October 26 - 31 - On a Mission of Love
UPDATE JULY 2010 - KALI has been ADOPTED!!! Congrats to her lucky new family!!
Regular readers know how committed I am to helping animals, and may remember Casey (now KALI), the Shar Pei mix in Texas that was scheduled to be euthanized on 13 August only because she didn't have a place to go after a puppy mill raid overcrowded the already full shelter.Casey/ Kali was saved at the eleventh hour and temporarily relocated to a bording facility.
Kali (Casey) still does not have a forever home, but through the efforts of many caring people across the country, she has ventured on a trip that has her now living in an amazing place. Best Friends Animal Society, in Kanab, Utah, accepted her as a resident of their Dog Town (the very same place featured in the National Geographic program of the same name).
Trust me when I say that getting accepted to live at Best Friends is like winning the lottery if you are a homeless animal. She will now be cared for, trained, and loved while the fabulous angels there help to find her a family of her own.
My mission was to meet Kali (formerly Casey) in Las Vegas, the closest major airport to Kanab, and then drive her to Kanab, four hours away. (Yes, I flew in from NC)
She had been shipped in from Dallas, flying Continental (highly recommended for animal transport!). I didn't think I would actually get to meet this beautiful dog, and was thrilled to be able to spend the day and night with her. She was even sweeter than I imagined. A truly precious young dog who will make a great member of the family lucky enough to adopt her.
*Update - Casey is now known as Kali and is available for adoption through Best Friends! Click on her photo above for a link to her info.
Yeah, angels do exist - I met several because of Kali (formerly Casey). To learn more about Best Friends and to get information about adopting KALI (Search for her with her new name - Kali): http:www.bestfriends.org
Photos - Barbara Dolny-Bombar. Top right: Casey relaxing in the motel after a long day that included hiking in Zion National Park Bottom left: Dog Town, a long way from the high kill shelter in TX
October 19 - Duke Lemur Center
Since 1968, the Duke Lemur center has worked to study, understand, and preserve these endangered primates who evolved before monkeys and apes. The center sits on 85 acres in the Duke Forest and is home to approximately 250 animals that include 233 lemurs encompassing 15 species, lorises from India and Southeast Asia, and bushbabies from Africa.
The animals are housed in a variety of social situations, some are caged at the Lemur Center and others live free range on the Duke forest property. In all, they are the world's largest captive collection of prosimians.
Tours are available Monday - Saturday by appointment and last about an hour. Visitors have to schedule in advance, and it's best if you call two weeks before the date you want to be there as the tours fill quickly. For more info: 919.489.3364 xt: 0
photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
October 15 - Happy Birthday Sammy!
Sam came to live with my family three years ago today. At that time, he was a frightened mess of a dog who was rescued from his owner by someone from the local Beagle Rescue group.
It was rough going for awhile with Sam, but he eventually started to let his guard down and trust again. He is now a happy member of my family and my Muttley Crew.
Sammy is getting older, he may be 7 or 8 by now, and while his actual birth date / year is not known, his rebirth date - the day he started his new life with me - has become his official birthday.
If you are able and willing to open your heart and home to an animal in need, please consider doing so. I can say from experience, that you will be rewarded many times over.
Happy Birthday little Ham Dog! We love you UP!
October 12 - Out and About in Hillsborough
On this National Holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus, I decided to celebrate the Natives of this land. I drove over to Hillsborough where the Occoneechee and other Native Americans had settled for almost a thousand years.
The site in Hillsborough is a representation of huts that were part of the Occoneechee village. There are only two now, rebuilt after the first village representation was taken down two years ago. I'm not entirely sure why that happened, but I think it had something to do with the new farmer's market nearby. In any case, the area is rich with Native culture and the town of Hillsborough was founded on the site of the Great Indian Trading Path in 1754.
The Occoneechee were Native Americans related to eastern Siouan-language peoples living in the Piedmont region of North Carolina and Virginia.
The photo above is the remade site as it is today. The photo at right is one I took of the site as it was before it was taken down.
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
October 10 - Out and About in Saxapahaw
With the leaves beginning to change color and temperatures in the 70s on a sunny day, it was the perfect mix for taking a ride. Saxapahaw is a small, artsy town about a 25 minute drive west of Chapel Hill, its town center sits near the Haw river.
The area was first settled by the Sissipahaw Indians. The Saxapahaw Rivermill is a restored Cotton Mill, originally built by Quaker, John Newlin in 1844. Now a trendy place to live with great river views, it is located near the future Cultural Center. A place to rent canoes and kayaks is nearby.
Every Saturday from May through August, the Rivermill comes alive with Saturdays in Saxapahaw, a market--like mix of artisans, crafters, food, and music. In late October, it's an Oktoberfest. Whether you go for a festival or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery, you'll have a good time in Saxapahaw.
Photo: Barbara Dolny-Bombar
October 7 - Out and About at the Biltmore Estate
The first time I went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC was during the Christmas season. Each year, they offer special Candlelight tours (evening) that I highly recommend. This amazing privately owned home, the largest in America, is always a wonder, made even more so by the holiday decor.
That said, any time of the year is great to tour this glorious, 250-room French Renaissance chateau, built by the Vanderbilt family to be used as a family home and country retreat. It is still privately owned and now a National Historic Landmark. 
Self-guided tours take about 2 hours in the house, add more time for the gardens, winery and grounds. Not all areas are accessible, and no photographs are to be taken inside the building, which is understandable considering the museum-quality artwork, tapestries, and furniture inside, but still a shame.
One way to see a bit more and get the lowdown: take a guided speciality tour. For more info: 800.411.3812
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar Top-left: Biltmore Estate exterior;
Bottom-right: Statue in estate garden
October 4 - Out and About in Search of Pumpkins
Oh boy, do I love this time of year! From late August right through to the New Year, I'm like a kid in a candy store with money to burn. No matter how old I get, it's always the same.
After checking my pumpkin finder link (see my Home Page), I settled on Ganyard Hill Farm in Durham. It's a cute place with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a store for those not wanting or able to pick their own. Added bonus: there was a Pumpkin Festival going on when I arrived.
If you're in the Durham area and in need of a pumpkin or two (they have all sizes), stop by Ganyard Hill Farm. They're at: 319 Sherron Road, Durham, NC 27703 phone: 919.596.8728
Not in the area? Check out other pumpkin patches via the link on my Home Page.
Photos: Barbara Dolny-Bombar