Pray For Japan

Japan has really been on my mind a lot lately, and I am sure many of yours as well. I know there have been a few huge earthquakes in other countries in the last couple of years, and not to sound heartless, but I didn't seem to care as much when the other ones occurred. It's hard for me to attach myself emotionally to something when I am so far away in my safe comfortable America. It's not that I didn't care about the other countries who have been hit by earthquakes, it's devastating but since I have no connection to them in any way I was not as interested in following the details as much as I am with Japan. I lived in Japan for almost two years and it was an amazing experience. I grew to love the country and it's people. I was not excited about moving to Japan initially. I was excited to go somewhere new and be in another country, but Japan was not exactly the top of my list on countries to visit. Yet I fell in love with the country and it became my home for two years.

It is amazing watching the footage and reading about the effects of the earthquake. I still have many friends there with the military and a few Japanese friends as well. Everyone is safe. The area that I lived in felt the earthquake, but thankfully they were not affected in the way that the Sendai area has been. I am in awe of natural disasters. Makes me remember that we are so small. We tend to think we can do and accomplish anything, but we are not as powerful as we tend to think we are. The people of Japan are not more special than the people in Haiti or Chili or any other country that has been hit by a big earthquake lately, but I have a personal connection with Japan and they have been in my prayers and on my mind a lot lately. Please keep praying for Japan as there are so many without homes and they are still trying to control problems that have arose due to the earthquake.



Both of these pictures were taken by Brian as he was heading out to sea. I know I put my name on them, but I could not find this shot ANYWHERE! I know it's on our hard drive, but Brian keeps his stuff in his own folders and I could not find it for the life of me. I just happened to have created a copy for something a while back and put my name on it so it couldn't be snagged. They are probably my all time favorite shots taken during our time in Japan. Enjoy!

Horse Photography - Alaqua Animal Refuge

Yes, there are horses at Alaqua Animal Refuge. The proper question would be what animals do they not have? As most of you know I am a horse person. Since I don't have a horse anymore I have signed on to be the new volunteer coordinator for the horse department at Alaqua :) Now not all of the horses are ride-able, but it has been nice spending a bit more time with the horses even if it's not riding. Earlier this week I worked with a couple volunteers grooming horses and getting new photos taken. It took us a few hours, but we got five horses done and they looked MUCH better! Now is the season of shedding so they all were definitely in need of a good brushing. Next Saturday we are working on getting the rest done. Below is one of the minis at the shelter. Super cute and super sweet little guy. I haven't heard this one's background yet, but I know that many of the horses here came from some bad situations.



The horses could all use some extra love so if anyone knows anyone who might be interested in volunteering with them we'd love to have more people on board! Horses are much more complicated animals than dogs and if you don't know how to work with them it can be dangerous (even if you do know how to work with them it can be dangerous!). Safety is always of utmost importance, and I am currently revamping the volunteer plan of action so that we can have people working with the horses as often as possible and as safe as possible. The less the horses are worked with the more difficult they will become to handle. To keep them in a state of being adoptable animals we really depend on volunteers to work with them. So thank you to all volunteers! Every bit of help is much appreciated :)

Blooming Spring

It's that time of year again. The time of blooming blossoms and the sneezing people who are allergic to them :) My trip to Auburn was wonderful and my friend's wedding was amazing (pictures are coming I promise!). I was excited to find that I did not miss Alaqua's 2011 Canine Carnival at Gulf Place, but disappointed to find that though I will be in town on the rescheduled date, I will unfortunately be in class that entire day :( It was not meant to be apparently.

I have lots of new pictures to be posting. Wedding, horses, dogs, cats, so many wonderful things happening this spring! It is spring isn't it? I am working with Furry Fanatics on scheduling something special :) so look forward to news on that! I think it's going to be a good spring. I have a lot of exciting plans and different things going on. More pictures and updates are on their way!

Back to Florida

I am home in Florida today. Back to my busy schedule and warmer weather. Visits home are always nice, but tend to be a little busy trying to visit with as many people as possible while I am in town. It's not so bad though since I was in Auburn so recently. Long day of traveling yesterday though. I flew out of Sacramento at 9:30am and landed in Florida at 9:30pm. Not fun. You'd think I was flying to another country or something, but that is what you get when you select the cheapest flight possible that lands you when your husband is not at work. With that full day of traveling and the time change I think I want to do nothing and might just crash on the couch with the mongrels.

Japan

Just a funny ad that I saw in Japan. This thing was posted all over and every time I saw it I just had no words. Still, seven months later there are no words.

Chancho

Chancho is growing. It's what puppies do these days. The other morning when I got him out of his crate, I looked at him and thought he'd grown inches overnight! He has been very hot at night and wakes me up to let him out and he just runs outside and plops his tired body onto the cool sand (our backyard is basically sand despite the fact that we do not live on the water). So here is a shot of them playing when I first got him. Look at the size of Chancho's tiny little head!



And now... yesterday, the growth! Chancho's head can barely fit in Shugo's mouth now!



And Chancho can almost put Shugo's head in his mouth! This is the most important way in which to check the size change of your pet. Who's mouth could his/her head fit into?



Yet, they are buddies. Whether we take Shugo and leave Chancho or if we take Chancho and leave Shugo the one left behind is very depressed and sits by the door waiting until their return. It's so cute!

Homeward Bound

I am leaving town today to head to a friend's wedding in California. Off I go to my homeland and the wonderful wedding madness. Actually, it won't be wedding madness because my friend, Nichole, is a super organized awesome person who will be totally calm and relaxed and have everything in order to enjoy her day. And if (or rather when) something goes awry (because something always does) she will not bat an eye. And likely because of her awesome perfectionism whatever it is that may go wrong will be so minor that no one in their right mind would care anyway. And she is definitely in her right mind.

When I return I will absolutely post some special moments from the day. I will not be the photographer, but actually a bridesmaid so the images you see will be limited as I will not be standing up there with my camera in hand (how weird would that be!). Yet, you will see images from the wedding I promise! Let's just hope they don't come 3 months after the event like my travel images :) For now just LOOK at what I get to go home and visit for possibly the last time. Dear, sweet Gunther is getting old and who knows when I will return and if he will be there or not...