Pink, it’s not just a color, It’s a mission. It’s you, it’s me, it’s to fight breast cancer together.
— Breast Cancer Awareness Month —
Animal Nation
Rest in Peace Punkin Marie
Good evening friends.
Tonight we pay tribute to a magical Pomeranian, Punkin Marie. Punkin was a member of our great friend, Susan Joseph & family. She passed on October 6th, 2017 at 12 years old.
Punkin’s health started deteriorating in the first few days of October, and then rapidly declined. Showing mercy and saying goodbye was the only loving move left to make.
Susan is a major animal lover and Punkin Marie was her world. Punkin is the perfect depiction of why dogs are considered Man’s best friend. Punkin was Susan’s best friend, buddy and sidekick all at the same time.
As a human dad to 7 dogs, I hope to offer some consoling for such loss and heartache. Susan, you gave Punkin Marie a life filled with love and joy for 12 straight years. That’s nothing short of a miracle right there.
Sammy & Family thanks you for the life you gave Punkin. While Punkin is now gone, she’ll never be forgotten. The world is a better place because she was in it.
A random act of kindness may not change the world, but it changes the world for the recipient of that kindness. Susan showed that kindness to Punkin for 12 years and made her world.
In the words of Pope Francis, “One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ.”
No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
Tribute for Harold Kobner
Good evening friends,
Tonight, we pay tribute to one of NYC’s finest, Mr. Harold G Kobner who passed away on Sunday September 24th.
If there was ever a real life “Everybody Loves Raymond”, it was Harold Kobner. Everybody Loved Harold.
This was truly shocking news. As many of you remember, I had just done a post about what a great real estate broker Harold was on September 16th, eight days before he passed. He was very active in the comment section of that post. Like I said, truly shocking news.
Harold had a very calming effect on people. Whenever I would go on a ranting tirade, he would calmly say, “Scott, do you want to give yourself a heart attack?” — And bam, I would instantly be at ease with a smile on face. From there, he would gracefully take the conversation into another direction so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed of how I just acted.
Whenever we would walk around the city together, I always felt like everything was going to be alright.
One of his best stories was of his mentor in his 80’s who used to tell Harold that if he could do it all over again, he would “worry less”
So friends , I’m passing this on to all of you, and all of Harold’s friends out here, “worry less”
As we all know, Harold was a great human dad to German Shepherd, Max. He loved that dog like I love my dogs. I’m very involved with animals as many of you know too. If anyone knows who’s taking Max, I’d love to connect with them and see that all is OK.
Harold, we love you. We’ll never forget you. The world is a better place because you were in it. Rest In Peace brother.
Amen. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
Vanessa Martinez – 5 Counts of Provable Perjury
This post is dedicated to the love of my life, Patrick, who was killed in the crossfire of corruption, fraud, perjury and felonies perpetrated by Vanessa Martinez and corrupt lawyer and former Judge, Maria Luisa Sanchez Bano.
Vanessa Martinez of Puerto Rico committed at least 5 counts of provable perjury during hearings on April 21st, 2018, May 7th, June 14th, and December 15th of 2018.
As a man who grew up with 5 sisters, a mother and no father, I can say with credibility, Vanessa Martinez is a disgrace to the Me-Too movement. In order to gain an advantage in our divorce, she exploited an animal rescue incident from March 16th, 2018 of which I saved the entire household and almost got killed. As result of that exploitation, we were forced into a hotel, and inevitably into a new neighborhood where Patrick was killed. An area that was never on my radar to live.
As most of you’ve seen, I’m starting to use my First Amendment Rights to shine light on the dastardly acts inflicted upon my family and I by Vanessa Martinez and corrupt lawyer and former Judge, Maria Luisa Sanchez Bano of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, and Hector Estela, the three time cheat, (ex wife, live in girlfriend near Manatee, and mistress Raquel Martinez) and registered animal abuser on my networks who punched my disabled dog, BabyLady in the face on December 15th, 2018. Yes, Of course I reported him.
I’ve made it clear over the years that I am family man. And while my dogs and I might not be a conventional family, we’re a family nonetheless. I don’t let people mess with family. Patrick was killed in the crossfire of corruption, Fraud, perjury and felonies committed by Vanessa Martinez and crooked attorney, Maria Luisa Sanchez.
I have written two preliminary stories about sexual predator, Jorge Martinez and registered animal abuser, Hector Estela, which can be found under “Recent Posts” on the home page this website.
This all part of a much larger feature story I am working on, which will entail text messages, emails, FB messages, transcripts, and recordings. I’m not leaving anything to conjecture. I want to show my community what fraud, perjury, and corruption can do to a family.
My only crime was I loved rescuing animals and making them happy. Vanessa resented that. Good thing for her, sister, Raquel Martinez and Hector Estela, animal abuser and 3 time cheat, (ex-wife, live in girlfriend and mistress, Raquel Martinez) couldn’t deal with all the barking (we did have 8 dogs) being they lived right next door. So, you might say the they had a common interest.
And with that common interest, these three parasites spearheaded one of the sickest and most sadistic assaults on my life in court with outlandish fabrications and slander. Why I am coming forth with this? – Because Patrick was killed while we were chased out of town. And no way is his beautiful and sweet life will going in vain.
I have reported Vanessa Martinez to the Attorney General, The Justice Department and the Solicitor General’s office of Puerto Rico. I will NEVER STOP until justice is served. I swear on Patrick’s grave, I have total resolve regarding this matter.
The only thing that “might” be worse than being a victim, is to be falsely accused of something you were originally deemed a Hero.
Much more to come. You can stay current by following: #JusticeForPatrick on Twitter.
Sincerely,
Scott Smith, Patrick’s Father.
It was a random Thursday, 519 days ago
It was a random Thursday, 519 days ago, when I met, Rocky, “My Little Big Guy”
This is the same park I found him in on November 19th, 2015.
He was frail and sick.
Today he is healthy, happy and an integral part of our family.
Him and I are like peas and carrots.
In the time of forever, I will love him.
Happy Thursday friends.
Sleep resets our energy
Most of life’s problems can be solved with a big night sleep. When we get a big night sleep, our energy resets and invites new possibilities into our lives.
Remy is a Miracle
Good evening friends.
We have a very special story tonight. Please say hello to Remy, a beautiful sweet Schnauzer. The story of Remy is truly a story of miracles.
Remy belongs to our great friends, Deb Dun Magathan and her husband, Larry, both retired now living on the Jersey Shore. They were originally from Pennsylvania
Deb and her family are big time animal lovers. Over the years they have had many many dogs and several kinds of other animals too, including a pig named, Miss Higgins. They always had mini schnauzers up until their last angel passed about a year ago.
One night, Deb’s daughter, Samantha, excitedly texted her about a mini Schnauzer she saw on Facebook. When Deb saw the dog she immediately showed Larry and they immediately knew they had to have him in their lives.
Here’s where it got a little Dicey. Deb had no idea Remy was in Korea and the post had been 12 hours old already. There were many people who wanted Remy.
Deb quickly reached out over FB messenger to Patti Kim in California. Patti works with Jindo Love Rescue for Korean Dogs and Patti could tell how bad Deb and Larry wanted Remy, and picked them.
From there, on January 13th, 2016, Remy flew 19 hours from Korea to JFK International in New York What a little trooper this little fella is.
Remy had a rough life before he was rescued by Jindo Love Rescue. He was being physically abused by the owner’s boyfriend. She gave him up to a kill shelter. This kill shelter sells the dogs to the meat traders in Korea. This is not against the law there in Korea. Jindo Love goes to these places, rescues the dogs and finds homes for them. Deb mentioned that Remy is such a happy lovebug, you’d never know he’d been abused. Animals are so grateful like that.
Sammy & Family has written about the dog and cat meat trade throughout Asia many times over the years. Had this miracle not taken place, Remy was either going to be put down, or worse off, end up circulating in the dog meat trade destined for a horrific ending. An unspeakable ending.
Quick mention on Jindo Love Rescue.
In order to facilitate these rescues from Korea, Patti Kim out of California and their point person in Shanghai China, Su, coordinate with their fosters in Korea and miraculously bring dogs to the states for a brand new life.
Jindo Love is not a nonprofit or registered organization. They are a group of individuals who pool their own money to rescue dogs from the dog meat trade and high kill shelters.
Sammy & Family wants to thank Deb and Larry for making the world a better place several animals at a time.
We also want to thank Patti Kim and Jindo Love for their tireless commitment towards getting innocent dogs out of Korea and into loving families and homes stateside.
In a world with so much pain, thank God we have incredible people and organizations like this on the front lines for animals everyday.
None of us can change everything, but everyone can change something. A random act of kindness may not change the world, but it changes the world for the recipients of that kindness.
No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
Tribute for Westy the Prince
Good evening friends.
Tonight we pay tribute to a fallen angel named Westy. The world lost one of it’s brightest stars.
This beautiful sweet Golden retriever belonged to my great friend, Chantelle Luxenberg and family. Westy passed away in his sleep on January 31st, 2017. He did not suffer. Westy passed away peacefully from natural causes.
When I originally heard the news from Chantelle, I almost fell off my chair. Just a few months ago we talked about doing an evening post about Westy for our friends from around the world.
And then in a blink of an eye, he was gone. Life can be like that. It’s a reminder that everyday is a gift. Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Westy and my Sammy used to have playdates when they were both coming up in the world. When Sammy and Westey were both 2, 3, and 4 years of age, they had seen each other quite a bit.
Westy was so good with Sammy. Being he was 70 pounds and Sammy was only 10 pounds, Westy was very delicate with him. He knew the exact level of strength to use with Sammy in order to play with him and not hurt him.
I always loved knowing Chantelle and Westy were close by. Those were very dark years back then for me. It was nice to feel a sense of family with Chantelle and Westy close by.
Chantelle and Westy were like peas and carrots. Inseparable. If Westly could speak he probably could’ve finished Chantelle’s sentences for her. And Chantelle knew every move that Westy would make before he even made it. They were truly in unison with one another.
Westy was such a grateful dog. Whether running through the sprinkler system, playing in the leaves or frolicking in the snow, Westy was always celebrating life.
He knew life was about the simple things. It takes some people decades to figure that out. And some never do.
Westy loved car rides with the windows open or the top down. Chantelle and Westy took many roads over the years to the Hamptons, Vermont, Boston and everywhere in between.
Westy was extremely active. He could run a hundred times to fetch a tennis ball. He loved to play tug of war with an old sock too. When it came to toys, Westy was singular of purpose, rip out the stuffing and find the squeaky part.
Back at the house Westy would follow Chantelle around from room to room. It was like Chantelle had two shadows. Many of can relate to that. We are everything to our pets. We’re all they have.
The world is better place because Westy was in it. This Golden Retriever was truly Golden.
Sammy & Family wants to thank Chantelle for making the world a better place one animal at a time. A random act of kindness may not change the world, but it changes the world for the recipient of that kindness. Chantelle changed Westy’s world when she took him home 12 years ago.
When the mourning subsides, we won’t be crying because it’s over, we’ll be smiling because it happened.
Westy is gone, but he’ll never be forgotten. One day we’ll all see this sweet prince again.
No lives will go in vain. No pain will unnoticed. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
Donkeys, Sheep and Italy
Good evening friends.
So tonight, we’re heading to Italy for some heartwarming information on Farmers, donkeys and sheep. This picture comes to us from our great friend Gabriella Botalla-Bell. We did a post about her two Chihuahuas and a bunny rabbit last week if you all remember.
As you can see here, we have a donkey carrying two baby sheep. It’s the donkeys job to keep the baby sheep warm while the mother sheep eat grass. Donkeys can carry a lot more weight than sheep can.
These precious animals can be seen from Gabriella’s parents backyard. It’s pretty common in Italy to have all kinds of animals growing up together without any restrictions and cages.
I love that. It sounds like a little slice of heaven. Or as some people say, “Heaven on Earth.
My mother’s family is from Palermo, Sicily by the way. Looks like it’s time to visit Sicily’s countryside. My mother also tells me that’s where my temper comes from, lol.
As times marches on, despite being a city boy, I’ve learned to appreciate nature. I really had no understanding of how beautiful and healing nature can be. After 45 years in the city, I thought the whole world operated that way.
I would go years and years without ever seeing the ocean or mountain tops. I remember when I first got to Puerto Rico, I kept feeling such relief in my vision. And what I mean by that is, I did not have any skyscrapers obstructing my vision anymore. In NYC, the only way to see far is to look up.
In the Caribbean, you can just look out and your vision can be stretched very far, in some spots, endlessly far.
OK, sorry. That was quite a tangent, lol.
It’s great to be alive on January 23rd, 2017. It didn’t have to be this way. Thank God that it is.
Signing off from Puerto Rico on day 744, Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
Redbird was my Heart Hound
Good evening friends.
Tonight’s post is called, “Redbird was my baby. She was my Heart Hound” — This post is a tribute for a Redbird, a fallen angel as of July 22nd, 2015.
Redbird was a family member of our great friend, Alexandria O’hara Wright and family.
Many a times I have mentioned animals are angels walking amonst us. No better depiction of that than is love story.
Alexandria had just gone through a very painful miscarriage and her two prior Basset Hounds had passed a few years prior. We can all relate to that. Sometimes when life hits, life hits hard. These were tough times for Alexandria back in 2004 / 2005.
Alexandria’s husband had recommended they get a new Basset Hound and Alexandria was totally on board. If anyone can lift a person’s spirits, a dog can. That’s why we see them in emergency rooms at hospitals. Animals are natural born healers.
Interestingly enough, after taking Redbird on, a year later Alexandria realized they’d taken home a completely different basset hound then the one they intended on taking home. Alexandria’s mother in law had pictures from a year earlier that showed different markings then the markings on Redbird.
But you’ll know the drill here. After one year of bonding with a pet, no shot you give them up. You just keep on loving them. And that is exactly what Alexandria did. She loved precious, stubborn and adorable Redbird more than life itself.
Alexandria got Redbird on February 28th, 2005. Originally her name was Little Miss Red. But as time moved on and the love kept growing, millions of names flew through the door before they settled on “Redbird”
As animal lovers its easy to relate to madness of the name picking process. The more we love them and learn about hem, the more names and tones we use for them.
Redbird liked to chase chickens other than the few that she was best friends with. She was a fierce protector of Alexandria and family’s 20 acre farm. She chased wild hogs to ground hogs and anything in between. Redbird was very short to the ground as Basset Hounds are known to be, but in her mind she was 15 feet tall and bulletproof.
I love how Alexandria described Redbird’s confidence. I’ve always found that love is what puts the wind in our pet’s sails. So for Redbird to have that kind of confidence is a testament to the kind of love she was shown.
Fun story about Redbird. She loved to chase hummingbirds off of the family’s porch away from the feeders thinking they were hornets. So every time Alexandria brought the feeder outside, Redbird would look at her like she was out of her mind.
Alexandria pointed out how amazing it was to know her every thought just by the look in her eyes. And vice versa believe it or not. Redbird and Alexandria were like peas and carrots. Best friends forever. She and Redbird had multiple conversations daily.
Redbird also loved belly rubs, being brushed, long walks, rides in the car and riding on the 4 wheelers with us. She also appreciated long naps, ice cream and food of any kind.
We wrote about people having conversations with their pets just last week. You see, it’s actually quite common. People have conversations with their pets all the time. Full fledged conversations mind you.
I’m going to quote Alexandria in this next paragraph. It’s too perfect to edit or paraphrase.
“RedBird was my best friend, my walking partner, my confidant and my heart hound. I never had to leash her or keep her gated as she had no desire to leave my side…after finding what I thought was an abscess tooth I scheduled an appointment with the vet thinking maybe the tooth would be surgically removed. Unfortunately within 3 days of hat vet visit we were sending my precious baby to the rainbow bridge. The gum above her tooth had a tumor called a melanoma. And apparently it had spread from a stomach cancer that we never knew she had. We slept face to face her last 2 nights on this earth and I sent her to the bridge on July 22nd 2015. I have never loved anything as much as I loved RedBird. She was without a doubt my baby and my heart hound”
Alexandria, thank you for sharing Redbird’s story with us. It’s been about 18 months since her passing and your story and precise descriptions of Redbird resonated right through our screens and into our hearts.
Redbird might be gone, but will Never be forgotten. She made the world a better place. In the end, it’s like they say, “We rescue them and then they rescue us”
The story of you and Redbird had to happen. I have been writing about animals for the past 5 to 6 years. I will always remember what you said, “She is without a doubt my baby and my heart hound”
Sammy & Family thanks Alexandria and family for making the world a better place, one animal at a time. None of us can change everything. But everyone can change something. Alexandria did just that and changed the world for Redbird, the 15 foot giant.
No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen. Scott Smith for Sammy & Family.
