This is such an awkward post.

I am not, not, NOT asking for comments or likes or even sympathy but I feel like I've withdrawn from the world and I don't want people to think I quit on them or don't care about events or causes.

Please don't feel like you have to spend time talking to me about this later unless you really want to for your information/sake.

I'm having a real problem with chronic pain. It's only partially diagnosed, so we'll see what comes next. It's keeping me from doing the things I want to do, including go to local events. I have to be careful about all the things I used to do, as well. It's been coming on for a few years, in retrospect.

First I cut down on my volunteer stuff, then I stopped it.
Then I quit going out so much.
Then it got worse so I started going to doctors and taking mild daily pain medication.
In the last few months, it's escalated sharply- I'm taking a narcotic medication in order to keep going. (Not really helping my brain, understand.)

I'm handling things though. Keeping up with day to day with the help of my wonderful husband @Rayners who helps me more than I can explain- plus he always makes me laugh! Plus my wonderful Stella provides many snuggles. So we'll continue to try figure out the medical stuff, and then move on from there!.

So, you know, that's it, I guess. Going to try and get back to work now. At least it's Friday...

What a difference a year makes...

So, about a year ago David Raynes and I went to Gettysburg for the weekend and toured the sites and hung out with my parents and brother and much of the 48th Assault Helicopter Company for my father's reunion and had lunch with a couple that are old friends of Dave's. It was pretty great. 

The view from Little Round Top

Courtesy of North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

Blue Star Motto- "Skill Not Luck"

In my family, this is a romantic picture. We're odd.

…Then we went home and decided we wanted to get married, just about a week short of the anniversary of our meeting for the first time.

We got the ring in December, 

but I like this picture.

"Official" engagement picture.

...Now he's my husband, and at a new job (working in Ireland this week) and I'm I'm a stepmother (!?!) of twins and at my new job so yes, last year of my life has been crazy and amazing and I will be picking him up from the airport on Saturday, which is the anniversary of the day we first met. 

Extreme is NOT an Answer

So Nathan Winograd, self-appointed head of the "No Kill" movement, now deletes questions or concerns from his Facebook posts and pictures (and BLOCKS the posters from further questioning) even when they are well and politely asked with a real concern and factual information. 

This is the quote that got me removed- and please note that this was only after he had done it to several others that I even felt compelled to say anything:

Removing dissent is a show of weakness and duplicity. I always thought that while Nathan Winograd went too far with his claims and didn't address the downsides of the "no kill" movement, he had his heart in the right place. Now I see he is deliberate in all his actions, including not addressing the less desirable animals and people who sit in the shadows of "no kill."

My response to others in the discussions involved, which I think can sum up a lot of this without any further explanation: 

You can do a world of good and a world of harm at the same time. I've actually seen it a lot with "animal people."

My email to MD State Sen. Brian Frosh on his irresponsible comments about "dangerous" pit bulls

My email to Brian Frosh (cc'd Md Sens & Reps Lisa Gladden, Nathaniel T. Oaks, Samuel Rosenberg, Jill P. Carter+ Heather Mizeur, Doug Gansler, and my Balt City Council Rep Nick Mosby:

Senator Frosh,

I was very upset and disappointed to read of your comments in the Daily Record [“Frosh: It’s a ‘to-die-for job,’” Jan. 2, 2013]. 

As a person who researches information for a living, I find it truly appalling that you would make such a rash and unsupported statement such as “These dogs are more dangerous than other dogs.” I have been a volunteer at BARCS Animal Shelter for a number of years now and have worked with THOUSANDS of what you refer to as “these dogs” and know what you say is not the case as I have never been harmed or in danger from any “pit bull” type dog. Not only that, there have been numerous studies showing that breed is not only incredibly difficult to determine but also not a determinant of aggression- by well-respected groups such as the CDC, the American Veterinary Association, the American Temperament Test Society, and Maddie’s Fund.

I quote the local 501c3 B-More Dog here when I say: All dog owners should be held to the same standard, regardless of breed. All dog bite victims should have equal legal recourse. To single out "pit bulls" is unfair to other victims. There is still a problem of identifying IF a dog is a "pit bull" since there is no dog breed called "pit bull" and no reliable way to make the determination. Fear and hysteria are not a sound basis for making public policy.

I ask you visit my personal blog and read a piece I wrote last a little over a year ago responding to fear, hysteria and misinformation about dog attacks. I think you will find it well-sourced and based on facts. Please note I wrote it long before you had to deal with this issue: Let Me Tell You About The NCRC. I’ve attached a PDF for your convenience as well.

I hope you will reconsider your statement and your stance before further damage is done to Maryland families.

Sincerely,

Ann R. Coleman

B-More Dog’s Community Pit Bull Days Fundraiser- CrowdRise

This is something I have dedicated a lot of time, love and energy to so I hope you will read this and share it.

Last year B-More Dog vaccinated 365 dogs and have signed up more than 125 dogs for spay/neuter. But they can't keep doing it without your help. 

B-More Dog’s Community Pit Bull Days Fundraiser helps dogs like Achilles (left), a 4-month old pit bull/mastiff mix starting out in life and Nina Brown (right), a dog who has already given birth to 44 puppies but is now getting spayed for free through our programs.

Achilles gets some loving from me on the left.
Nina Brown on the right has a future with NO more babies!

We work to make sure dogs in underserved neighborhoods get the attention they deserve and have a chance at a better life with their owners. The goal is to keep them OUT of shelters and happy in their homes. 

Dr. Johnny Slaughter administering DAPPv to a litter of puppies with assistance from volunteer Tavon Blackwell

We provide free rabies vaccines, free distemper combo vaccines, free sturdy leashes and collars and sign up for free spay/neuter. We also provide basic education and information about animal care and resources.

The relinquished ropes, leashes, belts and chains traded in for sturdy leashes.
The one chain weighed at least 10 lbs.

B-More Dog targets neighborhoods in Baltimore City that have the highest intake according to animal control statistics.

Please consider helping us with this effort- we try to do 4 or 5 clinics a year and are a very small 501(c)3 nonprofit.

You can always email b_moredog@yahoo.com for more information. 

Thank you!!

Tired but happy volunteers, members, medical team, and mascot.