Monday, August 9, 2010

Thanks From Vitolo


I came to Second Life at the end of 2006, after 2 years of rehabilitation from the devastating effects of a prolonged coma. I was re-hospitalized in early 2007, and closed my SL account. After returning home in April of 2007, I reopened a new account.
The last 3 years have been amazing. In SL I have learned to function again, and this has spilled over into my real life.
I now owe the Universe a great debt for my fortunate circumstance of staying alive.
It is in SL that I repay the debt. SL has taught me much, and I have learned to create, build, and be a productive part of the lives and learning of other residents.
My goal has been and remains to be to use my land, and Virtual dogs, as a source of success for others. When residents come to my land I make sure that the place is set up, so that it becomes almost impossible not to have a fun interaction with the dogs or many other attractions I have built. A fun interaction leaves the door open for information to slip into ones mind, and anything learned makes the day a success.
I would like to say thanks to many people for believing in my dream.
◊ ~ My biggest inspiration has been the encouragement of my RL/SL wife Patty. She assists me with my in world goals, and gives me moral support when I have doubts.
I love Patty beyond anything I could ever explain.
It was not until after long rehab from the results of my coma that I met Patty. A driver for a city transportation service for the disabled, Patty picked me up one day from a trip to the public library. We fell in love fast. We have been together for over 3 years.
My sweet wife has watched over my shoulder, and through the screen of her own computer, as the adventures of sl have unfolded.
A word of caution to all. When a partner in a relationship is deeply involved in Second life, it can make our loved ones feel "left out". Patty has her own SL account, but she does not use SL in the same way that I do. We all must take precautions, that we do not leave our rl loved ones with less of our attention that they need, or one's SL will become a tender spot in any partnership.
◊ ~ I want to thank my good friends Driftwood Nomad, and Darrly Chang. These 2 guys are the originators of the 1st real SL Dog. D&D dogs allowed me to learn and grow.
My 2 good pals have shown great confidence, in allowing me to direct all of their in world services for them. In return, I recently Invited them to move D&D Dogs to Dogland in Rhoda ( my Dog Park), where they will remain supported by me, and never again pay tier. Read about D&D dogs at: http://www.sldogs.com/
◊ ~ The members of the group Survivors of TBI, have shown me great interest, and have supported their TBI center. They too have a permanent place in world, 3000 meters above Dogland Park.
◊ ~ I have learned much from VKC Dogs creator, Enrico Genosse. Once a good friend, he had me for almost 2 years, help him find the "bugs" in his dogs and system. This learning caused Dogland Park to be the most visited of any Dog park in the metaverse. The popularity of Dogland, and the support that it still gets, caused a rift in the association I had with Mr. Genosse. A gifted creator, he still is loved by me, even though I disagree with his ethics and practices.
I own 10 groups in world, that have loyally supported my goals.
◊ ~ I thank the 2000+ members of these groups with my heart full of love.
*Working Dog Handlers
*Survivors of TBI
*VKC Dog Owners Open Chat Group
*Dogland Training Group
*Harmonious Society of Peaceful Fist
*Karate-Do
*Dogland Kids
*Working Dog Handlers
*We Love Dogs
*SL Grid Marketing & Advertising
The group Survivors of TBI gives members access to group meetings, 24 hour help line, Skype conference, and group phone conference.
I also spread my word about Dogs, TBI, and SL on the web, on the following websites;
http://virtualdogtalk.yolasite.com/
http://petoftheday.com/talk/member.php?u=23955
http://www.avmsurvivors.org/
http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=47971562&trk=tab_pro
http://sldogfather.wordpress.com
The first of the links provided above, includes a 24 hour live chat line for talk, assistance, and service, as well as request forms for those who do not wish to interact in live chat.
http://virtualdogtalk.yolasite.com
◊ ~ I thank the members of the 7 off world (not in SL) Dogland Groups. The members of these groups have regular meetings online, as well as access to email communication, Skype calls, and group phone conference. These Can be found at:
Yahoo Groups - Dogland Dog Owners
ProfilesLive Groups - Dogland Dog Owners
FaceBook Groups - Dogland 's "FaceBook 2nd Life Group"
Facebook Fan Pages - Dogland Dog Park
WikiFoundry - The Dogfather
SLUniverse - Dogland Dog Owners
Avatars United - Dogland Dog Owners

Now let me not forget Linden Labs, and the group of Lindens that see that all is in order in world. They have provided us with a platform to live a second life. A good portion of SL residents are homebound for one reason or another. Physical, emotional, and other variable conditions, can have one staying at home. SL has freed us, and given us a world.
◊ ~ I thank Linden Labs for the world I now inhabit. I thank the governance team for not allowing land bullies to have their ways. They have taken care to investigate every difficulty, and have not yet failed to provide me, members of my groups, and those who are close to me with resolution of abuses and violations of TOS and Community Standards.
◊ ~ AND... If you took the time to read this, I thank you too! You have shown an interest in what is going on in the heart and mind of another.
If in any way I have inspired any soul to use SL as a tool to expand your lives, and feel success...
◊ ~ I Thank the Universe!

All the Thanks I need!

In the virtual world of Second Life, I was able to recreate my life and find new ways to help others after a prolonged coma.
I own Dogland, an independent Dog Park serving ALL makes of Virtual Dogs. I also own and maintain a group for others that are recovering from Brain Injury.
A friend and supporter of Dogland Park in Second Life made this gift for me.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

RL Pet Memorial In A Virtual World


Any of us who has lost his beloved pet knows where I am coming from on this topic. It is devastating, and we never forget, or stop glancing down to see if our old friend is there.
When I came to SL I became a resident of the virtual world. Being homebound, I spend most of my days in world. I early on brought memories with me of things I loved, even though I have these photos here at home in RL. I put a picture of my RL Godmother up at the TBI center that I built for those recovering from Brain injury. The picture is to remind me always of an important person in my life. As a resident of SL, I pass her picture in the hallway of my virtual TBI center more often than I pass the photo at home in RL. Seeing her more often has brought me comfort.
I later put a photo on my SL desk, of my family pets, including the dogs gone by that I loved so well, and ached so deeply over. I found comfort here too, and decided that I should talk to others about the comfort I find in this practice. The response was very exciting, as friends began to upload pictures. Some photos of past pets went on Dogland's Bulletin Board.
I heard your call for a Pet Memorial that was without cost to use, so I added one to Dogland Park. The Memorial Wall is located near the duck pond close to the Dogland Little Theater. There is plenty of room for anyone to memorialize their friends that have passed. Send me a full perm picture of your pet, and write a notecard about them- say what is in your heart. Your pet will appear on the wall the very same day, and will remain there for you and for others to visit, when at Dogland. When your pet's picture is touched, your notecard will be delivered, so that your thoughts about your fuzzy friend can be appreciated by others. This memorial is for anyone who has lost their rl best friend.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Rhoda/196/8/24