School lunches threatening the US national security is making big news.

Obesity claims made  by the non-profit group,  Mission: Readiness, Military Leaders for Kids targets school food  programs as the culprit.

The group consists of about 130 retired Generals, Admirals , and other senior ex-military leaders. Their platform of advocacy is at least three quarters of potential recruits between ages 17 to 24 are too obese to fight.  In other words they are not recruitable

 "Too Fat To Fight"  is also a report released by the military leaders that pinpoints the main unqualifying medical reason for 9 million young men and women no making the cut to serve is due to obesity. Military entry weight standards are surpassed. 

Weight causes other disqualifying health problems like diabetes. School lunches which are on the down side of healthy are packed with fats and the empty calories of processed foods. Nearly 31 million American children eat 30 to 50 percent of their daily calories in school meal programs.

Currently and a direct reflection of the jobless rate, military recruitment quotas are on track.  On the flip side, processing the  number of recruits needed is exposing the dire problem of rising childhood obesity. Military leaders  and others concerned with national preparedness, see where continued obesity will impair the nations security.  Exposed as well is facing the problem and actually doing something about it. .

Philadelphia area schools and surrounding South Jersey, and Delaware communities have struggled like the rest of the nation to balance nutrition versus cost.  A large movement to remove unhealthy snacks from vending machines and menus is underway.

This is a great opportunity to reinvent life for the nations children and parents.

Chicken

Bing clipart

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Connie was a big orange  feathery chicken that trespassed on her neighbor's yard.  Per Connie's owner, Lauren Steltzer, the neighbor only called the local authorities to keep the chicken from being harmed. 

One greater Philadelphia community police department played chicken and got feathers in the face. The officer who took the call to save Connie, engaged his friend (a fireman) to help with the chicken.  This is where communication seems feathery...Neither officer knew Connie was a pet and assumed Connie Chick might hurt other animals!

Fireman chasing BIG ORANGE Chicken...Maybe he thought flames...But then why did he show up with a bow and arrow instead of water?  With one draw of the bow, Connie's  fell to the ground never to enjoy trespassing again.

All told, no laws were broken, Connie's death was just very unfortunate. PA state gaming laws do not protect poultry and use of a bow and arrow is perfectly legal. Ms Steltzer is pleased the Lower Merion police and fire departments are taking the murder of Connie seriously. She does think the responding patrolman made the wrong decision about managing the situation of a trespassing chicken.

For more info: Read "Chicken Murder Ruffles Feathers"

                     Beatrix (Shepherd Mix) 1-2 yrs old and Sooooo Sweet (Photo by Linda Wiese 3/31/2010)          

Only a BIG picture will do for this young lady. Beatrix melts the heart of anyone who looks into her huge  brown eyes. She is a quiet girl that wants to be warm, loved and probably would lay under your desk while you work. You will see why animals make us human when Beatrix raises her head to search your face.

It was my pleasure to meet with Beatrix and the The Animal Orphanage's director, Maria Clarke, yesterday. In-spite of Beatrix's rough beginnings she found her way to Maria and the wonderful staff at The Animal Orphanage, and more about Maria, et al tomorrow..."today is all about Beatrix," agreed Maria.

Through The Animal Orphanage's lifesaving program, they were able  to transfer Beatrix from an overcrowded shelter in West Virginia. She came to AO with some dermatological problems from neglect by her owner most likely. After seeing the Vet and beginning some rounds of medication Beatrix is on the mend. She loves to visit  and she would love to have visitors soon. Tell the staff you want to see Beatrix.  Beatrix is up to date with age appropriate vaccines & will be spayed prior to adoption.

Beatrix is a very pleasant , friendly dog, with unique colorings in her coat of a rich  blackish tan with highlights.  Also  she is approx. 2 years of age. Beatrix is affectionate, smart, playful and is a super sweet girl who loves her squeaky toys. She knows many basic commands and walks well on a leash; she also is okay with cats and may make a great friend for your current dog.  Our pets are spayed or neutered prior to going to their new homes. For more information on our adoption procedures click here.

About Adopting:  For an adoption application, click here and please remember to put Beatrix's name on the form. Thanks!

For more info:  The Animal Orphanage.org  or call   856-627-9111

Visiting Hours:  Mon.-Fri. 12-7 and  Sat.-Sun. 12-5
                                                                                   

Harley's are back and celebrities are in love with them too as the article  "Celebrity Harley Riders”   reports, Get out of town though, Elizabeth Taylor rides a Harley, that was a huge surprise. Many stars mentioned were not a surprise, like Jay Leno, but others were cool to visual atop a glistening Harley Davidson.

Friendly Bikers blog  is Your Biker Network for new, old, or sometime riders. What do you want to know about Custom bikes? This is the site to find out.  Are you looking for a Used Harley? Friendly Bikers Blog is the place to chat with others for help locating what you want. Harley history is always good to know and this site posts the specifics.

Are you looking for a community of friendly bikers? Here is the site for you, join today and start chatting with other lovers of the two-wheel mode of travel.

Lady Diana’s Story

Lady Diana (Courtesy of CCDL)

This beautiful liver-spotted Dalmatian lived in Hell until she came into Chocolate Chip Dalmatian Assistance League (CCDL) a year and a half ago.

The first 8 years of her life, Lady Diana was outside, rain or shine, on a chain. She had one purpose to fulfill for her people… and that was to produce litter after litter of puppies. Making the ghastly conditions even worse was less than adequate veterinarian care had been given Lady Diana and her many pups. Worse than the worst is what CCDL learned about this dog’s health. 

Rescuers found Lady Diana with a breast cancer the size of a softball. CCDL took her to a veterinarian and the tumor required a radical mastectomy. Unfortunately, the cancer had spread throughout her body. In addition, it was evident Lady Diana had been spayed but perhaps crudely. “Rather than subjecting Lady Di to added trauma, CCDL opted for doggie hospice care,” said Jackie from CCDL

Lady Diana (Courtesy of CCDL)

Lady Diana now called Spot more often then not, lives in Fredericksburg, VA at her forever-hospice home. In a phone conversation today with her person, Mr. Gid White he said, “Spot is the one of the most wonderful and amazing dogs.” Gid and wife take in rescued older dogs to let them life out their lives in peace and dignity. He said, “When CCDL called about Lady Diana (Spot) we said yes she is welcome here.”

Gid and CCDL have noted that if given the chance Lady Diana must have been the best of mothers, because as part of Gid’s family she has assumed a "mother" roll. She provides extra TLC...for canine house mate…the old, the young, the sick, and the lame. CCDL declares, “She is our own Princess Diana. Lady Di loves everyone, especially small children, and she is not shy about planting kisses on everybody she meets, including cats. She just does her magic wherever she is, and her magic is LOVE.”

The lovely liver spotted Dal will live out her life with the White family where she is loved, cared for, and surrounded by the only real family she has ever known…until the day comes when she tells Gid and CCDL that she is ready to cross the bridge...that her work here is done, and she needs to rest. Until then, she will be warm and snug on her bed next to the roaring fire. 

"What a Gal," Gid said.

“This is an amazing dog,” Gid said for at least the fifth time. What he meant was that given Lady Diana’s cancer, no one expected her to live this long. Amazingly, she is not in pain, has a good appetite, and a lovely disposition. However, Gid White expressed with emotion, “When the pain comes we will medicate Spot and when the pain is too much for her putting her down is the most loving humane care we can give her.”  Anyone who has loved a pet knows what Gid means.