Holiday Spirit

Paul Rolly, a columnist in the Salt Lake Tribune, illustrates the principle of ‘Paying It Forward’

‘It's been quite a week for Julee Wright.

The single mother of four has been struggling to get by this Christmas and was shocked to discover that someone had left on her doorstep a book about giving, The Christmas Jar, and a jar filled with five $100 bills and $76 in coins.

The next day, a woman came into the RC Willey store in Provo, where Wright works, and wanted to buy a $500 bunk bed set for Christmas for her 17-year-old son, who only has a mattress to sleep on currently.

It turns out the woman also is a single mother of four and she told Wright that her husband had left her shortly after he returned from a military stint in Iraq and her credit rating was poor. She told Wright she could pay in cash on Friday and wondered if Wright could hold it until then. But without a deposit, Wright could not put it on hold and there were only five of those bed sets left in the entire state.

Remembering the anonymous act of kindness shown to her, Wright put $96 of her own money down for the deposit, which the woman would repay on Friday.

Later, Wright was relaying the story to her sister over the phone and a customer overheard her. Once he learned of the other woman's plight, he wrote a check for the entire $500 so the woman could get the bed.

The next day, he returned with another $1,000 he asked Wright to give to the woman, telling Wright to wish her a Merry Christmas.’

Our hearts are touched by stories like these throughout the holiday season.  Whether it be the random act of kindness of a stranger or the thoughtful act of friends and family.  Every act of love, compassion and charity we give and receive make us better people. 

The radio, television and internet bring us ill-tidings of the economy and the world.  We live in troubled economic and political times.  That being said, I truly believe when we treat those around us with dignity, compassion, and respect, we will only enhance our world and make it a better place. 

Pay the spirit of this season forward into the coming year.  Give of your time and resources without judgment.  Help those around you.  Let others help you.  Your heart will never be empty and your soul will be full of wonder.

Worlds of Imagination

So this is how big of a geek I am.  I grew up watching re-runs of Star Trek and wishing that I could ‘go where no man has gone before’.  My imagination was sparked by the voyages of an intrepid crew in a vast galaxy, threaded together by the strength of a Federation that helped various species live together in relative peace.

Star Trek started my love affair with science fiction.  At nine years old I was reading Heinlein, Niven, Bova, le Guin, Butler, and that rascal Harry Harrison.  They all talked about the human condition but in settings that challenged us to see beyond our circumstances. 

In the world of science fiction, you could talk about race relations, genocide, environmental responsibility, governmental missteps, scientific responsibility and let your imagination be free.  Exploration of the psyche, emotions, human condition is the name of the game.  No restrictions buy my own limitations.  I saw my own imagination grow, I saw my own ability to reason expand. 

I tell you all this because the world has lost a gem today.  Majel Barrett-Roddenberry passed away today of leukemia.  She was wife to Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Star Trek franchise and a mother.  But she was also a pioneering spirit.  She had no fear of the creation of her husband and was right there in the fray with him.  She carried on after his death in 1991. 

Whether it is an actor, writer or visionary, it is hard when women are lost to us who help us see beyond ourselves and into the great universe.  Majel Roddenberry was one of those women. 

Majel we'll miss you! May your adventures just be starting.

An Unexpected Visitor

     I’m sitting on my couch with my devoted pal Quizz.  When, we hear a couple of bangs and thuds.  No one is in the house but us and the cat.  Usually the cat is, well, cat-like, stealthy and quiet, only visiting us when he wants company.  To add to the oddness, the cat starts his chirping call.  The one he makes when he is on the hunt outside and sees his favorite quarry, the squirrel.

[caption id="attachment_437" align="alignright" width="61" caption="Charlie the Hunter"][/caption]

 Intrigued, I get up and investigate.  I don’t have to go far, there sits the cat.  Tail swishing frenetically back and forth while focused intently on the space between the toilet and the vanity.  The only thing between his quarry and himself was two trash cans.  Charlie, that’s the cat, senses my approach and imperiously meows at me.

 Translation “Stupid Human, how could you have these items between me and what I want?  Remove them immediately!”

I being the ever so obedient cat minion says, “Okay.” And I move the trash cans, not expecting to find more than an annoying silverfish.  Mind you those are gross and icky enough and must be destroyed.    

[caption id="attachment_428" align="alignleft" width="85" caption="The Intruder"][/caption]

 

Instead, I find a RODENT!!! I scream.  It darts Left! It darts Right! IT DARTS BETWEEN MY LEGS WITH AN OVER EXCITED CAT AFTER IT!

At that point the dog realizes that something is up and decides to join the fray.  He comes just in time to see the rodent, which my brain has since identified as a squirrel.  Always up for a game of chase, Quizz chases it into the sewing area. 

  This is not good, too many places to hide, too many places to never be found. But never fear!  Quizz has it cornered.   The cat is upset that his game has been interrupted. I’m trying to figure out how to capture the squirrel without blood being shed by anyone!

Now to be fair, the gradient size goes like this.  Human – really large (a lady never reveals her weight!). Dog – 60 lbs. Cat – 17 lbs. Squirrel – 6 oz. tops.   I can see where the squirrel would be a bit freaked out. 

I finally got the squirrel corralled in a trash can. Called a Wildlife Rehabilitator and found out it was not a juvenile squirrel but an adult flying squirrel that had come to visit.  Some how, I’m thinking that the squirrel is regretting its decision to the bottom of its curious soul.  As flying squirrels are nocturnal, all I had to do was release it in the backyard.  Boy did it run. 

The dog had to go out and try to find it, he never did. The cat keeps hanging around where he originally found the squirrel hoping that another one will magically appear.  Because one hasn’t, he’s getting a little annoyed and annoying.  He wants a squirrel!

Many mysteries remain.  No human, dog, cat or squirrel was harmed in the performing of this adventure.

Dog's Valor

     I find it curious, that when a story involving a dog that is clearly a pit bull, or at least a pit bull mix, is a hero the reporters do EVERYTHING in their power to avoid the words pit bull.

     Maybe they were afraid that talking about a dog attacking a home invader would make the pit bull situation more difficult. But I feel that if the emphasis had been on the DEFENSE of the family, the dog’s actions would have been seen in a favorable light no matter the breed.

     I’m glad that the actions of the dog was celebrated and that the family is safe. I’m grateful that the dog survived the experience, but I would have liked to see the reporting more specific and the dog’s actions seen as defensive instead of offensive.

Sharing is for the Birds!

It’s me again, the Quizz!  My Maddie came over on Sunday and we played, but my mom kept giving her all my chews!  Mom says I have to learn to share.

[caption id="attachment_346" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Mine! All Mine!"][/caption]

Hmmm, I don’t know about that.

Earning our Wings

UPDATE: The citizens of Oklahoma have truly opened their hearts and resources. WOW! They are earning their wings!

In the movie ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ little Zuzu says, “Look, Daddy, Teacher says, Every time a bell rings an angel get his wings.” Well, every time a pit bull is saved and angel has earned their wings, because they have one of the hardest jobs out there.
After the fiasco in Houston, it is heartwarming and reaffirming to see examples in different parts of the country were people are looking at dogs in busts as victims and evaluating them as such.
We have an example in LA, where the judge in the case laid down the law and let the defendants know that dog-fighting was indeed a felony and they were prosecuted and convicted to the full extent of the law.
The dogs from this bust were evaluated. Due to aggression and health issues, all but 4-5 dogs had to be euthanized. But the dogs were evaluated and given a chance. The ones that could be re-homed and live good lives were given a chance. That is what rescue is all about.
Another bust in Oklahoma, just over the Kansas State border, ‘100 distressed pit bulls’ were found neglected. The officer on the scene said ‘he saw only two dogs that were so aggressive that they made him feel uncomfortable.’ Veterinarians from the Oklahoma State Veterinary Board are going to evaluate the rest of the dogs for adoptability and fostering.
Despite the BSL in Kansas City, dog-lovers in Kansas and Oklahoma are rallying and sending food and supplies to the Kay County Sheriff's Office to help them until shelter and foster arrangements are made. THIS is the appropriate response to the unfortunate situation of dog-fighting busts. The dogs are NOT guilty, people are.
This is a far cry from the attitude of the officials in Houston, where they apparently think that there is no good pit bull and they can not be rehabilitated.
For pit bulls the statistics are bleak, but they are getting better and better because we are sounding the call of justice. We are putting faces and personalities to these sweet, sweet dogs. We are earning our wings.

Shame on You Houston!

      I am angry! I am pissed beyond belief! Why? Because 187 dogs were killed for being nothing but pit bulls in Houston, Texas. Let me be clear, I am not addressing the people of Houston but the leadership.  The Houston SPCA, the Law Enforcement and the Attorney Generals Office.  I know that there are responsible pit bull owners in the city of Houston and the state of Texas. 

     Houston, let us be honest. Denver, Colorado and any other community practicing Breed Specific Legislation have a least been up front in their discrimination and ignorance about the pit bull. They have legislation, rules and procedures in how to deal with a threat that they perceive. YOU, on the other hand Houston, just kill the dogs out of hand. There is little or no evaluation, but to say you are protecting the public.

     FROM WHAT? Dogs that have been abused? Dogs that are confused, frightened and in circumstances way beyond their control, therefore they are reacting as an animal is prone to do? By barking, baring teeth, and lunging. Trying to defend what little dignity they have left. Dignity stripped from them by the hands of the ‘people’ who where suppose to care for them, feed them and give them shelter.

     So, instead of investing time, patience and training, Assistant DA Belinda Smith chose to euthanize the dogs as a ‘gift’ to them.

    Wow. That’s some gift. The Houston SPCA, the city of Houston in general, has a vendetta against the pit bull. Pit bulls that go into the system DO NOT come out. They are euthanized. They are NOT put up for adoption.

     This sounds a lot like some sort of ethnic cleansing. Kill all the pit bulls. Once they are all gone what breed will be next? What breed will be the next boogeyman?

     I am against Breed Specific Legislation, but at least the communities practicing BSL are honest. Houston is operating in the shadows and picking and choosing who should live and who should die.

     Shame on you Houston.

Finished NaNoWriMo

Word Count?  55,003

I'm I finished with my novel, not by a longshot!  BUT, I'm on my way!  Woohoo!

Caught in the Act!

This is what happens when I leave my laptop unattended! 

 Somehow I don't think he's winning!

Holiday Temptations

        Thanksgiving is not just a time of tempting treats for us, but a time of irresistible temptation for our pets. I’ll never forget the one holiday my beloved pooch Quizz, whose tongue is prehensile (I swear it is!), managed to removed from the counter a full 18 count of peanut blossom cookies with the Hershey’s kiss in the middle. My mom was furious, the dog was happy, and I was frantic. That was 18 Hershey chocolate kisses he’d eaten!
        I called the vet and we went over his weight verses chocolate consumed. Quizz was okay, his tummy was upset for a couple of days. But this illustrates the point that during the holidays, no foodstuff is safe! If there is a dog, there is a way.
        Big no-no’s are raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and bread dough. I know bread dough, but once ingested it will keep expanding in the dog’s stomach. The holidays are fraught with dangers for our pets.
        Have a game plan when you have company. Set ground rules of what the company can or cannot slip the dog; have approved treats handy for company to give the dog if they have a question. No one wants to have an emergency run to the vet’s office. Worse case scenario, no one wants to lose their dog over a bad snack.

        There are several articles and resources out there with more information:
            http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/11/25/dogs.and.toxins/index.html
            http://www.doggienews.com/lib/education/holiday-pet-safety.htm
            http://fidosplace.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/holiday-dog-safety/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Tempered Advocacy

I would like to thank the city council of Monroe in Washington State in for being forward thinking and not reactionary.  They averted what could have been a tragedy in the making.  A man was trying to testify to the brutal assault of his mother by two pit bulls in the Seattle-Tacoma area .  Does the man have every reason to be angry and upset?  Yes.  His mother is disfigured, injured and traumatized.  In the end, the city council leaned toward NOT creating a BSL, but instead creating laws that targeted bad owners and not the dogs. The council will revisit the situation in six months.

 

A tragedy has occurred.  We have a family that will never look at dogs in a confident light again.  If they see a pit bull in the street, they will be terrified.  Do I blame the man for his anger and his desire to try and control his fear the only way he knows how by asking for some sort of legislation? No.  Can I blame them for having fear? No.

 

 

You see, fear is a powerful motivator.  Fear is what closes doors in our hearts and our minds.  Fear is what causes rocks to be thrown.  Fear is what causes people to run from the unknown. 

 

The two pit bulls who attacked the woman are as much victims as the man and his mother.  They were in an environment where there was no discipline, no boundaries and no responsibility on the part of the dog owner. 

 

As dog owners, of ANY breed, it is our responsibility to raise and create well-mannered dogs.  As pit bull owners, we have a responsibility to show the world that our dogs are not symbols of machismo or fear, but are the family pet they have historically been.  We know how loving and wonderful the pit bull can be, and every time we read about irresponsible owners, we get ever so angry. 

 

But we must also let compassion temper our advocacy.  Our best weapon are well trained, well behaved dogs who are ambassadors to the breed, owned by people from all walks of life.  People will always say ignorant and stupid things.  As human beings, that’s what we do. But it is our actions and deeds that define us.  And so it is with the animals in our care.

 

As for the family of the woman attacked, we can only hope and pray that their souls will heal and their fears will lessen as time passes.  Let us hope that the pit bull advocates in the SeaTac area are praying for the healing of their souls as well.

Miscellaneous Stuff

NaNanites Unite!

Yes that time of year has descended and I'm deep in the depths of my madness. 23,000 words and counting.  I sneak it in every where I can.  Thanks to my dog, cat and family I eat and remember to go to work.  But I must write! 

My Brain Hurts!

An exciting note!  Quizz & I have received an award!


 
Thank you Dozer, Peepers, and Dozer's Mom.  
 
Quizz is very excited ...  hey
 
afk;hertgiohtg;'/xujhtg6az' tujxcvi9pser6h bjklt64w56 n@w56

 

That was Quizz saying hello and Thank you!  I have to translate due to his lack of opposible thumbs he must type by nose.  Now I have to clean the keyboard. 

The cat is jealous.  I suppose I'll have to get him his own page, but the content will have to be carefully negotiated.  Apparently he has grand world domination plans.  More on that later.

The War of the Leaves has commenced.  I will be victorious or some how find a way to open a portal to an alternative universe to dump those things.  The dogs enjoy them, but I'm over them already.  Do you think I can send them where the lost socks go?  Mmmmm.

Must get back to my writing.  NaNoWriMo and Beyond!

More Attempts to Regulate Pit Bulls

So Omaha has decided to punish dogs instead of irresponsible people.  Let me clarify, with the help of the local Human Society, the great city of Omaha has decided that all pit bulls, American bulldogs (because they share the same characteristics as pit bulls), and any mixes will, effective January 1, 2009, have to wear muzzles while walking in public places.

 

The only way to circumvent this piece of legislation is to go to special behavioral assessment by the Humane Society of Omaha to determine whether or not the dog would be exempt from the law.  This behavioral assessment would not just happen once but yearly at the cost of $75 initially and $50 for every year thereafter.  These costs are on top of the harnesses, insurance, muzzles, and a myriad of other costs that the legislation is piling on the owners.

 

The good owners are being punished for the deeds of uneducated, irresponsible bully breed owners. 

           

Wow, sounds to me like Omaha just started registering races for genetic purity.  I know that this sounds incendiary, but the days of people kicking in doors and raiding homes for breeds deemed inappropriate won’t be all that far away.  

 

Breed Specific Legislation of ANY kind is DISCRIMINATORY, whether it is animal or human.

 

            I am disturbed on a deeper level that the Humane Society is participating in this heinous legislation.  Their mission statement on their website says “The Nebraska Humane Society acts as a voice for the animals, and through them, enriches the communities we serve.” So they are picking and choosing the animals they will have a voice for.  What arrogance.  (Please Note: The Humane Societies are independently run and have no national over-sight structure. So my comments are directed solely at the Nebraska Humane Society.) Why aren’t they speaking for the pit bulls and educating the public?  Instead, they have backed a piece of legislation that will effectively reduce what they consider an ‘undesirable’ dog in their community.  The Nebraska Humane Society will determine if a dog 'looks' like a pit bull or has the characteristics of a pit bull, it will be subject to the legislation.  So the quality of life of an entire segment of dog breeds fall into the narrow gaze of biased observers who won't be able to be fair in their judgements. So much for being a fair voice. 

 

            Oh. Apparently the Nebraska Humane Society isn’t fair. 

 

Are they that hard hit by the economic down turn that they have to make money this way?  According to their own numbers they estimate 6,000 pit bulls in the Omaha area and only 1,400 are registered.  Apparently, this will be a great source of steady income for them. 

 

The ironic thing is that a dog is a dog.  They have good days and bad.  They don’t necessarily like to be approached or touched all the time.  People look at a dog and say “Oooo, what a cute dog” and immediately make-a-move to pet the dog.  They rarely ask the owner for permission or observe the dog for warning signs. 

 

So when the dog snaps and bites, the people freak out.   A responsible owner will immediately ask a person not to approach their animal and wait for proper introductions to be made.  That being said, a person walking up to a dog needs to ask for permission to approach the animal.  This is simple common sense, but given the BSL going on common sense has been replaced by governmental interference and lack of responsibility.

 

Breed Specific Legislation is never the answer.  Responsible pet ownership is.

 

The Interloper!

My name is Quizz. If you haven’t read my page, I am the adorable dog of the owner of this blog. I am taking over. My owner rants about many things on this thing called a blog and I feel that I must do my part.

 

[caption id="attachment_189" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My Adorableness"][/caption]

I have a bone to pick with my Mom. Last night she took me to visit my favorite little humans. She calls them her nieces. They give me scritches, feed me cookies and treat me the way that I should be treated. They always come over to my house. This is the first time I went to their new house. Boy does it smell really cool! And there are things called horses there. They are HUGE! But mom won’t let me anywhere near them. Sigh.

There is an interloper! (I had to ask my Mom what that word meant, I liked it!) Everyone said he was cute and I had to be nice. Nice! I’m always nice. Anyway, this is the interloper (Don't let his supposed cuteness fool you, he's a menace! My mom says something about payback but I don't know what she's talking about.)

 

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="285" caption="The Interloper"][/caption]

All he did was jump around and bark at me. Then! Then, he started eyeing my tail. He nipped here and there. I’m telling you! Can’t a dog be left in peace! My tail of all things! A dog’s tail is sacred! I had to hide my tail and keep my tail away from him. Until I got distracted and CHOMP! The little thing got me!

[caption id="attachment_203" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Eyeing my Tail"][/caption]

Of course, I’m bigger. I went WOOF! The interloper went off to the corner and all my people came to my rescue, they knew what had happened. But I knew that it was a puppy. So I forgave him.

[caption id="attachment_205" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Peace for Now"][/caption]

BUT, we’ll see where that takes us. I’m keeping my eye on him.

A Dog's Courage

     Once more I am astounded at the great capacity that human being have for cruelty and compassion. I was lead to the Montgomery Alabama Humane Society website for an unrelated story regarding the seizure of 27 pit bulls from a possible fighting ring. The investigation is on going. In the left hand corner was a link with a picture of a truly damaged looking dog with the caption of See How Louie’s Doing. I was unable to resist. I clicked.

     And my heart broke at the pure viciousness of the act of one selfish individual, who through a complete act of delibrate cruelty irrevocably changed the life of a dog, and ruined his own life because of his immaturity.

     Because this individual was ‘denied’ the use of his parent’s vehicle, in retaliation he doused the parent’s dog, Louis Vuitton, with lighter fluid and set the dog on fire.

     Louis was brought to the Montgomery Humane Society with 60% of his body covered in burns, his nose, eyelids and ears sloughing off and his toenails and the pads of his feed completely burned to where he couldn’t stand on his own feet. But he couldn’t lay down either because of the rest of his burns.

     Here’s the kicker in all of this. You would think that Louis would become afraid of people. He would snarl and snap. Bite and lash out from the pain at his care takers. No. He wagged his tail at his care givers at his first examination. He has been a trooper through his treatment. His burn wounds are healing and his temperament has not changed. He proved to be an amazingly resilient example of the extraordinary well of courage & love that a dog has.

     The Montgomery Humane Society staff have been stellar examples of the other end of the spectrum of the perpetrator of the act of cruelty that put Louis in the hospital. The MHS staff have cared and loved this dog and reinforced that the world, while it can be scary, is not a bad place.

     The person who committed this heinous act is in jail awaiting trial. I won’t revel in his capture, because I don’t believe that anyone should celebrate the ruination of a life. His thoughtless selfish act destroyed any trust his parents could ever have in him and destroyed his own life. I can never understand what causes the need to hurt another creature, human or animal.

     If you go out to the site and you see pictures of Louis, some people will say why not let nature take its course and let the animal die. If you are one of those people, I can honestly say that you have never known or acknowledged the unconditional love that a dog can give you. Or the unconditional love that a pet can provide you.

     It is not that we humanize the animals, it is that they make us more human and help us keep the gifts of love and compassion in our lives.

Dictator Deposing & Other Pleasant Thoughts

Oh Goody!  Foxnews.com just cited “a veteran Japanese expert on North Korea” has declared that Kim Jong Il is really dead (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418205,00.html), and has been dead since 2003.  According to this experts sources the man died of diabetes related complications.  But due to his paranoia about threats on his life, he had four stand-in actors that would go to events in his place.  So the person who has been representing North Korea on the world stage is an impostor.  Of course the 'expert' is pushing a book.

 

Don’t get me wrong, the world would be a better place without the man.  His selfishness has impoverished and starved his people.  His greed has his average citizens living in standards that are unfathomable to most of the industrialized world.  The favored few are feted and given perks that are lavish and gluttonous in comparison to the rest of the country. 

 

Frankly, I see this 'death' as wishful thinking on the part of a person who wishes that an era was over.  North Korea represents a threat in the Pan-Asian arena.  Not because they are a vast army.  But because they have a selfish, pompous mad man who plays dice with the lives of his people, Kim Jong Il is crafty and seizes every opportunity that the more well behaved nations of the world provide him.

 

He is dangerous because he is irresponsible enough to use nuclear armament to get his way regardless of the cost. He possesses processed uranium which allows him to have a say in United Nations.  Every time things do not go his way, like a spoiled brat, he breaks his word and starts to take the steps to processing weapons grade uranium.  That gets the world to back down and he once more gets what he wants.  

 

Whether the man is alive or dead, that really doesn’t matter.  What matters is the health and well being of the North Korean people.  They starve as their leaders grow fat as pigs. 

 

Pit Bulls in Lipstick

Pit bulls in Lipstick, what a thought. When Republican Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin made the comment, “I love those hockey moms. You know, they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick.”

I thought to myself well wouldn’t that be a sight, a bunch of pit bulls driving mini-vans or SUV’s, coiffed and adorned with lipstick taking their charges hither and yon. You have to admit that your funny bone has to be tickled just a little. And if the pit bulls had opposable thumbs and driver licenses, they’d do it too!

I think she meant the traits of tenacity and endurance when she referred to the pit bulls. Perhaps, she is familiar with the breed. They have been a family dog, working dog and was have even been honored as heros.

But like most things or people who are tenacious and stubborn, they have a tendency to be misunderstood and labeled ‘difficult’, ‘high risk’ or even ‘dangerous’. I hope that as Ms. Palin is taking the national stage, that she will remember that pit bulls are not only tenacious and fearsome looking, but they are more than meets the eye. They have a dignity and gentleness that is seldom acknowledged by their detractors.

Ms. Palin may be ready to fight during this campaign, but I hope that she exhibits grace and dignity as she embarks on this journey.

Mud-slinging and Politics

In one of the dirtiest sports on the planet – politics, I applaud Barack Obama for telling people to lay off Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin’s family.  Please note that I am not endorsing either candidate.  To be perfectly honest, as of yet, I’m not sold on either party.  But a line has been crossed, when people feel free to start taking pot shots at the various candidate’s children.

 

A candidate’s spouse knows the score is when they get into politics and work with their respective mates to groom themselves to the image that they want to create.  But when children enter the picture, all bets are off.

 

Children are still learning and developing; they make good decisions and not so great decisions.  When thrust in the public eye, their every move scrutinized and magnified, their every emotions and actions called into questions by people who have no right to judge them, some hold up under the pressure and some fold.

 

These children need to be protected from the media and declared off-limits in the slings and arrows of the political campaigning.  If the politicians choose to have family photo ops or showcases that is their prerogative, but it still doesn’t bring the children into the line of fire.

 

So as the mud starts flying keep the children safe and out of the line of fire.  They’ll be eligible soon enough when they reach the age of majority.

Animal Emergency Preparedness - Are you Ready?

I've posted a lot of animal centric posts lately.  But this one is more serious. 

With Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Gulf Coast, the recent Iowa Floods, and the Spectre of Hurricane Katrina looming in my mind.  If you are an animal owner, do you have a preparedness kit for your animals in case of evacuation or emergency?

Katrina illustrated the lack of preparation that people and government had in the care of domestic animals.  I'm not casting stone here.  People didn't know how  bad the effects of Katrina would be.  Pet owners were devastated by their choices.  But so many pets were lost. On the brighter side, as rescue groups went through they marked homes that had animals for the animal rescue teams that went in to know where to go.  Amazing organizations from across the country went in and volunteered their time and resources to get the pets out of the horrifying situations they were in.  Many pets were reunited with there owners and those who were not were given new homes.

Whether you live in a hurricane & flood zone, tornado alley, or blizzard country you have to realize that your domesticated animals can not fend for themselves.  In an emergency situation, you can not just turn the animals loose and think that they will survive on their own.  You are their primary care providers of food and care. 

The ASPCA is an excellent resource for getting prepared for any sort of disaster related emergency information (http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_emergency), the Federal Emergency Management Agency otherwise known as FEMA (http://www.fema.gov/individual/index.shtm) or contact your local SPCA or animal control office for information. 

You need to be prepared for yourself, your family and your animals.

A Moment in a Dog's Life

Stolen Fair and Square! Let me in before she gets it!

So my dog is a thief.  Behold the evidence hanging out of my dog's mouth.  Above is Quizz and Maddie, best of friends yet the bone of contention is that Quizz feels that what is hers is his without reciprocity.  On a nearly daily basis, he will help himself to the treat du jour at Maddie's home and run madly back to his home to stash it at the top of the stairs. 

All Maddie wants to do is share, she patiently waits for her moment to claim back whatever is the prize of the day.  I often go into Quizz's toy box and retrieve something he likes and give it to Maddie.  She will grab it and head for the door with a flirtatous toss of her head.  She knows how to get her boy.  Quizz not being big on the sharing takes off after her to retrieve his lost prize.  It is a game repeated day after day.

To make things equal, I gather up Quizz's toys and bring them to Maddie's regularly. 

So, is it really stealing if it is your own?