A couple of weekends ago we had a delightful visit from John Woestendiek, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter from the Baltimore Sun. John is currently on leave from the newspaper for a few months as a Visiting Professor of Journalism at the University of Montana for the fall semester. And although he's not officially "reporting" for the paper, he is keeping up with one of his favorite activities -- doing a blog about animals for the Baltimore Sun called "Mutts."
As John says on his blog, "If we have a philosophy, it is this: All animals benefit us, and dogs in particular make us better people; they have for thousands of years --- unconditionally, unwaveringly."
This week on his blog, John is doing a daily story about the ranch and the animals he met during his visit. His posts started on Monday and will run until Sunday. The screenshot above is from his post today, and you'll recognize our wobbly Allie in that photo!
John also produced a fascinating video called "Hey Mister, What Kind of Dog Is That?" about the ancestry of his own "mutt," Ace. John has created DVDs of it and kindly arranged with a local video store in Missoula, Crystal Video, to rent it out, with the proceeds benefiting the animals at the sanctuary. You can also watch the video on his blog.
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Alayne left today for Santa Monica, California, to attend the International Fund for Animal Welfare's reception and presentation of their 2007 Animal Action Awards. We are one of six recipients in the U.S. selected for the award this year. The event will be held tomorrow evening. Read IFAW's news release on the awards here. The independent TV show "Animal Rescue" -- sponsored by IFAW -- will feature the award recipients during this week's program. You can see a listing of the TV stations that air this show here. To find out when the program runs, you'll have to check your local listings.
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Yesterday on our blog I answered a reader's question about how many animals sleep in the house. Today, Gayle posted a comment asking why blind Widget wasn't one of them. Good question! Because ... because Widget is a nocturnal "Party Beagle," as someone recently described her. She sleeps all day and wants to party all night. That means a lot of woo-woo-wooing at all hours and banging on the bedroom door with her paws at 3 a.m. So Miss Widget is a Cottage Girl.
Dear Alayne and John:
It was a pleasure to mmet Alayne in Santa Monica , I hope you had fun ! I just want to send a BIG thanks for all that ur doing @ the ranch. Your animalas are brautiful and extremly LUCKY to have you. i hope that someday (when I get a little older) I can pay you a visit and maybe help you in the ranch for few days! Good luck with eveything!
Marcelo Hoynowski , NJ
www.mypointis.net
Posted by: Marcelo Hoynowski | October 13, 2007 at 08:26 AM
It thrills me to no end all the much deserved publicity RDR has received in 2007!! The more others are aware of the work at the ranch the more donations…..which means more resources for the RDR residents now and in the future. Steve and Alayne I love what you two have done and are doing!!!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | October 05, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Congratulations, Alayne & Steve --you've earned this award.
Posted by: Linda Metzger | October 04, 2007 at 12:56 PM
Great blog, John!
My warmest congratulations to Steve & Alayne, too, on being recipients of an Animal Action Award (a highly deserved one, of course). I'm sure Alayne is enjoying the milder Southern California climate!:-)
Posted by: Carla Polastro-Nigro | October 04, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Allie has always been one of our favorite rescues, she has such heart & determination!
Also congrats on the award, you deserve all the recognition you receive and then some!
Posted by: Sasha | October 04, 2007 at 08:30 AM
I'm adding John's website to my morning tea and pc time. Very cool! Can't wait to see what all this generates for RDR.
Safe travels to Alayne. She is going to enjoy Santa Monica; I'm less than 100 miles up the coast and the weather has been great. Good luck tomorrow night! You're winners no matter what the outcome of the awards ceremony is.
Great reader questions. I love that you post the answers; it gives me something more to smile about.
Posted by: Boundforglory | October 04, 2007 at 08:09 AM
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=222061
Good morning! Per your blog, I wanted to thank you for mentioning IFAW, as well as provide the link highligting the 2007 Animal Action Awards -- hope this helps!
Thanks!
Posted by: Brandon Frazier | October 04, 2007 at 08:04 AM
Congratulations! What an honor to be nominated! Good luck with Oscar while his mommy is away!
Posted by: Mary Young | October 04, 2007 at 07:27 AM
Well, Well !!!!!What is this? Another well deserved spot of recognition for RDR and from a Pulitzer prize winner , no less. Impressive !!! Good luck at the IFAW awards , NO ONE is MORE deserving than you and Alyane!!!!! I would imagine there are hundreds, no thousands, from here to there, with their fingers and toes crossed and wishing and hoping you recieve the award. Good luck and bless you. Until next time.........
Posted by: Judy and Joe Taylor | October 04, 2007 at 07:21 AM
My condolences to the minions for their leader being in California! he he he. I love reading your blogs, and hearing about the animal antics!! Thanks so much! Luzie
Posted by: Luzie | October 04, 2007 at 04:56 AM
That's an absolutely beautiful pic of Cash on John W's blog on the Baltimore Sun page. Definitely framable for any horse lover!
Posted by: Susie from LA | October 03, 2007 at 09:49 PM