Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm spending the day with my family in Deer Park, TX.  It is my sincerest wish that all of you will enjoy a relaxing day with friends & family, and enjoy fantastic food!

I'd like to share a few video clips that have been incredibly entertaining to me.  If you enjoy them as much as I believe you will, please share them with your friends as well.

Golden Retriever dancing to You're the One that I Want from Grease

Tina Humphrey & Chandi - The Amazing Dancing Dog  Regarding the background music for Tina & Chandi's performance, "I Giorno" was inspired by a 12th Century West African folk song about a hippopotamus who was loved by the local villagers and mourned when killed by a poacher.  It's a haunting, ethereal song, and I find myself watching the video clip repeatedly so I can enjoy listening to the music as well.  (By the way, I've tracked the sheet music down and can now play it myself!)

Please enjoy the clips of these amazing trainers and their remarkably talented dogs.  I promise it will bring a smile to your face as you watch them.  And please spread the happiness!

Did you know that November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness month?

On November 20th, I had the privilege of attending the Houston AWARE 9th Annual Family Portrait Luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club.  The luncheon was sponsored by the Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.  The guest speaker was world-famous advice columnist  Dear Abby who shared how her mother's diagnosis of Alzheimer's deeply impacted her family.

Dear Abby concluded by answering a series of questions posed by attendees, demonstrating her legendary humor and razor-sharp wit.  When asked what is the question most frequently posed to her, she responded without hesitation, "How can I make him love me?"

In response to another question, Dear Abby explained the difference between Alzheimer's and a bad memory by referring to an explanation given by one of her mother's doctors.  Essentially if you've lost your car keys and can't remember where you left them, that is a bad memory.  If you've forgotten that you own a car, that may be something more serious.

Dear Abby was gracious and absolutely delightful, and I thoroughly enjoyed not only hearing her speak, but also having a chance to meet her and visit with her for a few minutes.  Most importantly, I left the luncheon with a renewed awareness of how Alzheimer's Disease is affecting so many people and how important it is to support research for treatment and a cure.

The First Annual Movie Night & Silent Auction for Scout's Honor Rescue on November 6th, 2008, was a success:  Over 200 people attended, and we raised over $50,000!  This money will go far in providing veterinary care and placement for abused and abandoned dogs & cats.

Special thanks to the River Oaks Theatre for hosting our private screening of Disney's Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and to Epicure Cafe for providing not only the perfect venue for our silent auction, but also an incredible array of hors d'oeuvres, petit-fours & cookies and a wide selection of fine wines.  Thanks also to California Pizza Kitchen who donated 20% of the receipts from any of our guests' purchases throughout the evening, and who hosted our VIP after party.  

We are grateful for the remarkable showing of support we received for the event.  THANK YOU for your generosity!  It was a true pleasure working with Laura Carlock and Meredith Mandel, starting with a simple idea and bringing it to fruition.  But most importantly, we have now established a tradition....and we're already looking forward to next year's event, the SECOND Annual Movie Night & Silent Auction.