Recycle Your Christmas Tree

What are you going to do with your real Christmas tree after the holidays are over? I know that most communities offer curbside pickup of Christmas trees to their residents and I think that's a good option but not the only option. At least not where we live.

Christmas trees that are picked up curbside are turned into mulch. The mulch is then used in parks, at public buildings, and even given to residents of the community. I like this option because it keeps trees out of landfills and because the trees get recycled. But what if you don't want to recycle your tree just yet? I'm not talking about keeping it decorated and standing in your family room until Memorial Day, but about another way to keep it around for just a little while longer.

How about putting your tree in your backyard? After removing all the ornaments, lights, and garland, simply move it to your backyard where it will provide cover for birds. Deciduous trees lose all their leaves in the fall leaving nothing but bare branches for birds to cling to. While bare branches make it easier to see the birds, it does nothing to keep them sheltered from winter storms and to hide them from predators. The birds will take to the new tree in your yard and you can even decorate it with bird seed, popcorn, and cranberries which the birds will love. You may even find that birds you've never seen before stop by for a snack.

So these are really great options for your Christmas tree but if you live in the Chicagoland area there's another really creative option that I read about this weekend. Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn will take your tree off your hands and use it in their animal habitats. How cool is that?

Willowbrook Wildlife Center is an education and wildlife rehabilitation center located just outside of Chicago and is operated by the local forest preserve district. There are many animals on exhibit there and although I've never been there (that darn no dog rule), Mom has and loves it there. Among the many animals that call the Center home, the birds are Mom's favorite. There are permanently disabled bald eagles, songbirds, and even owls there along with many mammals such as foxes and raccoons. Some 80 native Illinois species live there and educate the public seven days a week. Animals that can be rehabilitated are nursed back to health and then released back into the wild.

The Center is looking for 30 Christmas trees to place into habitats of permanent and temporary residents. The trees will not only provide cover for the animals but also stimulation. The trees' new smells will provide a sensory feast for the animals. Some animals may just break off the branches and that's okay because this too is stimulation. Keepers may also hide food in the trees to arouse the animals' natural foraging instincts. This same practice is used at the zoo when scents are scattered in exhibits. Captive animals need to be enriched on an almost daily basis and the trees will do just that for them. Even wreaths and garland are being accepted. These will be used in the indoor songbird exhibits.

This is such a great idea that I'm asking you to check to see if there is a wildlife rehabilitation near you that will accept your tree. If there is, please consider taking your tree there. The rehab facility will appreciate it and you could probably visit your tree throughout the winter where your new friends will be enjoying it.

My Christmas Gift To You

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas friends! I didn't know what to get all of you for Christmas so I asked my best pal Tony to create a special Christmas tree for me. He worked many long and hard hours on it and I hope you like it.

I wish all of you a joyous Christmas and holiday season. I'm so blessed to have you in my life and I receive so much joy from reading your bloggies. I hope you receive everything you wished for from Santa and more!

My Christmas Letter

Hi Santa!

We just finished eating our delicious Thanksgiving dinner and I thought I should write this letter to you before I go to bed. I'm thankful this year for so many reasons and I continue to have hope that things in the world will get better.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that you are having a great year. You didn't get the swine flu this year did you? I know that lots of people got it but I never heard about it getting all the way to the North Pole. How is Mrs. Claus doing? Mom told me to tell you to tell her to continue getting mammograms despite the recent study. Can you please pass this along to her?

I have been very, very good this year despite a few issues that have occurred lately. Did you know that I went on my very first vacation this year? Of course you knew because you have been watching me! Did you see how happy I was at Barkwells, romping and playing like a little puppy? I highly recommend you stop at Barkwells while you are in North Carolina this year. All the dogs there would love to meet you.

I'm so worried about the honey bees. Did you know their numbers are declining so rapidly that soon they may be extinct? If the honey bees go away so do all the plants that depend on them. Our agricultural system as we know it would collapse. This would not be good. Can you please bring the honey bees some extra vitamins to keep them well throughout the year until scientists can figure out this colony collapse disorder thingy?

Have you ever been to Playa Grande, Costa Rica? What am I saying? Of course you have because you visit all the kids that live there - duh! Since you have been there you must have seen the leatherback sea turtles. Aren't they impressive? Mom talks about the leatherbacks all the time because she has such great memories of her time in Playa Grande. The leatherbacks are in serious trouble and scientists say they will become extinct by the end of the next decade. Can you please bring fisherman around the world a more efficient fishing method so they can stop using longlines which kill the leatherbacks?

The global climate crisis is affecting the birds of the world. I love watching all the little birds that visit my backyard and pond. They come to my house because they are hungry, thirsty, or need a place to have their babies. Birds are also important to the environment (just like the honey bees), in addition to teaching us all about the natural world. We need them but not as much as they need us. They are my friends and I want them to be around for a long time so can you please talk to the heads of all the countries about solving the climate crisis before it is too late?

The bottled water crisis is out of control. I bet you see lots of discarded plastic bottles everywhere you go, don't you Santa? Most people in the U.S. don't need to drink bottled water but they say they do so for convenience. The production of this water uses so much energy, ruins local environments, and takes water away from local residents. Can you please bring reusable water bottles to every house you visit?

Do you know any recycled dogs Santa? I do and lucky for them they have homes. They have people who love them, feed them delicious food, and even help them with their blogs. But there are so many dogs that don't have homes, dogs that no one wants for no good reason. Can you please find loving homes for all the dogs in need?

I have made so many friends this year. What a lucky guy I am, huh? I would like you to please bring a little gift bag to all my friends and friends of my friends. Just think of it as a gift from Mother Earth.
Please include in each bag:

12 LED light bulbs
11 bars of soap from Soap Hope
10 reusable shopping bags (organic cotton, hemp, or recycled material)
9 soy candles
8 rechargable batteries
7 organic cotton produce bags
6 Skoy cloths for cleaning around the house
5 bottles of eco-friendly nail polish
4 reusable water bottles (aluminum or BPA-free plastic)
3 recycled wood bird feeders
2 rain barrels
1 composter

The one little thing I really want for myself is an 8-piece Popeyes chicken meal. Have you ever tasted Popeyes? If not, please pick up an 8-piece for yourself when you pick up mine. You won't regret it!

Merry Christmas Santa!

Your Pal,

Stubby xoxo

Christmas Cards

I could be the poster pug for this card. Every year I say I'm going to send out lots of Christmas cards and every year I only send a few. I only have addresses for a couple pugs and I did send cards to them but I feel really guilty about not sending holiday cheer to all my friends. I feel like a real slacker and just want to say that it won't happen again.

I wanted to participate in a Christmas card exchange but I never found one. I guess I could have started one but then Mom and Dad went to Hawaii and well, you know the rest. I received a couple cards from my friends and I love them. Mom put them in the family room on the mantel for everyone to see. I even kept the envelopes because lots of people don't believe that I get mail.

I'm going to chalk this Christmas card thingy up to poor planning - on Mom's part. I told her I needed addresses for all my friends and she really dropped the ball. To make up for it she asked me if I wanted to participate in a Valentine's Day card exchange and I said yes. Since I only just met most of you in the spring, you may already have a Valentine's Day card exchange and I would like to ask if I could participate. If no such exchange exists, I would like to organize one. There. It's official. More details to come in 2010.

Since this post is about Christmas cards, I have a question for all of you - what do you do with the Christmas cards you receive? I'm talking about after the holidays are over and it's time to take down the decorations. Do the cards end up in a drawer, in the shredder, or in the recycleable bin? Do you save them and make things out of them? If you don't know what to do with them come January 2, I've got the perfect solution.

The St. Jude's Ranch Recycled Card Program started over thirty years ago. It all started when the children at St. Jude's made new Christmas cards from the previous year's Christmas cards and sent them to donors of St. Jude's. The donors loved the cards so much that they suggested the children sell the new cards so that others could enjoy them. How cool is that?

People from all over the world send cards they've received throughout the year to St. Jude's. The children remove the front of the card, attach a new back, and viola! A new card ready to make someone's day.

This program is great for everyone. The children learn about recycling and receive money for the work they do. The people that purchase the cards do so knowing that are have provided children with a sense of worth. Truly a win-win for everyone.

The program has evolved over the years to include all types of cards from Christmas, to birthday, to thank you, and more. Any card you receive throughout the year can be sent to the children at St. Jude's where it will find life as a new card for someone else. This is the true meaning of recycling. As with any recycling program, you must purchase recycled cards in order to fully close the loop. The new cards come in packages of 10 for $10.00. That's a great deal and a great way to support a great organization.

St. Jude's Ranch for Children was started back in 1967 by Father Jack Adam. He saw a need back then that still exists today - a place for children to go that have been abused, abandoned, and/or neglected. They provide the nuturing environment all children need, in a safe home where they can prosper and learn life skills. Children that call St. Jude's home are seeking ways to start over, begin fresh, and thrive with all the hope and spirit they can. It's through generous donations that this non-profit has helped more than 1,000 children over the years. Purchasing greeting cards is just one more way to say thank you to St. Jude's for caring for those who need it most.

To donate your Christmas cards and/or other cards you may receive, please send them to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

A Little Under The Weather

I'm not feeling good today. It all started last night right before Mom and Dad left me to go to dinner with friends. Dad noticed that I wasn't responding when he called my name and he immediately freaked out. He told Mom that I couldn't hear him and that my ear medicine was to blame. As you can see from this picture, I'm kind of out of it today as I lay on the daybed in Mom's beach house.

Mom tried to get my attention and I just barely opened my eyes. I don't feel good and I've had this problem with ear medicine before. An old vet that I used to go to gave me medicine that made me (temporarily) lose my hearing. The vet never mentioned the 1% chance of this happening when he prescribed it and of course I was the 1%. Mom and Dad were livid and despite me telling them that it was okay, it was all I could do to calm them down because hysteria had set in. I did regain my hearing and then we switched vets.

I can hear high pitch sounds like Mom's baby voice, but not Dad's normal voice. Mom had her baby voice going when she got my attention and then quickly snapped this picture. I told her that I had to have a decent picture to post or everypug would think I'm on my deathbed. Mom isn't going to put any medicine in my ears today and is going to call the vet first thing in the morning. I'm going to chill out with Mom and watch some football. Hopefully Mom will not be screaming at the tv because I need to sleep.

I told Mom that video of me wasn't necessary, but she insisted on it. Please ignore Mom's annoying voice and just gaze at the cuteness that is Stubby. I'm sure I'll be okay, but since I'm a sympathy magnet today I'm going to request some Popeyes. If Mom knows what's good for her, she will run out and get me some right now. If not, I will sit and pout until I get my way.

A Day Without a Bag

It's Mom's fault that I didn't post this on Thursday. Thursday is the busiest day of Mom's week and she never has time for me. She rarely turns the computer on each Thursday and I've asked her time and time again to just turn it on for me before she leaves. Can you believe that she doesn't trust me with the computer? Unsupervised computer use is not allowed in our house. She thinks I'm going to order lots of treats, cancel all her travel plans, and tweet all day long. Whatever!

A Day Without a Bag is coordinated by Heal the Bay, a grassroots organization dedicated to cleaning up the Santa Monica Bay. Held on the third Thursday of December, the event encourages holiday shoppers and retailers to stop using plastic shopping bags for the day and use reusable bags instead. Billed as their gift to the environment, I think it's an event that should be held every month.

Since I couldn't post this on Thursday, I am declaring today, December 19th, the new Day Without a Bag. Today is a big shopping day since it is the last Saturday before Christmas. The stores will be packed. There won't be a single parking spot at the mall. The checkout lines will be long. Tempers will be flaring. While all of this is happening, you will be shopping with your reusable bags.

I'm not going to talk plastic bag statistics because you already know them. I love this interactive website from Heal the Bay. It focuses on trashing the ocean, which is happening right now as I type this. A real problem, this is unseen by those of us who don't live near the ocean, but affects all of us no matter where we live. There are plenty of facts and figures on the site as well as issues you may not be aware of. Check it out and you may learn a few new things. Even if you think you already know all there is to know about trash in our oceans, you might be surprised at what you don't know.

You know how bad plastic bags are for the environment and you know that they are totally unnecessary. You also know that you don't have to use them because there are alternatives. Plastic never goes away. There is no such thing as cradle to grave with plastic bags unless you consider a landfill a grave. Let your holiday gift to Mother Earth be one she really wants and needs. Please do not use any plastic bags as you shop today. Let this become a habit and you will be surprised at the impact you make.

Unchopping A Tree

This short film made its debut at an event in Copenhagen this week. The purpose of the film is to make you think about the climate crisis.

What did you think when you first read the title of this post? The title of the post is the title of the film. What happens when we unchop a tree? According to the filmmaker, we can save two birds with one tree by unchopping a tree. This will reduce emissions and protect species and habitats. Sound good?

The film is just one part of a larger project called "What is Missing?" and it is a tribute, a memorial that brings the loss of habitat and biodiversity caused by the climate crisis into focus. I think the "What is Missing?" website says it best, so following is their mission statement.

What is Missing? is a wake up call and a call to action, showing what is being done throughout the professional field of conservation and also what individuals can do in their everyday lives to make a difference in habitat and species protection.

What is Missing? will make the critical link between global warming concerns and habitat protection: if 20% of global warming emissions are caused by deforestation then What is Missing? will integrally connect these issues, asking the question:

Can we save two birds with one tree?

It will create a shared sense of purpose between these two concerns, so that we cannot think of our carbon footprints without also measuring our impact in terms of biodiversity and habitat protection-asking the question can we envision a sustainable future growth plan, a ‘greenprint’ for the future, that will pose a plausible future that we could achieve.

What is Missing? will present the work being done with collaborating institutions and environmental organizations throughout the world, bringing an awareness of what is being accomplished, allowing people to see the world of conservation through their eyes and actions.

Wow! Powerful words for one of the most important issues of our lifetime. But not just words - a call to action. A call to everyone to stand up and take action. The climate crisis affects us all, is the responsibility of each and every person on the planet, and cannot be brushed away like so many crises before it. This is real. This is happening. We must understand what is missing in order to realize what we are losing.

Back to the film. Maya Lin is the filmmaker and if that name sounds familiar to you, give yourself a pat on the back. Lin designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1981. That memorial, so regal, elegant, and somber, contains the message that we will never forget the fallen. It's static medium stands proud against those who cannot stand with it. This new memorial is mulit-dimensional, encompassing many mediums all with the same message. It is also Lin's last memorial, one that will hopefully make as lasting an impression on the world as her previous works.

Lin's message will become apparent from the moment you hit play. Let the film move you. It will make you think, make you want to make a difference. Understand you can make a difference. You will make a difference. I know you will.

Guess Where I Went Today?

The vet! I was so mad when Mom told me I had a four o'clock appointment today. I told her I was busy at that time and she picked me up and put me in the car.

Why did I have to go to the vet today? A notice from the vet came in the mail last month. It said that I needed a dhpp dooster, heartworm/lyme test & tick scr, and semi-annual wellness exam. Mom read the notice when it came and then I hid it. She totally forget about it until yesterday when she noticed that I've lost some weight. I've lost weight because Dad has been on his lifestyle program which means I never get any Popeyes. Plus Mom and Dad abandoned me last week and I didn't get any extra food while they were gone. Mom wanted to get me to the vet so that I could get weighed. Ugh!

Who's that good looking guy? Look how svelte I am! Last time I was at the vet I weighed 21.8 pounds. My doctor, Dr. Chung, is always complaining to Mom that I am overweight. She blames all my problems on my weight. I personally don't think I'm that overweight but I of course eating Popeyes every week adds pounds to the pug.

So what do I weigh today? 19.1 pounds! I'm smiling in this photo because Dr. Chung is finally happy with my weight. Yahoo! Yippee! My good mood was short lived because of course Dr. Chung had to look in my ears. My ears, in Dr. Chung's words, had lots of chunks in them. Chunks? She stuck a really long Q-Tip in one ear, showed Mom, and then took me in the back room to drain them. She also gave Mom medicine to put in my ears twice a day. I need to find the perfect hiding place for this stuff because I don't like anything in my ears.

Dr. Chung listened to my heart and lungs (both great) and then mentioned to Mom that she wanted to check my prostate. My what? Apparently this cannot be done in front of Mom so once again Dr. Chung took me in the back room. Since I was back there she also decided to clean my anal glands. I told her that Mom wasn't going to be happy with all this poking and prodding of her little baby and Dr. Chung just laughed at me.

Mom brought urine and stool samples so the doctor could make sure that I'm okay. I haven't been going out and doing my business very much in the cold because I can't handle the cold. Today's urine was my first in 24 hours and it showed. Dr. Chung commented on the color and told us that there were tiny crystals in it. This could mean a UTI (which is unusual for a male dog) or it could just be that I'm not going as much as I should be. Bingo! She gave Mom antibiotics to give me just in case it is a UTI.

The vet tech also stole some of my blood, so Dr. Chung is going to call Mom on Friday with the results. As if all that wasn't enough, Dr. Chung suggested accupuncture to help my arthritis. She thinks I'm in lots of pain and even asked Mom if I can walk up and down the stairs. Hello McFly! Of course not! Mom did tell her that I have recently been walking up some stairs but never down them because going down stairs hurts my shoulder. Dr. Chung gave Mom a long list of recommendations to help my arthritis in addition to accupuncture. I am in pain but I don't want to worry Mom, so I just suck it up and let her baby me.

I'm so tired now because we were at the vet for almost one hour. I am going to bed early tonight because I missed my afternoon nap. Let's go Mom - time to snuggle in bed!

FDA Pet Health & Safety Widget

You may have noticed something new on my sidebar today. I found this great new widget from the FDA today and I knew I had to have it on my blog. But what is it exactly?

The widget is designed to share important pet health & safety tips and updates, including pet product recalls. That's so awesome! We all need to know about pet product recalls in order to stay safe. The content on the widget is updated by the FDA so all you need to do is put it on your blog and check it for updates. If I can do it, anypug can!

The FDA even hosted a webinar last week for bloggers which I was unable to watch. The webinar featured speakers from the FDA and focused on the announcement of the widget, how to install it and use it. They even had a Q & A session. See what I miss when Mom is away? Sheesh!

The widget has a tips section which contains info on how to report a pet food complaint and how to purchase drugs online. This section is a work in progress and I'm hoping they add additional tips as the widget grows. The updates section has lots of great information about recalls, reminders, and cautions. It seems to me like the updates section has lots of tips so this is the section I will probably use the most.

You can get the widget by simply clicking on the "Grab This" link at the bottom of my widget. This will copy the code for you to imbed in your own sidebar. Please pass the info about the widget on to all your friends so that all of us can stay healthy and safe.

Guess Who's Back?

Mom and Dad finally got back home early this morning. I was so excited to see them but I'm still upset with them for leaving me. I had a great time with my pugsitter Natalie, but I missed Mom and Dad terribly and I don't ever want them to leave me again.

I was so upset yesterday because they are usually gone for seven days and when they didn't come back yesterday I did something bad - I made poopie in the house. I just couldn't figure out a better way to let everyone know that I was upset and I figured if it works for Pearl then it will work for me. Natalie wasn't too upset with me because she knew that I was missing Mom and Dad but she did mention to me that it was not like me to do something like that. Mom and Dad weren't that upset about it but apologized to Natalie for me. Next time maybe they will take me on vacation or not go at all.

The picture above is of the beautiful Hawaiian sunset from 39,000 feet as Mom and Dad were leaving the islands. Mom told me that she couldn't take her eyes off of her last vacation sunset and that she had to take a picture so that I could see what it looked like. It is beautiful.


As the plane cruised back to the mainland, Mom took this picture of the top of a seamount in the archipelago. Mom is not sure of the name of this seamount, but it looked cool from the air.


Mom has been telling me all about the trip since she got home. They did this and that, went here and there, saw this and that, yada, yada, yada. Get to my presents already woman! Mom was so tired when she got home because she didn't sleep on the plane, so we took a nice long nap until noon and then she showed me what she brought back for me. I was sure she would buy me a new stuffie, a cool Hawaiian collar, some delicious Hawaiian treats, or some other great gift. I did not expect her to buy me some fabric. What was she thinking? I have no idea what she is going to do with three yards of this pug fabric but she seemed a little disappointed that I'm not excited about it. She said that she may make a pillow for me or a new liner for my bed. If anyone has any ideas for Mom, please let me know. I fear that this fabric will get stuffed into a closet and forgotten about until my 25th birthday!

This is not for me because as all of you know it's not good for us doggies. Mom and Dad always bring backs too many bags of these Kisses, so if you are on their Christmas list you will find a bag under your tree.

Mom cannot stand to have fully loaded after vacation luggage lying around so she has been unpacking like a mad woman. It's time like this that Mom thinks it would be better to haul all the bags to the laundromat and get all the laundry done is a couple of hours. Did you know that the world's largest laundromat is just outside of Chicago in a place called Berwyn? Berwyn is not close to our house (it's south of the city and we live north of the city) and I'm sure I am not allowed in the laundromat so Mom will be doing laundry at home where she belongs.

I was so upset when Mom was unpacking that I decided to investigate the dirty clothes bag. It smelled really yucky and I loved it. Dirty laundry is my favorite thing to lay in. I get my cute little pug nose into all the underwear, socks, and shirts, and just sniff away. Ahhhh. I decided to climb into the bag and this freaked Mom out. She quickly grabbed her phone and started taking pictures.

Mom was freaked out because I have never climbed into luggage. I usually walk around it and poke my head in, but I never set foot in it. This is me laying the biggest guilt trip on Mom ever. My face says "Don't leave me again or else!" and I think she got the point. She kept asking me what was wrong and if I was okay.

I figured I would continue the guilt trip to see what I could get out of Mom so I decide to lay down in the bag. Look at my face! I'm upset and I want everyone to feel my pain. Mom was so upset that I thought she was going to cry. She sat down and gave me lots of pets as I laid in the bag, telling me that she was sorry and that she hopes I will forgive her. Of course I will forgive her. She's my mom and I love her madly. I'm glad that she's back and I'm going to stay in this bag forever if it will keep her from leaving me again.

Life is Good!

This is not Mom but this is where she will be 24 hours from now. Yep, Mom and Dad are leaving me again so they can go lay on the beach in Hawaii. What is wrong with them? Why can't they stay home and lay in bed with me?

I know that Mom and Dad need a vacation, especially with everything that's gone on this autumn. Mom thought that the doctors would not let Dad fly all the way to Hawaii (10 hours) but he got the okay again this morning. I wonder what Mom would have done if Dad couldn't go. I think she would still go because she loves Hawaii. Dad or no Dad, Mom will be on that airplane tomorrow heading to the Big Island come hell or high water!

Of course Mom and Dad can't just stay at any old hotel when they're on vacation. Nope. They are staying at the Mauna Lani Resort which just so happens to have been named the only US property in North America honored as one of the world's Top Luxury Eco-Friendly Beach Destinations by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Mom is green even when she's on vacation!

Mom has shown me pictures of the Mauna Lani and it looks amazing. The Mauna Lani's solar energy innovations are second to none. They generate the most solar electric power of any luxury resort in the world. They also won the award because they have a green sea turtle (honu) program. Conde Nast calls it an ecotourism attraction but Mom calls it brilliant. The resort was also selected as one of only ten golf resorts in the world for the first ever Green Gold Award as a leader in environmental stewardship by Golf Magazine. Dad is definitely going to golf there.

"Since opening 26 years ago, Mauna Lani has been at the forefront of environmental stewardship in the resort industry," said Brian Butterworth, General Manager. "As we continue to add new amenities and programs, we always do so with an eye toward remaining true to the Hawaiian practice of malama 'aina, or responsible stewardship of the land. Preserving Hawaii's resources, environment and culture is an important aspect of the resort experience at Mauna Lani and it resonates with our guests who are inspired to come back year after year." Kudos to them!

Back to the solar electric power. The resort's photovoltaic system covers three acres and provides operating power and supplies the majority of the resort's daytime water pumping power requirements. But what is the savings of this system you ask? They estimate that over the 25-year lifetime of the system, the solar generated electricity will reduce emissions of CO2 by almost 12,000 tons. That's awesome!

But it's not just solar power that makes this resort green. Their catering team has created a menu of eco-friendly options and their unique sustainable menu incorporates all products within a radius of 100 miles of the hotel. This means you can eat like a locavore even on vacation.

I already told you the golf course was green and not just in terms of color. The greens are made from a drought-resistant grass that requires considerably less fertilizer and herbicides. This makes it more eco-friendly both for the golfers and for the environment. Despite the bad rap that golf courses get for using too much water, chemicals, etc., there are ways to design and operate them that makes them green for all.

I mentioned that Mom thinks the green sea turtle program is brilliant and that's not just because she loves turtles. Since 1989, the Mauna Lani has collaborated with Sea Life Park to raise juvenile honu in its saltwater ponds until they are large enough to be released in the wild. The honu are part of the resort's fishing feeding tour designed to raise awareness of the endangered species. Mom was thrilled the first time she walked into the hotel and saw the honus. They were just little guys and each one had a number painted on its shell. Mom and Dad even got to hold some honus because a famous turtle guy flew over from Oahu to assist in giving the honus checkups. Mom started to talk to the guy about turtles and turtle people she has worked with, and next thing you know Mom is in the middle of the action. It was like a dream come true and definitely something she will never forget.

The little honus are released into the ocean every Fourth of July in what is part of the resort's annual Sea Turtle Independence Day celebration. More than 170 honu have been released into the wild as part of this program and people from all over the islands and all over the world come to the Mauna Lani to be part of the celebration. Mom and Dad just never seem to make it to the celebration because we have our own celebration back here on the mainland. But one of these days I know that Mom is going to break tradition and join the celebration at the Mauna Lani.

Mom is really going to Hawaii to hang out with these guys. She loves the honu almost as much as she loves me. She will spend hours sitting on her little blue beach chair contraption gazing longingly at the honu as they climb out of the water and onto the lava to rest. She will spend the rest of the time swimming with them, amazed at the gracefulness they exhibit. Dad will have to drag her away from the beach to go to sleep, but even while she's asleep she will have one ear to the ocean. The waves will lull her to sleep, dreaming of all the honu swimming just offshore soon to come and visit her again. Ahhh. Paradise found!

Of course I will never be able to go to Hawaii because the flight would kill me. Plus, PetAirways doesn't fly there and I'm not flying in cargo on United! That's okay because our housesitter/pugsitter will be here tomorrow morning and that's when the fun really begins. When the parents are away the pug will play!

Thanks dw!

I received this awesome award from dw a couple of weeks ago. How cool is that? For those of you who don't know dw, please visit her blog Writing Chances. She blogs about lots of different things and her writing is amazing. Oh and did I mention she's pug crazy? One of these days she's going to get a pug and her life will never be the same. In the meantime, all us pugs have adopted dw as our other mother.

Okay, so here are the terms of the award:

1. Publish a post on your blog referring who awarded you
2. Share 5 things you like to do
3. Share or pass this award to 10 friends

The five things I like to do:

1. Eat
2. Sleep
3. Eat
4. Sleep
5. Ride in the car

Is anypug surprised by my list? I think not! I guess I'm a little boring or maybe I should say predictable in my old age but what can I say. I like what I like and that's who I am!

There is no way I could pick 10 friends to pass this award to, so I want everypug to have it. If you're reading this post then grab the award - it's yours! Keep the circle of friends going by inviting new friends into the circle. The more the merrier!

Wednesday Wag Out!

Recycled Magazine Ornaments

Some Christmas trees have old ornaments, some new, some handmade, and some from nature. Mom likes the natural look but I think I've convinced her that we should put up an all-recycled ornament tree.

These cool ornaments are made from magazines. After cutting the paper, the long strips are soaked in glue and then dried. Each strip is then hand coiled until the desired shape is complete. How cool is that? We have so many magazines around the house that if Mom was a little bit crafty she could probably make these. But she wouldn't because these ornaments are made by people in Vietnam who wouldn't otherwise have a source of income. Making hand crafts provides underprivileged women and children with job skills in addition to making them self reliant.

These ornaments will be the first ones on the recycled Christmas tree. These would also make great gifts or gift enhancers. Get your set of five today at www.globalexchangestore.org.

Green Laces

Yesterday we had red laces and today we have green. Hmmm. Seems like we have a Christmas theme going. Maybe you can wear a red lace in your left shoe and a green lace in your right shoe.

GreenLaces are good for the planet. According to their website, they activate the global athletic community to improve our planet by inspiring action, connecting a community and educating a greener

generation. How can do they that with green shoe laces?

By wearing GreenLaces on your athletic shoes you show the world that you are a friend of the planet. These cool laces are made in the U.S. from 100% post consumer recycled plastic and of course they are packaged sustainably. Simply make a promise to the planet and then wear your green laces to let the world know you care about the planet. You can even log onto the GreenLaces website and post your promise.

GreenLaces is hoping to reach 1 million promises and their community of online promises is saving over 100 tons of CO2 and $5,600 each year. Step on over to http://www.greenlaces.org/ to get your laces and make you promise to the planet. Mother Earth thanks you in advance.

WrapSacks

Wrapping paper is so last century. We can no longer afford to wrap gifts in traditional wrapping paper because not only does it cost too much but it's also a huge waste of paper. But not just paper, resources like water and energy are wasted in the creation of this one-time-use-throw-away commodity. The solution? Wrap your gifts in WrapSacks.

These sacks are a great reusable alternative to traditional wrapping paper. According to the WrapSacks website, the wrapping paper industry generates sales of $5.1 billion per year - yikes! Recycled paper options do exist for those special occasions when a sack will not suffice, but these sacks are perfect for the other 99.9% of the time you give gifts. But what's so special about these sacks?

The sacks can be tracked. Each WrapSack has a unique code number stamped on its label. The label tells the recipient that the sack is on a journey so they can see what it's been. The recipient simply enters the code on the WrapSacks website and all the information about the sack is revealved - where it's been, what gifts have been in it, who received and gave it, what city it came from and more. So in addition to reusing the sack over and over again, it tells a story. Mom wishes she had thought of this.

Give the gift that keeps on giving at http://www.wrapsacks.com/. No longer will regifting be a dirty word.

World AIDS Day

I had no idea today was World AIDS Day until I saw Mom on Twitter this morning. She is turning her tweets red to support the cause. While peeking over her shoulder I found all these interesting facts about AIDS.

Over 14 million children in Africa have been orphaned because of AIDS. I was blown away by this. All these poor children have lost their parents due a preventable and treatable disease. People are working to raise awareness about the dangers of AIDS but poverty is rampant in most parts of Africa so this task is quite a challenge. If people were taught the danger, understood the consequences, and were given the appropriate equipment to protect themselves, I firmly believe we could get this epidemic under control. If treatments were made available to affected people, lives could and would be saved. Children should not have to lose their parents because of this disease.

Did you know that 10% of the world's population live in Africa yet it's home to 67% of all HIV cases? This statistic just blew me away. These numbers must be wrong, right? Nope. Just imagine if 67% of all HIV cases were in Europe, Asia, or North America. Do you think more would be done to fight this disease? It's important to remember that people are working tirelessly every day to prevent and treat this disease. Even though there is no cure or vaccine, don't give up hope that either won't be discovered soon.

How many people in the world do you think have HIV? How about 33 million! That over 18% of the world's population. I'm sure you can guess where most of those affected with HIV live. You guessed it - Africa. 22 million people in Africa have HIV. The disease is so rampant that it threatens to wipe out entire villages.

So while in October we think pink, today we think red. We feel red. We believe in red because we believe in the cause. There are many ways to help today because so many companies are fighting this fight along with us. (Product) Red items are available around the world and retailers like the Gap and Starbucks are amping up their contributions today with the Gap contributing 1% of all revenue and Starbucks contributing 5 cents for every hand-crafted beverage in US & Canada. Nike has joined the fight this year with their (NIKE) RED laces. They are contributing 100% of the profits from these laces to the Global Fund and to football-based programs that help fight AIDS in Africa. Football is used as a framework to teach youths how to avoid contracting HIV. Mom is off to buy some RED laces right now.

AIDS was first identified as a disease way back in 1981, way before my time. For those of you who remember the 80's (and the big hair) you know how scary it was back then when news first broke about this dreaded disease. Like they used to say in the 70's we've come a long way baby but we've still got a long way to go. Learn about the disease and then teach others about HIV/AIDS. Support groups working to fight this disease and keep yourself safe from this disease.