Mattie arrived shortly after Sam. At the time, she was just as poor, skinny and afraid as he was in the beginning. She is beautiful, solid black with yellow eyes. Once again, we could not stand to see her starve.
Sam and Mattie have become regulars at our house. Sometimes they disappear, just to make us miss them, then after a few days show up for dinner as usual. They are for the most part on a regular schedule. Mattie hangs back while Sam takes his position in the planter, then runs up and pushes him aside when the food is brought out. She has a very healthy appetite for such a small cat.
They have made their home with us for 2 years now and we have not been allowed to pet either one. They don’t go as far, but they still run when we come outside. I would love to give them better care, but have accepted the fact that I am doing all I can do. They are well fed and have plenty of water. They also have a place to go where they feel safe. I am afraid if I try to catch them or if I catch them and take them to the vet, they will leave forever. For now, I do what I can and hope for the best.
May 29, 2008 | | Pets
The Bad Boy of NASCAR is no where near as bad as some people want you to believe. I recently found this great article about Kyle on NASCAR.com.
Busch spends time with kids from children’s center
CONCORD, N.C. — Cup Series points leader Kyle Busch took time out of his racing schedule to throw a surprise party for the children and staff of the Carolina Children’s Center on May 19 as part of his work with the Kyle Busch Foundation. Busch rented a private track and party room at NASCAR SpeedPark in Concord, N.C., where he answered questions about his life in racing, signed autographs, took pictures and of course … raced! Busch also chartered a private bus and invited the entire home to be his guests at the All-Star race on May 17 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. During the event, Busch recognized Donna Bland, as well as Tammy and Bill McConnell as recipients of the “Kyle’s Heroes” award, in honor of their numerous years of volunteer service to the Carolina Children’s Center. Busch and M&M’S Racing made a $1,000 donation on their behalf to the home. Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’S Toyota Camry in the Cup Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, founded the Kyle Busch Foundation in 2006 after a visit to a children’s home in Michigan. He took note of the many challenges that the home’s children faced and set out to support and fund children’s homes in need all across the nation.
May 28, 2008 | | Charity, NASCAR
Kyle and Greg are not the only NASCAR drivers who are reaching out to help pets. Ryan and Krissie Newman have established The Ryan Newman Foundation. Their focus is on Companion Animals & Animal Welfare, Conservation & Preservation of Wildlife, and Auto Racing Scholarships.
The Newman’s have three rescue dogs of their own and are committed to help reduce the overpopulation and euthanization of abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats. They also work to prevent cruelty to animals and encourage adoption of homeless pets.
Being a lifelong outdoorsman, Ryan is also committed to conservation and protecting wildlife. The Foundation has teamed up with The Conservation Fund to establish Racing for Wildlife, a campaign to build an American land legacy for generations of race fans. To learn more about the program visit www.racingforwildlife.org.
The Foundation also provides scholarships for students pursuing a degree at a university or college while continuing their involvement in quarter midget, midget and Silver Crown auto racing.
You can read more about Ryan and the foundation at www.ryannewmanfoundation.org. While you are there check out the charity book Pit Road Pets: NASCAR Stars and Their Pets.
May 20, 2008 | | Charity, NASCAR, Pets
As soon as I got home last night, I had to check out what went on at the NASCAR All Star Race. I knew that Kasey Kahne had won, but I wanted all the details. The first thing I checked was the Pennzoil Platinum Challenge that crowned the “king of the burnout.” Of course, I wanted Kyle Busch to win, but the honor went to Greg Biffle. The prize was $10,000 for the Greg Biffle Foundation.
In the interview afterward, Greg told a little about the foundation. All the money would go toward Humane Societies, no-kill animal shelters, spay and neuter clinics and the Animal Adoption League. The next thing I did was check the foundation’s website. Greg and his wife Nicole set up the foundation to help animals and are using his position and fame in NASCAR to make a difference. The Biffle’s have four dogs of their own.
Please help them out with the great work they are doing by visiting The Greg Biffle Foundation. While you are there check out the store and buy a calendar or make a donation.
May 18, 2008 | | Charity, NASCAR, Pets
Hannah’s graduation went off without a hitch. My Mom, my nephew Jacob (Hannah’s older brother) and I drove to Ruston together. It was a long trip, but we enjoyed the time with Jacob. We even got to spend a little time with Hannah before the ceremony.
Hannah was so pretty in her cap and gown. There were 793 graduates, but we were able to spot her in the crowd. I was afraid we would be too far away to really see anything, but that wasn’t the case. I even got some really nice pictures. One of the things I enjoyed was 6 of the graduates were commissioned into the Air Force. I had never seen that before. But the standing ovation they received was the best part.
Afterwards we all went to Hannah’s house for family time. We don’t get to do that very often and it was nice to get together on such a special day.
May 18, 2008 | | Family
This will be a very busy weekend for our family. My niece, Hannah, will be graduating from Louisiana Tech Saturday. The whole family is making the trip up to Ruston to be with her. She is so ready to be out of school.
At the beginning of May, Hannah opened her very first show at a museum. Her exhibit will be at the Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, LA through the summer. We are all so proud of her.
May 16, 2008 | | Family
The back of our house is mostly glass with French doors going out into the yard. This is the room where we spend most of our time. The television, my desk, my computer and the comfortable furniture are all in that room. About two years ago, shortly after my dad passed away, we noticed a very thin kitten out on the patio. He looked so hungry and so scared. It broke my heart. I couldn’t let that poor little creature suffer. We gave him some milk and a sample can of cat food we had gotten somewhere.
Later that day, my mom decided she needed something at the grocery store. I guess I wasn’t supposed to know she needed cat food. A few days later our kitten had figured out he could jump in the concrete planter by the door to get our attention. He looked as tough he was saying “I’m hungry. Where’s my food?” It was about that time that he became Sam.
He has come home limping and beat up. He has come home looking awful rough. On Christmas Day, he came up with a hugh gash on the base of his ear. I would give anything if I could take better care of him, but he is still afraid of us. He runs every time we open the door. Granted, he only runs a few feet down the sidewalk, but he won’t let us pet him. I can’t imagine what was done to him before he was dumped at our house.
This is something I have never been able to understand. I do understand that some people don’t care for animals. But why do people like to abuse helpless animals? Why do they dump little babies out somewhere to starve to death? How can people be so heartless? I guess those are questions that can’t be answered. I wish I could take care of all of them.
May 13, 2008 | | Pets
One of the first things you will learn about me is that I love NASCAR and Kyle Busch is my favorite driver. That works out very well, because Kyle drives the M&M car (my brother’s company is named M & M Sound and Media) and is a big dog lover. Kyle is young (23) and most people believe he has more guts than brains when it comes to racing. He goes into each race with the intention of winning. One thing is for sure, “The Wild Thing” makes every race he drives in exciting. He is winning big races and is currently the points leader in the Sprint Cup Series.
Kyle has recently teamed up with one of his sponsors, PEDIGREE Food For Dogs, to create “Kyle’s Miles,” a program aimed at raising $100,000 for The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive Foundation. This is an effort to help raise awareness and funding for the four million dogs in shelters and breed rescue organizations. Please click on the link on the right to help Kyle with this important fund raiser.
Below is the press release from PEDIGREE
NASCAR Star Kyle Busch Makes Miles Even More Meaningful
May 5, 2008 2:22 PM EDT
RICHMOND, Va., May 5 /PRNewswire/ — In a sport where every lap counts towards the race for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, one of this year’s hottest drivers is making every lap count for a cause close to his heart — dogs. To help raise awareness and funding for the four million dogs in shelters and breed rescue organizations, dog-owner and NASCAR-driver Kyle Busch has joined forces with PEDIGREE(R) Food for Dogs — NASCAR Fans’ Best Friend and proud sponsor of the No. 18 PEDIGREE(R) Toyota — to create “Kyle’s Miles,” a program aimed at raising $100,000 for The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive Foundation.
From May 1, 2008 through October 15, 2008, NASCAR fans and dog lovers can log onto http://www.Dogsrule.com to make a monetary pledge to sponsor miles* of any of Busch’s Sprint Cup races during that window; a roster which will sport 25 races and more than 10,000 miles. Donations from pledges will directly benefit The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding to 501(c)(3) status animal shelters and breed rescues nationwide. Kyle kicked off the program from Richmond, Va., where he raced the No. 18 PEDIGREE(R) Toyota for the first time during the Crown Royal Presents the Dan Lowry 400.
“As the owner of two dogs I know how happy they can make you, so to me it’s really sad that each year four million dogs end up in animal shelters and breed rescue organizations and two million never make it out,” said Busch. “Kyle’s Miles hopes to raise money and awareness for the dogs that are so often overlooked and I’m excited to be able to do my part to help.”
As an added incentive to the “Kyle’s Miles” program, anyone who sponsors miles* is automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to Phoenix in November to meet Busch and attend the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 9, 2008. Those who’d like to enter the sweepstakes but not sponsor Kyle’s Miles can also do so at http://www.Dogsrule.com.
The PEDIGREE(R) Adoption Drive
The fourth annual PEDIGREE(R) Adoption Drive launched in February 2008, with a goal to raise more than one million dollars for The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive Foundation. Because of their love for dogs, PEDIGREE(R) Food for Dogs created The PEDIGREE(R) Adoption Drive to help shine a spotlight on the plight of homeless dogs. Through no fault of their own, more than four million dogs end up in shelters every year. Sadly, nearly half of those canines never find a place to call home, a trend that the PEDIGREE(R) Brand and Busch hope to help reverse.
In addition to making a donation to “Kyle’s Miles,” there are several easy ways NASCAR fans can take part in The PEDIGREE(R) Adoption Drive all year long that help benefit the foundation:
-- If you're a dog owner, you can purchase PEDIGREE(R) products.
Donations from product sales will benefit the foundation.
** -- Visit Dogsrule.com to browse Dogs rule.(R) gear, a line of
merchandise and apparel for dog lovers. Proceeds after expenses
from the sale of all Dogs rule.(R) items benefit The PEDIGREE
Adoption Drive Foundation.
-- Additionally, those who adopt a dog from a local shelter or
breed rescue anytime during 2008 are eligible for a FREE,
one-month supply of food as a thank you from PEDIGREE(R) Brand.
To learn more about adoption and find a shelter near you, visit http://www.Dogsrule.com. PEDIGREE(R) Brand products are available at grocery, pet specialty and mass merchandise outlets nationwide. For more news about PEDIGREE(R) Brand, log onto http://www.marsnewsroom.com.
About PEDIGREE(R) Brand
PEDIGREE(R) Brand is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, PEDIGREE(R) Brand is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources.
About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare U.S. is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Mars Petcare U.S. employs more than 3,000 associates in the United States, with 29 facilities nationwide and owns some of the world’s favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR(R) Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats, SHEBA(R) Brand Food for Cats and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE(R) Brand. In addition, Mars, Incorporated owns the portfolio of brands produced by ROYAL CANIN USA Inc., NUTRO Products, Inc. and GREENIES(R).
* Minimum donation $10
** Total donations from the PEDIGREE(R) Consumer and Trade
Programs to local shelters in 2008; minimum of $250,000 up to
$1,000,000.
(R)/(TM) Trademarks (C) Mars, Incorporated 2008
SOURCE PEDIGREE
May 12, 2008 | | Charity, NASCAR, Pets
Hi Everyone
Welcome to the Paws Awhile Blog. I am so excited about this venture. I have never had a blog before so I am a little nervous. I hope I can come up with enough things to talk about. And I hope there are people out there who will read my ramblings and comment.
Paws Awhile is a dream more than anything else. I have always wanted to open a pet cemetary. I had some really bigs plans about how I wanted it to look and where I wanted it to be. But it looks like all that will be in the distant future if at all. It’s not from lack of work or trying. Like everything else it is from lack of money. It seems like the harder I work, the worse the economy gets. Oh, well I have been at it for a long time and I am not about to quit now. So, I am starting on a new path, hoping to get to the place I want to be.
I am sure you will learn a lot about me. Maybe a few things I don’t want you to know. So check in often.
Debbie
May 11, 2008 | | Paws Awhile
