If you follow me on Twitter, you’ve probably seen me tweet about potential blog names. (I find it entertaining!) I really have no plans to start another blog or change the name of this one, but it’s fun to come up with new ideas for blog names.
My favorite blog name so far is Bagels āĖN’ Gnocchi, which, of course, is a play on Carrots āĖN’ Cake and aĀ declaration of my love for bagels and gnocchi. I think Bagels āĖN’ Gnocchi would probably be a blog devoted to carb-tastic recipes and foods! š
For breakfast this morning, I toasted an onion bagel and added cream cheese and two slices of tomato.
I used to eat this breakfast almost every morning when I worked at a little cafĆĀ© on Block Island. (The owner gave us free range of the kitchen as part of our pay.) I’m surprised I didn’t turn into a bagel that summer!
I also drank a glass of iced coffee with eggnog.
Seriously, why are bagels so incredibly delicious? Please, someone answer this question for me.
Prison Tails
At the gym the other day, I stumbled upon an article in Ladies Home Journal (October 2010) about the Prison Tails Program, which ātrains men and dogs to be better members of society.āĀ The program immediately caught my attention, so I wanted to blog about it on CNC.
The Prison Tails program is part of Mixed Up Mutts (MUM), which is both a rescue organization and a training center. MUM finds troubled dogs and brings them to the Westville Correctional Facility to be place into the Prison Tails program. There, the dogs are partnered with an offender, who is a certified dog handler, for 4-8 weeks of 24-hour-a-day care, attention, and obedience training.Ā
The Mixed Up Mutts’ staff thenĀ tests and certifies each of the graduating dogs and works to find them new homes. It seems like a win-win for everyone involved: families get loving pets, dogs get new homes, and offenders learn new skills.
Question of the Day
Have you heard of the Prison Tails program? Do you think it’s a good idea?
P.S. I am hosting a sweet giveaway on Trading Up Downtown. It’s my year anniversary!!!
79 Comments
I think that sounds like an awesome idea!! Provided the offenders treat the dogs well (I think the majority of them would), it seems like a win-win. I’d hope that no one would judge a dog trained by someone in prison, though…
I’ve never heard of Prison Tails, but I love the idea!
And I, too, would like to know why bagels are so darn fantastic…YUM. š
I LOL’d at Bagels and Gnocci!
Gosh, surely a new blog name of yours would have to invovle Pugs and Iced Coffee? š Never heard of the Prison Tails, but it sounds like a wonderful idea.
Prison Tailes, and MUM are located only about an hour away from me. It’s a terrific program.
Never heard of prison tails before. What a great program š
Your mention of Block Island makes wish it was summer right now and I was there š Its so pretty!
I think the program sounds great…anything that helps offenders have a sense of purpose again, and animals/pets are such a great way to do that…I think is great, but I havent read the links you gave yet.
And blog names, had me laughing! Gnocci. I like Cake better than gnocci š
We have something in NY called “Puppies behind Bars”. It’s the same principal. I think with the overcrowding in shelters is absolutely amazing to get dogs who need training and second chance and hopefully a home! Also, prisoners can often find themselves without very ‘loving’ outlets since prison is a harsh place and being with the dog inevitably helps their (hopefully…) rehabilitation and general state of mind.
I heart gnocchi and bagels!!! š
Sara
That sounds like a really interesting program. Thanks for sharing about it. I think I would be nervous to take in a dog that’s been known to hurt someone, but I know there are a lot of wonderful people out there who are willing to take the chance.
Oprah dedicated an entire show to this organization, with Glenn Close reporting on it.
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Prisoners-Train-Puppies-to-Aid-Wounded-Soldiers-Video
The prisoners train puppies to aid wounded soldiers.
It sounds like an amazing organization and I totally believe that pets/dogs provide wonderful therapy to all persons of all backgrounds/ages/gender.
I have heard of other programs and LOVE the idea. It gives the inmates purpose and teaches them compassion. The dogs are trained and learn how to trust humans before they move on to a “fur-ever” home. Yes, I just used the term “fur-ever”, I have a rescue dog!
Win win!
Laura
Bagels are very addicting with there soft thick bread.
Bagels + cream cheese + tomato has been one of my fave breakfasts lately…throw some spinach on there and I’m good to go for the whole morning! I think it’s like a vegetarian version(ish??) of bagels and lox š
I didn’t know it was called prison tails, but the Greyhound Rescue of Michigan puts its dogs through that programme before fostering them in homes and then finding their forever home. It really is a great idea.
Greyhounds are rescued from illegal racing all over the US and Mexico.
I think any program that helps offenders in a positive light as opposed to “punishing” them is a great program! So many are negatively based.
Bagels are just delicious — that is all there is to it!
I’ve never heard of Prison Tails — but I agree with Stacy that any program that helps offenders (and dogs!) is a good one.
I’m a big fan of bagels too, especially delicious Montreal-style ones. They’re similar to the denser ones you can find in NYC.
I second everything said here, I think it’s an excellent program. It give the prisioners a sense of purpose while also addressing the need to find trainers with the time to train dogs that might not otherwise be adopted.
I don’t have an answer for your question, but I did want to say that I LOVE tomato and cream cheese on a bagel. Its my favorite combo…
I’ve never heard of that organization either, but I think it’s a really good idea! And yes, I also agree that bagels are delicious! š
I have heard of the program actually! In high school we had someone come in and talk to us about it. I love the idea behind it and I’m glad to see it on your blog! š
I love bagels! I’ve never tried the cream cheese and tomato combo though. I will have to try this asap!
I’ve never heard of the Prison Tails Program. It sounds pretty interesting.
I think it sounds like a great idea!
Interesting program idea. In somewhat related news, veterans struggling with PTSD are being given dogs to care for in order to help alleviate their symptoms and stress. Interesting alternative therapy.
I really love the idea of Prison Tails. I think it’s great that some prisoners get a chance to become certified dog trainers and they use some of their free time (we know they have lots of it) to help out dogs. I’m sure it’s a mutually beneficial program helping both the prisoners and the dogs! I’d imagine some of the prisoners would be sad to let the dogs go after the training!
I work for a book publisher and a few of authors are part of a program which brings authors to prisons to teach prisoners how to write prose and poetry. I’ve always thought these kind of programs were wonderful!
I think I heard about that program on NPR last year, and the story made me tear up. Seems like such a great idea to me!
Thick, doughy bagels are so delicious…I think that’s why bagel thins disappoint me so much! š
I’ve never heard of that program, but it sounds like a great thing that would benefit two populations in need of help and healing.
Ohhh it’s hard for me to even look at another bagel for a while! I spent 5 hours Saturday slicing and smearing peanut butter on thousands of bagels for marathon runners…
Even so, you’re right- they sure are delicious!
I think it’s an amazing program. There’s so much they can learn and appreciate by caring for and training dogs!
I’ve seen highlights on similar programs on one of those prison shows. The prisoners really seem to enjoy being a part of it and it’s a great way motivator for them to stay out of trouble because they have to be on good behavior to qualify for the program.
I think I saw something similar on the news a while back– I think it’s a great idea. Animals have healing properties..this seems like a kind of animal therapy…using dogs to heal humans. The cool thing about this program is that they use “troubled dogs”…so maybe the humans are healing the dogs as well!
P.s. I ate a bagel with cream cheese and tomato almost every morning before high school– it could be the best combination in the world!
I hadn’t heard of Prison Tails before, but it sounds like a wonderful idea! Talk about therapy going in both directions.
I think this is an amazing program!
I am much more of a reader, a little over a year now, and rarely comment but I do have to say the Prison Tails program is great! I am in nursing school right now, and had a rotation at my state correctional facility and we have a very similar program. I got to see the inmates firsthand with their dogs. They LOVED their dogs, and it gave a new meaning to their life. I feel that they were just as dedicated, if not more, than our general population when it comes to training puppies. They take such pride in what they do, and it was amazing to see a different side of their character. Its definitely worthwhile!
I recently watched a Locked Up that was in a prison that allowed inmates to adopt kittens. In fact, I think was here locally in Northwest Indiana where they have a Cat Society with TONS of strays/drop-offs. It turned out to be a win-win situation for both places. The inmates with pet responsibilities were shown to do very well. They even got to keep them in their cells!!! Very cool stuff. I’m all about rehab.
Bagels are just too good!!! The doughy-er the better! I had not heard of that program….seems like a good idea!
Why are bagels so gosh darn delicious? I would love to know that answer!
What I do know is this…they will always have a place in my life + my belly! š
I agree–bagels are very addicting. As filling as they are, I always want another after the first. And forget that crap about scooping out the insides. That’s the best part! Just don’t let your onion touch my cinnamon raisin. Ick! š
i think that sounds like a really great program…taking care of a dog has taught me more than i thought i would ever need to know about life!
I think the program is intriguing — anything to do with animals is usually a WIN in my world.
Cute blog name…what about Coffee ‘n’ Crumbs?
wow, thanks for linking to this program – inspiring!
We had the same breakfast! Although, mine wasn’t an onion bagel. It was whole wheat. This is by far my very favorite breakfast ever.
I love that program. I think one of the things that drives people to commit crime is a lack of purpose in life. Giving people a way to make money and to feel good about themselves is a powerful deterrent (sp?!?) to crime.
I once saw a documentary about a program like this. Not sure if it was this exact one but something really close. I think it is a great idea. It was amazing to see some of these “hard” criminals really learn to love and trust after working with the dogs.
I love this idea– I’d be willing to bet it has a significant effect on morale and inmate behavior.
I know some prisons actually train seeing eye dogs, which is another really cool idea.
I think it is a great idea and a total win/win. I am a huge advocate of teaching those in prison new skills so that when they are released that are able to find work and do something that they like and are good at. It makes them such more likely to offend.
I am glad the dogs get rehabed and they are able to find new homes. It gives everyone a second chance š
I would big the most devoted reader of Bagels N Gnocchi!!
I hadn’t heard of that particular program but I did watch a special on tv like a year ago about inmates who were almost done serving their time that were allowed to go to a ranch to help train horses.
I think it’s a great idea!
I love bagels.. I never tried the bagels with cream cheese and tomato .. I will try now! =)
I love this time of year if only for the eggnog!