A New Leash on Life

Meet "Rufus", how could anyone turn away this                      gorgeous little Pug Mug?....

Most of you know that I'm crazy about animals.  If there were anything else in the world I would ever want to do besides singing, working out and shopping at Kohl's with my hard earned Kohl's cash it would be an ASPCA Animal Cop of course. My little Greek Coconut might not be at genius level, but it sure doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out when a dog or any other animal for that matter is in need.  You may remember a few weeks ago I shared the viral video about "Fiona" and her rescue.  If you don't remember or may have missed it click here to read all about her and watch the heart warming video of her rescue.

Back to this week, let me introduce you to "Rufus".  "Rufus" is a Pug who wandered into a friends yard back in November... How do I know him? Well, I was in Miami last week for a meeting. The people we were meeting with had "Rufus" at their house.  He wandered into their yard, or shall I say got his little piggy body stuck in-between the fence and the bushes. You see their yard backs up to a golf course. So after getting him unstuck and doing everything humanly possible to track down the owner to no avail (including trying to scan his microchip which was never registered - can anyone say dumb owner?) they let him stay.  However because they already have four big dogs of their own, they really wanted to find him a forever home with his own mommy and daddy - so in comes the Greek Girl...

I don't know if it's the invisible flashing neon sign above my head that only animals in need can see, or if it's just something askew in my coconut. Either way my animal chip is hyper sensitive. So it's no surprise that after meeting him, I just could not get his little Pug mug out of my mind. So I set out to find him a new momma. Believe me, if I didn't already have four spoiled rotten furkids of my own, I would be his new momma. However we have a word for that in the Greek language, it's also a show on Animal Planet called "Hoarders". Plus my mom told me that if I brought home another dog for her to watch when I travel there would be a holy Greek Jihad, so I figured it best to just find him a good home. ;D

After posting to my facebook page, I received an email from one of my good friends from high school's little sister. I had totally forgot, that the family had lost their beloved Pug two years ago to a very serious brain disorder called GME. She asked me how old "Rufus" was and if he was potty trained... A few emails, texts and a day later "Rufus" had a new momma. Introducing "Ava's Doggie Transport Service" offering free rides from south Florida to New York. So back down to Miami we went to pick up "Rufus" and start the long treck back to New York. It's a good thing the spoiled furkids did not come on this trip or bringing "Rufus" back might have been just a wee bit more difficult. Especially since he was covered in fleas and ticks. Apparently they say that south Florida is a nightmare for pet owners, even those who use Frontline Plus. Good grief, they sure weren't kidding. We made a pit stop to give him a flea bath, then apply more Frontline and bam we were off.

He did extremely well on the long trip, and even claimed his own co-pilot seat right on the console. By the time we arrived back to Grama's house where the four furkids were being babysat it was 1:30am. Let's just say that the excitement the furkids felt to see their mom & dad quickly turned to horror when they saw us with what - what - what?!?... another dog in tow.  We introduced them, explained to them what was going on, and tucked them all in the for the night.

The next morning "Rufus" was off to the Vet to get all checked out, neutered, heart worm test, shots, ears cleaned, nails trimmed, teeth cleaned, and all set up with more frontline & heart worm preventative. We picked him up that afternoon and he was very happy to see us and took a nice long nap.  He is recovering very well and actually seems to be having a fun time terrorizing the Pekingese's in the Aston house. It seems like the only one of my furkids who does like him is "Itty Bitty" the 4 lb Maltese, go figure.

So in about a week or so, "Rufus" will be going to his new forever home with a very good family and will have a spoiled life. The moral of the story... Well, this is not the first time I have stepped in to save the day for an animal, and I'm sure it will not be the last. I once found a doggie tied to a parking meter screaming in NYC, spent three hours chasing down a doggie running in the streets in Hollywood, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. As long as there are people who do not care for their animals like they should: ie: spay/neuter, register the microchip, give the necessary care/shots/heart worm/flea preventative, all the things that are necessary if you are going to have an animal... I'm sure my "animal in need chip" will continue to beep and I will be off to find them and do whatever is necessary to help.

So many people think "it's just a dog, it's just a cat, it doesn't really matter"... Well, for those people I have one thing to say to you: You are WRONG! Animals are domesticated, they can not survive without us. There are diseases, and danger in the world, they need us. I know times are tough and many people can not afford to care for their animals, but there is always an answer. Many Pet stores offer monthly shot clinics where you can get pets properly vaccinated at a very reduced rate and no office call fee. There are low cost veterinarians, and some Vets even offer reduced or free services to an animal that's a rescue. There are the hero's at organizations like the ASPCA, and the Humane Society who can offer help and information. They even have local offices in some cities around the country. There are also countless other animal rescue organizations in every town that can offer help to anyone in need or looking for information on how to properly care for their animal. There is really No Excuse Ever to not care for your animal.  And.. if you don't the Greek Girl with her super sensitive "animal in need" chip will find you will end up in Greek Girl Jail.

While I'm on my soapbox, I just have one question? Would you dump your kids off in a kill shelter because you had to move? Well petfinder.com is full of heartbreaking stories of animals who had exactly that done to them. One day they wake up in the home they've always known with their people, and the next a cold lonely steel cage on a euthanasia   list. There is No Excuse! When you get an animal you make a commitment to that animal. I don't care what happens in your life, you should honor it and do what is right to care for them. That is why I say "Adopt Don't Shop". Puppy mills are a horrible epidemic.  Shelters across the US are full of loving animals in need of homes. It's easy to find any breed, just go to www.petfinder.com and enter the info, zip code and wall-a - you have a new buddy.

The only thing animals ever ask in return is love. Animals are pure love.  BTW... did you ever notice that Dog, is GOD spelled backwards... just sayin.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava :D xox
www.avaaston.com

15 Ways to Make Your Blog Go Viral

Self- Appointed Greek Blog Czar Ava Aston

The first thing they tell you in Blog Writing 101 class is that you need to capture the reader's attention in the title of your post. And right about now you are asking yourself, what was wrong with my noggin on January 1, 2011 when I announced to the world  that I would write a new blog every day, every week, etc? I suspect that your blog writing promise and noggin fog had a great deal to do with all of the champagne you consumed at the New Year's party. But now, you are probably really busy and thinking how much more you would rather be outside enjoying a nice spring day than being a slave to your computer with the daunting task of having to churn out yet another blog.

So I thought I would step in and help out. As the self-appointed Greek Blog Czar I have 15 options of sure-fire blog titles that you are free to use to help you make your next blog post go viral with little effort. These blogs will almost write themselves.

1. Why Lindsay Lohan was nominated as citizen of the year
2. Why death causes loneliness, feelings of isolation
3. Why most cold waves are  linked to temperatures
4. Why winners pay $15,000 to be Charlie Sheen's wing man for 1 night
5. How Justin Bieber got 1.5 billion YouTube views
6. Why most strikes that aren't settled quickly last a while
7. Why Smokers are productive, but their death cuts efficiency
8. How a dog hacking into your computer could ruin your holiday
9. Why A Blind woman got a new kidney from a dad she hasn't seen in years
10. Why Rebecca Black will win A Grammy
11. Why A deaf-mute got a new hearing for a killing
12. Why Police began a campaign to run down jaywalkers
13. Why stiff opposition is expected for casketless funeral plans
14. Why criminals Google their own names more than others
15. Why safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted

Just slap one of these titles on the headline of your next post, grab a snappy picture and write a few sentences. Done.  Instant viral-ness, fame, fortune, and maybe an invitation to be on Oprah's "Best of the Internet" show.


Or you could just write a blog post like this and watch it go viral!


Blessings ~
Ava xox

A Beacon of Light

I have often thought about lighthouses, not as often as I think about sneakers, but from time to time the concept of the light house is rolling around my Greek noggin.

It is that little beacon of bright light that keeps disaster from happening to ships and crews out in turbulent waters. In your life have you ever felt like you were in turbulent waters and thought to yourself how nice it would be to have seen a beacon of light from a light house to keep you safe and on track? I know I have. Well, hello, I am in the fickle entertainment business. I once read a quote, "This isn’t exactly a stable business. It’s like trying to stand up in a canoe with your pants down."– Cliff Robertson. Oh that Cliff, he was such a nut.

I imagine that is how Ted Williams must feel. I am not talking baseball Ted Williams, I am talking the Ted Williams who was homeless and who has captured the world's attention this past week with his incredible voice and even more incredible feel good story of triumph over adversity. I'm a sucker for a comeback story. That's why I like Rocky, remember?

For those who believe in God, or a higher power of their choice we do have that beacon. But for those people who have fallen onto hard times and away from their faith, or never had it to begin with, without that they are still seeking something to help them navigate the rough waters of their life. Most times they just keep crashing. Ted was just such a man.

Ted is an ex-radio announcer who had fallen on very hard times.  As he would panhandle for spare change from drivers he would use his amazing voice as a way of repaying the generosity of strangers. Williams said he was fired from a job and then had his fair share of struggles, with "alcohol and drugs and a few other things." He says he's two years clean now.

"I have a God given gift of voice. I'm an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times. Please! Any help will be gratefully appreciated. Thank you and God bless. Happy holidays," read Williams' roadside sign for help. That was then, this is now.

Like Williams, the radio industry has fallen on hard times in the past decade, but given the viral power of his video, (13 million views before YouTube took it down for copyright infringement)  Williams was quickly approached with all sorts of offers.

The Cleveland Cavaliers offered Williams a full-time job and a house. The Cavaliers will reportedly have to compete against MTV, the NFL and likely countless more suitors who have lined up for Williams' services.

I was certainly brought to tears when I first watched the viral video.  And once again I was brought to tears as I watched an interview with him getting choked up when he was discussing how an invitation to do a bunch of TV shows in New York has opened the door for him to visit his 92-year-old mother in Brooklyn for the first time in 10 years. "One of my biggest prayers that I sent out was that she would live long enough to see me rebound," Williams said. "There's so many words. I've already been compared to Susan Boyle... I'm just so happy."

Truly there was a beacon of light out there for Ted Williams. It is just such a wonderful story. I hope he goes on to make a bajillion dollars, and someday I would love to hear his golden voice say, "and up next I have the newest hit single from that Greek blonde Girl and Grammy Award winning Platinum recording artist Ava Aston."

Blessings,

Ava

xox