Pssst. There's a ...

... hamster up there.

HellOOOOOOOOO! I said there's a hamster up there!

So many dogs, so little hamster.

Mr. Woo got a crappy seat for hamster viewing.

But you know what they say.

doG helps those who help themselves.

Mr. Woo is not ashamed of his love for MC Hamster. He just looks that way.

hamster:

ZOMG!
*brain explodes*

Hamster TV was the best and worst thing I have ever done. Hammy keeps the dogs busy for long stretches ... however, they stand on my end table to get a better look at him. And the constant low *keening* noise that eminates from Wootie makes watching movies difficult.

What's funniest about the Hammy addition is that Piper thinks about him all. day. long. I know this because the very first thing she does when we come home from work, or the park, or wherever, is sprint into the living room and check on the cage. Hammy? Check! Phew.

*sings*
Oh my Hammy! Why don't you fall for me?
Right into my open mouth, not the mouth to the left of meeeeee!
*bows*
-----------------------

So do you want to know what makes you guys FANTASTIC?

$725.00

That's how much money you all have raised for Finn's trip to Nicaragua! You generous folks have not only covered her travel costs, but you have made a nice little contribution to the Casa Lupita "we need all kinds of shit real bad" fund.

Finn has a big smoocherooni for you all. It might have been a little something like when Woo makes out with my coworker, Mr. Pickles:


But it turned out to be more of a written thing.

Hey Everyone,

When I first decided I would seek sponsorship for this trip I wrote this big cheesebag letter, sent it to Sheena and asked her to look it over for me. Sheena took one look at it, declared it crap without actually broaching the subject and said she had amazing blog people and could do better.

I’ve known this woman for years. She’s always been right. She was again.

I’m used to being a smart ass, to naming dogs who have had one eye gouged out “One Eye” or “Ticky”. Tactlessness is sort of my stock in trade. And for the first time in forever I am completely out of smart-assiness and devoid of cynicism. To quote my original email to Sheena after she put the blog up “Holy. F*ckballs. These people are amazing”.

And you are. I don’t even know how to say thank you to everyone. Thank you. All. So very, very, very, very much. You rule.

Thank you for caring about these Portia, Raul, The Potato, Freda, Sherman, Lobo, et al. Thank you for your faith in me. I will work my ass off, blog me little fingers to the bone, take a million pictures, will not puke in the garbage can under the surgery table, will try to pawn dogs off on tourists and probably fall on my face a million times. I take all y’all - and your enormous generosity - with me. And I’ll do you proud. Or die trying.

The extra money will go to Casa Lupita to care for the clinic dogs and to help prevent further generations from being born on the street. God knows they need it, god knows it will be put to good use.

This is probably the most earnest thing I’ve ever put on a blog but that’s how dumbstruck I am. Thank you.

With enormous amounts of gratitude and respect and a lot less swearing than I usually use,

Finn

PS - Even before I leave, I am resurrecting the Sarna Dog Chronicles. I owe everyone a eulogy for The Potato, an update on some of our alumni, introductions to the new sarna monsters, and the usual Finnegan-Dowling-is-an-idiot non animal daily life vignettes. And trust me, I only get more idiotic in my native country.

And she asks that if you still want to help, please send money directly to Casa Lupita. They can always use the money.


*sniffles*
I love you guys!


And hey, if you are looking for and having trouble finding a good K9 photographer in your area (unless your area is my area, in which case you'll make me cry) you should definitely check out MACROMUTT.COM, a super cool new directory for dog photographers across North America.