Pretty Kitty in a Foreign City

I just was reading about Konchog's newest feline addition. I LOVE happy endings to pet rescue stories!!!

I hope Nita enjoys her Mongolian Monk Abode. Sounds like Mooj is loving the sibling role! (Sarah - we should play chase sometime!)

There were a pair of famous cats that rolled into town last week... perhaps you recognize this story:

PHOENIX - A New York couple who wanted to spare their cats a trip in an airliner cargo hold during a cross-country move completed a 2,500-mile cab ride to northern Arizona on Monday.
Neither Bob nor Betty Matas had any regrets about making the move to the region known for its beautiful red rock landscapes in such an unconventional fashion. But Bob Matas said he has no desire to take another road trip any time soon.

"It was pretty tiring, for my wife especially. ... We're happy where we are. We're happy and that's it," Bob Matas told The Associated Press

The Matases, who are retiring in Arizona, met cab driver Douglas Guldeniz when they hailed his taxi in Manhattan after a shopping trip three months ago and jokingly invited him to come along on their upcoming move.

As the three talked over the ensuing weeks, the gag became reality. The Matas, their two cats — Pretty Face and Cleopatra — and Guldeniz left the couple's Queens neighborhood April 10. They arrived Monday in Sedona, about 90 miles north of Phoenix.

"It's quite thrilling to be in the place we want to live and retire, said Bob Matas, 72, a former audio and video engineer for advertising agencies. "There's beautiful red mountains and weather and friendly people."

Guldeniz drove his canary-colored Ford SUV cab about 10 hours a day for a $3,000 flat rate plus gas, meals and lodging. The SUV is a hybrid-electric vehicle, which helped lessen the cost of fuel.

Matas said he was "flabbergasted" by the attention surrounding the couple's trip. Passers-by recognized them when they saw the New York cab, he said.
"Every state that we hit, people would say 'Are you the ones?' and we would say 'Yes, we are the ones,' " Matas said.

The Sedona mayor welcomed the couple at a noontime ceremony Monday, presenting them with a bag of Sedona souvenirs. Their real estate agent presented them with the keys to their new home.

Well I'm sure that Sedona will be a PURRRFECT match for these cool cats!!

Love ya'll like a cabbie love the words "keep the change!"

Love,

Joy Beagle

Calling All Pet Activists

Alright gang... I am barking up a storm today to see if we can't each help shape the future of animals like ME!

I was pulled from the muck and madness of New Orleans by the kind folks at Best Friends... they sent me to the compassionate and loving care of Tara's Babies in Arizona... and there I moved from what was called a dog "who had given up hope and was shutting down" to the energetic, loving, mutt-blogging bundle of "Joy" I am today.

Now I can repay their kindness by asking as many of you as are willing to donate $1 (or more) and pass the word on. Tara's Babies now offers hope to animals scheduled to be euthanized. They are securing the land that will provide a second (and sometimes last) chance for many animals, and a place where life-loving people who support them are willing to help.

I'm no Sally Struthers, but I am emploring you all to open your heart and give a donation - or find a group to collect with and turn it into a personal mission to save a life! Time is of the essence - It reminds me of the story of a starfish that Chris learned from his Dad.

Please help today. Click here for details and PLEASE scroll down to the Donate button. And then invite a friend or two to partner in your life-saving efforts!

Love ya'll like a starfish splashing back into the ocean!

Joy Beagle

Lounging Around...

... with Sarah the Hound!!

Balancing the Effect

Hello Everybody.

All of us live in a different world today than yesterday. The onward movement of time means that as each second, minute, hour passes... something is gone forever.

I was very saddened by the events on the campus of Virginia Tech. I like to think that there is good in the world, and at moments like that event - we are hard pressed to find joy on this earth. 26 minutes ago as I type this... the 22nd anniversary of the Prayer Vigil in Poolesville Maryland began (midnight 4/18/2007.) Since 1985 there has been someone praying for peace at all times and in 1999 on October 31st... that effort has been mirrored in Sedona, Arizona.

I just wanted to offer some small comfort in the face of this horrific tragedy. To know that the best part of the human spirit is the compassion it shows in the shadow of the worst of human actions. This dog thanks her lucky stars for those moments of compassion.

Here is a gift offered to us on anniversary of the prayer vigil...

Enjoy: PRAYER WITHOUT CEASING

Love ya'll like the peace of knowing someone is praying for us all... right now.

-Joy Beagle