arthursanchez.com Blog

Frank Dutkiewicz is a writer and critic for AtomJack Magazine. Not too long ago he reviewed “Sha’Daa Tales of the Apocalypse” and gave my story: “Way of the Warrior” a glowing review. In fact, he was so kind that I thought I’d drop him a “thank you” note and we began corresponding about writing, the state of publishing, and trying to break through to the next level. I liked Frank and decided to send him a copy of short story collection “Digital Daydreams 2.” I told him that I hoped he’d enjoy it. He wrote back and asked if I wanted him to review it once he got it. I said sure. He said he’d try to get the review done and have one of the sites he works with post it. I sent him the book and a few months went by.

Frank contacted me to thank me for the book and to ask me a few questions about my process, my writing history, even what I intended to do with my stories over the next few years. I suspected he was trying to work something out — get a handle on me and my work — and knew that his review would be interesting. After he showed me his completed review my comment was: “When did you start channeling my wife, my friends, and my mother?”

I was joking of course. He had made an honest attempt to really review the collection and to explore what he saw as my potential. It is quite a compliment that he was willing to say a few of the stories were good, some were bad, most could have been better and that he thought I had the ability to do that — to do better. Despite the lukewarm review, he thinks I got potential and worries that I may never hit it. (I think that’s my mom talking through him.)

The review is honest. And for that I can only be grateful. Do I agree with him? Not a 100%. Frank doesn’t love a few stories that other readers have absolutely adored. I have gotten fan mail on some from as far away as Osaka, Japan. But that’s ok. It’s impossible to please everyone. But to still convince them that you have an ability is far more important. So, read Frank’s review. Compare it to your own thoughts on my stories. Do you agree with his overall assestment? Let me know. It’s all good and it all helps.

For Frank’s review, click here: http://blog.atomjackmagazine.com/?p=167

This one came to me courtesy of that inexhaustable supply of humor — the internet. Funny thing is, I tried a couple of these and they are real websites. I won’t swear that they are all real but the ones I tried were NOT Porn sites (admit it, that was your first thought) but legitimate sites whose owners just weren’t thinking. Enjoy.

1. ‘Who Represents’ is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is:
www.whorepresents.com

2.. ‘Experts Exchange’ is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at:
www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than ‘ Pen Island .’ It can be found at:
www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try ‘Therapist Finder’ at:
www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then there’s the ‘Italian Power Generator’company. Check it out at:
www.powergenitalia.com

6.’IP computer’ software, there’s always:
www.ipanywhere.com

7. And the designers at ‘Speed of Art’ await you at their wacky Web site:
www.speedofart.com

Seems I have a gift for the sentimental story. I originally got into the Chicken Soup for the Soul series with a story entitled: “My First Kiss.” It was published a few years ago in “Chicken Soup for the Romantic Soul.” People generally thought it was very sweet. (It was about my first kiss, which I experienced in the coat closet when I was in First Grade.)

Well, I now have a story in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: True Love.” It just came out and should be available in your local book store right now. This one is about how I met my wife. People think it’s pretty cute too.

If you’re inclined, pick it up and take a look. My story starts on page 8.

We all feel sorry for ourselves. Sometimes we have good reasons for it. Most times we don’t. Well, every now and again I’ll come across a story that doesn’t so much make me feel sad for someone else but rather challenges me to do better with what what I’ve got.

The link below is for a video on Patrick Henry Hughs. I won’t spoil it by telling you all about it but I will say that it is inspirational. As Patrick states quite clearly, he doesn’t have “disabilities.” He has “abilities.” Watch it and be inspired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg

I got this link from a friend who’s a big dog advocate. It’s sweet and sad and will make you smile. The point is to argue against “Breed Specific” legislation. In other words, don’t ban the dogs cause some people are too cruel or stupid to own them. Which is where I get my title. It’s been said (I know that I’ve said it) that there’s no such thing as a bad dog. Only bad owners. And though there are occasionally dogs who are so far gone (from abuse) that they cannot be saved, most dogs (like people) can be saved through love, understanding, kindness, and guidance. (If you follow any of the stories that came out of the infamous Michael Vic dog fighting ring, you will see evidence of that fact.) So if you’re in the mood for something sentimental and sweet, that has dogs, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73j-H8jgQSs

PS

Most people don’t know this but Petey (the dog from the famous ‘Our Gang’ films — the dog with the circle around one eye) was an American Pit Bull. Yup, the dog millions of kids would have killed to have owned was a pit bull.

People LOVE doomesday sceanarios. I don’t know why. They just do. In the year 666 Europeans thought the world was going to end. (Mark of the beast and all that.) Same thing come the year 1666. The same thing every time a century ends and a new century begins. There was the Y2K bug back in 2000. I was in computers back then and though it was a pain in the butt for a lot of programmers (many of whom went on to make huge amounts of money on all the overtime they had to put in), nobody really thought the world would end. Maybe a black out or two but nothing nobody couldn’t handle. Etc., etc., etc.

The latest hot button is now the year 2012. According to all those people who have been waiting for a disaster, that’s the year the Mayan calendar says the world is going to end. They say this is true cause if you read the prophesies of Nostradamus (who wrote all if his prophesies in poetic verse that makes sense only AFTER the event has happened) they both agree that the world is going to end.

Of course, problem is that the Mayan calendar doesn’t say that world is going to end. It only says that a very important cycle will have come to an end and there is a tremendous change coming. This, of course, means the world is going to end, right? Change can’t be good. Change can’t mean universal health care, a cure for cancer, world peace, racial equality, peace in the middle east, somebody other than the Yankees winning the World Series, nothing like that, right?

People, we’re so weird.

Well, there was an article on the net yesterday that talks about what the Mayan calendar does and does not say. I’ll give you the link at the bottom of this post. They actually interviewed a guy who is Mayan. (Imagine that.) And he pretty much says that other people are projecting their fears onto his people’s calendar. He rejects the idea that 2012 is the end of the world and even makes the very practical point of saying that his people are more concerned with the present drought they are suffering than any claims of the end of the world. If you ask me, he seems like a pretty level-headed guy.

So if you want to read what the Mayans think of their own calendar, click on the this link. It might put some people’s minds at ease.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-10-10-2012-apocalypse_N.htm?csp=34

Those of you who have been following the stories of “Dustin” know that we got him from Pet Rescue in Miami. Well, sadly, Pet Rescue is being forced to close their doors. This is the email that Kathy Cremer (a volunteer at the shelter) has sent out.

TO ALL OF MY DEAR FRIENDS THAT HAVE HELPED ME POST MY PET RESCUE MIAMI SHELTER DOGS OVER THE PAST 4 YEARS……….I AM THE BEARER OF THE SAD NEWS OF THE SHELTER’S CLOSING

THIS HAS BEEN A NO-KILL RESCUE/SHELTER/SANCTUARY FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS. SAVING THOUSANDS OF DOGS AND CATS. PET RESCUE DID NOT DISCRIMINATE, DID NOT JUST TAKE THE ONES THAT WOULD EASILY BE ADOPTED, BUT TOOK WHICHEVER ANIMALS CROSSED THE THRESHOLD.

DUE TO THE ECONOMY, THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE SEEN A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN MONEY AND VOLUNTEERS, AND PET RESCUE CAN NO LONGER SURVIVE. THIS RESCUE HAVEN IS CLOSING DOWN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. WE STILL HAVE 15 DOGS AND OVER 100 CATS THAT LIVE HERE. SOME ARE VERY ADOPTABLE, SOME NOT AS ADOPTABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE.
BUT ALL DESERVE TO HAVE A FOREVER HOME

I HAVE MADE A LIST WITH PASTED PIX OF THE 15 DOGS (THE CATS ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST BUT I WILL BE SENDING A FEW AT A TIME IN SEPARATE EMAILS). I KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH DESPERATE ANIMALS, BUT PLEASE JUST LOOK AND SEE IF YOU CAN PLACE ANY OF THEM AND PLEASE SEND THIS LIST AROUND. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR OTHER RESCUES TO MAKE ROOM BUT ARE HOPING TO PLACE THEM ALL IN A HOME OR LONGTERM FOSTER. SOME OF THESE DOGS HAVE SPENT 10+ YEARS AT THE RESCUE AND THIS IS THEIR HOME, SO IT WOULD BE TRAUMATIC TO PLACE THEM IN A SHELTER/KENNEL ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY WOULD BE CAGED.

GOLDEN OLDIES-
Ginger( mix? 50lb) and Louie (shep mix 65lbs) 12 and 14 yo, lived their lives at PR together. Ginger is a tripod. She loves Louie but no other dogs or cats. They are both loving with people and totally non-aggressive.

Heather(Beagle mix 5olbs) 13 yo, lived her life at PR, loves the volunteers. Is very shy and picky about the people she loves. Probably not good with other dogs, used to run in a pack but all have died. No cats or kids. But a quiet home with relaxed adults would make her happy. She loves to walk on the leash for short walks. No picture.

Junior 14 (akita 50 lbs.), lived his entire life at PR…. He is loving to the people he knows. He shakes and is mostly deaf and doesn’t see well. Probably doesn’t have a long time in this world, but he still knows when I come to give walks and hangs at the door whining until I get him. Don’t think he will be good with other dogs or cats, but not sure since he has been alone for many years.

Sport- 8yo lab mix. Friendly, happy guy. About 50 lbs. No cats though. Gets along with other dogs.

Samson- 9 yo yellow labrador. Sweet as can be. Good with other dogs. No cats though, not too old to chase them.

Blackie- 8yo black lab female. Good with cats and other dogs.

YOUNG ADULTS:

Heidi -3 yo shep mix(45 lbs) who is so timid that she won’t come near you, she is ok with some dogs if they don’t jump on her and want to play. She has come around to most of us and will let you pet her and gives you her paw, she needs a very patient and loving gentle family. An older person/s would be perfect. No cats.

Roxie 3 yo 30 lb little black mixed terrier. Very frightened of people until she knows them. Very submissive though and just runs to hide when strangers come. She has made leaps of progress at Pet Rescue in the 2 years that she has been here. Good with other dogs and cats.

BEAUTY AND HONEY- mommy and daughter yellow lab/ridgeback mixes that are 2 and 4 yo. They have been at PR 2 years but are extremely timid and don’t show well, run and hide when people come look at them. They are very sweet and non-aggressive to humans, attached at the hip. Not good with cats,have been good with male dogs, but together they don’t let any other dog into their pack.

HUNTER- 2 yo and 40 lbs, shep/spitz/maybe chow black. He loves the volunteers and really wants to please, but he is a very nervous dog and if a person he doesn’t know makes a darting movement or tries to pet him on his lower back, and he thinks they mean him harm, he will turn around and do a quick growl/snarl(never to me, but to those he doesn’t know) He has never bitten. He shows lots of crazy aggression to other dogs from his kennel, but when off leash with dogs he has been fine and plays. He wants to be the ALPHA. He really needs an experienced owner that will work with him. He wants to be loved so much and has a lot of love to give. He loves to play fetch and go on walks. I don’t think he should be placed in a home with children. Young adults and older. He is not good with cats.
He comes with an obedience training package from Edel Miedes, k9 advisor.

Very Adoptables:

Boone-75 lb hound/rhod.rideback. Under 2 yo Handsome guy,loves attention. Very active and strong and powerful. Is having obedience training. Free training lesson in the home with adopter. Don’t think he is good with cats. He is not animal aggressive.

Venus- 35 lb female labbish mix. 1year. Good with cats, dogs and kids.

Zack-45lb male lab/mix- just under one year. Good with cats, dogs and kids.
Claude 7month old ?mix about 30 lbs…probably grow to 40lb. Very gentle but playful pup. Good wi everyone .

Troy-under 1yo lab/terrier mix. Good with everyone.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in any of these dogs just go to: WWW.PETRESCUEMIAMI.COM for more information and to contact the shelter about the dog. These guys need all the help we can give them.