Tuesday, November 25, 2008
New Animal-Related Blog
So I decided that I would start another blog. This one would be all animal, all the time! LOL! Actually it would be mostly for my cat adoptions/sanctuary, Rowdy's Rescues, but also for tips, advice, rants (sometimes), neat or informative articles and websites that I come across dealing with all types of animals.
I've been doing cat rescue for almost 20 years - I started as a mere babe though (wink). I want a place to share things I've learned about animals and maybe help others interested in rescue or just taking care of their own pet. I also hope I can learn a little bit too. It's called Rowdy Tales and I'll post the link here soon.
Oh, and the handsome namesake above is my first bonafided rescue and the love of my life. I had him almost 19 years and he's the reason I started taking in strays and the reason I still do.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Operation Christmas Child
A co-worker's son's school was gathering shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and I fixed one up for him to take. This is a great way to spread a little Christmas cheer without going into debt!
It sure was fun to gather up all the items, but it was a challenge to squeeze all the little treasures into that little shoebox! I'll probably do it again next year too. I meant to post this before the deadline, but just now got the pics downloaded.
The finished box - I still can't believe I got everything packed in there. LOL!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Rants and Rescue
Been a while since I posted, just keeping busy at work and home, and even taking a little time indulging in my favorite pasttime of being a lazy slug. I know, bad me. Have been getting some things done though, went to visit my mom last weekend, been fixing up the cat house (snicker) for the coming cold weather, redecorating my office, talking to long-distance friends on the phone, etc. I've promised myself I'll write some tonight, maybe even finish a long ago started story that just won't end. LOL!
I recently found a really cool rescue in my state (although a few hundred miles away) called A Place to Bark (see blog link at right). It's inspired me to get things in order so I can start my rescue efforts again full force. I still have cats for adoption, but I haven't fostered kittens in over a year and I miss that. I've probably placed or helped place over 100 cats/kittens in the last few years and while I love doing it, it does take its toll on not only my time, but on my emotional resources as well. It's mentally and physically draining when I already have my own house cats and an outdoor sanctuary with 24 cats either for adoption or in permanent residence because they're not adoptable. I still plan to file for my tax exemption status as soon as I can find someone to help with the paperwork (I'm totally lost when it comes to red tape!)
This time I want to focus on spay/neuter and PREVENTING all the puppies and kittens instead of trying to plug up the Titanic with a wad of Juicy Fruit, IYKWIM. I want to call all the 'free to good home' ads and be able to take their kittens/puppies to place on the condition that the momma gets spayed. It amazes me that in this day and time that people are still ignorant to the importance of fixing their pets. And since I work in a vet's office in Tennessee I sometimes see good-ole boys who inform us with a hauty voice that "No, I never neuter my dogs." Somebody call the village cuz they're missing another idiot.
Now, I have to stay calm despite what I'm screaming inside my head because calling them ignorant twits doesn't do any good, despite how wonderful it might make me feel. Not only for the sake of my job, but for the sake of the animal in this moron's hands. I'm sweet as pie and ask if they plan to breed him, if yes then I ask if he has homes for them already. Eventually I mention that there are tons of (insert Chow, Pitbull, Lab, etc.) at the local pound that he might like to foster and find good homes for too if he's that successful at placing them. If they say they aren't going to breed Buster, then I laugh and say something to the effect of 'wow, that must be frustrating for Buster, I take it he barks a LOT.'
The excuses are also frightening: 'it's not natural' (and killing thousands of unwanted animals a day is???); 'I don't want to deny them the joy of parenting' (are you seriously kidding me??? They don't care, honestly, they don't. And if you still want to believe it, then how do you rationalize taking away their babies at 8 weeks?); 'I wouldn't want anyone doing that (neutering) to me!'(Again, he doesn't care, and the dog/cat's nuts are not linked to yours. Empathy is fine, but in this case it's just stupid to equate your pet's testicles to your manhood); and my favorite, 'he/she is a purebred' (So? Try taking a look in the shelters and count the purebreds. It'll make your head spin how many people get a puppy and abandon it before it's a year old).
It also amazes me how many people swear they keep their intact animals inside, but correct me if I'm wrong, but the overpopulation problem isn't coming from the s/n pets. Seriously, I do try to get my point across without sounding condesending or judgemental. Sometimes that's all it takes for people to stop and think and every now and then the light bulb goes off and they finally get it.
Whew! Sorry, rant over for now. Now I definitely feel better. LOL! Oh, and the pics are some of the fosters that have come through my rescue. Adorable!
I recently found a really cool rescue in my state (although a few hundred miles away) called A Place to Bark (see blog link at right). It's inspired me to get things in order so I can start my rescue efforts again full force. I still have cats for adoption, but I haven't fostered kittens in over a year and I miss that. I've probably placed or helped place over 100 cats/kittens in the last few years and while I love doing it, it does take its toll on not only my time, but on my emotional resources as well. It's mentally and physically draining when I already have my own house cats and an outdoor sanctuary with 24 cats either for adoption or in permanent residence because they're not adoptable. I still plan to file for my tax exemption status as soon as I can find someone to help with the paperwork (I'm totally lost when it comes to red tape!)
This time I want to focus on spay/neuter and PREVENTING all the puppies and kittens instead of trying to plug up the Titanic with a wad of Juicy Fruit, IYKWIM. I want to call all the 'free to good home' ads and be able to take their kittens/puppies to place on the condition that the momma gets spayed. It amazes me that in this day and time that people are still ignorant to the importance of fixing their pets. And since I work in a vet's office in Tennessee I sometimes see good-ole boys who inform us with a hauty voice that "No, I never neuter my dogs." Somebody call the village cuz they're missing another idiot.
Now, I have to stay calm despite what I'm screaming inside my head because calling them ignorant twits doesn't do any good, despite how wonderful it might make me feel. Not only for the sake of my job, but for the sake of the animal in this moron's hands. I'm sweet as pie and ask if they plan to breed him, if yes then I ask if he has homes for them already. Eventually I mention that there are tons of (insert Chow, Pitbull, Lab, etc.) at the local pound that he might like to foster and find good homes for too if he's that successful at placing them. If they say they aren't going to breed Buster, then I laugh and say something to the effect of 'wow, that must be frustrating for Buster, I take it he barks a LOT.'
The excuses are also frightening: 'it's not natural' (and killing thousands of unwanted animals a day is???); 'I don't want to deny them the joy of parenting' (are you seriously kidding me??? They don't care, honestly, they don't. And if you still want to believe it, then how do you rationalize taking away their babies at 8 weeks?); 'I wouldn't want anyone doing that (neutering) to me!'(Again, he doesn't care, and the dog/cat's nuts are not linked to yours. Empathy is fine, but in this case it's just stupid to equate your pet's testicles to your manhood); and my favorite, 'he/she is a purebred' (So? Try taking a look in the shelters and count the purebreds. It'll make your head spin how many people get a puppy and abandon it before it's a year old).
It also amazes me how many people swear they keep their intact animals inside, but correct me if I'm wrong, but the overpopulation problem isn't coming from the s/n pets. Seriously, I do try to get my point across without sounding condesending or judgemental. Sometimes that's all it takes for people to stop and think and every now and then the light bulb goes off and they finally get it.
Whew! Sorry, rant over for now. Now I definitely feel better. LOL! Oh, and the pics are some of the fosters that have come through my rescue. Adorable!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Waiting on History
I'm sitting here on the edge of my seat, happily muching on chocolate tootsie pops, trying not to get too excited. It's looking good right now, but I'm not allowing myself to get giddy just yet. I suspect another 'hanging chad' type of snafu up the 'pubs sleeves since things don't seem to be going their way. I know, cynical much? LOL!
A friend sent me a cool article that sums up why I feel the way I do about the conservative far right. And from the people I know who are die-hardwon'tvoteforanyonebutarepublican, this fits them pretty darn well. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20081031.html
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