3 hours left… voting is over… big sigh of relief. I really don’t know where to start. I have learned so much throughout this experience. I have learned that activism isn’t a bad word, it is a responsibility we all have to make our world a better place. I have learned the importance of family and friends. I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of people in my life. Spend the day with us, Sally Kern, and you’ll find we are not terrorists. I have learned how many selfless people there are out there. Thank you so much to the Central OK Humane Society staff and volunteers. Your dedication to this event, this cause, and animal rights is awesome. If you need help with anything, I will do what I can. I have learned there is still so much left to be done. We have evolved a voice to use it. Speak up for those that can’t. Be responsible with it and make a difference. I have learned that we can endure a lot more than we think. Pushing yourself isn’t a bad thing. Things grow when under stress… that includes our character. I have learned the amount of love one can possess is unlimited. Don’t be afraid to love in all aspects of your lives… and don’t be afraid to let people know they are loved.

This event has made me a better person. I am so blessed that it has. I am excited to see how I… and my family… will continue to grow because of it. Thank you everyone for the journey.

I was hoping to go out tonight and meet with everyone. I don’t know if something has been organized yet or not. Friend request me on facebook and I will update everyone… Butch Sassidy is really Terry Lea. I guess that is it. I love you guys. Thanks for the support throughout this adventure… trust me, there are more to come.

Blog 13  9-18-09  3 PM

Top Five Things I Love About This Challenge

1) The beautiful landscaping around the canal.  Who knew we had such lovely flora outside the crystal bridge.

2) The weather.  I am an amazing radiator of heat . . . and not just due to my good looks.  If it had become any hotter, I would have been a sweaty funky mess.

3) The passerbys.  Trust me if you think we look ridiculous, you should see what passes by.

4) The food.  It has been heavy at times and the portapotty is a little worse for the wear, but it has been tasty.

5) The Cause.  This cause has really motivated me to become more active for my family and community.  After being gawked at for seven days like a caged animal, zoo’s might be my next target.

Five Things I Hate about this challenge

1) The stink bugs.  These smarmy little creatures are horrible . . . trust me, they do not go well with the whole grain goodness of cheerios either.

2) The shrill voice of the lady at Coyote Ugly.  Enough said.

3) Mexican food twice in one day.  Again . . . enough said.

4) Fanny packs and Affliction shirts.  Like I said before, please save the fanny packs for the fair.  And attention all straight guys . . . Affliction is out.  You should have spent the extra 30 bucks for an Ed Hardy one.

5) Portapottys.  Although a necessity.  I have grown to hate things you poop in, but can’t flush.

(I also hate dog chaining and those that do it, but I think my staying out here seven days proves that.)

This is the last blog before voting is over.  Keep it up and lets finish strong.  I can’t wait to read everyones responses to my blogs . . . as well as the other contestant’s.  Team Sassidy, you guys are my heros.  I am so excited to see everyone.  Vote on time today per IP address, and make sure and get up early and vote one more time per IP address tomorrow morning.  You can vote from 6 AM – 9 AM tomorrow morning.  So set your alarms!  Everyone come down at noon tomorrow!  As usual . . . I love you guys!

Blog 12                               9-18-09                                  9 AM

27 More Hours to Go!!!  I am so glad this is almost over!  We lost Princess last night … she is so passionate about this cause and so full of energy and motivation.  I love you Princess and I can’t wait for those lunch Boxes.  I am really starting to feel the effects of the chain.  I am sore everywhere.  I can not imagine living like this … actually in most cases worse … for more than one week.  Something definitely needs to be done, and I’m on board!  I really want to thank all of the sponsors that helped bring this week of awareness to the public and to me.  TAP Architecture, the house is great, but next time remember that I am a 37 on my sleep number bed, the floor is definitely harder than that…but that is the point I suppose.  I am really excited to see everyone tomorrow.  I would really appreciate it if I had no visitors today.  I am too close to slip up.  Teem Sassidy keep the votes coming in.  Please…Please…Please…Only one vote per IP address, and NO Fraudulent/Foreign votes.  They are diligently reviewing the data to keep this contest fair.  These actions are a waste of everyones time.  Let’s keep it clean everyone.  Also let’s not forget why I am out here.  It is for awareness.  Tyler, Allison, and Jordan keep going.  Work harder today than you have all week.  Thank you guys so much for all that you have done.  Everyone else…I don’t know what to say … you guys are the best friends, family, and supporters a dog could have.  I love you guys…we are almost there!

P.S. Ricky, Bradley, and Nancy … I hope you are ready for the P-Posse reunion in two weeks!  I love you guys!

Blog 10                    9-17-09                      9am

As I start this blog my love goes out to Wade.  You are no doubt pre sped by now and anxiously waiting for surgery.  I am sorry that I can’t be bedside.  I love you and wish you an easy recovery.  I want to apologize to “Aum”.  The blog where I attacked her character was uncalled for.  It is the blog I regret writing.  I think she is a very ethical person full of love and positive energy.  I stand by “operation chain rattle payback”.  I am sure her actions were simply mischievous and not really malignant.  I will be at your studio after this is all said and done for a much needed yoga class.  I think we are the only two cryers here.  Stay strong….Namaste.

I can’t believe there are only two days left.  This has definitely been a learning experience for me though.  I am very glad that the learning experience is nearly over.  I am amazed at the support.  I didn’t realize so many people were following what we are doing what we are trying to bring awareness to.  Keep the ball rolling after saturday, and get active in your communities!  Only a couple more days to vote.  Team Sassidy, you rock!  Keep gettin nuts on every IP address you come across.  Tyler, Susi, Wade…your voting assault is much appreciated.  Tyler and Susi keep it up … Wade, recover from your surgery.  Andrea and Ryan are amazing, your enthusiasm for this cause makes my heart smile.  Jordan and Allison … you guys have done a great job.  Keep the word out there and the votes coming in.  Remember, for everyone that visits the site, that is one more person that learns about the negativities of dog chaining.  My family and friends, I miss you guys so much.  I can’t believe my human heart can love this much.  Stay Sweet … Never Change.  I love you!

Blog 9                      9 – 16 – 09                               3pm

There is not much to do here.  I have discovered you can spin and twirl your chain to make beautiful designs …. suddenly I am Butchskana Sasskya, the svelte Russian Rhythmic Gymmnast.  I am tall and lean with phenomanal lines.  I am in my final routine.  In the background I hear Bela scream, “You can do it, you can do it!”  My music begins, something upbeat, but not too over the top.  My first split leap is perfect and my ribbon trails behind me like the feathers of Quetzal bird.  I take a peak at the judges from the corner of my eye…they have never seen such beauty and grace.  I twist and spin, I spin and twirl, all the time maintaining perfect control and balance.  I hurl my ribbon into the air…three spins…four spins…five spins…I catch it and strike my final pose at the exact moment the musics stops.  The audience is on their feet.  The Hungarian judge is in tears.  Bela has passed out and is being tended to by paramedics.  I hear only one word in my mind…GOLD!  Then I blink and see my dog house…my ribbon is a chain again, and I am anything but svelte.  Daydreams are entertaining though.

Thanks to everyone for the support and love you have sent my way.  I appreciate it and need it.  I hope the voting is going well.  I admire your creativity and dedication to this cause.  Keep Voting! Get the word out!  Good luck to the cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie!  The final shows are upon you.  It amazes me that there is such talent in this state!  Break a leg!  I am really homesick and I miss my perfect/non-traditional family a lot.  I love you guys.

P.S. Happy Birthday to Mrrard Augusta at Salon Rebel…thanks for the low maintenance coiff!  I love it!

Blog 8               9-16-09                 9 am

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSI!!!!  It is official, I am the first contestant to openly cry.  Last night I got a visit from my daughter, and her smile warmed my heart so much it brought me to tears.  That incident allowed me to finally see what it is I am doing here.  I want that car, but this event is about much more than that.  This event has taught me that I have a social responsibility to help defend the helpless, support the weak, and speak up for the voiceless.  Dog chaining is a horrible act…but there are hundreds of social injustices out there just as bad.  This morning I am not going to ask you to vote or thank those who have helped so far … this morning I am going to urge you to find a cause that you believe in and support it.  Heros don’t always wear capes or uniforms.  Heros wear the clothes you have on right now.  Your cause doesn’t have to be dog chaining, or even pet related at all.  Any cause which helps fight an injustice will in the end help us become better people, better communities, and a better world.  Thank you Christy and the staff at the Central OK Humane Society.  You, through this event, have taught me a valuable lesson…A lesson that I can teach my child.  That is the true prize I will take home from this event.  I believe in you central Oklahoma … thank you for believing in me. Now get out there be someone’s champion… become someones Hero, you are already mine. I love you guys… Thank you.

Today is a lazy day. I did participate with Aum’s meditation time. That big brass bowl aint so bad after all. I am really appreciative of the three MGMT breaks I got today….thanks to the people who brought that here….keep the jams coming. If I am asleep yell and wake me up. I also really like Erasure. but what homo doesn’t. We lost Walker last night. I hope he is feeling better. Apparently my AM blog on the 14th was edited for content. I don’t know what all made it past the censor, but it was a very funny anecdote about my misuse of hand sanitizer. I will share the full account of the event to anyone who wants to hear it. It is probably best told in person anyway. It is odd, but the soreness is easing up. I am sure the aches and pains aren’t anything a percocet and a massage can’t take care of…..if only I had stuffed my massage therapist in my bag. I hear the voting is going well. Almost half way there. Keep getting the word out. We can actually win this. Tyler, Allison and Jordan….I hope you saw the last blog and got really motivated. Ryan, thank you for the assault you made at Saints….you are amazing. I also heard there is a flyer and a dogbone campaing….thanks Wade and Sis. I love you guys. They don’t give us a lot of time to write this, so I gotta wrap it up. Get the word out and tell everyone you know. Everyone start coming up for a location for the after (victory) party. I love you guys….thanks for everything!!!P.S. BBQ yesterday, Mexican Food today, and a shared bathroom with Princess….God help me.

Blog 6              9 – 15 – 09                0900AM

I am sorry I missed our Monday night together Poppy and Kaedyn.  I miss and love you both very much!  As for the “Aum” situation, I think things are resolved.  Last night operation “chain rattle payback” took place.  ”Princess”, “Puck”, and “Beast” were apparently fed up with her shenanigans also, as they participated too.  I thought about doing another attack around 2 am, but I thought better of it and tried to sleep.  I am feeling better today … achy, but emotionally I feel great.  I am able to sleep on top of the house and stretch out at night since the rain has stopped.  I am big boned and need my space … space the Dog Coop just doesn’t have.  Thanks to Craig for the toothpaste and air fresheners.   Thank you to whomever got the deodorant for me.  I am fresh from rooter to tooter now!  Princess and I share a porta potty, and the air freshener helps in there too.  You might be amazed if you knew the damage a princess and a queen can do after two meals of BBQ.  For the voting … keep it up!  We don’t know whats going on with the numbers, but i hope my numbers are high.  You guys are too amazing for them to be low.  Allison, Jordan, and Tyler … things just tripled for you guys if we win.  I need you to hit everyplace that has a computer … or multiple computers and stop people with iPhones and Blackberrys.  We can do this.  That’s right guys triple.  Get out there and vote … crazy vote.  I can’t wait to see you guys.  I love and miss everyone.  Did I already mention I need you to VOTE?!

PS – Wade … thank you for taking up the slack in my absence….it means the world to me.  I love you!
(more…)

Aum . . . for someone who practices a discipline which seems to support inner peace and harmony you have a long way to go.  I considered going to one of your yoga classes, through your actions in this competition I can see your ethics are questionable.  This competition is supposed to bring public awareness to dog chaining.  Go ahead and rattle your chain and beat on your doghouse when you see me nap.  If you wanted to see who the biggest b!@$h  in this competition is “Aum,” you found him . . . It’s on.  PS – Sorry other contestants . . . this is not meant to affect you or disturb your sleep.

On a lighter note Thank you to whomever purchased the hat for me.  I pretty much have everything I need for now.  I would like someone to come down, sit at the fence and play some good music (MGMT, Lady GaGa, etc.) for about 20 min.  No talking, just let me sit in lotus and listen to the jams.  Today the rain stopped and most of us are outside our houses.  It is nice to be able to stretch out . . . It would be nice to sleep, but “Aum” is trying to prevent that.  I couldn’t have asked for better weather though.

Thank you so much for everyone who has supported me.  Keep the ball rolling.  Try and get at least five of your friends to vote today and for the rest of the week.  You guys are the best!  I love everyone and will get to see . . . and more importantly . . . talk to you soon!