ATTN: OHIO VOTERS VOTE YES ON ISSUE 2

Attention all Ohio voters: A very important issue is on the upcoming ballot this fall. Issue 2 will creating a Livestock care standards board. This board will consist of livestock experts and will be responsible for setting care standards for livestock in Ohio. This benefits Ohio farmers because the livestock experts on this board know the importance of livestock care and how the agricultural industry works. This will help prevent malicious organizations such as PETA and HSUS (The Humane Society of the United States-this is a completely different organization than your local non-profit shelters!) from creating their own livestock care standards. PETA and HSUS are not livestock experts and are not aware of the care that these animals need. They have ulterior motives which include trying to convert the United States to vegetarianism and earning profit! PETA, a so-called animal-rights group killed 95% of animals in its care in 2008 (read my earlier blog for more)! They really do not have animals rights in their best interest. They just use it as a cover for their profit reaping business with animal lives at the mercy of their tyranny! Anyone who knows a local farmer knows that we take great pride in raising our animals and ensure that they receive proper care. For many of us, raising livestock is a means of earning a living and we depend on these animals for our livelihood. We must take excellent care of them or we starve. Anyone who says we mistreat them doesn't know the real story! And to clear up myths about the factory farm...they just don't exist like these organizations would like you to believe. In fact, most livestock are raised on small to medium sized family farms. I urge you to read more about Issue 2 before election day and...

VOTE YES ON ISSUE 2!

Thank you!
Dairy Diva

Wrangler Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes!

Enter the Wrangler Ultimate Ride Sweepstakes for your chance to win a trip for two Leatherwood Mountains, NC! Plus, a pair of Wrangler Ultimate Riding Jeans is given away every week to a new winner! Enter by uploading a photo or video of you riding (photo or video not required for entry) to win! The Sweepstakes overall grand-prize winner will receive a four-day, three-night vacation for winner and one (1) guest at Leatherwood Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountain Resort in Ferguson, North Carolina and a $250 cash card. Vacation includes accommodation, meals, use of horses and tack. See contest rules & info.

Mourning the Loss of a Pet

My Mother-in-law sent me this email. It is very comforting if you have lost a pet. I hope you enjoy it:

This is one of the kindest things you may ever see..It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.

Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey &Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,God

Free Arby's Roastburger- Hurry- *Ended*

Print a coupon for a Free Arby's Roastbuger (when you buy a soft drink).
Enjoy!

Velveeta Shells & Cheese Review

As a member of the Kraft First Taste community, I received a coupon to try the Velveeta Shells & Cheese microwavable cups for free. I absolutely love macaroni and cheese, so I knew I would love this. It was so easy to make and it came with Velveeta's traditional cheese sauce that you squeeze on top of the cooked pasta (not the powdered kind). It only took about 3 minutes to cook the pasta in the microwave (done in the packaging so this saves on dirty dishes). Then, you just squeeze on the sauce, stir, and enjoy. This was very flavorful and so creamy. I had one cup and gave one of my free cups to my hubby. He really like it too. This was a good choice for him, because he isn't a fan of the powdered cheese kind because it can be "gritty." This would be an excellent choice for children's lunches as it is the perfect size for them, or it would be great to take to work for a quick meal. I highly suggest you try it! Check out the Kraft First Taste community to become a member yourself.

Freebies

-Get a coupon for a free Yoplait Whips yogurt from Betty Crocker

-Coupon for a free 6-pack of Biscuit holes at Hardees when you buy a breakfast combo

-Free sample packets of Emeril Lagasse's Original Essence spice mix

-Free Baja Fish Taco at Long John Silvers on July 14th from opening to 2:30p.m.

-Carefree panty liner sample and Stayfree pad sample

We Could All Learn More From Dogs!

My friend Jenn sent me this email and it just touched my heart. We could all learn something from our four-legged companions. I have been blessed with some very special canines in my life. One of the most memorable is my beloved Champ, who passed away from cancer this past January. I still can feel the pain from this loss. He was a faithful companion that I found along side the road. He was a faithful protector and loving companion. He was always happy to see me and willing to give love, even when he wasn't feeling well. Rest in Peace Champ- I miss you!

Please enjoy this writing:

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''Live simply.Love generously.Care deeply.Speak kindly.Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.Take naps.Stretch before rising.Run, romp, and play daily.Thrive on attention and let people touch you.Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.Be loyal.Never pretend to be something you're not.If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it..When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!