4 a.m. is not a great time to get up. Especially true if there's no sound reason to do so, it tends to make one need more make-up and feel hungry at odd hours. I wish we had a turkey to put in the oven and roast.
Nonetheless, here I am. OK, it's 5 a.m. but I have been awake for an hour, composing this in my mind.
There's a full moon and the dogs know it. All 8 of them (ours plus 3 visitors) and their additional personalities. We know there's a good dog/bad dog for each of them. Who else shows up on these full moon nights? I'll tell you. One new strange, stray, long-haired black cat. Lovely. Just what we need - another reason to be territorial.
And, we all know dogs will go back to sleep instantly, as soon as they get what they want, usually kibble, out, and a little attention. Then they lick themselves inappropriately, drop over on your personal space, and start with what gets us every time, "Oh, look how cute! He's dreaming." or "Aren't her little dream whimpers sweet?" Uh-huh.
But I'm up. I did mention that, didn't I? Short of making coffee or taking a dog for a drive to an all-night store to get the abovementioned turkey, there isn't much else to do other than write in the blog. (Sorry, don't take it personally.)
Actually when you read this you should count your blessings that we haven't crossed paths in some other way. If I go out somewhere today I know at least I, and probably others, will write notes to me and pin them to my shirt so that when I get home I can read them aloud to the four-legged culprits. They all start something like this:
Your person was not in the best of form today. Perhaps a nap, providing a little more sleep, would be beneficial. She seems a bit disturbed and grumpy.
Do yourself a favor. If you see a crazed female who needs a makeover, trolling the grocery store as if she has the blind nibblies, and perhaps even talking to herself and wearing her tee shirt inside out, give plenty of room when nearby.
Beware, one full moon, eight dogs, and a strange cat can play with your mind.
Showing posts with label survival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survival. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
HOPE-filled
One foster dog romps with one of our dogs.
One foster dog is sequestered in the puppy pen, having had her spay surgery yesterday.
One dog stands guard outside, ready to alert me if something shows up that is undesirable. He's strong and imposing but really mild-tempered unless he's riled up.
One older dog rests comfortably in the outside pen that is located in a quiet spot.
One dog nurtures another one on the sofa, both happy to have homes and be at peace.
Somehow in my own twisted way I see this as somewhat representative of America!
First of all, what I described above is really my world today; it is what is, right now, as I write.
Does my dog population reflect our society in some ways?
-There are the young who want to play and grow and learn.
-People of all ages need medical attention and even more so medical education so prevention not pills is the key.
-The elderly need our support.
-Some need a fresh start, not a handout but a hand up.
-Some stand guard - on our soil and elsewhere, sometimes apparent, sometimes in the background.
-Others help each other, lending a hand, giving a caring gesture, the gift of prayer.
We have a new administration being built already this morning. I think GWB is ready to leave and is relieved to be counting down the weeks. Being our leader has to be unimaginably complicated and complex, thankless. As President-Elect Obama said last night, in so many words, it is going to take all of us working to fix what has happened. I do not think we should blame Bush 1 or 2, Clinton - none of them. Don't start building an "I told you so" argument about Obama. It's up to us. When we point the finger of blame towards someone else we still have more of our own fingers pointing back at ourselves!
We are either part of the problem or part of the solution. It's time we accept responsibility and also the work that needs to be done. Admitting to the problem is the fist step, isn't it? But what follows is the action.
This country is not our parents' country. We must stop looking back and moaning. When we look back we should look at what we can pull from the past, adjust and use for the future. Our world, our country, our demographics, our individual lives are changed, not by one circumstance but by all, not by one policy but by all, not by one decision but by all.
If you haven't heard/seen P-E Obama's speech last night, and McCain's also, then you need to tune in somewhere and spend the time listening AND HEARING what is being said.
Then find something YOU can do to help.
We ARE the UNITED STATES! That's not an entitlement nor is it an ego thing. History tells us we are survivors, we fix what is wrong, we innovate and create, we build, we repair, and so much more...play, guard, care for others.
Get, and stay, positive. P-E Obama cannot do this without our commitment to be part of the solution. See this for what it is: your opportunity to make a difference.
Let's not spend time barking up the wrong trees.
One foster dog is sequestered in the puppy pen, having had her spay surgery yesterday.
One dog stands guard outside, ready to alert me if something shows up that is undesirable. He's strong and imposing but really mild-tempered unless he's riled up.
One older dog rests comfortably in the outside pen that is located in a quiet spot.
One dog nurtures another one on the sofa, both happy to have homes and be at peace.
Somehow in my own twisted way I see this as somewhat representative of America!
First of all, what I described above is really my world today; it is what is, right now, as I write.
Does my dog population reflect our society in some ways?
-There are the young who want to play and grow and learn.
-People of all ages need medical attention and even more so medical education so prevention not pills is the key.
-The elderly need our support.
-Some need a fresh start, not a handout but a hand up.
-Some stand guard - on our soil and elsewhere, sometimes apparent, sometimes in the background.
-Others help each other, lending a hand, giving a caring gesture, the gift of prayer.
We have a new administration being built already this morning. I think GWB is ready to leave and is relieved to be counting down the weeks. Being our leader has to be unimaginably complicated and complex, thankless. As President-Elect Obama said last night, in so many words, it is going to take all of us working to fix what has happened. I do not think we should blame Bush 1 or 2, Clinton - none of them. Don't start building an "I told you so" argument about Obama. It's up to us. When we point the finger of blame towards someone else we still have more of our own fingers pointing back at ourselves!
We are either part of the problem or part of the solution. It's time we accept responsibility and also the work that needs to be done. Admitting to the problem is the fist step, isn't it? But what follows is the action.
This country is not our parents' country. We must stop looking back and moaning. When we look back we should look at what we can pull from the past, adjust and use for the future. Our world, our country, our demographics, our individual lives are changed, not by one circumstance but by all, not by one policy but by all, not by one decision but by all.
If you haven't heard/seen P-E Obama's speech last night, and McCain's also, then you need to tune in somewhere and spend the time listening AND HEARING what is being said.
Then find something YOU can do to help.
We ARE the UNITED STATES! That's not an entitlement nor is it an ego thing. History tells us we are survivors, we fix what is wrong, we innovate and create, we build, we repair, and so much more...play, guard, care for others.
Get, and stay, positive. P-E Obama cannot do this without our commitment to be part of the solution. See this for what it is: your opportunity to make a difference.
Let's not spend time barking up the wrong trees.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Song Titles and diversionary thoughts
Twisted as I am, the "titles" for my blog entries often start out as song titles. Must be my participation in choirs and choruses over the years that causes that quirk. I do my best to avoid using them! Besides when I need to know a song title I can't remember it. Go figure.
Why is it a person's mind gets jam packed with trivial crap, such as being able to visualize the inside of the refrigerator and tell another person exactly where the leftover onion is? Or recalling what the details of a job description from 19-- were? Or knowing what the name of a bookstore in Livingston, MT, or a coffee house in Charlottetown, PEI is?
Then, this same person, self-confessed and namely me, can't remember what setting to use on a camera, doesn't recall the book just finished (title, plot, or actual location!), and on and on. This process of store and recall is an issue that has been passed down through the ages, I'm convinced.
But, these days there is so much more to first learn, then store, finally forget and try to re-establish again. Much of it has to do with stuff. More and more I am convinced every person in America, regardless of status (what an ugly word), has too much stuff. We think about the wrong things all too much and by wrong things I mean THINGS.
We worry about what will happen to our stuff when our last day on Earth is over. We worry about our stuff that we leave behind when we go someplace on a trip. We worry about the stuff we take along. We worry about what other people think about our stuff. We worry about the value of the stuff we want to get rid of because there is too much. We worry about whether we should get rid of it and when we do we start to worry about whether we acted too quickly for we might need that stuff again.
When I see photos of so-called poverty stricken people in other countries I don't see much stuff. They are stuff-poor. They have challenges, don't get me wrong; I see that. But they have a freedom we don't have by not having stuff to manage. They turn their thoughts to caring for each other, for sharing what they have right then and there. They stand in line for a ladle of water-y soup not the latest WII game. There's no shoving. When they get to the counter they are glad to get anything and if it is all gone they are saddened but non-disruptive. Hopefully someone shares. And, there is always the next time, the next line, the next helping hand.
Not here, not so much in this country. All too often our caring doesn't extend beyond our own selves, our basements, garages, kids' suites (really), or closets. It could be that there is some justification to what is going on now as we are learning we don't have to have it all. The more subtle approach of teaching us to save then spend didn't work. Now that our country's citizenship has spent more than it should, not unlike the government itself, we are learning the hard way, like 5 year olds. We have too much, paid too much for it, no one wants it, and we are pouting.
Our country is young by comparison to many others. Our culture is also. I wish we could all look around and see each other, without our stuff. We are all ending up angry and short-tempered because we don't like what is going on with prices. That isn't going to help or make anything better. Maybe we need to learn from people with less stuff that life goes on, that we must return to inventive and THINKING ways to make good things happen, to exist, to assist, to rise above the clutter of minds and places.
Phew.
Why is it a person's mind gets jam packed with trivial crap, such as being able to visualize the inside of the refrigerator and tell another person exactly where the leftover onion is? Or recalling what the details of a job description from 19-- were? Or knowing what the name of a bookstore in Livingston, MT, or a coffee house in Charlottetown, PEI is?
Then, this same person, self-confessed and namely me, can't remember what setting to use on a camera, doesn't recall the book just finished (title, plot, or actual location!), and on and on. This process of store and recall is an issue that has been passed down through the ages, I'm convinced.
But, these days there is so much more to first learn, then store, finally forget and try to re-establish again. Much of it has to do with stuff. More and more I am convinced every person in America, regardless of status (what an ugly word), has too much stuff. We think about the wrong things all too much and by wrong things I mean THINGS.
We worry about what will happen to our stuff when our last day on Earth is over. We worry about our stuff that we leave behind when we go someplace on a trip. We worry about the stuff we take along. We worry about what other people think about our stuff. We worry about the value of the stuff we want to get rid of because there is too much. We worry about whether we should get rid of it and when we do we start to worry about whether we acted too quickly for we might need that stuff again.
When I see photos of so-called poverty stricken people in other countries I don't see much stuff. They are stuff-poor. They have challenges, don't get me wrong; I see that. But they have a freedom we don't have by not having stuff to manage. They turn their thoughts to caring for each other, for sharing what they have right then and there. They stand in line for a ladle of water-y soup not the latest WII game. There's no shoving. When they get to the counter they are glad to get anything and if it is all gone they are saddened but non-disruptive. Hopefully someone shares. And, there is always the next time, the next line, the next helping hand.
Not here, not so much in this country. All too often our caring doesn't extend beyond our own selves, our basements, garages, kids' suites (really), or closets. It could be that there is some justification to what is going on now as we are learning we don't have to have it all. The more subtle approach of teaching us to save then spend didn't work. Now that our country's citizenship has spent more than it should, not unlike the government itself, we are learning the hard way, like 5 year olds. We have too much, paid too much for it, no one wants it, and we are pouting.
Our country is young by comparison to many others. Our culture is also. I wish we could all look around and see each other, without our stuff. We are all ending up angry and short-tempered because we don't like what is going on with prices. That isn't going to help or make anything better. Maybe we need to learn from people with less stuff that life goes on, that we must return to inventive and THINKING ways to make good things happen, to exist, to assist, to rise above the clutter of minds and places.
Phew.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Are You Buying This?
Gosh, it seems we spend an awful lot of money promoting products. I don't mean the ads companies pay for but we the consumers paying to further advertise products. An example which is terrorizing the niche of my brain that stores shopping information is the new "Singles" packages of chips. GOOD GRIEF! You can almost hear the bags yelling at you from the shelf, "Single!"; this is not a ski line. These are the same as the lunchbox sizes, just marketed to a more elite (ha) bunch. They are all 1 oz. servings of reflections of starch products, fried, dried, and salted or flavored and salted.
The product itself must be worth all of 1 cent but, ah, the status of the packaging that goes with it makes the bundle of 24 tiny bags worth about $8. If you aren't after the 1 oz. lunch size then you can get the 1 oz. single size in smaller groups. Here I go again though - what about Earth? If that 1 oz. of empty calories still draws you in spite of the surplus of calories and lack of nutritional value, what about all that packaging. You buy a 6-bag bundle, each individually wrapped, of course. Each advertising the product, all placed inside another larger wrapper, labeled. These all go into yet another bag at checkout. And, you get a string of coupons and a receipt. The darn paper you will toss away ways more than all the fried foodstuff inside.
I do like my snacks, mind you! But I work hard to control consumption, for what I hope are good reasons. I hate doing it; it'd be so much easier to snack away and hope God takes care of human health and all that is around us, patting us kindly with a "there, there, I'll make it better." Ain't gonna happen, folks. Gotta look out for ourselves and our surroundings.
That being said, gather all the catalogs you do not want and sit down at the PC, going to www.catalogchoice.org. Click on the post's title. Remove yourself from the mailing lists. It's going to take a couple of months. I tried calling a trash can's worth last year and got rid of a lot of them but as soon as something is bought and information is required we end up on new lists. And, then, when you figure it all out again, what you purchased leads to more packaging, catalogs, mailers, junk. It's an endless circle.
Don't deny yourself what you need but do something to de-clutter the world and your life will follow the same path.
The product itself must be worth all of 1 cent but, ah, the status of the packaging that goes with it makes the bundle of 24 tiny bags worth about $8. If you aren't after the 1 oz. lunch size then you can get the 1 oz. single size in smaller groups. Here I go again though - what about Earth? If that 1 oz. of empty calories still draws you in spite of the surplus of calories and lack of nutritional value, what about all that packaging. You buy a 6-bag bundle, each individually wrapped, of course. Each advertising the product, all placed inside another larger wrapper, labeled. These all go into yet another bag at checkout. And, you get a string of coupons and a receipt. The darn paper you will toss away ways more than all the fried foodstuff inside.
I do like my snacks, mind you! But I work hard to control consumption, for what I hope are good reasons. I hate doing it; it'd be so much easier to snack away and hope God takes care of human health and all that is around us, patting us kindly with a "there, there, I'll make it better." Ain't gonna happen, folks. Gotta look out for ourselves and our surroundings.
That being said, gather all the catalogs you do not want and sit down at the PC, going to www.catalogchoice.org. Click on the post's title. Remove yourself from the mailing lists. It's going to take a couple of months. I tried calling a trash can's worth last year and got rid of a lot of them but as soon as something is bought and information is required we end up on new lists. And, then, when you figure it all out again, what you purchased leads to more packaging, catalogs, mailers, junk. It's an endless circle.
Don't deny yourself what you need but do something to de-clutter the world and your life will follow the same path.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sally Sofa-Sitter Stays
My name is Kate and I am a dog-aholic. And, I am married to one. Our case is hopeless. But our house is happy! After 3 months of fostering Sally, FKA Venus, we have decided this is the place for her. She is happy with our other dogs. We took a vote. End of discussion. I don't want to hear about it from any of you. Couldn't hear you over the clicking nails on the floor or the barking to go for a walk anyway.
More seriously though - With THINGS as they are re: The American Dream, if you have it within your own power, adopt a pet. Benefits: You save a small life; you stay home more so spend less on gas and trivial entertainment; someone loves you no matter what; you fulfill at least one need; you have a subject to study, observe, challenge, learn from, teach; your health improves (another savings); you get more exercise and have an icebreaker when you meet people; security and safety. There are more. You'll figure them out when you get a critter. They are all-knowing and wise. Since most of us will never live in a culture which exists on fulfilling basic needs we must rely on what is available here. Pets have a simple way of stripping off the pallid veneer and getting right to the intensely richness of life. We Americans bitch (not the dog word) and moan about difficulties. Want to be happier? Take a dog for a walk and see how excited it is to be with you and share the world. Put a cat on your lap and listen to the contented purr.
Unfortunately there are going to be more and more pets losing their homes because of so many excuses. That's a shame. We all need something to hold onto.
Where Did I Put My Blog?
Okay, the blog is where it always is. But what about the *^#) password? Well, who needs it? Finally my request to "recognize" me out here, has been granted by My Machine, or theirs. So now when I go somewhere, like that will happen with gas being liquid gold, I will need to dig out the password if I want to blog (will I?). There's just no pleasing some people.
Speaking of which (people, pleasing, blog - take your pick), I am VERY pleased to announce the publication of my WISH LIST. After all, isn't that one good reason to keep a blog: letting everyone have a piece of your mind? I could write it down and use it as a bookmark or something equally as vapid. But, here's the whole world, able to tune in and hear me out, only with their eyes not their ears, at this point.
So, blog WISH LIST ta-da!
1. More people with personal relationships with God
2. Improved personal relationship with God for myself
3. Less talk on my part
4. More action on my part
5. Better understanding of all the "other guys"
6. No more whine-y Americans
Am I dreaming? No, I can actually do something about the first 5 which is a sign of advancement or maturity. A few decades ago I would have yearned for "World Peace" and "End Hunger" - both which are awesome but lofty and apparently unachievable. My inspiration, FYI, would not have been "Gee, what will I say if I am a finalist in the Miss Anything contest?"
While making lists, how about one that addresses the title of this article? Where did I put my blog?
1. On the back of the toilet
2. Near the phone
3. In the car
4. Where it belongs
5. Left at the library
Oh, that would be my glasses, my car keys, my purse, the book I am reading, a myriad of other things. If you are nodding now you're in the same world of hurt I am in. Clearly my blog, like the force, is with me.
Speaking of which (people, pleasing, blog - take your pick), I am VERY pleased to announce the publication of my WISH LIST. After all, isn't that one good reason to keep a blog: letting everyone have a piece of your mind? I could write it down and use it as a bookmark or something equally as vapid. But, here's the whole world, able to tune in and hear me out, only with their eyes not their ears, at this point.
So, blog WISH LIST ta-da!
1. More people with personal relationships with God
2. Improved personal relationship with God for myself
3. Less talk on my part
4. More action on my part
5. Better understanding of all the "other guys"
6. No more whine-y Americans
Am I dreaming? No, I can actually do something about the first 5 which is a sign of advancement or maturity. A few decades ago I would have yearned for "World Peace" and "End Hunger" - both which are awesome but lofty and apparently unachievable. My inspiration, FYI, would not have been "Gee, what will I say if I am a finalist in the Miss Anything contest?"
While making lists, how about one that addresses the title of this article? Where did I put my blog?
1. On the back of the toilet
2. Near the phone
3. In the car
4. Where it belongs
5. Left at the library
Oh, that would be my glasses, my car keys, my purse, the book I am reading, a myriad of other things. If you are nodding now you're in the same world of hurt I am in. Clearly my blog, like the force, is with me.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Puzzled
Life can be so confusing. Yes, it beats the alternative. But in the course of a week so much can happen and yet, so little be done. Perhaps my confusion now comes from a puzzling coincidental collision of the book EAT, PRAY, LOVE with our small group study of religions and cults of the world. We American (not a religion, not a cult, I know) have a great deal to learn and apply. Try has we do to think and believe in a very humble, very uncluttered way, it seems that every nook and cranny fights against us being able to do that. We are busy making things happen and externally it appears that means things are getting done. But at what cost, at what sacrifice, of what importance?
I used to think "that" was the most over-used word, and it may be. Then I thought "love" as the most mis-applied word, and it may be. Now I think "need" is the most exaggerated word. What do we really need? What do YOU crave?
EAT, PRAY, LOVE is far from a favorite book. I don't "get" why she's got the following she has. But parts are brilliantly constructed and there's space enough to read between the lines. She visits places where people have a terrific sense of living and of life. And, everywhere she goes there is nothing close to what we have in this country, not materially, not in freedoms. Yet, these countries' people (perhaps not their governmental authorities) appear justifiably happy, content, respectful, secure, faithful, blessed, appreciative, peaceful. At one point she comments that everyone appears to be working but each person has enough time to stop and greet her as she moves down the path. Shamefully, how many of us even think about doing that.
Her Indonesian buddy instructs, "Sit and smile" as a form of meditation. Look at that word - how close it is to medication! Hmmmm.
Start today. Sit and smile. Smile big. Smile till it touches the inside of you and the tickle you feel stays with you all day.
I used to think "that" was the most over-used word, and it may be. Then I thought "love" as the most mis-applied word, and it may be. Now I think "need" is the most exaggerated word. What do we really need? What do YOU crave?
EAT, PRAY, LOVE is far from a favorite book. I don't "get" why she's got the following she has. But parts are brilliantly constructed and there's space enough to read between the lines. She visits places where people have a terrific sense of living and of life. And, everywhere she goes there is nothing close to what we have in this country, not materially, not in freedoms. Yet, these countries' people (perhaps not their governmental authorities) appear justifiably happy, content, respectful, secure, faithful, blessed, appreciative, peaceful. At one point she comments that everyone appears to be working but each person has enough time to stop and greet her as she moves down the path. Shamefully, how many of us even think about doing that.
Her Indonesian buddy instructs, "Sit and smile" as a form of meditation. Look at that word - how close it is to medication! Hmmmm.
Start today. Sit and smile. Smile big. Smile till it touches the inside of you and the tickle you feel stays with you all day.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Volunteering
Yesterday morning I was asked I how get so much done because I am "involved" in many volunteer opportunities. It did not take long for me to respond that our house isn't clean. Notice there's no descriptive adverb use, such as "exactly" or "absolutely" or "nearly" or "frequently". It just plain isn't clean.
But, you know what? It doesn't matter. Long ago I actually did listen to someone who told me that the housekeeping can wait. And, taking that to heart, I have learned that it does! Not that the place is a mess every day but it's not move-in ready by any means! And, we have trouble finding some things which has often led to frustration and a re-purchase of said item so the next time we need it our odds are improved from 1 in a million to 2 in a million.
I can always find room for a foster pup or dog. It's a challenge to make that commitment but the joy paid for accepting it is amazing. Likewise, there's time for a multitude of other requests to be filled. And, it's not for any other reason than it is the right thing to do. Everything else - the smiles, the successes observed, the burden lifted, the licked cheeks - all bonuses.
There's nothing like getting outside; outside your house and outside your head. Exercise your heart.
But, you know what? It doesn't matter. Long ago I actually did listen to someone who told me that the housekeeping can wait. And, taking that to heart, I have learned that it does! Not that the place is a mess every day but it's not move-in ready by any means! And, we have trouble finding some things which has often led to frustration and a re-purchase of said item so the next time we need it our odds are improved from 1 in a million to 2 in a million.
I can always find room for a foster pup or dog. It's a challenge to make that commitment but the joy paid for accepting it is amazing. Likewise, there's time for a multitude of other requests to be filled. And, it's not for any other reason than it is the right thing to do. Everything else - the smiles, the successes observed, the burden lifted, the licked cheeks - all bonuses.
There's nothing like getting outside; outside your house and outside your head. Exercise your heart.
Junior High School
These past few days of listening to the "women's movement" leaders harangue the rest of us, who often are already liberated, about not voting for HRC because she is a female, has taken me back to Jefferson Junior High. Most of us recall it was the beginning of real groups of girls, linked together, books slung on hips or backs, arms intertwined (we could do that then without criticism or concern), whispering about boys. Has NOTHING changed? These ladies, if it is safe to call them that, are stuck in time and habits. Instead of English Literature and American History they strap on notebooks or laptops with rhetoric stored. And, they don't whisper publicly, they yammer.
Come on, women. Don't vote for someone because he or she is one sex or the other. Vote for stability and ability. Regard for potential is what we must consider for no one candidate has yet been tested as President. Bragger's rights may go to one candidate and the victory to another. So be it. When the new President steps into a meeting room with foreign dignitaries and non-dignitaries, or with non-foreign dignitaries or no-dignitaries (that's about everyone except the UFO passengers) we don't want that person to recite a litany of "I did, I have, I was..." but instead to discuss what will hold this world together longer.
It ain't about the outfit. It ain't about the grades, the boyfriend (husband), house, friends, hair, jewelry, books written, clubs, secrets kept or told...It ain't Junior High. Change was a big player in that age group and change is mentioned in the 2008 campaign. Make sure it's not the same kind of change. Voting is a brain thing. Use yours.
Come on, women. Don't vote for someone because he or she is one sex or the other. Vote for stability and ability. Regard for potential is what we must consider for no one candidate has yet been tested as President. Bragger's rights may go to one candidate and the victory to another. So be it. When the new President steps into a meeting room with foreign dignitaries and non-dignitaries, or with non-foreign dignitaries or no-dignitaries (that's about everyone except the UFO passengers) we don't want that person to recite a litany of "I did, I have, I was..." but instead to discuss what will hold this world together longer.
It ain't about the outfit. It ain't about the grades, the boyfriend (husband), house, friends, hair, jewelry, books written, clubs, secrets kept or told...It ain't Junior High. Change was a big player in that age group and change is mentioned in the 2008 campaign. Make sure it's not the same kind of change. Voting is a brain thing. Use yours.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
New Foster Dogs - Ultimate Challenge
Dog gone it the outside is cold! Lucky us we don't have to spend a lot of time out in it. And, now that we have two new foster dogs, neither do they. A nearby county drew attention around here this week with the discovery of 20 dogs kept outside at a farm. There were plenty of outside cats and at least 2 horses suffering also. Our APL took a majority of the dogs. We have females who were picked up yesterday. They and the other two still at the shelter were the last to be rescued. One of ours is extremely frightened, just now willing to sit next to me without being held on to and not ready for a leash but wearing a collar. She did eat. All the dogs that came in yesterday have heartworm. Ours have fleas and perhaps some other worms. The second one we have has a more outgoing manner and clearly was in a home at one time. The story goes that people left animals at this farm knowing the woman would care for them. OK so far, for she did. But then she died. You can imagine. Only a part time caregiver who was in over her head. The result: Pregnant dogs. Dead puppies. Dogs chained together. Disease. Stress. To stay warm one dog clawed its way to a rotting tree and dug out enough to have a shelter. The good news is there will be more good news as these animals have employed all their survival instincts and are alive to be treated, trained, cared for, and placed in loving homes. Won't that be a great start to 2008?
People who dump animals - well, that's a topic unto itself. But, anyone who thinks having pets is easy or inexpensive needs to change their thinking. Months ago I stated to staff at APL that the economy's downturn was going to start showing in the adoption rate. It probably has but it sure has shown up in the number of abandoned pets. Be careful with your critters. Take care of yourself and them.
People who dump animals - well, that's a topic unto itself. But, anyone who thinks having pets is easy or inexpensive needs to change their thinking. Months ago I stated to staff at APL that the economy's downturn was going to start showing in the adoption rate. It probably has but it sure has shown up in the number of abandoned pets. Be careful with your critters. Take care of yourself and them.
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