"My toughest fight was with my first wife." - Muhammad Ali

I got an email invitation to join the Banner Health Alzheimer’s Research Initiative.
I don’t remember signing up for that.

Can you explain the connection between Martin Luther King’s birthday observance and the shootings in Tucson? I’m not seeing it, but apparently a lot of other people do because the press has been drawing those comparisons all weekend.

It's a theological issue: animals are not persons. That extends to pets. The things which distinguish persons - intellect, emotions and will - are not present in animals. Many pet owners think they see those faculties in their beloved Rover, but it's what we call anthropomorphism. Your dog is not smart, does not feel shame or decide to do anything. Dogs, cats, mice and armadillos are driven by instinct, which can sometimes look very much like human responses.

God is a Person, and when he made man in his image he gave to us, alone, intellect, emotions and will as he possesses.

I remember a dog food ad several years ago that appeared in many magazines. The full page spread had a headline that read, "You think your dog is a human. He thinks you're a dog." The text of the article went on to explain our pets see us as their pack leader and respond to us accordingly. (Have you ever watched Dog Whisperer on the Animal Channel? He trains some outrageous dogs using that premise.)

This combination of intellect, emotions and will manifests itself in many interesting ways, including creating art, keeping history and self-awareness. So as I sit here typing this I'm not surprised to see a drowsy Jack suddenly whip his head around and stare at his butt. "What was that??!"
What does surprise me is that his farts are so LOUD. I don't remember ever hearing our dog's farts before.

Why don't we get cool commercials like this in the U.S.?

80 degrees tomorrow. This morning I went for a short run and then a bike ride this afternoon. Two-a-days are enjoyable in this weather.

Look what's on the list of cars to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson:
Ours was all white and didn't have wire wheels. But it was a 2-door hardtop like this. I probably shouldn't buy this one, huh?
BUT I WANT IT. (whine, whine)