Friday, February 28, 2014

Melissa Gable

Hi Everyone!  Thank you for reading my blog!  Did you know that I'm the author of not just one, but thirteen books?  For more information, please visit www.charlesirion.com, www.irionbooks.com and/or www.summitmurdermystery.com

 

Melissa Gable is a wonderful friend of mine.  She and I worked together when she was at Project C.U.R.E.  Now, she works for Maricopa Animal Control and recently made national news with a special cat in her care.  Take a look at the article below!

 


by Catherine Holland
There's a new heavyweight champion in the feline category at Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. His name is Meatball and he weighs a stunning 36 pounds. That's heavier than many toddlers.
Healthy weights for cats vary by breed, but most domestic cats should weigh somewhere between 8 and 10 pounds, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Persians generally run between 7 and 12 pounds while Siamese cats run the gamut from 5 to 10 pounds. Maine coons are usually big cats, weighing 10 to 25 pounds.

But Meatball is not a Maine coon.

According to MCACC, Meatball was shuffled from home to home before being surrendered at East Valley Animal Care Center in Mesa. Vets believe he's about 4 years old and say with the exception of the weight, he appears to be in pretty good condition.

"Considering his size he actually looks really good," said MCACC spokeswoman Melissa Gable. "His hair is good. He's able to groom himself. He walks, not very far, but he does walk."
Too big to live comfortably in a standard cat kennel, Meatball is couch surfing -- make that floor surfing -- in one of the administrative offices at West Valley Animal Care Center in Phoenix.
MCACC staff say he's a sweet boy.

"He is an extremely friendly cat and can walk despite his weight but the shelter's veterinary team is carefully monitoring his health," Gable said in a news release. She said Meatball, who weighs at least three times what he should, is the biggest cat she's ever seen.

He does have an issue with his eye that veterinarians think is glaucoma.

Right now he's getting prescription diet wet food and dry food.

While there's no doubt that Meatball is a huge cat, he's not the biggest feline in the world. He's one good-size cat (10+ pounds) away from the record.

According to Guinness World Records, the largest cat on record -- Himmy -- weighed 46.8 pounds and lived in Cairns, Queensland. Himmy, who died of respiratory failure when he was 10, is the last record holder because Guinness no longer accepts nominations for heaviest cat. The organization did not want to encourage owners to overfeed their animals.

This is not the first time MCACC has cared for a morbidly obese cat.

In August, a neutered and declawed 28-pounder -- obviously somebody's pet -- was surrendered as a stray to MCACC. The staff at MCACC named that cat Albert. Vets immediately put him on a diet and exercise program, and he eventually was adopted by a Flagstaff woman.

Until Meatball, Albert was the biggest cat to waddle through MCACC.

Because Meatball needs specialized care, particularly in the immediately future, he isn't available for general adoption. The folks at MCACC actually are looking for a place that can help him get down to an appropriate weight.

"MCACC staff is working to secure a spot for Meatball with a rescue organization that specializes in overweight cats," Gable said. "He is at risk for severe health issues and will need regular monitoring by a veterinarian and a prescribed diet."

Like humans, it's easy for cats to pack on the pounds. Too much food, too many treats and not enough playtime make for a bad combination. Also like humans, taking off that extra weight is a slow process when done properly. If Meatball loses too much weight too fast, it could cause liver damage.
The woman who surrendered Meatball to MCACC said he used to belong to her daughter's boyfriend. She said he was that big when she first started caring for him about six months ago. With no history from previous owners, there's no real way to tell when Meatball started packing on the pounds or how long he's been obese.

MCACC is a full-service animal welfare agency with shelter, adoptions, field services, licensing and education programs and a mission to promote and protect the health, safety, and welfare of people and pets in Maricopa County.

Luncheon with Four Star Admiral James Stavridis and Ambassador Kurt Volker

I was thrilled to attend a Distinguished Speakers Series luncheon this week that featured Four Star Admiral James Stavridis and Ambassador Kurt Volker. The event, "Global & Cyber Security" hosted by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the O'Connor House - Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and The McCain Institute, was held at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. It was great to not only meet the distinguished guests, but to also say hello again to Ms. O'Connor and to meet the new Project C.U.R.E. Phoenix Executive Director, at the event, Katie Mabardy.

 Arizona Biltmore
 Four Star Admiral James Stavridis
 Ambassador Kurt Volker
 Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
 Here I am pictured with the new Executive Director of Project C.U.R.E. Phoenix Katie Mabardy
 Four Star Admiral James Stavridis and I
 Four Star Admiral James Stavridis and the Executive Director of 
Project C.U.R.E. Phoenix, Katie Mabardy
 Executive Director of Project C.U.R.E., Phoenix Katie Mabardy
 and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
 
 The program for the event

For more information about my Summit Murder Mystery series, please visit www.summitmurdermystery.com 
For more information about my philanthropic work, please visit www.charlesirion.com  
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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Global Family Philanthropy Dinner

I attended a very wonderful dinner in support of Global Family Philanthropy called Imagine 2014. The dinner benefited their children's orphanage, elder home and medical clinic in Haiti - places I just visited in person last year for a medical assessment. There was an auction, dinner and dancing and the benefit raised over 100k. It was very cool to see one of my pictures displayed from my time in Haiti. What a great night, what a great charity. For information on how you can help, please visit www.globalfamilyphilanthropy.org






 Brett Michael's guitar
 One of my photos was displayed from my assessment in Haiti


For more information about my Summit Murder Mystery series, please visit www.summitmurdermystery.com 

For more information about my philanthropic work, please visit www.charlesirion.com  

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Friday, February 21, 2014

Lon's Pre-Oscar Party


I attended a very neat event Pre-Oscar party at The Hermosa Inn & LON's. The event included a vintage fashion show, gourmet dining and classic cocktails. The special guest was actor Susan Claassen. She portrayed Hollywood Stylist and Costume Designer, Edith Head. Her portrayal was spot on, she even gave me an "Edit Head Approved" sticker because she said my suit was perfectly tailored. It was a fun night of glitz, glamour, and fashion.

 
 

 "Edith Head" as portrayed by actress Susan Claassen and I




  The lovely ladies at my table

  Vintage fashion show with many nice dresses

  The sticker I received because "Edith Head" approved of my nicely tailored suit
very nice centerpiece



For more information about my Summit Murder Mystery series, please visit www.summitmurdermystery.com 
For more information about my philanthropic work, please visit www.charlesirion.com  
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Sunday, February 16, 2014

Centre Hospitalier C.E.A.C. Sinai - Boma, DRC


I went to the Deomocratic Republic of the Congo, Boma in order to do a medical assessment for Project C.U.R.E for a hospital there. Before you look at these pictures - picture your own local hospital in your mind. We don't always realize how truly blessed we are to live here in the US. The poverty and need that I've seen is astounding. We get so used to living in our own bubble that we fail to see what is around us. Take a look at these photos and for more information about how you can help, please visit www.projectcure.org.

 Centre Hospitalier C.E.A.C. Sinai Staff February 2014

 Hospital delivery room

 delivery room sink

 Dr. Luzaya Vwanza Thomas, John, Bona, Charles Irion, President of the Hospital, the C.U.R.E. kit, Dr. Khonde Khonde Romain and hospital staff.

 hospital administration's office


 broken ambulance


 restroom facilities


 hospital bed


 dental chair

 lab microscope


 maternity patients


 reception desk


 hospital records


 very old typewriter.  They do not have any computers


 mother with her newborn baby


 staff opening the C.U.R.E. kit donated by me


 surgical table


 road leading in and out of the hospital


 storage container


 scrub room



 surgical room

For more information about my Summit Murder Mystery series, please visit www.summitmurdermystery.com 
For more information about my philanthropic work, please visit www.charlesirion.com  
Follow me on TWITTER
Friend me on FACEBOOK
Subscribe to my YOUTUBE channel