Dogs & Cats are a life long commitment

The unconditional love we receive from our furry family is something I take very seriously. Too many people don't think it through when they decide to take on the responsibility of adding a dog or cat to the family! It's a life long commitment, not just something cute that you can just grow bored with, or frustrated with when there's a bathroom training accident indoors. I hear too many stories about people getting a puppy & giving up on it. I see the end result living in a rural area. People dump dogs & cats on my road all the time. Its very sad. I once found a five week old black lab pup hiding under my truck because the engine was warm. Think it through long & hard before making the "commitment" and be sure to spay or neuter your new family member! .....................If you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter @gen22y

Dogs aren't just for petting anymo

re! If you follow me already, its no secret that I have and love six dogs. I also mentioned last post that I have the neurological disease RSDS or for those using the newer name CRPS. I couldn't keep going without my dogs helping me to live with this painful disease. We're seeing more and more service dogs and therapy dogs today. They are real heroes that do what they do for the love of their human counterpart. Assistance dogs are becoming more prevalent now that we have so many war veteran's in need of their love and service. So lets give a shout out to these hard working canine Savior's, and lets remember to respect the no touch rule. Don't forget that a dog that is working should not be touched or distracted. :) ................. If you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter @gen22y

Is it weird that I talk to my furry family members as if they were human? I don't think so! They're as much a part of my life as my wonderful daughter is to me. In fact I always call them all sisters! I know I'm not alone here on this one, so lets not judge me yet. My dogs give me the strength to soldier on in a life filled with constant pain due to the debilitating disease RSDS. I have the strong support of a loving wife with the strength of ten thank goodness. She can't always be there, and I can't always expect to lean on her all the time. I can count on my dogs to help take my mind off a bad pain day, and to put a smile on my face when I would otherwise fall into a depressive mood. So, no. I wouldn't consider them lesser or not deserving of such treatment as a close family member. I love my girls. They love me, and help support me day in and day out. I consider myself lucky to have such a great family. Both human and dog. I'd love to hear about and see pictures of your furry family members too! ............ If you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter @gen22y

Telivision sure has changed since the 1980's. There really were some neat shows back then! I'd love to hear what some of your favorites were. When I think back I remember shows like "The Greatest American Hero" which was a feel good comedy with a suit supplied by aliens to help teach Ralph Hinkley "Wiliam Katt and Agent Bill Maxwell of the FBI Robert Culp fight crime. Of course they lost the instruction manual which made things very interesting and comical! I also loved "Tales of the Gold Monkey" which took place in the South Pacific in the 1930's just prior to WWII. Jake Cutter had a sea plane and a one eyed dog named Jack. It was filled with lots of shady spy character's from Nazi Germany and Japan. Of course we all loved CHIP's 1977-83 starring Eric Estrada whos smile gripped the hearts of the ladies as Frank "Ponch" Poncharello, and Larry Wilcox as as his partner John. I always thought you couldn't crash a car in LA without it flying 50 feet up into the air because of that show. We also can't forget that Bruce Jenner also did a stint on the show as well. But, my first thought when I think back always goes to Buck Rogers in the 25th Century staring Gil Gerard as Buck and Erin Grey as Colonel Wilma Dearing. Along with their robot "Ambuquad" named "Twikee" they repeatedly save the planet Earth and the rest of the universe from spandex clad alien bad guys and bad beauties from distant planets. The sure Saturday night favorites of the time my lovely wife reminded me were Love Boat and Fantasy Island. Such great stuff to reminiscence about! I'd love to hear about your favorites too! ... If you're not already, you can follow me on Twitter @gen22y

You hear the sounds of quarters dropping and the bleeps and blasts of Defender ships defending mythical planets and Pac men eating everything in site. You can smell all the many different types of bubble gum brands being chewed as well as mall pizza sold by the slice along with a coke to be sipped and spilled over your shoulder while you try to beat the newest high score of your new favorite video game. The arcades of the 80's were something to be loved by all. It was the one place you knew you could always find that friend you were looking for. Whether it was Donkey Kong the ape, or one of the many other magnetic mythical personalities in the room, there was someone, or something there in that arcade for everyone to lose themselves too. We may have the Internet, and all kinds of play systems to choose from today to get our gaming fix from, but its nothing like the atmosphere of a real 1980's arcade. That was really something to see and experience. Those of us that were there, can close their eyes and take yourself back! If you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter @gen22y

I would like to introduce a guest blogger and long time friend from high school for this post. Her name is Dana Ortutay, also a fellow former southern New Jersey resident now residing in Colorado. I am so happy that she was willing to do a follow up post to my last NOH8 post. This is a very important topic which I will touch on from time to time. Thank you so much Dana! ............ I have seen much bulling in my lifetime from small children to grown adults. I believe it all boils down to being different. When I was in school I was often "picked on" because I was over weight and a Tomboy. I never fit into any clicks or groups at all. I actually learned to enjoy and celebrate everyone's differences. I became friends with all and interacted with them as an individual. What we need to do is educate our young and try to re-educate everyone else on being an individual. We are all different white, black, gay, straight or over weight. Recently I had my daughter watch the episode of The Twilight Zone called "Eye of the Beholder." The reason behind it was that she was questioning her looks and weight. When I was younger I watched it and it changed my whole outlook about our differences. While she was watching it I had to join her to see her response to the ending. She too was blown away as I was when I was younger. If we had more story lines like that in movies and TV shows I think it would better help to educate us on how we are all different and how it could be if we were all to be the same. When you see someone picking on or bulling someone stand up for them. Make a difference it is never too late to open your mind.