I so know feel the same way as you concerning your love of dogs.  I’ve had many throughout my life and each was special and a true friend.  Our middle guy now (Our three are different heights by three inches.) is my basset/dashound mix who is so afraid of people because of past abuse, but he is the most loving little guy and really talks to me when I come home.  He howls like a basset, but has a cute little vocalizing that is more like conversation when he wants to let me know he is glad to see me.  And our littlest beagle has me trained!  He so reminds me of how Lassie use to lead the person to bring help because he herds you in to the kitchen for dinner or to go outside and does NOT ever give upuntil you’ve done what he wants you to do!  He’s also very insistent about affection and jumps in my lap for a snuggle every evening (Thank goodness he’s only a little 12 inch beage and only weighs about 20 lbs!)     :-) 

I am a dog lover and have three Humane Society friends.  All three are mixed breeds except our littlest is a full beagle.  They’re all characters and each holds a special place in my heart.

I missed Nightly News so will check it out - thanks for letting me know about it! 

Passionate politics can get messy, and its sad when some who have good points to express but get a little hot headed and forget to treat others with the respect that they want to be treated with in these kinds of discussions (This has included me at times - though I have tried to back away lately.).  If we had separate forums that would allow the rants without the escalating tempers to flair.  There would be fewer needs to censor without that opposing view that very well might set off tempers.  

I hope when they develop new forums, they’ll consider this well thought out idea!  Oh, and for those of us with pets the idea to have a place to share the antics and fun of our furry family members would be really great too!! 

KM,

Interesting points - but it didn’t change the way health care was going…I understand about the plan and many of its foibles, I am almost a senior since I’m in my late 50s.  But when the eldery are out of the plan then Medicare kicks in which to my understanding is going to remain.  

We need some kind of system because insurance rates and medical costs are killing 30 to 40% of the people here in Michigan alone.  And because the costs are too high they just aren’t getting care and then end up in hospital emergency rooms and we all know who pays for that.  Many here are those in their forties and fifties, and as new jobs are created…they aren’t the ones getting the jobs.  I know - that’s happening to me and my family.

Ann,

Saw your video and I know that you can do it!  Just set boundaries on the time you spend online.  I am a writer too and find that Twitter is great for sometimes simply expressing the basics to friends.  You don’t ge overwhelmed if you control the time you spend there.