September 04, 2010 -- Ready To Depart For Texas - Final Thoughts
September 4th 2010 10:00 EST.
Hey Everyone
In less than 48 hours from now - 4am Monday morning - we'll be leaving Carrollton, GA headed West to Carrollton, TX.
We expect to arrive at around 8pm Monday night. I'm allowing that much time because there's no deadline to meet and, since we're travelling on Labor Day, the less pressure the better.
Logistically, there are a few things working in the background which have yet to be resolved, but I am confident they will be, because I have seen some things come together in the past week, which, to tell the truth, had me worried. Carolyn Parrish (Harvest Your Dreams Travel) has managed, time after time, to pull some very reluctant "rabbits" out of the hat, and every time she and I have spoken or emailed I felt less and less anxious. Thanks, Carolyn.
Thanks also go out to Nancy Farmer, Carroll County Humane Society, who not only arranged full-house lodging at our first stop, but somehow managed to also get the "Main Street" organization of Grand Saline, to come out and welcome us! Thanks, Nancy, and thank you in advance to the good people of Grand Saline!
BillDL, my Scottish friend, continues his diligent and conscientious work despite the fact he works full time and has had a recent illness in the family. Thank you, Bill.
We will be keeping in touch with BillDL and my good friend Becky from CA to report on my progress and keep the website's audio/visual aspects and news items as up to date as possible. Where our accomodations have Wi-Fi access, we'll be using Dondra's laptop to keep in touch to email and send photographs and/or videos. I believe that a new page on the website will be created and dedicated to track my progress once I set off, so "watch this space".
Becky has been a major force in my life, talking me sensibly and logically through various crises and issues that have troubled me, particularly with regard to problems coping with my "Alzheimer's-like" condition. Thanks for keeping me straight, Becks.
There are more folks who have helped us with this project, and if it's okay, I'll wait till ride's end to acknowledge them. They're true hometown folks and I'd like to thank them "live".
By no means least, I would like to say a huge public thank you to my loving and supportive wife Dondra who has been beside me from the day I decided to start planning this ride. Your support and encouragement have pulled me up when I was down, and have helped immensely to instill in me the self-belief that I needed many times. I love and cherish you every day, but may be too exhausted to tell you this again until the ride is over!
I am excited but obviously am a little nervous, as is natural when undertaking this type of arduous journey, but I have been given a medical "all-clear", I am feeling confident and physically strong, and I will be fuelled onwards by the knowledge that the funds raised will be used to make a better life for the animals.
That's it, I think. Thanks for hanging in there with me these past 8 months, and we'll see you back home on the 18th September.
Bill, Dondra and Marty - The C2CR2C Crew
Composite image by BillDL (click)
Go For It Bill!
From All Your Friends and Supporters.
September 02, 2010 -- Personal Voice Message by Nathan Winograd
Nathan J. Winograd, Director of the "No-Kill Advocacy Center" and award-winning author of "Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation & The No Kill Revolution in America" and "Irreconcilable Differences: The Battle for the Heart and Soul of America's Animal Shelters", has phoned in a special message of thanks, support, and encouragement to Bill Craig!
Listen to his message on the Multimedia Page or Click to Listen.
Quote from Nathan J. Winograd's Website:
We have the power to build a new consensus, which rejects killing as a method for achieving results. And we can look forward to a time when the wholesale slaughter of animals in shelters is viewed as a cruel aberration of the past. We have a choice. We can fully, completely, and without reservation embrace No Kill as our future. Or we can continue to legitimize the two-pronged strategy of failure: adopt a few and kill the rest. It is a choice which history has thrown upon us. We are the generation that questioned the killing. We are the generation that has discovered how to stop it. Will we be the generation that does?
Thank you Nathan, your telephone message means a lot to me.
Bill Craig - Georgia
September 02, 2010 -- Last Minute Ride Prep: Hydration, Nutrition, Breaks, Communication
Wondering what kind of things I have to plan for in the last few days before the ride?
Read about it Here
Bill Craig - Georgia
August 30, 2010 -- Final Preparations For The Ride
This being my last full week of training, I wanted to give you some insight as to what all was involved in "getting here".
As one might expect, one begins with "baby steps" and then slowly increases the miles and the effort, giving the muscles an "easy" or off-day to recover themselves. My next "dress rehearsal" will be Sunday September 5th, when I will spend all day on the bike and get in those 75 miles I am hoping to average on the road from Texas.
Monday 6th (Labor Day) will be a travel day for "Team C2C R2C" and we expect to get into Carrollton, TX around 8pm.
Tuesday 7th I have reserved for meeting any news media and also for my "practice ride" out of Carrollton onto the main highway. It would not do for "the messenger" to lose his way out of the city, would it?
Also on Tuesday, one last check of the bicycles I will be using; a check of all the tools Marty (the bike mechanic) will need to fix any breaks, flats, etc; ascertaining that all nourishment and hydration is prepared and ready to be handed to me when I call for it, and then a light dinner and to bed at 9pm.
On Wednesday the 8th September, after a nourishing breakfast featuring oatmeal, toast, orange juice and scrambled eggs, it's off to Operation Kindness for the official "roll-off" of "The Carrollton to Carrollton Ride to Care" headed to Grand Saline (pronounced "Sal-een", and not "Sail-ine" as in salt water).
I hope to be able to make three "road reports" a day if possible. This will be a bit tricky since my friend Bill DL is in Scotland - 5 or 6 hours ahead of us - and I must be mindful of the time since it will be he who creates the reports on the multi-media page.
Hopefully all will go as planned and we'll roll into Carrollton, GA to Pet Supplies Plus at around 4pm on the 18th of September and I can give my aching buttocks and legs the rest that they will surely deserve.
One last thing I wanted to mention. We have had some worries regarding fuel costs and I want to take this opportunity to thank the congregation of the New Hope Methodist Church for their kind gift of the $50.00 gas card. New Hope is where Dondra and I go to Church and it truly has that down-home, friendly and personal, small church atmosphere I like so much.
So thanks for your support up to now and please continue to keep us in your thoughts as we bring the message of "No Kill" to all who will listen.
Bill Craig - Georgia
August 30, 2010 -- "End of Ride" Fundraising Event in Carrollton
Supporters and sponsors of C2CR2C and Carroll County Humane Society in and around Carrollton, Georgia (including Laura Clawson and Valerie Hayes) have been very busy coming up with fund raising ideas to form part of an "End of Ride" event and celebration for Bill Craig's homecoming to Pet Supplies Plus, 1301-C South Park Street, Carrollton, Georgia some time around 4pm on Saturday, September 18th.
LightningFX Signs and Graphics have created a fantastic banner, and a raffle has also been organized. The raffle draws will be held during the "End of Ride" celebration. Tickets will cost $1 each (discounted to $5 for 7 tickets).
Contact Valerie Hayes via the C2C-R2C Facebook Site to find out where you may purchase tickets.
The following generous prizes have been donated by the respective companies:
Hervest Your Dreams Travel 1 x 3day, 2 night getaway vacation (choice of destinations) Unleash the Pawsitive 3 x $25 dog training certificates Four Paws Resort 3 x 3 days of doggy daycare valued $45 each Four Paws Resort 1 x deluxe grooming valued $40 Olive Tree Restaurant 1 x $25 gift certificate Pet Supplies "Plus" 1 x gift basket Pearle Vision 1 pair of Ray Ban sunglasses Kristen Ebensberger 1 x gift basket La Salsa 1 x $25 gift certificate & dinner for your dog on the patio Scott Evans Dodge 1 x free oil change Scott Evans Nissan 1 x free oil change Angel's Designs hand crafted jewelry Southern States 1 x $25 gift certificate Wallace Farm & Pet Supply 2 x $20 gift certificates Kroger's 1 x $25 gift certificate Beechwood Trails Pet Lodge 1 x gift certificate Playtime Canine 1 x gift certificate for 2 days of doggie daycare
The C2C-R2C Facebook Page being edited by Valerie Hayes will have more "live" news as different events are announced by Valerie and other parties involved with event planning at the Georgia end.
Bill Dalziel (webmaster) - Scotland
August 29, 2010 -- New Pledge Forms for Multiple "Pledgers"
There are already "Pledge Forms" available for download on the Donate Page that allow individuals or companies to pledge a certain amount "per-mile", "on-completion", or simply give a fixed gift regardless of the outcome (which, of course, we know will be a great success!). They were designed for ONE pledge, but I felt that there may be people out there who have a use for a form that can be passed around an office or other workplace, amongst like-minded friends, or maybe a sports team, where people can add their names and pledge what would amount to a few dollars each.
When I was at school (quite some time ago now) it was commonplace for what we referred to as a "Sponsorship" form to be handed out for us to raise money by undertaking particular events, such as a "sponsored walk", a team relay swim, or some other event that could be marked out by miles walked, lengths swum (swam? hmmm ... stick with "swum"), number of trampoline bounces in an hour, minutes balanced on one leg in total silence, or whatever. I am sure my parents dreaded those "sponsored" events, because it was them who felt obliged to pledge first on the sheet and then take it to work to get more pledges, but the funds usually were for badly needed new school equipment and the cause was therefore worthwhile.
Every little bit helps, right? I believe that there may be a lot of people who would be willing to apply their name to such a form and effectively donate a few bucks, but may not feel that the single pledge form available up until now justifies what they can afford or want to pledge. The economic climate being what it is at the moment, I felt that a multiple-line form like this as an alternative would help people to donate without breaking the bank.
The new Pledge Forms are available for
download from the Donate Page.
They are described as being for "Multiple Pledgers".
Click the image links below for an instant preview of the layout (images only, not printable forms).
Hopefully the effort will have been worthwhile and that they will print out properly. Any adverse feedback would be appreciated.
Bill Dalziel (webmaster) - Scotland
August 25, 2010 -- Live Radio Interview WLBB August 30th 8:30am
I will be appearing live, along with Carroll County Humane Society President Tina Buechner, on Newstalk 1330 WLBB Monday August 30th at 8:30 am. We will be discussing "Spay, Neuter and Adopt", how to manage feral cats and, of course, how we can create a "No-Kill Nation". I will also be talking about the bike ride and sharing some anecdotes from the one we did in 2008. I hope you can tune in!
The official radio station of C2C-R2C, with up to date local news for the West Georgia area. Tune in to AM 1330.
The "Listen Live" page on the WLBB site does not seem to work, but you can click the WLBB link on This Page to hear live broadcasts.
Unfortunately the "Listen Live" link was not working while Bill Craig was being interviewed, but WLBB was unaware of the problem at the time. Colin, the News Director of WLBB who interviewed Bill and only learned of the problem at that stage, has recorded the broadcast and has kindly offered to make it available to us on CD in due course.
Bill Craig - Georgia
August 21, 2010 -- C2CR2C Receives $5000 Donation for CCHS!!!
Carroll County Humane Society has received a very generous donation of $5000 via PayPal!
My knees are still knocking at this great gift. What a morale-booster and what an incentive!
The person who donated the money wishes to remain anonymous because she feels that the money and how it will be used are far more important to the cause than others knowing who she is and praising her generosity. Of course I respect your wishes, but wish that I could thank you in person.
I can reveal, however, that this fantastic donation was made by a lady who is a very strong supporter of No Kill Nation and all that it strives to acheive.
We both share the same philosopy - "Stop The Killing!"
As you all know, one of the reasons I am riding is to raise money to help folks who ordinarily couldn't afford to spay or neuter their pets. The West Georgia Spay-Neuter Clinic believes that the best approach to solving the needless killing of healthy pets in overpopulated animal shelters is to attack the problem at the source, which is to encourage as many people as possible to have their pets neutered and thereby avoid unwanted litters that often end up in animal shelters. This large donation goes directly into that special account.
Now I realize that my excitement about this large donation may make those of you to whom $5000 is an incomprehensible sum feel as though your donation may be paltry and unimportant by comparison. That is certainly NOT the case. ALL donations no matter what amount are most welcome and will be very much appreciated. If YOUR donation helps to save JUST ONE pet from being euthanized, then you have helped in a huge way. So please do not be put off and go away thinking that what you can spare is not important.
Remember also that there are Collection Jars located at various premises around Carrollton, Georgia waiting for any cash that you can spare.
Thank You X, (and to anybody else who has donated) from the animals, me, CCHS, and "Team C2C R2C"!
Knees still knocking - Bill, Georgia
August 21, 2010 -- Live Radio Interview Podcast Sunday - Tune In!
This Sunday afternoon, August 22, 2010, I will be joining Mike Fry of "Animal Wise Radio" for a live radio interview!
I will be live on air with Mike from 2:15 to 2:30pm Eastern Daylight Time and will be talking about the C2C-R2C ride, my animal welfare advocacy, and fielding questions from Mike. I hope you can tune in. On Sunday just click the "Listen Live" link in the box below. (They have an interesting intro "jingle" at the start of each recorded broadcast, so prepare yourselves!)
If you cannot listen live, then you will be able to listen to the recording of the "Podcast" after the event from the Animal Wise Radio podcast archives by clicking the "Play 2-Hour Show" button in the box above.
Mike Fry and Beth Nelson not only Co-Host Animal Wise Radio, they also work together at Animal Ark Animal Shelter, a full-service, no-kill animal shelter serving the Twin Cities Metro area (Minneapolis). Mike is the Executive Director and Beth the Outreach Co-ordinator. Each week, with the help of the show's regular contributors and guests, they bring fun and captivating discussions about animal issues to the air waves.
Please Tune In! - Bill, Georgia
August 17, 2010 -- C2CR2C T-Shirts On Sale!
We are pleased to announce that the Limited Edition C2CR2C T-Shirts by LaZer Art Productions are available for purchase!
If you live in Carrollton GA, then you can order some and have them delivered to Horton's Books & Gifts for you to uplift, incurring no additional delivery charge. If you live outwith Georgia, or it is not convenient to pick them up, then you can have them posted to you. The choice is yours, but let's take full advantage of LaZer Art Productions' generosity and keep them as busy as we can!
Our good friend Curt Marwitz, a fellow cyclist with "Club Hypoxia" and always ready to participate, kindly offered to model the shirt for us. (If the video does not load below, Click to watch on YouTube)
Click Image To Buy
Thank You - Bill, Scotland
August 11, 2010 -- C2CR2C Logo T-Shirts
Jerry and Susan Buza of LaZer Art Productions, in Carrollton, GA. are one of the latest sponsor to join the C2CR2C team. Lazer Art have designed and are providing the t-shirts which promote the ride for the animals, and they look great!
Lazer Art Productions combines its strong local presence with a worldwide selection of promotional products and the strength of the Press-a-Print International Network of over 4,000 independent operators to provide the customer with the best in customized marketing solutions. They personally show you how to use custom-imprinted products to effectively promote your company, team, or club, and their unique capability to print in very small quantities from their own in-house equipment guarantees quick turnaround - something not available anywhere else.
You will be absolutely amazed by what kind of objects and surfaces Lazer Art Productions is able to print onto, and do so with great precision. Upload your own logo and actually see what the items will look like as you browse their website, and a fantastic design studio allows you to easily tweak your logo and layout.
The shirt itself is a gold-burnt orange combination which is quite accurately rendered in the images above, and match those of my bicycle, helmet and jersey. The logo on the back should be pretty clearly shown in the images above. The front logo of the dog and cat on the tandem bike is our exclusive cartoon created for my Dallas to Dallas ride in 2008 by "Dan the Bike Bum!".
Each shirt will sell for $12.99 (plus $4.95 shipping), and proceeds from their sale will benefit the Carroll County Humane Society and West Georgia Spay Neuter Clinic.
[Edited - see news release above]
The webmaster and Jerry Buza (Lazer Art Productions) are currently working on
have completed a
web based order and payment form,
but in the meantime you can order shirts by sending an e-mail, with sizes and quantities, to c2cr2c@yahoo.com. (Use the "Contact Page" if you like). When ready, your shirt will be available for pick-up at
Horton's Book Store, 410 Adamson Square, Carrollton, GA 30117 (Tel: 770-832-8021), or we will ship to you via USPS Priority Mail.
Team C2CR2C is proud and fortunate to have Lazer Art Productions as one of our sponsors!
Bill Craig - Georgia.
August 07, 2010 -- New Facebook Page for C2CR2C
Valerie Hayes has kindly created a new Facebook Page dedicated to C2CR2C.
Thank you Valerie.
Bill Dalziel - Scotland
July 31, 2010 -- Publicity Photographs and Pet Adoption
Victoria Sutherland is a Carrollton (Georgia) based Professional Photographer with over 20 years experience in Visual Fine Arts. Photography is an art, as you will realize when you see some of her beautiful work Here and Here. I was therefore honored when she offered to take some publicity photographs within the grounds of the University of West Georgia (thank you Frank Pritchett) a few days ago.
Laura Clawson, who is a highly experienced and certified dog handler, trainer, and pet sitter with her own Carrollton-based business named Unleash The Pawsitive, very kindly brought along two of her own dogs to pose with me for Victoria's photography session.
Click on an image below to see it larger. Click on the Right of the big image to show the next one, or the Left to go back. Left/Right keyboard arrows also work.
If it doesn't work like that for you then JavaScript is disabled in your browser. If you want the fancy effect, then read the "JavaScript Is Disabled" section in the Multimedia Help page.
Moving on with the story, Laura Clawson informed me that both Jake and Maggie are adopted animals. She tells her own story below:
"Jake is a gray, poodle-mix. He is 3½ years old and we adopted him from the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Southern California when he was approximately 10 months old. Jake is an active, sweet dog who has amazing obedience skills. He loves to use those skills to play games with us such as, hide n' seek, fetch, agility, and easter egg hunts. Jake also loves to perform for people, so you will often find him at events with me doing training demonstrations."
"Maggie is a white and brown mixed breed (we think Parson's Jack Russell). She is 1½ years old and was rescued through the Second Chance Animal Shelter & Rescue here in Carrollton when she was approximately 10 weeks. Maggie is a sweet, gentle dog who gets along with everybody. Her calm, non-threatening demeanor is very helpful in many training situations. She often accompanies me on some tough training cases to assist with dog-dog aggression. Dogs who are fearful of other dogs respond well to Maggie's calming presence."
"I think it's especially important to note that both of these lovable rescue dogs were trained using only positive reinforcement methods, which strengthen the relationship and build trust between human and dog. There was no force involved in the training. Jake and Maggie respond because they choose to, not because they are forced to, and therefore the obedience skills are quickly and willingly learned."
"One example of this is that when I call them to 'come', they do so without hesitation. The incredible reliability and speed with which they respond is impressive! When dogs are trained using positive motivators, they learn to respond because they do not fear punishment. Instead, they look forward to the good things that happen when they choose the right behavior(s)."
I am extremely grateful to Laura Clawson for taking the time to write such an authoritative and interesting article, and hopefully her success stories with Jake and Maggie will help to encourage those who may not be sure whether a pet adopted from the Carroll County Humane Society, Operation Kindness, or any other humane animal shelter will make a good companion.
Pets are good for your health and provide you with unqualified love and companionship. Jake and Maggie helped me smile and relax for Victoria Sutherland's photo session which was hot on the heels of a very stressful time (emotionally and physically) while Dondra was in hospital.
"We domesticated them, which makes us responsible."
Bill Craig - Georgia
