HSN Gives Back

Because I have mentioned my love for animals in numerous blog posts, Kenneth Strickland, an HSN employee and pilot extraordinaire, wanted to let me know that the folks at HSN share my passion for our four-legged friends and for giving back.

"HSN gives us two community service days a year that we can use on behalf of any non-profit. I volunteer as a pilot for a group called 'Pilots N Paws' (PNP). Basically, what happens is that rescue groups find shelter dogs in jeopardy of being euthanized and arranges for them to be transported to a foster family. For longer trips, they put out requests with PNP for pilots to carry the dogs with them in their aircraft.

"I volunteered to pick up a border collie in Valdosta, GA. She was going to be put down because she has heart worms, but a BC rescue group in Tampa Bay offered to take her in, get her treated, and put her up for adoption (they have a very high success rate). HSN allowed me to use one of my community service days to fly up there and pick her up. She slept the entire way back (2-hours) in a crate that was in the back cargo hold of my plane.

"The dog is an absolute sweetheart and didn't mind the flight at all. I got word from the foster parent that she's running around and playing with her foster brothers/sisters right now. Pretty awesome experience - one of the nice things about working for HSN."

It's good to know that the little doggie is doing well and that HSN is generous enough to let their employees take time to give back to the community. Go HSN! Go Kenneth!

And ladies--before you ask--Kenneth, the super dog-rescuing, home-shopping-insider pilot is taken. Sorry.

Lucy!

Here is a picture of Lucy, the old doggie that we're trying to help. I'm just going to re-post my comment from the original post about the dog updating everyone on how she's doing.

Thank you for all the encouraging comments and emails. I truly appreciate all your support. It means a lot.

Lucy is doing well. She was sooo skittish at first, but quickly came around when she realized that she was getting all kinds of love and attention.

She is quite enamored of her water bowl since she's been living in a house with no utilities or water for over three months.

We were also able to take her for a walk, which she loved! She didn't have a collar so we had to wrap the leash around her neck. I'll be stopping by the store to pick up a collar today. (NOTE: Since writing this I have gotten her a very cute pink and purple polka dot collar!)

As to my other animals (we have 2 old cats and a dog) ... that's the big question. The dogs got along great outside. However, my dog was not amused with Lucy being inside the house--understandably so. They would get along for a few minutes and then decide that they were going to have a smack down. And we discovered that Lucy likes to chase cats.

All in all I thought she did great, but obviously there will be challenges. Her original owner would like to have her back eventually. I don't know about that. She's not abusive, but she just isn't stable enough to handle a dog.

I'm just taking this one day at a time.

Again ... thank you so much!!!

Dog Days

I will probably be out of commission today. I am in the midst of trying to rescue a dog that someone abandoned (long story that makes me angry just to think about).

She's old and scared and I'm trying to set her up in my garage with an old mattress and her blanket. I wouldn't normally put a dog in the garage, but I have to keep her separated from my other animals for a while for obvious reasons.

I feel so bad for her. At this point it's me or the pound, which will put her down since she's not highly adoptable. Poor thing.

Colleen and Muffy

Just because I love dogs, I thought I'd post these cute pictures of Colleen Lopez and her little doggie, Muffy.

Doncha love how Muffy is rockin' the bling-bling.

Colleen did mention in her blog that Paula Abdual is working on some jewelry for our little four-legged friends. Can't wait to watch those presentations! Paula tends to trip over her Chihuahuas and fall into walls. Poor Paula.

Louis Dell'Olio's New Fashion Statement

Louis Dell'Olio has a brand new fashion accessory--a cast on his arm!

Did he have a tragic accident in the design room involving a bobbin and a zipper? Perhaps he got into a bar room brawl with Pam McCoy over a leather jacket?

Unfortunately, the reality is quite sad.

According to Louis Dell'Olio's QVC blog, after learning that his 3-year-old Scottie, Ellie, had Lymphoma, a treatable cancer of the lymph nodes, shortly before Christmas, he started chemo treatments right away.

"On Christmas Eve morning [8am], Jac and I were going to take Ellie for her 2nd treatment. I took the trash out to the bin and was coming back into the house through the rear kitchen door, when I slipped on the ice and fell! YES, I heard a crack! I broke my left shoulder! Am I glad 08 is over! Ellie has now had 5 chemo treatments and her cancer is in remission, we and her vet are thrilled....Hurray! I am in a sling, but healing well. The next time you see me on the Q, I'll still be wearing the sling....but I'm fine....thank goodness it was my left shoulder....so I can still sketch."

Thoughts and prayers to both Ellie and Louis.

In Memory of Murphy the QVC Dog

Dan Hugh's dog, Murphy, recently passed away from cancer.

My heart goes out to Dan and his family. Losing a beloved pet is never easy. In honor of Murphy, please take a moment to click the link below. You don't have to donate any money, simply by clicking on the "Click to Give" button on The Animal Rescue Site, money is donated by sponsors.

Here's a cute video of Dan Hughes that includes a funny little cameo form Murphy at about the 45-second mark:

Tori's Sad News

Tori Spelling's little Pug, Mimi LaRue, 11, has died of natural causes.

This comes right after the birth of Tori's daughter and receiving the great news that the season premiere of "Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" was the highest rated and most watched season debut of an Oxygen original series ever. Mimi LaRue can be seen in many episodes.

Joan Promises to Offend!

"Whatever I do, I promise it will be outrageous and offend people," about the Just for Laughs gala she is hosting tonight.

Think what you will about Joan Rivers, but girlfriend has stood the test of time in a tough, male-dominated field. She is 75-years-old and is still one of the top comediennes out there. How many other female comedians have had any longevity? I can think of a handful--Kathy Griffin, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O'Donnell--and none of them are in their seventies!

In an article for The Gazette Joan explains, "Comedy is a man's field. Always has been and always will be. The women who have made it have to be so strong to hang in." Preach on!

And what about Joan's love life??? Since her husband passed away in 1987, she has ventured to date a few men. "There was one fellow that I really wanted to keep around, but he died a couple of months ago and I figured he would have started to smell. Besides, there wouldn't have been much conversation, either."

Melissa Rivers will be on Girl's Night on the Q this Thursday from 7-10 p.m. After watching the promos for this, I'm thinking that there are going to be waaaaay too many chit-chatty hens in the hen house on that show! (Think TheView on crack!)

Joan will be back on July 1st.

And for the record, Queen Bea loooves Joan Rivers bawdy, unapologetic and (mostly) offensive humor! And I love her love of dogs. Click here to see pics of her new puppy, Samantha.

New WEN is Finally Here (Almost!)

Mr. Chaz Dean himself finally announced that his new products are about to roll out. And all the people rejoice! Amen.

He's using the same wash-with-conditioner concept and applying it to the rest of the body. And I heard from a few lucky ducks that got to try a samples of the new WEN Lavender Body Cleansing Crème and WEN Lavender Lotion and they said it was fabulous.

For both skin and hair, there is the new WEN Bath, Body & Hair Oil formulas (Lavender and Cucumber Aloe). I love the idea of just one product that you can use from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. I might just have to try that one.

And he's finally releasing his overnight conditioner, WEN Re-Moist Hydrating Mask (Lavender, Cucumber Aloe, Sweet Almond Mint, and Fig). He's been pampering his numerous celeb clients--like almost every Desperate Housewife on Wisteria Lane--with this product for 15 years. Better late then never, I suppose. You know this must mean that there's a newer, better magic potion that the celebs are getting now. They couldn't possibly use the same products as us little folks (even though I am a self-proclaimed Queen, my kingdom is very small).

Finally there's the WEN Styling Crème that's supposed to eliminate frizz, add shine, add volume, provide hold, and protect against damage from styling tools. Can one product really do all that??? I can't wait to read the reviews on that one.

Even though I've been scared to dip my toe in the cleaning with condition pool, any man who loves dogs as much as Chaz, must be good peoples.

Chaz Dean's New Triplets!

After the deaths of Chaz's two dogs, Grace and Montgomery, he has recently welcomed three new additions to the Chaz Dean Studio family: Spencer, Hunter, & Ella--or The Trinity as he calls them!

They are sooooooo cute!!!

I have never tried the WEN products sold on QVC and I have to admit that the concept of washing with conditioner kinda sorta scares me! They have a huge cult following so there must be something to it! I would definitely try a free sample though.

You can even use the products on your pets. They recommend using the Sweet Almond Mint, Fig, Cucumber Aloe or Lavender Cleansing Conditioners on your animals. They do not recommend using Tea Tree on animals as they tend to be allergic or sensitive to Tea Tree. For dogs they follow with the Sweet Almond Mint or Fig Oil on their dry coat, keeping them soft, shiny & smelling heavenly. WEN products and ingredients are not tested on animals.

Chaz was on last week for only one one-hour show to celebrate his anniversary with the Q. Supposedly, he has several new products in the works and they just weren't ready in time for the big anniversary. So don't fret! He'll be on again soon.

If you would like to make a donation honoring Grace Kelly Dean and Montgomery Clift Dean, please call (970)491-3932 or visit the "Premier Animal Cancer Research Facility" website.

Chaz and Grace

Joan Rivers Delivers New Baby Too!

No, not deliver exactly ... had delivered to her home perhaps! While on the Q with Lisa Robertson, Joan recently showed off the latest addition to her family--a 10-week-old Havanese puppy named Sam (short for Samantha).

Joan recently lost her dog, Lulu, to cancer, and although she knows that it isn't a good idea to get another dog while still in morning, she just felt the house was empty.

Joan said on her blog that she was looking for "a small, docile female. These requirements were essential as Max, my rescue Pekingese, hates everybody" He's not taking to the new addition and refuses to even be in the same room with her--poor little Sam!

As a dog lover, what Joan had to say about the recent passing of her beloved dog, Lulu, made me cry. My heart goes out to her.

"Unfortunately, our dear friend and beloved companion, Lulu, had to be put down early this morning. I’m sure, however, that she is now in a place where she can bark all she wants, lick all she likes, chew yellow tennis balls to her heart’s content, and feast on a never-ending bowl of delicious liver treats. Lulu shared my bed and my heart for 12 wonderful years. The thing that I will treasure (and miss) the most is that she is the only dog I ever had who truly smiled."

Lulu smiling

ETA: Be sure to check out Joan on Celebrity Family Feud on NBC in July where she faces off against rapper, Ice-T. My money is on Joan.