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Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy 2008 to everyone who reads this blog and is looking forward to better days for the dogs.
It's going to be a good year for pit bulls....We feel it, we KNOW it. Not without a lot of hard work and relentless educating and ambassadogging and rescuing and debating and scheming and hammering and networking and partnering up to get things done and staying awake at night worrying over individual dogs or small towns with stupid BSL proposals or being incensed at media crap or planning next steps. But, it's going to be better.
This is the best photo I could think of to celebrate the new year. It's actually from the Tuff Love event, which made its way into the Society page of the SFChron. Not bad. And a reminder that, in more ways than one our dogs have arrived. Move over, naysayers.
Be safe. Be strong. And remember to take the dogs' advice and do your best to keep your tail wagging in '08.
WOOF!. ( * More Tuff Love party photos HERE * )
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Keira Knightley was named the number one women's beauty icon of 2007 in a poll of 2,500 people.The Pirates Of The Caribbean actress beat TV presenter Kelly Brook and supermodel Kate Moss to win the greatest share of votes.
All 10 of the women named as top beauty icons in the Superdrug poll are British.
Glamour model Katie Price, also known as Jordan, came just ahead of Paris Hilton to get the number 10 slot.
Superdrug beauty director Katherine Le Clerc said: "The top 10 beauty icons list shows that today there is room for everyone's idea of true beauty.
"From the aloof glamour of Keira Knightley and Victoria Beckham's high-maintenance gloss to the fresh faced youthful looks of Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby and Gemma Atkinson."
Kate Moss, 33, is the oldest woman in the top 10 followed by Victoria Beckham, Superdrug said.
The survey of 2,500 people was carried out for the retailer by market researchers 72point earlier this month.
These are, in order, the top beauty icons of 2007 as named in the Superdrug poll: Keira Knightley, Kelly Brook, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Gemma Atkinson, Alesha Dixon, Lily Allen and Jordan.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Nicole Kidman, the Oscar-winning star of The Hours and Moulin Rouge, is expecting a baby, it has been disclosed.The actress, 40, and Keith Urban, her husband of 18 months, reportedly broke the news to their families over the Christmas period.
The baby, whose expected arrival date has not been announced, would be Kidman's first by birth, though the actress, who is winning rave reviews for her role as the evil Mrs Coulter in The Golden Compass, adopted two children during her first marriage to fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
Kidman, who has refused to discuss her break up from Cruise in any depth, recently revealed she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy and a miscarriage during their 10-year marriage.
Life with Urban, 40, a New Zealand-born country and western singer, has also not been without its difficulties.
The singer checked himself into rehab for alcohol abuse less than four months after the wedding. Kidman admits that it has put a strain on the relationship but says the problems are now under control.
The Australian actress, who lives in Sydney, has been gradually winding down her commitments to spend more time with Urban and her adopted children Isabella, 14, and Conor, 12.
Friday, December 28, 2007
We didn't avoid tragic dog-related incidents in 2007. There was enough bad news to keep Karen Delise very busy with her in-depth research on the circumstances that add up to tragedy.
One reporter in Killeen Texas decided to do his own expose of dogs in the news today. The Vick story was his perfect (unrelated) opp to rehash one family's horror, and spin it into a year end review on pit bulls. He tossed in some dog-on-dog anecdotes and wove in some irrelevant news about distemper to spice things up. Apparently disease is scary too, although it's not clear if we're blaming the pit bulls for that....
'Pit bulls played a big part in local, national news'
Really? And why is that?
Let's be kind and call it an oversight, but his research side-stepped these sad Texas tragedies in 2007:
- German Shepherd & Doberman Kill Woman - Lower Valley TX
- Golden Retriever & Australian Shepherd Kill Woman
- Friendswood, TX
- German Shepherd Severely Mauls Boy - Alice TX
- German Shepherd Attacks Woman - Lubbock TX
- Golden Retriever Attack - "The worse bite ever seen" - Dallas, TX
Are these bad breeds? Hell no. Randall Lockwood, a senior VP of the ASPCA reminds us in Malcolm Gladwell's classic article: "A fatal dog attack is not just a dog bite by a big or aggressive dog. It is usually a perfect storm of bad human-canine interactions - the wrong dog, the wrong background, the wrong history in the hands of the wrong person in the wrong environmental situation."
I couldn't help myself and wrote to the Killeen Herald news team, reminded them of their oversights, and put in a plug for less targeting and more bite prevention articles in the new year. (Please join me.)
Let's hope they bite.
We do believe Motor City Stella is finally getting her groove on.
What a difference a coupla months can make!
Four Paws Up to the gorgeous gals who made news by creating the PinUps for Pit Bulls Calendar Their calendars are making waves and they donated part of their sales to BAD RAP. Thank you girls! Get your calendar here. After all, there's no such thing as having too many pit bull calendars.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Beyonce Knowles poses in a pair of jeans for House of Dereon brand clothing.According to Anythinghollywood.com, Beyonce Knowles knows how to seduce her fans into purchasing her brand, House of Dereon jeans. It appears topless photos are “in” right now, because just a few weeks after Keira Knightley made her decision to pose topless for Interview Magazine (and a Chanel ad), Beyonce is doing the same. In her new racy ad, Beyonce is wearing a pair of tight jeans, and that’s all.
A source told News of the World, “Bey wanted to show just how seductive the label can be.” She did a good job. The jeans are quite tight, and have a “squiggly,” which is supposed to be a Fleur-de-Lis (a symbol of the French monarchy), on the back pockets.
Beyonce may not have a single $100 million deal, but her list of endorsements in 2007 alone is enormous: American Express, her Samsung B'Phone, her Armani Diamonds perfume, her appearance in Disneyland's ad campaign as Alice from 'Alice in Wonderland,' her Direct TV ad and her continuing L'Oreal cosmetics contract.
As the face of her own clothing lines run with her family, Dereon, and now Dereon Junior launched in 2007, Beyonce is everywhere and pulling in product-related cash from almost every commodity category. Her level of exposure, combined with the number, quality and diversity of her endorsement deals makes Beyonce BV's Top Black Celebrity Endorser of 2007.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The elves must be getting lax: We accidentally ended up with someone else's Christmas gifts yesterday. It seems Santa forgot to pick up and deliver them to their rightful homes. (Or maybe their homes don't celebrate Christmas?)
Either way, these unclaimed gifts are ready and waiting to be delivered, as soon as we figure out who they belong to.
Gentleman Bug (the best kept secret at Pit Bull Hall). Bug Clip
The Girls. Josie Kat (left) and Texas with the Texas-sized ears.
Tex & Co. Score Cookies and Josie Kat Clip
Santa keeps telling us that this Rascal was delivered to the right address, so I guess we're stuck with him. Rude Boy
Meet Bug, Josie Kat, Texas and friends at Pit Bull Hall
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Because of suggestions that his hottie girlfriend Jessica Simpson is the jinx in his games, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo felt the pressure and still led his team to victory over the Carolina Panthers Saturday.Despite thousands of fans wearing Simpson masks, the Cowboys won the game 20-13. Some fans even wore blonde wigs. Simpson was not seen on camera although, according to ESPN, she was in attendance.
"I just put tunnel vision on. There's so many distractions about junk sometimes. I felt like the important thing for my team was to get myself into football mode 24/7," Romo explains.
"I let it roll of my back," the quarterback responds to the question if the media attention has bothered him. "It doesn't really bother me. But it hurts me when it hurts the people that are close to you. Some of the journalistic integrity this week was poor in some ways."
The game in question was last Sunday's game versus the Philadelphia Eagles. It was deemed to be the worst game of his career when he completed a season-low 13 passes and threw three interceptions.
Simpson was blamed for his loss. She was wearing a matching pink Romo jersey from a luxury suite view.
A website aptly named www.RuinRomo.com asks fans of opposing teams to download a Jessica Simpson mask from their site to distract Romo while playing.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Kim Kardashian used to pray her breasts would stop growing.The 27-year-old model and star of 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' was an early developer and had C-cup breasts by the time she was 11.
Kim revealed: "I would cry about it. I swear, I would say my prayers at night, hoping that I would stop developing."
The Hollywood socialite - who starred in a sex tape with Brandy's brother, R'n'B singer Ray J - has now learnt to "embrace" her body and made her mother proud by posing for Playboy magazine.
She said: "I've embraced it now. When my mom saw the Playboy pictures she said, 'Wow. If I had pictures from when I was your age. You should do this while you can. They might never ask you again.' "
Kim has decided to use her sexy curves to keep her in the public spotlight.
She added to Details magazine: "I'm not the sex kitten that they've made me out to be, but I'll kind of give it to them when I have to. I know that's what they want, and so I give it to them."
Saturday, December 22, 2007
After years of incessant delays, R. Kelly's child-pornography case will finally commence May 9. The trial had previously been scheduled for September 17 but was postponed early that month because the lead prosecutor had recently given birth.According to the Tribune, Kelly also avoided having his bond revoked Friday morning (December 21). Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan had threatened to do so after chiding the singer for missing a hearing on Wednesday after his tour bus was stopped in Utah for a speeding infraction. An arrest warrant had been issued for the R&B singer, who avoided going to jail when he showed for a 9 a.m. court date on Thursday, but Gaughan threatened to revoke the bond anyway.
Also on Friday, Gaughan considered forcing Kelly to call off his U.S. tour but didn't follow through with the punishment. Gaughan said he decided on leniency because of the "unintended consequences" of canceling such an event, including disappointing fans and a loss of income for venue workers.
The judge did, however, order him to cancel a January 13 concert in Hampton, Virginia, to ensure Kelly doesn't miss his next court appearance on January 14, the paper reports. He is due to perform Friday night in Chicago.
In addition, Gaughan mandated that any vehicles transporting Kelly were not to break any speeding laws, and that if the singer couldn't return to Chicago in time for his next court appearance, that he must return by aircraft. The Tribune quoted Kelly as saying, "I'm sorry for this whole incident, and the next time I would be on a plane if it came down to it."
The Kelly case has dragged on for five years without a trial and originated with 14 counts of child pornography filed against him in 2002 for allegedly videotaping himself having sex with an allegedly underage girl. Kelly, 40, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Friday, December 21, 2007
The winners in the Harley-Davidson Get Down to Daytona Contest were announced and will receive an expense paid road trip for two from Atlanta to Daytona Bike Week ’08 alongside Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of one of the Company’s founders, as well as a three nights stay in Daytona.
Harley-Davidson chose six finalists on Nov. 28 and posted them online for viewer voting to begin. At the end of the voting period on Dec. 12, Harley-Davidson decided that all six finalists would be chosen as winners and receive the trip of a lifetime for them and a guest.
“Interest in the Harley-Davidson Get Down to Daytona contest exceeded our expectations,” said Leslie Prevish, manager, women’s outreach, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “We are thrilled with the response we have received to the contest videos.
All of the finalists’ stories are truly inspirational, and the nearly 35,000 voters felt the same way. So, we have decided to extend the prize package and invitation to all six women and their guests to join us on the Get Down to Daytona Ride.”
The six winners in alphabetical order are: Carol Dicicco from Chalfont, Pa; Tonya Lamia from Rockford, Ill; Kimberly Ryon from Harford, Pa; Shelli Strand from Birch Run, Mich; Jennifer Thorne from Mt. Pleasant, Pa; and Teresa Weston from Hermitage, Tenn.
Harley-Davidson
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
The Board of Directors of Stefanel S.p.A. met under the chairmanship of Giuseppe Stefanel and approved the Group's consolidated results for the first nine months of the current year.
The Stefanel business unit has continued the process started in previous seasons of repositioning its brand with a view to turning it into an "accessible designer label". This process involves a substantial change in product and image with a consequent shift in customer base and inevitable effects on short-term performance.
Although the third-quarter figures and, particularly those relating to the Fall/Winter 2007 collection, reflect the difficulties and costs involved in such a sweeping change, they are starting to show the first signs of an improving trend in sales. In fact, the third quarter has reported a 10% growth in revenues, partly thanks to consistent comparative growth in sales of around 10% on the Italian market for the Fall/Winter collection.
The Interfashion business unit has reported positive results in the first nine months of the year, in line with expectations. In detail, revenues increased by 6.1% in the third quarter, during which the first collection bearing the High label started to be sold. The second line of the designer Antonio Marras also continued to be developed during the period, sales of which will commence with the Fall/Winter 2008 collection and which, along with the High label, will make up the new portfolio of brands produced and sold by Interfashion.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
NIKE Inc announced that the company's wholly owned subsidiary NIKE Vapor Ltd. has acquired 19.9 percent of Sports Direct International's holdings in Umbro plc. The shares were purchased at 193.06 pence per share (approximately $3.83 per share), which is the all-cash offer price Nike announced on October 23 to acquire Umbro.
Sports Direct International has also given an irrevocable undertaking to vote its remaining 10 percent stake in Umbro in favor of the Transaction at the Court Meeting and General Meeting to be held on January 31, 2008. This irrevocable undertaking will remain binding in the event that a competing offer for Umbro is announced.
Mark Parker, President and CEO of Nike, said: "We are pleased to have acquired this strategic stake in Umbro, which gives us a strong platform from which to proceed with our acquisition of this iconic football brand. We remain fully committed to our compelling offer for Umbro, which continues to have the support of both Umbro's Board of Directors and the Football Association."
On October 23, Nike announced that it has reached agreement for an all-cash offer of GBP 285 million (approximately $565 million) to acquire Umbro. The Board of Directors of Umbro plc has unanimously recommended that shareholders accept the offer.
Umbro is a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand with more than 70 years of experience in the world's No. 1 sport and the world's biggest football market.
Read Full News Click Here
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Inditex has been rewarded for the outstanding international renown of a Spanish company within the V Edition of the Awards to Internationalisation, presented by the Club of Exporters and Investors.
This prize which rewards the international renown of the Group as well as its determined commitment to its cross-border expansion has been presented by the Club of Exporters and Investors, an institution made up of Spanish companies whose external activity contributes significantly to increasing the international weigh of the Spanish economy.
The award was presented by Mr Joan Clos, the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Trade of Spain, and accepted by Mr Antonio Abril, General Counsel of the company, who pointed out in his speech that “in order to go on expanding our international presence, we must keep a strategy based on constant improvement, but most of all, we have great confidence in the motivation of the human team of the company, upwards of 75,000 employees, the driving force of the evolution of the Group.”
ISR (Institute for the Sustainability of Resources) Award
In addition, Inditex has also been the recipient of the ISR 2007 Award for its environmental policy, as recognition of the work done in this area and of the ambitious goals provided under its 2007-2010 Environmental Strategic Plan. The Board of Trustees of ISR is made up of Spanish and Portuguese public and private entities concerned about sustainability, the efficient use of resources and the environment.
Inditex Group
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Dallas-based, Heelys Inc says an estimated 16.3 million kids 6-18 years of age want a pair of Heelys skate shoes this Holiday season. The popular Heelys which features a removable stealth wheel in the heel recently rolled out its latest styles just in time for the Holiday season along with a variety of collectible wheels and shoes laces.
“Heelys skate shoes are a popular gift item every holiday season and this year is no exception,” said Jim Peliotes, Vice President of Marketing for Heelys, Inc. “Kids have so much fun and parents see the value of their kids getting out of the house and exercising. All of the new designs, styles, wheels and laces allow kids to show off their own individual style.”
According to Weekly Reader Research, Heelys remain very popular with kids 6-12 years of age. In fact, 11.3 million kids in this segment have Heelys on their wish list. “Older kids” 13-18 years of age represent a large segment as well comprising 5 million kids wanting Heelys this Holiday season.
“It’s not too late to get your Heelys,” said Charlie Beery, Senior Vice President of Global Sales for Heelys, Inc. “Our retail partners are ready for the last minute shoppers and have a wide selection to choose from.”
Heelys Inc
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Germany : Time for beautiful stones comes again from Minerals Days
0 comments Posted by pece at 10:21 PM
If you have not been to the Minerals Days Munich from 2 - 4 November 2007, you have really missed something: the special exhibition “Gemstones of the Himalayas“ presented the presumably largest and most valuable collection of gemstones from the countries around the Himalayas that has ever been seen.
Even celebrities such as the Sheik of Qatar or Reinhold Messner did not miss the chance to be present and were truly impressed by the variety and quality of stones. The most eye-catching stone was probably “The Asian Rose“, a white, light-flooded tourmaline crystal ready to unveil its deep-red soul to viewers.
In three exhibition halls, more than 1,000 exhibitors from 52 countries presented a colourful and glamorous potpourri: diamond, aquamarine, ruby, rock crystal, amber and many more both in their natural forms and incorporated into rings, chains, balls, lamps or massage rollers.
The broad range displayed attracted over 38,000 visitors to the Minerals Days Munich, almost 10% more enthusiasts of the beautiful stones and natural treasures than in 2006.
Another highlight of the largest fair for minerals, fossils and gemstones were the extremely beautiful “fossils from Monte Bolca”: imprints of fish and plants that took visitors on a time travel 50 million years back.
Whether crocodile, jellyfish or angelfish – every living creature leaves its mark. The Natural History Museum Verona presented top collectibles that many a collector would like to call his own.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Some time ago, we brought you the story of Millie (seen here in her favorite position - upside-down soliciting belly rubs from people of all shapes and sizes).
I wasn't ready for a foster at the time, but as her luck would have it she's the Doublemint Twin of my personal dog, and since her temperament was also super-fab I had a sucker moment and took in the chewed-up, overbred, filthy, hand-shy street urchin.
Part of the reason for this sucker moment, of course, was her story - this was her fourth trip to the shelter, and her most recent home was an adoptive home of that same shelter. Unfortunately, that adoptive home had given her away to a friend as a guard dog, and in that situation there were fights with the other yard dog - also a female pit bull.
The last bad fight seemed to be the last straw for the yard owner, and Millie was called in as a "stray" and carted off to the shelter. Pit bulls that come into the shelter are up against astronomical odds to survive; pit bulls that come into the shelter with fight wounds and occasional fence reactivity stand no chance at all, so we feel very lucky that our Pit Ed campers happened to bring us out to find this little girl.
In addition to having fresh wounds all over her neck and head, Millie had some old scarring - but her mellow nature and intense desire to please her people made her more than willing to settle in and play nicely with the resident dogs.
My own Bitchy Queen female quickly established her world domination, and Millie was only too happy to join the pack as one of her loyal subjects. Once that was settled, the two became pals - something that most wouldn't expect between two mature females, one of whom had a history of yard fights with another female pit bull - but something that can happen if the chemistry is right between the dogs and good direction is set by the people.
Millie had many fans within the group, and we really hoped that someone "in the family" would adopt her and help her achieve her true calling as a Therapy Dog.
In addition to the resident foster dog pack she found a special friend in Bad Rap alum Booker and his human mom. (Who can blame her, really? Booker looks so nice in seasonal metallic bling...) Unfortunately, Booker's Mom wasn't ready for a second dog - much to Booker's dismay.
We decided that Millie should be placed with a second dog - she really comes out of her shell when another dog's around - and so, despite some good applications from single-dog people, we hadn't yet found the right people for this special gal.
Then, we got an app from a young couple with a family home and two resident dogs - a large male Rottweiler and a young scrappy Rat Terrier/Chi mix female. We figured that Millie might find the Rott's similarity to Booker reassuring, and knew that any Rat Terrier/Chi mix would provide her with the Reigning Canine Bitchy Queen rule she'd come to expect.
Just to make sure that everything worked out, we put her in a foster-to-adopt contract and - despite her already having a CGC - made her new folks come to Pit Ed classes.
Millie is still in her foster period, and we're pleased to report that she's doing great! As expected, she's most often found playing with Cesar, her Rottie heartthrob, or hanging out in obeyance of mighty mix Cleo.
This street urchin has come a long way since she landed at the shelter, chewed up and filthy and there for the fourth time, all of which meant she was unadoptable. We're looking forward to moving her story (and the above photo) to our Happy Endings soon - fingers crossed that this last mile in her long tale to forever home is the shortest!
Blog Buddy Jen from Indiana sent on these photos and holiday notes.
Thank you Jen! We hope Santa brings a happy home for the very handsome Elton in 2008!
With your recent blue addition, I thought that you might appreciate the following greeting from our "earless" foster dog, Elton. Happy Holidays and thank you for all that you do! - Take care, Jen in INDear Santa,
All I want for Christmas is my two ear flaps back.
Bully Love,
Elton
Dear Elton,
While next year I would prefer sugar cookies and milk to milkbones and a bowl of water, I have left something special for you under the tree.
Be Good,
Santa
Actress Jaime Pressly has been named the Most Super Slimmed Mum on a poll conducted by a magazine recently.The 30-year-old actress has topped a new list of fit mothers who hit gym to lose their baby weight and regained their sexy figures in weeks, reports Contactmusic.
The My Name Is Earl star had pursued a strict 1,200-calorie-a-day diet and even had cabbage-soup detox to lose the weight gained while carrying son Dezi.
The actress defeated Bridget Moynahan and Isla Fisher as the most super slimmed mum
The poll was conducted by U.S. magazine In Touch Weekly’s ‘They Lost The Baby Weight So Fast’.
The top three of the Most Super Slimmed Mum list are:
Jamie Pressly
Bridget Moynahan
Isla Fisher (ANI)
The undisputed glamour queen and the highest paid actress in Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor is becoming an icon for the country’s youth.
Most recently she is being recognized as a trend setter swanking distinctive style that so naturally reflects her inherent and captivating beauty. An instance can be cited from her latest release ‘Jab We Met’ where she flaunts a long T-shirt teamed with a pair of Patiala. It goes without saying that this trend has become a fad already and is considered by most fashion enthusiasts as ‘in vogue’.
Kareena did the same to her earlier films like Yuva and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham where she publicized the movie by just being a part of it.
Kareena is known for not only experimenting with her looks to add that extra X factor but also for trying out different roles and doing justice to them. She perfectly defines the word ‘exemplary’ and maintains her image as a ‘Bollywood Diva’ ensuring that her list of fans remains intact.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Birmingham focuses on city wear with a casual touch. Up-to-the-minute sporty cuts in cord or tweed such as high-collar jackets and boot pants feature attractive details such as toggle fastenings, chunky hand-stitching and tweed patches on knits.
Must-have outfits include eye-catching fancy jackets and striking checked jackets, combined with quality fine gabardine to create a groomed, stylish city look.
The clothing company "Hanse-Kleidung Willi Bürgel" was founded in May 1946.
In August 1946 a second branch was opened in Berlin, which became the company´s headquarters in 1950.
delmod international GmbH & Co KG
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Jingle all the way to Westside for an unforgettable Christmas celebration. Celebrate the festival of joy and giving with WESTSIDE, as the stylish store from the house of Tatas is all set to spread the magic with the most eagerly awaited X’mas promotion.
Walk into the store with your family on weekends from December 15th – 30th and indulge in fun-filled activities with Santa including caricatures, hair braiding, puppet & magic show, and tattoo artists!
Westside brings back the Christmas magic at its stores with attractive decorations like the X’mas Tree, X’mas bells and fairy tale cut outs with Santa.
Every Saturday and Sunday from December 15th to 30th, the kids can spend an entire day with Santa Claus and participate in many activities like tattoo, caricatures, hair braiding, puppet & magic shows, while the parents shop to their heart’s content.
With all these exciting activities all this month, Westside’s exclusive Christmas collection also adds spark to the festive spirit.
The collection for girls include corduroy dress in pink, embroidered skirts, capris with lace, denim skirts and dungrees, leggings with studs and lots more!.
WESTSIDE
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Adora Diamond Jewellery the trend setters in diamond jewellery have introduced range of diamond jewellery for the brides called the Bridal Collection.
The new collection for the would be brides is actually a fusion jewellery concept keeping in mind the ethnic background and fusion influence in which women of are comfortable. As `THE BRIDE OF TODAY IS WOMEN OF TOMORROW,' such a collection can be worn on ethnic as well as fusion attire.
Adora's new bridal collection is a blend of elegant and modern intricate designs to adorn every Indian woman. Also what makes this collection a perfect bridal collection is the weight of the jewellery designed which is very light.
``Since the bride has to keep the jewellery worn till all the ceremonies of the marriage are complete a heavy weight jewellery makes the bride actually very irritated,'' says Prabir Chatterjee, managing director , Concept Jewellery(I) Pvt Ltd.
Such heavy designed jewellery then finds its place in the cupboard locker with the bride losing interest in them, adds Prabir Chatterjee, ``This is where Adora stands out making the bride of comfortable and women of tomorrow merrier'', lamented Prabir.
Mini Virdi head, designing department, Adora informed that a telephonic conversational study was actually conducted with the brides of yesterday who wore heavy jewellery when they were brides.
The finding was that 99 percent brides have actually not worn the bridal jewellery for any function outside her in-laws house other than some function celebrated there says the study.
Hence the light weight bridal collection which took us six months to design and develop the actual sets of bridal jewellery added Mini.
She added that solitaires and bigger stones have been used in the jewellery so that the bride stands out not only on her wedding day but the life after that.
Our brand is based on emotions and love. Marriage is a bond of love, we take special care in designing it added Prabir Chatterjee.
Concept Jewellery(I) Pvt Ltd
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
BelaHockey, a new line of hockey gear and apparel produced exclusively for girls, is proud to announce the official launch of its web store becoming the first company to focus entirely on attracting girls to the sport.
Founded by a group of local hockey moms and hockey legend Cammi Granato, the women of BelaHockey are on a mission to expand the hockey apparel market and encourage more girls to take up the sport that has long been tailored to boys.
Until, girls interested in playing hockey often received the message that it’s a boys sport with all the equipment and clothing primarily designed for males.
Drawing from its founders’ personal experiences, BelaHockey is proud to offer an exclusive line of equipment and apparel for girls including long-sleeve cotton tee-shirts, pink and purple custom hockey socks, personalized polka dot hockey sticks and an innovative sports headband.
Traditional hockey gear such as socks and sticks have been updated and redesigned with fun graphics and patterns to allow girls to express their personality and style on the ice and are available.
“Growing up playing hockey, I was always one of the only girls, whether it was at home with my brothers or in the local youth league,” said Granato. “I was comfortable on the ice but felt self conscious in the lobby where it was clear that I was a girl playing a boy’s sport.
By offering girls hockey gear designed exclusively for them, we’re reinforcing that hockey is their sport too. We hope BelaHockey will motivate other girls to pick up a stick and try the great game of hockey.”
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Indian jewellery and related works of art will feature at the debut of ‘Art and Antiques Dubai’ from the 21-24 February, 2008, at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeirah, an event that will showcase in excess of USD 200 million worth of art works.
With India in such close proximity to the Gulf States and a large expat Indian community already resident in Dubai, the organizers of ‘Art and Antiques Dubai’ anticipate keen interest in the period Indian material on view and on sale at the fair.
The scope and variety of Indian art is vast, from ancient times to the present day, developing through history according to the religious, political and cultural emphasis of specific periods.
This diversity is expressed in works of art that include fabulous jewellery, boxes, weaponry, textiles and vintage photography.
It may seem as though Indian contemporary art is making all the headlines at present but, as Samina Khanyari of Samina Inc.in London reminds us “a love affair” has been going on with the antique “Jewelled Arts of India” for a very long time among both museum buyers and private collectors.
“There has always been a great passion for Indian arts and antiques – decorative, religious, or jewelled. At the moment contemporary Indian art is generating a lot of interest but Indian antique pieces are still the international favorite, having stood the test of time.”
Samina Inc is one of the world’s leading dealers in and authorities on 17th-20th century Indian jewellery, selling to collectors all over the world.
Source at FIbre2fashion.com
Another year, another fabulous show………. Excelsior, in its high spirits again up with an opulent and ostentatious wedding festival for Punjabis, exhibited its mega-event Wedding Asia-07 at Majestic Park Plaza from 14th to 16th December, 2007.
Last year, Wedding Asia-06 generated a tremendous response from all across Punjab and Punjabis and NRIs took immense pleasure while spinning around the big bazaar of unbelievable show of all wedding necessities. Around100 participants from all across the country are participating in this event.
Princess inside every bride becomes visible with the rare, eternal diamonds. “Diamond Festival” was the main feature of “Wedding Asia 07” as it unveiled the colored gems, stones studded chic and classy jewelry including diamond Bracelets, drop-dead gorgeous rings, shiny chandelier earrings, solitaries, sparkling necklace, jadau, kundan kanganas.
Wide range of sapphires, emeralds, pearls, earthy kundans, and other precious gems immaculately patterned in elegant platinum, white and yellow gold allured the crowd to the jewelers’ counters.
As excelsior has already carved a niche in the history of Punjab while organizing Wedding Asia-2006 in sizzling tinsel town, Excelsior was again here with the second edition of the Wedding Asia to rock the city, all by itself. From all across the India, Wedding Asia brought together the continent’s designer to the city.
The grand event Wedding Asia-07 was sponsored by M.B.Jewellers & sons and Vikas diamonds from Delhi. Times of India and FM Radio were associated with the event as media partners.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
In summer 2007, in New Jersey, a police dog named Rommel was let off leash to do his business and ended up killing a chihuahua who was walking by with its owner. One quick shake and the tiny pet was gone. Needless to say, it was a tragedy for the chi's owner. The police called it "a horrible accident," apologized to the owner and sent the german shepherd back to training. As far as we know, Rommel has gone back to his life and - we can bet - he won't be let off leash around small animals anytime soon.
At around the same time this summer - here in the SF bay area - a similar scene played out when a dog named Lucy escaped from her yard during an exciting squirrel-chase. Unfortunately, she too came across a chihuahua on a walk. (Insert expletive) As you can guess, Lucy ended up killing the chi just as Rommel had done on the other side of the country. And in front of its horrified owner, no less. In both cases, the owners of the attacking dogs were tragically negligent. The only difference being, Rommel was allowed to live while Lucy - a pit bull - has been sentenced to death. The gray muzzled girl has lived incident-free with her family for over six years, so we can all imagine the anguish her owners are feeling over the outcome of this tragic first offense.
Our sympathy goes out to the heartsick chi's owner for the loss of her companion. And while we can't condone the irresponsibility of Lucy's owners, based on the behaviorists' evaluations, the declarations on her behalf, and the shelter staff's own adoration of her, we're concerned that Lucy was condemned to the most severe and ultimate decision because of her breed.
Despite the mismanagement of her owners for not maintaining their fence, chasing small animals is NOT a "pit bull thing." And contrary to popular belief, it's not even a "dog aggression" thing. (Note: Lucy's lawyers misfired and called the incident a "dog fight" - OUCH.)
Rommel and Lucy are certainly not alone. The wolf-kin Malamutes and Huskies, the bred to-lure-course Greyhounds, and even those cute little Westies ...All breeds are encoded to exhibit prey drive in select situations. This canine behavior is as natural as shedding fur and it demands a good old fashioned dose of common sense management from dog owners especially in an age when living spaces are getting squeezed and small squirrel-sized dogs are heeding Paris Hilton's bidding and arriving by the tens of thousands into our neighborhoods. (In two recent Shots Fairs in Oakland, chihuhuas outnumbered the pit bulls by 6 to 1!!)
Above: The primordial wolf. Simon taught us early on that thousands of years of hunt drive were not erased with the invention of kibble.
We have to wonder: If a german shepherd with no previous complaints had been involved in killing a chihuahua in Sunnyvale, would he have been ordered to death as a result? Time will tell.
These sad situations beg a larger question: How can we support dog courts to hold irresponsible owners accountable without causing their people-safe dogs to suffer the most dire of consequences? It's a difficult time for cities that are encouraged to "get tough" on owners who set their dogs up to fail, especially when a pit bull is involved and worse yet, when the pit bull paparazzi is watching. From a judge's perspective, miscalculating a home's intentions and letting a dog return only to possibly fail again is every court's worst nightmare and can cause the bravest to buckle under a deadly dose of breed bias, peer pressure and misinformation. It's not fair, but it's the reality that dogs - our breed especially - is facing right now.
So how do we find any balance in this chaos? It's not going to be easy. Recently, we absorbed a new dog into our program that had been deemed a "dangerous dog" by the courts and condemned to death by the shelter for allegedly biting a dog's ear while running at large. It was made clear to us that she'd been set up to fail several times by clueless owners that neglected to contain her. In this surprising case, an open-minded judge reviewed video tape of our evals (which revealed a highly manageable, people-safe dog) and a dog-savvy city attorney convinced him to remove her "dangerous dog" label so she could be saved. (Rescues can't absorb dogs with "dangerous dog" or ''potentially dangerous dog" labels since they render a dog essentially unadoptable).
The judge's decision and the dog's liberation was a first, and a sign that with education and cooperation, we can work towards helping dog courts make decisions that are fair for all involved -- especially to those people-safe dogs that are only guilty of acting like dogs when their owners fall asleep at the wheel. But of course, that can only happen if dog owners stop howling and start building those bridges needed to change the minds and hearts of the powers-that-be in our city councils and especially, our dog courts.
Please, PLEASE remember to practice defensive driving with your dog during this difficult time of breed bias, and know your rights, your responsibilities and your dog laws. Your dog's life may depend on it.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Not surprisingly, my 18month old daughter, Piper, has a cold. I say not surprisingly because as a pediatric nurse practitioner I knew that her once a week preschool program would happily team up with cold and flu season to bring us a series of upper respiratory infections. Actually, I’m surprised that it took until mid December for it to start. Now that the first one has hit, I have a toddler who cannot sleep, doesn’t want to eat and is generally an unhappy camper. Before you parents out there conjure up sweet images of a sick baby cuddled up in momma’s lap, I refer you back to the title of this blog post. Where’s the love?
Apparently, the love is crated. Piper, who loves me and generally likes to cuddle, has, during this illness, often forsaken me for the comfort offered by the dog. The last few days, I’ve sat back and watched as my little girl made her way to my bedroom and curled up with her best friend inside his crate. Sometimes, the dog looks to me as if to ask if she’s OK, other times he lets out a large relaxing breath and falls back asleep with her draped over his back. It seems that there is something soothing about curling up in a crate with a pit bull. Actually, it doesn’t have to be in a crate, as far as Piper is concerned anywhere will do as long as she has her pit bull.
As cold and flu season wears on, when you find that you or your child isn't feeling well and Tylenol isn’t doing the trick, you might want to follow Piper’s lead and look for a pit bull to cuddle. Remember, as a parent you may have to occaisionally put your foot down and demand to be included. 
I look forward to a day when medical research shows the health benefits of pit bull cuddling and pediatric providers start prescribing the practice for sick kids everywhere....
The holiday season really brings out the optomist in me. Wishing you, and pit bulls everywhere, health, happiness and peace in the new year.
Pamela Anderson divorces husband number three. The former "Baywatch" star has filed divorce from Rick Solomon Friday.Less than three months of being married, 40-year-old Anderson has hinted that her marriage was not on the best of terms on her official website. The divorce was filed in the Los Angeles Supreme Court. They had been married in Las Vegas on October 6.
Anderson had said she was happy with the marriage only a month ago. "I'm the happiest I've ever been," the Playboy covergirl says of her husband. "We're good for each other."
Solomon might be best known for being Shannon Doherty's ex and Paris Hilton's partner in the infamous "One Night In Paris" sex video.
Just last week, the red skimpy swimsuit-strutting actress denied reports about a new reality show for the couple. She said she had considered the offer but decided against it for family reasons.
"The choices I have to make now are about quality of life. And meaning. Not about money or fame for no good reason," Anderson wrote on her blog.
"I know I've made a lot of mistakes. But no regrets - just living such a huge dream. I'm blessed. So many options. I can't complain. I can be confused."
This is Anderson's 3rd marriage and divorce. She was married to Tommy Lee for 1995 to 1998 at which time she had changed her name to Pamela Anderson Lee. Last year, she had married rock star Kid Rock in a yacht wedding in St. Tropez France. The second wedding was short lived too for three months.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Keira Knightley was shown how to pleasure James McAvoy for their steamy sex scene in 'Atonement'.The Scottish actor - who plays Keira's love interest Robbie in the Oscar-tipped movie - says the highlight of filming the romantic epic was hearing his co-star being instructed in the art of manual stimulation.
James told the New York Daily News newspaper: "Being there while Keira Knightley was being told to w*** me off was a high point."
Director Joe Wright added: "Absolutely no comment. I can't believe he told you that!"
The 22-year-old actress admitted that while she enjoyed shooting the raunchy romp in the library scene, she did need some guidance on what to do.
Keira said: "It was the sex scene, which I have to say I think is a really good sex scene. But it was such a specific thing and it had to be so erotic that we did just say to Joe, 'Come on, talk us through it.' "
Christmas will be extra glamorous this year. Supermodel Alek Wek will model Lindex's Christmas lingerie, which brightens up the winter darkness.
"We chose Alek because she shows off our lingerie to fabulous effect. Alek is unique and expressive as a model, and highlights our collection phenomenally.
This, combined with her background, makes Alek a symbol for courageous women," says Johan Hallin, Lindex's marketing manager.
Born in Sudan, Alek fled to Great Britain with her family in 1991 to escape the civil war. She was discovered by a model scout in 1995.
Alek has modelled for names such as Issey Miyake, Moschino and Victoria's Secret, and has appeared in fashion shows for John Galliano. She also designs her own line of handbags, and released her autobiography, Alek, this autumn.
"This year's lingerie collection has an incredibly luxurious feel. It's characterised by contrasts, for example between matte/shiny and satin/velvet.
Shiny and metallic effects dominate the collection. The lingerie is like jewellery - gorgeous and wonderfully glamorous," says Inger Lundqvist, Business Area Manager Lingerie.
The campaign will run from November 14th up until Christmas in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic, on outdoor billboards and in Lindex stores.
Lindex AB
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
The organizatiion of Fashion Rio has just released its fashion show schedule for the 2008 Fall / Winter edition which will be held January 7-12 at Marina da Glória.
ABIT supports the event, which is created and organized by Dupla Assessoria and put on by the Firjan System. The ABIT web site will once again bring full coverage of the fashion shows in English and Portuguese.
Day – January 7 - Monday
5:00pm – Press Conference
7:00pm – Lilica Ripilica
Day – January 8 - Tuesday
11:00am – Victor Dzenk
4:00pm – New Stylists: Giulia Borges and Luciana Galeão
5:00pm – Apoena
6:00pm – Mara Mac
7:30pm – Melk Z-da
8:30pm – DTA
10:30pm – Colcci
Day – January 9 - Wednesday
11:00 – Tessuti
4:00pm – New Stylists: Homem de Barro and Caroline Rossato
5:00pm – Juliana Jabour
6:00pm – Maria Bonita Extra
7:30pm – Eliza Conde
8:30pm – Coca-Cola Clothing
9:30pm – Cavendish
Day – January 10 - Thursday
11:00 – Santa Ephigênia
4:00pm – Virzi
5:00pm – Coven
6:00pm – Cantão
7:30pm – Têca
8:30pm – Drosófila
9:30pm – TNG
Day – January 11 - Friday
11:00 – Redley
3:30pm – Rio Moda Hype
5:00pm – AcquaStudio
6:30pm – Graça Ottoni
8:00pm – Márcia Ganem
9:30pm – Sandpiper
Day – January 12 - Saturday
3:30pm – Rio Moda Hype
5:00pm – Acomb
6:30pm – Rita Wainer
8:00pm – Ivan Aguilar
9:30pmp – Alessa.
Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
India : Cool, calm & classic watch collection for winter wedding
0 comments Posted by pece at 1:53 AM
Tommy Hilfiger watches has introduced a new range for the winter wedding season.
The bold & elegant designs – The Modern Automatic Classics & The Rose Gold collection offer a sense of fresh style, underpinned by careful attention to quality and functionality, and finished with unique Tommy Hilfiger signature details.
Tommy Hilfiger - The Modern Automatic Classics:
The Tommy Hilfiger automatic watch features a modern stainless steel, tonneau-shaped case. Its elegant white dial is cut-out to display the intricate self-winding mechanism.
The cool, calm and collected, a classic new design with automatic movement. A unique window into the automatic working in the cushion shaped case.
Race-inspired motion is AUTOMATIC:
Inspired by motion racing, a new automatic sports collection is designed. Automatic movement seen through a cutout window and a polycarbonate case exposing the inner mechanics
Tommy Hilfiger – Rose Gold:
Tommy Hilfiger offers an exciting array of fashionable Rose Gold watches with stylish and bold designs. Presenting your unique personal styles by do-it yourself watch set.
One watch with three looks: crystal stones, rose gold plated and stainless steel bezels with two leather straps matching with your different looks from casual to elegant.
Reversible Chic:
A watch for business woman from day to night. Rectangular rose gold plated case with black-brown reversible Strap. Turing around the strap and changing into a new look for the party night.
Tommy Hilfiger Corporation
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Gianfranco Ferre a very popular Italian designer collaborated with diamond company and DTC sightholder Dalumi to create a sparkling diamond studded top worth US $1.3 million.
The awesome and unique creation is put up for auction in Dubai and was flaunted by British rock singer Skin at Ferré’s designer’s women collection for winter 2007. Astonishingly, the top is made by besetting around 905 diamonds in 18 carat white gold and woven with another 254 carat.
The eye-catching outfit was revealed yesterday at the Dubai International Jewellery Week.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
The GORE-TEX Hong Kong team came to the rescue of two of Singapore Zoo's Asian elephants in need of special footwear.
The intensive year-long effort by the zoo and W. L. Gore & Associates, creators of the legendary GORE-TEX fabric, recently culminated in the elephants being presented with comfortable yet protective footwear to help with their ongoing foot problems.
As the world's largest land animal, elephants naturally place an enormous amount of stress on their feet. Due to a bad stumble a number of years ago, Tun, the younger of the two elephants, has one front leg longer than the others.
As a result, she limps painfully and the extra pressure she places on the shorter front leg has created lesions on the sole of this foot. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Jamilah has lesions on the soles of both her front feet owing to her habit of swaying from side to side.
As Singapore Zoo veterinarian, Dr Sonja Luz explains, treatment has been difficult. "Try asking an elephant to take some weight off for a while," she jokes.
Dr Luz's team began thinking about ways to protect the elephant's bandages so that the lesions had time to heal. Tun's unbalanced walk also had to be addressed if she was to have a chance of full recovery.
"The best solution we could think of was some type of protective boot that was durable enough for elephant wear-and-tear and possibly also waterproof, it had to be made from a material that allowed the wound to breathe to prevent fungal infections. Most importantly, it would also provide comfort to the elephant."
"GORE-TEX fabric immediately came to mind," she says. In December 2006, Dr Luz contacted W. L. Gore & Associates in Hong Kong to seek expert advice on whether the breathable, waterproof technology of GORE-TEX footwear could possibly be adapted to footwear solutions for the elephants. The project immediately captured the hearts and minds of the product development team.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Mary Kay Inc will commemorate the start of its 20th year of enriching women’s lives in Mexico with ribbon-cuttings at its brand new headquarters and distribution center, the anniversary of the Monterrey-based subsidiary’s establishment.
The approximately 49,000-square-foot headquarters and 144,000-square-foot distribution center, both located in the Nuevo Leon region of Northern Mexico, replace and are nearly double the size of the Company’s previous headquarters and distribution facilities located in Monterrey.
Mary Kay’s $20 million combined investment in the two sites reflects its steadfast commitment to Mexico, which has consistently ranked as one of the Company’s top-performing subsidiaries.
The new distribution center will focus on serving the needs of some 200,000 Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants throughout Mexico. The center features new technology designed to reduce operational time, verify the accuracy of orders and ensure safe delivery of products.
Mary Kay Mexico is among just three companies in Mexico who currently utilize this progressive technology for order fulfillment. Approximately 75 million units are expected to be shipped from the distribution center annually, increasing the Company’s business capacity by 50 percent and enhancing its longstanding reputation for providing excellent customer service.
Among the highlights of today’s festivities is the presentation of the famous pink Cadillac for the first time in Mexico. Seventeen Independent National Sales Directors in Mexico – who have earned the use of the most coveted incentive awarded by the Company and one of the most recognized brand symbols in the world -- will receive their car keys during a ceremony preceding the ribbon-cuttings.
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
For the fifth year in a row, Lindex has lent a hand and collected money for Pink Ribbon. Lindex and its customers have donated a good 6 million to the fight against breast cancer.
As well as selling pink ribbons, Lindex donated one Swedish krona for every bra sold during the whole of October and ten kronor for every bra sold on Pink Saturday held on 27 October.
This year, Lindex also launched a unique collection, the Pink Collection, of which 10 percent of each item's retail price was donated to the Swedish Cancer Society's Pink Ribbon campaign.
"Our Pink Collection was very well received by our customers. It's great that we were able to add to our sales of pink ribbons with this collection and collect even more money for Pink Ribbon," says Sara Carlsson, acting Director of Corporate Communications at Lindex.
Lindex is also one of the main sponsors behind the Cancer Society's Pink Ribbon campaign. This year, all Lindex stores in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were involved in raising money, collecting altogether 6 million kronor. The largest amount of 3.8 million kronor was raised in Sweden.
"Our vision is to find a cure for cancer and our goal is for 90 percent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 to survive the disease.
Thanks to Lindex and its customers who got involved and raised money, we are closer to our goal. You all played an important part in the campaign and helped us achieve our results," says Ursula Tengelin, Secretary of General of the Cancer Society's Pink Ribbon campaign.
The money raised will go to breast cancer research. Part of the money will also go to BRO, the national organisation of breast cancer associations, which offers support to women with breast cancer and their families.
Lindex AB
Source at Fibre2fashion.com
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Hope feels like a radical notion some days. Here are five things that made us perk up and contemplate the possibility of better days this weekend....
1.
This editorial out of NJ makes some very good points. 'Opening eyes and hearts - Vick case has shed welcome light on animal cruelty.' ...Yes.
Just as good is this photo of the town's police chief getting slobbered by a shelter pit bull. You gotta love it.
Photo Credit Tanya Breen Ashbury Park Press. (Nice job, Tanya)
2. Vick's former home failed to attract a buyer this weekend. You'd have to wonder who in their right mind would ever feel at home in a place that holds such bad juju. The country's least desirable address (Make sure and read the last line suggesting the property would make a nice B&B for pet owners. Yuk.)
3. The ASPCA and Animal Farm Foundation are working together to reward animal shelters for creating perfect 'Adopt-A-Bull' adoption matches. They hope to use the stories of happy homes and their smiling pit bulls "to highlight the positive attributes and merits of the American Pit Bull Terrier" Press Release Here. Nice perk for your local shelter's adoption program...Big bucks too. Let them know!
Of all ills that one endures, hope is a cheap and universal cure.
- Abraham Cowley.
4. BSL was rejected in one town in Colorado on Friday. Very happy news from this same state that's been shamefully enforcing a breed ban in Denver. Parachute, CO
5. Finally, a small personal victory in the middle of bigger news, but very happy nonetheless. BR alum Bailey recently transplanted to sub-zero Chicago and jumped right into earning her Canine Good Citizen certificate. Bailey - formerly known as Holly - was one of the last of 13 unclaimed Katrina dogs that found homes after coming to CA via our big bad 2005/06 flood dog project.
As we ready a whole new group of dogs from a whole different kind of disaster, it's SO nice to reflect on the Katrina dogs and see them doing so well. Bailey spent her summer as a much-loved mascot to a school with special needs super kids, and her mom has more mascot plans for her in Chicago.
Congrats Andy & Bailey!
Of course, having a CGC title doesn't mean Bailey's not capable of being a lovable BRAT. I bet we all can relate to this: Naughty Dog Movie
A twin to Boo Boo Divine, Deja Blu could be a littermate, or more likely, from the last litter of this prolific breeder - she might be six months older. The photo distorts their sizes, they are actually near identical. Same colored amber eyes, same color coat, same long top line, same slightly straight back legs, white feet, wrinkle face, only slightly taller, same temperament. Oh ya, she also had to have her own deformity - a nice, long, 14 inch nasty scar down the middle of her back.
We have seen this in photos so often now that we need to research this phenomenon. We took it for granted that it was meth-lab chemical spills. We're well aware that tweakers are using pits to "guard" their labs, but these spills don't look accidental. They all go down the middle of their backs along the spine. Some are so bad that they need plastic surgery to repair, hers is all healed, but there forever. Is it some kind of branding used to identify their dogs and quicker than a micro-chip? Or is it to "make them mean" like the idiots who still believe that a little gun powder in the diet will do the trick? We can't figure it.
But what we know for sure is that we will now target the West Oakland neighborhood these gals came from, and we know the address since Boo Boo's peeps posted her lost info. We'll do our next shot's fair there and hand out as many free pit spay/neuter vouchers as possible. We'll also track down the breeder and let them know where their dogs are ending up. Can't hurt.
I can't forget to mention that Deja and BooBoo got in a quick play session and mirrored each other beautifully - quite a match. One big blur of blue - raaaaaaaaaaare blue!
For the last man on Earth, Will Smith sure has a lot of friends. The Warner Bros. tale "I Am Legend," starring Smith as a plague survivor who may be the last living human, debuted with $76.5 million, the biggest December opening ever and a personal best for one of Hollywood's top box-office champs, according to studio estimates Sunday."It's no wonder Will Smith feels so lonely. Everyone else on Earth is in the movie theater," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers.
The 20th Century Fox family flick "Alvin and the Chipmunks," starring Jason Lee in a big-screen take on the cartoon critters, opened a strong No. 2 with $45 million. The two films combined to give Hollywood a year-end surge after a drowsy fall season.
"Forty-five million acorns," said Chris Aronson, senior vice president for distribution at 20th Century Fox. "Chipmunks are diurnal animals and they do hibernate, but not right now."
Overall business soared, with the top 12 movies taking in $153.6 million, up 39 percent from the same weekend a year earlier, when Smith also was No. 1 with a $26.5 million debut for "The Pursuit of Happyness."
The previous No. 1 movie, New Line Cinema's fantasy "The Golden Compass," nose-dived in its second weekend, coming in third with $9 million, down a dismal 65 percent from its less-than-expected $25.8 million debut a week earlier.
"The Golden Compass," which cost $180 million to produce, has done $90 million so far overseas but has proven a dud domestically with just $41 million.
On the other hand, "I Am Legend" smashed Smith's personal debut record, easily exceeding the $52.1 million opening weekends of "I, Robot" and "Men in Black II," his previous bests. "I Am Legend" outdid the $72.6 million premiere of 2003's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," the previous best December opening.
"It's nice to be in the Will Smith business," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "He is just the No. 1 box-office star in the world today."
Based on the Richard Matheson novel filmed twice before as Vincent Price's "The Last Man on Earth" and Charlton Heston's "The Omega Man," "I Am Legend" casts Smith as a scientist trying to find a cure and fighting off the vestiges of humanity, people transformed by the plague into vampire-like creatures.
Two Golden Globe nominees just hitting theaters did well in their second weekends.
Focus Features' "Atonement" — a tragic romance that led the Globes with seven nominations, including best drama and acting honors for Keira Knightley and James McAvoy — pulled in $1.85 million in 117 theaters. That gave "Atonement" a strong average of $15,835 a theater, compared to $21,224 in 3,606 cinemas for "I Am Legend."
Fox Searchlight's "Juno," a teen-pregnancy comedy whose three nominations included best comedy or musical and an acting honor for Ellen Page, grossed $1.44 million in 40 theaters for a $36,018 average.
"Atonement" and "Juno" expand into nationwide release over the next three weekends.
Another Golden Globe nominee, the Paramount Classics-DreamWorks foreign-language contender "The Kite Runner," debuted strongly with $450,970 in 35 theaters for a $12,885 average. Spanning the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to modern times, the film follows an emigrant to America who returns home to rescue the son of a childhood friend.
Francis Ford Coppola's first film in 10 years, "Youth Without Youth" from Sony Pictures Classics, had a so-so debut of $27,815 in six theaters, averaging $4,636. The film stars Tim Roth as an elderly language scholar whose youth is restored by a lightning strike.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "I Am Legend," $76.5 million.
2. "Alvin and the Chipmunks," $45 million.
3. "The Golden Compass," $9 million.
4. "Enchanted," $6 million.
5. "No Country for Old Men," $3 million.
6. "The Perfect Holiday," $2.97 million.
7. "Fred Claus," $2.3 million.
8. "This Christmas," $2.3 million.
9. "Atonement," $1.85 million.
10. "August Rush," $1.8 million.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
GEMMA Atkinson turned into a best supporting actress when she came to the rescue of braless DJ Suzie McGuire.The model and former star of Hollyoaks helped out when Suzie, who was hosting a charity lunch, revealed that she had forgotten to bring her bra.
Staff backstage had to avert their eyes as FF-cup Gemma peeled off her own bra and handed it over.
Suzie, who wears an E cup, said: "The engineers were embarrassed. They said, 'She's wearing her bingo dress - eyes down.'"
Gemma, 23, who was a big hit with her bikini-clad showers in the I'm A Celebrity jungle, met 34-year-old Suzie at Radio Clyde's Cash For Kids lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
Earlier, she had been at Debenhams to launch the new store for brafirm Ultimo.
And she revealed she has her sights on Hollywood and has tried out for a major film.
Gemma has already made one film, Boogie Woogie, but she hopes a part in the new project would raise her profile. She revealed: "I've just been auditioning for a major Hollywood film. It is a major movie with some really big names."
The actress, who has been linked to footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Bent, was tight-lipped about her love life but says she's looking forward to spending Christmas with her family and enjoying a traditional dinner.
It will be a big change from the Australian jungle in I'm A Celebrity - where Gemma found herself the meal, rather than the diner.
She said: "The mosquitoes seemed to love the taste ofme and I've got loads of bites, about 60, mostly on my arms."
But Gemma, who models Ultimo's bigger cup range, also reckons the jungle won her scores of new female fans.
She said: "Girls before weren't too impressed by the idea of someone flaunting themselves in underwear while their men looked on.
"But now that they've seen me on TV they realise I'm nice and not a threat to them."
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ugly title, I know. I think we've all been there though. Maybe people won't tomorrow, but today, we sure do suck.
We took a trip to Oakland Animal Services today to look at a female Megan told us nobody would want since some kids chopped her ears off, all the way off, with scissors. I call most of the dogs "mystery dogs" since we never really know their exact story. This one was different. She was reported missing from a back yard (please don't leave your pits out unattended when you are gone), then one month later, was spotted running from two kids. The guy who chased off the kids took her in, but was later turned in by a neighbor for not providing vet care for those bleeding ears. Dog bless OAS for responding to the call and taking her from him. He thought she was rightfully his, so they reminded him that that would mean an animal cruelty charge for not seeking vet care. He acquiesced.
The scan for a microchip located the original owners. Wow, hurray for microchips! But let's not get too excited - remember the title of this blog...
No ears and now she's spayed? "No thanks. Keep her. How can we breed her if she is spayed?"
Now here comes the part where I suck. I thought, "This gal better be perfect, because we're going to have a hell of a time placing her with those butchered ears." And she is. She's the perfect little angel of a dog that is so forgiving that she hasn't shown any sign of fear towards people. None. And she still has sutures. Only ten months old and a little thin, but she is going to clean up beautifully.
She's also found a great little guy friend with a dog that we're holding onto from a custody case. They belong to the Mutual Admiration Society and we considered for the first time that maybe these two should be adopted out together - who knows? But watching their crazy antics together sure has changed the tone of my day.
Here we go. The media is running wild with a handwritten letter from MV to Judge Hudson, outlining his regret "for dog fighting activities" and request for mercy.
Let's back up. Knowing what you know now, that in a report to the courts the team of ASPCA-led dog experts noted that, after extensive evaluations, a number of the dogs "showed no sign of aggression or threat to (either people) OR DOGS." That several have since been taken in by foster families - foster homes which typically include kids and other pets. Well, it contradicts everything the general public has been lead to believe about these horrible fighting dogs. Hec, it contradicts everything most pit bull owners believe about fight bust dogs. Admit it, weren't you surprised?
"Bred for generations for their unstoppable violence" ... "Ticking time bombs" ... "Killers"
Or so we were told.
So now. Knowing that dogs that didn't perform well...that they were tortured for being "no threat to other dogs"...can you just imagine the scene in this horror movie? A dog that "showed no threat to other dogs" wasn't just cleanly dispatched by a needle full of blue juice. It was made to feel unspeakable terror at the hands of his most embarrassed, most outraged best friend. Torture isn't designed to kill, but to punish, humiliate, and terrify.
We know these dogs, we know the dogs that were tortured. As much satisfaction as we've gotten from seeing the wonderful rescue outcome, I think it's safe to say that most everyone who's worked on the case has been privately tortured to some extent by the details. I can't talk, but I do need to talk, and I know I'm not alone. We've lost sleep, broken down in tears, raged inappropriately at odd moments, cursed the victims' critics...And we're only on the fringe of those Virginia woods looking in. The torture was that twisted.
Michael. Torture is not a fleeting lapse in judgement or "bad decision." We all make bad decisions and we all regret them and struggle to make them right. But you haven't begun to deliver yourself from this thing. Don't fool yourself...You're hanging from a tree, along with your beautiful, terrified dogs right now. Own it.
As far as the letter goes? Read it to your dogs.
This 1923 photo of a boy and pit bull saying prayers together was sent by Seth, a fellow vintage photo lover. It seems appropriate to share it now.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
How'd this happen? She said she was on birth control and I double wrapped! While I would easily take responsibility for getting Jessica Alba pregnant, it looks like that task comes down to douche bag Cash Warren. Okay, okay, maybe he's not a crap weasel, but we are talking about one of my biggest crushes here.People has released an announcement today reporting that Jessica Alba is pregnant with boyfriend Cash Warren's child.
"I can confirm that Jessica and Cash are expecting a baby in late spring, early summer," says rep Brad Cafarelli.
Alba, 26, has dated Warren, 28, since the fall of 2004 after they met on the set of The Fantastic Four, on which Warren was a director's assistant.
I'm sure Cash is all good, but does he own a 'semi but not really successful' entertainment blog? I don't think so...
A Blog from Tim Racer about his impressions of the courtroom and street scene on sentencing day:
Jumping off a redeye - sans sleep - and into a courthouse line to see the biggest pit bull-related case of the millenium is a sure way to catch a dose of the surreal. Although it was Vick who was the bad guy and American Pit Bull Terriers were - for once - understood as the victims in this drama. All the events of this day were oddly juxtaposed to create a very dreamlike quality: It was gorgeous weather and excitement filled the air, but people were gathered to witness a superstar sports hero lose everything he had...PETA volunteers held posters of tortured pit bulls, however none of them that I asked, realized their own organization's stance of advocating for the extermination of the breed....Answering a reporter that "Yes, I want to see Vick receive the maximum sentence," yet I don't believe in our failed penal system... And listening to a federal judge so kindly refer to Vick's pit bulls simply as "dogs." I really must be dreaming.
Above ESPN set up a stage for the day's big sports event. Peta supporters carefully positioned themselves in front of their cameras.
The only thing that made complete sense to me was Vick's attorney's assertion that "Michael is depressed" (which is why he self medicated). That's okay Michael, you just go on right ahead and be depressed, because you have every right to be depressed. You pissed your life away because you couldn't give up your dog-fighting addiction. At least you won't be stuck behind bars for eight solid months in an overburdened shelter without getting out once to see the light of day. At least you will have a toilet in your cell and won't be forced to live in your own filth until someone comes and hoses it out with you in it. At least you will be able to take a walk.
Michael Vick said he was sorry, but words are just words, and people who really work with dogs understand body language. Vick was not remorseful about his actions, he was just upset that he got caught. Like the day months ago that he made his public apology, again, Vick mentioned his apologies, but failed to include the dogs. He again never even mentioned the word "dog." So how can he be remorseful? Judge Hudson gave him near the maximum recommended sentence because he too recognized that Vick was "not taking responsibility for his actions." However he did knock off one month due to the fact that Michael gave money to his church.
Back to surrealism. Nicole and I decided to end the day by taking a trip to Moonlight road. Vick's house is up for auction - just call us curious. When we got there, we saw that directly across the street from the house was a church. A church! The boys were fighting and killing dogs across the street from a chapel for six years. Wow!
Dogs were baying in the woods and metal was being thrashed around and echoed in the trees. We needed to get away from the creepy feelings we were both having, knowing how many dogs were unearthed on that property and wondering how many more tiny skeletons might still be there. We will always be haunted when pondering how many dogs never made it out alive, because we all know that the eight dogs that they killed in April were just the tip of the iceberg. Then our car alarm started randomly triggering (eek!) so we decided the best way to shake it was to go work some dogs.
We've been providing interim care for many of Vick's dogs (but they really aren't his anymore), so we headed over to pay a visit and run a dog. It was the best way to close a strange day, because after all - it is and always will be about the dogs. ~ Tim Racer
