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What happens if you bark at a police dog?

Jarel T. Haines, 41, of North Vernon, Indiana found out. The dog barked back. Now Haines faces an additional charge of mistreatment of a law enforcement animal. In Indiana that is the highest level of misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. And saying the dog started it is no defense. After Haines was arrested for drunk driving and disorderly conduct, he was placed in the...

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Will Congress penalize colleges that increase tuition?

Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa will serve as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee during the upcoming 115th Congress. Senator Grassley's decision to lead the Finance Committee may have important consequences for the nation's colleges and universities. Grassley, a Republican, has criticized increased tuition charges in the face of the pronounced, tax-free growth of many college endowments.

In light of his prior statements and the current political environment, a Grassley-led Finance Committee may scrutinize higher education endowments. On the committee's agenda could be legislation aimed at the tax benefits such endowments enjoy and the benefits of tax-exempt entities more generally.

Grassley has in the past suggested that college endowments be subject to regulation similar to that applying to private foundations. Private foundations are required to distribute annually an amount equal to at least 5% of their net incomes. A foundation that fails to meet distribution mandate must pay a penalty tax.

Some commentators have urged Congress to penalize a college or university endowment in this fashion if the school the endowment supports does not control its tuition costs.

Last year, the Republican-controlled Congress imposed a tax on certain large academic endowments. However, the tax is a flat 1.4% tax on endowment incomes. The tax is not directly tied to tuition levels: An educational endowment that spends more of its income on scholarships pays the same tax as a school with an identical endowment that spends less on scholarships.

It is likely that a Grassley-led Finance Committee will consider changes to directly regulate the tuition levels of endowed educational institutions. That consideration will take place in a Congress in which Republicans only control the Senate and House Democrats will have to choose either bipartisan cooperation or confrontation with the Senate.

An educational endowment that spends more of its income on scholarships pays the same tax as a school with an identical endowment that spends less on scholarships.

Another area potentially subject to further view by a Grassley-led Finance Committee is the tax treatment of donor-advised funds. Today all private foundations pay to the federal Treasury a tax of 1% or 2% of their incomes. Donor-advised funds do not pay this tax.

For all practical purposes, donor-advised funds are the functional equivalents of private foundations. A donor-advised fund is an account sponsored by a public charity such as a community foundation or a charity established by a commercial investment firm like Vanguard or Fidelity. Donor-advised funds are marketed by their sponsors as substitutes for private foundations. Someone contributes to a donor-advised fund sponsored by a public charity with the understanding that his funds will be separately earmarked and that he will advise the sponsoring organization how to invest and distribute these earmarked funds and the income they produce. While donors technically just advise about the tax-exempt funds they create with tax-deductible dollars, in practice, that advice is the equivalent of the control that the creators of private foundations exercise over their foundations. A Grassley-led Finance Committee might consider extending the existing tax on private foundations' incomes to donor-advised funds.

On many subjects, a Republican-controlled Senate and a Democratic-controlled House will have difficulty finding common ground. However, the tax treatment of higher education endowments and donor-advised funds could be one area where bipartisan agreement is achievable in the 115th Congress.

Featured image credit: University Museum, Harvard Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts by Rizka. CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

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Here Come New Ideas for Weather Resistant Sound System for Jeeps

For car electronics, car audio systems, car upgrades, and other cool auto stuff check out - http://bit.ly/2iNzTtS

Completely revolutionize the audio experience in your Jeep with the Alpine PSS-22WRA Waterproof Full Sound.   Alpine PSS-22WRA Waterproof Full Soun

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Financial capability for all

Millions of U.S. families find themselves in precarious financial circumstances, living on the wrong side of the growing income and wealth divide. Despite the recent economic recovery, average wages buy about the same amount of goods and services as they did 40 years ago. The federal minimum wage, adjusting for inflation, buys less today than it did in 1968. Income increases have mostly gone to top income earners. Meanwhile, household wealth is even more concentrated. The top 20% of households own 90% of wealth, with an average net worth of nearly $3 million in 2016. Meanwhile, net worth for the bottom 40% of households is negative $8,900, that is, they owe more than they own.

The implications for people's standard of living are far reaching. Families are having trouble earning enough income and they lack a financial cushion to get them through hard times. Many cannot afford to invest in their children's future. Meanwhile, safety net programs that can provide a protection during hard times have been diminished. Cash assistance for poor families reached less than one quarter of families in poverty in 2016, compared to more than two-thirds of families in poverty 20 years earlier.

At the same time, families lack tools to improve their standard of living. An estimated 45 million people do not have a credit history or have unscoreable credit records. This inhibits their ability to obtain loans at reasonable rates, but also curtails their ability to acquire necessities of modern life.

How can millions of financially challenged families be reached with support that can build their capability?

When money poor and credit poor families want to build financial security for their family, they have few places to turn for guidance and support. Well-to-do families buy financial and legal advice, and they also benefit from an array of job benefits and tax policies that build their family's financial security. Meanwhile, disadvantaged families make do on their own, turning to family and friends, or falling prey to predatory schemes that promise to get people out of financial trouble.

How can millions of financially challenged families be reached with support that can build their capability?

Human service professionals work every day “among the people,” as Nobel laureate Jane Addams pointed out. They are in organizations that serve every kind of vulnerable group, from all walks of life. Tens of thousands of community-based organizations and their staff day in and day out deliver support and services to vulnerable populations. These services include, emergency housing to homeless families, offer counseling to victims of domestic violence, prepare foster youth for independent living, link disabled people with vocational opportunities, assist the formerly incarcerated in finding a residence and a job, and so much more. .

With just a modest change in how human service professionals are trained, they could be mobilized to improve the financial capability of disadvantaged populations by providing basic financial guidance and counseling to disadvantaged populations. Assessment of a person's financial capability could accompany assessments of health and psychological functioning.   These professionals could link families to financial benefits and low-cost financial services, help them manage debt and build credit, and refer particular cases for specialized financial and legal assistance.

Innovators, such as The Financial Clinic  Fund-along with community credit unions and other community-based organizations-are leading the way. They are demonstrating that this strategy for building financial capability is not “pie in the sky”-it can be done, it is happening. The Financial Clinic trains human service professionals in financial coaching techniques through its program called the Change Machine. A randomized study of financial coaching at the Financial Clinic demonstrated that low- and moderate-income clients were successful in saving and paying down debt.

The reality, however, is that poverty is not born of individual circumstances and it cannot be eradicated on the individual level. Poverty is a systemic problem and the voices of human service professionals are also needed on the policy level.

Social workers created Child Development Accounts (CDAs), which today provide an account for all children in Maine, Nevada, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and soon in Pennsylvania, as well as San Francisco and St. Louis, with New York City and Los Angeles just getting started. The goal of this work is an account for every newborn, with greater public support for children in the poorest families. Human service professionals can help design and shape many other policies and programs that build financial capability for the whole population.

This is in many ways a return to roots. A hundred years ago, a normal part of social work practice was financial-working with newly urbanized families on budgets, consumption, saving, and risks of indebtedness. In this way, social workers played a key role in adaptation of families to industrial society. Unfortunately, social work financial practice was dropped about mid-20th century in favor of more psychological approaches.

By returning to these roots, basic financial capability supports could be made available to literally millions of disadvantaged families that today lack these resources. Social workers, counselors, and other human service professionals can contribute to new practices and policies that build the financial security for all families, not just the wealthy ones.

Photo by Sam Truong Dan on Unsplash

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Golden Retrievers win top national honors

Known for their outgoing personalities and sweet dispositions, two Golden Retrievers have recently distinguished themselves as Top Dogs in national competitions. Penny Penny, a 4-year-old one-eyed Golden Retriever from Sliver Spring, Maryland, beat out over 10,000 other deserving dogs to win People's World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest presented by Pedigree. Penny's prize includes a one-year supply of Pedigree dog food, a $1,000 donation to Kyra's Rescue - the organization that saved Penny - and an...

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What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog?

Have you ever wondered or thought to ask: “Colby, what commands do you teach a service dog?” As guide dog puppy raisers we teach our puppies 9 basic obedience commands before they start their formal training. Adelle's service dog training manual lists 30 commands! That's right THREE – ZERO!!! We've been raising and training guide […]

The post What Commands Do You Teach A Service Dog? appeared first on Puppy In Training.

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Does Your Company Celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day?

Take Your Dog to Work Day is today, Friday, June 22. Pet Sitters International, the event creator, offers a free guide to celebrating at work - including how to convince your boss.

“Employers - particularly those who have never allowed dogs at work before - may be apprehensive, so explain the benefits,” says Beth Stultz, national spokesperson for TYDTW Day. “Studies have shown that dogs in the workplace increases productivity and creativity. Surveys also indicate that employees credit dogs in the workplace for decreased absenteeism and improved co-worker relationships and teamwork.”

Does your company celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day? Photography ©damedeeso | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

Here are some ideas to get you started, courtesy of PSI, on 2019's TYDTW Day:

Share your idea and the free guide with your boss or human resources: petsit.com/downloadyour-free-toolkit

Choose an event coordinator. You might need a committee, or you might simply appoint one staff member as lead organizer.

Decide how to celebrate. Some companies simply allow employees to bring their dogs to work. Others host elaborate celebrations.

Tell us: Does your company allow pets at work? Does your company celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day?

Thumbnail: Photography courtesy Melissa L. Kauffman.

This piece was originally published on June 24, 2016.

The post Does Your Company Celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day? appeared first on Dogster.

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Master, who was your master?

One of the great Sufi Masters, Junaid, was asked this when he was dying. His chief disciple came close to him and asked, ?Master, you are leaving us. One question has always been in our minds but we could never gather courage enough to ask you. Who was your Master? This has been a great […]

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Linus: The First Puppy In Training

It's been 1 month since we said goodbye to Linus and today Linus' ashes returned home to us. I've been trying to write this blog post everyday for the past month, but it's been difficult. The memories come rushing back, my stomach gets knotted, and it becomes too difficult to continue. Today I'm getting over […]

The post Linus: The First Puppy In Training appeared first on Puppy In Training.

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Which Dog Crate Is Best For My Puppy?

This post is sponsored by Carlson™ Pet Products. We only share information we feel is relevant to our readers.  Carlson™ Pet Products is not responsible for the content of this article. It was a rainy day on January 7th, 2005. I asked the sales associate at the pet store: “which dog crate is best for my puppy?” […]

The post Which Dog Crate Is Best For My Puppy? appeared first on Puppy In Training.

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Child's play: pioneers of child psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis, a therapeutic method for treating mental health issues, explores the interaction of the conscious and unconscious elements of the mind. Originating with Sigmund Freud in the late 19th century, the practice has evolved exponentially in terms of both treatment and research applications. Much of Freud's theory acknowledged that childhood experiences often affect individuals later in life, which was expanded upon by analysts who believed that mental health issues can affect individuals at all stages of their life. Child psychoanalysis has developed into a well-established technique for children and adolescents, with specialised approaches to working with younger individuals.

When considering the history of this specialism, a few key figures come to mind. Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, and Anna Freud began work with adolescents and infants as young as three years of age. Among a variety of techniques, each of the analysists incorporated elements of play in their therapeutic approaches as a means of understanding adult associations, behavioural and internalised expression, or in order to develop an authentic self.

Below is a brief introduction to each of their contributions to the field:

  Interested in finding out more? Here are some additional facts about the lives and work of Melanie Klein, Donald Winnicott, and Anna Freud:

In 1914, Freud took a holiday in England but became an enemy alien when war broke out. After returning to Vienna, she began work as an apprentice elementary school teacher, qualifying six years later and joining the school staff. She remained a teacher-in the widest sense-all her life.

Despite being exempt from wartime service, Winnicott interrupted his studies in 1917 and joined the Royal Navy, to serve on a destroyer as a surgeon-probationer. During his downtime on the ship, he tackled the novels of Henry James.

Modernist writer Virginia Woolf found Klein to be a “woman of character and force and some submerged-how shall I say-not craft, but subtlety: something working underground. A pull, a twist, like an undertow: menacing. A bluff grey-haired lady, with large bright imaginative eyes.”

Analysis of one family member by another, or even by a close friend, is considered unacceptable in contemporary analysis. Yet in 1918, Sigmund Freud did not set a precedent and he would often analyse his daughter Anna. Klein also analysed her sons, Erich and Hans, as well as her daughter Melitta. Unlike Freud, however, she published their analyses under pseudonyms. No records exist of Freud's analysis of Anna.

In 1936, Winnicott's work was supervised by Klein, whose influence in the British Psychoanalytical Society was substantial. Winnicott was attracted to many of Klein's ideas but always processed them in the light of his own clinical experience. Winnicott remained an independent thinker as the ideas he valued, whether Klein's or not, often underwent alteration.

There were disputes between Klein and her followers and the psychoanalytic refugees from Vienna and Berlin, led by Freud, who strongly objected to what they regarded as the “London-centred doctrinal deviance” of the Kleinian group. The two groups disagreed over the depth of interpretation of the unconscious, and the presence, or absence, of transference in children. These disagreements led to a series of Controversial Discussions held between 1941 and 1945, moderated by a “Middle Group” that included Winnicott. The differences were never fully resolved, but the debate ended in a compromise whereby two separate training groups were organized. A split in the society, though threatened, was averted.

  Featured image credit: Antique Wooden Train by Michael Bergmann. Public domain via Unsplash.

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Who wore it better?

Who wore it better?

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Character of the week: Henry Miller

Example moves the world more than doctrine. Every man has his own destiny: the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him. Art is only a means to life, to the life more abundant. It is not in itself the life more abundant. It merely points the way, […]

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My Birthday Luxury Wish List

As I approach the middle of my thirties, I find myself more content than I ever have been in my life. As such, it was difficult–but not difficult?–to envision a dream luxury wishlist. The truth is I could just be sitting at home with a glass of wine, my baby and my husband and my doggies by my side, cozied up in our beautiful home…

The post My Birthday Luxury Wish List appeared first on Kristina Braly.

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Dug Up at Dogster: March 2018 Dog Events

Celebrate March with the furry one(s) you're lucky to have in your life. Read on for some March 2018 dog events we can't wait to check out!

All Month: Poison Prevention Awareness

March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month. Photography by Igor Normann/Shutterstock.

As with us humans, there are some things dogs should just avoid. Not every animal reacts the same way to certain food items, but it's always better to be safe.

For a list of plants and foods that are toxic to dogs, visit aspca.org.

If you suspect your pup might have eaten something poisonous, call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Hotline, which is always open and staffed. A consultation fee may be charged. 888-426-4435; aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

Sunday, March 4 through Saturday, March 10: Professional Pet Sitters Week

Show your pet sitter you care! Photography by Kzenon / Shutterstock.

Take time to thank and celebrate the pet sitter in your pup's life!

Thursday, March 8 through Sunday, March 11: Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference

If you are a dog groomer, pet-store owner or just in the pet biz, you can network and improve your insights and skills, plus check out new products at this event. The event takes place at the Georgia International Convention Center. Head to atlantapetfair.org for details.

Sunday, March 11: 11th Annual St. Puppy's Day

Grab your pup and head to O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill in Brandon, Florida, for this event benefiting 4 Lucky Dogs Pet Rescue and Second Chance Friends. Enter your dog into the costume contest for Best Female, Best Male and Best Owner/Dog Look-a-Like. There will be vendors, raffles, live music and more. Event is sponsored by Bud Light and Se Dog Brewing Company with music spun by DJ Grimey Official and MC Angel Marin.

Tuesday, March 13: K-9 Veterans Day

K9 Veteran's Day is Tuesday, March 13.

A very big, “Good Doggie!” to all the furry Americans out there on this K-9 Veterans Day. We appreciate and respect your love, bravery and loyalty. Can we hear a “Woof! Woof!”

Thursday, March 15 through Sunday, March 18: 1st Annual Trick Dog Expo (TriDEx)

The 1st annual Trick Dog Expo takes place at the Purina Event Center in St. Louis.

Love teaching your dog tricks? You won't want to miss the demonstrations, stunt dogs, vendors, speakers and workshops all focusing on trick dogs. Plus, don't miss the Stunt Dog National Championships, which ends with the crowning of the first National Trick Dog Champion. Organized by trick dog program Do More With Your Dog!, this will be the unveiling of the Stunt Dog title, earned through live trick show performance in front of an audience. Event held the Purina Event Center in St. Louis. Go to domorewithyourdog.com for more information.

Friday, March 16: Premiere of Benji

A remake on the classic Benji film premieres on Netflix.

In case you never got to experience Benji - or for those who have and would love to again, Nextflix premieres this modern-day retelling of the classic story. Orphan puppy Benji and New Orleans school kids Carter and Frankie strike up a friendship, which will soon be tested when the kids find themselves in danger. It's up to Benji and his scruffy sidekick to come to their rescue. Another sweet spin - this version of Benji was written and directed by Brandon Camp, son of original Benji creator Joe Camp. Produced by Jason Blum and Bran Camp. Stars Kiele Sanchez, Gabriel Bateman and Darby Camp. Check out the trailer on netflix.com.

Saturday, March 17: St. Patty's Brunch Party with Sidewalk Dog

If you're in Minneapolis, grab your pup and stroll on over to The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a dog-friendly party. This pup-loving restaurant will feature a dog-friendly menu alongside delicious human food. There will be photos, giveaways, stickers and goodies. Event benefits Russ Start Rescue.

Sunday, March 18: Premiere of Finding Fido

One of Dogster's favorite canine photographers Seth Casteel is back again in the second season of Z Living TV's show about helping dog owners find their perfect pup match. Want to know what happened to the dogs that weren't picked? Go to zlivingtv.com to find out how they got their forever home.

Friday, March 23: Pet Fair EnergyExplorium

Have fun with your dog at McGuire Nuclear Station's Pet Fair EnergyExplorium, complete with games, treats and fun activities. You'll also be able to check out local pet-friendly businesses, along with pet sitters and pet adoptions. Admission is free and the nature trails are open for dog walks. While you are there, you can also donate to the Lake Norman Humane Society. Dog lovers and their leashed dogs are welcome from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Huntersville, North Carolina. More information at energeyexplorium@duke-energy.com or 980-875-5600.

Saturday, March 24: Pugfest 2018

Calling all Pugs and Pug lovers, check out the Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue's 4th annual fundraising event held at Continental Boarding in Charlotte, North Carolina.  There will be food trucks, raffle prizes, auctions, vendors and even a pug pageant. Event runs from 12 to 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 24: Brooklyn Bark's 1st Annual Easter Eggstravaganza Event

Benefiting Sean Casey Animal Rescue Critical Care Fund, the sprint event takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Old Stone House in Park Slope. Get a photo of your fur child or human child with the Easter Bunny, have your face painted, play games, check out crafts, listen to live music and enter raffles. Good with a glue gun? Compete in the Best Bonnet Contest at 1 p.m., followed by the Community Easter Parade at 2 p.m. More info at Brooklyn Bark.

Saturday, March 24 through Sunday, March 25: Atlanta's Pet Expo

There's tons of dog-centric things to see, do and learn at the Atlanta Pet Expo.

Play, Shop, Learn, Adopt - That's the motto of Atlanta's Pet Expo, taking place at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. Enter your pet in the costume contest, check out the adoptable dogs, get a free nail trim, watch agility demonstrations, eat food, buy cool stuff for you pup and more! Atlantapetexpo.com has all the details.

Thumbnail: Photography by Dora Zett / Shutterstock. 

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How Hardy Souls Wait for Spring

It only took two mild Februaries to seduce this cold climate gardener into thinking an early spring was the new normal–even when last February's mildness turned into three feet of snow in mid-March, and the February before that (winter of 2015-2016) segued into an April where the temperature dropped to -3°F (-19°C) one night, decimating my Japanese maple and four hardy yews. All I seem to remember is snowdrops blooming in February and the soil thawed so deeply that I was dividing perennials in March.

It's easier to remember that I was dividing perennials on March 27th than to remember it was followed by sub-zero temperatures the following week.

So when the end of this February was mild enough that I could weed out the grass from the snowdrops around the wellhead, of course I expected it to thaw even further in March.

If I can pull the grass out from the edges, surely spring is on the way?

I couldn't have been more mistaken. We got 17 inches of snow the first week of March.

And every time the snow melted off from over the septic tank, we got another several inches of snow.

It's demoralizing.

But cold climate gardeners are hardy souls, resilient in the face of adversity and prepared for setbacks before winter is gone for good.

When I heard the big storm was coming, I picked these snowdrops for the house.

They are 'S. Arnott,' which is known for its fragrance–and early bloom.

I also fortified myself with forced hyacinths.

These came from Aldi's, and each bulb had two blooms. Of course I will save the vases to force with some bulbs of my own next winter.

'Sweet Nymph' amaryllis obliged me by opening up four blossoms, one after the other.

I can't say enough good things about these 'Nymph' amaryllis that Longfield Gardens sent me a few years ago. This amaryllis had just bloomed in December, and it's now sent up another flower stalk–with four flowers–in March. I didn't even fertilize it in between. And my other two 'Nymphs' also have flower stalks emerging.

The big orchid is from a few years ago, and the miniature orchid arrived on Valentine's Day.

They almost look like mama orchid and baby orchid, don't they? The miniature orchid didn't seem to hold onto its flowers for very long. I don't know if that's typical for the wee ones, or if it didn't like the change of scenery.

And my clivia continues to put on a show.

Meanwhile, I check the ten-day forecast every day for signs of a warming trend, and I've been getting out in the sunshine wearing snowshoes. I cling to the thought that spring flowers grow under the snow, even as I scan the horizon for the first sign of spring. And guess what? The snow is melted off the septic tank once again!

Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens. Check it out at May Dreams Gardens.

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Chinese woman fined for smuggling puppy in fake pregnant baby bump

Just when you think you've heard it all-- A Chinese university student has been fined for trying to smuggle a puppy onto a flight by hiding it in a fake pregnant belly, according to the South China Morning Post, The woman, who was not named, was stopped by a security officer after passing through a scanner at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the central China province of Hubei, Wuhan Evening News reported. The officer became...