Bad Dog

"Creature" The Hero Pitbull

Anyone who knows me knows one thing, Greek Girl loves animals, dogs in particular.  What else could explain how I ended up having five of them?  So it's not surprising to me when I see a story like the one I'm about to share with you.

Recently a Pitbull named "Creature" saved an elderly woman with Alzheimer's Disease in New Jersey.  The woman had wandered off, her daughter and son in law called the authorities.  They came in droves, and even had helicopter's aide in the search to find her.  They were having no luck at all.  Meanwhile an unsuspecting woman was walking her Pitbull "Creature" that evening.  Creature kept taking her back into the woods, she would try to leave and he would turn back leading her to the woods.  She came upon the elderly woman trying to get up, but every time she did the branches she was lying on would break and she would fall back down.

So heartwarming, and so special one might say.  Really it is not uncommon of a Pitbull at all.  Despite being the world's most misunderstood breed of dog, they are also immensely intelligent.  How do I know all this stuff about Pitbulls you might be wondering?  "Pitbulls and Paroles" on Animal Planet of course! ;D  Seriously though... I have rescued many a dog in my day (Pitbulls included) and all dogs are good dogs.  There are not "Bad Dogs", just bad people.

People who abuse, mistreat, neglect, do not spay/neuter, backyard breed, abandon, torture and do unthinkable things to animals.  I can not understand it, they are God's creatures.  All dogs want is to love us and to make us happy.  A safe place to sleep (preferably in our beds) lol, food in their little bellies, and love.  It's that simple.  Too many people view them as dispensable, and get rid of them if it becomes inconvenient.  Or they think maybe they can make a couple of bucks by breeding them.  Not realizing that those are not cupcakes.  Chances are not all the puppies in that litter will have a long happy life with the owner who bought it.  Many will end up in shelters, and that is why thousands upon thousands of dogs are euthanized every single day.

There are dogs living in the streets who have been discarded.  The cat situation is even worse.  The Ferrell cat problem is almost epidemic in some ares.  They are not vaccinated, not people friendly, and just breed out of control.  So many things like feline leukemia, feline aides, rabies, and a whole bunch of other things that are all preventable.

Not everyone has the patience to deal with a dog that has been abused.  Some you would never know they had been abused, they are so loving, like it never happened.  Yet others like my "Pepe" are so scarred, even after almost five months in a loving safe home he still does not fully trust and is afraid.  Our poor guy had his fang tooth knocked out, burns all over his back of his little body and weighed only 9 lbs when we took him in.  He's now a plump 14.5 - little chow hound.

It's not the dogs fault the people do bad things.  Just like it's not the Pitbulls fault they are bred to feed the disgusting industry of dog fighting, and are treated like garbage.  They are not "Bad Dogs".  Yes temperament and health issues can be passed along especially in backyard breeding.  But to label and entire breed of dogs "Bad" just because people have abused it for decades it not right at all.

Creature is a hero and just one example of the incredible Pit Bull.  Right now there are dogs in shelters across the country waiting to get a second chance.  Waiting for someone to love them.  My little "Pepe" is not a Pitbull, but I can tell you that when I see him sleeping on his side, doing his little exhale and in full relaxation.  My heart breaks a million times over for what he went through.  To see his little face light up when we go for a walk or in the car for bye bye, his life is changed forever.

Could you imagine someone abusing this little face?... Well they did.
I'd like to meet them in a dark alley. Just sayin.

I've rescued and helped place all kinds of dogs including Pitbulls and they are so special.  If anyone is thinking about a companion... before you shop, please won't you consider adoption?  There are rescue's all over the country, and all kinds of breeds, including mutts.  Visit www.petfinder.com, type in your zip code, what kind of pet you are looking for, and you are on your way to saving someone's life.

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava :D xox

www.avaaston.com

The Border is Closed. Come Back Tomorrow.

Ava for President! Ava for President! Well that is a mostly silent chant that might only be heard after my manager Mr. Bricks has had one too many Diet Cokes and his brain turns to mush!

I'm sure whatever your political persuasion is, you most likely never want to see me in the White House, unless I'm singing there,hint, hint. I can single-handedly create tons of muckery in my own little house. The last thing I need to do is to create muckery in a big fancy White one, while the world is watching me. No, thanks, I'll stick to my gig as a rocker chick! Besides, that way I can wear jeans to work and I don't have to wear dresses, I'm just sayn'.

In the spirit of this very political week, here is my fun spin on a few issues if I were President:

In reality, when I am not on the road singing I live just outside New York City. So for me, when someone asks me if I think we should close the borders, I'm like, absolutely!! Why would we want those crazy people from New Jersey crossing into our state? Forgetaboutit! Border is closed. Come back tomorrow.

And Food Stamps. I'm all about the people who need food, getting the food they need. Lord knows, I'm a Greek girl who loves to eat. And I feel blessed that I have food in the cupboard. So I hate the thought of an older person or a family with children going hungry.  And if it means they need to get food stamps, I'm ok with that. According to a 2009 New York Times articles, more than 20,000 people a day sign up for food stamps.

The problem I have with that number is that the most rapidly rising demographic of new food stamp applicants is from college students. I know, right?? WTH? In fact, college students are being encouraged to apply! Many Universities now have a page on their websites devoted to instructions  on how to apply for Food Stamps.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture renamed Food Stamps the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2008, and started using Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)  cards instead of paper coupons and began an aggressive push to expand eligibility.

Here are some additional SNAP facts from the SNAP aka Food Stamp website:

• Over half of all U.S. citizens will use SNAP at least once during their lifetime.

• SNAP is not a charity. As a taxpayer, you are paying into this program and, when needed, you can reap the benefits.

• There are enough SNAP dollars for everyone that needs them. As a matter of fact, about 20 percent of US Citizens who are eligible for SNAP do not apply.

• Students receiving SNAP can defer their student loans while they are receiving benefits.

• Applying for SNAP is easy. In most cases, you will not have to apply more than once a year.

I wonder if Dominos near college campuses takes the new EBT Card? Maybe it's just me, but aren't your college years suppose to be tough?  Aren't dorm rooms supposed to be filled with the nasty smell of burnt Hamburger Helper and stale cups Noodle Rama's Oriental flavored Cup-0-Soup? Rolling my eyes, I guess not any more. Ok, President Aston has just made an executive decision:No food stamps for kids in college, unless you are enrolled in some sort of music program, then you're cool and I'll let it slide. Score one for the arts!!

You can see this whole Commander-in-Chief role-playing thing is starting to make my head swell. I think I like the power.

Ok let's tackle health care...oh, effective immediately, it'll be called AvaCare. And please do call it AvaCare, I worked hard to earn that title...just sayin'.

To control costs I will be implementing a few rule changes.  First off, if you run to the hospital's emergency room and it is determined that you just have a runny nose, then you will be given a small box of tissues and sent home. No harm, no foul. We will even pick up the tab. However, if  you ever show up again at a hospital emergency room at any future point in your lifetime where it is once again determined that you just have a runny nose then it will be deemed you are wasting valuable time and resources and your nose will be surgically removed from your face. Problem solved. And don't think we won't be tracking you, we will. That's what the FaceBook wall comments are all about.

Secondly, if you come in vomiting, expect to clean it up yourself. It's a hospital not your Momma's house.  We are a public building, and you just wouldn't vomit in the middle of the lobby at a hotel would you? Then don't expect to get away with shenanigans like that at a hospital either. Do you really think someone wants to clean up your stinky pukey mess anyways? Not.

Lastly, I want to address the new trend of  hospitals providing menus to their patients and outsourcing traditional hospital fare for high-quality nutritional food. Well that's a load of crap! Again, it's not a Holiday Inn, so why should you get room service? Nope, it's back to jello or toast and ice chips for all patients. One of the mottos of AvaCare is, "If you are well enough to eat, then you are well enough to get your butt out of bed and drive home!"

This whole presidential decision-making power has me needing a little vaca. I think I will take Air Force one to Paris and do a little shopping. Yah, that's what I will do, for reals.

Blessings,

Ava

xox

www.avaaston.com

The Happiest Place on Earth

Spoiler Alert. This blog has absolutely nothing to do with Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

For some people, Disney World might be the happiest place on earth. Not so much with me. Oh, I enjoy a great trip to the Mouse House with my Sweetie, don't get me wrong.  It just not myhappiest place on earth.

This picture is of me is from a show I did this weekend in New Jersey. That is my happiest place on earth!  No, not New Jersey, but the stage. One of my happiest places on earth is being on stage singing.

When I was growing up I listened to a lot of different types of music. I remember a song by country singer (and fellow rebel) Travis Tritt called 10 Feet Tall and Bullet Proof. The song is all about how a man only felt worthy when he was drinking. So, after a few drinks he would feel 10 feet tall and bulletproof.  I do not need the alcohol to get that feeling of invincibility, in fact I do not even really drink. I don't care if someone else does, but for me personally I try to live a really super healthy lifestyle and there are a lot of calories in alcohol. Plus, I never really liked the taste.    I don't understood why people pay their hard-earned money to buy something that only makes them dizzy and act stupid. Whatever floats your boat I guess.

For me, I am 10 feet tall and bullet proof when I am running, on stage singing, acting or in the recording studio laying down some tracks.  Those are the times I feel like, I know that I am doing what I was born to do! It's a fantastic feeling for me.  Whenever I get the opportunity to speak to young children I always express to them how important it is for them to always follow their dreams and never give up. I try to remind them that as silly as their dreams might be, their dreams can come true.

I think performing on stage might actually be like working at Disney World. I have heard they do call their employees cast members. For me, sometimes I do feel like this is all just a big dream and one day I will wake up and find out that I am actually a cashier at a McDonald's in Pocatello, Idaho. Not that there is anything McWrong with that....wait, yes there is.

If I did work at a McDonald's I bet I would see my manager Mr. Bricks a lot more.  It makes me throw up a little in my mouth thinking about how he can eat something like a 2 Big Macs or a 35 piece order of Chicken McNuggets at one sitting.  I'll be honest, even I occasionally go to McDonald's when I need to get something in a hurry, but I have only a few things on their menu that I feel are healthy enough to eat. The healthiest is their plain salad.  The problem with McDonald's is that most everything they make is loaded down with so much sodium that it really is very unhealthy for you. Oops, there goes a potential McDonald's sponsorship. Oh well, I actually prefer Wendy's.

However, sometimes after a kick-butt P90x workout and I am hungry and I need to get some protein then maybe I will get the 3 piece chicken select and a coffee. I know that it is totally bad for me because it too is loaded with sodum, dipped in batter and fried. But since I usually only eat 1/2 of it anyway and after a long workout sometimes that is what I am craving, I give in to temptation. Almost anything you eat is fine in moderation.  I just could never make a habit of it like Mr. Bricks does. But he will have to answer to the follies of his ways when I get him thrown into Jillian Jail. By the way, McDonald's does have good coffee, not as good as Dunkin's coffee, but Ronald McDonald knows how to serve up a good cup of Joe, just sayin'.

I make my own caramel sundae there. I love to order a plain ice cream sundae and then get 2 packs of the caramel dip they give to kids to dip apples slices in.  Yummo. If you order a caramel sundae the clerk will stare at the cash register for 20 minutes and then they say, oh...I don't think we have caramel sundaes anymore.  Muckery I tell you.

I tweeted today that I saw where McDonald's was bringing back the McRib because I knew Mr. Bricks loves those spongy fake BBQ pork sandwiches. Just the thought of them make me throw up a little in my mouth.

Speaking of Bricks...I have been getting a lot of questions asking me who is this Mr. Bricks I keep referring to on my blog? So, allow me explain a little  bit about Mr. Bricks. Mr. Bricks is my manager. He's not fake. He's not make-believe, he is a real person.

I'm not a diva and I resisted getting a manager for a long time, but I finally realized that if I wanted to achieve all of my goals I would need to get help. Oh, that is something else I tell young boys and girls in addition to follow your dreams,  when I am speaking to them that it is OK to ask for help. I ask for help all the time. I have no idea where I would be without my family, especially my mom and my Sweetie. I am very blessed to have a great bunch of people I can go to when I need to ask for help.

Mr. Bricks is a man who wears many hats. I just wished he wouldn't wear them all at the same time, it makes him look a little goofy, especially that pea green pirate hat with the long feather... just sayin'

Seriously, Mr. Bricks has worked in the entertainment industry as an agent/manager for many years. He is a calming voice in a sea of muckery for me.  Sometimes I feel like in a past life he might have been the Riddler in the Batman movies because he is pretty funny (for a guy who wears a suit & tie.)  Also because whenever he explains things to me its like he is speaking in riddles. Here is one of his stories he told me:

"Ava, most artists manage their own career as if they were trying to find a parking spot in a crowded mall parking lot. They are at street level and very emotionally invested on getting the best parking spot they can find. When they are not getting the exact spot they want, they either drive in circles or they drive around with road rage swearing at everyone because they can't find a parking spot."  At this point in his little riddle/story Mr. Bricks totally lost me, but I just smiled and pretended I had a clue what he was talking about. Truth be known, I didn't think he had a clue as to what he was talking about...but then in true Mr. Bricks fashion he ended the story in a way that all of the nonsense made perfect sense.

He said, "Having a manager for your career is like having someone on top of that mall with binoculars and a walkie-talkie. They can see the complete parking lot from their vantage point. So when they see an open spot they can easily radio down to the client and tell them where it is. "   Ok, I get it now. I do appreciate having someone help me spend more of my time where I consider the happiest place on earth for me.  Although the thought of Mr. Bricks with binoculars still kinda creeps me out.

Have a very Happy Sunday.

Blessings,

Ava

oxo