Tribute to Silas...

This is Silas (and Bear Bear). Silas belongs to my friends Kristi. I have often thought that Silas was a sort of phenomenon...no other cat could be so big, so manipulative, so terrifying. I have often pondered whether Silas is the feline equivalent of Damien (yes, Omen reference). I thought Silas was one of a kind...until I read a recent CNN.com story about a cat named Lewis. In many ways, Lewis seems to be Silas' twin. The evil tendencies described in the article could have easily been describing Silas! To Silas' credit, he has never attacked the Avon Lady. But...Silas is in an indoor cat and he HAS attacked our friend Lisa's daughter (not to mention nearly every other person he has come into contact with)!

That being said, on behalf of Kristi and Silas, let me also say that Kristi loves him dearly and claims that he is a different kitty around her. He gives her kisses, lets her carry him around and generally loves her (when he's not scratching and scarring her face while she sleeps:). On a serious note, please say a little prayer for Kristi and Silas. He recently swallowed a large string that has not passed and could cause serious problems to a kitty's digestive system. Here's to Silas! You may terrify everyone you meet, but you do mean a lot to Krisit and we love you and hope you pass the string soon!

The Boys

I've just realized that my posts are lacking the "Beagles." So, here is a recent picture of my boys--Ruben (in front) and Kobe (in back). They rule our house...and our hearts. Ruben is 3 now and Kobe is 2. We got Ruben when he was just 5 weeks old and adopted Kobe from a Beagle rescue over a year later.

Both are named after famous black men. Ruben comes from Ruben Studdard--we were fierce Idol fans at the time. Kobe takes his name from Kobe Bryant. The foster family named him after the famed basketball player because he (not fixed at the time) kept forcing himself on their female beagles (and obviously Kobe Bryant's trial was going strong at the time). Despite some hiccups from time to time, I do think that we've been blessed with the best pets in the world! An example...two times in the last year things have happened in my life to bring me to an uncontrollable sobbing state. Both times, Ruben made a b-line to jump on my lap and lick the tears off of my face until I stopped crying (or at least eased up a bit). He then proceeded to stay planted on my lap until he was sure that he was okay.

Invitation for Law Enforcement to Break the Rules

Our criminal justice system is set up, in part, to deter crime. Similarly, laws and policies are in place to deter police misconduct and to ensure that our citizens enjoy the protections of the 4th Amendment as established by our forefathers. Today our High Court succeeded in chipping away these protections and essentially inviting our law enforcement to break the rules. In other words, the "knock and announce" rule founded in the 4th Amendment is still exists and police should not violate it, but if you do, no harm no foul for the defendant! I would love for our courts to hold that "you really shouldn't drive while impaired, but if you do, no penalties!"

I could obviously write a treatise on this subject, but all I will say is RIP 4th Amendment!