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I am not, not, NOT asking for comments or likes or even sympathy but I feel like I've withdrawn from the world and I don't want people to think I quit on them or don't care about events or causes.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

Department of Veterans Affairs: Reverse the Policy: Help our Veterans heal with Service Dogs!

PLEASE HELP.

Change.org|Free Online Petitions

SO MUCH going on in Baltimore to help pit bulls this weekend. We need your help more than ever.

B-More Dog's latest newsletter is- A MUST READ! All about our family bowling event Saturday night, our huge rally (with well-behaved dogs encouraged to attend!) on Sunday, the first chance to get our TWO new "Stop Breed Discrimination Laws in Maryland" shirts, news about last Tuesday's protest in Annapolis, and a new and improved video of B-More Dog's "Message to Maryland" PLUS how you can join in the video.

Check it all out here!

Losing a friend.

I didn't know Knox well, but I knew him, and I'm so glad I can say that. I've heard of too many people losing beloved pets in the last week or so, and while even one is too many, this is getting overwhelming. I am still going to go out on a limb and say that Knox was special. I think most would agree with me.

Always calm and cool, even in costume!

Knox was a big, beautiful, black, pit bull type dog. That pretty much hits every weak spot in my heart when it comes to dogs. But his personality was so awesome, he was so calm and sweet and fun and friendly. He just shone. B-More Dog loved it when he came to our monthly Pit Bulls on Parade event- I'm sharing some pictures from some of them here. And you only have to read about him at Pittieful Love to know that he was a fantastic foster brother and all-around great breed ambassador.

Knox plays with Ruby-Doo

Playing with Nick and Rocko

More than all this, Knox was a life-changer for Jess and Brian. I think this is why his loss seems so painful and unfair. In the less than two years they had Knox, they went from a young couple who wanted a dog to true, dedicated pit bull advocates. Their work with Mid-Atlantic Bully Buddies, BARCS, and B-More Dog is well known around Baltimore and beyond, and I've watched Jess's blog reach so many this year. I am proud to know her and see all they've accomplished. And I just can't imagine what they are going through.

Picture-perfect with Jess.

This is a loss to so many. After hearing he was gone, I went to search for this quotation I'd read, it so reminded me of that sweet block-headed boy.

"To call him a dog hardly seems to do him justice, though inasmuch as he had four legs, a tail, and barked, I admit he was, to all outward appearances. But to those who knew him, he was a perfect gentleman." 

-Hermione Gingold-

Submitted by Jess to B-More Dog on 7/27/2010: "I think this one is my favorite."

Let me tell you about the NCRC.

The NCRC (National Canine Research Council) is an organization that actually collects FACTS, not innuendo or "reports" from innacurate and partisan groups, about dog bites, dog fatalities, and other canine/law issues. 

FACT: In the NCRC preliminary report on 2011 (they're making sure their facts are all there before the final report is submitted, imagine that!) they are currently investigating 31 incidents in a dog population of over 78 million dogs (ALL BREEDS) that occurred during 2011 that may qualify as dog bite-related fatalities. That's roughly 1 death for every 2.5 million dogs, according to 2011 numbers. Is one death too much? Of course. But let's come back to that. 

Let's look at the NCRC's finalized 2010 report:

FACT: Out of 33 dog-bite related fatalities that year (out of 78 MILLION DOGS), they have determined that only SEVEN (21%) were family pets. 64% (21 dogs) were deemed Resident Dogs*, while the rest were unknown.  

From the NCRC Handout "Resident Dog vs. Family Dog"

FACT: that year, only ELEVEN of the 33 dogs could be identified as a particular breed. EIGHT different kinds of dogs were identified in those eleven incidents.

And yet, according to dogsbite.org (I suggest you don't visit the site, it's extremely frustrating and full of the worst kind of appeals and nonsense). "21 people of all ages were killed in 2011 by pit bulls."

Eleven is very different than 21, isn't it? Especially when you take into account that those eleven dogs accounted for eight different breeds. Now yes, some of the "unidentifiable" dogs were reportedly "pit bulls." But many were not. Heck, some of the dogs were never identified. 

The eight breeds/eleven dogs were as follows: 

• American Bully/American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
• Siberian Husky (altered, family male)- history of killing family pets noted
• American Bulldog (intact, penned male)
• Rottweiler (altered- formerly bred, resident female)
• 2 intact Rottweilers (one male, one female, residents)
• American Pit Bull Terrier (resident dog, intact male)
• Wolf/Dog Cross (intact, resident male)
• Boxer (intact, resident male)
• German Shepherd (intact, family male)- history of aggression noted
• Rottweiler (intact male, resident)

Notice, only two "pit bulls?" What does all this mean? dogsbite LIES. Oh, they have "reports." They track reports of dog bites IN THE MEDIA. Which, as we all know, is totally right all the time. (Insert sad trombone noise here.)

But let's take this a step further. What are the commonalities we see here? What are two things we can do to prevent dog bites? 

1. Your dog should be a part of your family. 
• Of the known breeds, only two of the eleven were "family" dogs and they both had troubled histories. 
• Of the other dogs of indeterminate breed, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable cases were resident dogs, not family dogs (often involving multiple dogs with checkered histories). 
• Everybody has a different idea what a "family dog" may mean, I get that. I'm not saying let your dog run your life. Yes, you should train your dog. A dog is still a dog. 
• The NCRC says: "Family dogs are dogs whose owners afford them opportunities to learn appropriate behavior and to interact with humans on a regular basis in positive and humane ways, and who give them the tools necessary to live harmoniously in our world."
• 
  
2. FIX YOUR DOG.

• AGAIN, of the known breeds, only two of the eleven dogs were altered. One had a troubled history, one had been bred previously and was in very poor condition.
• AGAIN, of the indeterminate breeds, fourteen of the nineteen identifiable dogs were not altered. 
• Some people will always have reasons not to fix their dog. Here are my caveats: 
1. I can't think of one reason/excuse/justification not to fix a mixed breed or pit bull other than an allergy to anesthesia... Nope. There are way too many of these pups out there.
2. If you're showing your dog or whatever other reason, you are taking on an additional risk and responsibility by not altering your dog. I expect you to live up to it. 
3. I don't like breeding of dogs. I think we have too many dogs in this country. Nevertheless, there will always be people who want purebred/ breed specific types of dogs. If you are a licensed and responsible breeder (again NOT of pit bulls or mixed breeds) who contracts for people to fix their dogs and follows up, enforces and keeps track of their dogs, that's not my fight. 

If people were to make dogs a part of their family, fix their dogs, and watch for warning signs like: aggression, socialization, new or different situations, and other very common problems, the rare event that is death by dog bite could become the rarest event.  

Isn't that something we all want?

B-More Dog Hits the Big Time!

On Saturday, November 19, B-More Dog vaccinated 71 dogs times in South East Baltimore. 53 of the vaccinated dogs (almost 75%) were pit bulls . Plus gave out 10 spay/neuter certificates. Plus exchanged 15 leashes for old ones/chains/ropes, as well as a whole lotta collars. And we can't wait to do it again in the spring, West Side! 

Here's the post we wrote for Pit Bull Rescue Central (PBRC): 

B-More Dog Community Pit Bull Day in Ellwood Park

A weekend for the pit bulls- something for everyone!

Come hang out with me this weekend! 

I'll be here Friday night and Sunday afternoon:

COMMIT TO A PIT FUNDRAISER ART SHOW

November 4th, 2011, 7PM-10PM

Robert McClintock Studio and Gallery, Fell's Point

Artist Robert McClintock and the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc. (BARCS) have joined together to present the first-ever “COMMIT TO A PIT” fundraising event, which will be held at the Robert McClintock Studio & Gallery in Fell’s Point. This weekend-long event will begin with a Kick-Off party on Friday, November 4, 2011 with light refreshments being served from 7:00PM – 10:00PM. The event will wrap up on Sunday, November 6, 2011. The highlight of the event will be a month-long silent auction featuring a Commissioned Pet Portrait by Robert with the highest bidder being announced on Sunday, December 4, 2011 (valued at $1800.00). Also, there will be an unveiling of the most recent additions to Robert’s well-known “Dogs That I Know” collection featuring his “Commit To A Pit” series. A portion of the proceeds raised will directly benefit the BARCS Pit Crew program

-OR-

I'll be at The Windup Space (Charles St & North Ave) Saturday Night with B-More Dog for

Benefit Show for B.A.R.C.S.
November 5th, 2011, 8PM-1AM

Benefit show for BARCS: Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter and the BARCS PitCrew. 

$5 gets you in to see FIVE BANDS: LandSpeedRecord!, Sick Sick Birds, Sick Fix, Friend Collector and We Are Black Birds.

ALL the money collected at the door will got to benefit BARCS and the BARCS Pit Crew. There will several dog rescues and advocacy groups on hand including the Baltimore Bully Crew(BBC), Mid Atlantic Bully Buddies (MABB), B-More Dog, and the BARCS Pit Crew. Merchandise will be for sale to benefit these rescues and the pit bull type dogs they work with. We will also be accepting any additional donations you can provide. 

There's something for everyone. If you're in Baltimore this weekend, I expect to see you there!

Patterson is Pretty Perfect

Is he supposed to be your dog? 

In order to be a Pit Bull Ambassador Patterson has been professionally evaluated, he is in obedience classes, he attends events, participates in playgroups, and can stay with a volunteer overnight.

Patterson is amazing! 

He needs a home NOW!

BARCS- Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter

http://baltimoreanimalshelter.org/

301 Stockholm Street, 

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

410 - 396 - 4695

Shelter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 2pm to 6pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 4pm

Please read! Ed Sayres: Professional Athletes Show Their Soft Sides For Animals

Ed Sayres: Professional Athletes Show Their Soft Sides For Animals

Please check out Baltimore's Anti-Anima­l Abuse Commission and the "Show Your Soft Side" campaign. I spoke with Dr. Lockwood briefly at the press conference last week. We appreciate his support and participation here in Baltimore so much. As a pit bull owner/advo­cate/volun­teer in Baltimore City I can assure you that we have a huge issue here with animal abuse and dogfightin­g and need all the help we can get here in Baltimore. BARCS is under-staff­ed and under-funde­d and could use your support. These wonderful pit bulls and cats that make up the vast majority of the homeless animals deserve the best.

Why I LOVE iLove-A-Bull:

iLove-A-Bull:

PTMPeeps_022.jpg

PTMPeeps_022.jpg, a photo by Carolyn_Sewell on Flickr.

Yeah, this has not been my week...

You don't get to kill my dog, mister.

Pit bull slurs lead to boycott of 98 Rock | ohmidog!

HELL YES THEY LEAD TO PROTESTS.

I'm a Baltimore Buzz Brigadier!

"Baltimore Buzz Brigade - (noun) A non-military unit consisting of a variable number of awesome bloggers, photographers, and/or social media-ites that take ideas and run with them." - Matt Colly, Visit Baltimore

Some of you may have guessed that I like Baltimore. Being that my Twitter and blog name is BaltimoreGal. And you would be correct!

The peeps at Visit Baltimore, aka Baltimore.org, picked up on that as well and I am now an official member of the Baltimore Buzz Brigade, one of 20 socially savvy people who love this city and are willing to share their feelings with the rest of the world. Now yes, I may be a bad blogger, but I am a good Twitter-er and Facebooker and Foursquarer, etc. so I guess that makes up for it. Plus I'm not one to turn down a party...

Anywho, I'm here to tell you doubters/haters/negators that there is a lot to love about this city and I'm glad to be representing all that. There's a lovely Flickr account that shows some of our members' work here and I'll pass along a photo or two as I can. Here's one of me (middle, in blue) at lunch with some of my lovely and talented fellow buzzers at Mr. Rain's Fun House at the American Visionary Museum. Love those pretzel rolls!


photo by jamesjosephsterne, All Rights Reserved


I'll be telling you more (hopefully more often) as time goes by. Stay tuned, sweeties!

I'm in LOVE. With a BANNER.

Yes,  a banner. MINE! IN AN ALL CAPS KIND OF LOVE, love.

Look at how nice it is! I'm all cute and skinny in it (ha!) but also look at my Stella! She's beautiful and also pretty!

I have become a crazy dog lady, by the way. If I didn't know before, it's totally been proven when I can't decide if I'm more excited about a skinny picture of myself or a cute picture of my dog.

So here's the best part. Not only is this thing TEH AWESOME but it comes from my favoritest food blogger, the one who does the funniest possible recaps and/or parodies of the world of food. So a big thank you to Kathy, aka theminx, and I thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite works of hers:

The Guy Fieri parody Dipshits, Douchebags, and Dorks 
The Top Chef Bastards Series
Most recently, the Top Chef All-Stars Episode Nine Recap (aka 'Hambooger')


Also, this picture:

She also shares recipes and what I'll call "food moments" and reviews local restaurants on her website Minxeats. So thanks again Minxy! I guess I'll have to blog more now...

I have found my spirit animal.

YouTube - Will Ferrell as Robert Goulet does Loverboy: ""

Latest News and Events from B-More Dog

Check it out, along with a great photo of my Stella!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Latest-News-from-B-More-Dog.html?soid=1102632206620&aid=EeCz3gWUFdc