Features

Heart Tugs #3

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:08:00 -0500

I found your dog today. No, he has not been adopted by anyone. Most of us who live out here own as many dogs as we want, those who do not own dogs do so because they choose not to. I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left him out here, but he did not. When I first saw him he was miles from the nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, thin and limping from a burr in his paw.

How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him. To see the forgiveness in his eyes for the suffering and pain he had known in his never-ending quest to find you... but I was not you. And despite all my persuasion, his eyes see a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come. He turned and continued his journey; one he was sure would bring him to you.

He does not understand you are not looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows he must find you. This is more important than food or water or the stranger who can give him these things. Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile;

I did not even know his name. I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but I left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest.

You see, he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away any instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day. He doesn't know that the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he has to find you.

I waited hoping he would return to the tree; hoping my gift would build an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you is now over. He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were still there untouched. And I worried. You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your dog. Some would run him off, others would call the county and the fate you thought you saved him from would be preempted by his suffering for days without food or water. I returned again before dark. I did not see him. I went again early the next morning only to find the food and water still untouched. If only you were here to call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him.

I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate, it could take him many miles in 24 hours. It is hours later and a good distance from where we first met, but I have found your dog.

His thirst has stopped, it is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared, he no longer aches. The burrs in his paws bother him no more. Your dog has been set free from his burdens, you see, your dog has died. I kneel next to him and I curse you for not being here yesterday so I could see the glow, if just for a moment, in those now vacant eyes. I pray that his journey has taken him to that place I think you hoped he would find.

If only you knew what he went through to reach it... and I agonize, for I know, that were he to awaken at this moment, and (if) I were to be you, his eyes would sparkle with recognition and his tail would wag with forgiveness.

-unknown

Hatred Alive And Well In America

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:27:00 -0400

Secret Service investigating Facebook poll on Obama

(CNN) -- The social networking site Facebook on Monday pulled a third-party application that allows users to create polls after a site member built a poll asking if President Obama should be killed.

There are more than 350,000 applications on Facebook. The company says it disables any that violate its terms.

The U.S. Secret Service, the agency assigned to protect the president, has launched an investigation, agency spokesman James Mackin said.

"As is usually the case, our vigilant users reported it to us first," Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt told CNN. "The USSS [Secret Service] sent us an e-mail late this morning PDT asking us to take it down. At that point, it had already been removed, and we let them know."

Schnitt said the application "was immediately suspended while the inappropriate content could be removed by the developer and until such time as the developer institutes better procedures to monitor their user-generated content."

Facebook allows third-party developers to create applications -- such as polls and quizzes -- which are then made available to Facebook users, who use the applications to create specific content. Users may choose to make their content available to the general population of Facebook or limit it only to their friends.

In this case, Schnitt said, the user made the poll asking whether Obama should be killed available to the general public.

The possible responses to the poll were "yes," "maybe," "if he cuts my health care" and "no."

Schnitt said the poll "appears to have been posted over the weekend."

Heart Tugs #2

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:52:00 -0400

Stray's Prayer

Dear God, please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain,
and dear God I pray, as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home,
a warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.

My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water, and god that was hard.
So I chewed my leash, and God I ran away.
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God, I'm tired and hungry and cold,
and I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.

They've chased me with sticks and hit me with stones,
while I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad, God, please help if you can,
or I have become just a "Victim of Man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas,
and all that I want is an Owner to please!

If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good,
and I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I'll love them, protect them and try to obey....
when they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own,
cause I'm getting so weak and I'm so all alone.

Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry,
cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die.
And I've got so much love and devotion to give,
that I should be given a new chance to Live!
So dear God, please answer my prayer,
and send me someone who will REALLY care..

That is, Dear God, if YOU'RE REALLY there!

Unknown

Turn The Page

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:15:00 -0400

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
Just get people to stop reading them.
~ Ray Bradbury ~

Dr. Jones

Since receiving his doctoral degree in sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Ellis Jones has focused all of his energies on bridging the gap between academics, activists and the average citizen. A scholar of social responsibility, global citizenship and everyday activism, Dr. Jones continues to teach and give presentations across the country on how to turn lofty ideals into practical actions. His other works include The Better World Handbook (winner of Spirituality & Health's Best Book of the Year Award for 2002 under the category of Hope - 2nd Edition released March 2007) and the bestselling work, The Better World Shopping Guide (2nd Edition released October 2008), the only comprehensive guide to socially and environmentally responsible shopping that rates companies on a scale from A to F.

Dr. Jones has given inspiring yet practical presentations to a wide variety of audiences including a number of colleges and universities, sustainability symposiums, and global citizenship summits. He has been interviewed for radio and television both in the US and Canada, and was featured in the documentary film, 50 Ways To Save The Planet. In 2005, his work inspired the creation of The Better World Handbook Festival in Vancouver, BC. He has lived, studied, and worked in many parts of Europe, Asia, and Central America. He has won numerous awards for his work in the classroom and currently teaches in the department of sociology at University of California, Davis, the Transformative Studies program at The California Institute of Integral Studies, and the Social Transformation concentration at Saybrook Graduate School. He is currently working on his third book, The Social Responsibility Movement: Global Transformation In Everyday Life.

For more information on his work, you can visit www.betterworldshopper.org and www.betterworldhandbook.com or email him directly to ask a question or inquire about a potential presentation or workshop at doctorjones@betterworldshopper.org.

Better World Handbook: Specifically designed to reach people who normally would not consider themselves activists, The Better World Handbook is directed toward those who care about creating a more just, sustainable, and socially responsible world but don't know where to begin. Substantially updated, this revised bestseller now contains more recent information on global problems, more effective actions, and many new resources.

The Better World Shopping Guide: "The new edition doesn't disappoint. Pocket-sized so it's easy to carry around, and at-a-glance easy-to-read, it grades companies with a simple A to F. The grade encompasses human rights, the environment, animal protection, community involvement, and social justice. I've always believed we vote with our dollars every day, choosing through our purchases what kind of world we want to live in. This book embraces that idea, and also gives a list of 'Top 10 Things to Change' from banking and credit cards, to chocolate and coffee."-Chris, Seventh Generation blog The only comprehensive guide for socially and environmentally responsible consumers available, this book ranks every product on the shelf from A to F so you can quickly tell the "good guys" from the "bad guys"-turning your grocery list into a powerful tool to change the world. Representing over seventeen years of distilled research, data is organized into the most common product categories including coffee, energy bars, computers, gasoline, clothing, banks, cars, water, and more. Also included is a summary of the essential information about particular product categories, profiles of the best and worst companies, practical buying tips, and the most useful online resources available. Whether you believe in environmental sustainability, human rights, animal protection, community involvement, or social justice, this book is for you! Small enough to fit in a back pocket or small purse and organized in a shopping-friendly format, The Better World Shopping Guide will help you change the world as you shop!

Contest

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:05:00 -0400

Hey, Free Laughing Dog Radio listeners, are you sick of all those commercial interruption? Laughing Dog Radio has the cure for you. Answer the question below correctly and you could win a three month VIP Commercial Free Membership to Live 365.

Q ~ What is the world's smallest dog breed?

The contest is open to all participants age 18 and older regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. Answers must be uploaded by 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time on September 26, 2009.

Correct answers will be entered in a drawing, and a name will be randomly chosen on Sept 27, 2009. We will contact he winner by email. That is the only time we will ever contact you. We hate getting spam, so we don't send spam, and we never, ever, give or sell your name or information to anyone.

A ~ Chihuahua

Congratulations to Will the winner of our contest.

The Dentist

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:16:00 -0400

Hi Everyone,

Does everyone hate going to the Dentist as bad as I do, or is it just me? I've just come from the Denist where I was in the chair for close to 3 hrs...throb,,,ache...twinge. For almost two years now I've been in dentistry hell. I had to have crown lengthening on 3 of my teeth six weeks ago...ugh.

Friday's 5

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:11:00 -0400

Every Friday we will feature five CD's for you to listen too. Tell us which ones you liked or disliked. Also tell us if this was the first time you heard of this artist?

Lets talk about the music....

Spotlight Artists

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:54:00 -0400

Throughout each month we will present a mini spotlight on some of the artists that we are currently playing here at Laughing Dog Radio. We hope this will help you get to know some of the artists and their music a little better. If you like any of these artists and want to discuss the music, please feel free to do so in the comments below.

Susannah Blinkoff

Susannah Blinkoff is a multi-talented singer-songwriter whose catchy, groove-driven AAA/adult contemporary pop-rock songs have been heard on MTV, in the feature films "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" and "Bellyfruit", on more than 200 college radio stations across the country, and most recently topping the charts on FM radio in Hawaii and Nebraska. Her warm, intimate, clear-as-a-bell voice turns sexy and sultry in a heartbeat -- inspiring comparisons to Diana Ross, Lisa Loeb and Eva Cassidy -- while her accomplished background as an actress gives her a chameleon-like ease with a variety of musical styles. Her latest album LET'S PRETEND is a diverse collection that is fresh and radio-friendly.

Born and raised in New York City, Susannah began singing professionally in clubs and off-Broadway when she was twelve. As an actress, she has appeared on Broadway and in numerous TV movies, sitcoms and plays on both coasts. As a singer, she has performed in Galway, Ireland and New York City; and in Los Angeles, she has played at Genghis Cohen, The Knitting Factory, The Mint, Room 5, Tangier and Hotel Cafe.

Susannah is also a published playwright and screenwriter who co-wrote the film BELLYFRUIT which premiered at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival and ran on Showtime. For that film, she wrote and produced the opening title song with composer Stephen Bray (Madonna, "The Color Purple"). Her award-winning family feature script UNDERCOVER CREW is currently being developed for both film and TV and will feature original songs for the character of a teen pop star. Susannah is also writing a movie musical about singers in Los Angeles, the city she now calls home.

Check out her Blog where she shares some thoughts, some quotes, and some recommendations for great eating in the L.A. area!

Website Myspace Facebook CD

The Duhks

The Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Duhks have always gravitated towards traditional roots-based song structures, but they've never stopped evolving since their inception five years ago. Due in part to a collective musical worldview that knows no boundaries, that evolution led the band to their latest offering Fast-Paced World, the first Duhks record to feature wunderkinds Sarah and Christian Dugas (replacing vocalist Jessee Havey and percussionist Scott Senior respectively). It's an album that reflects the quintet's newfound confidence, with Sarah bringing five original songs to the band's encyclopedic collection of originals and covers both old and new.

The French-Canadian born siblings have been immersed in music their whole lives, thanks in part to their musician parents. "We had a family band that toured across Canada when I was 7 and Christian was 9," remembers Sarah. "My father had a recording studio in the house, so I grew up hearing a variety of musicians playing everything from rap to rock to world beat. I grew up in a fun and creative environment ."

Dugas' emergence as a songwriter has clearly contributed to the group's progression - the other members are fiddler Tania Elizabeth, guitarist Jordan McConnell and founder/ banjo player Leonard Podolak - from the jaunty pop of "You Don't See it" to the jazz-waltz of "This Fall," the Duhks' enthusiastic fan base has embraced the changes. "The reaction has been really positive," says Dugas. "We've been able to keep the old fans and gotten some new ones as well."

"There's a more liberal attitude in the band when it comes to songwriting approaches," admits Podolak. That attitude has even extended to drummer Christian's use of a full kit, in contrast to the band's previous use of just percussion. "My musical tastes have broadened immensely since we first started. I think we've evolved musically, while maintaining our roots, but everybody in the band listens to so many different things, it was bound to happen."

It's that kind of musical DNA that makes the band's spot-on fusion of trad itional bluegrass, folk rock, Afro-Cuban jazz and soul so accessible and yet so hard to pigeonhole. It's also earned them a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Country Vocal Performance category as well as a Juno award in their native Canada.

Accolades aside, the band doesn't see any reason to pull their punches lyrically, as Dugas laments on the funky title track, "We've forgotten what's sacred in this fast-paced world." "It's a song that's essentially about over-consumption," remarks Podolak. "We've all grown up with an outlook where's there's enough for everyone without destroying the earth."

Environmental issues are a passion for the band, inspiring them to launch The Duhks Sustainability Project (www.greenduhks.com) in October 2007. Spearheaded by Tania Elizabeth, the band's goal is to "tour on as sustainable a basis as possible; fueling our vehicle with Biodiesel, supporting local organic farmers wherever we go, wearing sustainable eco-conscious clothing, using earth-friendly shampoos, soaps and cosmetics and offsetting remaining CO2 emissions with carbon credits."

"As a band, it's something we feel very strongly about," says Podolak. "We just want to reduce our carbon footprint as much as humanly possible."

Fast Paced World was produced by the Nashville-based Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt), who joins an impressive set of producers (Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien) before him. "Jay's basement studio was like something out of the Star Trek Enterprise," laughs Podolak. Despite trying to quit smoking at the time (4 nicotine patches at once!), Joyce was "very open to our ideas and very easy to work with. I also think he learned as much from us as we did from him about combining the acoustic and electric elements of our songs in a studio setting," continues Podolak.

As the band continues their own musical evolution, Fast-Paced World illustrates just how far the Duhks have comeâ??and just how far they're willing to go to challenge themselves artistically. Ultimately though, according to Leonard, the Duhks' " just want to play music that speaks to everybody." Mission accomplished.

Website Myspace Facebook Videos Interview

Buy The Duhks @ Amazon

Planetary Nights

The music of Planetary Nights is testament to the fact that it?s never too late to pursue your true calling and passion. Gritty, earthy and emotionally real, Planetary Nights?s music crosses time and genre, spanning the realms of rock, blues, punk, and soul to create its own highly personalized sound. On its debut album, Elliptical Motion, Planetary Nights weaves melodic tales of love, loss, and despair with a passion and commitment that reels the listener in. It?s a musical expedition, led by a man who has journeyed himself, with the road leading back to his true love and calling ? music.

Singer-songwriter R.J. McSweeney is the force behind Planetary Nights. A New York native, R.J.?s passion for music began when he took up trumpet as a child. Switching to guitar in college, R.J. grew up on the great music of the 1960?s: the Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Motown, Stax, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Muddy Waters and others. He lived the music, going to shows at such legendary venues as the Fillmore East, Manny?s Carwash and a host of other New York venues. Putting down the guitar to start a family and career, R.J. stayed in touch with his creative side, writing short stories and poetry, but for twenty years, he left making music behind.

But a few years ago, R.J. picked up the guitar again. ?If Ever? was the first song R.J. wrote, dedicated to his wife on their 30th anniversary. A plaintive and loving hymn, the song pulses with a simple declaration of devotion and love. And then came ?Starting Over,? a song of support and advice for his son, who was going through a break up at the time. ?My friends liked what they heard and encouraged me to keep writing.

Last year, R.J. decided to truly go for it, and entered the studio with producer Mark Hermann and a broad group of musicians including Rob Clores (Black Crowes) on keyboards and percussionist Graham Hawthorne (David Byrne). With a collection of songs writing solely by R.J., the sessions went smoothly, and Elliptical Motion came into being.

What is apparent from the opening notes of ?Fly Away,? is the commitment with which the music is played. R.J?s rhythm guitar is assertive and driving, leading the band. His voice ? rough-edged and shot through with feeling, envelopes the listener. The lyric, written and used for a friend?s wedding, is an invitation to elope to the big city; to leave a small town environment and strike out for the possibilities of greater opportunity. That theme of renewal and opportunity is a thread that runs through most of the songs on Elliptical Motion. R.J. explains, ?I have a fundamental belief that there is always opportunity for renewal, and I have an underlying optimism that you can move from trying circumstances to a better place.?

?NYC? is a luminous and ethereal trip through New York, reflecting the excitement and vitality of what the city has to offer in terms of music, art and culture; with a gorgeous sheen, the song aurally reflects the beauty of the city and its offerings. ?Planetary Nights,? the album?s title track, deals with the continuum of relationships throughout life - our continual need for them and their natural ebb and flow. ?I think each song portrays a different dynamic of human emotion that people can relate to at different phases of their own lives.? R.J.'s Planetary Nights is currently performing "Elliptical Motion" at various NYC clubs, such as Kenny's Castaways, The National Underground and Lakeside Lounge.

Website Myspace Videos

Buy Planetary Nights @ itunes

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, dies at 77 after cancer battle

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:55:00 -0400

We the people will miss you Sen. Kennedy. Thank you for your life of public service. You were one of the doers, and a true voice for the people. Something that seems to be an increasingly rare quality in our goverment officals these days.

Laughing Dog Radio

"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. ... He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him." ? Statement from the Kennedy family.

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"For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. ... An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time." ? President Barack Obama.

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"Teddy spent a lifetime working for a fair and more just America. For 36 years, I had the privilege of going to work every day and sitting next to him and being witness to history. ... He restored my sense of idealism." ? Vice President Joe Biden.

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"I will always treasure the memory of his friendship and the time we spent together, from the Massachusetts waters he loved so much, to the floor of the Senate that will feel empty without his booming voice and broad smile." ? U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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"My friend, Ted Kennedy, was famous before he was accomplished. But by the end of his life he had become irreplaceable in the institution he loved and in the affections of its members. He grew up in the long shadow of his brothers, but found a way to be useful to his country in ways that will outlast their accomplishments." ? Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

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"Senator Ted Kennedy was one of the most influential leaders of our time, and one of the greatest senators in American history. His big heart, sharp mind, and boundless energy were gifts he gave to make our democracy a more perfect union." ? former President Bill Clinton.

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"Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend." ? Nancy Reagan, widow of former President Ronald Reagan.

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"The courage and dignity he exhibited in his fight with cancer was surpassed only by his lifelong commitment and service to his country." ? Former President Jimmy Carter, who won the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination over Kennedy.

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"No words can ever do justice to this irrepressible, larger than life presence who was simply the best ? the best senator, the best advocate you could ever hope for, the best colleague, and the best person to stand by your side in the toughest of times." ? Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

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"Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy believed in a simple premise: that our society's greatness lies in its ability and willingness to provide for its less fortunate members." ? Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va.

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"I'm not sure America has ever had a greater senator, but I know for certain that no one has had a greater friend than I and so many others did in Ted Kennedy." ? Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

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"Ted Kennedy, with all of his ideological verbosity and idealism, was a rare person who at times could put aside differences and look for common solutions." ? Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Vick Kicks Off Anti-Dog Fighting Campaign

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:52:00 -0400

Michael Vick discreetly began his campaign against dog fighting Saturday in Georgia followed by an appearance Wednesday in Chicago, according to published reports.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback spoke to at-risk youth Wednesday at the Liberation Christian Center in Chicago?s Englewood neighborhood. Vick shared his story of how he got into dog fighting and expressed remorse for his actions, according to a written statement from Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States.

The NFL player joined Leaders of the Humane Society?s End Dogfighting Campaign. Vick?s presence in Chicago initially led the media to believe he was going to sign with the Chicago Bears, since he was reinstated into the NFL in July.

In keeping with Vick?s wishes, Humane Society officials did not publicize Vick?s first speaking engagement Saturday at the New Life Community Center in suburban Atlanta, according to an Associated Press report.

Vick spoke for 12 minutes to an audience of 55 people. Only one media crew was allowed inside and the windows of the community center were covered.

Vick wanted to make his first statements in a controlled setting and will participate in more anti-dog fighting forums in the future, Pacelle said in the AP report.

Vick served 23 months in prison and federal house arrest after he was convicted of operating a dog fighting ring in Virginia. While incarcerated he expressed his regret to Pacelle and his wish to help end dog fighting.
Pacelle has faced criticism for partnering with Vick.

?We did not endorse his return to the NFL or vouch for his character, and he is not a spokesperson for the HSUS,? Pacelle said in a printed statement. ?Rather we are simply giving him a chance to make good on his promise he is through with dogfighting and now wants to be part of the solution rather than the part of the problem.?