Posted on February 27, 2009 by Doppler in Doppler's Blog
Y’know why I love going to 11Alive? Because everyone there is so happy to see me, and even if I mess up my behavior, there’s always another person who wants to pet me and tell me I’m a good dog.
Me at 11Alive on February 26
My friend Josh from 11Alive’s web department took a bunch of pictures last night while I was greeting my faithful fans before going on TV, and he put them up on my webpage. Click here to go see them. (You’ll have to scroll down a bit.)
And here’s video of me, Dad, Dennis, and Mom from the news last night, in case you missed it.
I just wish Dad would stop telling everyone how much I weigh…
Stay safe this weekend; Dad says there’s probably going to be some bad weather. If that happens, I’m totally watching him on TV.
Five pennies should equal a nickel. But, clearly, all change is not created equal. My top three reasons for using change are: (1) Tolls, (2) Parking meters, and (3) Vending machines. None of them take pennies. (Actually, one time I did have to pay the toll cashier in pennies and came to better understand the phase “if looks could kill”).
So, that means I need to put my change to work when I buy other stuff. But I’ve noticed, people just don’t like to wait for you to count out pennies. Dig around for a quarter? OK. Count out nine pennies? Not so much.
If I can’t use them, what’s the point of having a penny?
Woa! Hold on there. That kind of talk could have people throwing rotten tomatoes at me. There are 13,3000,000 results on google for “save the penny”. 1,710,000 for “penny lovers of America”.
According to Americans for Common Cents “eliminating the penny is a losing proposition because it will result in rounding to the nearest nickel and higher prices for America’s working families”.
It also would be a blow to American charities. Even 8-year-old Ronnie Freeman knows that. He just collected more than $3,000 in pennies for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It was part of Woodward Academy’s “Pennies for Patients” campaign. Ten million schools have raised millions since the fundraiser started in 1994.
If you think pennies are underrated, they are. So are most 8-year-olds. If you spend a morning with Ronnie Freeman like I did, you’ll walk away a little wowed. And a little more appreciative of those pennies.
Posted on February 23, 2009 by Doppler in Doppler's Blog
I had an awesome Saturday night. Want to know why? Do you?
Well, I’m going to tell you anyway.
I was one of the special guests at the first “Adopt-a-Golden Gala” at the Cobb Energy Center this weekend. They say it’s because my dad was the emcee for the event, but I think it’s just because I’m cool.
Me and my fans at the Adopt-a-Golden Gala.
Anyway, I learned a lot about the special people who rescue dogs who look like me and help nurse them back to health. I also met a lot of people who already seemed to know a whole lot about me. I guess they saw me on TV.
Oh, and check this out: I actually was told I could hang out near the head table! At home sometimes when I smell dinner Mom and Dad tell me to go lay down somewhere, or get out of the kitchen, but here I could totally stay right up front and show off.
Dad says I get to come to the TV station Thursday. These days I’m usually on during The Evening News with my friend Brenda Wood, which is at 7 p.m., so tune in for that show. I’ll see you then!
Doppler, 2/23/09
PS: If you want to help out Adopt-a-Golden Atlanta, here’s their website. Turn your speakers down first if you’re at work, because someone’s barking in the background. I can’t figure out who, and believe me, I’ve done some serious sniffing.
Posted on February 20, 2009 by JulieWolfe in News, Weather
“Go cover storm clean-up.” It’s a command we often hear as journalists during severe weather season in Atlanta. In our walk through the wreckage, we often uncover stories of survival, sadness, and sometimes even humor. Thursday, my trip to Brooks, Georgia veered down the lane of dark comedy. The day started at 3:00 AM.I drove out to Brooks (where? I asked the assignment desk) to meet our overnight photographer, JoJo.
Live shot troubles lead us to meet in a gas station parking lot (the nightmare of any local news reporter– but what can you do?). Except JoJo (who is always punctual) left me waiting. I thought this would be a great time to use the gas station restroom. It was motion-sensitive, but apparently not that tuned into movements. It plunged me into the darkness and left me waving my arms frantically around inside the stall. I promptly jammed my hand into the corner of the paper dispenser and now have a weird shaped bruise on my hand.
It turns out JoJo was late because he got stuck in the mud after shooting some storm damage. Industrious as he is, he gathered up downed branches and pine straw, shoved it under his wheels, and made it in time for a 5:00 AM hit.
JoJo's pointing to the mud splatter!
It wasn’t until our 6:00 AM hit that things started getting really weird. Our light was blowing around and almost tipped over. Jojo looked a little confused. It turns out, a stray dog stole our bright orange sand bag and was happily chewing on it nearby. When my IFB wouldn’t work (it’s how we hear the anchors and producers talk to us), I checked the cord and was astonished to see the dog and chewed right through it. Despite all of this, JoJo still gave the stray his breakfast left-overs.
Later that day, my camera went on strike (refusing to shoot for more than 5 seconds at a time), and our second live truck AND our satellite truck got stuck in the mud. Thanks to all those nice folks in Spalding County for towing us out — 3 different trucks, 3 different times. In fact, that’s what stuck with me the most. Despite getting almost no sleep after a stormy night, everyone (from neighbors to police officers to utility crews) went out of their way to be nice. A big storm helps us put things in perspective: what’s really important? Some crews might have lost it out there, covered in mud. Personally, I thought it was kind of funny.
Posted on February 13, 2009 by Doppler in Doppler's Blog
I made my triumphant return to 11Alive last night. Did you see it?
Aw, come on, how could you miss it? Brenda gave me a nice intro and everything!
My friend Shawn, one of the producers, took this picture of me too:
Showing off on my lead.
I’m on almost every Thursday, either at 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening. Sometimes Dad and me hang out with Dennis, and other times we meet people like pet psychics. It just depends.
Posted on February 10, 2009 by Doppler in Doppler's Blog
Three cheers — or woofs — for the warm weather! When it was so cold out, I couldn’t go out to play, but now that it’s finally getting a little warmer, I can go outside all the time. It’s great.
There’s just one thing… the yard. It doesn’t seem quite as big as it used to. Maybe this photo will help explain:
Waiting by the door.
When I can’t go outside, I’m usually right there by the front door, waiting to go outside with Mandy and Dad. But while I’ve been waiting, I’ve been learning to walk on a leash, and also to sit and stay. I don’t mind it so much because when I do it, I get treats. That’s always a plus.
Dad says I’m going to be on TV on Thursday. Dennis is coming back from Belgium — he went there to pick up a new friend — and he should be here with us. I’ll see you then!
Five pennies should equal a nickel. But, clearly, all change is not created equal. My top three reasons for using change are: (1) Tolls, (2) Parking meters, and (3) Vending machines. None of them take pennies. (Actually, one time I did have to pay the toll cashier in pennies and came to better understand the phase “if looks could kill”).
