Delilah and Company

December 31, 2018 by ramblingsofaperforatedmind in Twists and Turns and tagged animal rescue, friends, kittens, new year | Leave a comment

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Delilah and her siblings were found under the preacher’s house during the summer. Her mom was doing her best to care for the four kittens, but they needed homes. Now the kittens are all grown up—at least teenagers now—and they are loved. My pal, Crystal, was the driving force behind the rescue. Another friend, Lania, stepped in to take the beautiful momma cat and the boy (now Bastet and Kal). The girls—Delilah, Ellie and Gabby—are now permanent residents at my house. They all plan to have a happy new year! There are no resolutions.

GRRRRR!

June 5, 2014 by ramblingsofaperforatedmind in About me and tagged animal cruelty, animal rescue, turtles, violence | Leave a comment

A Facebook friend posted something about not running over turtles in the road. It’s a sad commentary about society that posts like that are actually needed. I always try to avoid hitting anything when driving, and I can’t believe anyone would willingly hurt another creature. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I watch the news, and I have been involved in animal rescue, so I have seen some ugly things. Those things make me sick.

Scientific studies have shown that animal cruelty is linked to violence against people. If someone abuses a defenseless animal, odds are good that a helpless human could be next, especially if the perpetrator gets away with it the first time.

I always tell my students, “Anyone who hurts an animal is no friend of mine.” I mean that, and I don’t care who it is. I will not tolerate animal cruelty. I will stand up for the weak, animal or human.

http://aldf.org/resources/when-your-companion-animal-has-been-harmed/no-boundaries-for-abusers-the-link-between-cruelty-to-animals-and-violence-toward-humans/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cathy-kangas/animal-cruelty-and-human-_b_2507551.html

Solution or Problem?

May 13, 2014 by ramblingsofaperforatedmind in Twists and Turns and tagged animal rescue, foster child, making society better, solution or problem? | Leave a comment

This post will be brief, but I sincerely hope it will make you think. My question for you today: What are you doing to make the world a better place? Do you complain about what’s wrong with society? Do you do anything more than complain? Are you taking an active role to improve things around you?

What do you do to protect weaker beings? Do you foster a child? Have you ever adopted/rescued a pet? What causes do you champion? Life isn’t just about “me.”

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem!

Good Question

March 21, 2014 by ramblingsofaperforatedmind in About me and tagged animal rescue, blogher writing challenge, grad classes, NaBloPoMo, parenting, service to others, workaholic | Leave a comment

Writing Challenge

Do I do more for myself or for others? I am not sure, actually. I do a few things for myself. I work a second job, but I don’t sign up for more hours than necessary. Sometimes I feel selfish, especially if I’m asked to work a shift and I just don’t want to work. I am so tired and mentally drained that I need my evenings to get it together for the next school day! I have a house to run and a teenager to parent. I make sure I have coffee in the house, too. (I do that for myself AND my child!) Grad classes take up more of my time and energy, but I’m doing that to increase my earnings to benefit my family. I am a workaholic (I think) because it feels great to be able to buy what my daughter needs without counting change. I love learning new things, but I get bored really fast! Then I move on to the next challenge. I keep learning stuff for ME!

I do things for others when I can. Animal rescue is important to me. My pets have all been adopted or otherwise rescued. I donate money to the Rodeo Club at school, and I have had a collection tub for items that went to foster kids. My students are good about putting things in for the foster kids. My classes have adopted soldiers, and I send coupons to deployed families as often as possible. I have spent time working as a CNA and a foster parent. (I found out that fostering is not for me.) I’m on the volunteer fire department as well. Is that sufficient?

I guess we all do what we can when we can. I just hope that’s enough.

That Doggie in the Window

February 22, 2014 by ramblingsofaperforatedmind in Twists and Turns and tagged adoption, animal rescue, breed profiling, cats, dogs, horses, pets, Pitbulls, racial profiling, rescues, shelters, unwanted animals | 2 Comments

How could I resist that face?

Remember that old song that asked, “How much is that doggie in the window?” It’s a question asked in pet stores every day. The true cost of that cute puppy isn’t the tag at the pet store register. The mother dog is the one paying the price. Most puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. When you buy that cute little pup, your money is actually condemning that momma dog to a life in a cage having litter after litter to supply cute pups for you, the consumer, to buy. If that doesn’t touch your heart, do your own research about puppy mills. What you discover may shock you.

I’m writing this post to (hopefully) educate you about the realities of unwanted pets. There are millions of unwanted animals—dogs, cats and even horses. Many of them die because a good home is not found in time. Most county shelters can only house a certain number of pets before shelter workers have to decide who to kill to make room for the next animals who are picked up off the streets or turned in by unthinking owners.

When I lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, I was told by a worker that owner-surrendered animals were put to sleep before the owners had left the premises. I nearly cried. Even the no-kill shelters and rescue groups need help and connections to place animals in good homes.

Did you know that certain kinds of dogs are considered nearly unadoptable? Everyone wants that adorable pup, right? If dogs are large, black or senior, they are hard to place. Pitbulls are the hardest breed to place. According to Julia Musser of Animal Rescue of Kindness (A.R.K.), Pits face problems due to breed-specific legislation restricting Pitbull ownership. It’s basically breed profiling (akin to racial profiling). If you are an older, large-bodied, black Pit, your chances of surviving a shelter are slim to none. Heartbreaking and unfair.

I have adopted nearly all my pets from a shelter or rescue. Others were given to me. I look for the animal that connects with me. In each case, I have gone in with an open mind and heart and “my” pet has found me.

I will not pay hundreds of dollars for a pet when shelter pets are being murdered every day in countries around the world. This is a world-wide issue, not just a national one. Hopefully, you will adopt your next pet from a shelter or rescue. Some rescues ask for an adoption to help cover vet expenses. It’s a fair thing to ask. How else can they help the next hurt, unwanted animal if there’s no money to take it to a vet? Most rescues will ask for references from people who know you. They might even ask to speak with your vet if you have had pets in the past. It’s normal, so don’t get mad about it! A home visit may even be required to seal the deal! The rescue groups want to be sure you can provide the love and care the animal deserves. If the rescue or shelter doesn’t have your dream pet, ask if they can contact you when that special animal (for you) arrives. Rescues network and always want an animal to find a “furever” home. Keep in mind if you check out the dogs or cats at the local animal shelter, you might not see the animal’s true personality until later. The animals are frightened and confused, so be patient and loving. It will pay off! Go in with an open mind and consider adopting one that may be overlooked by the majority of people. I can guarantee that pet will repay your kindness with unconditional love.

If you must find a new home for your pet, PLEASE don’t advertise it on places like Craigslist. The wrong people might come get that animal to use as a bait dog for training aggressive dogs. It’s a death sentence in many cases. I have even read about wives dressing nicely to pick up an animal destined to be killed by her husband’s fighting dog. You think it doesn’t happen? You are wrong. It saddens me to say that.

As many of my friends comment, “There are no problem dogs, just problem owners.” If you need to rehome your pet, contact a rescue group for leads. Nothing makes me madder, however, than hearing someone say, “I have to GET RID OF my dog (cat, horse).” “Getting rid of” implies all kinds of things to me. None of them make me think favorably of you.

If you are ready to adopt, keep reading. Below are some links (from my area) to get you started if you feel ready to make a life-long commitment to a pet.
https://www.facebook.com/juliamariemusser?ref=ts&fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/NorthPlatteAnimalShelter?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/FurtheLoveofPAWSRescue?fref=ts