Liza Minnelli Breaks a Leg and There's a Dog to Blame!

Liza Minnelli was being pushed around New York in a wheel chair this weekend ... after breaking her leg in THREE places -- but according to the singer, it's all her dog's fault.

Eye Opener

Cornelia Guest is one of my favorite people. She's lovely. She cares deeply about animals. She designs beautiful handbags using no animal products. She even bakes cookies (again using no animal products). And she's on the board of the New York Humane Society! A portion of her cookie sales go to support the humane society. And they are SO GOOD!!

Cornelia Guest's Eye Opener

"A little over ten years ago I noticed that my dogs were getting strange diseases. Breathing problems, cancers, lumps and bumps that I don’t remember them having when I was growing up. I decided to stop using any pesticides or poisons anywhere in my home. At first it wasn’t easy but we just went back to basics. I asked around and with a little research (I love to collect books) I found some great old fashioned cleaning methods.

Then my mother got cancer and I really started to read… The China Study — a real eye opener– Dr Dean Ornish, Dr Neal Barnard, Kathy Freston, Skinny Bitch: all talked about how a plant based diet helps fend off and reverse disease. Then I read Gene Baures Farm Sanctuary. It is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books I have ever read. I guess on some level I always knew that factory farms were pretty horrible, but I learned that the suffering and torture these animals go through to be our food is just disgusting and not something I wanted to be a part of. I am not an expert on any of this but I am constantly overwhelmed, like most, about how to be green, organic… the list is endless. So I have chosen to educate myself and live in a way that is conscious to all two and four legged beings, and our amazing planet.

Just a few weeks ago the NY Times Sunday front page had an article about a beautiful young girl who is now paralyzed. Why? She ate a hamburger and got E Coli. The article spoke about the horrors of factory farms and how a hamburger is made and the process of processing meat. Read it, and I promise not only will it make you want to vomit but you will look at a hamburger very differently. Then a few days later, the Times had another great article on ” Atrazine” a weed killer that the EPA has now decided might be a little more dangerous to humans than they thought!! Thank you New York Times!!!

I have been eating a plant based diet for about 2 years now and have never felt better or been healthier. Knowing that step by step, I am learning to be responsible to our planet and all its wondrous creatures. It is just one step, and I intend to do a lot more!!!!"

"I am Ruled by My Passions" - Elizabeth Taylor

Well, that is certainly something I have in common with Elizabeth. Along with my smoking hot looks. Yes, often have I been told that I look like Elizabeth Taylor. Perhaps it's my eyes or, maybe, my dark tousled hair. No, I am quite sure it is a keen primal intelligence that we have in common. And I do love the bling.

Film Star. Humanitarian. Fashion Icon. Elizabeth Taylor's legacy will be celebrated in a landmark series of events, exhibitions and auctions this Fall at Christie's. Here, see some of the highlights from her legendary collection of jewels, couture, fine and decorative art and memorabilia.

To view the video on Christie's website click here.

A Safe Thanksgiving for Dogs

There's enough for people to worry about at Thanksgiving. "Oh no, not Aunt Edna's greasy gravy." "My brother's bragging is going to drive me to drink." "I can't believe I ate the whole thing." But we can't just think of ourselves over this food-focused holiday: We have to look after our best friends, too.

Dogs enjoy the revelry at least as much as humans, with bits of this and that dropping on the floor, and delectable smells wafting around the house. But Thanksgiving mustn't be a free-for-all. Just because we try to pack away all we can doesn't mean our dogs should. And there are certain items your dog really needs to avoid.

"Veterinarians experience an increased number of office calls due to digestive problems after the holidays because humans invite their animals to celebrate with high fat meals (ham, gravy, turkey skin), chocolates, bones , etc.," warns Casandria Smith, L.A. Animal Services Chief Veterinarian, in a PetFinder article.

Here are some tips that will help your dog get through Thanksgiving safely and with a smile on her snout.

Stuff Your Turkey, Not Your Dog

It's easy to want to give your dog a big fat bowl of turkey, mashed potatoes, and whatever else you think she might enjoy. But that's a bad idea. Overindulging in fatty foods can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, or a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. A few strips of turkey on a dog's normal food is fine, but don't overdo it, no matter how she may plead with her "I'm STARVING" eyes. Keep in mind that turkey skin can wreak havoc with a dog's digestive system, so make sure she gets skinless, boneless turkey.

Stuff Your Dog's Kong, Not Your Dog

Here's a great way to keep your dog busy and happy during your meal. Put a bit of your dog's regular food in a Kong, and then stuff a little boneless turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy - just a tad, mind you - in the Kong. It's not much food, but it will keep him occupied for a long time.

Get Her Pooped

A dog who has been on a big walk or fetched the ball a zillion times will be much more likely to run out of energy during the feast than a dog who's been inside all day. A tired dog is a good dog on Thanksgiving. Make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise before the festivities begin.

Make no Bones About It

Cooked turkey bones can be a danger to your dog. They're sharp, and potentially very dangerous. You may not know a dog has a turkey bone lodged in your dog's digestive system for days. Don't leave plates with bones lying around. Ditto for the turkey carcass. Hungry dogs have been known to run off with the remains of a carved turkey. It can happen in the blink of an eye. You notice the turkey is gone. You notice the dog is gone. With luck, you find their hiding place before anything happens. Put plates in an unreachable area if you can't dispose of everything properly right away.

Know this Sage Wisdom

Sage and some other herbs have essential oils that can cause tummy upset and central nervous system depression if a dog eats them in large quantities. Most dogs aren't going to nosh on a fistful of sage, but keep herbs out of reach just in case. See: Poisonous Plants and Foods for Dogs.

Don't Cry Over Onions

Onions are toxic to dogs. They can lead to a dangerous form of anemia that may not be detected for days. Make sure your dog stays away from the pearly whites, and yellows, and reds. See: Poisonous Plants and Foods for Dogs.

Don't Give Her the Raw Deal

Unless your dog is already on a raw diet, we wouldn't recommend plopping a piece of raw turkey in her bowl (the change from her regular food might cause an upset stomach). But more importantly, keep your pup away from the uncooked dough for bread or rolls. What helps make dough rise? Heat. If a dog eats raw dough, what's it like for the dough in the dog's stomach? Warm. The dough rises in the dog's stomach, and if the dog has eaten enough, the swollen dough can cause pain, vomiting, and bloating -- conditions that can send you to the doggy ER on Thanksgiving.

Avoid Yappy Hour

Some dogs seem to enjoy alcoholic drinks. Walk away from your drink that's set on the coffee table, and Lulu may get lit. Dogs and booze are a bad mix. Your dog may not do anything embarrassing she'll regret in the morning, but she could become disoriented and quite ill. Too much alcohol can even lead to a coma, and death. Watch where you - and others - put their drinks, especially if you have a curious pup.

By following a few basic tips, your dog will enjoy a fun, safe Thanksgiving. Now if only you could avoid Aunt Edna's gravy...

Joe T's

So... Joe T. Garcia's is my favorite Mexican restaurant ever. Located near the stockyards in Fort Worth, Joe T's was named one of Gourmet magazines favorite "legendary restaurants." The restaurant opened before the mag debuted in 1941. (Joe T.'s opened in 1935.) They share the mention with other luminous old timers like Galatoire's in New Orleans, Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach and, of course, New York's The "21" Club.


And they have the best frosted-pink-sugar cookies in the world. We always go across the street to the bakery run by Joe's daughter, Esperanza, to get these. They sell Esperanza's cookies at Joe's, but they are cheaper at Esperanza's. And boy are they yummy.

But, wait, there something else I want to share with you. I met a woman wearing a skirt that was made up of her husband's old neck ties. We went to see a stage production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the new Wiley theater in Dallas and there she was sitting right next to us in that necktie skirt. Not really in the same league as the Galleon headband designed by Monsieur Gaultier. But, I would categorize both as conversation pieces. Wouldn't you?

All About Izzie

This is my formal portrait....I had to behave!

Today Izzie's mom, Rhea Ann, sent me lots of great photos.

"My Izzie girl....you know the cross between a pug, standard poodle and belgian malinois and siberian husky......hmmmmm, maybe I should do another test!"

-Rhea Ann

Turns out Rhea Ann is an artist. We love her work. Take a gander at her website: rheann.com

In the meantime enjoy these adorable pics of Izzie, my look alike who isn't a Tibetan Terrier. They say everyone has a twin somewhere. I think I've found mine. And we both have VERY LONG tongues!

A Pug?

Rhea Ann and Darcy with Izzie, who is definitely not a Tibetan Terrier.

Well, we are in Dallas for the opening of the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art. You know, he is the guy that designed those cone-bra-bustiers for Madonna. It is an amazing exhibition with hundreds of outfits on display. And the mannequins have animatronic faces that move and blink and twitch and burp. I don't know if they burp, but they might. The moving faces are actually video projections on the faces of the mannequins from tiny video cameras suspended from the ceiling. It was a fun show, but the real reason we always visit DFW is to visit Joe T. Garcia's.

Before I go any further, I want to let you know we were walking on the Katy Trail yesterday when we met what we thought was a very nice rangy Tibetan Terrier named Izzie along with her owner Rhea Ann and friend Darcy. Rhea Ann, herself, thought Izzie was a Tibetan Terrier when she first brought her home. That's what the folks at the animal shelter told her. It turns out that Izzie is actually a Pug! Well....a pug and a Belgian Malinois and two other breeds that look nothing like Tibetan Terriers. You see, Rhea Ann had one of those genetic tests done that told her exactly what breeds Izzie is made up of.

You know, they say the whole is the greater than the sum of its parts. I think that is SO TRUE in Izzie's case. I mean that girl has my head. It was like looking in a freak'n mirror!

I guess, I'll have to tell you about Joe T's another day. I'm exhausted.