Animals Unfolded

If you could change one thing about your pet, what would it be? - AnnArbor.com

Friday Pet Blogging: A child's vantage point - AnnArbor.com

Tiny pooch stays warm and stylish in Michigan winters - AnnArbor.com

There has been a lot of talk recently about one topic that I am fascinated by: the relationship between dogs and humans. It's been said that without dogs, humans would still be hunter/gatherers. Dogs co-habitate, travel and even work with us. Inarguably, dogs have had a tremendous impact on our lives through the ages, and as that's unfolded - we've impacted the species as well. With the domestication of dogs, we've changed the very landscape of each breed . On November 9, PBS will be presenting a program on NOVA called: Dogs Decoded - detailing the bond between canine and humans, past and present. What does the future hold for both species? We'll just have to see. Lorrie Shaw is a regular pets contributor for AnnArbor.com and is also owner of Professional Pet Sitting , providing pet sitting services and dog walking in the areas of West Ann Arbor, Dexter and Chelsea. She welcomes your contact by e-mail.

Did you see this? A resourceful dog - a chocolate lab named Honey - satisfied her penchant for fresh fish after the Skokomish river near Seattle, WA flooded. The fish were, as you can see, were frantically swimming across the roadway and Honey promptly sauntered over, picked up a salmon and took off with it. Check out the video . While I was at it, I found some more video of a yellow lab having a ball on a fishing trip, too. Enjoy! Lorrie Shaw is a dog walker and owner of Professional Pet Sitting , and is a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's pet section with her blog, More Than Four Walls , where she also wrote the popular blog post, " Take your dog to work day, 2010: A tale of two local dogs ". Reach her via e-mail and follow her on Twitter @psa2

Ann Arbor resident doesn't allow traditional concepts of dog ownership to limit her - AnnArbor.com

Friday Pet Blogging continues: send in your submissions! - AnnArbor.com

flickr photo courtesy of jaroslaw In June of 2008 the City of Ann Arbor approved an ordinance for residents to keep chickens on their property (with neighbor consent). As Corinna Borden points out in a blog this past summer, keeping chickens is fairly easy manage, but understandably, it's not for everyone. For some people, what seemed to be a great idea, turned into a lot more than they wanted to handle.  SASHA Farm in Manchester has declared Urban Chicken Amnesty Week for folks in areas of SE Michigan and the Toledo area who wish to hand over their chickens for retirement to the farm. Space is limited, of course, as it is at most animal sanctuaries, and not every request can be honored. Amnesty Week is November 1 - November 6, 2010. Lorrie Shaw is a dog walker and owner of Professional Pet Sitting , and is a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's pet section with her blog, More Than Four Walls, where she examines topics ranging from social issues, behavior a...

Pet First Aid app for dogs and cats now available for iPhone - AnnArbor.com

This is a hot topic: Breed-specific legislation for dogs . What's your experience with it? What is your opinion? Take the poll, and leave your comments. Your two cents is valued: poll by twiigs.com

Caring for animals may have influenced human evolution - AnnArbor.com

Partnership between AKC Canine Health Foundation, Pfizer to research frontiers of disease and treatment in pets - AnnArbor.com

Living vicariously through a dog can help you discover your own joy - AnnArbor.com

Yet another case of animal abuse and neglect. I'm always very puzzled when I learn about these cases. Why do people decide to adopt pets, and then intentionally neglect them? What goes through their mind? These cases always generate a lot of emotion from people, and I find that interesting also. Read the comments at the end of the article. They're very telling of the very diverse ways that our society views pets, and animals in general. Pittsfield Township man sentenced to 11 months in jail for starving puppy - AnnArbor.com What do you draw from the article?

In a previous article regarding the changes in the Americans With Disabilities Act , ADAI was one of the service dog training centers in the area that I had featured. Assistance Dogs America Inc ., located in Swanton, Ohio, has placed therapy dogs and service dogs with individuals for over 25 years. Helping kids and adults with disabilities achieve more independence by training and placing the dogs to assist with the individual's daily needs. ADAI serves individuals in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan's lower peninsula. For more information on just what these amazing service dogs do, or for more information, visit http://www.adai.org/ Read a featured article on AADI on AnnArbor.com - Local Woman Receives Therapy Dog - Community News Lorrie Shaw is a pet blogger, owner of Professional Pet Sitting (pet sitting and dog walking) and a regular pets contributor on AnnArbor.com. She enjoys writing about topics ranging from health, behavior and the social connection betwe...

Great article by John Spieser of dog trainer and owner of Dogheart , in Ann Arbor. He touches on separation anxiety and destructive behavior issues stemming from an abrupt change in a dogs' schedule, like back-to-school. Back-to-school blues? What you can do to limit impact of sudden changes in schedule for your dog - AnnArbor.com Lorrie Shaw is a professional pet sitter and dog walker as well as a regular pets contributor on AnnArbor.com. She also enjoys researching solutions regarding pet wellness and behavior, as well as social issues related to pets. She can be reached via e-mail.

Are strictly vegetarian or vegan diets suitable for pets? - AnnArbor.com

With poll: New Department of Justice's ADA regulations narrow definition of service animals - AnnArbor.com

Housekeeping with pets: simple, easy tips to keep your sanity - AnnArbor.com

Recent American Airlines tragedy puts focus on pet air travel safety - AnnArbor.com

Therapeutic Riding Inc. helps riders with disabilities — and provides rewarding experience for volunteers - AnnArbor.com

Are we expecting too much out of our dogs? - AnnArbor.com

A jaunt with your pooch out in the woods can be a great way to get exercise and spend time together. Most dogs like to dart off into the brush, sniffing as they meander around. Typical dog behavior, right? Of course! flickr photo courtesy of The Equinest It's important when fun time is over, to examine your pooch thoroughly. Looking for ticks is crucial, of course, but there is another caveat to outdoor fun, especially for long haired dogs, like golden retrievers . Foxtails are notorious for hitching a ride and embedding themselves easily into tangles of fur, but they can pose a bigger risk: digging into openings in the skin. If this happens, big problems can ensue and surgical removal may become necessary. Three common places that foxtails enter the body are the ears , nose and paws, so if your pooch spends a lot of time outdoors in fields or brushy areas, examining these areas is very important. Paws: Keep the fur trimmed on the underside of the paws and che...

A couple of nights ago, I was doing my nightly reading and research and ran across a blog post that one of my fellow tweeps, @MelzPetPals had written. The post included a gut wrenching letter from a Shelter Manager that details the not-so-pretty side of reality in a dog shelter. Read it here - but I caution you to grab a box of tissues; you're going to need them. For quite some time, I've had this sort of thing on my mind, and have been trying to organize my thoughts to pull together a concise blog. I cannot figure out why people are not "getting it". Why is it that there continues to be a steady stream of unwanted pets relinquished to shelters, unplanned litters of puppies and kittens who were result of an 'accident' and cases of abuse toward animals? Why do people insist on having exotic pets - ones that they have no idea how to, nor ability to care for properly? The plight of  "designer dogs" is distressing, too - and unethical breeders n...

http://www.thebark.com/content/helping-one-another#comment-4520

(Photo courtesy of Kim Garrison) Sequel, seen here padding through a creek in NJ The weather here in southeast Michigan has been uncomfortable as of late - hot, muggy - oppressive! It's not just so for us, but our pets! We all want ways to keep cool, and safe from the effects of the high temperatures. This morning, one of my pawsome followers and fellow dog owner, @kimhalligan1 on Twitter reminded me of a great way to keep dogs cool on days like these, while getting them their much needed exercise. Read it here. Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of retractable leashes because they do not allow me the control and safety factor that is often needed when I'm walking dogs, but in this case - swimming alongside a clear riverbank, or even running or biking in a safe, open area - retractables work great and allow your pooch a bit more freedom and distance while keeping them tethered safely. Sometimes, that's a really good thing. So, why not get out there with your pup to...

Fred the umbrella cockatoo available for adoption at Huron Society of Huron Valley - AnnArbor.com

Firefly toxicity a problem in lizards - AnnArbor.com

Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary is hopping over to the Ann Arbor Art Fair - AnnArbor.com

Ann Arbor Art Fairs and animals - AnnArbor.com

flickr photo courtesy of TerryJohnston It's no secret that the number of homeless and unwanted pets is difficult to manage for humane societies, shelters and rescues alike. Typically there are opportunities for people to foster animals at their homes, and the rewards can be momumental for both pet and human. In Rikke Jorgensen's article " The Joy of Dog Fostering " in the current The Bark magazine illustrates the scenario of fostering well, giving a glimpse into the lives of foster families. For the animals, just the tip of the iceberg is getting the one-on-one attention that they receive in a household setting, a reduction in the exposure to stress. For the humans, the rewards are limitless. Many animals being considered for fostering have physical challenges or illnesses - which, when they are housed in a traditional shelter-type setting can make it difficult to heal or thrive. Others are advanced in age; shelters can be hard on them, too. Being fostered provide...

Local vet takes over Animal Rehabilitation Facility in Dexter; offers options for canine rehabilitation, pain management, conditioning - AnnArbor.com

Participate and offer your comments: poll by twiigs.com

Merging two households into one successfully: the blended pet family - AnnArbor.com

Service dogs are an integral part of some peoples lives who are coping with chronic illness. Shaylee Jones is no exception, Shaylee, who is 5 and has Aicardi Syndrome is plagued by the possibility of seizures - as well as the risk of stopping breathing while she sleeps at night. A service dog can help by alerting her family when an emergency arises, saving her life. A garage sale was held in Berkeley, MI to help defray the cost of a service dog. A local business donated $10,000 to the cause and 95.5's Mojo in the Morning were on site to help out. Roop Raj of Fox 2 spent some time there, and with the help of his tweet , brought more attention to the cause. Watch the video story here . The ability of canines - especially those that have been through training - to perceive a possible health crisis and to bring comfort to the individual that they have been carefully matched with is uncanny. A lot of work goes into the selection, training of the dogs, and then matching up human to ...

Dog food recalls: Merrick treats and United Pet Group nutritional supplements - AnnArbor.com

Flickr photo courtesy of Justin Baeder This heat wave that we are experiencing has reminded me of a condition that affects canines , and I think that it bears emphasizing as it hits one of the most popular breeds - and can be exacerbated by temperatures and humidity that are higher than the dog is used to . Exercise Induced Collapse , or EIC, is an inherited disorder that is characterized by onset of weakness in the hind limbs, (sometimes progressing to the front limbs,) an unusual gait, inability to coordinate limbs - to in some cases, inability to move at all. Symptoms are typically brought on by strenuous exercise, sometimes only after a few minutes. EIC is usually found to affect Labrador Retrievers (all colors and both sexes), Chesapeake Retrievers and curly coated retrievers. Although a pooch may seem in tip top condition and athletic, do not let this fool you - EIC can affect seemingly healthy dogs. Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered the gene . Add...

The heat wave is going to continue through Wednesday. Keep your pets safe with these tips. Common sense, precautions can protect animals from heat-related illness - AnnArbor.com

AnnArbor.com to be dropoff location for Bountiful Bowls program - AnnArbor.com

Excessive barking problem? Local animal behaviorist offers safe, humane solutions - AnnArbor.com

In training puppies and dogs, there are a few things to remember - consistency, keep the sessions short, a good sense of timing and most of all, use really yummy treats... and just tiny bits of them. In keeping your dogs attention during training sessions - we can use all the help that we can get! I see many people buy expensive dog training bits and treats, but to me it seems a bit silly. You can use things like hot dogs , sliced thinly and then cut into quarters - or you can make homemade liver training treats for just pennies. Best of all, in the latter case you have control of what ingredients are in the treats and most dogs love liver. Start with organic calf liver (this is important as the organ acts as a filter to mitigate toxins from the body), boiled for a few minutes in water to cook (10 - 15 minutes), then rinse off to get rid of the scum that accumulates. Dry with a paper towel, then place the boiled liver onto a cookie sheet, completely flat and into a 225 degree ove...

A few days ago, I wrote a piece on AnnArbor.com with regard to Take Your Dog To Work Day celebrated on June 25 that's been celebrated over the past few years. It is an opportunity to focus on the relationship between animals and humans and additionally, pet adoption . In preparation for the article, I created a poll , and posed a few questions to clients and friends and they had some interesting things to say about the idea of having dogs in the workplace. One person working in an office setting indicated, It would be great for person who gets to bring in their pet and would enhance the environment/well-being of the office at large. having a dog approach me for a scratch behind the ears would be a wonderful way to take a break from the office routine. However, the big downside is that many people are allergic to pets, and if there is even one co-worker who is, the office really needs to respect that and not permit animals in hte office area. Some people are afraid of animals, and ...

Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. announces a voluntary recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk

Take Your Dog To Work Day, 2010: a tale of two local dogs - AnnArbor.com

When will this kind of thing end? 42 dogs . Wow. I'm so thankful to the individuals who spoke up and made the call. I always wonder when there is a case like this that comes to light, "How many others are out there, undiscovered?" If you ever see or hear anything that you feel might be questionable, never be afraid to speak up. Animal cruelty is a lose/lose situation. 44 animals seized from Webster Township home following anonymous tip - AnnArbor.com

Success of first 'Dog-Up' is sure to inspire pet lovers locally - AnnArbor.com

Yesterday, I read this article by Eric Goebelbecker , owner of Dog Spelled Forward . Eric is a certified dog trainer in Bergen County, New Jersey area. His thoughts on dog parks made perfect sense to me, and is why I do not participate in the whole dog park thing in my business. I find that some dog owners can't even control their dogs on a walk - especially in the city. Some mean well, I think, hover they lack the ability to be able to read their dogs' body language, and sometimes have not mastered basic training and commands with their dog. I worry about the whole movement toward not getting dogs vaccinated, too. I understand some folks' reasons for not doing so - (health reasons, prior reaction, age) - but generally those dogs are not in a more 'public' setting and there is much less of a chance of spreading disease. What are your thoughts on dog parks ? What is your experience? Lorrie Shaw is a pet blogger, a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com and owner of P...

Share photos of your pet and enter to win a gift basket! - AnnArbor.com

Skunk spray: a proven method to remove it, and food for thought on its other effects - AnnArbor.com

With the workplace environment becoming more relaxed, more and more people are able to bring their dogs to work with them. Are you one of them? Participate in the poll and please - leave your comments... how it has changed the way that you feel, your productivity and how it affects your work environment as a whole. If you work in the Ann Arbor area, I'd be very interested in talking with you personally about your experience. poll by twiigs.com

This guys face just kills me. He really seems to understand the predicament that he's in. If you have room in your life and home to adopt a dog, please consider Hobo. Get in touch with Westarbor Animal Hospital at 734-769-5391 'Me again. The dog without a home'.

Animal blood bank serves a vital need - AnnArbor.com

Last week, the cruelty and rescue staff from HSHV rescued 18 dogs, and are mostly small breed. Due to the increased caseload of puppies - which was exacerbated by the intake of 26 puppies from Mississippi - the organization desperately needs foster volunteers to help out. Are you interested in being a foster? You can make all of the difference! The dogs were taken out of a hoarding situation, first reported by Tina Reed of AnnArbor.com.

A couple of weeks ago, I talked a bit about my clients life with her cockatoo, Buddy. I touched briefly on the way that Buddy will interact with me, and the world that exists outside of her cage. She is receptive to all sorts of stimuli including the activity of other birds that she observes out the large window in her view - and the tonal variations in my voice, body language and movement, and she'll respond in kind. Interestingly enough, she responds to music too. Buddy's owner, Marlene will leave a radio set on a timer to come on at various times of day in her absence. During the last block of time that I cared for her, some music started to play in a segment of a news story on NPR. Buddy immediately took notice, perked up and cocked her head to the side. The spontaneous music seemed to elicit exaggaterated movement on her part and when I started to bop around and dance a little, Buddy began to get more excited, vocalize and do the same. She seems to recognize and associate...

We all have stories of how our pets came to be in our midst. Participate by taking the poll. Be sure to share your stories in the comments section! poll by twiigs.com

Since our Gretchen was approaching the big "10" last year, I really started to think seriously about the way her body metabolizes chemicals and drugs at this age. Actually, I've always had concerns with regard to what is used in, on and around my pets . Especially with the frequency of use with lawn care products and cleaning supplies, I've opted to go the natural route whenever I can. In my knowledge of herbs and naturally based components, I know that there things that help to address fleas , and have employed products and homemade formulations through the years. (I should note that just because something is natural, it does not always mean that it is safe to use on every species of animal. As an example, tea tree oil is an effective all purpose ingredient, but it should never be used on cats. Due to its phenolic activity, it is toxic to them.) Neem oil works well in addressing fleas, and is safe. It's especially great for chemically sensitive pets. However t...

Military Working Dogs, another part of the equation on Memorial Day - AnnArbor.com

In my conversation with local cockatoo owner and grass roots exotic bird care expert , Marlene Butkiewicz, she offered so much insight beyond basic care. Because the Goffins Cockatoo , and other birds are so social, they really need to not only interact with you, but to bond and establish trust. This doesn't just make for a happy, psychologically sound bird, but it helps you to better care for them . Marlene could not stress enough the importance of interacting regularly with them - but also physically handling them. This does a few things: it gets them comfortable with you - touch is such a crucial stimulus that boosts physical and mental wellness. Handling the birds, especially from a young age allows you to trim the beak and nails in with better ease. You can examine the bird visually, better in this way, too. Being close to your bird allows you to look for feathers that appear to have less than optimal integrity and a white powdery residue. Getting a look at their skin as ...

Thinking about getting an exotic bird? A local expert offers insight, tips on care - AnnArbor.com

It's been a very fulfilling time! With Memorial Day weekend approaching, I have opportunities to see clients that I typically only see when their owners go out of town. As a result, I'm busy with holiday sittings, daily dog walking and even a new puppy on my roster who I'm completely amazed by. Her growth, playfulness and overall joy are great to see each weekday when stopping in to see her for puppy visits that include potty breaks, walks and puppy playtime to help her hone in on her instinctive skills and build her brain and body. More neat stuff! Since the beginning of the week, I have been interviewed by the following radio shows, Dwyer and Michaels (Davenport,IA), CJAD 's Tim Parent (Quebec), and the Ed Wenck Show on WIBC (Indianapolis) - across North America to discuss my recent piece " The bucket list for pets " on AnnArbor.com . The feedback has been phemonenal and this whole thing has opened up a lot of discussion with regard to our relationship...

The Bucket List - AnnArbor.com

My partner Chris Glahn and I have traveled to Key West a handful of times together. It's a fun island community, prideing itself on the mantra: " One Human Family ". Anyone that has gone there will attest to that, and the goodwill is extended to people's pets, too. Dogs can go most anywhere their human counterparts do, and we've never had a problem. Dogs in Key West behave differently. They are laid back, mannerful and joyful to be around. Most don't even walk on a leash. One of my favorite memories is seeing a huge chocolate lab whiz by, sitting on the platform of their owners' moped - a typical mode of transportation there. Despite the fact that we leave our pooches behind when we go, the dog friendly atmosphere is one of the reasons that we love it there. Read here why that could change, permanantly. If only former mayor, Capt. Tony were still here. Lorrie Shaw is a professional dog walker and pet sitter living in Dexter Twp, MI with her family tha...

This 'ol fella was in area of Jackson Rd. by the Q-16 Cinemas around the 14th of May. Is he yours? He's now at the HSHV . He looks a lot like my Gretchen. I'm sure that he misses his people.

Great article!

Researchers working to understand high rates of cancer in certain dogs - AnnArbor.com

LOST CAT - Community News

Pets' tender skin needs sun protection, too - AnnArbor.com

Meet Rosalie - AnnArbor.com's Pet of the Week - AnnArbor.com Torbies are so cool!

Have you traveled with your big dog? Have you had problems finding accommodations , because of your dogs' size? I have traveled in the past with Gretchen, and used to take her to Traverse City each summer, as we traveled by car. We stayed at a motel and things worked out great. It was a little work, especially since we spent a lot of time at the beach - and getting her cleaned up and sand free before returning to the motel took only a little time. It was a blast, and some of my most treasured memories are from those vacations . There were times when other folks were a little put off by her size , but her calm demeanor and friendly disposition quickly won them over. Good training and careful attention to our proximity to other animals helped. Also, we made a point to not take her to places that were crowded or to do certain activities when it was too hot. Our motel was great, and very accommodating. Others, may be a bit ambiguous. There are others that I know are not so...

Saving your pets' life in a poisoning emergency: the basics - AnnArbor.com

Case study: Cat eating less, confused and incontinent — what's going on? - AnnArbor.com

Dog Training? Drop These 'Ds'! Too often owners misinterpret their dog's behavior or failure to perform a behavior. This can lead to problems and a breakdown in what should be a trusting relationship. Read More

As humans, we are capable of emotions that are all over the board. There is a myriad of reasons behind our mood and sometimes we are not even aware of how we are behaving. Our minds are busied with our 'to-do' lists, places we have to get and keeping other people happy. We have a tendency to ignore our non-verbal communication and the energy that we send out - and how it affects others around us. Most everyone else around us are simultaneously experiencing the same bustle of activity and emotion that we are individually. We walk around mindlessly, sometimes. Paying attention to our reactions really can affect and improve the way that we get along with other people along the course of our day; our body language, tone of voice, speed of our step, the measure of our breath. Funny how we can immediately notice when someone else is irritated, but fail to recognize when we are doing the same. (Maybe we pay attention to non-verbal communication more than we think!) Animals rely o...

Your pets vaccinations are more important than you think - AnnArbor.com Today on AnnArbor.com

Pet loss support group starting at the Humane Society of Huron Valley - AnnArbor.com

Statewide coalition formed to advocate for responsible pet policies in Michigan - Community News I do have thoughts on this. More to come...

Ann Arbor Events Calendar | Bark For Life

Ann Arbor Events Calendar | Greyhound Meet 'n Greet

No, not everyone loves my dogs as I do - AnnArbor.com

poll by twiigs.com

See these? ---------------------------------> That's right. Grapes are bad for dogs. Raisins, too. Grapes can cause kidney failure, even death . That's not to say that it happens in every case, as physiologically every dog is different. Specific breeds are susceptible to kidney dysfunction, however and are more easily affected. If you want to give treats, stick to dog cookies and biscuits!

Does your cat abide by the famous "three foot rule?" I don't know one that does! You know, when you're working at the kitchen counter, you step away and who is sitting right behind your feet but your faithful kitty. Ever walk through the house with a basketful of laundry and hear the familiar "screech/meow!" as you step on them, trip and maybe fall or twist your back. (Usually not harming the cat; their only mighty miffed by you not watching where you're going.) A few months ago I arrived at a clients' home to dog sit and knelt down (as I commonly do with all animals) to greet my charge, a lab mix. She was feeling especially enthusiastic that day and as I came down, she hopped up and banged me right underneath my eye. Ice pack! In our day to day activities at home , our pets are typically at our side and it's natural for them to be curious about what we're doing and to be close. One of my big rules at our house is that in the kitchen, the do...

Lost cat: Smudge, a white cat with black and brown spots, missing from Kenilworth Drive - AnnArbor.com

Want a way to keep your cat busy today whle you're away at work? Toss a ping pong or other fun kitty ball into a clean, dry bathtub. That's it. Your cat will go insane with joy batting and chasing the ball around, and best of all it's a game that your cat can play independently.

Red Cross Pet First Aid Class -April 15 - Community News

With the warmer temperatures, we're all itching to get outdoors and do something - even our pets. Dogs need to get out stretch, bark - and run! Sure throwing a tennis ball is a fun game that not only my dogs love, but most of my clients. Want to amp it up a bit? Get a Chuck It ball launcher . This ingenious, simple tool is inexpensive, easy to use and fun for both human and dog alike. Available at pet stores everywhere, the washable, plastic device 'launches' a tennis ball with a simple arm motion - great for those dog owners who have range of motion issues . It's sure to make your dog a serious playaholic . The Chuck It drives our dogs insane with enthusiasm when we grab it and head outside. The best part? No more slobbery, spit covered hands from throwing a tennis ball.

. Some of the most important things in my day aside from my family, good strong coffee in the morning, my BlackBerry. (The latter is essential in my business.) Another thing that rates right up there is positive energy. I get it from my day to day work, without a doubt.. I get to see my (mostly) furry clients each day and embark on one of our little adventures. I see the world through an animal's eyes; new, fresh zeal each time we're together. It's a great feeling. Another port of positivity is connecting with my people on Twitter. Some are local to me, some aren't. Since on most days my contact with humans can be minimal, Twitter is a connection to so much. Seeing the ideas and energy just flow from others is a real source of inspiration for me. I like reading what others are doing. Input helps, too. There is a tradition on Twitter called Follow Friday: a practice that helps folks get introduced into social circles. Each Friday, if I remember to get it done on the PC b...