Love and care for your pets!

There is a heartbreaking story in the Newark Star-Ledger (via NJ.com) this morning about woman being arrested for starving her dog and pushing him down a garbage chute.  The poor puppy (photo owned by Star-Ledger) was found by a sanitation worker who then called animal control.  He's a pit bull that weighs only 20 pounds, but normally should be double that weight. There really needs to be stricter requirements for purchasing/adopting pets and harsher penalties for those that neglect or abuse their pets.

I just recently did an interview with Jeff from Paradise Pets who has done rescue work with pit bulls for years and recently started a charity called Pitty Rescue.  I encourage you to check out the video on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3hxFa1jQA0 and drop by Paradise Pets in Bloomfield, NJ to support Jeff's efforts.

Charity starts at home

After watching the continuing news coverage of the disaster in Japan and seeing images of Japanese children crying and frightened, I started thinking about how to help children here understand what happened and get them involved in helping. 

For younger children, it may be best to explain what happened in Japan, but reassure them that they are safe.  With middle school kids though, it is a great opportunity for them to learn how they can get involved in charity to provide assistance to those in Japan affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Having them do extra chores to earn money to donate is a start.  An easy way for tweens and teen to donate $10 via their mobile phone is by texting "red cross" to 90999.    

Beyond this, you can help your older children participate in fundraising events with local chapters of charities. Often times, these may be car washes, walks or raffles for charity.  This may even help your child gain an interest in volunteering regularly.  In addition to instilling great values, such as humility, older children can learn leadership skills and how to work as part of a team to achieve a goal. It's also a great opportunity to spend time volunteering together as a family. I've done this with my son, volunteering for local food banks as well as the United Way.

Summer Internships

College juniors planning on an internship this summer should definitely submit applications as soon as possible.  A good friend of mine has been applying for internships in advertising and public relations and has been told that all internship openings have already been filled. If you find yourself in this situation, don't despair.  Some thoughts: 

• Find out if you can be added to the waiting list. Occasionally some students will accept an internship, but then pull out later, leaving an opening. 
• Consider seeking internships at smaller firms. Fortune 500 companies are likely to get more applications from students at many colleges, creating a more competitive environment.  Smaller firms may offer a great opportunity and as well as fewer students vying for open internships.
• Get the inside edge.  Rather than going through human resources, leverage any contacts you may have inside the company to help get your resume to the manager who is directly seeking an intern.

Best of luck and I hope you land the internship you're seeking!

Thinking of Japan

CNN Japan Disaster VideoThis morning as I watched ongoing coverage of the disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I keep thinking about the suffering that the millions Japanese are going through.  Even though there is dread and doubt and a sense of sorrow, life will go on.  I know that with time the Japan will rebuild. They've been through earthquakes and tsunamis before. However, this is probably little comfort for those families who've lost their loved ones, their homes and their livelihood.  I am planning to donate to the Red Cross and urge anyone who is in the position to donate to please do so. VIVE Japan!