For the third time, I attended the Jesse Bethel High School’s annual Mental Health Fair with colleagues from LGBTQ Minus Tobacco during lunch. We were well received by the students and staff. We were there with many excellent local programs set on making this city better. The kids seemed eager to learn about the harms of tobacco-related illnesses and cessation services.
I was very frustrated by these bumpers with the amazing Quinta Brunson from a recent Saturday Night Live episode. Then I received an email touting “Black excellence” with this third picture, which reminded me of an opinion letter I wrote back in 1996. I was still a law student and made sure to write articles about the tobacco industry for my law school newspaper regularly, but The National Jurist is a nationwide periodical that still exists today.
I include the picture I complained about on the cover. They published my complaint in a subsequent issue. Nothing has changed in thirty years! While I would have worded it differently, the targeting of the Black community, women, queers and other marginalized community by commercial tobacco is unending.
For anyone who thinks that my efforts to fight Big Tobacco stem from a more recent passion, this should be evidence that I have been consistent about it for decades.
So there’s an update on the foster situation at our household. The puppies were a full-time job and full of love, but I could not work and take care of my own two dogs with everything they required. Shea worked very hard to keep up with their laundry needs, but we have too much going on for a young puppy schedule. They are back at the shelter, but other Board members and staff and I are working on better ways to get the puppies outdoor time that does not put them at any risk for Parvo while they await a second vaccination. The other good news is that someone is fostering their two brothers. I got to see them today, and they seemed to remember me. They are just as joyous as ever. If anyone has the time to foster ANY animals at the shelter, remember that HSNB will pay their medical bills, provide food and supplies, and there is no obligation if the animals don’t ultimately fit with your schedule or family.
Since I was at the shelter giving a tour to a prospective new board member of HSNB today anyway, I inquired about fostering any adult small dog that was not thriving. After a little time together, I brought home this little shy girl, Penny, who is super fond of Jake. I thought she looked uncannily like my Snoopy, at least until they were standing next to each other. She is opening up at her own pace, but was extremely nervous, kennelled with the other dogs at the shelter. I think she’ll do much better in a home situation again since she was surrendered. To my pleasant surprise, she jumped up on my lap within minutes of arriving at the house and stayed in place for at least a half hour. Hopefully Jake will come visit her soon, which I’m sure will thrill her as she adjusts.
At the JFK Library here in Vallejo, when meeting fellow activists on commercial tobacco control issues, I saw a couple of signs I couldn’t resist taking selfies with. I’ve been to meetings at this room before, but never quite captured the appropriate signage. They must have known I was moving here when they named this years ago.
We made it through the first night with our fosters. Here are more pictures and video of Bryce (brown) and Clark (gray) enjoying the lovely weather. Their two brothers, who remain in the shelter, are Denali and Bryce. The naming convention comes from national parks!
Our fabulous Mayor Andrea Sorce got a tour of the shelter today and could not resist this kitten, which we both had the privilege to hold. There were a lot of gorgeous cats looking for homes in this area. I know everyone only sees me with dogs, but I grew up and have often had cats in my life, even if I don’t currently. My volunteering at the shelter is to work for all of these animals, so it’s great that our city and mayor are such softies for our animal companions who cannot speak for themselves!
I’m fostering two of these four puppies. One of them needs medications for his injured eye and I asked to take the skinniest of them all (sometimes known as the “runt”). I wish we had other foster parents who might consider taking the two healthier puppies and/or interested parties who wish to foster to adopt all of them eventually. These dogs are not old enough to mingle with other dogs because they still await a second Parvo shot. It is important that they get some fresh air and exercise, which is much harder to do within the shelter, given all of the competing priorities.
The plan is to foster two of the four puppies that were recently brought to the HSNB shelter for a few months before we go on vacation and get ready for the big move back to the house under renovation. At that point they will be old enough to get their most important shots and can mingle with other dogs. Usually, I try to foster more special behavioral or physical needs dogs. The alternative for these guys would sadly be staying inside for the next few months without much exercise. This is not ideal for growing puppies, obviously.
I hope people remember that fostering is an option for cats and dogs to improve these animals’ lives and also assist local shelters from exhausting finite resources like we have at HSNB.
This teacher in Oakley on the left, adopted these two littermates. She’s here with her friend, Erin. Shea and I had the pleasure of fostering these two brother chihuahua mixes for four months.
I know they will be well-loved, and we are so thrilled that they are being adopted together! That was part of the challenge, but this woman has a great yard and patio for them to enjoy as their new home. I know they will be great company for her and continue to be company for each other the rest of their lives!
We stopped by Glen Cove Waterfront Park last full day with Calvin and Hobbes to have some beach time with Snoopy and Bonnie. It was a gorgeous day, and I’m glad they got to feel the sand in their toes!
I took a picture of this ship passing by because I c
