Bark for Peace!

We’ve had an increasing number of fairly scary robberies and assaults in our neighborhood lately.  Not surprising to me, given the desperation people feel about everything from the environment, economy, endless threats of wars, etc., etc., etc..  Still, it’s a little scary.  And for some silly reason, when we go walking the neighborhood at night, I tend to have that “oh we can see them so they must be able to see us” syndrome about the vehicular traffic.  (I know, sometimes I’m not the brightest bulb in the box)

So I was pleased that last night when we walked up the street to El Chilito to get some necessary indulgences: guacamole, salsa, black beans & chips, I actually remembered to put the dogs’ blinking lights on, something I never forget when we go hiking and camping!  Clementine (in her pink webbing “Cetacea” red blinking light) was charging forward like the seductress on a mission she is. But Banjo maintained a low-key trot, giving me good eye the whole time, and seemingly quite proud of his green glow (he was sporting the Princeton Tec “Impulse” sport lights)

Clementine & Banjo on the front porch

Unfortunately, I was so tickled with the warm reception my two lovelies received at the taco bar, that I forgot to snap a photo until we arrived home.  Yeah, they were tuckered out and ready to go back inside.  But aren’t they cute? (and safe too!)

Going gluten-free means missing out on some of my favorite things- like pasta, bread, and beer.  Can you say “carb-addict?”   When I give in to tempation, I always enjoy it AND I always regret it.  This afternoon, I swung by Wheatsville Co-op to pick up a few things, including “thank-you beer” for my neighbor who let me borrow her car.  Beer was sounding so good, especially when I spied Green’s gluten-free beer.

I’ve tried gluten-free beer before, and poured it down the drain- yeah, I couldn’t even add it to beans for flavor.  But this Belgian amber ale was surprisingly delicious and satisfying- hooray, beer I can drink!

Green's Amber Ale...ummmmm

Made from: millet, rice, buckwheat & sorghum

It does NOT contain: wheat and/or barley, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya beans, milk, lactose, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulfur dioxide and sulfites.

my disclaimer: since it’s been a LONG time since I’ve been able to enjoy beer, I really can’t compare Green’s to “regular” beers; still, ummmmmm… it won’t be my last!  oh, and this was a $5 amber ale, pretty pricey.

Action Jackson Begs for Bark for Peace

We loved meeting this sharp Jack Russell last Saturday at the Tarrytown Farmers’ Market.  And of course we loved that despite his excellent training (and very well behaved people!) he couldn’t resist putting his paws on the table and begging for Bark for Peace! treats!!  Lucky boy got to go home with some of everything, including our market specials- frozen pupcakes made with local yogurt!

What utter delight and tears of joy I wept yesterday when I received this wonderful news via email:

Lisa, I wanted to give you this update, because I know you spent so much time with this wonderful animal, and thought it may provide some closure to you and your blog readers.  I recently adopted Cupcake from Lucky Mutts and my family and I are already in Love with this wonderful dog.  She has brought so much joy and excitement into our lives, after a few short weeks, and we look forward to providing her a loving, stable home for many years to come.  After reading all the trials and tribulations you, others, and little miss Cupcake went through, I feel a very warm and heartfelt “Thank You” to you and all for graciously taking care of her, through what might have been a very uneasy period for her.  But, I can tell she was well taken care of, and more importantly, loved through all her challenges.  Thanks so much for all you have done.  My kids, wife and I are totally thrilled with having Cupcake become a part of our family.  She gets walks, exercise, swimming, and love everyday, and seems to be adjusting nicely.   Feel free to use this story and/or picture in your Blog if you think your readers would be interested.
(ps.  I gave our kids the option of changing her name, but Cupcake was by far their favorite, so we’re keeping it!)
Take Care!

Dan

What a joy it was to be a part of this sweet girl’s journey to happiness!  Our lives were so deeply she touched, she will always remain a part of us.

So many people helped along Cupcake’s of finding her Forever Family and obviously it was well worth the effort for everyone involved!  Thanks so much to all the amazing folks, companies, and orgs who helped along the way: Lee Mannix Center for Canine Behavior, Lofty Dog, Paula Baker-Prince @ Dog Boys, and especially Karen, Sophia & the Lucky Mutts gang.  Y’all ROCK!   I am so grateful~ It always takes a Village!  And that’s what we call around here a Bark for Peace! miracle! HOORAY and woof!woof!

A BIG shout-out and thanks to Natalie Marquis and Donald Wells over at Habitat Suites for putting up the Big Green Bus gang in stellar, solar-powered Austin-style! How great is that??  We love this locally-owned more than eco-friendly hotel. woof!woof!

… only not as crunchy.” So says our buddy Gulshan who actually ASKED to eat out treats and happily munched on Sweet Potato Jerky Chews while he mugged for the camera at tonight’s Net Impact mixer. This gathering brought together a challenging and inspiring group at the ultra cool and laid back Eastside hang, Rio Rita. Fun to run into old buds like Verysupercool Sue mktg guru Linda Haas, and others. (tried repeatedly to upload and post photo- maybe it’ll work tomorrow…

Quote of the day, via German Cowboy:

“If you’re the brightest person in the room then you’re in trouble.” - James Watson

Couldn’t agree more!  Happy to be surrounded by brilliance- in human and canid forms! woof!woof!

Darmouth’s Big Green Bus will be rolling into town this weekend for what we hope will not be just the hottest leg of their summer 2008 tour, but the coolest hang with the great and groovy folks in our hometown of Austin, Texas, USA, Planet Earth. THis über-eco converted school bug runs on veggie waste oil and solar power for their electronics. Take a tour, ask questions, learn how ti works and why these crazy college kids are spending their summer trying to spread the good word. You know we say they’re just barkin’ for peace, baby!

Check them out on Friday from 5-9pm at Wheatsville Co-op and Saturday morning 9am-1pm at the Tarrytown Farmers’ Market. Keep tabs on our blogs for the latest details of the when and wheres while they’re here. Come give ‘em an ATX woof!woof!

… or so the saying goes.  The waters of Barton Creek aren’t completely still, but the waterfalls we visited tonight were sadly no longer cascading. Clementine had no problem jumping right in!

Lots of fish were still lively and flitting about and I proudly managed to keep Clementine distracted and successfully avoided a close encounter with a water snake.  Embarrassingly, I can’t say whether it was a happy, non-violent type water snake or the infamous water moccasin, but I only jumped a wee bit and did not wake the dead with a blood curdling scream as is often my way around snakes…ugh, not a huge fan- sorry!

This time last year we’d had 2 months of rain and Austin was green, moldy, and generally overly moist (kinda like I remembered Germany being).  We’re finishing a month of daily temps more than 10º above average (but please don’t worry your pretty little head- there’s no such thing as global warming or radical climate change!)

For some idea of what this gorgeous spot used to look like, click here for earlier blog post: http://blog.barkforpeace.com/?s=eventide

We think houses that are more energy efficient Bark for Peace! So much so that we’re supporting TSES by volunteering for Austin’s Cool House Tour this Sunday. Come check out the Cool House Tour 2008 where you can visit energy-efficient and environmentally friendly houses in all shapes and sizes! (no McMansions- but loads of thick walls, double paned windows, solar panels and rainwater barrels) To go on the tour, all you have to do is buy a guidebook at any Austin Central Market; ask for them at the Customer Service Desk. I’ll be a docent at the Mueller redevelopment house. Come by and give me a woof!woof!