I started reading New Tricks by Charles Seibert in today’s NYT magazine and had to stop because I began crying. The article is about how one shelter in Austin and how they are trying to find ways to judge animal personality and temperament. Unfortunately, it is a kill shelter, but it does sound as though they do their best to make sure dogs are given at least a fighting chance at making it into the adoption side of the house.

So the photo of one dog being euthanized was where I first broke down and then when I read these sobering statistics I lost it as well:

According to Stephen Zawistowski, executive vice president for national programs for the ASPCA, about four million dogs enter shelters nationwide each year. Some two million of them end up being euthanized, about 5,000 dogs each day, one every 16 seconds.

And this one:

Mollaghan created a four-page form for dog relinquishers. The reasons they list for surrender reflect a dizzying range, from the serious (lifestyle issues like a move or loss of job, or dog aggression) to the supercilious (people going on vacation). Mollaghan told me one person reported that her pet was “boring.” Another family said they had bought new furniture that their dog’s coat didn’t quite match.

However, the article ended on a happy note: reporter meets dog, falls in love, and brings dog back home with him. Couldn’t be better.

The accompanying slide show is a must see.

p.s. Stop puppy mills!

Today, please read a story that will break your heart: Do Not Hate Them Very Much, written by my friend Matthew M. Quick

This is utter perfection–The Sopranos in seven minutes…

The title for this post is a line from the most excellent essay by Jeff Landon in the new insolent rudder, which also features fiction by Katrina Denza and Debbie Eis, Dennis Mahagin’s electronic chapbook, and a quarterly conversation with Susan Henderson.

One incorrect answer for me. 😦

Night Train is back in action (okay, not officially until April 1, but they’re up and running now) with a beautiful new site and online submission form. Go on and check them out and send them your poems and stories.

I love this review by Blake Butler of my story Quarter. Thank you, Blake!

Check out Kathy Fish, Joseph Young, and Elizabeth Ellen over at juked.

Don’t miss Claudia Smith, Kim Chinquee, and Deb Eis over at 3AM.

And last, but certainly not least, do not forget to head on over to LitPark and offer your hearty congratulations to Susan Henderson who sold her debut novel to St. Martin’s. Way to go, Sue!

If you read nothing else today, please read this fabulous interview with the one and only Ms. Robin Slick. Here’s a taste to wet your whistle:

Well, I’d be lying if I said I don’t get obsessions. And I’m an equal opportunity obsessor—I get fixated over everything from food to sex to music to certain authors living in Bakersfield, California. I mean, I’m not a stalker or anything, but once something or someone interests me, they kind of take over my brain and yeah, I need to write about it. Or them. Or him. Whatever.

SmokeLong Quarterly issue #16, guest edited by the divine Ms. Alicia Gifford, is now available for your reading pleasure.

Within you will find flash fiction by the likes of Rusty Barnes, Tod Goldberg, John Leary, Tom Saunders, Ann Walters, Nancy Zafris, and me.

Please do enjoy and don’t forget to read the interviews!

ummmm:

Given the millions of prescriptions for insomnia drugs, Katz called the problem rare and said he was unaware of any deaths. But because sleep-driving is so dangerous — and there are precautions that patients can take — the FDA ordered a series of strict new steps yesterday.

First, the makers of 13 sleep drugs must put warnings on their labels about two rare but serious side effects:

Sleep-driving, along with other less dangerous “complex sleep-related behaviors” — like making phone calls, fixing and eating food, and having sex while still asleep.

Life-threatening allergic reactions, as well as severe facial swelling, both of which can occur either the first time the pills are taken or anytime thereafter.

Rebel Press is proud to present the serialization of the novel Like I’ve Never Been Born, written by Donald Capone.

Early December, 1980. Angela Girardi, a nineteen-year old college student, travels from her upstate New York college to Manhattan to seek out her (and her mother’s) idol John Lennon. She is determined to hand-deliver her mother’s unopened suicide note, which had been addressed to John. Angela wants to honor her mother and accomplish this last task for her; only then will Angela allow herself to grieve, move on with her life, and figure out her uncertain future. But circumstances on the night of December 8th change the course of her life forever.

Look for updates every Monday and Friday. There are 30 chapters in all (that’s 15 weeks!).

To read the first chapter, go to:
Like I’ve Never Been Born

This month’s theme for the Your Turn newsletter is “revision” and the deadline is March 15th.

Here’re some new stories for you from 3AM for you to read or not:

Pork Chops, by Gail Louise Siegel

and

We Are Awake, by me

Thanks for reading!