Etc., etc., etc. . . .

***Bernie listening to some tunes while laying on her bed. St. Paul, 2001.***

Whenever I paste into this blog, it wreaks havoc with the html, specifically the font and text size. Apologies, I've fixed it as best I can.

Also, given that I mentioned the Google ads that now appear on my blog, I must say, What's up with the peer pressure-nudity PSAs that are appearing here? Whatever I can do to help, I guess.

Saw another neighbor today, this time at a coffee shop in my 'hood. We chatted for a bit, then she asked, "How's Bernie?" So I told her.

Alas, lots of good dog things to talk about today. First, this little clip, taken from Sunday's St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Woman, 56, first to swim Atlantic

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Jennifer Figge has become the first woman on record to swim the Atlantic Ocean by going the distance from Cape Verde Islands to Trinidad. Her crew plans to calculate the distance after the final leg of her swim. The 56-year-old American said Saturday that a bumpy flight over the Atlantic in the 1960s got her thinking she could don a life vest and swim if need be. She pushed off Jan. 12, swimming 19 out of 25 days while battling waves of up to 30 feet, to arrive Thursday. She now plans to swim to the British Virgin Islands. In late February, it's home to Aspen to reunite with her Alaskan Malamute. "It's time for me to get back home to Hank," she said Saturday.

Chad says: My kind of woman.

Second, also from Sunday's Pioneer Press, is a really moving story about a book, Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform by Karen Winegar. I always said that Bernie and I both hit the lottery when I adopted her, and that story (and presumably the book) gets to of what I speak.

Third, if you live in the Twin Cities, consider checking this event out, from Mississippi Market: Healthful, Easy Cooking for Your Dog "Learn to cook healthful, easy, seasonal meals for your dog. In no more active time than 15 minutes every 2 to 4 days, you can prepare meals for your dogs that will improve their coats, lessen their thirst, and offer them a range of foods to delight and strengthen them. Bring a container to take home your dog's share of what we prepare. Jan Grover; Saturday, February 21; 1-3pm, call 651 310 9499."

I cooked for Bernie the last six months or so of her life (1lb ground beef, 1 can salmon, 1 bag matchstick carrots, 7 cups kibble, half a brick of cheddar), and I absolutely loved doing it. She loved it too!

Finally, hats off to Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current this morning, for playing last night's superb Radiohead performance at the Grammy's, with the USC marching band joining Thom and Johnny--don't know where the other lads were. Just when you think the band can't top itself, once again it does. Talk about a good way to chase the Monday blues away before they settle in. Gotta love Gwenyth and her gracious intro, too. Cheers. (Okay, the Grammys pulled the YouTube clips, something about claiming a copyright, so Gwenyth is gone but the music never dies. Please let me know if they strip the following vid, too.)