There it was this ugly wart-like tumor growing out of our dog, Duncan. I was very scared and my mind raced directly to how was I going to tell the kids. I had the growth sent out by my vet to the Michigan State Veternarian School to have it analyzed to see if it was cancerous. It turned out to be a benign growth that is somewhat common to retrievers. In a recent front page article in the Grand Rapids Press entitled “Is the cure for cancer found in canines?” http://tinyurl.com/y83838x, dogs and dogs with cancerous tumors and cancer-causing genes were helping with cancer research by providing research material for the scientist at Van Andel institute. Some of the scientist were studying hemangiosarcoma, a cancer to the blood vessels in Clumber Spaniels. This research helps both man and animals. If your dog has cancer and you would like to donate the DNA please contact Dr. Roe Froman. Our dear canines once again, give back to us so much, hopefully through research we can give back to them as well.

What the hell is this clipcleany and why can’t I find it on this stupid site?
I invented the clipcleany, a small dog leash accessory that would fit on a dog’s leash that holds dog refuse bags, money, treats wipes and features a safety light. Won 2nd place in Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention contest in the Green category. Was whisked away to their headquarters to learn more about Whirlpool, I felt like one of those kids with Wiley Wonka’s golden ticket touring Whirlpool’s headquarters and sitting in on marketing, sustainability, licensing and other business seminars. How did I get there? I was a stay-at-home mom with four kids and an annoying little idea. Instead of burying the idea, or eating the idea, I took the leap and started developing the idea. Slowy. I went to an engineering firm first and they thought it was great, which lead me to my patent attorney, to prototype makers, to a business plan class, which the instructor wrote about this little contest, “Whirlpool’s Mother of Invention” contest. I thought I will enter the contest; it will help me complete my business plan because it will give a cause, and a definite deadline. I beat out over 2000 applicants if I would have known that I might have convinced myself not to try—stupid idea anyway. But I just Nike(d) it “Just did It” For me, and for the sake of adventure. I have had some press and TV interviews all trying to find the right deal to get the ClipCleany made. I’ve tried conventional ways to try to get the ClipCleany to market and unconventional—trying out for reality TV shows like Shark Tank and Mom Inc. I have come awful close….with the emphasis on awful, because that’s what it feels like when a deal doesn’t go through or you are, but aren’t, chosen for a show. Can you control the rollercoaster of product development to product for sale? No. But you do choose if you want to ride. Hopefully soon you will see clipcleany all over this site and be able to buy one. Thank you to Chris Brogan who inspired me, through his awesomeness, to write my short story inspired by Donald Miller’s book, “A million Miles in a Thousand Years.”
check out Chris’ post www.chrisbrogan.com/importance-of-story/

Today I renewed my dog license at a local government office. I had to ask, “Why do I have to have a license?” The lady behind the counter said something to the effect, ‘I don’t really know, it probably has to do with vaccines. I had a lady in here from Texas and she was shocked that you needed a license, they don’t in Texas.’ Then she got out a small ring bound booklet that stated that ‘… if your dog is not licensed you may be fined $50 and still need to purchase a license. The license must be worn at all times (by the dog).’ She then informed me that the county she lives in the license is good for three years, the same number of years a rabies shot is good for. This made a little more sense to me. I seriously thought of three things after this exchange: 1) Well, do I want people running around with rabid dogs; people that run around with rabid dogs won’t go get a license for their dogs hmmmm 2) If you have to have one for your dogs, why not for your kids, they bite and carry all kinds of germs…should keep this thought to myself, I don’t need to pay anymore fees. 3) Texas Rocks!

Ok the Chihuahua as a retirement gift went over…a cliff. I know, I know, you should (almost) never give a pet as a gift unless it is for sure wanted by the recipient. What was said, or not, doesn’t matter; the dog was not wanted. Luckily the parties had a contingency plan that my sister would take the new Chihuahua so that her Lola would have company. The new Chihuahua, Chica, is a fabulous deer headed Chihuahua dog, gorgeous with an even better personality. The two dogs are buds. The Retiree got a camera and other “stuff” and it was all good peeps.

Picked Cocoa up from his dog kennel, which happens to be his vet’s. He stunk. Not just the, smells like someone else’s perfume, more like….has he just rolled in his own dog poop. This annoyed me greatly to say the least. I ran him home and dumped him right into a bath and I was forced to use what I had on hand to shampoo him, which was very lucky in my case, it was a sample of NuHemp’s Botanical Omega EAZZ dog shampoo. The shampoo had a light fragrance and a nice lather. His coat turned out soft and there was no flaking. I was very pleased with this product and the other samples from the NuHemp line. My friends at Pet Supplies Plus (www. petsuppliesplus.com)had given me samples of the shampoo, dog treats, and Omega Sauce. Cocoa really enjoyed the crunchy peanut butter maple flavored (a Canadian company eh?) treats. I was surprised by this because they looked so dry and brittle, but he loved them and he wolfed down his food when I added the NuHemp Omega Sauce. So maybe if you invested in a huge amount of dog food that your dog is turning up his nose at, try squirting on a big of the sauce…it was a hit! I do not know about the many benefits of hemp for people and animals so I turned to NuHemp.com to learn more about the products. If you have a Pet Supplies Plus please look there for these organic products or try the NuHemp website, www.nuhemp.com.