area that is neglected by most legislators because they do not appreciate how important the people are that work in government. I call them the A-Team. Any successful organization has to have good finances and good people.
I am also proud of my work in helping to relaunch the nuclear renaissance, which will help deliver baseload energy for America, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and reignite our manufacturing base in Ohio and in our country. I could not have done this without Senator TOM CARPER, who has been both a friend and a colleague since our days as Governor. TOM's leadership was key to organizing our recent successful Nuclear Summit in Washington, and TOM has taken the baton from me and will carry nuclear energy to the finish line as part of the future of America's energy supply, along with MIKE CRAPO, JIM RISCH, LAMAR ALEXANDER, and others.
I also recall the passage of the landmark PRO-IP bill, a bill to protect our intellectual property, by the way, the last bastion of our global competitiveness. It was a multiyear process that would not have succeeded without the work of the business community and my friend, EVAN BAYH, whom I first met when we were Governors of neighboring States.
As many of you know, I have been an ardent champion for my brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe, the Baltic States, and the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
As such, I am proud to have led the effort to expand NATO and increase membership in the Visa Waiver Program. These two accomplishments would not have happened without the bipartisan leadership of DICK LUGAR and JOE BIDEN on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the help of JOE LIEBERMAN and SUSAN COLLINS on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee.
I pray that the bipartisanship that I have witnessed and enjoyed in both foreign relations and homeland security will continue. I must also acknowledge Senator JEANNE SHAHEEN for her keen interest in southeast Europe. We traveled together to the region in February of this year, and I am heartened that she has picked up the mantle on our mission to ensure the door of NATO and European Union membership remains open to all states in the Western Balkans, which is key, I believe, to our national security.
I have also championed the cause of monitoring and combatting anti-Semitism, making it a priority within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and our State Department. The progress that has been made over the years could not have happened without the leadership of Senator BEN CARDIN, Congressman CHRIS SMITH, and the late Congressman Tom Lantos.
One of the highlights of my career was the passage of the global anti-Semitism bill, which created a special envoy at the State Department to monitor and combat global anti-Semitism. These are just a few examples of great bipartisan work going on in the Senate. But much of the time this is blurred because of the media's addiction to conflict.
Even though I do not agree with the bipartisan resolution on extending the Bush tax cuts, I compliment the President and leaders in Congress for sitting down and working together to find a compromise.
One of my frustrations after working so hard to find common ground on significant issues over the past 12 years has been that it does not happen often enough. The American people know that even when members of a family get along, it is difficult to get things done. So they most certainly know that when we are laser focused on fighting politicking and messaging, their concerns and plight are forgotten, and nothing controversial gets done.
There is a growing frustration that Congress is oblivious to their problems, anxieties, and fears. Frankly, I think one action leaders could take at the beginning of each Congress is to assess the issues at hand. What are the items that Republicans and Democrats agree should get done to make our Nation more competitive and make a difference in people's lives, and set a common agenda. By setting collective goals, by an agreement from leadership, I believe that will set the environment for committee chairmen and ranking members for the year.
Think about it. What kind of planning do we do? Most successful corporations have 5-year plans: Where are we going? What are our priorities? What are the things we agree upon? Let's not spend time on those things where we disagree.
Additionally, an unacceptable amount of time is spent on fundraising. It is my estimate that 20 to 25 percent of a Senator's time is spent on raising millions of dollars, and with it comes the negative fallout in terms of the public view of Congress, bowing to contributions from special interests. In addition to this negative impression, the time spent raising money too often interferes with the time we need for our families, our colleagues, and, most importantly, doing the job the people elected us to do. My last 2 years have been my most productive and enjoyable because I have not had to chase money at home and around the country. None of us like it, but nothing seems to get done about it--nothing seems to get done about it.
Ideological differences aside, it is necessary for us to have good working relationships if we are going to get anything done for the people who elected us. I know it is possible from my personal experience. As mayor of Cleveland, I worked side by side with George Forbes, the most powerful Democratic city councilman in Cleveland's history. My entire city council was Democrats. George and I first met when our children attended the Mayor Works Program in the Cleveland Public Schools System. Who would have guessed that we would become the tag team that turned Cleveland around after it became the first major city to go into bankruptcy?
I was pummeled by the media on occasion in regard to who was actually running city hall. My answer was, both of us. Forbes and I worked together as friends and partners. One of the great satisfactions when I left the job of mayor was that USA Today highlighted both of us: The tall African-American Democrat, Big George, and the short White Republican, Little George, working together to bring about Cleveland's renaissance.
In Columbus, I found a worthy adversary when I was Governor in Democrat Vern Riffe, who was speaker of the house for my first 4 years as Ohio Governor. My office was on the 30th floor of the building named after Riffe while he was still alive and serving an unprecedented 22 years as speaker.
Well, every day when I went over to the Riffe Tower, I had to genuflect before his bust. But, somehow, Vern and I decided we were going to figure out how we could work together and move Ohio forward and become good friends.
Needless to say, folks, I was dismayed when I learned this year that President Obama had held only a single one-on-one meeting with MITCH MCCONNELL. One meeting. When I was Governor, I met with Vern Riffe and Stan Aranoff, who was president of the senate, every 2 weeks, developing good interpersonal relationships and a trust which allowed us to move Ohio forward, from the Rust Belt to the Jobs Belt.
I am hoping we have entered a new era in the relationship between the President and leadership in Congress. Our situation today is more critical--more critical--than at any time in my 44 years in government. How we work together will determine the future of our country. We must also recognize that if we diminish the President in the eyes of the world, it is to the detriment of our Nation's international influence and will impact our national security. We are on thin ice, and we need the help of our allies. They need our help as well.
For example, the START treaty. Although I have had some reservations about it, they have been satisfied. It is vitally important to get done this year or, alternatively, we must make it clear the Senate will ratify the treaty as soon as the 112th Congress convenes. To not do so will do irreparable harm to America's standing with our NATO allies and would be exploited by our enemies, particularly those factions in Russia that would like to break off communication and revert back to our Cold War relationship. There are plenty of them over there still smarting from the fact that the wall went down, NATO expanded, and we encroached on their area of influence.
Two weeks ago Janet and I attended a farewell dinner hosted by MITCH MCCONNELL. Although I have had differences with MITCH, I have to credit him with keeping the Republican team together. There is no one more strategic than MITCH, JON KYL, and LAMAR ALEXANDER. Still, I share the concern of many of my colleagues that too often the herd mentality has taken over our respective conferences. At the dinner MITCH hosted, I shared with my Republican colleagues what Ohio State University coach Jim Tressel defines as success in his book ``The Winners Manual.''
Success is the inner satisfaction and peace of mind that come from knowing I did the best I was capable of doing for the group.
Success is a team sport. Hopefully, this will become the Senate's definition of success, because finding common ground and teamwork is what it will take to confront the problems facing our Nation.
My colleague Senator CHRIS DODD hit the nail on the head when he said:
It is whether each one of the 100 Senators can work together--living up to the incredible honor that comes with the title, and the awesome responsibility that comes with the office.
We do have a symbiotic relationship, and I am encouraged that more and more of my colleagues understand that. I was quite impressed with the fact that 60 percent of the Senate representation on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform supported the recommendations of the chairmen, including TOM COBURN, MIKE CRAPO, JUDD GREGG, KENT CONRAD, and DICK DURBIN. As far as I am concerned, they are true patriots.
As our colleague TOM COBURN said just before the commission vote:
The time for action is now. We can't afford to wait until the next election to begin this process. Long before the skyrocketing cost of entitlements cause our national debt to triple and tax rates to double, our economy may collapse under the weight of this burden. We are already near a precipice. In the near future, we could experience a collapse in the value of our dollar, hyperinflation or other consequences that would force Congress to face a set of choices far more painful than those proposed in this plan.
Here we are, in a situation where we are on an unsustainable fiscal course caused by explosive and unchecked growth in spending and entitlement obligations without funding. We have an outdated Tax Code that does not sufficiently encourage savings and economic growth, a skyrocketing national debt that puts our credit rating in serious jeopardy and should give all of us great pause.
For Fareed Zakaria posed questions that should haunt all of us in Monday's Washington Post.
So when will we get serious about our fiscal mess? In 2020 or 2030, when the needed spending cuts and tax hikes get much larger? If we cannot inflict a little pain now, who will impose a lot of pain later? Does anyone believe that Washington will one day develop the political courage it now lacks? And what if, while we are getting around to doing something, countries get nervous about lending us money and our interest rates rise?
I believe the American people get it. They recognize that our fiscal situation is in the intensive care unit on life support.
As I walk down the steps of the U.S. Capitol for the last time, I pray the Holy Spirit will inspire my colleagues to make the right decision for our country's future and work together to tackle our fiscal crisis. You have the future of our Nation and the future of our children and grandchildren in your hands.
I have already spoken too long. If my wife Janet were here, she would be scratching her head. That is the signal she always gives me. I got your signal, dear.
But I would like to finish with a reading from ``One Quiet Moment,'' a book of daily readings from the former Senate Chaplain Lloyd Ogilvie which I read every day for inspiration and proper perspective. Perhaps some of my colleagues are familiar with his writings. This was his election day admonition:
..... May the immense responsibilities they assume, and the vows they make when sworn into office, bring them to their knees with profound humility and unprecedented openness to You. Save them from the seduction of power, the addiction of popularity, and the aggrandizement of pride. Lord, keep their priorities straight: You and their families first; the good of the Nation second; consensus around truth third; party loyalties fourth; and personal success last of all. May they never forget they have been elected to serve and not to be served.
Mr. President, I yield the floor.
Source: http://thomas.loc.gov


text:
Timothy Dalton: Greatest Bond ever
Oh no, not really. I just wanted to get your blood boiling a little early. Though actually, I'd say Living Daylights and License to Kill are two of the most underrated Bond flicks of any decade.
But we're talking Bond in the '80s here -- at least on this week's Stuck in the '80s podcast. Co-host Sean Daly does everything in his power to turn the talk all smutty, but guest-host Steve Persall and I managed to keep the discussion above the waist whenever possible.
What can you expect in this week's show?
- The longest skit ever conceived for Stuck in the '80s with a budget somewhere along the lines of Daly's monthly liquor bill.
- Clips of our favorite Bond movies and songs -- with the bare amount of falsetto sing-a-longs.
- This week's manifesto from Jeff in Cuba, our nation's first and last line of defense against the creeping menace of Communism.
Click here to download the show. Or click here to get all our shows for free via iTunes.


text:
I'm driving the Aston Martin Virage at the Top Gear Test Track on Forza Motorsport 4. Although, there was already a Aston Virage done a Top Gear Power Lap Time, this is my version of the Aston Virage Top Gear Power Lap Time. The Aston Martin Virage may seem to be a carbon copy of the current Aston Martin models such as the DB9 and the DBS, it was known to be a middle-class Aston Martin. Better than the DB9 but not as good as the DBS. We take credit to James May for saying it. Music: Garage Talk From the album: R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 Direct Audio NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED!
aston martin, virage, fr, sportscar, coupe, luxury car, british, forza motorsport 4, the top gear test track,


text:
To no one's surprise, Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" was #1 at the box office over the weekend, making it a bona fide blockbuster hit. Not only did ol' shellhead pull in an astounding $104 mil in the U.S. box office, but the film also raked in an equally impressive $96.7 million in overseas receipts, for a first-week worldwide total of just north of $200 million. Can you say, "Iron Man 2" and "Iron Man 3"? I knew you could. At this point, even if "The Incredible Hulk" is a bust (and who says it will be?), Marvel Studios can probably still call 2008 a success with "Iron Man" alone.
But as gaudy as "Iron Man's" box office numbers were, and they were very gaudy indeed, the week's other new release, the derivative romantic comedy "Made of Honor" didn't do so badly by drawing in the heavy "chick flick" crowd that refused to watch a guy in an iron armor fly around. "Made of Honor" can also call itself a hit with a first-week take of $15 million.
Meanwhile, Tina Fey's "Baby Mama" continues a strong showing at the box office, taking in another $10 million, good enough for #3 and a 2-week total of $32 million. The Judd Apatow-produced "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" also pulled off a surprise, climbing back up the chart at #4 with $6 million, for a 3 week total of $44 million.
Here's how the rest of the box office broke down over the weekend (via):
1 —–Iron Man —–$100,750,000 —–$104,250,000
2 —–Made of Honor —–$15,500,000 —–$15,500,000
3 —–Baby Mama —–$10,332,000 —–$32,330,000
4 —–Forgetting Sarah Marshall —–$6,132,000 —–$44,804,000
5 —–Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay —– $6,015,000 —–$25,270,000
6 —–The Forbidden Kingdom —–$4,200,000 —–$45,124,000
7 —–Nim's Island —–$2,750,000 —–$42,544,000
8 —–Prom Night —–$2,500,000 —–$41,447,000
9 —–21 —–$2,100,000 —–$79,057,000
10 —–88 Minutes —–$1,600,000 —–$15,424,000


text:
Though the Indiana Pacers expected to play better in their most recent contest, they have no plans of letting that latest defeat linger for too long.
Hoping to avoid dropping consecutive games for the first time this season, the Pacers look to bounce back when they host the struggling Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
Indiana (16-7) shot a season-low 34.1 percent while scoring its fewest points of 2011-12 in an 85-81 home loss to Orlando on Saturday. The victory snapped the Pacers' four-game winning streak, but it likely won't take away any of their confidence as they remain one of the Eastern Conference's top teams.
"We're going to have those nights," guard Paul George told the Pacers' official website. "We have to regroup, get ourselves together and move on."
Danny Granger scored 19 points and Tyler Hansbrough added 17 off the bench, but the Pacers where held to 14 points in the third quarter while falling for the second time in three home games since opening with five straight victories at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
"This is one of those tough games that we're going to have. I would like to have it back," forward Roy Hibbert said. "This is a game where we made some mistakes and would do things differently and maybe be a little stronger and a little tougher."
Indiana has a chance to do both against Utah (13-10), which has dropped three of four overall and looks to avoid a season-high fourth consecutive road defeat Tuesday. The Pacers, however, have lost eight of the last 10 meetings with the Jazz, including two of three at Indiana.
Granger has averaged 26.2 points on 48.4 percent shooting in his last five games versus Utah.
The Jazz also must find a way to regroup after they fell 99-88 at New York on Monday. Al Jefferson had 22 points and Paul Millsap pulled down 13 rebounds, but Utah was unable to solve a Knicks team without Amar'e Stoudemire and minus Carmelo Anthony for most of the contest.
Utah went 2 of 11 from 3-point range and committed 22 turnovers, prompting coach Tyrone Corbin to believe his team took the short-handed Knicks for granted.
"As you've seen out there, you come in here with that attitude, you're in trouble,'' Corbin said. "They stuck it to us, really.''
The Jazz, who are 2-6 on the road, hoped they at least learned their lesson from Monday's effort.
"We dug ourselves in a deep hole. You can't do that no matter who's on the floor,'' Jefferson said. "We're all professionals. Everybody is a pro. So no matter they didn't have their star player, they're still a team that you just can't go out there and take for granted."
Jefferson has averaged 21.5 points in the last four games, and 23.8 with 9.3 rebounds in his last four against the Pacers.
Though Millsap was held to nine points Monday, he scored 23 and added 18 rebounds in Utah's 95-84 win at Indiana on Feb. 25. Jefferson had 30 with nine boards in that contest.


text: Middle EastYemen's Aden split by secession talk Southern city polarised between those who favour a united country and others calling for a separate state. 06 Jun 2012 16:31 GMT | Middle East, Yemen A separatist movement seems to have gained momentum in Yemen's southern city of Aden. Yemen was formed in 1990, when a tribal conservative north united with a Marxist south. Since that time, some in the south have called for independence, citing discrimination in the newly formed nation. The south is now internally divided between those who support a united Yemen, and groups that are actively mobilising to break away from the north. Waheed Rasheed, the new governor of Aden, thinks stability in Yemen's south will only prevail with economic development and the empowerment local governors and authorities. Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra reports from Aden.Source: Al Jazeera