It has been a busy Saturday morning. We’ve picked up poop, done some major shopping, started a large cooking project, and I’ve started a load of laundry and mowed the back half of the lawn. I’m ready for a nap, but instead, I’m getting this edition of “What I’m Reading” put together.

On one level, it is rather nice to be this busy, as this week is one of “sucky” anniversaries. We lost Smokey 2 years ago on Thursday, and today is the one year anniversary of C’s mom’s passing.  In that sense, this stretch of March continues to hate us, as last night we learned that Howie is in the early stages of kidney failure.

Now, this doesn’t mean he’s dying right now. I’ve known (and even owned) dogs with kidney issues who have lived quite some time, though Howie is already 14 years old. But it does mean he needs to go on a special diet, and since very few dog foods have what he really needs (a combination of high quality but low quantity protein AND low phosphates), we’ve decided to start making our own dog food. We’re not doing raw feeding, but there’s soon to be no more kibble in this house. (Hence the major shopping and cooking project).

So that’s a quick state of things here. Let’s spend some time in happier states.

2 Punk Dogs added a link to the Animal Rescue Site. I’ve featured this site in my post, Give to Charity – for Free, but I agree with the Punks that we need to do more to spread the word. Besides donating with a single click of your mouse, you can also vote for your local rescue to receive grant money. The Punks think you should vote for Save a Sato. I’m partial to Old Dog Haven, but really, you should vote for your local shelter.

Over at the Chronicles of Cardigan, Elizabeth reveals that poor Dewi and Jon Farleigh are now outnumbered by cats, 5 to 2. I think she may have to change the name of the blog. (Okay, maybe not.) I’m glad everyone is happy and getting along and congratulations on your newest family member, even if he’s not so new anymore.

Speaking of dog rescues and new family members, Tales and Tails reaches into the past to tell us a story of time when they had 2 cats and 2 dogs, instead of 4 dogs. That was when they started fostering. Scamp, one of their cats, was apparently extra good at show casing the best qualities of the foster dogs, earning her the title The Vanna White of Fosters.

Also taking a walk down memory lane to share a bit about how they became a family, two pitties in the city shares with us the story of how Miss M and Mr B’s relationship began, and all the ways it has changed.

Today’s new to me blog does not share our animal rescue/adding to the family theme, but it does share something with all the above mentioned blogs- great pictures. The Dogs of Greenhill Farm is a photo blog, featuring some gorgeous Border Collies (and BC mixes). Take a look at this Foggy Morning, and tell me you don’t want to head up there yourself.

As promised yesterday, for financial blogs, we’re looking at my favorite posts from each day of Women’s Money Week.

Monday’s theme was Increasing Income. My favorite blog post of the day was called Warning! Geeky Moment! (Can you guess what attracted me to this post?), and it comes from new to my blog Money & I. (Those silly British and their proper use of the English language.)

Tuesday the posts were about Finding Time and Increasing Productivity. Family Money Values (one of my long-time favorite blogs) kicked in with this great post Leverage Your Time.

Wednesday was all about Family and Money. Money Crashers gave some great advice to parents (some I hope to be able to use myself someday) on How to Make a Family Budget With Your Kids.

With Thursday came Happiness, Hobbies and Money. My favorite post of the day came from Women’s Money Week itself, and co-host Elizabeth, with How to Create a Plan to Maximize Your Happiness. I’m all about plans for everything else, so why not for happiness?

And because the end of one thing is always the start of another, we finished off this year’s Women’s Money Week with Future Planning & Financial Planning. My favorite post of the day came from (big shocker here) Jana at Daily Money Shot, with Preparing My Child for the Future. I think Jana is an amazing writer all the time. I love her humor. But I think there’s an added dimension when she talks about her daughter, which showcases just how amazing Jana really is.

Thanks again to Elizabeth and Jackie for hosting this wonderful event. I can’t wait to participate again next year.