Thoracle

Squidogsters: Topanga

2007-05-05T22:43:00.000-07:00

Topanga (Lilly Calandrello) is a new friend to the Thoracle, #1 in my Squidogster's group!

She has created a page of unusual and useful products for helping dogs (even teacup sized ones) have a happier life with their parents.

For example, like my mama, she recommends a magnetic bed pad, which helps improve any paid a pet might be in.

Mama and I have a human one on our bed, which helps me be more energetic, and Venus to have her back-end pain be more manageable.

Lilly understands how important we are to our families. We like having her in our Squidogsters and Squidcatsters group at Squidoo!

Share the Love with my Mama!

2007-03-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

My Mama has a lens that is top consideration for Best Lens of the Year, Michelangelo's David!

We all know that my own page should be voted #1, but it isn't even on the list.

We also hope that all our friends will visit mama's page, give it the stars you think it deserves, and leave a comment!

If you can find it in your heart, then go to the Lens of the Year page and vote for mama's lens.

Perhaps yours will be in the running next year!

Woofers, Thor.

Active Pals & People

2007-03-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

I want to thank Johann and Gracie, and all my other friends, those who are active in doing their duties to take care of the weak, the sick and injured, the voiceless, homeless, lonely, old and disabled.

It has often been said that the world won't change until mankind changes.

This is more true than ever.

More urgent than ever.

The population on the planet is as large as it has ever been, but the mindless self-seeking of humanity is destroying it, causing suffering, poverty and war all over. If humans do not take care of themselves, share their wealth, love one another, care for each other's well being, what hope do we voiceless animals have?

St. Francis Assisi, favorite saint of all animals and those who love them, teaches us that respect, even love, for all of God's creatures is an important measure of our soul, our spirituality, our belonging to God. He prays to bring love where there is apathy, faith where there is skepticism, hope where there is despair, light where there is darkness.

Like St. Francis, we can all make that our prayer and our life. One by one, we can bring love and safety where there was abuse, care and comfort where there was neglect and fear, companionship where there was loneliness.

We can share our best resources, stick together, and recreate the planet around us, just in our own little sphere. With enough little spheres of influence, little bursts of light and love, we can provide safe havens and places of transformation, bring the love God has for all creation into the world.

Johann, Gracie and many others are doing their best.

We thank them, and we love them!

Squidoo Pets & Dogster

2007-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

I have created a new group on Dogster called Squidoo Pets. I have also created a group on Squidoo called Dogster Pups. I am hoping to bring these two great communities together, and allow us to do great work for pet rescues and other needs.

You can see the dogster/catster group here: Thor's Dogster Group

And you can see Thor's Squidoo group here: Thor's Squidoo Dogster Group

If you don't have a Squidoo page, sign up here: Squidoo Sign Up

We can do GREAT THINGS together!

Woofers, Thor!

Bee Sweet

2007-01-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Rescue Programs Need Funds, and YOU Need Attention!

Who wouldn't want to learn all about you, see your pictures and videos, and enjoy your jokes, humor and family? Wouldn't you want to be able to do all that for free and STILL raise funds for your favorite Doggy needs?

Please consider signing up for a Squidoo page to show yourself off. You can use the funds you raise to sweetly fill the honey-pot that helps people rescue dogs like me!

Thor's Dogster Buddies Sign-up

Gone to the Dogs!!!

2007-01-15T10:02:00.000-08:00

Blasphemers in Europe:
the secularhumanistpostchristiansocialistmarxists have decided to worship some pathetic thing known as the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

So I HAVE SENT MY PROPHET, CAPTAIN BLY, to demand their worship since they've all gone to the dogs anyway.

I had best see some results soon, or there will be some REAL BONE PICKING TO DO!

You weenies shall show your love here.

Here is where I sniffed up this stinker.

I WILL EAT YOU FOR A SNACK.

Holes at the Bark Park- Etiquette

2007-01-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Of course we always have a great time at the bark park. Today as I was running, I took a big time nosedive because someone had left a hole that had been dug by another dog.

Mom filled the hole.

If your dog digs a hole, it is important to fill it up when the dog is finished. Holes like that can cause a leg or ankle to break. The injury that occurs could be your injury.

At the dog park, we all understand that it is all about the dogs, and we want them to have fun. If you don't want your dog to be injured, please take care that your own dog doesn't leave things, like holes, that could injure others.

Our bark park is probably one of the best anywhere, and its because most of the owners do their best to keep it safe and clean. We hope you will, too.

Terrible Event in England

2007-01-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Here I was thinking it would be a really happy new year, and this comes across my desk. Horrible Tragedy in England

It is impossible for me to say why such a nightmare occurred, but there are three conclusions one can draw from this article.

1. Some will say, if the family didn't have a pit bull terrier in the first place, it would never have happened. That may be just a bit too obvious. Unfortunately there are other dogs that sometimes attack people, often children.

It is these critics who advocate the total extermination of complete breeds of dogs, rather than based on behavior. This is simply no solution, but it gives governments an intrusion into the privacy and property rights of people far beyond what is constitutional and just. This cannot be effective, no more than banning fireworks would stop all burns, or banning and exterminating men will eliminate crime. When this position is taken in respect to people, we call it genocide.

2. A neighbor claimed the 'dog was a menace' but evidently never reported that to authorities, and didn't speak about their concerns with the dog owners. Sometimes, speaking to a dog owner about your concerns is considered nosiness. However, there are people who know a LOT more about dogs than others, and the courage to speak up if you are sure that a dog is a menace, even if only to the owners, could be just the thing to get their consideration; perhaps even prevent such a disaster as happened to little Ellie, especially if it is done with care and respect.

3. Fireworks affect dogs VERY BADLY. It terrifies them. Random, unexpected explosions will make the calmest dog lose its normal composure. If you know there is going to be fireworks in your community, put the dog in a comfortable and safe place. Play some soft, calming music to reduce the noise, give it some distractions, and KEEP IT SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE FAMILY until the next morning, when it has calmed down and the explosions have ended.

This is horrible way for a little one to die. Our hearts go out to these poor people. The shock and trauma, not to mention the loss, guilt and rage, will mark those souls forever. And, all the world has lost a beautiful little girl, who could have contributed so much.

Who Really Rescued Who?

2006-12-29T17:01:00.000-08:00

Mother Theresa once said that the greatest poverty in the West is loneliness. Social isolation is a fact of life for an enormous number of people, and that includes my mama.

Within a four year period, she had lost her husband, her father, her business. She lost her beloved cat, her german shepherd, and her labrador retriever. All of these had been the biggest parts of her life for at least 12 years, and she was present when each and every one of them passed away. During this same time period, the World Trade Centers had been attacked, two wars had begun, and the economy of her state took a nose dive that had never been seen in her lifetime. She had only one friend who stuck by her through the entire thing.

Then, her house burned down.

Then, she 'rescued' me.

Outlawed Breeds

In this day and time when communities are declaring certain dog breeds illegal, regardless of the results of true research, in response to (of course) distorted and dishonest news reporting, and exterminating those animal breeds against the will of their owners, my mother would like the 'soul-less government' to consider her. Consider that while these animals may be rescues, they are very likely rescuers in their own right, in a society where commerce, and what can be taken from it, in influence and taxes, trumps every other value.

The government and commerce cannot, by any known means, actually provide what is needed for a human heart and soul. By their nature they can provide structure, security and supply. But what is in the heart and soul is what makes life worth living and, if people can't be bothered to be there for one another, at least we animals do that very well for anyone who needs it.

God bless Thor.

Bark Parks and Christmas

2006-12-27T20:44:00.000-08:00

My bark park is a GREAT bark park. It is kept very nicely by the great park employees, and if it wasn't for them, the experience wouldn't be so fun.

All of us dogs leave droppings, and our folks pick it up and put it in the various trash containers. We LOVE to piddle on the garbage cans, when we're nearby. These can't be fun to empty...

The trails and grounds need quite a lot of care, and the park employees keep an eye out for anything dangerous that might injure us doggies.

So, an important part of my Christmas was to let the park employees know I appreciate their dedicated work and cleanup. So, I nagged my mama until we got them a gift they can USE.

I hope at Christmas you let your favorite park employees know how much you appreciate their hard work. We are so much happier because of them!

Squidoo & Pets

2006-12-21T13:04:00.000-08:00

Squidoo has become a great meeting place for people with pets, forming different groups, bringing resources, supporting animal rescue programs.

Then there are some pets, like me, that get their own pages.

My page gets about 30 visits a week, regularly.

Either I'm an incredible star, which is possible, or else Squidoo works.

Katrina, the Government & Humanity

2006-12-21T12:51:00.000-08:00

At the bark park, we have a favorite dog named Katrina. She's a rescue from the hurricane. Possibly her owners were lost.

Government officials wouldn't 'allow' pets. Pet owners wouldn't leave their homes without them. Rescue vehicles, busses, and other government transport wouldn't allow pets.

So, people died unnecessarily.

America DID NOT KNOW this would even become an issue. America DID NOT KNOW about such a stupid policy. We wonder what other 'hidden policies' will come out when its too late.

Is it necessary for us to learn EVERYTHING the hard way, or isn't it time to revisit the humanity of the policies that affect real people?