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 can tell you firsthand that the Prison Tails program is well worth it. I was a Corrections Officer in a prison that adopted a similar program but in the beginning they had retired greyhounds. It definitely brought a different feeling to the unit. It really seemed to have given the inmates a new purpose and a reason to get up and out of bed everyday.
Love the idea and as long as the dogs were treated nicely I’m totally for it.
Bagels are SOOO delicious! And I have no idea why. It’s one of the necessary secrets of the universe.
I love that breakfast! It’s one of my favorites too. Bagels are so addictive because the tiny little elves bake crack cocaine into them when no one is looking. I thought that was obvious, no?
They have these programs in a lot of states. I saw on TV one program who trains puppies for the blind and for our military. They stated a lot of these guys come out of jail a better person and with a new career. Totally rehabilitated. Awesome programs. Thanks for sharing.
A program similar to this was done on the HBO series “Oz.” I think the program (from what I saw on the show) was a great idea.
That’s like the show Pitbulls and Parollees – I’ve never seen it, just the commericlals, but def a good concept.
I’ve never heard of the program, but from what you wrote about it, it sounds like a good thing. Hopefully the pups and inmates are getting something out of it as well. Assuming the dogs are, but hopefully the inmates are using the opportunity to turn their lives around.
Yumm. Looks delish!
In college I did a writing circle (similar to what Raquelle described) with the residents of the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women. I was then informed of the PAWS (for dogs) and WHISKERS (for cats) programs that they have there, and upon touring the facility, I was absolutely blown away. When I adopted my kitten, I was sure that he was a “graduate” of WHISKERS because I knew that he had a lot of love during those first few weeks of his life. Programs like these are phenomenal for all involved.
I’ve never heard of Prison Tails before! I think a lot of the time prisons focus too much on punishment and not enough on rehabilitation, so this program sounds great!
I’ve never heard of Prison Tails, but I think that’s a great idea. Why not have inmates do something beneficial while they are serving time!
I read that same article and it sounds like a great idea. Win-win-win for all!
Sounds like a great program for dogs and offenders. Reminds me of that show on tv about Pittbulls and Parolies. Have you seen it before? I believe it is on the Animal channel.
That’s a fabulous idea! I’ve even said before that over-populated animal shelters should take their dogs and cats over to the county jail for therapeutic purposes. I really believe that many criminals are only that way b/c they don’t have any sense of purpose. Caring for an animal is a wonderful way to learn to value life and to have a purpose in life. There’s something so special than having another being depend on you.
I love these programs. My brother is actually in jail right now and I so wish they had a program where he is. I think he misses our two dogs nearly as much as my folks and I! I think that pets can be so healing, like when people bring dogs by to visit patients at hospitals. They do wonders for one’s mental state and bring so much joy!
Those bagels look delicious! When I was young, in the summer my mom would always make toasted bagels with cream cheese and tomatoes, and sprinkle pepper on top. So delicious! Haven’t had it in forever but your pictures are making me nostalgic.
Prison Tails sounds like an excellent idea! My uncle was in jail for the first 17 years of my life, and from the stories I’ve heard from him, people there really need some sort of companionship. It would be really neat if the offender they were paired with got to adopt the dog if they were being released soon.
@Sarah W.: Yeah this is also how I heard about the program.
I think it’s a great idea and could be used for trouble teens etc, also. Giving someone a responsibility can teach them so much!
I’ve heard of similar programs before and they seem to be very positive for the inmates! The most amazing thing about animals is that no matter who you are (or what you’ve done)… if you show them love, they return love right back. If only we acted more that way… š
The Prison Tails program kind of (loosely) reminds me of the Villalobos Rescue Center, which is featured on the Animal Planet show “Pitbulls and Parolees.” (Great show, by the way — very moving!). I think that pairing an offender who is either currently incarcerated or has just been released with a dog in need of love and training is a wonderful (and very empowering) idea. Dogs can truly bring out the best in people! Plus, I think every creature (human or animal) deserves a second chance.
bagels are tasty, seriously.
a friend of mine has a dog from this program (or a similar one in NC) they still have the letter that the pup’s trainer wrote about the dog. I thought it was really cool!
Funny enough I worked for the Indiana Correctional system where the program takes place. I think it is a really good program. I didn’t personally work in Westville, however we studied the program during training and were informed a great deal about it. The program is good for both the offenders and the dogs. The offenders really bond with the dogs, and since they miss out on a lot of opportunities in prison they are able to be empowered by having the responsibility of a dog.
As a huge dog lover I think that this is a wonderful program and think it’s great that it is getting some recognition.
I think that’s a great idea as long as the inmates are closely monitored. I know a lot of criminals have histories of being cruel to animals.
I think that the Prison Tales program is awesome! Having just acquired a puppy I know how frustrating training can be… this is a great way for these men to learn to control their anger and frustration, learn to love an animal and build a friendship. Obviously the inmates would get lots of support and guidance seeing as it is in a prison.
I have seen a lot about the Prison Tails program and similar programs. They’re wonderful experiences for all involved. It truly brings these men/women who are often seen as “beasts” or evil people and humanizes them so much. It shows their inner souls and allows them to be tender, caring and loving. It really is amazing to watch.