Vietnam veteran's best friend is a cat, not a canine - Pets For Patriots ...

It is often said that?a dog is a man?s best friend, but for one Vietnam veteran a special needs cat ? not a canine ? fills that role.

It is a sad truth that young, small and healthy cats and dogs are the first to be adopted at shelters across the country. This means older, large-breed and special need pets are left to either live out the rest of their lives in shelters or, even worse, are euthanized.

Every year animal shelters throughout the United States care for approximately six to eight million dogs and cats, however,?more than half are put to death?because no one adopts them.

Cats like Tweedy, a three year-old tabby with a grade two heart murmur and eye disease, might have been one of those tragic statistics if not for charities like?Pets for Patriots?and their?national network of animal welfare organizations. Instead, he found his forever home with a Vietnam veteran who saw beyond the adult cat?s medical disabilities.?

Love at first sight

Lawrence, a?Vietnam War?Army veteran, was captivated when he first met Tweedy.

?He had strange eyes, they really drew my attention.?

Coincidence led Lawrence to Tweedy. After wandering into the Metro Detroit Petco where some of the?Michigan Humane Society?s?cats are available for adoption, Lawrence began talking to the shelter staff.

?I asked to look at the cats and was attracted to Tweedy because of the way he looked,? Lawrence says.

Tweedy?s eyes appear all black, lacking the elliptical shaped iris that most cats have. As a result, his vision is impaired which, along with the heart murmur, makes Tweedy an at-risk, special needs pet ? the type that most people overlook. Sadly, the cat had already been in and out of a few adopted homes, but the Michigan Humane Society was committed to helping this special tabby find his forever home.

Two four-legged friends makes life twice as nice

Tweedy is a big cat, weighing more than 10 pounds, twice the size of Lawrence?s other tabby cat, named Maui.

?At first, animals have to test each other,? Lawrence says. ?But they?re friends now and they sleep next to each other.?

Both Tweety and Maui are around the same age and are great companions for the Vietnam veteran, who has his own philosophy on the pet-person bond.?

?You?ve got to be open-minded and accept the pet for his eccentricities just like he has to accept yours,? he says. ?I wanted to give Tweedy a good home given his history of being bounced around. We?ve become great friends.?

Lawrence plans to take a special training class offered by the Michigan Humane Society so he can help improve the adoption potential of cats at the shelter.

?They need a volunteer to move cats out of their cages and into the bonding area,? Lawrence says. ?A lot of people are allergic to cats so they can?t do it, but I?m more than willing.?

Other than volunteering his time, the Vietnam veteran finds more ways to give to others. He regularly donates to charities whose mission is focused on pets and adoption, such as?Pets for Patriots,?the Michigan Humane Society and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

?I think they all do such a fantastic job,? he says.

In the end, Lawrence realizes that it all comes down to getting animals out of the shelters and into loving homes.

?Animals need a break, they really do. There?s so many of them that need to be adopted.?

What special qualities do you love most about your pet?

Source: http://blog.petsforpatriots.org/vietnam-veterans-best-friend-is-a-cat-not-a-canine/

tim thomas oral roberts les paul fred thompson fred thompson red hook romney tax return

Small-business borrowing rises in November

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Borrowing by small U.S. businesses rose marginally in November, indicating they were essentially on hold in terms of growing their enterprises in the face of economic and government fiscal uncertainty, a report on Wednesday showed.

The Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index, which measures the overall volume of financing to small U.S. companies, rose to 108.3 from a downwardly revised 107 in October, PayNet said.

PayNet had initially reported the October figure as 107.5.

Borrowing was up 3 percent in November from a year earlier.

PayNet founder Bill Phelan, located in Chicago, said the small rise in the monthly index and the 3 percent year-on-year gain indicated small businesses are essentially on hold when it comes to borrowing and growing their businesses.

"Small businesses are on hold until they get some better stability from policymakers and greater clarity on the direction of the economy," he said.

"Small businesses were waiting to see what is happening with Washington in November, they were waiting for more consumer activity to emerge, really watching the front door for new sales to emerge and it doesn't look like any major new influx of sales came in -- they have really been on hold," Phelan said.

Small businesses are often responsible for the bulk of new job creation after recessions. The recent recession ended in 2009, but sluggish growth has meant weak job growth, and unemployment in November registered 7.7 percent, well above the 5.5 percent to 6 percent that many economists view as normal.

PayNet's lending index typically correlates to economic growth one or two quarters in the future.

Separate PayNet data showed financial stress at near-record-low levels. Accounts overdue by 30 days rose slightly to 1.22 percent of the total from 1.21 percent the previous month. Phelan said a "normal" rate of delinquency is 1.5 percent to 1.6 percent.

Longer-term delinquency rates eased. Accounts behind 180 days or more, which are considered in default and unlikely to be paid, dipped to 0.27 percent from 0.29 percent.

Accounts behind 90 days or more, or in severe delinquency, were unchanged at 0.26 percent.

PayNet collects real-time loan information, such as originations and delinquencies, from more than 250 leading U.S. lenders.

(Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/small-business-borrowing-rises-november-101812639--sector.html

uconn ncaa march madness mario williams vcu unlv sam young ncaa bracket

Fireworks Are Even More Hypnotic In Reverse

Ringing in a new year just doesn't feel right without the cacophonous report of fireworks. But for something a little different—and maybe more inspiring—check out this spooky video of Melbourne's new years fireworks in reverse. The explosions of light collapsing on themselves look like galaxies getting sucked into black holes. [Devour] More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/eCAC6H6e9mE/fireworks-are-even-more-hypnotic-in-reverse

the borgias shroud of turin warren sapp the masters i robot the big c the visitor

Piers Morgan Threatens to Deport Self if U.S. Gun Laws Don't Change

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/12/piers-morgan-threatens-to-deport-self-if-us-gun-laws-dont-change/

Javon Belcher express kindle fire Jenny Johnson olivier martinez ny lottery Ohio Lottery

This Week's Free Small Business Webinars 12/31 ? 1/4 | Constant ...

Happy New Year!

Here?s wishing you and yours a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2013.

If you?ve made a resolution to get this year off on the right foot by learning new ways to spice up your email marketing, events, social campaigns, or local deals, we have webinars?both live and on-demand?to meet your needs!

Read on for more information about what we have in store for you this week.

LIVE WEBINAR:

Thursday, 1/3 at 2 p.m. ET (7 p.m. UK)

Getting Started with SaveLocal

Have you tried offering a local deal only to have your deal provider take 50% of your revenues while delivering only deal-seekers who come for your offer but aren?t likely to return? There is a better way!

With SaveLocal from Constant Contact, small businesses can finally get great new customers from local deals, and still make money doing it. Plus, we also help you stay in touch with those new buyers to keep them coming back time and time again.

It?s your deal, your way. You choose the discount amount, the terms, when the deal runs and how many you want to sell. The result? A great experience for your customers and more new business for you!

Learn more about all that SaveLocal has to offer in this hour-long interactive webinar. And you?ll have plenty of time to ask questions, provide feedback, share your experiences, and listen to how others are using SaveLocal to grow their business!

Join us. Register now!

ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

Can?t join us for a live webinar? We have a wide variety of recorded webinars available 24/7/365. Improve your email marketing with industry best practices, thought leadership, and tips and tricks, all on YOUR schedule!

Here?s a small sample of what we have to offer:

Getting Started with EventSpot

Help your small business or nonprofit create successful events with beautiful event marketing using EventSpot from Constant Contact. In this webinar, we?l l review event marketing best practices and take you through all of the steps: from creating your email invitation, creating your homepage and customized online registration form, promoting your event, and planning your follow-up.

Watch anytime!

How to Run Engaging Webinars

Webinars are a great way for small businesses and nonprofits to reach their target audiences without having to leave the office! The best news is?it?s easier than you think. In this webinar, we?ll show you how to choose the right topic, prepare for a successful presentation, and how to manage the information you?ve gathered about your registrants and attendees.

Watch anytime!

Getting the Most out of Your Deal Using SaveLocal

The keys to a successful deal are preparation and good customer service. This webinar teaches you how to manage your deal so that you can turn deal buyers into regular customers. We?ll show you how to use reminders during the promotion to increase sales, how to use the reporting tools to track how your deal is performing, and much more!

Watch anytime!

Want more? For a complete list of our live and recorded webinars, visit the Constant Contact Learning Center.

Source: http://blogs.constantcontact.com/fresh-insights/free-small-business-webinars-1231-14/

crystal renn matilda cab calloway melissa gilbert deadliest catch dwts sean hannity

British public in the dark over the Green Deal, says ECA

A YouGov poll commissioned by the Electrical Contractors? Association (ECA) reveals that an astounding 98 per cent of the British public say they do not fully understand the Green Deal and how it works. A staggering 62 per cent have never even heard of the scheme, despite this being the Government?s flagship energy saving initiative.

However, after explaining the Green Deal scheme*, the figures also showed that approximately 53 per cent of people would be interested in participating in the scheme that ensures energy bills that are equal to or cheaper than their current bills, with no upfront costs ? effectively what the new scheme offers. Only 16 per cent said they had no interest at all in participating in the Green Deal.

Steve Bratt, ECA Group CEO says: ?The results from this survey demand urgent action from Government and others to boost public awareness ? and interest ? in the Green Deal, which launches at the end of January, According to DECC, the Green Deal could be Britain?s biggest home improvement project since the Second World War, yet the public seem totally oblivious to it. It could be a massive opportunity for the public and the big and small businesses who want to take part. However, even when the Green Deal is outlined to them, only around half of respondents seem interested despite the prospect of lower energy bills. This suggests much more needs to be done to communicate the benefits to customers.?

Launching on 28 January, the Green Deal offers cheaper energy bills to homes and businesses by providing energy efficiency improvements, usually with no upfront spend. Work is paid for over time through the electric bill, but payments are designed to ensure that longer term cash savings should outweigh the costs.

Bratt continues: ?With continually rising energy prices, the public are crying out for ways to get their energy bills under control. The fact that they don?t understand that the Green Deal can do this is extremely worrying. This is potentially a very good initiative, but it will fail unless the public are switched on to it.?

The Green Deal is supported by an ?early adopter? incentive. The first customers to take up the scheme will receive up to ?1,000 cashback on their energy saving upgrades, further reducing loan payments. The scheme is also to be backed by a Government marketing campaign, but the ECA warns that every effort must be made to promote the scheme or it will be too little, too late.

Bratt concludes: ?The Green Deal, and those wanting to be part in it, needs proactive Government support. The extensive list of eligible energy saving and renewable energy measures can help everyone benefit from cheaper energy bills. But without proper backing, millions of people will lose out on making affordable energy savings.?

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, contact James Boley / Stuart McBride / Tricia Defty at Thinc Public Relations on 0207 801 6255 or email [email?protected] / [email?protected] / [email?protected]

About the Green Deal

? The Green Deal is an initiative from DECC to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
? The scheme provides finance for energy efficiency improvements, from insulation and double glazing, to potentially fast payback measures like LED lighting systems.
? Upfront finance for installing energy saving measures is provided by approved ?Green Deal Providers?, with homeowners steadily paying back the loan through their electric bills.
? Repayments will be no more than what a typical building should save in energy costs.

Survey information
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2045 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th-19th December 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

*Explanation provided in survey: The ?Green Deal? is a Government scheme where consumers can make energy-saving improvements to their homes and businesses. The cost of the improvements is then spread out through their regular energy bill. Because of the energy-saving from the improvements, the customer?s energy bill will then either be equal to or less than their current one.

About The Electrical Contractors? Association (ECA)
The ECA is the UK?s largest trade association representing electrical engineering and contracting companies. The electrical contracting industry employs 350,000 operatives and 6,000 apprentices. Our 3,000 members range from local electricians to national companies with several branches employing thousands. Our members carry out a range of work, from domestic heating and lighting to cutting edge temperature control technology.
Custom Release Wire

Related:

1. Cash back for Green Deal households is a winner
2. Research and Markets: The Green Deal Market Report ? July 2012
3. Green Deal misses a trick?
4. Homes and Communities Agency: Registered providers pivotal to Green Deal success
5. Utilise Government Grants To Make Homes Greener Urges green energy uk
6. British Gas announce huge profits
7. 19 million doors could meet Green Deal Golden Rule
8. Households Are Encouraged by green energy uk to Embrace the Twelve Green Days of Christmas

from your own site.

Source: http://envirolib.org/press-releases/british-public-in-the-dark-over-the-green-deal-says-eca/

honey badger critics choice awards 2012 colbert president huntingtons disease rob the firm new york philharmonic

China cracks down further on control of internet..truth bad ...

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/china-cracks-down-further-on-control-of-internet-20121228-2byeu.html

China?s new communist leaders are increasing already tight controls on internet use and electronic publishing following a spate of embarrassing online reports about official abuses.

The measures suggest China?s new leader, Xi Jinping, and others who took power in November share their predecessors? anxiety about the internet?s potential to spread opposition to one-party rule and their insistence on controlling information despite promises of more economic reforms.

?They are still very paranoid about the potentially destabilising effect of the internet,? said Willy Lam, a politics specialist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. ?They are on the point of losing a monopoly on information, but they still are very eager to control the dissemination of views.?

This week, China?s legislature took up a measure to require internet users to register their real names, a move that would curtail the web?s status as a freewheeling forum to complain, often anonymously, about corruption and official abuses. The legislature scheduled a news conference on Friday to discuss the measure, suggesting it was expected to be approved.

That comes amid reports Beijing might be disrupting use of software that allows web surfers to see sites abroad that are blocked by its extensive internet filters. At the same time, regulators have proposed rules that would bar foreign companies from distributing books, news, music and other material online in China.

Beijing promotes internet use for business and education but bans material deemed subversive or obscene and blocks access to foreign websites run by human rights and Tibet activists and some news outlets. Controls were tightened after social media played a role in protests that brought down governments in Egypt and Tunisia.

In a reminder of the web?s role as a political forum, a group of 70 prominent Chinese scholars and lawyers circulated an online petition this week appealing for free speech, independent courts and for the ruling party to encourage private enterprise.

Xi and others on the party?s ruling seven-member Standing Committee have tried to promote an image of themselves as men of the people who care about China?s poor majority. They have promised to press ahead with market-oriented reforms and to support entrepreneurs but have given no sign of support for political reform.

Communist leaders who see the internet as a source of economic growth and better-paid jobs were slow to enforce the same level of control they impose on movies, books and other media, apparently for fear of hurting fledgling entertainment, shopping and other online businesses.

Until recently, web surfers could post comments online or on microblog services without leaving their names.

That gave ordinary Chinese a unique opportunity to express themselves to a public audience in a society where newspapers, television and other media are state-controlled. The most popular microblog services say they have more than 300 million users and some users have millions of followers reading their comments.

????

pays to watch china?because?its like an elites blueprint for all of us..in many ways..there will be no anonymity on the net in china..this way when you say?something?they dont like you can be found and re-educated..

401

Like this:

Be the first to like this.

~ by seeker401 on December 31, 2012.

Posted in Asia, China, World News
Tags: internet, politics, technology

Source: http://seeker401.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/china-cracks-down-further-on-control-of-internet-truth-bad-propaganda-good/

fox news debate martin luther king jr mlk mlk school closures being human being human