Backes Buddies

David and Kelly Backes support Five Acres Animal Shelter

Our local hockey team, the St. Louis Blues, recently closed a very successful year. Though they didn't quite make it to the Big Show, they did have one of their best seasons ever. In the eyes of St. Louis, the Blues are definite heroes. But there's something that makes them even bigger heroes to me.

Many of the Blues players are active in promoting the adoption of shelter pets. For example, David Backes and his wife, Kelly, have worked with Five Acres Animal Shelter (formerly St. Charles Humane Society) for several years.

Five Acres is near and dear to my heart. It's local, it's small, and it's one of the very few "no-kill" shelters in the area. I had the privilege of serving on their board several years ago. That experience really opened my eyes to the everyday struggles of keeping enough money in the bank to pay the bills. Through their support, David and Kelly have really brought attention to the work done by Five Acres. And attention brings donations.

I love it when celebrities give back to the community in such a positive way. Click on this link to read more about what David and Kelly are doing for animals.

Watching the sports channel can be fun, but I think this effort is something everyone can get excited about!

Name That Bird

We have a small opening in the door leading to our screened porch, allowing easy access for Indy. Of course this also allows a multitude of other critters to visit.

On Sunday I saw what looked at first glance to be a pigeon on the porch. However, when I went out to open the door and initiate a rescue mission, I discovered the pigeon was actually a woodpecker. I looked it up and identified the bird to be a Northern Flicker, one of Missouri's seven species of native woodpeckers.

I chased the flicker around the porch where it flapped and fluttered around until the open door finally served as an exit.

Later, my husband informed me that flickers can be quite aggressive, claiming that one of them pecked him pretty hard several years ago. Probably best I didn't know this before I went on my rescue mission. (Note the long and powerful beak--ouch!!) But all's well that ends well.

Oh and one final reminder. There's still time to enter the caption contest. Winner will be chosen mid-week, so good luck to all!