Betty Daena

Photo Credit: Alfonso/Hudson Valley

Those who know me are familiar with the amazing rescue that my friend Mary and I performed together-right after witnessing a pitbull being beaten on the head with a scrub brush, while awaiting a car inspection at a garage. We moved quickly and got her to the Vet who stitched up the bloody gash. Betty went on to lead a full, happy and wonderful life, even becoming a modern medical miracle.

Betty went on to defy modern medicine with a will to live that defeated death for over six years. I could write a book about Betty, in fact, there actually has been a short story and magazine article published about her, in addition to her being mentioned in the New York Times. However, I believe this plaque I made for each one of her Vets and their assistants, sums things up quite nicely:

To Betty's handlers, Doctors and technicians,

Thank you for your extraordinary care of Betty on Sunday March 11, 2007. Although she was too sick to stay with us, we believe she’s in a better place.

Betty got sick all at once. We had a Vet tell us she's seen this many times before as she feels dogs are so loyal that they see it as their duty not to show signs of illness in front of their loved ones.

Six years ago Sunday, the day she crossed over, we had had seven vets tell us that Betty had nothing but scar tissue left for kidneys and didn't have more than a few weeks/months left. It was then that we found an herbalist protege of Juliette de Barcly Levi who immediately began treating Betty with herbs. Betty bounced-back almost instantly, and miraculously Sunday was SIX full years to the date.

Betty went with all the dignity, character, spirit and life that she gave to all who met her, and she will remain in our hearts and with us, forever. I can tell you that Betty changed my life and made me a better person, so if you ever see any good qualities in me, they probably came to be thanks to the beloved "Miracle Dog."

It wasn't her time six years ago, but only a few knew it. Sunday there was no question.

We’ve attached two articles that ran in major publications because of Betty. What a force of nature she was. Enjoy, and thank you for allowing us to share this and to be open to it. We've been crying for almost two days non-stop, and compiling this has been very healing.

Back To My Roots

This weekend, I split my time between driving to Lancaster, PA (on Saturday) to tutor my 86-year-old aunt (in high-German) on her computer that I built for her from scraps I found on the streets of NYC a few years ago.

Then on Sunday, I spent the day with my Kung Fu brothers and sisters in Chinatown, performing Lion and Dragon dances to ring in the Year Of The Pig (in Cantonese). This was such an interesting weekend, that I decided I simply had to have a blog.

Beware Of These Bank ATM Scams!

One of my friends went to Washington Mutual on Second Avenue at 8th Street a few months ago, and remembered seeing a hand-written (scribbled) note placed over one of the ATMs with an arrow pointing to the other "good" machine, stating: "Out of order, use other machine." She didn't think twice about any of this until the bank informed her the next day of several thousands of dollars that had been siphoned out of her account. One of the things she learned to look for moving forward, was any sort of indication of tampering, and sometimes they will place a reader strip over the regular magnetic strip that is visibly different, so anything that appears out of the ordinary, alert the authorities. She was able to recover all lost funds, but that's not always the case.

SCAM ALERT #1 (Compiled by University of Texas)

A team of organized criminals is installing equipment on legitimate bank ATMs in at least two regions to steal both the ATM card number and the PIN. The team sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly over weekends and evenings from equipment they install on the front of the ATM (see photos). If you see an attachment like this, do not use the ATM and report it immediately to the bank using the 800 number or phone on the front of the ATM.

The equipment used to capture your ATM card number and PIN is cleverly disguised to look like normal ATM equipment. A “skimmer” is mounted to the front of the normal ATM card slot that reads the ATM card number and transmits it to the criminals sitting in a nearby car.

At the same time, a wireless camera is disguised to look like a leaflet holder and is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.

The thieves copy the cards and use the PIN numbers to withdraw thousands from many accounts in a very short time directly from the bank ATM.

Equipment being installed on front of existing bank card slot.

The equipment as it appears installed over the normal ATM bank slot.

The PIN reading camera being installed on the ATM is housed in an innocent looking leaflet enclosure.

The camera shown installed and ready to capture PINs by looking down on the keypad as you enter your PIN.

SCAM ALERT #2 (Compiled by ordep44@ hotmail.com)

The thug jury-rigs a piece of black magnetic tape so that it becomes a booby trap for your card, and then inserts it into the card-slot, of the unsuspecting bank, rendering it virtually invisible.

You walk into the bank, don't notice anything, insert your card but it gets stuck. A nearby "Good Samaritan" suddenly appears, ready to assist. This "helpful" person convinces you that by entering your PIN at the same time you hit the "Cancel" key, your card will be released. When that doesn't work, you give up and move on.

After you have exited the ATM, the "Good Samaritan" fishes out your card, and now "owns" both your card and your PIN, you do the math; warning, the answer will be a negative number!

Joan Rivers Show Reunion

The first full-time job I had here in New York City, was offered after a 2-week temp gig as the Receptonist for The Joan Rivers Show. What put me on the map while being Joan's Receptionist, was arriving to work with a very swollen purple-and-black eye, the Monday morning of my second week. I'll never forget telling different staff members that I had been rough-housing on the floor with my 8 year-old nephew while in Lancaster County over the weekend, when I ran into a coffee table, and having each person, one after another, look at me in sheer disbelief. Then, I went to the corner deli that evening, and when I went to pay my bill, the Manager just stared at me and asked, "Who did that to you?" Again, I told him the truth of what had happened, but he just leaned toward me and said, "You know, if you tell me where he is, I will go with you, and he will be very sorry." That's when it hit me, welcome to New York City, everyone thinks I've been the victim of a terrible crime!

I enjoy keeping in touch with friends and co-workers that I've met over the years, and have fun inviting the staff of Joan Rivers out for an occasional reunion. So many of us spend as much time (if not more) at work than we do at home, that work becomes its own kind of family. Being a part of this show was magical.

So here we are, fifteen years later! We still all look exactly the same, except I have long hair. Little Suzie Pileggi is now a grown-up, OY! Linda Lipman still looks incredible, and she's still pulling down heavies every day! On this particular evening, there was a torrential down-pour, so only a few ex-staffers showed up. We missed those who weren't there. I've placed some memorabilia here for all to enjoy.

Remember when Joan won the Emmy? Well, it was Karen's and my job to pack it up and ship it to her home...Let's just say we snapped a few Kodak moments before it left the premises. Come on, you didn't think we'd let that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity pass us by, did you? And yes, I got her permission before I posted these.

Remember when Richard Poland would take Joan's photos and sign them with wacky blurbs?

And then there was the time I came back from lunch and Richard Poland had hi-jacked the Receptionist's message pad. Gosh he was a trip, wasn't he?

And then there was Sam. She was always ready for fun.

And remember Marlo and Gary? Two of the brightest and the best.

If only I could have been the kind of manager Karen was, a true star. Here's a handwritten thank-you note from her that I still have, as it meant so much.

This is the only photo I have from the yacht party we had.

Rufus Wainwright

I had the privilege of seeing this incredibly talented singer/songwriter perform a re-creation of the original Judy Garland Carnegie Hall concert. The Playbill had been fashioned to match the original Judy concert. Since my tickets were a gift, I splurged a little and purchased a t-shirt that Marc Jacobs created especially for this occasion.

Operation Road Trip Clawdia!

Photo Credit: Michelle Morris/New York City

Most of my friends are familiar with our beloved church-cat, Clawdia. Clawdia was a staple of many-a-service and sermon of the former Washington Square Church that ran out of funding and had to be sold. The church took her in as a stray kitten, over 16 years ago, and she was famous for entering the sanctuary on Sunday mornings, during worship. We were very fortunate that a member's family volunteered to adopt her, however, they were in Virginia, so of course there's a story:
Operation Road-Trip Clawdia! JULY 18, 2005

Clawdia has a new home!!! Operation Road-Trip Clawdia was a HUGE success with the spontaneous acceptance of Gladys and Bob (Michelle’s parents), offer to take Clawdia in as part of their family.

Clawdia had a pre-move physical on Thursday, and her tests for Feline Leukemia and Feline HIV came back negative. “Adventure Michelle”, “Mennonite M.E.K.”, and “Drive-By Emily” picked up Clawdia from her temporary home on Saturday and climbed into the car for a long and rainy road-trip to Roanoke, VA. Clawdia behaved like a lady in the car, and didn’t make a peep once the rubber hit the road. Eight hours later, Clawdia was curiously exploring her new room in another state.

Clawdia will be allowed some privacy until she feels like meeting the other kitties. She loves the bay window, and is already enjoying Virginia bird watching. Clawdia will have another visit to the Vet very soon, to put her on much needed thyroid medication (some of you may remember that she had thyroid surgery a few years back, but she never went on medication). According to her recent physical, the thyroid medication should fix Clawdia’s over dilated eyes, regulate her blood pressure, and allow her to finally gain some weight.

Special thanks are in order to the following members of Clawdia’s entourage: "Tap-Dancer Annie,” who despite being allergic, housed and cared for Clawdia while she waited for a permanent home. Mary Ellen, who spent many hours searching for a new home for Clawdia, made sure she made her Vet visits, and who ultimately tracked down her medical records and then tended to Clawdia’s every need during the trip to VA. Emily, who also worked to find Clawdia a home, was an excellent Road-Trip DJ, and great at peeling bananas for Michelle as she drove. Michelle was Clawdia’s official chauffeur through numerous torrential downpours, and Bill, gassed up the car, checked the oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure, washed the windshields inside and out, packed the cooler, filled the water jug, AND packed a bag of rockin’ road food. Lastly, a word of thanks to MEK’s Aunt Ruth, who provided additional bananas for the trip home, and to Clawdia’s new parents, Gladys and Bob, who will make sure Clawdia is happy and healthy for the remainder of her life.



The Clawdia Update AUGUST 10, 2005

Clawdia’s new parents, Gladys and Bob, have become very fond of Clawdia. They describe Clawdia as a “people cat” who comes to them whenever they walk into the room, purring loudly when she is picked up. Clawdia takes her thyroid medication twice a day, and seems to be feeling better.

Clawdia is still enjoying privacy in her own room with her favorite bay window; however, the process of multi-kitty harmony-living has begun. When there is parental supervision in the mornings and evenings, Clawdia’s room’s door is left open. All three other rascally young resident kitties; Pumpkin (Orange Tabby), Napoleon (Siamese two-tone) and Sequin (Pure Black) run in and out of the room, and Clawdia ventures out as well. She hasn’t quite warmed up to the other kitties, but there are no fights or aggressive moves. Sometimes Clawdia prefers to escape under the dresser when the others are creating a ruckus. She has made herself at home, and much to Michelle's dad's dismay, likes to sharpen her claws on his new armchair. They will need to work this out.

Clawdia has an upcoming Vet visit to check her thyroid again. Hopefully her rate will have come down closer to normal now that she’s been on the thyroid medication.

Michelle and Bill will be visiting Clawdia over Labor Day. Michelle’s sister Wendy and son Spenser, are also quite fond of Clawdia and will also be visiting that same weekend. Clawdia is sure to be one spoiled kitty on that visit! Puuuuurrrrrrrr…

Clawdia Crosses Over OCTOBER 23, 2005

Clawdia had adjusted very well to Virginia, and the entire family (pets and humans) all grew very fond of Clawdia. Clawdia had the gift of crossing over surrounded by care and love. She will never be forgotten.

Photo Credit: Michelle Morris/New York City

Frederick Benjamin

Everyone who knows me is aware of my love for animals. I rescued Fred from the streets of New York City, and we both never looked back. Losing Fred is not something that I'll ever get over, so to memorialize his passing, I made a little card that I laminated and gave to all of his vets and assistants. It looked like this:

To Fred's handlers, doctors and technicians,

Psalms 139:14 KJV - I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works...I believe that is the case - all of God's creatures are powerful and fragile, all at the same time.

Your heroic efforts could not save Fred but please take heart that you have touched my life deeply. My gratitude and thanks for your day-to-day routine task of saving lives has not gone unnoticed. We do not know why Fred was taken, even the best possible medical science has yet to yield a solid answer to that, but he has touched all of us, and we have all had the beauty of experiencing his bright and shining light, goodwill and innocence. May we never forget his unconditional love, and learn and grow from it. May you all be blessed for your kindness and wonderful gifts, and may you continue to use those gifts and talents for the greater-good.

Luke 12:48 NIV - ...From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.