New Addition to the Family – 18 SEP 2014

A visit to the local animal shelter, lead to an increase to our four-legged family.
A seven year old Chihuahua-rat terrier mix, who the Vet thinks might be older because of the grey muzzle.
Her name was CiCi but since she didn't respond to that name, we changed it to Rita (Hayworth) as she dances (moon walks after whizzing) and does a two-legged hop for treats.
She fits right in with her new brothers, Rudy Vallee, and Clark Gable.
Her tail is usually up and wagging, she is bright eyed and loves to follow Gable around the yard while he barks at activity on the street, looking like Batman and Robin on patrol.
According to her records, she's been in and out of the pound several times over the years. I can only guess it's because at her late age she is still not house broken.
She sleeps under my arm, not moving all night, happy to have a secure, loving environment. Her presence has had a surprising effect on my cat, Max, who after several years, still hisses at Gable. Bringing one more dog into the house, has made Max acquiescent to the canine situation.

After six month there were no more accidents, once Rita felt loved and secure she became house broken. As of June 2019, she is truly a senior and having heart problems, taking three types of medicine each day...but she still loves going for a ride and taking walks with her pack.
Even has a new look:
On July 4th, 2019 Rite died in our arms, her five years with us seemed much longer since she brought so my joy into our lives. Adopting a senior animal is a precious gift to the animal and the owners. Rita earned her keep a year after we got her. A rat got into my brothers bath tub and Rita did her rat-terrier thing, breaking it's neck in a split second. She was gentle and loving with our cats, but would take care of any mice they brought into the house.
 

World’s Largest Rubber Duck – 06 SEP 2014

The duck was such a hit, it was held over for two weeks, calling it the "Duck Days of Summer."  It was fun to see it without the event fencing.
61 feet tall, 110 feet long, 85 feet wide, 11 tons, it's an inflatable, riding on a pontoon with its own generator which powers the fans that keep it inflated. It has traveled to Taiwan, Azerbaijan, China,  Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, Japan, Brazil and in the United States, Pittsburgh, Norforlk and Los Angeles.
Everyone wanted to get their picture taken with the duck.
Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, paying with perspective was popular.
 
In 1992, a shipping crate containing nearly 29,000 plastic bath toys was lost at sea when it fell overboard on its way from Hong Kong to Tacoma, Washington. This Chart shows their journey over several years:
Additional activities took place, including International Bird Rescue presentations, a canned food drive, Youth Duck Day, a Duck Dance and Dress like a Duck Day.
This afternoon, a woman showed up dressed like a fish and strangers were asking to have their picture taken with her.