Hidden Leominster

I'm trying to make the most of my time off, so I've been tooling around the back roads of Leominster with my book of maps. Let me just say, with all of the recent development around here, there are still parts where the woods are thick and the roads are practically dirt. I love that.

One such place is down by Fall Brook Reservoir, specifically Wachusett Road. There I discovered the Vachon Wildlife Sanctuary, where the Grandview Country Club used to be. It's almost 150 acres of protected land, with the former clubhouse available for rental for events. Just a beautiful place. If you're local, check it out.

Uno means No. 1

I'm a little late in mentioning it, but a beagle named Uno won Westminster. M, who grew up with two beagles, is thrilled.

Not much of a post, but it's on something other than my son. :)

Michael Vick gets it

Twenty-three months in prison, that is. As they say, let the healing begin. Hopefully he will clean up his act.

This rivals Wrigley Fields

Franklin Park Zoo names baby giraffe Sox after Red Sox World Series victory. What a cutie.

Why I like dogs

This video says it all.

Why I love animals

Check out this video of a wild polar bear playing with husky dogs. Amazing shots. Thanks to dooce for linking to it.

More animal cruelty (if inadvertent)

I heard this story about a cop who left his dog in the car on a 100-plus-degree day on the radio this morning. Disgusting. You'd think he'd know better.

Keep Michael Vick off the field

I recently stumbled across this, which allows you to email NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, to voice your disapproval at Michael Vick's dogfighting and calling for his suspension. I urge you to send a message in support of this worthy cause.

Michael Vick makes me sick

Not only is Vick facing up to 18 months in the joint, he's looking at a lifetime suspension from the NFL. And supposedly, playing football is the most important thing in the world to him. Other than killing innocent animals by the most gruesome means you can imagine. If you have to kill a dog (shudder), why would you torture and maim him first?

I read this morning that football fans are donating Vick T-shirts to the shelters in Atlanta in protest. I say good. If you want to do something, I suggest helping the animals in your local shelter who are there through no fault of their own. You can go to this site to find local shelters.

Who says dogs are dumb?

Check out this story about a golden who saved his owner from choking by jumping on his chest to perform the Heimlich. Amazing.

So cute, it will make your teeth hurt

I made my husband sit through the Puppy Bowl III last night. It's basically watching puppies play with each other while the dude from NFL Films narrates. Here are the players from last night. Don't say I didn't warn you.

I am very sad about Barbaro

That is all.

Oh, deer

I saw two of them in the snowmobile park in Bolton this morning -- just standing there looking around. They are so beautiful. I pulled over to look at them -- even out here in the country, you don't tend to see them too often -- and some a-hole passed me cursing and beeping. Sorry I like nature, dillhole.