With that in mind, I’m taking a break from writing about animals and legal issues to share some of my favorite photographs from the last two Memorial Day parades I attended as a resident of Warrenton, Virginia.
I hope you enjoy these images and that, as we all return to work after the long holiday weekend, they serve as an ongoing reminder of what is truly important…
Memorial Day Wreath. Warrenton, Va., 2011. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicAmerican Flag. As seen at Memorial Day ceremony in Warrenton, Virginia. May 2011. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicPatriotic Colors. Memorial Day Ceremony in Warrenton, Va., May 2011. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicSecond and Main. Warrenton, Va. Memorial Day, 2012. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicMain Street America. Memorial Day Parade, 2012. Warrenton, Va. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicOld Glory. Memorial Day, 2012. Warrenton, Va. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicMemorial Day, 2012. Warrenton, Va. Photo by Alexandra BogdanovicFollow the Leader. Memorial Day Parade, 2012. Warrenton, Va. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic
If there’s one thing the NYPD is used to it is dealing with a whole bunch of bull. But this was different.
According to media accounts, a “rogue bull” that recently escaped from a slaughterhouse in Queens, N.Y., led cops on a “wild chase” that ended badly — for the bull.
Footage shot from a TV news helicopter showed just how wily and determined the bull was. Just when it seemed the police had him trapped, the bull managed to elude them. At one point, he dodged an officer who had “jumped atop an emergency response vehicle.” At other times, the bull showed its prowess by “ducking under yellow caution tape” as it “galloped down the middle of a street and onto a sidewalk.”
NYPD barriers. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic
I suppose it would be a stretch to call it a “police-involved shooting.” But the animal, who evaded law enforcement and civilians during its mad romp through the Jamaica and South Ozone Park neighborhoods, reportedly had several tranquilizer darts in its flank by the time the chase ended.
The bull was alive when the pursuit ended in someone’s back yard. However, he died while he was being transported to an unknown destination. The cause of death was “not clear,” according to published reports.
The urban jungle
This wasn’t the first time an animal has given the NYPD a run for its money.
“Cows escaped slaughterhouses at least twice last year, in January and April,” according to media accounts. But I’m happy to report that one of those cases had a happy ending. The escapee got a second chance at life when it ended up at an animal shelter owned by comedian John Stewart.
“In December, a white-tailed buck who was granted a last-minute reprieve from euthanasia after a days-long back and forth between the city and state died in Harlem,” an NBC-TV affiliate reported. “The one-antlered buck died while state officials from the Department of Environmental Conservation were arranging relocation. The city blamed the state for its death; the state blamed the city.”
Leave it to a bunch of politicians to “pass the buck.”
Yes, this is probably old news by now. But I think it is such a significant development that it bears repeating. The domestic cats’ plans for world domination is finally coming to fruition.
Seriously.
In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot Eli catching up on the latest news. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic
How do I know?
Simple. In an unprecedented feat, a bunch of cats just participated in an agility competition — at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
“For the first time, felines sidled up to the nation’s premier dog show, as part of an informational companion event showcasing various breeds of both species. It included a cat agility demonstration contest, while more than 300 of the nation’s top agility dogs vied in a more formal competition,” a Connecticut-based NBC TV affiliate reported.
Cat agility at dog show yields mixed reaction
Apparently, this did not sit well with some dog lovers. To Hannah Naiburg of Milford, Conn., for example, the whole situation was just “so weird.”
Personally, I think anyone willing to enter their dog in an agility competition could show a little more flexibility. And some of them did.
Tina Ackerman of Goffstown, N.H., was perfectly fine with the idea of cats participating in agility competitions. Just as long as it’s not her cat.
“Good for them,” she said. “There’s no way we could ever have trained any of our cats to do agility.”
And the winner is…
When all was said and done, a rookie named Bemisu won the feline agility competition. And apparently, it only took her about half-an-hour to learn the ropes.
“I had no idea she would learn so fast,” said her owner Blake Gipson, who also has a pit bull. “She’s smarter than I ever gave her credit for.”
Bemisu’s success didn’t come as a surprise to Vickie Shields, who “helped organize cat agility as a sport” 14 years ago.
Contrary to popular belief, cats aren’t loners, Shields said. And because many cats enjoy chasing toys, training is also easier than most people think, she added.
It all depends on the cat
It’s a good point. After all, even house cats are predators. Their innate need to chase their prey is often manifested as “play.” So it makes sense that some cats enjoy chasing toys on an agility course.
However, I disagree with something else Shields said. She maintained that most cats “are often more motivated by chasing toys than getting treats.” I say it all depends on the cat. And I speak from experience.
When I first got Eli back in February 2008, he was obsessed with food. He was such a glutton that he would wolf everything down within a couple of minutes after I put it down. So in order to teach him patience and discipline, I taught him to sit.
You heard me. I taught my cat to sit.
Here’s how I did it: Whenever I put food on his saucer at mealtime, I told him to come and when I had his attention I held the saucer up in the air, so he had to look up at it. As he did, he naturally ended up in a sitting position. I reinforced all of this by saying “sit.” So he eventually learned to associate the word and his behavior with being fed. And the rest is history.
Today Eli sits on command (when he feels like it). He also comes when he’s called (when it suits him). He meets me at the door (sometimes). He also sleeps on my bed.
Yes, Eli is a very doglike cat. But he is a cat. And he’s awesome.
Hello, everybody! I know it’s a bit late, but I just wanted to start this post by wishing everyone a belated Happy New Year and apologize for being MIA for the last couple of weeks. Suffice it to say, 2016 ended on a rather frantic note and so far 2017 has been just as hectic.
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic
And I swore this would be the year in which I would be less stressed and more relaxed — even if it killed me! So much for New Year’s resolutions… Still, 11 days into 2017, there are some I haven’t broken… yet.
This year, I am determined to be:
More positive
More tolerant
More patient
This year, I will:
Get rid of all the toxic people in my life
Listen more and talk less
Keep a lid on my temper
Make time to do the things I enjoy…
Speaking of which, as most of you know, I love to read. And with that in mind, I am once again participating in the annual reading challenge on goodreads.com. Although I fell well short of my goal last year, I once again set the same target: 100 books. And so far I’m off to a great start, if I do say so, myself. (I’ve already read three books, and I’m halfway through my fourth…) So I’m actually ahead of schedule! But we’ll see how long that lasts…
So what’s on my reading list?
So what am I reading? I guess it will depend on what’s available at the local library, my local “book bin,” and how much I want to spend on adding to my digital book collection.
One thing is for sure. With more than 100 books on my “to read” shelf on goodreads, I’ve got plenty to choose from. Here’s a small sample:
Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey
Unleashed by David Rosenfelt
The Girl in the Basement by Dianne Bates
Where there is Evil by Sandra Brown
The Abbey by Chris Culver
The Last Letter by Kathleen Shoop
Beneath Outback Skies by Alissa Callen
Unfortunately I won’t be able to share my opinion about everything I read here. But if you’re curious, you can always find links to reviews on my personal Twitter page.
Yes, it’s old news. But it’s a story that made a lasting impression — for all of the wrong reasons.
Last December, the court of public opinion indicted a woman who reportedly spent a lot of money on a lot of Christmas presents for her children. While she defended her right to do as she pleased, critics said she was sending the wrong message.
I agree. Christmas is not about “stuff.” It’s not about what we get, or how much we get. It’s about so much more…
With that being stated, here’s a Christmas letter I hope you will enjoy.
Dear Santa —
True, I’m not a little a girl anymore. And as you know, I haven’t really been all that good. But I still felt compelled to write.
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic
You see it’s been a crazy year. Everyone seems so angry, and they’re all fighting for no reason. To make matters even worse, it seems like the people who scream the loudest and say the nastiest things get the most attention.
The whole situation makes me really sad. So I was hoping you could help straighten things out by bringing everyone some gifts they could really use. Here are some suggestions.
This year, please bring the world the capacity for:
More love and less hate
More tolerance and less ignorance
More peace and less war
More happiness and less anger
More kindness and less cruelty
I know you’re extremely busy and this is asking a lot, especially at the last minute. But we can use all the help we can get.
I know you’ll do your best, and look forward to seeing you tomorrow night. (You know I’ll be up!)
In the meantime, please give my regards to Mrs. Claus and all of the elves. Oh, and don’t forget to pat the reindeer for me!
In the spirit of the holidays, I’ve decided to take a break from blogging about the law, animals, and animals who break the law.
Instead, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I love to read. And I read a lot. So this January I decided to participate in a reading challenge on goodreads.com. Since it was the first time I participated in the annual contest — and with nothing at stake except pride — I decided to go for broke. I decided to try to read 100 books in 2016.
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic
By my calculations that meant I had to read roughly two books per week in order to complete the challenge.
Well, with less than two weeks left in the year, I can happily report… that I’ve failed. Miserably. According to the goodreads tally, I’ve read 68 books so far this year. But in the interest of full disclosure I’ve only read 66. This miscount happened because I marked one book as read (even though I didn’t finish it), and had to mark another one as read even though I accidentally clicked on the wrong title.
On one hand, 66 percent isn’t very good. In fact, it’s barely a “passing grade.” On the other hand, if you consider how much time it actually takes to read 66 book, it’s not bad. In fact, it’s not bad at all.
Here’s a closer look, “by the numbers.” So far I’ve read 66 books or:
Approximately 24,000 pages (give or take)
Shortest book 166 pages
Longest book 693 pages (actually this was the one I didn’t finish!)
Average length 386 pages
Average rating 3.3 (out of 5) stars
Here are my favorites:
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts One and Two) by J.K. Rowling
The Death Artist by Jonathan Santlofer
Prior Bad Acts by Tami Hoag
Criminal by Karin Slaughter
Die in Plain Sight by Elizabeth Lowell
State of Fear by Michael Crichton
One True Thing by Anna Quindlen
My least favorites:
The Janson Directive by Robert Ludlum (so horrible I didn’t get past the first chapter)
The Sigma Protocol by Robert Ludlum (not that much better)
A Touch of Ice by L.J. Charles
Once Gone by Blake Pierce
Before He Kills by Blake Pierce
Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
My recommendations (for animal lovers, especially those of you who love cats):
In case you’ve missed it, there’s a debate raging across the Internet. And believe it or not, it’s got nothing to do with the election. It’s not about Democrats or Republicans or conservatives or liberals or Hillary or Trump. In fact, it’s got nothing to do with politics whatsoever.
But it’s heated. Because this debate pits pet owners against non-pet owners and animal lovers against non-animal lovers.
In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot Eli catching up on the latest news. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic
It all started not too long ago, when a New York Magazine writer penned an article claiming pet owners who think of themselves as “parents” to their dogs and cats are delusional. The headline simply read: Pets Are Not Children So Stop Calling Them That.
As someone who always wanted to have kids of my own but didn’t due to circumstances beyond my control — and as someone who has had pets for most of my life — I actually agree with him. But only to a point.
Personally I think that dressing companion animals in “costumes” resembling human clothing (for any reason other than to keep them warm in exceptionally cold weather) is taking things way too far. I feel the same way about transporting them in strollers and throwing parties to celebrate their birthdays. To me, there’s something about it that just isn’t right.
However, I strongly object to the author’s contention that, “In stark contrast to pets, children are always trying to outgrow, outflank, and outsmart their parents. Children are cunning and devious, with long memories and big plans. They don’t just grow, they develop.”
This comment shows a considerable lack of insight and a remarkable amount of stupidity.
I got my first cat when I was 10. She died when I was 27. So we literally grew up together. Her name was Tiger. She was a little Siamese cross with a huge personality. And she was a peacemaker. Whenever there was drama in our house (and there was lots of it), Tiger would stand between the warring parties and cry her little lungs out. She didn’t stop making noise until we did. She wasn’t necessarily “cunning and devious,” but she was smart.
Then there was Heals. She came into my life a few months after I lost Tiger. She was a big, outgoing, happy-go-lucky cat. She was also adventurous and insisted on being outdoors, even after I moved twice in a short period. When we lived in West Harrison, she had a habit of wandering into one neighbor’s garage to say “hi.” I don’t know for sure, but I rather suspect she got a few treats there, too. So was she “cunning and devious?” Perhaps. Was she “trying to outflank and outsmart” me? I wouldn’t have put it past her. Was she intelligent? No doubt.
And now I’ve got Eli. My big, sweet, wonderful boy. He came into my life back in 2008. I adopted him from the Fauquier SPCA when I lived in Virginia — and it was clear from the beginning that he’d had a troubled past. He spooked easily and ran from anything he thought he could be hit with. Even soft toys seemed to pose a tremendous threat. He didn’t like men, or little kids and cringed at loud noises. At times, he acted out in ways that were clearly indicative of “fear aggression.”
So can I honestly say he has a “long memory?” Hell, yes. But with time and patience and love, I won his trust. And we now have an unbreakable bond. He is definitely my cat. And I am his number one person.
Like Tiger and Heals did before him, Eli counts on me for everything, but most importantly food, shelter, water, healthcare and a clean litter box. As long as he is alive, I am responsible for his well-being. And as long as he is alive, I will remain fiercely protective of him (as I was with Tiger and Heals).
Anyone who even thinks of putting a hand on him in anger or malice has to come directly through me. Yes, I would literally defend him with my life. I love him that much.
And in that regard, I am no different from any other parent.
Officials in Naugatuck, Connecticut, are currently mulling the creation of a new ordinance that would punish people caught feeding feral cats.
According to published reports, the measure being considered by The Naugatuck Board of Mayor and Burgesses would address an alleged feral cat “problem” in a borough neighborhood.
“A couple” brought the issue to the mayor’s attention and requested that a local law be created to “fine people if they choose to feed feral cats.”
Bolt, a kitten rescued by FURRR 911, at Puttin’ On The Dog & Cats, Too 2016. Photo by A. Bogdanovic
So what will happen next? To start with, the Naugatuck attorney will review an existing ordinance in another community and draft one of his own. Then citizens will get to voice their opinions on the subject at a public hearing. Finally, the board will vote on whether or not to adopt the new ordinance.
Needless to say, that won’t happen overnight.
In the meantime, here are some things to consider:
Feral cats are also known as “community cats” by some animal welfare groups.
The ASPCA estimates the number of “community cats” in the United States to be in the “tens of millions.”
Traditional methods of dealing with feral cat colonies include “lethal extermination” or relocation.
Most kittens born into feral colonies don’t live long.
Although the practice is often criticized, the ASPCA endorses Trap-Neuter-Return as “the least costly and the most humane, efficient way of stabilizing community cat populations.”
Having a “colony caretaker” who “provides food and adequate shelter and monitors the cats’ health,” is key to successful TNR programs.
Personally, as someone who loves cats I have mixed feelings about TNR programs. On one hand I think they’re great. On the other hand, I think it’s sad that we need them at all — and I hope that there will one day be a time when we no longer do.
Until then, there are things we can all do to reduce the number of unwanted cats and kittens in the United States. Please, please, please, do not buy kittens from pet stores. Consider adopting from a shelter rather than buying a kitten from a breeder. Please think carefully about buying or adopting a cat or kitten — it is a big responsibility. Please spay or neuter your cat or kitten — they will be happier and healthier — and it is just the right thing to do.
It is with great trepidation that I am sharing my opinion on recent events in this forum.
As I have mentioned before, this is a business site — and while I have chosen to address controversial issues and share personal experiences here — I have also taken great pains to stick to apolitical topics.
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic
The decision to do so is largely a matter of common sense, given the ugliness of U.S. presidential politics and the candidates currently involved therein. Furthermore, I am a private person who generally has little desire to air my personal opinions publicly.
However, there are times when I simply cannot remain silent. So today, I am writing to refute U.S. presidential nominee Donald J. Trump’s assertion that the lewd and vulgar remarks he made about women 11 years ago are of little consequence.
To begin with, let’s examine Trump’s claims that the remarks were simply “locker room talk” that he engaged in during a private conversation, and that they are not indicative of his true feelings about women.
There are two specific reasons why these claims lack merit.
The first is based upon my personal experience. Having been around plenty of public figures as a journalist, I can say with great certainty that you will very rarely, if ever, see the genuine person when they are in the spotlight. In public, every single second is contrived. Why? Because they know they are being watched. It is only in the private, unguarded moments when they feel safe and at ease, that you will see the person’s true character. So in my humble opinion and experience, the words Trump uttered when he had no reason to fear being caught are definitely indicative of his true character.
The second, and more important is that in Connecticut, where he once had a home and now owns at least one luxury high-rise that I know of, the activity Trump so callously described in his alleged “locker room talk” is a crime. The relevant portion of C.G.S. §53a-72a states that someone is guilty of sexual assault in the third degree when they compel “another person to submit to sexual contact (A) by the use of force against such other person or a third person, or (B) by the threat of use of force against such other person or against a third person, which reasonably causes such other person to fear physical injury to himself or herself or a third person…” The offense is a Class D felony, punishable upon conviction by up to five years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $5,000.
To brag about wanting to, or being able to engage in such conduct — specifically kissing women without their consent or grabbing them by their private parts — and then chalking it up to “locker room talk” is inane at best, and arguably symptomatic of depraved thinking at worst.
Now as Trump and his supporters rightfully contend, it is not illegal to say what he said, as long as he never actually acted on it. And, as Trump and his supporters contend, there are some people who may not find his remarks vulgar, offensive or morally reprehensible at all. Frankly, I don’t know who they are — and I don’t want to know. But I digress.
In the last few days, Trump has repeatedly attempted to mitigate his own behavior by drawing comparisons to things former President Bill Clinton has allegedly said and done. However, his insistence that his verbal denigration of women pales in comparison to Clinton’s alleged and actual sexual transgressions also falls flat for one extremely significant reason.
If elected, Donald J. Trump will find himself in a position where a poor choice of words can have very, very, serious consequences — because words are very powerful.
Throughout the ages, words have been used as weapons and used as tools to broker peace. They have spurred men to action. They have sparked revolutions. They have been used to ensure the punishment of the guilty, and for the wrongful indictment of the innocent. Historically, words have been used to lift people from the depths of despair and to beat them into submission. Words have shaped countries and cultures and people.
The greatest dissidents, the greatest thinkers, the greatest leaders of all time, were known not only for what they did, but for what they said, and what they wrote.
I am writing to you as someone who is finally comfortable in her own skin.
It has been a long and difficult journey.
From what I’ve been told (and what I remember) I was a precocious little girl, with a vivid imagination and a flair for the dramatic. But as a little girl and teenager, I also experienced verbal and emotional abuse. At home, my father constantly put me down. At school, my classmates bullied me.
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic
I suppose I was an easy target. I was always a little bit overweight. I had eczema and asthma. I wore a patch and/or glasses to correct my “lazy” eyes. I wasn’t athletic. I wasn’t stupid, but I was never the smartest kid in class. I wasn’t a gifted musician or a dancer or an artist… The things that seemed to come so easily to other kids were always harder for me
I lacked self-confidence and experienced low self-esteem. I was afraid of being laughed at and I was afraid to fail. I am sure some of you can relate.
In high school, things finally changed for the better. A teacher helped me discover a hidden talent. I discovered that I could write. My confidence blossomed. But it was fragile. And I was still young.
In the ensuing years came the joys and sorrows of college, college romance, entry into “the real world,” engagement, marriage and divorce. At 30, I moved back “home” to recover from the bitter blow that ended my marriage to the man I planned on being with forever. At 34, I moved to Virginia for a new job and a much-needed change of scenery.
Alone in a new place, I made my share of mistakes. I trusted the wrong people. I misjudged alleged friends. After eight-and-a-half years, I lost my job. But by the time I returned home for the second time, I’d written a book — and I’d found myself.
Today I am hardly perfect. But I am happy being me. Finally.
And if there’s anything I hope you can learn from my story, it is the following:
Each of you is unique.
Each of you matters.
Each of you deserves to be loved.
Each of you deserves respect.
Each of you has something meaningful to share with the rest of the world.
Ultimately your worth is defined not by your physical appearance, but by the choices you make and the values you hold. You can allow others to govern your emotions, or you can take control of them yourself. You can live up to other people’s expectations or set your own. You can measure your beauty by “conventional” and societal standards, or ignore them and live by your own. You can measure your success by your material possessions or by the difference you’ve made. You can let the world beat you down. Or you can summon the courage to hold your head up high. No matter what.
It’s all up to you.
Love,
Alexandra
Author’s note: The preceding was written in response to recent news accounts about U.S. presidential candidate Donald J. Trump’s lewd, sexist and misogynist comments caught on tape in 2005.
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