Please be sure to read what the soldier in this clip wrote about this video. You'll appreciate it all the more. This is what the soldier (Andy) wrote about this post: I'm uploading this for family. This was the day I came back from Kandahar in Sept. 2005. Life has changed since then. But Gracie is still a good dog. UPDATE: (11-13-2009) - This is crazy. I posted this years ago along with three other clips of my wife in Haiti for my parents to see (Jen does medical missions in Haiti and runs a clinic in Cap Haitien). They still have like 400 hits a piece. This clip had like 30,000 hits two days ago. I'm not quite sure where this attention is all coming from. [EDIT: It appears to have started at Mentalfloss.com] Oh, and it was filmed by my wife Jen in our front yard in Springfield, VA.. Gracie is six now. She's asleep at my feet as I'm typing this. Take care, all - A.S. UPDATE (11-14-2009). O-kaaaaay. This is getting crazy. They ran this on the Today Show today. I'm not a public person ... this is getting a little intimidating. I'm glad that this clip of Gracie has made so many people happy. If it makes you smile, it's a good thing. But please remember the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. My buddy Steve Taylor who is in Iraq wrote me to say that it bummed him out, because it reminded him of how much he missed his dog ... FINAL UPDATE (11-15-2009) Again, thanks for everyone's kind words. Yes, we did a short (2-min) spot on the Today Show this morning. They were nice, but I didn't get to say what I wanted to say about my friends deployed or the many Guardsmen overseas right now. But it went well (do a Google for Capt. Andrew Schmidt to see it). We were contacted by another news outlet, but we declined. We're 17 minutes into our 15 minutes of fame. We're private people, and these things can get out of hand. For one, I am a staff officer in the Air Guard (even though I am past enlisted) ... there are tens of thousands of combat arms soldiers and Marines on their third+ 12 month deployment down range; I'm only gearing up for my second. I don't want to be made a symbol for something that I don't deserve to be. You have to be careful, because you have no control when you go on TV unless you are very, very savvy (I am not). Or you get crazy and end up building a UFO weather balloon in your back yard. Take care. This was a fun week, but it's over now. I have to go change a diaper, then walk Gracie. Andy and family. FINAL FINAL UPDATE (11-16-2009) -- I forgot to say this earlier, but if you ever want to get a dog, go to the pound. Pound dogs will always appreciate what you did for them. Save a life, adopt a mutt. Mixed breeds rule (Gracie is half Corgi, and a bunch of others, I'm sure). Gracie was on doggie death row -- she had been there for four months -- when we got her. She was days away, and she's been the best dog and a vital part of our family for the past five years. It's funny that a little dog that was found abandoned in a pen in West Virginia, completely neglected, could put a smile on so many faces. FINAL, FINAL, FINAL UPDATE (11-18-2009) I wanted to point out two things that have happened as a result of this. First, Kong Toys, which makes those wonderful little rubber dog toys with the peanut butter, reached out to me so that they could send a basket to Gracie (spoiled). That's nice, but I give the plug because they asked for my friend Steve's parent's contact info so that they could send a ton of stuff to them to help them look after his dog Maxine, since he's overseas. We had some talks about how we could build a program where when Guardsmen get deployed the company can do something for the pets left behind. Hopefully more to follow that. Second, I reached out to the Alexandria, VA, animal shelter to let them know that Gracie is one of theirs. They saved her in 2004. They were elated -- those people have a tough job, and if it picks up their morale, then great. I also told them that they could use it in any way for marketing or promotion purposes, full rights. Hopefully more to follow on that as well. DECEMBER UPDATE (12-30-2009): Thanks to everyone who clicked the ads. This week I received a check for $602.23 from Google Adsense, which I am donating to the Alexandria Animal Shelter today (already spoke to them via e-mail). Obviously, the attention on this clip has come and gone, but it still gets some hits from time-to-time. Have a happy new year everyone. [Money made from the ads running on this page were donated to the Alexandria, Va, shelter where I got Gracie. $602 the first month. I later donated about $250 from money made from click-thrus - Andy] Add Comment This 12 x 12 hard cover book is filled with inspiring quotes from some of the greatest minds in our history. This beautiful book makes a terrific addition to your home library or a lovely gift for the nature lover to treasure for a lifetime. 
back cover
COVER
View inside the book below: 
I dedicate this book to my dear, sweet mother ... She always, always has my back. She's my biggest fan, my mentor, my confidant, my hero, my turn to person when my world comes crashing down, and the first person I call to tell when things are going great. The comfort that comes from our friendship, the confidence that her faith in me instills, and her unquestioning support of whatever I do, is priceless. The kind of there-for-me that she is, is the essence of what makes her a remarkable mother. I wear her unconditional love and support around me like a big hug every single day. I love you mom. Thank you for being such a blessing in my life. You are my angel on earth. 
Sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor Designs Underwater Park of Artificial Reefs Near Cancun Mexico 12/17/2011
"Bodies" Fill Underwater Sculpture Park  Photograph courtesy Jason deCaires Taylor "More than 400 of the permanent sculptures have been installed in recent months in the National Marine Park of Cancún, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc (map of the region) as part of a major artwork called "The Silent Evolution." The installation is the first endeavor of a new underwater museum called MUSA, or Museo Subacuático de Arte. " source: National Geographic "Created by Mexico-based British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, the Caribbean installation is intended to eventually cover more than 4,520 square feet (420 square meters), which would make it "one of the largest and most ambitious underwater attractions in the world," according to a museum statement. (See "New Artificial Reefs 'Grow' From Mideast Peace Deal.") In doing so, Taylor hopes the reefs, which are already stressed by marine pollution, warming waters, and overfishing, can catch a break from the approximately 750,000 tourists who visit local reefs each year. "That puts a lot of pressure on the existing reefs," Taylor told National Geographic News. "So part of this project is to actually discharge those people away from the natural reefs and bring them to an area of artificial reefs." source: National Geographic —With reporting by Fritz Faerber LEARN ABOUT CHILDREN MINING GOLD IN MALI AND FAIR TRADE IN THE GOLD MARKET BY GREG VALERIO 12/15/2011
This is very interesting and gives you an inside view of who mines gold in Africa, how it's mined and who profits. It also introduces you to many of the dangers facing the young and adult miners, such as mercury poisoning and cave ins. What's especially noteworthy is the introduction to Greg Valerio and his efforts to bring Fair Trade to the jewelry industry in the UK and the United States. Learn how you can help.  click to go to Greg's website  click to go to the website Om Mani Padme Hum 12/13/2011
"Om has only a mystical meaning — suggesting primordial reality. Mani means jewel, while Padme means lotus. Hum, like Om, has no conceptual meaning. Overall, the mantra is suggestive of the bringing together of the qualities of wisdom (the lotus) and compassion (the jewel). Just as the lotus can exist in muddy water without being soiled, so wisdom can exist in an impure world without becoming contaminated. And the Dalai Lama points out that just as a jewel can relieve poverty, so the compassionate mind takes away the poverty of unhappiness that exists in the world and replaces it with the wealth of wellbeing." source: http://www.wildmind.org/mantras/figures/avalokitesvara 
I got this on the Everest Trek in Nepal. It reads: Om mani padme hum.
"Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer), Om Mani Padme Hum, out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones, like the one pictured above, and placed where people can see them." source: http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm The Mantra Om Mani Padme Hum The Mani mantra is the most widely used of all Buddhist mantras, and open to anyone who feels inspired to practice it -- it does not require prior initiation by a lama (meditation master). The six syllables of the mantra, as it is often pronounced by Tibetans -- Om Mani Padme Hum -- are here written in the Tibetan alphabet reading from left to right the syllables are: Om (ohm) Ma (mah) Ni (nee) Pad (pahd) Me (may) Hum (hum) The vowel in the sylable Hu (is pronounced as in the English word 'book'.) The final consonant in that syllable is often pronounced 'ng' as in 'song' -- Om Mani Padme Hung. There is one further complication: The syllable Pad is pronounced Pe (peh) by many Tibetans: Om Mani Peme Hung. "The EPA has been relying on Monsanto to monitor the development of rootworm resistance, and—surprise!—Monsanto has been doing a lousy job of it," writes Tom Philpott.  click image to read full article  click image to read full article "With this document (pdf below), the EPA is tacitly acknowledging that its independent advisory panel was right, and Monsanto was wrong." We must always keep peace in our hearts as we try to bring the changes we believe this world so desperately needs. Here's to peaceful activism! A call for World Peace PEACE TODAY music by Faith Rivera From the CD "Maluhia ~ Everyday Peace" I've been writing about the chocolate industry since 2008. With the holidays here, it's very timely to shine a spotlight on this issue and help you purchase chocolate that is not made by child slaves.  click to go to their website and get the most up to date information As consumers demand more ethical products, some companies rise to the challenge, while others try to associate themselves with "fair practices" and "free trade" but not all are being truthful. Big corporations sometimes choose a path that aligns them with a marketing plan that is all talk and no walk. It's very challenging for consumers to know what they can buy that is truly slave free and traded fairly. Stop Chocolate Slavery is a watchdog of sorts and does a good job trying to get consumers honest information with no hidden agenda. The advice they offer is this: If you want some chocolate, but don't want to exploit people, Fair Trade chocolate is probably your best bet. "Fair trade" was a term coined fairly recently, apparently in contradiction to so-called free trade. STOP CHOCOLATE SLAVERY ADVISES: "In the Fair Trade system, purchasers of products like coffee and cocoa beans, bananas, and sugar typically agree to pay an above market price for the products. The extra money is intended to help the small farms and co-operatives selling the products to make lasting improvements in their communities, by going towards schools, hospitals, and other improvements in infrastructure. The purchasers of the products, meanwhile, who are typically companies intending to import and sell the products yet again in another country, can then label the products as "Fair Trade certified", which lets the end consumer know that he or she isn't colluding in exploitation against some poor third world farmer. And thus, in theory, everyone is happy. It sounds good to me, and, as I write, I've yet to hear any claims that the Fair Trade system is somehow corrupt, or phony, or any other adjective that might mitigate its goodness. Of course, the higher price paid to the Fair Trade farmer is usually passed on to the end consumer, but it seems a small price to pay, indeed, to know that you aren't colluding in the exploitation of poverty. The markets for Fair Trade products, including chocolate, are small but growing rapidly, and I think we should all do what we can to support them."   GO TO THE WEBSITE BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE ICELAND RANKS NO. 1 BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR WOMEN TO LIVE (Iceland is in 1st place for 3rd consecutive year) “A world where women make up less than 20% of the global decision-makers,” says Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, “is a world that is missing a huge opportunity for growth and ignoring an untapped reservoir of potential.” Forbes online website reports, "To determine the best and worst countries for women’s equality, the group considered 14 variables in four categories: women’s access to basic and higher education; women’s health and survival by measures of life expectancy and sex ratio; equality of economic opportunity and participation; and political empowerment." ICELAND  Iceland by Counties At the top of the list, Iceland is ranked No. 1 for the third consecutive year. It is the top-ranked nation in women’s educational attainment and political representation. As one of the first countries to give women the right to vote in 1915, Iceland currently has 43% female parliament members and has had a female head of state for 18 of the past 50 years. Current Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir was appointed in 2009. With 81% of women in the workforce, Iceland also features one of the narrowest labor force participation gaps.  Great hiking areas throughout Iceland Nordic nations consistently rank at the top of the list. Norway (No. 2), Finland (No. 3), Sweden (No. 4) and Denmark (No. 7) have been featured in the top-10 every year since the report’s launch in 2006. All Nordic countries reached near 100% literacy for both sexes, feature near parity in all levels of education and return that investment in the workforce. The nations each have generous paid maternity and paternity leave policies. In Sweden, women are offered 480 days of maternity time. Source: Forbes The Philippines (No. 8), Lesotho (No. 9) and South Africa (No. 14) beat out the United States At No. 17, the U.S. continues to improve in the rankings–up from No. 31 in 2009–but hasn’t yet climbed to a top-10 slot. Because GDP is not a factor in the index, countries are ranked based only on the equality of resource distribution rather than the amount of resources. Perhaps surprising to some, the Philippines (No. 8), Lesotho (No. 9) and South Africa (No. 14) beat out the wealthy nation. The U.S. features low scores in women’s political representation, with just 17% of women in political clout positions and no female heads of state on record, and a continuing wage gap for similar work. The U.S. is ranked No. 68 in pay equality—despite laws in place to enforce equal pay for equal work. Zahidi says the wage disparity creates a significant downward pull on the nation’s standing. At the bottom of the list, the worst countries for gender quality are Saudi Arabia (No. 131), Mali (No. 132), Pakistan (No. 133), Chad (No. 134) and Yemen (No. 135). These low-scorers have been featured at or near the bottom since the list began. “They are not investing in their women,” says Zahidi, “and there are major barriers to be able to enter leadership and politics.” Source: Forbes  Since Iceland makes the Number 1 spot in the world for women to live, I thought I would do some research on Iceland and let readers know a little bit about this country. I knew very little until I undertook this delightful assignment. I've included some photos of the scenery, some geography, a bit on culture and things to do in Iceland. I encourage others to explore for themselves but this will give a brief overview with links to more in depth information.   "Iceland has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2 (39,769 sq mi).[10] The capital and the largest city is Reykjavík,[11] with the surrounding areas in the southwestern region of the country being home to two-thirds of the country's population. Iceland is volcanically and geologically active. The interior mainly consists of a plateau characterised by sand fields, mountains and glaciers, while manyglacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a temperate climate despite a high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle." wikipedia    CLICK IMAGE GO TO WEBSITE WITH MORE ON ICELAND      click to go to the website about the Icelandic horse The Icelandic Horse straight from http://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/nature-environment/vegitation-wildlife/icelandic-horse/ "The Icelandic horse is a small breed of horse that has evolved in isolation in Iceland. Archaeological finds in Norway, where the Icelandic horse is descended from, have revealed that the Icelandic horse belongs to an ancient race that died out in other parts in Europe but survived in Iceland for 1100 years without crossbreeding. It has gradually developed into several strains. The most important of these are the Svaðastaðir strain and the Hornafjörður strain. Horses from Svaðastaðir are considered to have a more attractive gait and to be more dainty and frisky; while those from Hornafjörður are larger, and have greater endurance and courage. The Icelandic horse is small, weighing between 330 and 380 kilograms (730 and 840 lb) and standing an average of 132 to 142 cm (52 to 56 inches) high. It has a spirited temperament and a large personality. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and the Icelandic language includes more than 100 names for various colors and color patterns of the Icelandic horse. The Icelandic, as it is commonly called, is known for its sure-footedness and ability to cross rough terrain. It displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The first additional gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait known as the tölt. This is known for its explosive acceleration and speed; it is also comfortable and ground-covering. The breed also performs a pace called a skeið, "flying pace". It is used in pacing races, and is fast and smooth, with some horses able to reach up to 50 km/h (30 mph). It is not a gait for long-distance travel. The Icelandic horse is long-lived and hardy and has become very popular internationally. A sizable population exists in Europe and North America. In their native country they have few diseases; and as a result Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return." Source: http://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/nature-environment/vegitation-wildlife/icelandic-horse/  CLICK FOR HISTORY OF THE ICELAND HORSE "Horses probably came to Scandinavia form Asia, and the horses there are the descendants of the mongolian horse. The icelandic horse is the descendant of the horses that were in Norway in the time of the vikings. Iceland was settled between 874 AD and 935 AD. The settlers came in open boats and brought their lifestock with them. Before that, Iceland’s biggest mammal was the arctic fox. The settlers vere very often indipendent people that didn’t want to be ruled by the norwegian king, thus moving to this island without any kings. The settlers couldn’t take many animals with them .." READ FULL ARTICLE  Interesting history about sorcery and witches Below is a photo inside the Husavik phallus museum of Sigurður Hjartasson, Iceland  Penis Museum in Iceland by Husavik_Phallusmuseum.jpg POSTED ON WIKIPEDIA LONDON -- In life, Pall Arason was an attention-seeker. In death, the 95-year-old Icelander's pickled penis will be the main attraction at one of the world's most bizarre museums. Sigurdur Hjartarson, who runs the Phallological Museum in the tiny Icelandic fishing town of Husavik, says Arason's organ will help complete his extensive collection of whale, seal, bear, and other mammalian members. The museum has been open since 1997 but Hjartarson has long waited for a human specimen to round out his display. Hjartarson says that Arason, a friend, agreed to help by having his penis donated after his death. The medical director of Akureyri Hospital said Tuesday that the operation was carried out in January under the supervision of a doctor at a local morgue. Source: Wikipedia Here's an excerpt of the interview with Saudi Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel in Forbes: In September of 2011, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah ruled that the nation’s women would be allowed, for the first time, to vote and run in local elections beginning in 2015. However, Saudi women are still denied the basic rights to drive and to leave the country without permission. In a rare interview with the U.S. media, Saudi Princess Ameerah Al-Taweel sat down with me on Thursday to discuss the status of women in her country. As the wife of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, King Abdullah’s nephew and the world’s 26th richest person—the largest individual shareholder of Citigroup—the 28-year-old royal doesn’t just sit on the sidelines. She is the vice chair of the Alwaleed Bin Talal Foundation and an outspoken advocate for Saudi women’s rights. READ MORE WHAT IS GMO? FIND NON-GMO FOODS. 12/08/2011
Straight from http://www.nongmoproject.org website: "For consumers, it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on food ingredients that are at-risk of being genetically modified, as the list of at-risk agricultural ingredients is frequently changing. As part of the Non-GMO Project’s commitment to informed consumer choice, we work diligently to maintain an accurate list of risk ingredients." LEARN MORE  click to go this website and learn more about GMO  CLICK TO READ MORE | "Turning indifference into making a difference."
I'm an artist, writer, photographer, and private investigator. I'm also an activist in small ways.
by Betsy Seeton
 June 29, 2011 
MY PHOTO BOOK
MY P H O T O G R A P H Y
  GETTING IN TOUCH WITH NATURE is my new website devoted to my photography, books, and art. Loading
Use the search engine for any word or topic on this website.
 Jasper is kissing bear. Jasper loves all animals. Visit Jasper's Blog about animal welfare/rights and all life.  My LADYBUG book is filled with beautiful images & inspiring quotes. Click here for more info.
 All photos are for sale at Betsy's Art Gallery "Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other
than itself." Khalil Gibran  Email Betsy  Click for INSECT PHOTO JOURNAL  Inspired Beeing - Catherine Jaffee studying honey bees in Turkey  Amely-James KOH BELA is fighting child trafficking in Africa and throughout several continents. Read my interview with her.  CLICK FOR BEE PHOTOGRAPHY  Mahoot Elephant training in Thailand with Kaew, my wonderful elephant.JOIN LIVE HONESTLY ON FACEBOOK!  Adorable French girl growing up in Africa with wildlife photography parents - more pictures of Tippi Degre  I visited the Tiger Temple in Thailand & later found out it is under investigation for tiger trafficking and animal abuse. Read full story   Click to read Jasper's Blog for the animal lover - photos by Betsy Seeton  Click to read about bees and see honeybees in their natural environment  Click to read about life in the mountains with Chippy, Jasper, Albert (pictured) and the crew C L I C K I M A G E
T O E N T E R A R T G A L L E R Y  photos for sale as greeting cards and framed prints or posters. Click to go to my online Art Gallery  FOR SALE 2011 Chippy Calendar - All photography by Betsy Seeton - All rights reserved. Email me for permission to reprint. WATCH CUTE
VIDEO  "The moment one gives close attention to anything,
even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself." ~ Henry Miller ~  FREETHEBEARS.ORG - Learn about bear farming and bear paw soup. This torture must end!   Connect with Jasper, The World Ambassador of Animal Rights & Welfare on Facebook! Also read about life in
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