ken foster

Happy Fourth!?

2008-07-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

Remembering Vicki Hearne in the August issue of Bark

2008-07-03T17:32:00.005-05:00

For the new "Summer Reading" issue of Bark, I contributed a feature on the work of Vicki Hearne, the poet-philospher-dogtrainer-author of Adam's Task, Bandit and Animal Happiness, all of which have recently been reissued by Skyhorse Publishing. Hearne is one of those names that follows me around, and I first heard of her many years ago, when Rene Steinke told me that she and her husband had considered sending their dog Coco to Vicki for boot camp. But they couldn't stand the idea of being apart from him. Later, it was Amy Hempel who mentioned her. Then, later again, Katharine Weber, who was so friendly with Hearne that she allowed Bandit, the "dangerous" pit bull, to come swimming with her kids. Donald McCaig was a long-time friend of Hearne as well. And Richard Maxwell too. There wasn't enough room to include everyone in the feature. But you can pick up a copy to read all about it--and a lot of other great summer dog features.

Another round of essay writing at Mediabistro

2008-06-25T07:25:00.002-05:00

My latest section of advanced personal essay opens up tonight online; the chat doesn't really begin til next Wednesday, so I think there may be time to sign up.

Meanwhile, I'm in classes myself this week with a team of people from The Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt design museum. The project is called "A City of Neighborhoods" and we're looking at design as a solution to all kinds of problems as well as its applications in the classroom. More on all that later...

Joey at the Sula Foundation fundraiser

2008-06-22T11:52:00.003-05:00

I'll be posting more later, but in the meantime, here's a link to some great shots from our fundraiser at Canine Culture.

The Sula fundraiser, now even more FUN!

2008-06-13T07:56:00.001-05:00

The Sula Foundation (www.sulafoundation.org) will hold its first major fundraiser on June 19th from 6-8pm at Canine Culture, 8110 Hampson Street, New Orleans. Dedicated to fostering responsible pit bull ownership, The Sula Foundation was created by local author Ken Foster and named after his pit bull Sula, featured in the bestselling book, The Dogs Who Found Me.

The June 19th "Pitching for Pit Bulls" party will feature raffle prizes and silent auction items from a wide variety of local businesses who support the cause, including the New Orleans Zephyrs, George Rodrigue, Louisiana Music Factory, Crescent City Farmers Market, Maple Street Bookshop, New Orleans Film Society, Salon d'Malta, dba, The Joint, Gnome, and many others. In addition, items have been donated from across the US, from independent bookseller Powells.com, novelist Cathleen Schine, photographer Traer Scott, Harry Abrams Publishers, Skyhorse Books, Bark Magazine and more. The event will also feature live music from The Hot 8 Brass Band, food, drinks and a baseball-themed costume contest for dogs. Area shelters will also be on hand with adoptable dogs invited to join the party.

Proceeds from the event will fund the Sula Foundation's ongoing low-cost pit bull vaccination clinics and free spay/neuter program. Upcoming clinics include:
Tuesday June 17th from 5:30-7pm, in the 5100 block of Burgundy Street and
Tuesday June 24th 5:30-7pm at Freret and Cadiz.
The clinics offer rabies, distemper and bordetella vaccinations for $5 each, as well as training information and other resources.

"Pit bulls have historically been family dogs," Foster says. "The Sula Foundation's programs are designed to create a dialogue between dedicated pit bull owners and to educate people about the responsibilities associated with caring for a dog of any breed. It is great to see so many local businesses offering their support to this project."

For more information, call 504-324-9233 or go to www.sulafoundation.org.

Hillary's speech

2008-06-08T09:36:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Hillary Clinton gave a great speech about moving forward. Unfortunately, it seems that many of her supporters were not listening. To them, Barack Obama stole the election. Why? Because he wouldn't allow the votes in Michigan and Florida to be counted. Of course, there isn't an ounce of truth to this. The reason the votes were not counted is that all of the candidates, including Hillary Clinton, agreed to a set of rules that included eliminating the delegates from any state that held primaries earlier than they were officially scheduled. Clinton only decided this was a bad idea when it was clear she needed those votes. Suddenly she was fighting for these people whose voices could only be heard through her. Her rhetoric shifted to suggest that people (ie, Obama's supporters) were disrespecting her supporters and trying to silence them. What is curious is that during this entire time, Obama said virtually nothing to dismiss Clinton or her supporters. During this time, Clinton herself did a number of things to fan the divisive flames of the party: suggesting the Obama might be Muslim (as if that matters), suggesting that his supporters were elitist (and therefore, apparently, not worthy of being heard), feeding the idea that Obama's supporters were against women (but, oddly, not that Clinton supporters were against that idea of a darker-skinned president), etc.

So, it was great to hear Clinton speak about the real issues before us. And it was great to hear her unwavering endorsement of Obama. For a while, it seemed as if the campaign had become too personal for her, but in her speech yesterday, she made clear to anyone listening that what matters is not who wins, but how we move forward as a country.

Still, many of her supporters are still clinging to the ideas that Clinton's campaign feed them for all these months. It would help if Clinton could come forward and explain that she, really, was equally responsible for the delegates being stripped from those two states. But it seems to be something she's still incapable of doing.

The Sula Foundation, June Clinics and Fundraiser

2008-06-02T21:29:00.006-05:00

On June 19th, Canine Culture, at 8110 Hampson Street, will host a fundraising event for The Sula Foundation. I'll post more details as they are confirmed. But raffle and auction items are arriving daily, including items from novelist Cathleen Schine, photographer Traer Scott, The New Orleans Film Society, Salon d'Malta, Skyhorse Publishing, Stewart Tabori and Chang, Gnome, dba, The Joint, NOLAFugees, Powells.com, Maple Street Bookshop, and more.

We'll also be hosting pit bull vaccination clinics on June 17th in the Lower Ninth Ward, and June 24th at Freret and Cadiz.

And, on one final Sula note, here's our latest dog; his name is Gus, and he's looking for a permanent home.

Will Hillary ever explain herself?

2008-05-31T19:32:00.003-05:00

Apparently the Democrat party has reached an agreement regarding the delegates from Florida and Michigan, where Clinton and all the other candidates had agreed not to campaign due the the state party officials violating the rules in scheduling their primaries. Yet Hillary and her supporters are still disappointed. The question I have is: Has Clinton ever explained why she was once FOR stripping those states of their delegates? If the issue is, as she claims, one of voters rights, equality, etc., then why did she sign on to the plan to begin with? And what, aside from her need for those votes, changed her mind?

She has really devolved into a hideous, selfish figure. At least she knows how to hold her liquor.

Pit bull ban in Ohio

2008-05-26T08:48:00.003-05:00

I had been under the impression that Ohio was experiencing hard economic times, and perhaps even some crime issues. Apparently I've been misled, because the State Legislature there is planning to spend the taxpayers money on a pit bull ban rather than any kind of economic stimulus package. I'll be posting more details of the legislation and who to write to, but I want to make sure I've got all the information in place. If the ban takes effect, the dogs will be exterminated within 90 days and police will have the right to search the house of anyone who they suspect might have a pit bull. Aside from the insane diversion of the police force, the state will need to be ready to defend themselves in countless lawsuits. And no one will be any safer.

Assassination threats are hilarious on Fox News

2008-05-26T08:08:00.002-05:00

In this clip, Liz Trotta giggles as she suggests it would be great if "we" could assassinate both Osama and Obama. In case you are wondering who she is and why she's even on the news, she does indeed work for Fox after previously working for the Washington Times, the conservative, Moonie-financed paper. You can contact her current bosses: Teri Everett, teverett@newscorp.com; also jhorner@newscorp.com. Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/fox-news-has-to-sack-liz-trotta

Old photos from The Dogs Who Found Me

2008-05-24T07:24:00.003-05:00

When I first threw together a website for The Dogs Who Found Me, it was in response to the bio on the back of the book, which had been revised without my knowledge, replacing my email contact with the then non-existant www.dogswhofoundme.com. As I participated in more events and interviews, the original posts there got lost. I've recently uncovered them. So if you want to see some photos of the dog characters from that book, you can now find them again here.

The Costa Rican Artist controversy

2008-05-22T08:51:00.004-05:00

Last year I received a petition regarding the work of a Costa Rican artist who supposedly used a dying street dog as part of an exhibition in Nicaragua. The dog was tied up as part of the exhibit and may have died while on exhibit. Or maybe not. No one seems to know for sure. But the petition insisted that the artist should be punished and suggested that he had been invited to participate in the Central American biennale due to this exhibit. Some versions of the petition even suggested that he planned to repeat the exhibition of a dying dog, which is an oddly specific claim considering that no one was able to even document that the original exhibition had occurred. I emailed friends in Costa Rica and they concluded that a sick dog had been taken off the street as part of the show, but that no one knew what became of the dog, and that it was possible the dog had died, but there was no evidence that this was anyone's intention. The gallery owner insisted that the dog had been fed while there and was only tied up for a few hours during the exhibition.

In the past month or so, the petition has been making the rounds again, with even more hyperbolic claims. In one version, it took place in Buenas Aires. In another, some other South American country. The focus of the petition is always to punish the artist and have him withdrawn from the biennale. This seems misguided to me. There are starving dogs on the streets all over Nicaragua and Costa Rica. And the United States, for that matter. It is always strange when people take up the cause of a single dog while ignoring the larger issue, which is all of the starving dogs that were not on display that night. More troubling is the number of inaccuracies in the petition's claim. Several times I have emailed the person who has sent the petition along and suggested that it is misleading and therefore should not be signed. This, of course, gets a nasty response.

But why is it that suddenly, a year later, the world cares about this dog? Not surprisingly, a number of the organizations who have latched onto this cause are less sympathetic about animals in their own backyards. In particular, I have noticed that several of these organizations are also those who endorse euthanizing all pit bulls. They are also known for latching on to any cause that can lend them some attention and financial contributions.

That said, Animal People has an interesting update on how this incident has inspired discussion of introducing a humane law to Nicaragua. You can read the story, reprinted at Ed Bok's blog for Los Angeles Animal Services.

Animal People, based in Washington State, bills itself as "news for people who care about animals." But not pit bulls. They hate pit bulls and frequently misreport statistics to support their claims. Maybe they don't think pit bulls are animals?

Also, if you want to help animals in Costa Rica (and other Central American countries), I recommend The McKee Project, which is featured in my book Dogs I Have Met.

The Turkish edition arrives

2008-05-18T21:37:00.003-05:00

Here's what it looks like in Turkey; unfortunately, my American publisher still hasn't been able to find the fee they collected for the rights.

Meet Grover

2008-05-13T12:20:00.001-05:00

Under nourished, severe ear infection, heartworm positive and recovering from a botched neuter surgery. But still the friendliest dog in the world.

Hillary Clinton on Obama

2008-05-08T08:54:00.001-05:00

"I have a much broader base to build a winning coalition on," she said in an interview with USA TODAY. As evidence, Clinton cited an Associated Press article "that found how Sen. Obama's support among working, hard-working Americans, white Americans, is weakening again, and how whites in both states who had not completed college were supporting me."

"There's a pattern emerging here," she said.

Toni Morrison On Obama

2008-05-08T08:51:00.000-05:00

"I thought about voting for Hillary at the beginning. I don't care that she is a woman. I need more than that. Neither his race, his gender, her race or her gender was enough. I needed something else, and the something else was his wisdom." Toni Morrison, in Time Magazine

Brando/Obama surge at the polls

2008-05-07T07:27:00.002-05:00

The presidential campaign has been exhausting, and no one knows that more than Brando Foster. In fact, in the past few weeks, he's rolled over on his back and moved on to other concerns. He's just a dog after all, and he has other things to think about.

After last night, however, he's put his party hat back on! And he invites all his former dogsitters and other concerned citizens to kick in a few bucks for Obama.

Current headlines on NOLA.com, in order of appearance

2008-05-06T09:10:00.002-05:00

Murder trial begins for teenager who got gun from mom: Mother still in jail awaiting her own trial

LEAP and GEE scores released today

Man gunned down in eastern New Orleans

Warm weather continues today

Ex-janitor arrested in theft of drugs, guns, cash from court

Tom Benson announces purchase of WVUE-TV

David Bonds, Part Five

2008-05-05T18:03:00.003-05:00

I'd been meaning to pick up where I left off, and actually had some observations to share regarding the prosecution's performance in the courtroom. But I'll have to wait on that.

Yesterday I got a call from someone who said that they had heard David Bonds was shot on Canal Street sometime earlier in the weekend. I called around. I looked online. Not only was there nothing to find regarding David Bonds, there was nothing regarding a shooting of any kind.

This afternoon, the NOPD announced that they are looking for David Bonds again. Two witnesses identified him as the man who shot someone after an argument at Canal and St. Charles. This incident occurred at 5am Sunday morning, but apparently they didn't release the information because they didn't want anyone to panic on the last day of Jazz Fest.

Booksigning at Jazz Fest on Sunday May 4th

2008-05-03T11:07:00.002-05:00

I'll be signing copies of The Dogs Who Found Me, Dogs I Have Met, and The Dog Who Loved Cheerios on Sunday May 4th from 3-4pm at the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Proceeds go to a New Orleans literacy program. And I'll have some of the Sula Foundation's Pit Bull All Star posters to give away!

Tonight at Sound Cafe: Dr. Michael White, Hot 8 Brass Band, and Shamarr Allen

2008-04-30T07:46:00.002-05:00

Tonight at 7pm, SilenceIsViolence and Putumayo present Dr. Michael White, The Hot 8 Brass Band and Shamarr Allen. Free! This should be completely over the top and a great way to kick off the second weekend of Jazz Fest.

Sound Cafe is at 2700 Chartres (at Port Street).

Pit Bull All Stars poster now on sale

2008-04-29T07:57:00.002-05:00

The Sula Foundation's Pit Bull All Star poster is now on sale. For a ten dollar donation, you get one poster, postage paid. Additional posters are just $5.

Fetchdog.com posted a nice little piece on the poster Sunday, while we were all braving bad weather at the Zephyrs baseball game.

Bill Clinton on "the Katrina area of New Orleans"

2008-04-28T06:36:00.003-05:00

I've been withholding my thoughts on Senator Clinton's "victory" in Pennsylvania last week. She had been, rather recently, expected to lead the state by something like 20% over Obama. Just before the vote, it was said that anything less than double digits would be a defeat. Initial press reports trumpeted her victory by a huge 10%. Actual numbers, more quietly reported, were 8.6%. This is a woman who has been in the public eye on a national level for 16 years and who claims 35 years of experience. Shouldn't she be able to do a little better in my home state?

But I wasn't going to get into all of this. Until...I saw in The New Yorker that hubby Bill gave a last minute campaign speech in Lock Haven, the small town of 9,000 that was the big town we drove to in order to get anything done when I was growing up. I was a little embarrassed, but not altogether surprised to see that Clinton took Clinton County by a wide margin. Yet Obama won neighboring Centre County, home of Penn State University.

The New Yorker article is pretty amusing. And also somewhat alarming. It makes clear how Clinton (Mr. Clinton, that is) makes people feel as if he is talking about them, even while he is talking about himself. But nothing demonstrates how out of touch he really is more than this claim: "I am working on rebuilding the Katrina area in New Orleans."

Which area is that?

Notes from the David Bonds trial, Part Four

2008-04-18T07:54:00.002-05:00

Last night, as I pulled up to my very dark house, my phone rang and I answered it. I'd been having dinner with a friend, and the phone was ringing off the hook, so I'd been ignoring it until now.

"Can you confirm what we've been hearing?" It was a reporter. A twenty year old was gunned down uptown at 5pm. The rumer was that it was a boy who had testified at the trial last week.

"It was Guy, wasn't it?" I asked. I couldn't comment. I didn't really have any information other than what they had just told me. But reporters kept calling. And I kept not commenting. What could I say?

Guy was in the car when Dinerral Shavers was killed. He was a friend of Dinerral's step son. He testified at the trial, but couldn't identify the shooter, because the shots came from behind his head. But he did testify to the location and other details that built the case.

When he was called as a witness, William Boggs, the Public Defender, made a big noisy announcement that Guy had recently been picked up on a drug charge. He also announced that if Guy testified, the Public Defender's Office would not represent him on his drug charge. It was one of many bizarre moments in the trial. The idea, on one level, was that if the PD was representing a witness in the trial, it might be a conflict of interest. But the way in which Boggs voiced this, it sounded more like an offer or a threat, ie. "If you don't testify, we WILL defend you."

Last night, exactly a week after David Bonds was released, Guy was gunned down by two men in a stolen van. The van was later recovered after being set on fire.

One of the things I've been meaning to say in all of these posts is that I totally support the idea of Public Defenders. They are necessary. They help any number of innocent people regain their freedom. They help assure that sentences for those found guilty are reasonable. Yet, watching the trial last week, I couldn't help thinking that they must know that there are people they have defended who are, in fact, guilty.

William Boggs had an additional lawyer working with him. We go to the same gym and the same cafes, and we try to exchange pleasant greetings when we see each other. I sat in the courtroom thinking about the fact that all of these people...are people, with jobs to do. And they were doing it as best they could.

And I thought about how each of the witnesses was putting their life on the line.

And I thought about how David Bonds faced two possible fates: a guilty verdict or life on the streets, where he will likely be killed.

When the verdict came in, the PD staff celebrated with giddy grins and kisses all around. David Bonds and his lawyers stood frozen, staring at the floor for a while, as if they couldn't understand what they had just heard.

I wonder what they are all thinking this morning. One thing is for sure: Boggs doesn't need to worry about defending Guy any more.

Here's something to cheer everyone up!

2008-04-17T12:34:00.003-05:00

On April 27th, I'll be throwing out the ball at Zephyr Field for their annual Bark in the Park fundraiser. And I'll be bringing a team of pit bulls with me. The Sula Foundation will be distributing these poster-sized baseball cards to everyone who attends; the backside features team bios and information on the real pit bull. For more on the Zephyrs, check their website.