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The Sarah Diaries: Christmas Pet

December 21, 2016 Blogs / Page, Sarah Matthews
I can’t imagine my life with out a pet in it. They make my life so much better. We’ve had service dogs for my brother, standard Heinz 57 mixes for the rest of us kids, and let’s not forget the cats. There’s something comforting about walking in the house and being greeted by a 4 legged family member.
As I’ve grown up, they’ve become my kids, and I’ve developed a special place in my heart for shelter animals. They might be a mutt or mix, and occasionally they are pure-bred, but through no fault of their own, they’re now up for adoption. Christmas is one of many opportunities for these animals to find their “fur-ever home.”
Unfortunately, this is also how some animals end up in the shelter. The beginning of the following year hits, the novelty of a pet as a gift wears off, they do something “bad”, and suddenly they are cast as being a burden.
True story, I didn’t get my dog Duke during Christmas, but in the spring, weeks after watching my other dog Callie (Calla Lilly) get hit by a car. I was devastated, but I wanted another dog SO bad. Months before, she picked me as her person and I wanted to feel the love of my own dog again. I made the drive and ended up with this adorable black lab/husky mix, that after a few days I couldn’t stand. I wanted to return him, even considered dropping him off at the Humane Society. But I didn’t. Instead we enrolled in obedience classes, because I needed to learn how to handle him as much as he needed to learn the basic commands. Eventually he grew out of his puppy stage (which, by the way, 13 years later I’m thankful my now old man still has some puppy left in him!), and I can’t picture the last 13 years with any other dog.
Same goes for my feline kids… though occasionally Cosita drives me crazy (and drove Zack crazy when he had custody), she’s never leaving my house.
If you’re considering giving a pet as a gift this year, make sure you’re ready for the commitment, and I mean REALLY ready! You’re in it for the long haul! And keep in mind the local shelters and adoption agencies – like the ones Jonny and Meagan feature Friday mornings with Furry Friends Friday. Shelter animals have so much love to give to the right family.
Keep in mind these groups of animals too the below list all have a harder time getting adopted in general, but they love, cuddle, protect, and can become part of the family just the same:
1) Cats older than 9 months – kittens grow up in to these cats, but for some reason they struggle getting adopted.
2) Senior pets – All they want is love for their last years. Senior pets can be the perfect addition to a family, plus is gives them the love, attention, and knowledge that someone cares as they live out the final days.
3) Special needs/medical needs dogs and cats – These can be anything from missing legs, special diets, or medicine requirements. They can be more of a financial commitment, but just like people, these animals didn’t ask to be placed on this list. If you have the means, they’ll show you just as much, if not more love than others.
4) Bonded pets – Sometimes, 2 is better than 1. If you have the room, and you notice there are 2 dogs or cats that have a bond already, they will thrive so much more being adopted together.
5) Shy pets – being  in a shelter is scary enough for a human walking in, let alone an animal that’s living there! They will likely come out of their shell after you get them home, and are occasionally overlooked for the more active/sassy ones.
6) The LT Pets – Otherwise known as the pets who have been waiting at the shelter for a long amount of time. There’s nothing wrong with them, but occasionally YEARS can go by without their “person” coming in.
Click Here for the Furry Friends Friday page with a list of adoptable pets, and to see all the different organizations that you can find your next addition.
Merry Christmas!!
-Sarah
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Just in time for Christmas!

December 20, 2016 Blogs / Page, Steph

James Corden has brought a ton of laughs to us in 2016 and was thinking ahead to Christmas when taping his popular late night segment.  A handful of some of your favorite artist covered Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You and the late late show host has released the video…..check it out!!... [Read Full Story]

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Deck Your Desk Winner #4

December 19, 2016 Deck Your Desk, Jonny & Stephanie

Congrats to Stacey our 4th and final Deck Your Desk winner for 2016! She was very surprised and happy to win her decked out desk and also the awesome gift basket from Bread+Bar by Bit of Swiss! She is the Clerk at the Berrien County Courthouse, also special thank you to Judge Howard for nominating her. Maybe Stacey will take you to lunch at Bread+Bar.... [Read Full Story]

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Bryan Lubeck joined Jonny & Meagan in Studio

December 19, 2016 Jonny & Stephanie

Bryan Lubeck is getting ready for his show “Bryan Lubeck Presents Rejoice: A Holiday Musical Tapestry” at the LMC Mendel Center Mainstage on Thursday at 8pm!  Bryan will be joined by Phil Denny on Saxophone, solo and gospel vocalist Meagan McNeal and special guest Ted Yoder on the dulcimer. Tickets are available at themendelcenter.com... [Read Full Story]

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The Sarah Diaries: Bah Humbug!

December 14, 2016 Blogs / Page, Sarah Matthews

No, I’m not trying to be a Scrooge! I LOVE Christmas! It is hands down my favorite holiday and time of year. (Just maybe, minus some snow?) I genuinely enjoy the giving season and opportunities to spoil people I love and care about. However, there are still a few things I dread as we get closer and closer to the holidays.... [Read Full Story]

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The Sarah Diaries: Dear Self…

December 13, 2016 Blogs / Page, Sarah Matthews

I stumbled across a very sobering statistic recently, that honestly made me completely self aware for the entire weekend. The average women criticizes herself 8 times per day. Going back to my last diary entry where I mentioned being our own worst critics, 8 times per day doesn’t seem like much, until you start doing the math. 8 times, every single day, on average is 2,912 times per year. Over 33 years (my current age), that’s 96,096 times. Yet, the average woman praises herself a fraction of that 8 times. I can’t say that I’m not guilty, there are some days I’m well over 8  just during my few hours with you.... [Read Full Story]

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