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Last week, Keith, over at bagofnothing.com posted the video above. It show a terrified dog that was resceud from a shelter an hour before it was scheduled to be euthanized. What really got me was the pure terror the dog showed.

Three years ago, I experienced the same thing. We saw an ad on Craig’s list put up by the City of Canton animal shelter. They had a yellow lab that had been there for five weeks. They were supposed to put her down on Friday of week three, but couldn’t do it. Friday of week four came and went. The ad we saw went up Thursday of week five and said they would have to put her down Friday. The ad BEGGED someone to come get her. Friday morning the ad was up again. My wife convinced me to go pick up the dog. Even if we didn’t keep her, at least she would live. She is still with us today.

We believe she was bred and then dumped at the shelter in Canton while her puppies were sold at First Monday Trade Days in Canton. It was obvious she was young and had recently had puppies. She is the second of our three labs that came from a shelter (the first was from a friend).

Our yellow lab is an amazingly sweet and thankful dog. She was EXTREMELY scared of people when we brought her home. She is still terrified of strangers. She would sleep down the hall around the corner, away from everyone. Gradually she moved closer. After 6 months, she would stay in the same room with us for extended periods of time. Now she gives the most amazing hugs, buries her head into your shoulder, and lets us scratch her ears (something she ran from before).

I can’t imagine a world without this sweet dog. The sad thing is, animals such as this one are lost every day. The yellow puppy dog has so much love to give. She acts as if every day is a gift, and for her, it is. Before you decide to buy a puppy at a flea market, or a breeder, check with your local animal shelter or rescue agency. For more information, a great place to visit is the website of Sparky’s Pals, a non-profit humane education organization started right here in Dallas by a couple of friends of mine, Kevin and Virginia.

So you like a picture I took and you would like to license it for use on your blog? Sweet. (Here is my Flickr page…go shopping!) I don’t usually charge much, so send me a direct message on Twitter we’ll negotiate a smaaaall fee. But here is the question: “How can I send you that small payment?” Wonder no more…

A new service out seeking to capitalize on the rapidly growing popularity of Twitter is a micropayment service called Twitpay. If you live under a rock and don’t have a Twitter account, let me explain one thing about Twitter first. You reply to another use by typing @ and their user name. For example, you can send me a reply by typing @dcmba.

Okay, that said, here is how you send a payment on Twitter. Say I agree to sell you this picture for $0.50 to use for your 4th of July post (minus the watermark). You would simply login to Twitter and type @dcmba twitpay $.50 for photo of the flags. Easy, huh?

For the service to work, you must follow @twitpay on Twitter. When you send a payment, Twitpay records the receipt on your account and on the recipient’s account. When you are ready to settle up, you go to your Amazon Payments account and click “Settle Up”. You can settle up with one person, or everyone. If you haven’t yet settled up, you can remove the promise to pay by clicking the trash can icon next to the tweet in Twitter. This may be helpful if you quickly change you mind or if the other person doesn’t deliver your purchase in a timely manner.

Any payment of $0.99 or less is free. Payments of $1.00 or more are charged $.05 by Twitpay. If you have content you want to sell, you can use Twitpay with RT2Buy and their family of services. RT2Buy allows you to upload your content: music, ebooks, pictures, videos, and sell it online. (PDF, MP3, OGG and WAV are currently supported. Other file formats coming soon.) There is
RT2Get which is useful for promotional campaigns. I think the coolest use is RT2Give.

RT2Give is designed primarily for non-profit organizations. If “The Dump Fund” had a Twitpay account, they might type a Twitter message like the one below:

Then $5 would be sent from your Twitpay account to the Dump Fund’s Twitpay account, which they would then settle up using Amazon Payments.

So, here is what you do: Get a Twitpay (because I assume you already have a Twitter account), follow @twitpay on Twitter. Then update your Twitter status with:
@dcmba twitpay $2.50 because you are soooo cool!

Please read this post by Trey Morgan and then send a few dollars. He posted back in November about the Adventures in Mission Team that made the trip to Honduras and went to the dump to hand out sandwiches. They make and handout up to 3,200 sandwiched a day! Here is the really shocking part. $20 per day will feed everyone at the dump for the day and $80 will take care of them for an entire week!

From the most recent post:

“If you have read my blog in the past month, you know I’ve asked that this Tuesday you consider making a donation to the “Dump Fund” to help feed the people who live and eat at the dump. Although I haven’t officially asked for money yet, a few of you have already sent some. You guys are amazing. In fact, one person has contacted me and said they’d match dollar for dollar anything given over $2500 (up to $2500). That means if we raise $5000, this very kind person will write us a check for $2500 to make our total $7500. I’m praying that this happens. This Tuesday I’ll give you all the details how you can give, and please understand that 100% of what you give will go to feed hungry people.”

Last Sunday at Highland Oaks Larry James, President and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, was our guest Speaker. During his sermon he mentioned the work that his organization does. While they have numerous programs, one stood out to me, a support group of 22 men who have been wrongly convicted of crimes and spent time in prison only later to be exonerated. I can’t imagine having to spend a week in jail for something I didn’t do, much less 27 years!

I first became aware of the Innocence Project a few years ago because of the work of Dallas District Attorney, Craig Watkins. You can
Google him to see all the work he’s done getting wrongly convicted people released.

I’ve heard it is difficult for someone that has been in prison for a length of time to adjust to being back in the “real world”. I can’t pretend to imagine how difficult or frightening this would be. Imagine how much has changed in the last twenty years. And what do you do after 10, 15, or 20 years without any job history? How hard must it make it to get a job?

One reason this is an issue for me is because I have had the chance to meet and speak with a handful of these men. My heart goes out to them. I cannot fathom the trials they have been through. Yet, what amazes me the most, is that not a one of them I have met seemed angry or bitter. In fact, they have been wonderful to talk to, once they get going. There is often a shyness that seems strange to me. I met a man the other day who must be 6′ 5″ tall and looked like a former NFL defensive lineman, but he was so quiet, soft spoken, and reserved that it took him awhile to begin to talk with me.

In a way, it saddened me because these gentlemen can seem as if they have a broken spirit. Perhaps some of them do. I am sure there is fear of how they will be perceived, or what someone may want from them. At the same time, many have wonderful spirits and the desire to take action and prevent this same injustice from happening again. The gentleman I met this week will be in Austin on Monday and Tuesday to testify before our state representatives about a witness identification bill to standardize witness identification procedures. Many others are public speakers and authors.

I have had the opportunity to meet these gentlemen through my work. The optometrist I work for is providing free comprehensive eye exams and diagnostic testing to these exonerees. We were put in contact with Dr. Page at UTA by one of our patients. This same patient has agreed to pay for the cost of materials for these exonerees to get new glasses. I can tell you that the people receiving these services have been VERY appreciative, and I am blessed to be a part of the process.

One thing this also reminds me of is the importance of not judging others. Often, this type of behavior is a central reason why so many people have been wrongly sent to prison. The person you see may not be the person you are looking at. It’s easy to make judgments about someone because of the color of their skin, the place they live, who their friends are, how many tattoos they have, or where they go to church. I have met great people in the worst parts of town, just as I have met dishonest, angry people that are respected members of their community. When you look at each person as a child of God, no better or worse than yourself, you can see amazing people and opportunity. Don’t close doors on people based upon what you don’t know about them.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Mt 7:1-2

Well, I did it. I had a moustache for an entire month. It was really annoying and often embarrassing. I felt compelled to apologize to patients at work for looking so ridiculous (even more than normal). And it itched more often than not. But it was worth it because Tyler and I raised $255 for prostate cancer research.

This is a fairly new project in the United States, yet we raised over $800,000 in one month! Worldwide, 172,837 participants collected $13,576,730.92! We still have a long way to go, but this is exciting considering it started only a few years ago with a handful of friends in Australia.

Thank you to each one of you who donated money through me. It is greatly appreciated. And thank you to my wife for her minimal complaints about the ‘stache. I’m getting rid of it tonight!

So I’ve been growing this goofy moustache to raise money for prostate cancer research as a part of the Building Camelot team. Well, one of the sponsors has sent a handful of prizes to Tyler and he will be giving them out to those who donate to our team.

Here’s How To Donate and Enter:

1.) Click this link and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, or

2.) Write a check payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Foundation’, referencing my Registration Number 1795431 and mailing it to:

Prostate Cancer Foundation
Attn: Movember
1250 Fourth St
Santa Monica, CA, 90401

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

The money raised by Movember is donated directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.

Why a Mo for Prostate Cancer?

Here’s a little bit of information from the Movember site that explains the reasoning behind all these guys growing Mo’s”

Men lack awareness about the very real health issues they face. Many feel they have to be tough – “a real man” – and are reluctant to see a doctor about an illness or to go for regular medical check ups.

The aim of Movember is to change these attitudes and make men’s health fun by putting the Mo back on the face of American men while raising some serious funds for the number one men’s health issue, prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the US with one in six American men developing the disease and more than 28,000 men dying of the disease every year. Movember is very proud to be teaming with the Prostate Cancer Foundation in the US.

All donations made will go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, which will use the funds for high-impact research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Prizes will be awarded after the end of the month and after Tyler can confirm all donations. He will personally mail each of the gifts so it will probably take a few days to get there. He will ship to the lower 48 states and if you happen to be outside of the US, then he will discuss shipping costs. If you have already donated, you are entered in the contest, but you can donate more if you want a better chance at winning!

First, let me thank all of you who have donated thus far! Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The “Mo” has officially had a fifteen full days to grow. I thought it was looking fairly pitiful, but maybe not. Don’t get me wrong, I still think it’s ridiculous, but maybe not as bad as expected. The good news is, I have only a couple of weeks until I can get rid of it!

Please support our team by donating to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation by clicking here. Your donation does not have to be a lot. Prostate caner affect more men each year than women with breast cancer, yet us guys haven’t done nearly the awareness that the ladies have done. I would be ecstatic if you gave $5 or $10 dollars. Just think how little that is in terms of daily lunches and Starbucks visits! But I won’t complain if you want to give $100 or $1,000 either. Just give something (“and all of your wildest dreams will come true”).

The “Mo” has officially had a seven full days to grow. I thought it was looking fairly pitiful, but maybe not. Don’t get me wrong, I still think it’s ridiculous, but maybe not as bad as expected.

I was anticipating looking like a fourteen year old, and I’m not far off that at this point. It’s a little wiry, but at least it’s a little darker than it used to be. I have had the same problem as Tyler from Building Camelot,with the blonde hair and all. And I don’t think I’m too far behind Cory @ A Good Husband.

After posting what our team is doing to raise funds for prostate cancer research, my dad called to tell me that an uncle had his prostate removed a couple of years ago due to prostate cancer. He recently went back to the doctor and was told his PSA levels are high. He is currently awaiting test results to see if the cancer has returned.

You never know, someone you are close to may have been touched by it, so please support our team by donating to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation by
clicking here. Your donation does not have to be a lot. Prostate caner affect more men each year than women with breast cancer, yet us guys haven’t done nearly the awareness that the ladies have done. I would be ecstatic if you gave $5 or $10 dollars. Just think how little that is in terms of daily lunches and Starbucks visits! But I won’t complain if you want to give $100 or $1,000 either. Just give something (“and all of your wildest dreams will come true”).

This is me with a clean shave. Pretty much my daily look unless I have a day off or forget to shave.

Please support our team by donating to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation by clicking here. Your donation does not have to be a lot. I would be ecstatic if everyone gave $5 or $10 dollars. Just think how little that is in terms of daily lunches and Starbucks visits! But I won’t complain if you want to give $100 or $1,000 either. Just give something (“and all of your wildest dreams will come true”).

All right, I can’t believe I am doing this. And I also haven’t mentioned it to the wife (hi babe). I was reading Tyler’s blog today (Building Camelot) and found his latest post. He has formed a team to help raise awareness and money for prostate cancer research, so I am joining him and will be growing a “mo” or a moustache in November.

This might be hilarious for you all, but it is sure to be humiliating for me. First of all, it’s a moustache. Uh huh. Second, I am going to look like a 7th grader at best by the end of the month. This is not going to be good, but heck, it’s an easy way to raise money for charity. So YOU had better donate something! (See below for details.)

What is Movember?

Movember is a month long charity event to raise money for prostate cancer research…the ladies have the month of October and us guys now have the month of Movember! Here’s some more info from the official Movember website:

“At the start of Movember guys register with a clean shaven face. The Movember participants, known as Mo Bros, then have the remainder of the month to grow and groom their Mo (Australian slang for moustache), raising money and awareness along the way for men’s health and the fight against prostate cancer.“

What are the objectives of Movember?

Movember is not just about growing a cool moustache, it’s about helping men everywhere understand the importance of getting checked out for prostate cancer. Here are the official objectives from Movember.com:

“The objective of Movember is to improve the state of men’s health. Movember achieves its objective by:
1. Generating awareness surrounding men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men
2. Raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation so they may better achieve their goals and improve the state of men’s health
3. Changing the way men think about, discuss and treat their own health issues“

Why a moustace for Movember?

It’s all about awareness and getting me to go see their doctor since more men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women with breast cancer: it is estimated that in 2008, 186,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared to the 182,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in men and the second cause of cancer death after lung cancer.

Here’s more from the official Movember site:

“Part of the answer is a lack of awareness about the very real health issues faced by males. Also contributing to the problem is an attitude of having to be tough “real men” and men’s reluctance to see a doctor about an illness or to go for regular medical check ups.

The aim of Movember is to change this attitude, make men’s health fun by putting the Mo (moustache) back on the face of fashion and in the process raise some serious funds for key men’s health issues.
The key men’s health cause for Movember 2008 in the US is:

Prostate Cancer: we proudly support the Prostate Cancer Foundation (www.prostatecancerfoundation.org) because 1 in 6 men will get prostate cancer and in 2008, more than 28,000 men in the US will die from the disease. “

What can I do to help?

Please support our team by donating to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation by
clicking here. Your donation does not have to be a lot. I would be ecstatic if everyone gave $5 or $10 dollars. Just think how little that is in terms of daily lunches and Starbucks visits! But I won’t complain if you want to give $100 or $1,000 either. Just give something (“and all of your wildest dreams will come true”).

I would also encourage you all to subscribe to my RSS Feed, so you can keep up with my progress! And remember, you don’t choose the moustache, it chooses you!