Thoughts of Dan

My name is Tina Mendenhall, Macy's mom, and I'm hijacking Macy's Mutterings today to post thoughts about Dan Wheldon, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion who we lost Sunday, October 16.  

Thoughts of Dan . . . 

I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Dan Wheldon’s family, friends and those in the racing community.  Although I am not currently involved in the motorsports industry, I grieve along with the countless others in the business, as well as fans, who are feeling this tremendous loss.  From what I know of Dan, he was a man who was passionate about racing in the IndyCar Series, and most notably, the Indianapolis 500.  He was one of those drivers who, if I can paraphrase Al Unser Jr., “knows what Indy means.”  While Dan’s death is a shock to all of us, we can be somewhat comforted in knowing he left us doing something he was deeply passionate about.  How many of us truly love what we do for a living?  Dan truly loved his job and living the dream as a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion. 

In the two days since the tragic accident, I’ve read a lot of personal and media commentaries and attacks about safety of the cars, track safety, whether the cars should run on a high-banked oval, etc. – a lot of finger-pointing taking place.  As most of us know, motor racing is inherently dangerous and there is no way to remove all risk from the sport.  I do believe that the sanctioning body will take a hard look at all aspects of the accident, with input from the drivers, and act accordingly.  As with any sport, there is no way to make it 100 percent safe.  All drivers know the risks before they ever strap on a helmet, however knowing this doesn’t make Dan’s death any easier to take.

I’ve been a life-long race fan and had the pleasure of working in the sport for several years.  I will continue to be a fan going forward and support the sport that I love.

At this very difficult time, please keep the Wheldon family in your thoughts.  I pray for peace and comfort for Susie, Sebastian and Oliver, as well as Dan’s parents, siblings, friends and extended family in the IndyCar paddock. 

Godspeed, Dan – a champion on and off the track – you will be missed!

A Smattering of Mutterings

Hi friends!

It's been pretty quiet along the Macy front lately and I don't have too many exciting things to blog about.  So, I'll just fill you in on a few bits and bites.

First, I want to say that I'm so glad my beautiful friend Cayenne is feeling much better.  She gave everyone quite a scare recently and had to be rushed into emergency surgery due to an infection in her "girl parts."  I've not seen her since then, think about her often and can't wait to see her and tell her how happy I am that she's going to be okay.  (Cayenne is the AmStaff in the picture above, with her cousin Conrad and me.  Isn't she beautiful?)

A few days before Cayenne got sick, we both attended Conrad's third birthday party.  There were a lot of people there and a couple of dogs whom I'd not met before.  One dog kept getting in my face, and I'm not an "in your face" kind of dog.  I kept telling him to leave me alone, but he just didn't get it.  I think his mom thought I was going to get into it with him, so they took him inside.  All the smaller dogs got to go inside, but me, the lone "big dog" was forced to stay outside.  Yeah, mom stayed outside with me, but a lot of the people I wanted to visit were inside and, well, the food was inside too!  Mom took me home a bit early so I could relax, so I didn't get to eat Conrad's birthday cake my mom made for him, but she did bring a piece home for me . . . and it was GOOD!  (See photo of cake.)

Oh, I want to thank Noah's Animal Hospital -- the one at 56th & Emerson -- for the nice gift basket I won a few weeks ago.  I had entered a raffle at Woofstock and mom got a call several days later saying I'd won. They took our picture when we picked up the basket, but we've not received a copy of it, so here's a picture mom took of me with the gift basket filled with lots of nice treats and toys, including a Wubba -- I love my Wubba!  (My sister Halle is lurking in the background of the picture.)

Mom was very busy with work last week, going in early and coming home late -- something about meetings -- and then didn't have much time to play with me.  I don't think I got to go to the park hardly at all.  She came home early Friday, but then had to leave not too long after that, but I don't think it was for work, so we didn't get to do much then either.  So, I was pretty bored and lonely, but I know mom has to work so she can keep me in dog food, treats and toys!  She made up for it over the weekend though -- we went to the bark park on Saturday and then I got to go to see my Grandma for her birthday on Sunday!  Oh, boy, was that fun!  After we got to Grandma's, we all got in my car and went to my Uncle Tim's house -- I'd never been there before, so it was a new experience.  It was fun and exciting -- we watched the Colts game (don't even want to talk about it), ate and gave Grandma some presents.  Then, my uncle did something I still don't understand -- there was this thing standing in the corner and he picked it up and started making some kind of racket -- mom said it was a guitar and it was music, but it made me nervous.  I thought music was something that came out of a radio or TV!  Maybe if I was around that guitar thing more, I'd get used to it.  Uncle Tim and I wrestled around and played tug with my Skinneeez toy.  I think mom is going to try to upload a couple of videos of us playing.  Oh, and just before I left, my uncle went into his music room and got something called a harmonica and started blowing into it, supposedly making "music" again!  I started singing along (okay, I was really howling 'cause it hurt my ears)!  Anyway, I was one pooped pup when I got home last night!

Well, that's about it for me for this time -- I'm ready for a nap.  I hope to be back soon with some more Macy-isms.  Until then, smiles and smooches!

Macy G. Mendenhall

Dog Day Afternoon, Woofstock and Other Stuff

Hi Friends!  I hope all is going well in your world.  As for mine, everything is great!  It's a bit hot outside for my taste, but I know my kinda weather is right around the corner.  I can't wait for nice, cool weather . . . and snow!  Yeah, snow!  I love to play in the snow!  I can't wait!  (Oops . . . I think I said the "s" word too loud -- mommy is groaning!)


I wanted to tell you about an event I went to last weekend.  It was called Dog Day Afternoon/Woofstock -- it was a day just for us canine folks and it was fun!  Mom drove me over to my friend Conrad's pad (he's a miniature schnauzer) and we picked him and his mom Kathleen up and headed to Carmel for the festivities.  Man, was I excited!  I didn't know where we were going, but it had to be someplace fun since we were taking our friends with us . . . and it was a car ride -- I love car rides!  


When we got there, we saw lots of humans and canines everywhere we looked, and something called vendor booths where they gave away treats and toys . . . yes, for free!  And, mom bought a few special treats for me too.  We came home with a pretty good haul!  There was a big stage in the plaza where there were bands playing, so we chilled out for a bit to rest after walking around.  They gave away prizes to some dogs who dressed up in costume, but that's not my thing, so I didn't participate in that.  I just enjoyed getting out and enjoying the beautiful day with my mom, Conrad and Kathleen, and meeting so many people.


Oh, I did meet a couple of celebrities while there.  We spotted Patty Spitler, and her furry son Louie, co-hosts of Pet Pals TV, so we stopped to officially introduce ourselves and say hello.  Patty and Louie do so many good things to get the word out about animal issues, so we were very happy to get to officially meet them after corresponding with them on occasion.


Oh, mom talked to a couple of these vendor people about someone or something called "therapy dog."  I don't know who or what therapy dog is, but mom said she has considered me being one.  Hmm...whatever it is, I hope it's a good thing!  As long as I get lots of pets, hugs and cookies, I'm all for it!  She also talked to someone about dock diving -- well, I don't know what that is, but I have an inkling that it involves jumping into water.  If that's the case, I'm not so sure I'd dig it -- oh, I'm okay wading in water, but if it gets deep, I get kinda freaked out.  Mommy thinks I should like water because I'm part Lab, but it must be the other stuff in me that doesn't like it too much!  


There was one canine mom and I wanted to meet, but unfortunately didn't get the opportunity.  His name is Kaiser and he's a hero dog.  If you don't know about him, he is one of the few remaining rescue dogs from 9/11, and the only one remaining from Indiana.  Mom has told me about what he and other rescue dogs did to help after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.  I don't understand exactly what she was talking about since I wasn't born yet, but Kaiser sounds like one awesome dog and I wanted to thank him in person for what he did. Kaiser is featured a book about 9/11 rescue dogs and I hope mom will get it and read it to me.  (The book is called Retrieved and it's by Charlotte Dumas.)  Thanks Kaiser and all you other search and rescue dogs!  

Before we left, I did have to pose for another picture, so mom had me sit in front of the fountains.  I think mom is going to post it here on this blog.  One of the vendors gave all the dogs a red, white and blue bandana, so I was looking pretty snazzy. Mom loves to take my picture, so I just go along with the program.

Me at Carmel Civic Plaza

Well, that's enough mutterings for this time.  Until we speak again, here's wishing you lots of cookies and belly rubs!

Macy G. Mendenhall

My First Blog

Arf!  Er, I mean, Hello!  

I don't know what this "blog" thing is all about, but mom has been thinking that it might be fun to do every so often.  She said something about talking about my thoughts and what's going on in my life.  I might have to talk about my kitty sisters too, but that's okay . . . as long as it's mostly about me!

For those of you who don't know me yet (I hope to meet you soon), my name is Macy Gracin Mendenhall and I was born on November 26, 2007, which makes me almost four years-old.  I was born in a shelter in LaGrange, Indiana, the only child of a German Shepherd mixed-breed doggie.  My mama Tina adopted me shortly before my two-month birthday and I've lived with her and my kitty sisters, Speedy and Halle, in Indianapolis ever since.  

It was touch-and-go right after coming to my new home.  Heck, I was just a baby and leaving my birth mommy was so hard.  I cried, my new mommy cried, but she was so nice and laid on the floor outside my crate until I'd fall asleep to try to comfort me.  It took a while, but we both got through it.  My mommy says that I rescued her -- I don't understand what that means, but I do know that I love her and my kitty sisters so much and am so glad mommy chose me to be her son!  

Oh, yeah, speaking of me being her "son," I am all boy!  A lot of people think that I'm a girl because I'm so "pretty."  Pretty?  I'm freakin' handsome!  I just don't understand it, because there's nothing girlie about me!  Oh, some say my mommy gave me a girl's name, but some think I'm a girl even before they know my name.  I just don't get it.  So, I just want to set the record straight.  (Thanks for letting me vent about that!)

Well, that's an introduction to me for this blog.  I'll try to get on here periodically and tell you more stuff about me and my life.  Until I see you again, I'm sending lots of licks your way!

Macy G. Mendenhall