"A Chance At Life"

Another chapter closes

After giving this dream my all, the time has come and we are forced to close the thrift store.

Thank you for your continued support throughout this past year.

I leave you with this...

TGIF

Don't forget ALL CLOTHING . . . $1.oo per item!

Check out these great tools prices! Just in time to buy that special man in your life a great Christmas gift.

Craftsman Belt/Disc Sander "NEW" - $90

Dewalt V.S.R. Drill "BRAND NEW" - $49

Dewalt 7-1/4" Circular saw used - $50

Dewalt Reciprocating saw, used - $50

Sorry pictures would not load on typepad today. If you want to see pictures of any of the tools just email me. But hurry as these tools will not last long. I already sold the drywall screw guh first thing this am.

NOW FOR ANOTHER AMAZING ANIMAL VIDEO (warm & fuzzy, not sad)

You’ll see an amazing animal in this video. It’s a horse named Blue Hors Matine. She and her rider, Andreas Helgstrand, are famous dressage competitors. Dressage is sometimes called Horse Ballet.

That sounds like something invented by stuffy European aristocrats. And that’s probably true. But it’s also fascinating to watch. Blue Hors Matine is impressive.

You’ve never seen a horse move like this. She dances effortlessly across the arena. She even keeps time with the music. This sport might be a bit obscure. But it certainly is interesting.

Look at this little talented booger!!

You think the last little escape artist was good, wait till you get a look at this guy! Wow is all I can say.

Have a fabulous weekend...

Escape Artist

This has to be the most adorable & brilliant escape artist that I have ever seen!!! Dog On The Run

STORE UPDATE . . .

All clothes are still $1.00 per item (due to the speed of how we blow through the clothes, I am putting new items out daily!) Shoes are $2.00

See you soon.....

More Truth about ProHeart Injectable

I did some research today to find out how to treat my 3 dogs natually with essential oils for fleas, and in doing so I stumbled across a wonderful dog blog and wanted to share this very interesting news with all of you.

Below is an email from Jean Townsend, the list owner of doghealth2, who took on Pfizer single-handedly and instituted a class action suit with Pfizer when her beloved dog George died after being given the drug RIMADYL, a potent NSAID that should be avoided at all costs.  (The same applies to the newer class of NSAIDs, e.g. Deramaxx, Previcox, Zubrin, etc. These drugs are now being handed out by vets like candy for even little things like routine surgeries.
http://oxbowcrew.com/RimadylCase.html

Jean has given permission to crosspost this message far and wide so please feel free to copy it and send it on or send your friends here to read it.  This so aptly describes the scam and despicable role played by pharmaceutical reps in unleashing a deadly drug on the market.

This e-mail is purportedly from a veterinarian. This is for your information - just in case you would ever even consider giving this drug to your beloved companion animal! Please ask your veterinarian for a copy of the Client Information sheet and read for yourself about any adverse reactions and side effects to giving this or ANY drugs to your animals BEFORE you ever even consider administering them!  For those you that are not aware, there was a recall and subsequent law suit in 2004 over ProHeart 6 Injectable (http://www.thedogplace.org/Articles/ProHeart_Rimadyl_Settle.htm)

Note: the emphasis and bolded words are the  Blog’s author’s.

QUOTE:

I recently attended a veterinary continuing education seminar at which the lunch (captive/paid for by manufacturer) presentation was on Proheart 6.
The company rep told our gathering of veterinarians the following regarding the recent reintroduction of the product to the market after its earlier suspension:

Regarding the new administration guidelines for not giving Proheart 6 within one month of vaccinations and performing very minimal bloodwork prior to giving injection: *this is not about safety. It is about building a *pristine* data base for the FDA* (that they can use to further evaluate safety/side effects of the product).

Bloodwork should be performed “but you do not need test results in hand prior to giving the Proheart 6 injection because it does not have to do with safety for the animal but with *data building” .

Regarding age limitations of only administering to dogs over 6 months to under 7 years: these are only for the 1st injection of Proheart 6- if the dog has no adverse effects from 1st injection you can then give outside of these age limits.

Proheart 6 “removes issues of Pet Med Express taking away veterinarians’ income for heartworm preventatives. It bypasses issues of owner noncompliance with giving pills as directed. It addresses our sour economy, and puts you in the driver’s seat”.

When the question was raised if a dog is presented for needed vaccinations and Proheart 6 injection at the same time, what should the veterinarian do ?  the reply was: “in order to develop the greatest degree of confidence in the data, hold off on giving vaccine(s), give the Proheart 6 injection and have owners come back one or more months later for the vaccine(s)”.

It was repeatedly pointed out that Proheart 6, “still allowed in other countries and the #1 heartworm preventative in some of them”, is the same product produced in the same place in the US”. “It’s all about confidence,”the rep said, “clients will do what we tell them to do“.

The deadliness of heartworms was stressed, which is true. But NOT ONE word was ever mentioned regarding death as a potential side effect, and when one veterinarian unfamiliar with issues surrounding the product asked what type
of side effects had been seen, the response was “some inappetance, vomiting/diarrhea, elevated liver enzymes, that type of thing”.

If anyone fails to see in the above the fact that a product that has killed dogs, has been reintroduced to the national market at the potential expense of the lives of BELOVED FAMILY CANINE COMPANIONS not for their own safety but in order to *build a data base*, well….that’s exactly what has been done.
END QUOTE

The following URL’s are from a “google” search -

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/FDA-clears-reintroduction-of-ProHeart-6-to-the-vet/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/522208

http://www.wyeth.com/news?nav=display&navTo=/wyeth_html/home/news/pressrele
ases/2008/1212685317306.html

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jul08/080715m.asp
From the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association:

http://www.gvma.net/5feced75-e1c1-43eb-aef7-b16baf9a62ec.aspx.aspx?newsId=5
0e9d0fa-7de7-4104-a6f9-0f170c998d53
Jean
(Always for George - Always for the Rimadyl Dogs)

You may also want to bookmark this wonderful site, Dogs Adverse Reactions http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/

*There are some all natural ways/drug free ways of preventing heartworm infestation in your dogs.  Read HERE

( http://www.thewholedog.org/heartworm.html )

Dr Jeannie

"Challenger" the bald eagle

If you are patriotic in the least, or just love watching the heart warming videos, this is definitely worth seeing.
    He's a 'human socialized' bird accidentally raised by the people who
 rescued him - after being blown from a wild Louisiana nest in a storm as a
 baby in the late 1980s. Declared 'non-releasable' by federal and state
 wildlife authorities, he was trained by the AEF to perform educational
 free-flight demonstrations at high profile public events.

  He's the first Bald Eagle in U.S. history that learned to free-fly into
 stadiums, arenas and ballrooms during the singing of the Star Spangled
 Banner. The celebrity eagle has appeared at numerous major sporting
 events...like the World Series, Pro-Bowl, All-Star game, BCS National
 Championship, Fiesta Bowl and Men's Final Four, etc. "Challenger" has also flown before 4U.S.Presidents! His life story is told in a children's
 storybook titled "Challenger", America's Favorite Eagle. Named in honor of the space shuttle...........................

After such raving response from so many of you, we have decided to keep clothing at $1.00 per item!

For the next 50 pet owners that visit the store, receive a FREE tennis ball for your pet! Pick one up for your furry grand-babies too.

Meet the 2008 ASPCA Dog of the Year

Ten-year-old Cole Massie of Los Angeles, CA, may live with cerebral palsy, but he has all the support a kid could want, thanks to a very special black Lab/golden retriever mix named Ilia.

Recently crowned ASPCA Dog of the Year as part of the 2008 Humane Awards program, Ilia performs service duties like bringing items to Cole in his wheelchair and opening and closing doors. But the pooch also has that special healing touch that can’t be taught. “He provides amazing incentive to Cole during therapies, doctor’s appointments and procedures,” says Cole’s mom, Michelle Massie. “He calms, inspires and motivates my son far better than anyone ever has."

Or, as Cole sums it up: "I like when he lies next to me in bed at night and we listen to Harry Potter on CD, and that he helps to clean me when I'm in the bath by licking my face and arms. He's my furry brother and best friend—and a serious bed hog!

This past July, three years after boy and dog were paired by the nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence, Cole was faced with a difficult, but life-changing surgery. “He had walked on his toes, and his feet were totally rolled in,” says Massie. “The operation would allow him to use his feet and free him of the wheelchair.”

“Cole was frightened by the idea of surgery at first,” remembers Massie. “We explained how much more independent he’d be afterward, but he wasn’t buying it. Finally, we told him that if he had this procedure, there was a very good chance he’d be able to walk Ilia on his own—with no parents and no walker." After that, says Massie, "Cole would stroke the dog’s head in bed each night and whisper, 'I will walk you, Ilia. I will walk you.'"

After much coaxing, Cole underwent the surgery in Summit, NJ, and Ilia traveled more than 7,000 miles to be by the boy's side. The ten-year-old is now on his way to becoming an independent walker—and his dedicated service dog will be with him every step.

The entire family will attend the ASPCA Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City this October 30, where Ilia will be honored along with seven other dogs and people.

P.S. We'd like to remind you, pet lovers, that even heroes have their quirks. As Massie reveals, “Ilia knows 46 commands, but he won’t fetch!”

Little Girl Sends Letter to God about Dog

Here’s a story by Meredith’s mother:

There is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, “To Meredith” in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, “When a Pet Dies.” Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays In your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.
Love, God

According to her mother, Meredith was comforted by the book and letter and was unastounded that God saw fit to write back. “She wasn’t surprised because she had such faith that her letter was going to get to God.” (The oldest of the Scrivener children, 6-year-old Andy, was impressed, though: He “thought it was pretty special his sister got a book from the angel,” says his mum.)

While Mrs. Scrivener considered asking at the post office about the package, she decided against it. “I kind of like not knowing,” she said. “I don’t know who took the time to do it, but it was an angel. We all think about doing these things, but no one takes the time to do it.”

"Molly the Fantastic Pony"

Molly is a gray speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Katrina hit southern Louisiana, USA . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier, and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected and her vet went to LSU for help. But LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.

But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn’t seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight, and didn’t overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.

Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.

“This was the right horse and the right owner,” Moore insists. Molly happened to be a one in a million patient. She’s tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood (that) she

was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore , is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.

Molly’s story turns into a parable for life in post-Katrina Louisiana . The little pony gained weight, her mane felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.

The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly’s regular vet, reports. She asks for it! She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes

she wants you to take it off too.” Sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. “It can be pretty bad when you can’t catch a three-legged horse”, she laughs.

Most important of all, Molly has a job now.

Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people. And she had a good time doing it.

“It’s obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life”, Moore said, “She survived the hurricane, she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.”
“She’s not back to normal,” Barca concluded, “but she’s going to be better. To me, she could be a symbol for New Orleans itself.”

This is Molly’s most recent prosthesis. The photo shows the ground surface that she stands on, which has a smiley face embossed in it. Wherever Molly goes,she leaves a smiley hoof print behind!

Fun little test . . .

So want to know what your pet IQ is? Take this fun little test and find out. I scored a 7 out of 10, not to bad should have been better. This is what it had to say about my score . . .

You're done!

You answered 7 out of 10 questions correctly.

You're a dog whisperer.

Cesar Millan has nothing on you. You probably have a menagerie of pets you consider part of your family.

Click on this link and have fun. You'll be shocked just how much you know or don't know.

Man's New Best Friend

Can a horse be man's best friend? Well a horse named Patches is trying to give dogs a run for the money as "Man's Best Friend". See this VERY funny video of Patches going to the drive-thru to eat cheeseburgers with his owner, bringing him a beer and sleeping in a bed. You got to see this to believe it!

Have a great Monday folks. See you soon . . .

Denita

Another perfect pit moment . . .

Congratulations to MAGICCOOPER

and brothers Cooper and Magic, our August Grand Prize Winners! They will receive $250 plus a Photacular.com Contempo Keepsake Box and mousepad!

Here's the story behind this unusual match!

"Our Pitt Bull Cooper needed a friend, so we brought home a Siamese kitten for him. Magic Johnson was 1.2 pounds and Cooper was 80 when we introduced them but they immediately formed a loving bond.

Cooper and Magic sleep together every night and play all day -- they are the best of friends. It just goes to show you that opposites really do attract!"

THIS IS VERY TOUCHING . . .

A Pet's 10 commandments

Click on this link and sit back and enjoy!

Don't forget today is our Mystery Thursday sale!!! Be sure to stop by to see what we have in store for you. You won't be disappointed.

Denita & JD

My ultimate dream . . .

Woman after my own heart! Some day I will have the property to rescue to this multitude!!!

Be sure to stop by the store and don't forget . . . ALL clothing and shoes are now a dollar. You read it right, $1.00 so time to get a new wardrobe folks.

Namaste'

Denita & JD

Please help!!!

Help is desperately needed for over 1,000 dog's rescued from a puppy mill in VA! There are many ways one can help from monetary funds to fostering one of these babies in your home until they get placed into their forever loving homes! The video is alarming so watch with caution . . .

1,000 Dogs Surrendered From West Virginia Puppymills

Mostly Dachshunds

Foster Homes are Urgently Needed to Help Care For These Dogs

Thank you for caring and supporting our cause.

Animals never seem to stop amazing mankind!

OK, animal lovers, this one from The Associated Press will break — or warm — your heart. Talk about loyalty ... more proof that dogs are man's best friend.

GREELEY, Colo. — A dog stood guard over her owner’s body for up to six weeks after the man committed suicide on the remote northeastern Colorado plains, authorities said. The body of Jake Baysinger, 25, of La Salle was found Sunday on the Pawnee National Grasslands about 75 miles northeast of Denver. Cash, his German shepherd, was found beside him, thin and dehydrated but still alive. The dog had apparently survived by eating mice and rabbits, authorities said. The Weld County coroner ruled Baysinger’s death a suicide. The cause of death wasn’t immediately determined but authorities found a gun nearby, the coroner’s office said Tuesday. “At least we know it’s over now,” said Baysinger’s wife, Sara. “We’d been looking for my husband for six weeks, and this isn’t how we wanted it to end. At least we can close this.” Baysinger was reported missing June 28. An extensive search failed to locate him, but Kip Konig, a rancher, saw the dog last weekend, went to investigate and discovered Baysinger’s body and his pickup. He said Cash kept running back to the pickup and jumping into the front seat. “I got the sense she was trying to tell me where her master was,” Konig said. Cash was reunited Monday with Sara Baysinger and her 2-year-old son, Lane. She said her little boy is “very close to that dog” and happy to see her again. Investigators said the dog probably kept coyotes away from the body.

Photo: Sara Loven/The Greeley Tribune

Please help feed the animals!!!!

My friend Ginni found this today,  Go to the site, play the game, put it on your blog.

With all the foreclosures happening today, many many pets are losing their families and being turned in to shelters. Many shelters are now over-capacity and experiencing difficulty just keeping them all fed. One little girl wants to change that and has created the freekibble.com site. Modeled after the free rice site that provides 20 grains of rice to feed the hungry for each correct word definition, free kibble contributes 20 pieces of kibble to shelters for each daily trivia question answered. 1,839,310 pieces of kibble have been donated since April 1, 2008. Test your knowledge and feed the animals at the same time. Be sure to bookmark this site and visit daily.

With all the foreclosures happening today, many many pets are losing their families and being turned in to shelters. Many shelters are now over-capacity and experiencing difficulty just keeping them all fed. One little girl wants to change that and has created the freekibble.com site. Modeled after the free rice site that provides 20 grains of rice to feed the hungry for each correct word definition, free kibble contributes 20 pieces of kibble to shelters for each daily trivia question answered. 1,839,310 pieces of kibble have been donated since April 1, 2008. Test your knowledge and feed the animals at the same time. Be sure to bookmark this site and visit daily.

Our new addition!!!

This is "Daphne" the newest addition to our family! She a standard and is just 11 months old. She is an absolute gem. "Leyna" and "Daphne" hit it right off and immediately started playing. "Daphne"s parents rescued her in Feb. of this year and now are moving to New Zealand and unable to take her along so JD and I welcomed her into our home.

Candace I know you are crying reading this, as I know first hand how your heart is broken. Please know that she settled right in and is now sound asleep on the couch.

The girls on the couch taking a break after terrorizing the house! "Daphne" is exactly what "Leyna" needed.

Beautiful girl . . .

We have TOOLS galore . . .

We have new and used power and hand tools now available! Prices range from .25 on up. Here is a couple of pictures . . .

And if you personally know me, then you know that this is totally not me . . . LOL

But with the popularity of the old aprons coming back in style I just had to pose for this picture! I know my friends in Tampa are just dying seeing me with an apron on.

"Christian" the lion & MSN

Here is the clip from the today show interviewing "Christian's" rescuers. Still makes me weep watching this incrediable story. Be sure to click the pause button on the music, so that you can actually hear the video.

Man in ‘hugging lion’ video reveals its secrets

Several Day’s ago I posted the most touching video about “Christian” the lion and the two men whom had saved his life. Today I saw this article and thought perhaps you would enjoy knowing the whole story. It really is an amazing life teaching event. Something we can ALL learn from . . .

I believe God’s creatures are here to teach us, we just need to be willing to listen!

Namaste’

Denita

Man in ‘hugging lion’ video reveals its secrets

One of animal’s owners tells story that still tugs heartstrings after decades

By Mike Celizic

TODAYShow.com contributor

updated 11:27 a.m. ET, Tues., July. 22, 2008

The decades-old footage of a full-grown lion joyously embracing two young men like an affectionate house cat has made myriad eyes misty since it recently landed on YouTube. What is it about the old, grainy images that have attracted millions of clicks around the globe?

Is it simply that a lion, whimsically named Christian, remembered the two men who raised it and then released it into the wild?

Is it nostalgia for a simpler time 39 years ago, when you could walk into Harrods department store in

London

, stroll through the “exotic animals” section, and buy a live lion cub?

Is it a longing for the swinging Austin Powers-era London of 1969, when you could take the beast home to a basement flat, play soccer with it in a walled garden — and even take it out to restaurants in the back of a Bentley?

The answer may be all of the above. But it may be something more: the indelible image of a creature that could kill a man in seconds behaving like a pussycat with two men it obviously loves, smack in the middle of the African bush.

TODAY played part of the video last week with little comment or introduction, and when the grainy footage, originally shot on 16-mm film, was finished, Meredith Vieira was among many in the studio wiping away tears.

Swinging

London

The video is the work of Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall, two Australians who in 1969 were living in a hip section of

London

. Nearly 40 years later, Rendall expressed astonishment that one video of his reunion with his former pet had drawn more than six million hits as of this writing. (Two other versions of the video on YouTube have drawn another six million hits combined.)

“Oh, my God,” Rendall exclaimed from

Australia

when told how popular the video has become. “If it’s made people more aware and more interested in conservation and the protection of the environment, we’re very pleased.”

Back in ’69, Rendall was living on King’s Road, in the

Chelsea

section of

London

. The center of

London

’s counterculture at the time, King’s Road seethed with creativity and fashion. Even Mick Jagger once resided there.

“It was more of less the center of that music, art, publishing, hairdressing world,” Rendall said. “It was a very exciting time to be in

London

.”

In the lingo of the day, it was wild. And it was into that milieu that Rendall and his friend Bourke would introduce something even wilder: A real, live lion.

One hump or two?
Going to

London

was sort of rite of passage at the time. “We finished university in

Australia

,” Rendall explained. “In those days, everybody in

Australia

went to

England

as soon as they got out of university.”

Having grown up in

Australia

’s sparsely populated outback, the young Rendall was agog at the capital of the

British Empire

. Where he came from, there was one store where you could buy any color shirt you wanted — as long as it was white. “If you asked for a blue one, they said, ‘Get lost,’ ” he said, but in slightly more colorful language.

So when a friend came back from a trip to Harrods,

London

’s famous department store, and told a story about her trip to the pet department, Rendall was understandably fascinated.

“Harrods has always claimed that they could find anything,” he explained. “Anything you’d want, Harrods could get for you.”

His friend decided to test that. “She said she’d like a camel,” Rendall said. “Without batting an eye, the manager said, ‘Would that be one hump or two, ma’am?’ I had to see the department store that was so cool.”

So Rendall enlisted Bourke to go to Harrods with him. “We thought we’d have a laugh at this,” Rendall said, “and there were these beautiful lion cubs.”

Love at first sight
The two cubs were in tiny cages in the exotic animals section. Like a kid enthralled with a puppy, Rendall instantly became smitten and determined to rescue one of them.

“I grew up in the bush in

Australia

,” he told TODAY. “I was pretty shocked to see this animal, even if it was three months old, in this tiny cage: ‘This isn’t right. We really have to do something about this.’ And right there [we] decided to buy him.”

The notion that one could buy a lion and move it into an urban neighborhood seems preposterous today. But in 1969

London

, the improbable was not impossible.

Bourke and Rendall did have to go through a long process to prove they could care for the animal, and there were others who wanted to buy the cub. But the two friends prevailed, and soon the basement of the custom furniture store where they worked had a new and exotic housecat.

“We persuaded the owners of the shop that it would be great publicity for the shop if we had the lion live there,” Rendall explained.

“It’s something that can never be done again,” he admitted. “You couldn’t have a lion in central

London

.”

The lion whisperers
Inspired by the Bible and a sense of irony, Rendall and Bourke named the lion “Christian,” and the beast soon became a celebrity. Rendall said they took a “horse whisperer” approach to raising the animal, never restraining it and never using physical force of any kind. Instead, they indicated with their tone of voice what was appropriate and what wasn’t.

“He could tell by the tone of our voice,” Rendall explained. “He knew that we knew we wanted him to calm down, not now, let’s go, that sort of thing. We were very fortunate that we got it right. We ended up with a wonderful animal. He never bit anybody.”

The shop’s bottom floor became Christian’s den. “He had the whole of the basement. He had these toys down there — rolled-up old mattresses,” Rendall told TODAY. “He had his own kingdom downstairs, that that’s where he slept.”

But when Bourke and Christian went out, Christian went with them, riding in style in the back seat of a Bentley. He even accompanied his human friends into restaurants. For exercise, they took him to a large, walled-in garden next to the furniture shop. Christian’s favorite pastime? Soccer.

Growing pains
After a year, Christian had grown from 35 to 185 pounds. Rendall said he and Bourke knew the lion couldn’t stay with them much longer. They weren’t worried about Christian attacking anyone, he said. It was more that he was so big he could break a window just by leaning on it. Who knew what other damage he could accidentally cause when he grew even bigger? Fortunately, actors Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna dropped into the furniture store one day, looking for a writing desk. They had just finished filming “Born Free,” the famous story of Elsa, a real lioness who was reintroduced to the wild. In the hit movie, the married actors played real-life naturalists George and Joy Adamson (Joy Adamson wrote the book on which the film was based).

Travers and McKenna suggested that Rendall and Bourke contact George Adamson. Soon Rendall, Bourke and Christian were all on a plane to

Kenya

, where they and Adamson introduced Christian to something he had never seen before: his natural habitat.

When the two friends felt sure Christian had a new family and a safe territory, they went back to their lives in

London

. But they kept in touch with Adamson and made a few visits to

Kenya

to see Christian from afar.

Emotional reunion
Their first reunion was in early 1972, a year after Bourke and Rendall left Christian with Adamson. It is this event that is shown in the grainy film that has become such a sensation on YouTube (although the captions on at least one version of the video misidentify the event as taking place in 1974.)

The now-famous footage shows the cat approaching the two men, cautiously at first. Then, as recognition begins to dawn, the lion picks up his pace and leaps into the arms of his old roomies.

The film is color, but has no sound. Subtitles have been added to tell the story, but they’re hardly needed. There are two men in flared jeans and shaggy hair, and there is a lion. The huge carnivore approaches from a distance, slowly at first. Then recognition sets in, and soon everyone — men and beast — are hugging and crying.

Also in the original film are two lionesses named Mona and Lisa. They had been trapped elsewhere in

Africa

and given to Adamson to rehabilitate. Unlike Christian, Mona and Lisa had never set eyes on Bourke and Rendall before, but they came over to meet the two men anyway. If Christian vouched for them, these humans were apparently OK guys.

A last farewell
But in 1974, Adamson lost touch with Christian for three months. When he told Rendall and Bourke, they decided to make one last trip to

Kenya

to try to say goodbye to their old friend.

The night before they landed, according to Adamson, Christian suddenly reappeared and sat on a rock outside the naturalist’s camp — as if waiting for his pals.

There was another tearful reunion and another romp. The next day Christian walked back into the bush, where his lionesses were waiting. He was never seen again — but the power of the Internet guarantees he will never be forgotten.

Now Rendall hopes that the sudden popularity of the old film will help wildlife conservation efforts. He has remained an active supporter of the Mkomazi Game Reserve in

Tanzania

and the George Adamson Trust. Tragically, Adamson himself was killed during local unrest 14 years after the video was shot.

Rendall doesn’t know who posted the first video on YouTube, but he doesn’t mind that they did. “It’s a lovely story and we’re delighted people are interested in it,” he said. “If they want to support the George Adamson trust, we’re delighted.”

Big Summer Inventory Blowout . . . 50% off entire store!!!

Be sure you stop in tomorrow because as you know we really have some awesome merchandise in the store. This is your chance to stock up and get more for your money!

We are running a summer inventory blowout sale. Need to make room on the floor for all the items stored in the back.

EVERYTHING in the entire store is 50% off all day tomorrow.

Just a little tease . . .

Nice chair in excellant condition, and imagine this for only $17.50

All of these patterns (all not some) for $10.00

This is calling my friend Elle's name . . . as if she does not have enough doggie bags already. But look miss Elle it's pink and has never been used! Not bad for $12.50 huh?

Of course all of these prices I posted here are at the 50% off price.

Hurry in!!!!

9am-3pm tomorrow only!!!

Featured Items Alert!!!!

MANY of you were VERY interested in the 2 following beautiful antique pieces when you last in and they both had sold stickers on them . . . the folks whom put a deposit on them have had a hardship knock on their door and regretfully had to lose the deposit and back out of their commitment! The good news is . . . they are both back on the floor and ready to go to your home!!! So hurry, hurry, hurry because they will not last long!

Corner curio $250 obo

Very, very old desk $250 obo.

This is a sharp looking dresser, I believe it was a buffet orginally and converted into dresser with a mirror. $175

This coffee table came in this week and is absolutely beautiful. $75

The van is our other business and not for sale . . . the love seat is the item for sale.......$75 (no stains or rips) very clean

Make purchase to help Lost Angels Animal Rescue!!!

Don't forget to go to this website and purchase treats for your furry ones! They will donate 5% to Lost Angels as I mentioned earlier this month. I just ordered two dozen for my girls and man do they look ands sound delicious, so hurry now get shopping...................

Grab a tissue . . . your'e gonna need it!

This is just what I needed this morning, and yes it made me cry . . . but it was a good cry indeed! And humans think that the furry ones forget the bond . . . PLEASE!!!!!!

Thank you Jen P for sending this to me!

Warm fuzzies . . . remember those?

This is absolutely amazing! I love to watch it over & over & over, it's just precious. Although I have to agree with his wife, I would have never believed this had I not seen it with my own eyes. Cute factor indeed.....

Please consider signing this petition . . .

Dear Members and Friends,

You probably heard in the news that Senator Obama has promised his family they’ll get a new family dog after the November election.

The American Kennel Club jumped on this announcement with a list of possible “pure” breeds that the Obamas could buy from a pet store or breeder.

We’d like to propose something different to the senator and his family:

“With millions of homeless pets still being killed in shelters every year, please adopt your dog from a shelter or rescue group. Don’t buy from a pet store or breeder.”

It’s the same thing we say to people everywhere.

So we’ve launched a new website –
http://www.obamafamilydog.com/?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Sign%20the%20petition%20from%20homeless%20pets%20to%20Senator%20Obama! – where you can sign a petition encouraging the senator to save a life by adopting a homeless pet.

Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, left-wing, right-wing or any other wing, please sign the petition, and encourage all your friends and family to sign it, too.

It’s a great opportunity to promote the cause of homeless pets everywhere.

So, please sign the petition and read the story.

Thanks, and good wishes,

Michael Mountain
Best Friends

Great suggestions for pets terrified of storms!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We are moving our home to North Port, wish us luck!

Time to feel some furry luv . . .

Thank you Martha for sharing this adorable video! I just love watching the gentleness!!!!! I will post another this afternoon that will definitely warm ALL of your hearts!

DO NOT ADOPT TO THIS HORRIFIC ANIMAL!!!!!!

Alert: URGENT ALERT-KNOWN ANIMAL ABUSER ON CRAIGSLIST LOOKING FOR AN ANIMAL TO ABUSE Focus: Animal Welfare Action Request: Read Location: United States Please crosspost this everywhere.  If you have media contacts, use them to get this story out!  The email is kind of long but it has case numbers, license numbers and addresses on this man.  Please take the time to read this and forward it to everyone you know. This needs to go out to ALL RESCUE & ANIMAL RELATED people and all animal related groups: RE:  Shon Rahrig His current address is: 23560 or 23600 Walden Center Dr., Bonita Springs, FL He has two #'s, 239-947-0518 and 239-495-3716. Bonita Springs is right next to Fort Myers. CROSS POST EVERYWHERE...this man is adopting and torturing animals across our country ...has been convicted, now on the loose and still adopting...last known to be in Florida. If any of you have any "media contacts" consider contacting them to expose this horrible man... Do you have contacts with groups rescuing in disaster areas where this man could "help" by adopting.... PLEASE: take the time to pass this warning... Shon Rahrig DNA (various states) VERY DANGEROUS TO ALL ANIMALS! PERMISSION TO CROSS POST! According to info below, this man moves a lot, and is near Georgia and is dangerous to any animal he adopts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Diana Fuchs, PCAR Coordinator FL Please read and forward this information to anyone that is related to animals. This person has been caught, and found guilty in a few states for animal cruelty. He is now located in Florida, and appears to move frequently. For the link to this article and photograph of this person: http://www.lovemyspca.com/AnimalAbuseCase.html More details and a case profile can be find at: http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/352/ Case profile: Case Report: Shon adopted a cat from Citizens for Humane Action (C.H.A.) on January 26, 1999. In the early morning hours of February 6, Shon beat the cat, poked out its eye, broke its jaw legs, and left it bloody and in agony in a laundry basket in his apartment. He asked Melissa to come over and get it and take it to Delaware County Humane Society and tell them she found it along the road. She instead took it to Columbus Veterinary Emergency Service (CVE who humanely euthanized it due to the extensive nature of its injuries. Shon Rahrig, about 30 years old, of Sandbury Blvd, allegedly adopted 6 or 7 cats and a puppy from various local shelters and allegedly abused them horribly, broke their limbs, put their eyes out, etc. The alleged abuse became known when his girlfriend took one of the victims to a vet to be euthanized. In court he "copped a plea" to avoid the nasty publicity of a jury trial, and confessed to torturing one black and white cat, Misty, adopted from Citizens for Humane Action. Under the current statutes the most severe penalty for this man, if convicted, would be 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $750. Melissa contacted C.H.A. and advised them what had happened. C.H.A. transported the body from CVES to Capital Area Humane Society and filed an abuse report. Shon was subsequently arraigned and charged with one count of animal abuse. Shon at first plead not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty. On September 29,1999, Judge Pfeiffer sentenced Shon to 90 days in jail (of which 45 were suspended), 5 years probation, mandatory counseling and he was forbidden from owning any living thing during the 5 year probation period. He began serving his sentence on November 1. More details from the article of this person. http://www.lovemyspca.com/AnimalAbuseCase.html UPDATE: 12/28/2002 PETA's cruelty investigation team reports Shon Rahrig as now living in Fort Myers, Florida area. On 7/23/2002: As of this date Rahrig was in the San Diego area, where he has a real estate license. On 4/17/2002: This man was reported as living in Southern California and Los Angeles area has been trying to adopt animals from numerous shelters. BEWARE OF THIS MAN SHON RAHRIG PLEASE, PLEASE, PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW WHO IS INVOLVED IN ANIMAL RESCUE AND ADOPTION! WE MUST PROTECT INNOCENT CATS, DOGS, KITTENS AND PUPPIES FROM THIS MAN AND ANY OTHERS LIKE HIM WHO WOULD CRUELLY HURT THEM! There is a warning going around about a man trying to adopt from local groups and who may be trying to arrange private adoptions, who has been convicted of multiple torture/killing of cats and puppies that he has adopted. He is now in the Fort Myers Area in Florida. Local rescue groups are sharing information about this. It is part of the reason screening adoption applicants is so important. You can read about his conviction in Ohio at: http:www.petfbi.org/issuerahrig.htm . and at the end of this article. SHON RAHRIG was convicted in Ohio of torturing animals he adopted from animal shelters. He has been spotted in California and now Florida and has tired to adopt from several agencies; his parole states that he cannot acquire an animal for 5 years. He may try private adoptions by advertisement. If you encounter him, please alert the DA and the Probation Department. Info forwarded from HSUS: "Previous address was 1617 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107. Phone number was 619-222-9637, ss# ends in 5504. It appears that he had another address of 1612 Sunset Cliffs. Blvd., San Diego, CA, 92107. He filed Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) in Ohio, on 06/16/89, case # is 8931698. Court info is Ohio Federal Court - Toledo, 1716 Spielbusch Avenue, Toledo, Ohio, 43624, phone number is 419-259-6440. All information in the bankruptcy is public record. He also has a real estate license. License number is 01305620, issued on 04/10/01, expires on 04/09/05. Address on this is P.O. Box 661, Bellflower, CA, 90707, Los Angeles County. He also owns Southern Pacific Realty. Address is - 1612 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107. FIPS Code - CA073, File Date - 06/06/01, Standard Industry Code - 653118. And I also have 20 former addresses on him! [email protected] (@petfbi.org) PLEASE, PLEASE, POST THIS PICTURE AND STORY WHERE EVERYONE CAN READ IT AND KNOW THIS MAN FOR WHAT HE IS. SCREEN ALL ADOPTION APPLICANTS CAREFULLY! BEWARE OF WHO YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A PRIVATE ADOPTION. SHON RAHRIG SENTENCED IN EXTREME ANIMAL ABUSE CASE Shon Rahrig's sentencing was well attended with representatives from CAHS, CHA, PET FBI, POET, COPA and some individuals along with a Channel 6 camera crew. Rahrig has now moved to the Fort Myers Area! Please beware of this Man

More Furniture . . .

Nice leather topped desk $ 100.00 with matching credenza $75.00! Both in EXCELLENT condition, we have the glass to go on top of both of these. Don't forget to mention you saw these on the blog and receive 20% off!

This is another oriental style desk, $50.00. Has some wear and tear on it, but solid wood!

Great solid wood credenza for your office at home or work. Could even out a big screen tv on it. $100

We will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday, will re-open Saturday at 9am. Hurry in.........

Have a safe 4th of July!!!