Julia K Cole

When it comes to being thankful and being in gratitude, I learned a few things over the years.  And the one thing that really comes to mind is how judgement of anyone is so damn destructive.   And how it only serves to not only perpetuate the current problem, but creates even more problems in  it's wake.   While we each can justify why we judge someone (and ourselves), situations and events,  the fact of the matter is,  judgment takes away so much from us.  Both as individuals and as a whole.   Judgment  robs us of precious energies that we don't always notice.  Until it's too late. Judgment distracts us from the lesson(s) that are being presented to us at that given time.  Which in turn, forces us to repeat those same lessons over and over until we do finally get it!    *~*~*~* For the last couple of months I've literally drained myself of energy all over judging one person in particular.  J...

Design Basics There are many ways to build adequate shelter will all good designs sharing two qualities: strong insulation and minimal air space. The insulation is needed to trap the cats’ body heat, effectively turning the cats into little radiators. Empty air space needs to be eliminated in order to keep the amount of space that needs to be heated to a minimum. A well insulated large dog house will not work because there will be too much air space for the cats to warm. Likewise, a tight fitting space with thin, uninsulated walls won’t work either because the cat’s body heat will pass right through. Smaller Shelters Provide Warmth – Build More, Smaller Shelters With these design factors in mind, it is better to build two smaller shelters which will each hold three or four cats than one large shelter to house six to eight felines. With smaller shelters, even if only one or two cats go in, enough heat will be generated. But with the larger shelter, if only a small number of the c...

Too many cancer patients suffer in silence. They worry about survival and the many ways cancer could forever change their lives. Some have family and friends for support, but many undergo treatment far from home – separated from the loved ones who know how to comfort them best. At Giving Comfort, we've set an ambitious goal: No cancer patient should ever feel alone. That's a tall order, and we need your help. Send a message to a cancer patient in need and help fight cancer with words of comfort. Through Giving Comfort's new Wordsof Comfort campaign , your message of friendship, hope, survival, and strength will reach patients and let them know they aren't alone.   Click HERE to Send Your Message of Comfort

What A GREAT Idea!!! Every purchase you make through  Target's FEED USA  program, such as these  water bottles , helps provide meals to kids and families in need. There are many extra ways to give back this holiday season. Lots of stores have collections where at least some of the profit will go to benefit a charity. Giving a gift that gives  beyond that single occasion is a gift that just keeps giving! Click HERE for MORE Gift Ideas!!!

The Humane Society of the United States is pleased to present holiday gifts for the animal lovers in your life from The HSUS online store, within The Animal Rescue Site. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and receive $ 5 off when you make a purchase of $25 or more using the code HSUS5OFF through November. Even better, 20 percent of your purchase will go directly to animal protection programs at The HSUS! Browse some of our best sellers in apparel, jewelry, and accessories , get stylin' in our HSUS gear or shop for your pet! With our unbeatable prices, international shipping, and $4.95 standard U.S. shipping -- you're sure to find something for everyone on your list. Check it all out by clicking HERE Merry Christmas!

Super Typhoon Haiyan was one of the strongest storms ever to hit land. It blasted the Philippines with winds up to 190 mph and sent giant walls of ocean water crashing into buildings and flooding down streets. Many animals are suffering from the effects of the storm. Companion animals were separated from their families, and wildlife was injured by the chaotic winds.  That's why the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)'s Disaster Response Team is in the Philippines right now. We are working with our local partners to rescue and protect companion animals and wildlife affected by the typhoon. Animals battered by the Typhoon Haiyan's historic winds and rains desperately need medical attention and food. These helpless animals need YOU.  Click HERE To Help rescue the typhoon's  Animal Victims!

Every day you and I are being bombarded with negatives. Politics, prices, the economy, interest rates - you name it, we're hearing about it ... bad news. Supreme mental strength is required to keep your mind on a track that will lead to a positive end result.  Now is an excellent time to put your nose into a few history books. You will find the stories of men and women who have continued to win, in spite of what was happening all around them. There have always been personalities who took the economic environment as it existed in their day, and instead of letting it guide their every move, they continued with life as if it had little or no effect on their results. Successful business people have always done that and probably always will. Regardless of what the economic environment was like, some people have figured out how to overcome it. There is, as it turns out, always a way. This optimistic statement seems worth expanding on. In every era, including our own, people have ...

How Sexy Is This? A group of hunky men from all walks of life volunteered their time posing with their furry kitten friends to help their shelter in a fundraiser and bring up the awareness of shelter animals and adoption. “The Kittendales project was conceived in early 2007 when the board of directors at Hull Seaside Animal Rescue was brainstorming about how to raise money for their cat shelter. Chris Crotty, one of the founding members of the shelter decided it would be a good idea to put together a calendar of hunky men and cats.  The concept was proposed to photographer Joanne Berman, who offered to shoot the calendar at no cost. Susan Davis, a board member at the time, offered to coordinate and give freely of her time to make the calendar happen. Susan and Joanne made it their “pet” project, and in the Spring of 2007, their hunt for a few good men began! The response from the guys was overwhelming. Their willingness to donate their time, and des...

Millions of pigs live their entire lives inside gestation crates -- tiny cages about the same size as an airplane seat! This means that these pigs don't even have the room to turn around. Pigs are intelligent animals that lead active social lives when allowed. Forcing them into such confined living spaces is inhumane. Several companies such as McDonald's and Costco have announced that they will no longer use gestation crates. This is a step forward, but we need to keep fighting for a crate-free future for all pigs.   The Humane Society of the United States  needs your help - sign on with us and millions of animal lovers worldwide today and say "NO" to gestation crates for pigs. Click HERE to Sign the Petition

Sea lions are protected under the  Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 , and harassing, injuring, or killing them is subject to fines up to $10,000. Enforcement is difficult and often requires a direct witness to the crime.  You can help protect sea lions and other marine mammals from these horrific and illegal crimes – report any violations of The Marine Mammal Protection Act to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 24-hour Enforcement Hotline (1-800-853-1964). Nezzie is a juvenile male California sea lion that was rescued by the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center and transferred to The Marine Mammal Center for rehabilitation at the end of October. He was found on a beach at Coal Oil Point in Santa Barbara County, weak and emaciated.    Diagnosis...Gunshot Wound! Click HERE to Read More   Sadly, Nezzie is one of many sea lions that we have treated for gunshot wounds in recent years. Such shocking cases, push us t...

Source:   HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP)   Offers of support have been pouring in from around the nation for a formerly homeless New Jersey man whose good deed proved costly. James Brady of Hackensack was notified recently that his government benefits were being suspended after he failed to report as income the $850 he had found on a sidewalk and turned over to police. Brady, who was homeless when he found the money on a sidewalk in April after leaving a local homeless shelter, turned the cash over to police. He was allowed to keep it six months later after no one claimed it during a mandated waiting period. But the Hackensack Human Services Department denied him General Assistance and Medicaid benefits through Dec. 31 because he failed to report the cash as new income. The director of human services said the agency was just following the rules. The 59 year-old Brady is a former photographer and market data analyst who has suffered from depression since losing his job a decade ago, acc...

The Better Business Bureau is warning customers of a new utility scam. The BBB said customers are receiving calls by scammers, who tell them their payments are overdue. Scammers as customers to make those overdue payments by “green dot money pack carsd” in the next hour, or their utilities will be disconnected. Charlie Mattingly, Louisville Better Business Bureau, said those cards act as cash and are untraceable, meaning the customers lose their money. Mattingly also said the scammers sometimes ID spoof the calls, so the caller ID may say that they are calling from a local number, when they are actually out of the country. SOURCE :   WHAS

Preventable diseases like kennel cough or feline herpesvirus can stop an adoption in its tracks – not to mention being a danger to unprotected populations in the shelter. Vaccinations are costly and may reduce the number of pets that a shelter or rescue group can afford to save. Greatergood.org and Petfinder Foundation have teamed up to change that. Working with our corporate partners and supporters like you, we will vaccinate 2 million shelter animals in just two years, protecting them from common, contagious, preventable diseases. Adorable (shown here) and her brother Imp were just two puppies who received their Bordatella vaccination this year courtesy of A Shot At Life. A grant to Humane Society of Elmore County enabled the group to vaccinate two hundred puppies and dogs, including Adorable and Imp, against kennel cough earlier this year. The vaccination not only helped the puppies to stay healthy at the shelter but it also meant that they were quickly adopted. Your ...

It's a sad day for nature lovers and really the entire planet. The western black rhinoceros is officially extinct according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The last time one was seen was in 2006. The IUCN says the extinction of these magnificent beasts could've been avoided if proper conservation methods had been implemented. That wasn't the only bad news for rhinos in their report. Africa's northern white rhino and Asia's Javan rhino are fighting for survival due to poaching and a lack of conservation efforts. The report suggests managing and strengthening habitats could save the remaining rhino subspecies from extinction Click HERE to Read More Article by:  Nick Mangione

With both his new television show and research foundation, Michael J. Fox is raising visibility and shifting perceptions and prejudices around people living with disabilities and chronic illness. His breakthrough work promotes freedom for all people to have dignified choices about work, and the choice to live at home. With optimism and determination, Michael is leading important work - and  we are celebrating his hard work by personally delivering a super-sized thank you card to him on November 9th. Click HERE to sign the Thank You Card