Killer Heat

   Apparently this week it's hot enough to cook robins in my backyard. Yesterday Aki found—and led me to—a young fledgling who I presumed had fallen from a nest that I wasn't able to spot. He was large enough to fly, but definitely a juvenile. Then today Aki led me to an adult robin back in the same corner. I don't believe my dogs are fast enough to catch a bird (certainly not 2 in 2 days), so I presume they died from the heat. (She also wouldn't touch the birds, which is another sign that she wasn't the culprit.)
   I do keep a birdbath, but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick. It's probably more of a hot tub at the moment anyway.

   As I was driving to the track meet for KCCC, I noticed the outside temperature as I was leaving the shady parking garage. 100 degrees. Hot enough to cook a runner on a black rubber track? Let's hope not...

KC Pet Telethon 2011

   This year's telethon was the 11th annual for the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, and either the fourth or fifth for which I've manned the phone lines. They were a little short on volunteers tonight, so I was delighted that I got to work 2 hours instead of just one!

   I love answering the phones and getting to talk to dozens of happy pet-lovers. Many watch at home with their pets (my favorite tonight was the woman with 2 black & tan dachshunds barking in the background), and some donate in memory of a beloved pet (the most touching one tonight was a woman missing her English Bulldog). I also got a caller who owns both Mastiffs and Papillions, and she challenged owners of either to call and pledge. As usual, the time just flew by and the phone often rang off the hook.

   In the end I believe we ended with around $148,000 raised—close to our goal of $155,000: a lot of money to help needy pets! That's me & local meteorologist and big-time dog lover Gary Lezak above. Gary used to bring his dog Windy on TV with him, and although she passed at around 17 years old, his dogs (and HSGKC alumns!) Stormy and Breezy are carrying on her legacy. How much do I wish I could bring my dogs to work with me... lucky guy!
   Thanks to Gary, Robin, Jo, Jana and all of the other HSGKC volunteers and staff, but especially to all the generous donors who called in with their pledges tonight. Between this and finding homes for two of our Shiba puppies, it has been a pretty incredible day.

   Pets "are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."  — Roger Caras

Wait... WHAT?!

   Kristin, my sister who is extremely allergic to cats... just adopted a cat. While I don't get it, I must admit that Mr. Mittendorf is quite adorable. He looks like a Turkish Van, and has settled right in:

   And speaking of saving animals, I just got the most awesome email from my friend Robin at the Humane Society of Greater KC (Hallmark has a program in which they make a $200 donation in your name if you volunteer at least 25 hours of your time within a 6 month period):
   "I am so excited to let you know the Humane Society received a $1,000 check today – because of you! We had five Hallmark employees submit their volunteer hours for the VIP program. This money will help feed the ENTIRE shelter for one month. I hope that knowledge puts a smile on your face. Thank you so much for not only submitting your paperwork – but donating your time and talents to the shelter. We could not save the animals without people like you and companies like Hallmark there to help!"
   So a cute kitty gets a home & a whole bunch of dogs & cats get fed for a month. I'd call that a pretty good day!

KC Pet Telethon 2010

from my Blackberry / view from the phone bank:

Just got home from working the phone bank for the last hour of the telethon, and it was another great year!!! We raised about $168,000 in 3 hours. (The biggest year ever was 2007, with $175,000.) It's fun to see people present those giant checks in person. (And by "giant" I mean, "taller than me.") Thanks to Jeanette & Jessica, who sat on either side of me & made the hour fun. See you next year!

UPDATE: As of 3/17, the total has risen to $175,000!