Such dogs have been the focus for a recent Girl Scout Troop, Troop 14252 in Cypress. 

Girl Scout Troop 14252

The girls, working on the Bronze Award for Girl Scouts, have been working to raise awareness for the US Military K-9 Fund.  This organization sends care packages to the military working dogs deployed with our soldiers. Like their handlers, they need extra goodies from home.   The boxes include items such as special socks and boots to keep the animals’ feet protected from the 160 degree summer Afghanistan sands, doggles, dog goggles, special grooming items and treats.

In addition to raising awareness about the plight of the dogs serving the U.S., the girls also made dog beds for the US Military K-9 Fund to sell at craft shows.  The monies the organization raises are used to ship packages to the dogs.

So far, the girls have raised enough awareness in their neighborhood to get about 12 boxes of supplies sent overseas. 

If you are interested in buying a box of supplies for the dogs, email julesmontgo@gmail.com.

Related Articles

• “A War Dog Helped Catch Osama Bin Laden” and related posts (blogs.villagevoice.com)
• Navy SEAL Hero Dog Is Top Secret (baxterspetsittingblog.wordpress.com)
• Another Unknown Bin Laden Raid Tidbit – The SEALs K9 Partner (inquisitr.com)

War Dogs: The Unsung Heroes

Boxes may be purchased directly from the US Military K-9 Fund.  The organization gathers the items, packs and ships the items.

US Military K-9 Fund
Helping US military dogs and their handlers.

 You can help the dogs overseas by buying a box of items needed for the dogs.  Boxes include the following types of items (depending on season, etc.):

• Cooling vests and mats to keep the dogs cooler
• Doggles to keep sand out of the dogs eyes
• Boots to help the dogs negotiate hot sand
• Dental care including toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Shampoo, clippers, brushes for grooming
• Eye wash, wipes for feet, salve for feet, Q-Tips
• Toys and treats

Over 600 dogs actively serve in our military.

Our troop’s goal is to send boxes to 20 dogs!

Package Options:

Checks to:
US Military K-9 Fund
Return order form to your Girl Scout or mail to leader:
14006 Ashland Landing
Cypress, TX 77429
julesmontgo@gmail.com for questions about Scouts
wardogfund@hotmail.com
http://usmilitaryk-9fund.com/Home.php
A Chapter of the US Wars Dogs Association, Inc.

Photo by ladybugbkt via Creative Commons/Flickr

Today, I’m writing out of embarrassment.  Embarrassment for all Americans that we put on the biggest sporting event of the year and it seems that every two out of five years some hugely paid superstar butchers the words to our national anthem.

Please teach your kids the words.  If you don’t know them, here is a link to a lovely YouTube of it with lyrics.  We’re Americans and the LEAST we can do for our soldiers is to learn the dang words that explain the beauty of our birth.

Can we initiate some kind of screening process for the future on this topic?  I’m happy to make the people audition for me….

My oldest daughter, Thing 1 (MM),  is Oompa Loompa #29 (as listed in alphabetical order) in this amazing production brought to us by Houston Family Arts Center.

This family musical is this fun, lively show based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story of the world-famous candy man, Willy Wonka, and his quest to find an heir.  Young, good-natured Charlie wins one of five golden tickets hidden amongst thousands of Wonka chocolate bars. What have Charlie and the other four kids won? A tour through Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, led by the eccentric Wonka himself. The factory itself is like a fantasy world: crazy color schemes, wild inventions, secret rooms, busy Oompa Loompas, and lots and lots of delectable sweets. But Wonka has a hidden agenda, and during the tour he tests each child’s character and honesty.

Directed by:  Joshua Clark

Performances at the Berry Center:

Friday, March 4, 8pm
Saturday, March 5, 3pm
Friday, March 11, 8pm
Saturday, March 12, 3pm
Sunday, March 13, 3pm
Friday, March 18, 8pm
Saturday, March 19, 3pm
Sunday, March 20, 3pm

We are inviting friends and family to attend with us Sunday, March 13 at 3pm, but you may purchase tickets to any show.  I can get you cast pricing for $12/seat until February 10.  Just email me the following:

1.  Your name
2.  Email
3.  Phone
4.  Show dates and number of tickets.

You will be slotted for best available tickets.  This theater holds 450 seats and there are really no bad seats. However, seats are selling fast and shows are expected to sell out!!

Send check to:
14006 Ashland Landing
Cypress, TX 77429

Questions? julesmontgo@gmail.com , 713-443-9692

You’re not alone.

Cheers to my mother-in-law, Judy.  Knowing I am passionate about the whole “kids on the Internet” topic, earlier this week she brought me a list of web sites that help translate tween/teen texting and email slang.  Although not the prettiest site, this one was the most functional.

Internet Slang Dictionary (www.noslang.com)  Included in this site are the following:

• Internet Slang Translator-  If you see something in a kid’s email or text that you don’t understand, type it in here and it translates it for you!
• Internet Slang Dictionary-  This is an alphabetical listing of all phrases/terms they use (it’s the reverse of above).
• NoSlang.com’s Netspeak Guide-  Awesome reads here. 
• Add Slang-  Found a new one? Add it to help others!

Bookmark this page.  You’re going to need it:)

Can you translate the title of this?

“Mom, I swear it was in my back pocket when I left Sierra’s house,” she says.  Sierra’s house is about 100 yards away.  Isn’t this why we discussed carrying a purse or backpack?

So she made it about 60 days.  Luckily, we have insurance on the phone.  That’s the best move I made.

Contract (see previous post) says phone will not be replace for a minimum of 90 days.  That falls right in line with her birthday. 

So things brings up the question, “Who is really suffering here? ”

Is it her?

• She goes to school each day.
• She hangs out with friends.
• She has a lighter backpack.
• She’s not worried about WHERE the phone is.
• She doesn’t have mom texting her all of the time.

Or is it ME?

• I have to actually CALL her when she’s somewhere.
• Texting is gone.
• I “get” to go through the administrivia of getting a new phone for her.

Clearly I am the one suffering.  Will I get her one?  Yes.  I still love her having it.  This is why we got the $29 phone in the first place:)

Thing 1 at my house is really doing well with her cell phone.  She’s living the spirit of our signed contract and has kept track of it all summer.   We’re working on keeping it charged.

There is a LOT of texting going on, as you all hear about.  I thought this quote from Raising an American Girl was appropriate for today:

“Text messages can keep your daugter close to you and to friends.  But texting can also do damage in the time it takes to hit ‘send’.”

So remember, it’s the family’s phone.  If your child isn’t comfortable having you review text messages from time to time, then perhaps she shouldn’t have the phone.

That’s my 5 cents!

Jules

I told you last week that I’d gotten my daughter a Togetherville account.  I’ve invited several of you to join her, but haven’t gotten responses, so I’ve had limited opportunity to review yet, but here are a few items.

1.  Safe:  Yes, this site locks down everything.  Kids cannot add friends or really even make a posting that is “free typed” without your approval.

2.  Intuitive:  Not yet for me.  Probalby because I’m used to being “wide open.”  It takes a little getting used to.  I wish it acted a bit more like Facebook (without violating any copyrights, of course).

3.  Fun:  My daughter has spent time there in a safe environment and is SLOWLY learning about social networking.  So it’s good.

4.  Cost:  It is free to join.  You earn something called T-Bills and they are like “points” for playing and buying gifts, etc.  I bought 1700 points for $10 today, so I’m not sure how long they’ll last.

Looks like a fun start.  Join and let your child FRIEND Morgan.  Let’s figure it out “together” 

So far, so fun.

Julie

These people have created a child-proof spot for kids to participate in social networking. Only mom and dad can add friends, etc.

I’ve just enrolled Thing 1 and we’ll see how it goes. If you’d like you or your child to be a friend of my Thing 1 on there, create a free account at www.togetherville.com and we’ll see how it works out.

Stay tuned for a report!

1. It’s my phone (and Daddy’s phone), too.  She gets to use it as a privilege.  We are able to look at it and read texts and see call history at any time.

2. The phone is a privilege.  If she can’t keep her grades up or doesn’t do her chores, the phone gets put on the bench.

3. The phone doesn’t go to school.  Yet.  I’m sure this will change in middle school.

4. Tracking.  If she can’t take care of it or keep track of it, we’ll get rid of it.

5. Etiquette.  It must be learned.  If not followed, the phone gets a time out.

• Learn how to speak properly and respectfully on the phone.
• No walking and texting.  People don’t want you tripping over them at the store.
• No phone use at the dining table.
• Learn how and when it is appropriate to use the “silence” mode.

6. Time restrictions.  There is no reason in the world to be at home and to be calling anybody (except parents) after 10pm.  Phone gets burned if we find this one is violated.

7.  Live within our means.  Since the plan has unlimited texting, I’m not really worried about her going over plan.  All the kids really want to do is text.  But, she will need to review the bill with me and make sure we are staying within our plan for this privilege.

8.  Ready to go!  You must have it with you (charged and on) when you leave the house for just about any reason.  (From my friend, Kevin!)

9.   Answer me.  When you don’t answer my (or dad’s) call, it gets whacked. (Also from my friend, Kevin!)

It’s pretty simple.  She’s been great with it for the first week.  I’m proud of her .  She texts with her cousins and family a lot.  It’s actually increased communications within the family.

Good luck and please let me know what you think!  Am I missing anything here?