Tribute for Muhammad Ali

Tribute for Muhammad Ali

Good morning friends.

With great sadness the world says goodbye to Muhammad Ali. The champ passed away Friday night in a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ali was a 3 time Heavyweight boxing champion, he was a champion of the people and a civil rights activist.

Since the 1960’s he was one of the most well known and loved people on the planet. Muhammad Ali was a larger than life giant.

I remember watching him fight Joe Frazier in 1979. I was jumping up and down on my parents bed like a wild horse. I was so memorized by him and everything I heard about him.

We can all thank Muhammad Ali for inspiring the Rocky movie series starting in 1976. Sylvester Stallone had seen an Ali fight in March of 1975, where an underdog almost took down the Champ. That fight is what gave way to the original “Rocky” movie.

As we know Muhammad Ali battled with Parkinson’s since 1984. Even still, when people met him over the past few decades, they were in awe.

When Ali was around, he owned the room. Everybody had their eyes on him.

Rest in Peace Muhammad Ali. You were one of the greatest people that ever walked the face of the Earth. Amen.

Picture is from here; http://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/watching-rocky-ii-with-muhammad-ali

Savannah and Frankie

 

Savannah and Frankie

Good evening friends.

We have a very heart warming story tonight. Say hello to Little Savannah. Her mother Jennifer reached out to us to share her daughter’s story. Savannah has Pervasive Developmental Disorder, also known a Atypical Autism. It’s a form of autism that she developed as an infant which causes her to be significantly impaired socially and with communication. 

As Jennifer did learned more about Autism, it has been said that autistic children bond well with animals. Jennifer started taking Savannah to the animal shelter several times a month but still not much of a connection with any of them.

Then about two years ago, then went to the shelter again and Savannah was drawn to a big black fluffy dogs with pointy ears. Jennifer and Savannah adopted this dog and named him Frankie. Savannah would reach out to pet him, hug him and kiss him. Things she would never do before. She had a real soulful connection with Frankie. After reading this post, please see the video link to witness how much this dog Frankie, lifted Savannah’s spirits.

Sadly, several months ago Frankie developed some strange symptoms: mainly scratching the air near his head, and his legs would give out on him randomly. After a visit to the vet, it was determined that he has syringomyelia. It is caused by a partial blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. As a result, pressure builds  and the fluid is pushed into the spinal cord where it forms fluid pockets called “syrinxes”, damaging the spinal cord. Affected dogs can suffer significant pain, weakness, incoordination and even paralysis.

Jennifer spent thousands for an MRI, steroids, anti-convulsants, medication for pain and swelling, and all of the vet follow-up visits.  However, Frankie is getting worse. He is in dire need of a surgery which will cost approximately $7500. Jennifer has come up with $3500 dollars but is still $3900 dollars short. If anyone can spare any surgery funds for this little trooper, your money would go very far.

Jennifer does not want anyone donating for her, only donate for the sake of her daughter Savannah and Frankie.  Here is the link if you would like donate; https://fundanything.com/en/campaigns/savannah-and-frankie

If you cannot donate, please keep Savannah and Frankie in your thoughts and prayers. The video of this larger than life friendship is right here; https://www.facebook.com/frankieandsavannah/videos/228782390826504/

And just below is the Video link, a must see; https://www.facebook.com/frankieandsavannah/videos/228782390826504/

Jeffrey brings us the light

Smiling Jeffrey on June 1st, 2016

Good morning friends.

Its great to be hear with everyone on June 1st, 2016. Another gift today. Good, bad or indifferent, we get another shot to set it straight and to pursue happiness.

Jeffrey decided to swing by and bring everybody a big smile with some beautiful nature behind him. In the digital world we are all in, its very important to connect with nature when we can. Even for just a moment or two, it does wonders for the soul.

OK, lets kick this day off on a positive foot. And then two random data points about June.

Everybody has minutia in their lives, let’s not let it control our lives. Minutia is just stuff we have to deal with but does not define our lives.  Being happy, joyous and free defines our lives. Let’s reach out today and lift someone’s spirits.

Random Data Points about June.

1. June is named after the Roman Goddess “Juno”

2. June is “National Awareness Candy Month”

See you tomorrow friends. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Poppy Rocky Tuesday on May 31st, 2016

Poppy Rocky Tuesday on May 31st, 2016

Good morning friends.

Happy Poppy Rocky Tuesday. A day filled with Hope and Possibilities. Remember, if the Pops and Rocky can make it, anyone can.

Rocky reminds me its the little things in life. Just look at him here. We’re not doing very much, but hes having the time of his life.

Day 507 here in Puerto Rico, and day 195 since we rescued Rocky. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

In Observance of Memorial Day – 2016

Memorial Day 2016

Good morning friends.

Today we honor and remember those who died in active military service. Although this federal holiday has become the kick start to the summer, family gatherings and barbecues, we mustn’t forget the sacrifices that were made to afford us such pleasures. The price of freedom was and is very high.

Sammy & Family salutes our men, woman and fur-babies in uniform. We would also like to give a big shout out to Emmanuel Enrique Dextre, who served in the military and was gracious enough to have The Army make Sammy this uniform. It is not a costume. This was made for Sammy by the United State Army.

Enrique, if you are reading this, please shoot me an email so we can catch up. My email is; smith7024@yahoo.com

Have a great Monday friends. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

A nostalgic Friday

A nostalgic Friday

Good morning friends.

We are going with a nostalgic kind of Friday if you will. The ole taking stock of one’s life kind of thing.

This picture takes me back to the beginning of the ELS journey. I never thought in a million years from the time of this picture, we would meet so many great people from all walks of life from all over the world.

What a gift this has been for Sammy & Family. Its the gift that keeps on giving. Kind of like “Time Magazine” only with more interesting stories, lol.

I’m starting to feel a lot better and as promised we’re going to do a belated birthday video for my birthday that just passed. I would have forced it on my birthday itself, but in the name of vanity, i took a pass. God forbid I don’t look my best on video, lol.

Have a great Friday friends. Day 503 here in Puerto Rico. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

The best things in life are free

The best things in life are free

Good morning friends.

Thank you for stopping by. It’s great to be alive on May 26th, 2016. Sammy and Henry love to relax and do some people watching. They have made thousands of friends over the years just by sitting back.

I once asked both of them how they meet so many people. Sammy and Henry told me that when you smile at people, its like inviting them to come say hello. And then it occurred to me, smile more and you’ll meet new people and develop new friendships.

I guess its true what they say; “The best things in life are free”

Happy Thursday friends. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.

Happy 47th birthday and day 500 in Puerto Rico

Birthday 47

Good morning friends.

Thank you for stopping by for my birthday. Yup, 47 big ones. Or said another way, I’ve been alive for 17,265 days.

I don’t really like making a big deal for my birthday other than to use it as an excuse for all of us to get together.  I apologize we did not put a video together, i have been slightly under the weather. I am on the mend now though. In a couple of days we will put a video out when I’m 100 percent.

OK, so day 500 here in Puerto Rico. And because of my birthday and this 500 day milestone,  I am going to share 3 very quick stories.

1. This one is for all the kids out there. As the summer approaches many of you will head off to sleep away camp for 7 to 8 weeks. This was a big thing in the Northeast.  As it turns out, it was actually more of parents wanting a break from their kids really. Now its true, many kids ended up really loving sleep away camp. And some of us did Not. I absolutely despised it.  If you are one of those kids who gets homesick and did not like camp, I have a no lose strategy to share with you.   Continue reading