Saturday, December 31, 2005

thank you, thank you...and let's toast to 2006

Thank you all...I'm sorry I've been so late in my response--there have been so many kind responses and genuine expressions of concern sent my way. Your comments have been so uplifting...I'm watching Sadie unstuff a toy as we speak...happily. She's still feeling ok and hanging in there. My big activity during the past few days has been making homemade doggie biscuits from recipes I found at Good Dog Express (and boy do they love them!). I've been baking the oatmeal and wheat germ cookies and the peanut butter treats which I can cut out with my dog bone-shaped cookie cutters. I don't know what kind of ride we'll be in for, but for now she's being pampered like the princess she is and enjoying every minute of it...

Healing from surgery is going great and I'm moving right along without any complications. I could write a lot more about that whole experience but not today.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you ALL for your support and kindness. Here's to a better year...Happy 2006!

P.S. Have you guys seen the Dogs 24/7 custom covers? I ordered one with Sadie's picture. It will be such a wonderful keepsake in the years to come.

Friday, December 23, 2005

to all who celebrate...


Millan.net

Monday, December 12, 2005

more news...

Well, unfortunately it looks like Sadie does have hemangiosarcoma and that's why she's bleeding out into the sac around her heart. It was bad news. And it also looks like there's a tumor behind her right eye as well. We couldn't understand why her eye was also pushed outward a little and apparently that's why. She is not in pain and she is still able to give kisses and enjoy pets, so we are going to let her live out the rest of her days at home until she is either uncomfortable or the sac bursts because of the tumor. The vet says if this does happen she will probably faint and pass away rather painlessly. If instead she shows respiratory distress again from pressure in her chest we will do the proper thing and get her to the vet and say our goodbyes.

With me having surgery tomorrow, we asked the vet to keep her in the ICU or, if no ICU cages are available, in the hospital so she can be tended to while I'm in the hospital. Then papa can pick her up and we can watch her more closely.

I don't know if we will have her for two days, two weeks or two months, but she will be well-loved all of those days she has left with us.

Thanks again for all the kind messages. I wish I had time to respond to them all, but I need to get my little bag packed...I have to be at the hospital by 5:30 am.

I am thankful we get to bring little boo-boo home, if only for a little while. It is a bittersweet blessing.

Take care all...it will be a while before I post again. Take stock of your blessings and gifts this life has given you. xo

update on boo-boo...

Sadie has a mass on her heart. They just took a needle biopsy of it a little while ago and we'll know what kind of tumor we're dealing with. I hope it is not a hemangiosarcoma because that will be lethal. Even treatment wouldn't prolong her life by much if the story Smooch sent me is typical. They should call me in a couple of hours...probably before I leave work. I don't know what to hope for--pray for the path of least suffering I suppose. I really hate this...really, really, really hate it.

Not too long ago we found a hotbed of cheap fleece toys for Sadie and piled them in the "junk drawer" in the kitchen. It is a lower drawer, so we started calling Sadie to it and saying "you want a toy?" She learned quickly, dipped her little noggin into the toys and picked one out. Up the stairs she'd trot and mangle the toy all over the bed, frantically pulling out every last piece of stuffing. I used to worry about her doing this because of the possibility of swallowing pieces, but she is only interested in dismantling. She has a method: she chews a hole open with her molars, then at the first sight of stuffing, she goes nuts pulling and spitting it out. When she gets to the squeaker she's quite content with herself. What is left is a flat piece of material, wet and slobbery stuffing everywhere and a squeaker that no longer squeaks. I have to say the fervor with which she does this makes it one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen an animal do. The last time the drawer was opened for her she started taking out ALL the toys. "Sorry Sadie, only one at a time." She's a stinker, she is.

Sadie has always been very particular about how she goes about things. We have been so lucky to have had her--even with all her little quirks, demanding to be treated as a person and not a dog, getting the unlimited tongue baths, burying her bones in the couch and stuffing the pillows down in the cracks to secure the hiding place, prancing on the floor when she's excited to see you, playing hide-and-go-seek with daddy, stealing my underwear from the laundry and leaving it strewn all over the backyard, yowling at the top of her lungs when she hears a siren go by, "fake" barking to lure Pickles away from her treat so she can steal it, adoring every human who has two hands to pet her, sticking her head out the window and sniffing the air as much as possible while her jowls catch the air and puff out--her ears snapping like little velvety flags, running into her leash harness like a poodle jumping through a hoop, honking like a goose because she is yanking on her leash when she first heads out the door, running around the house with her butt in a hunch because she's so excited, following her nose and refusing to mind until the fifth (or more) command has been given and the insatiable desire for food... She is really a hilarious dog who has taught me A LOT about dog ownership--she made me work for it and it was worth every minute. I hope we have a little more time together.

Ugh, I had to put Baxter to sleep last year on December 10. I am afraid I'm looking at going through that again. I will update later today; then surgery tomorrow.

thank you...

Thank you all for your kind comments. I got to the vet hospital early this morning on the way to work to see my girl. She was perkier than she was last night and gave me lots of kisses. When I walked into the ICU a student was petting her through the access door in her oxygen cage. I found out she has already wrapped everyone around her little paw...she has a way of doing that.

I read the article Smooch sent me and I have to say this sounds exactly like hemangiosarcoma. In fact it is so specific to the symptoms I have seen so far (except for the seizures) that I will be shocked if they tell me something else. But we'll wait to see what the tests say. Since Sadie has Cushing's Disease as well, they are unsure about what condition is causing what symptom.

We will see her again this afternoon or this evening before surgery tomorrow--which I haven't had very much time to even deal with that. I hope I get some good news, but my husband and I are in agreement that we won't prolong suffering for her if that's going to be the case.

Thanks again for all the comments of support and concern. They really do make a difference. I hate that all I have to report these days are disasters and broken hearts, but this, too, shall pass...

Sunday, December 11, 2005

another day...

Sadie is now in the ICU at the Univ. of TN Veterinary Hospital. She's in an oxygen cage and they've drained a good bit of fluid off of both her heart and abdomen. The strange thing is the fluid in her chest is blood and the fluid in her abdomen is some other sort of fluid. That's highly unusual and they can't figure out why that's happening. The goal over the weekend has been to stabilize her and keep her breathing until all the specialists come back in Monday. Tomorrow she'll have an echocardiogram and some repeat x-rays. I hope we get lot of info tomorrow because I have surgery first thing Tuesday morning. We've made several visits to the ICU to talk to her and pet her. She seems weak but more comfortable than she was. Her tummy is not distended where they gave her Lasix and manually drew off fluids. She is hanging in there and gives us sweet little licks and wags her tail.

Of course my fear is something will happen while I'm stuck in the hospital for two or three days. My guess is that they will want to do surgery on her on Tuesday if there's something to repair, then my poor husband will be running from human hospital to animal hospital petting us both on the heads. I also fear that I won't get to be with there if she has to be put to sleep and I won't see her again. It's all very bad timing, but I suppose it would have been worse if it had all happened on the day I had surgery. At least she is in the best hands possible. She's just pitiful.

For all you folks who love your critters, please pray for Sadie. It sure would be nice to bring miss boo-boo home for Christmas.

I'll try to write again before surgery.

Friday, December 09, 2005

cut me some slack, man...

Well, Sadie is back in the hospital today and she is looking really bad. Her chest is full of fluid, her heart is enlarged and she's having trouble moving and breathing. Her tummy is very distended as well. I'm just about to lose it folks. I'm waiting to hear back from the vet...they're doing more x-rays and blood tests. WTF? Seeing a sick beagle looking up into your eyes pleading for help is a crusher. The prospect of more loss feels..................not good. If Sadie survives the weekend, I'm terrified I can't get her well enough to be stable while I have surgery and am in the hospital. I suppose I could pay for her to be watched in the hospital...I don't know if they'll do that. My head is spinning and my heart is breaking. And I can't do a fucking thing about it.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

one hairy mess...

Well, today was my last day of fieldwork (internship) until I return after surgery. Surgery is next Tuesday and I'm getting a little more tense than I thought I would. I think it's mostly because I've been in such a rush and things are falling apart faster than I can put them back together. Our heat has gone out twice in the past two weeks and Sadie, my beagle mix dog, is very sick. We had to rush her to the vet yesterday. She either has pancreatitis or a blockage. She's not showing any interest in food so I'm getting wary about whether or not she's swallowed something that has her intestines blocked. She's very uncomfortable and is on meds and a high-fiber, bland diet to see if she gets better. If she's not a good bit better by this evening I'm going to get her back to the vet tomorrow...not that I have anything ELSE to do. But she comes first, so...sheesh. Not to mention a good friend's mom just died of cancer and I feel terrible that I missed the funeral...I was cleaning out Daddy's house that day. Perhaps it was best to stay away from the funeral home. It's getting harder, not easier, to remove things from his house because the house and property could sell while I'm recovering. Not being able to go back is going to kill me. Shit, I'm not going to get off on that today. I don't have enough battery left to start that discussion.

I did get to transport a rescue dog last weekend, but I haven't had time to post anything about it. Her name was Vandy and I wanted to take her home! She was such a sweetheart. I'll try to eventually get a pic up.

I have A LOT to get done at work before surgery, but I swear I've got the "deer-in-the-headlights" syndrome. I need to do some deep breathing and just tackle the list.

Deep breath. It. will. be. ok.

Sorry I haven't been to anyone's blogs or even had much time to respond to such supportive and sweet comments. They have definitely all lifted me up on the worst of days. It will probably be after surgery before I write again. Wish me luck.

Friday, December 02, 2005

the dullness is blinding...

I. am. so. dull. I will be very happy to say good-bye to 2005. It ground me up and turned me into a slobbery pate. In the last year I came very close to bankruptcy, lost a beautiful pet, turned 40, lost my dad, struggled through executorshit--oh, I mean executorship--went through serious illness with two more pets (who, thankfully, are still hanging on) added 224 internship hours to my full-time job over the course of three months, found out a dear loved one has heart problems...and I'm going to end the year with a bang--major surgery.

So I've become dull with fatigue. But I found out I was stronger than I thought I was. I found out that grief, in all its agony, can leave small gifts behind to help you grow. I found out that art is my steadfast friend. I found out that my superficial list of goals didn't mean as much as just trying to be a good person.

So the blog has suffered. There aren't a lot of jokes or silly life observations. I don't have time to take funny pictures of the cats and dogs and complain about things that don't really matter.

My poor little sitemeter doesn't have any reason to meter because it's not shiny and silly here anymore. But that's not what the blog is about. I don't know what the blog is about. It's just part of this constellation of moments that have some connection to me. I've thought about closing it altogether, but for some reason I haven't. I'm just another patched up soul trying to gather my thoughts and continue the journey.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

my sh*t don't stank...



Some crazy, crazy person actually bought something off of my hysterectomy party list. Seriously.

But who would do such a nutty thing?

Someone who understands the bowels of suffering through graduate school while working full-time. Someone who's sniffer has snuffed the foul results of merry-making at the world's longest buffets.

Someone who cares that the putrid smell I make while "going potty" brings tears to my eyes and chases my dear cats far, far away from my loving arms.

Yes, Marcia. Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.

Oh. My Nose! It is adorned.

Thank you for turning my bathroom into a bakery. I can't wait to poo again!



Monday, November 28, 2005

Help Honey get out of the kill shelter...

This is a cross-post...
"This is Honey. She is listed as a lab mix but as you can see she definitely is a pit mix. Petco wouldn't let them get her out at an adoptathon because she looked too much like a pit. She is young, less than a year, playful and very sweet. She is starting to get a little cage crazy. She has been at the shelter way too long and is in urgent need of either a foster or permanent home asap. She is on the urgent list. She is at the Dickson Tennessee Humane Society. It is a kill shelter. I will personally pay all expenses for her to be fully vetted, microchipped and will help with transportation to anyone who can help save this girl. Today is November 28th and the shelter is closed on Mon. and Tue. I am pulling another one from there this week so hopefully that will buy her a little time. I just know that she is at the top of the list when they fill up again. Please forward to anyone you think might can help this girl."

Laura Mucerino
Luvabull Foster & Rescue
Dickson, TN
615-426-8123

Friday, November 18, 2005

welcome to my hysterectomy party...

I'm hosting a going-away party for my uterus. I have been angry at my womb for years for making me so miserable. I planned my entire life around my uterus' condition du jour.

But maybe I should feel sorry for it. Maybe it didn't want to be lumpy and painful. It's been scoped, operated on, medicated and biopsied. Maybe I do feel a little bad just throwing it away.

But then again, maybe it needs to be "euthanized."

Or is that the same as snuffing out the disabled?

Maybe I should explain to my uterus that I appreciate the efforts, but it just didn't work out between us, that it won't have to work so hard now; that it deserves a rest. A permanent vacation.

I sketched out with my mouse a characterization of my poor, old lumpy uterus. You can see it quite plainly in the sidebar. I thought I would throw a farewell party to mark the end of its reign over my life.

So if you are madly rich, stupid or a little bit of both, you can click on my uterus and buy it a good-bye gift. If you're like me you can click and be amused by the long list of stuff you would never buy for a stranger.

In any case, an era is coming to a (stitched) close...

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

what is the word...

I got tagged like an animal for a weird little meme thanks to old Barry, old pal, old friend... hmmmph.
Here's the thing...
1. FLIP open a dictionary and point to a word.
2. Type the word into Google images.
3. PICK an image that strikes you.
4. Write a 10 line RIFF off the image.
5. Use the word or the meaning of the word at least once within the first 5 lines of your riff.
6. Tag 3 other bloggers on your list.


Like Barry, I bucked the system and wrote whatever the hell I wanted to, especially since I don't know what a "riff" is...I thought that had to do with guitars. I guess I'm not hip anymore.

Anyhoo, here's the image and the psychologically distorted story I wrote...the word appears at the end in quotations. Don't hurt yourself having too much fun. I'm going to tag Critter, Piggy and Punkin's Mom...
**********
Barbie couldn't understand why someone would want to desecrate her meticulous appearance with slimy, smelly escargot and their resultant fetid poo.

She thought that wasn't nice at all. She thought it would be great if she could move her hard plastic arms all by herself and get the snail shit off of her face and neck.

"Where's that stupid kid?" she thought. She could feel the snail dung sliding down her brow and into the corner of her left eye.

"Why did they have to paint my eyes open anyway? I'd rather not see everything." She could feel the snails massaging along, up and down her neck; back and forth across her face, leaving a nasty meringue over her eyes through which she could hardly see.

"Where IS that stupid kid?" she wondered again, finally noticing she was amid boxes, crushed cans and strings of dried up spaghetti.

If her mouth had been painted open, she could have screamed. "Oh, God, no! Not the dumpster!" She could only imagine having the power to put her face in her hands and sob. She knew she had been replaced by a Barbie with more bling, a shorter skirt, better boobs, a more flamboyant Ken, and a shiny black Escala*de filled full of Dom.

"That bitch!"


(The word was "meticulous")

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

this is really funny...

You really should read this hilarious article by one of our local columnists/authors...Confessions of a Non-Pet Owner

I pity the fool who doesn't accessorize with dog and cat hair daily.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

many things are revealed to you when you are at your most vulnerable...

Don't you think this is true? I have grown just as much as I have suffered this year. The sword goes into your chest and comes out your back as a strange bouquet of flowers. That's what I think grief is like. I know I would not have started painting for 3-5 hours every night if I had not been battling the emotional upheaval of grief. I had played around with painting a little, but it became my guardian angel after the accident. It kept me alive inside and it helped me escape. I suppose discovering that way of expressing myself was a gift left for me.

There can be gifts for us if we accept them.

The internship is going well. It is a busy, lively place where everyone works as a team and helps one another. Everyone works through lunch, but they're happy doing what they do. I am challenged every time I go spend time with the therapists there, and they throw me into situations that make me think on my feet and perform in a way I never thought possible.

I'll count that as a gift, too.

In with the sword; out with the flowers. If ya' live. ;-)

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

turds on a stick...

Why I felt the need to title this post "turds on a stick," well, I just don't know. Maybe because my stomach has been in knots so much recently.

It seems that taking a little time off has helped. I finally felt a little bit of my mojo coming back today, but I have to get through the next four weeks without losing my mind. Since my internship ran into roadblocks early on (even though it was not my doing) I have 31 extra hours of internship left to squeeze in on top of the 16 hours extra a week of regular internship. Now, tell me how the hell am I going to do that? I guess I will have to take some vacation days from my regular job and work some full days of internship. Being laid up from major surgery is starting to look better and better all the time. No shit, I'm looking forward to being in a flat-on-my-back position regardless of pain and stitches. At least I will not have "THE LIST" hanging over my head.

Maybe "turds on a stick" is quite appropriate.

But, why do women pee on the toilet seat and then bitch at men for leaving the seat up? I lose a strand of DNA every time I go into a public bathroom and see a bunch of she-spray on the toilet. The toilets are far nastier when people DON'T sit on the seat. Use the friggin' ass-doilies they provide for gawd-sakes.

See, I AM feeling better today. Mrrrrraarrrwwwww! Pfffffffffttttt!

Friday, November 04, 2005

well, I don't want to write about it...

This is probably one of the longest hiatuses (sp?) I've had in a while. I just am so emotionally spent trying to close up Daddy's estate, clean out his house, working to learn a new profession, trying to keep the old one going, etc., etc... I just got to the point where that was all I had to say. I'm really really tired--mentally and emotionally. I make bizarre mistakes because I can't think straight. I go to work and try not to cry sometimes.

It's been a very complicated road working through the grief and all the issues that have come up in settling the estate business. I took the day off today because I really felt like I needed to take care of myself today. I felt guilty for doing it, but I just had to get away from everyone and everything for a day-well except for writing a short paper for school this morning...

When I actually stop, I don't know if I feel worse or better because I have time to feel...and that doesn't always bring a smile to my face these days. Grief is a long process and I guess I didn't want to keep saying the same thing over and over. For people around you...it's over. For you, you're trying to figure out how to make sense of things and move on somehow. It's just hard; especially since Daddy and I were finally starting to get close. It was a cruel twist for me. I waited all my life to get close and then I got to say goodbye to him in a black body bag in the middle of the night. Not fair. Not fair.

So, anyway, I am having a hysterectomy next month. No shit. I'll be out for 4-6 weeks, which may be the only way I can take a "vacation." Ha. Ha. I'm sure I'll have a blast. My fibroids are back with a vengeance and I've tried every medieval torture procedure the gyn has-and they have a lot. Time to say goodbye to the Lumpy Pear of Doom. As far as I'm concerned, good riddance.

So that is what's been going on.

In a nutshell.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

yippeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

American Horse Defense Fund: US Horse Slaughter Will Halt
PR Newswire (press release) - New York,NY,USA
27 /PRNewswire/ -- The brutal horse slaughter industry in the US was dealt an appropriate and overdue blow on Wednesday, October 26 when the US House and ...
See all stories on this topic

Horses Win Reprieve from Slaughter
U.S. Newswire (press release) - Washington,DC,USA
... 26 /US Newswire/ -- Horse slaughter will finally stop next year following approval of the Horse Slaughter Amendment in the Agriculture Appropriations ...
See all stories on this topic

Anti-slaughter bill introduced in US Senate
Thoroughbred Times - Lexington,KY,USA
A measure introduced in the United States Senate on Monday would permanently ban horse slaughter for human consumption as well as the international transport ...

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

in absentia...

I'm around, just up to my ears and then some. We start cleaning out my father's house this weekend--the mention of it makes my neck hurt even worse than it does now. I'm working it seems around the clock between one job or the other or preparing groups for the next day. I'll be back but only sporadically. I miss reading everyone else's blogs. I hope everyone is ok. I am thinking of you guys.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

HORSE SLAUGHTER AMENDMENT THREATENED

Not to be a pessimist, but I knew this would happen. You can't turn your back for a minute...PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

BW...These links might help:

  • Fort Worth Star Telegram...requires account creation...
  • from Reuters

  • Tuesday, October 18, 2005

    Pups in Urgent Need

    These are crosspostings for pups in need this week!



    Please help if you can! Please pass around to your friends to help place these two sweet animals--they will be gassed this week.

    Husky's are coming out of the woodwork lately! These two sweeties need help fast - please crosspost to all Sib contacts. Bad news folks...they use the gas box at Ohio County and these two have to get out before the end of this week or that will be their fate. If anyone can help them, please contact Lori at lori_r15@(nospam)yahoo.com or cell - 734-646-0386.

    If no response, you can contact Gloria at 270-298-4499 or email - Gloriat@(nospam)ohiocounty.net. Please keep trying!

    Lacey & Juneau were left in the after-hours boxes. Lacey (adult) needs a home where she can get lots of exercise and love. She is very loving and affectionate, but still unsure about her surroundings and why she is at the shelter. Juneau (pup) will fit in with any family who wants a little girl to play with the kids and grow up with them. Juneau is about three months old. She likes being with her mom, but has a great time playing in the exercise pen with the volunteers who come to socialize the dogs. Lacey is a little more reserved but is friendly and good-natured.

    Ohio County Animal Shelter
    Hartford, KY
    270-298-4499
    mailto:4ocanimals@(nospam)ohiocounty.net




    Mickey is a one year old male Rotti mix, who came to us under the most unfortunate circumstances. He was found on the side of a rural country road with a 2 week old wound to his rear leg. His leg had been tangled in something, most likely a chain, and had cut off the circulation until the flesh was literally dying. Despite the pain of his injury, Mickey is a very sweet, and loving dog. He was named Mickey, after his character, and the character he resembles so much. We are trying desperately to save his leg by doing hydrotherapy twice a day, and giving large doses of antibiotics. It is still unsure if the leg can be saved. The estimate on the vet bill is up to $400 so far. We are pleading for any contributions to help us ensure this guy doesn't have to be euthanized due to such unfortunate circumstances for such a wonderful dog. We have set up a pay pal account with our local Humane Society treasurer to make your contributions to. That pay pal address is tdiana1@(nospam)bellsouth.net or you can mail your contribution to Humphreys County Humane Society at 103 North Church St., Waverly, TN 37185. Please specify for Mickey. With your generousity, we can give this great young dog a second chance at a better life. Any extra money received above the cost of Mickey's care, will be used to help another animal in need. Mickey will be available for adoption. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (931)296-7319 or you can email me at shltr@(nospam)bellsouth.net.

    Thank You, Angela Rye
    Shelter Director


    Sunday, October 16, 2005

    in a nutshell...

    been too tired to get into bloggin' recently...

  • planned and led my first two therapy groups last week
  • planning another tonight before I go to bed for tomorrow
  • zombified at work
  • zombified at home
  • trying to do enough painting to keep something up on Ebay
  • animals on more meds again (cha-ching; Sadie still has to adjust her Cushing's Disease meds; which are coincidentally causing her painful dermatitis, which is earning her a handful of pills and constant bathing/creme-rinsing
  • moving every pile of shit in house to another area in the house, to the dump, the driveway with a "free" sign on it or to the used bookstore
  • listening to two great CDs: the new Fiona Apple, Extraordinary Machine and the Super Furry Animals, Love Kraft. Dig 'em both, big time.
  • still not sleeping enough, except for the last two nights I was able to get some good snooze time.
  • the weeks are so long and exhausting these days that I really dread Mondays more than ever...
  • on the plus side I'm learning a lot and getting good experience...I just need a vacation.
  • One of my favorite, if not my favorite painters, Lori Nelson. Check her stuff out. I think it's really spectacular.

  • Wednesday, October 12, 2005

    I can't even...

    I can't even begin to wrap my mind around what has happened in Pakistan. Way too much disaster this year.

    GIVE THROUGH THE NETWORK FOR GOOD

    Wednesday, October 05, 2005

    really close to retarded...

    I've been getting 4-5 hours of sleep a night for about eight weeks now. I've come to realize I have been literally rationing my brainpower. No blog reading. I might open one, but I can't seem to put forth the energy to pleasure-read.

    I go to work now at the hairy crack of dawn and start yucketing through my email. Change this. Add that. Update this. Post this. Blah, boring, blah. I do it. I return my mail. I check my calendar. During my fieldwork (internship) hours, I have to be on, attentive, taking therapy notes, deliberating, engaging, thinking on my feet, figuring out how I am going to convince them I'm not an idiot. Then I go back to work and stay into the evening--somewhere between 6:30 and 8:30 on the days I put in field hours. We're cleaning out the house from top to bottom so that and a little bit of painting is the rest of my free time.

    It would probably be easier if I wasn't a walking zombie. But I can't sleep. I haven't been able to sleep since Daddy died. Now that I have to get up so early, I sleep even less. I go to bed between 11pm and midnight, fall asleep in about an hour; then I'm awake again somewhere between 3-4 am; then back to sleep after a while and wake up about 5:45; then the alarm goes off at 5:50...going to bed earlier doesn't help much. I am a natural night owl and my body won't shut down early.

    Why am I telling you all this? Because I'm getting really close to retarded. Sometimes I stare at my computer and wonder how much time has passed. I wonder if the rest of the office is mad at me because my hours have become irregular. I wonder if the therapists who have met me so far like me. I wonder why I care so much about either of those issues. I wonder if when it's my turn to lead a therapy group that I can even stay awake and coherent. I wonder when I will stop typing nonsense and go back to staring into space...whatever.

    better late than never...

    Too busy lately...sheesh. Seems like everyone is. ANYWAY, these are pics from last weekend's transport. I'm transporting a carload of pups this weekend, too. I can't stop!

    it's Barry's fault I'm a pinko-commie...

    You are a

    Social Liberal
    (70% permissive)

    and an...

    Economic Liberal
    (5% permissive)

    You are best described as a:

    Socialist




    Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid
    Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

    Monday, October 03, 2005

    What the ripe, rotten...this is outrageous cruelty...

    Sign a petition against dogs being used as sharkbait.

    I shit you not. I thought it was a stupid tabloid story until I went to the RSPCA (Britain's ASPCA) site and checked it out.

    I'm going to start wearing a fucking sandwich sign that says "the end of the world is near." I'm telling you I want to start a new planet with people who have a full set of genes.

    Update: READ WHAT SNOPES SAYS ABOUT THIS STORY. I was especially suspicious because of the lack of swelling and/or blood in the photo of the "hooked" dog, but apparently the practice exists, but the article is probably not entirely accurate (gasp! the media doesn't report inaccuracies, do they...DO THEY?!!)

    BUT, the world is still ending and I am STILL going to wear that sandwich board.

    p.s. A funny aside. I was turning this story into Snopes.com as they were writing it up. They sent me a link to the write-up about an hour later saying they were in the process of putting on the site when they received the e-mail. Ok, it wasn't funny...maybe a somewhat-interesting aside.

    Whatever, I'm tired. I never get enough sleep. I have puppy transport pics but I haven't gotten around to getting them on here. There's also a new painting up, "Mealtime at Crazy Cat Lady's House - 2"

    Friday, September 30, 2005

    sweet sixteen...paws that is...

    Whelp, I've done it again. My Friday night will be a yowler. I'm transporting two adult dogs and two puppies to the upper crust of Tennessee's border tonight right after work. Once again, my mother and I will taking a little animal adventure together. I'm practically cross-eyed I'm so tired, but cute animals always keep me excited enough to remain coherent.

    Posting has been lesser than more this week, other than emergency postings. I've just been ridiculously:
    a) busy
    b) tired
    c) overwhelmed
    d) all of the above

    "D" would be correct. I'm ready for a weekend and transporting rescues is just the way to get it started off with a smile.

    Even though I need the money, I'm having even more fun giving it away through my little charity paintings.

    Oh yeah, and I got juried into EBSQ+!!! After looking at the other artists who made it through the jury, I was stunned that I was included. I'm just being honest, not humble. There are some fantastic artists in there. Lovely LoLo is one of them (tho' she's been in the Plus section for a while)...her artwork is awesome.

    Toodles now. I shall attempt to take pics of the little smilers on the way up to the upper crusty...

    Tuesday, September 27, 2005

    Urgent Plea for LA Pits

    This is a crosspost regarding the current situation with pit bull pups in the hurricane-ravaged areas--with permission...

    "...got this e-mail this morning from a shelter board member. Lacey said it's awful. She said that in Gonzales alone they have about 200 pits. She has formed her own group of people there and they are just going out in the streets and finding strays and distributing food and water. She said there are still dogs in houses and in fenced-in yards and they are only able to feed them, they can't take them. She said a lot of the pits are in or came from the projects. Most of the females have sagging teets from being bred over and over. They have seen dead dogs in fenced-in backyards. She said they are just gathering and crating the ones they will bring back. They have about 12 dogs of various breeds right now to bring back and place. She has pits wandering up and sleeping in her tent at night just happy be with a person. She has 4 female pits and 1 male pit as of right now and she will be coming home this weekend to bring them. We need to find fosters for them to go to ASAP. She said most of these dogs wouldn't be claimed but that they will post them on Petfinder as victims of Katrina and give owners 30 days to claim before they can be placed in permanent homes. She said they still are not letting people back in yet so people have no way of claiming their dogs.

    PLEASE, PLEASE pass this on and crosspost widely. We will assist with transport and expenses if necessary. These dogs will be coming to Dickson, TN. I know a lot of you are full right now but if you can just find room for one more I know you will be blessed. I will be taking one of the females. Thank you and if you have any questions you can e-mail me and I'll try to help. Below is the info that I had received by e-mail before I talked to Lacey.

    Laura Mucerino (click to email her)
    Luvabull Foster & Rescue
    Dickson, TN

    It is really a very sad situation.
    Lacey called me this morning. At this moment in time she has the following she prays you can find a place for:
    1. male, intact, thin, very sweet. Brindle and white
    2. female, red/white, ok with most other dogs, shows some food agression
    3. beautiful blue female-is in an apartment now, she is feeding until she has a place to take it.Let me know.Thanks!"

    Monday, September 26, 2005

    Hollis and the Tennessee Ninja Team

    I love smart people...
    Read about Dr. Hollis and her team

    Saturday, September 24, 2005

    Needed: Buddies for Bullies

    This is a CROSSPOST:

    Hi all,
    You may already know this but just thought I would send this out. PBRC (I am a volunteer) is coordinating pit rescue efforts so if anyone needs assistance with transporting or finding fosters for pit bulls please e-mail them. They are getting lists of people volunteering pits and help transport. There is also a fund to help rescues/fosters that need help with pits. http://www.pbrc.net/fund/katrina.htm

    We have many volunteers and friends who have been down and back and down and back to LSU and Gonsales and the number of pits and rotties are HUGE! Thanks for all your help with all these animals, no matter what breed, no matter what species.

    Merry Young
    merry@pbrc.net
    PBRC Adoption Counselor
    www.pbrc.net
    http://www.pbrc.net/fund/katrina.htm
    http://www.pbrc.net/dogpages/east/braveheart11604.html

    Friday, September 23, 2005

    the beginning of the end...

    ...tonight I wrote the final check to the lawyer to close my father's estate...in tears; steeped in the bitter abyss of lingering grief...the "business" of his death is coming to a close...little by little I lose my connection to his presence here on Earth...closing doors is so fucking unfair.

    ...on a less dissonant note, I will be posting another charity auction for the Humane Society of the United States. I hope to have it up this weekend...it might be my favorite so far...I am honored that people have been so generous in buying my art for such a good cause. Some of the major rescue groups have already depleted their funds on this rescue mission, so if you're interested and you've won the lottery lately, well...

    Tuesday, September 20, 2005

    FINALLY A REASON TO CELEBRATE!!!!!!

    Today I am tearful with joy. The Senate voted 68-29 today to prohibit use of federal taxpayer dollars for the slaughter of horses for food export. Click the image for more details. Check out more information on the Stop Horse Slaughter Blog.

    Sunday, September 18, 2005

    Something to forward to friends...

    CLICK HERE TO VIEW A PRESENTATION AND PLEA FOR THE SMALL VICTIMS LEFT BEHIND...

    PLEASE CONTACT THE PRESIDENT TO RESCUE THE LAST VICTIMS

    Please call or email President Bush and other officials today and urge them to provide assistance to the Humane Society and other rescue organizations to help the animals left in the wake of Katrina.

    I changed this post because some anal dweeb reported the site for plagiarism. I sincerely doubt the Humane Society would have minded me spreading the word on an emergency plea for help. Ordinarily I would not post a "replica" of something, but sometimes there are greater things to be accomplished and I view the HSUS as a partner. Some people need more to do. Hell, I even left their credit intact.

    Whatever.

    Do please just take time to click the link and send a message. THAT was the important part to begin with. Thanks!

    Saturday, September 17, 2005

    The dish on Katrina (NO) animal rescue--please read the previous post...it's important...

    Before you read this post, read the previous post.

    ...but this one is important, too...

    here is a straight-from-the-horse's-mouth email about the animal rescue operations in New Orleans that we have been so terribly worried about:

    "Subject: phone conversation with La. Asst. State vet

    cross posted from http://www.nola.com pet rescue forum 9/17

    11565. UPDATE re Littlefield, N.O. animal rescues
    by Lavajunkie, 9/17/05 8:17 ET
    posting as a favor: IMPORTANT UPDATE re Asst. State Veterinarian / N.O. animal rescues I want everybody to know of a conversation I had late this afternoon (Friday, 9/16.) with Dr. Martha Littlefield, the Assistant State Veterinarian. She is the front-man in the rescue operations, working closely with the VMAT teams, La-SPCA and HUSA, and even the Mississippi state vet.

    This conversation ended a day of many TC's and a few emails with state / government / private sector personnel, including several deans at the La School of Vet Med, the Area Emergency Coordinator (a vet (I think)from Utah volunteering his time,) the logistics coordinator for the US Dept of Agriculture, a gentleman at HUSA that works directly under Wayne Pacelle(who is back in La today,) and the Commissioner (top dog) of the Louisiana Dept of Agriculture and Forestry, the department under which the state vet operates.

    To make a long (almost 30 minute conversation) story short, I found her to be of pleasant demeanor, courteous, and informative, as I did the others I spoke with today. She was exceptionally generous with her time. She has been receiving calls on her cell phone (it was published on the web, and yes I have it and her email, but no, I'm not distributing them) 24 hours a day. Many if not most of these calls are nasty, with people cursing at her. Such behavior is unbecoming the caller, and is NOT warranted.

    I felt MUCH better about the rescue efforts after talking with her. And, I have complete confidence in what she told me.

    The GOOD NEWS:

    1. Hay and cat and dog food, along with water buckets, are now being dropped from helicopters into Plaquemines Parish. Much of the Parish is still not accessible by vehicle.

    2. They are on the verge of opening two additional shelters; sites have been chosen, and now it is just the logistics of the paperwork, getting electricity turned on, etc. If I had to guess, I would think just a few days until there is substantially increased capacity for animal holding.

    She explained to me the actions that were taken BEFORE Katrina hit, and gaveme a history of the rescue operations, and also of the opening of the various shelters currently open.

    She (along with the Commissioner) assured me that they have NEVER instituted or called for a 30 day quarantine. What they did do, was council with other vets / health personnel who jointly decided that in order to protect the public health from possible epidemics ("possible" because no one knows what bio-hazards most of these animals have been exposed to, and what diseases they may have acquired in their recent struggle - including those for which fleas and ticks, etc., are vectors) the animals should be held for 15 days, and if transported out of state, should be held for another 15 days, to allow time for owners to claim their pets. So the rumored 30 day quarantine is only a rumor, the 30 day period is to allow pets to be re-united with their owners. A good priority, I think.

    Rescue personnel (not shelter / staging area workers) must be creden tialed" by the Dept of Agriculture and Forestry. They want rescuers to have real animal experience to help ensure the safety of the people. She said (not an exact quote, but as close as I can recall) "If you've ever been on the other side of a dog fight, you know it's somewhere you don't want to be." (My note: Ever seen a pit bull in full aggression? They become single-minded, oblivious to commands and physical pain (such as hitting them with a stick to try to distract them.) They will only become distracted long enough to get rid of the irritation - as by biting their owner. I have seen one go through a plate-glass window to attack its litter-mate. And I'm not
    talking about a dog trained / bed / raised for fighting - I'm talking about a pet,
    a sweet, loving pet who was raised with and loves cats, rabbits, you name it. It can be, in two words, terrifying / dangerous.) Dr. Littlefield went on to comment that ANY breed of dog can be dangerous; their most recent case of a dog killing a child was by a smaller breed (she told me, but I don't remember the breed.) She herself is permanently scarred - from a bite from a small dog.

    I implored her to write all that she told me, so the story would be complete, and from the source. She needs to confirm protocol (damn the red tape) but I am hopeful she will do so and distribute, which I offered to do for her. She and her colleagues are NOT the enemy, I am convinced. People working with / under her have even saved mice!

    The Dept of Ag is taking a terrible financial toll. History has proven that they will get little or no financial reimbursement from the Feds. I would like to suggest that after things calm down, we set up a fund specifically for that department. if each of the thousands of us contributed just a few dollars, we could substantially alleviate their financial troubles. And maybe consider doing the same for other departments and organizations"

    *** Permission to cross post granted ***

    Friday, September 16, 2005

    TELL YOUR SENATOR YOU WANT HORSE SLAUGHTER TO STOP!!!

    THE VOTE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT WEEK. THIS GIVES US A CHANCE TO MAKE MORE NOISE - PLEASE KEEP THE PHONES AND FAX MACHINES RINGING, AND FORWARD THIS FAR AND WIDE.

    Last June, your efforts were instrumental in the House of Representatives voting to stop the use of any federal taxpayer funds to slaughter horses. Now Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) are expected to introduce an identical measure in the Senate, in the form of an amendment to the Senate Agriculture
    Appropriations Bill. If the amendment passes in the Senate, it will in effect stop the brutal slaughter of horses - both wild and domestic - in the United States for human consumption abroad.

    Please take a moment to contact your two U.S. Senators TODAY, urging their immediate support of the Ensign/Byrd Agriculture Appropriations Amendment. The Senate will consider the amendment during the week of Sept. 19, so your immediate assistance is critical. We must reach every single member of the U.S. Senate and secure their vote. There is no other way to win this battle for America's horses.


    TAKE ACTION TODAY!

  • Call or fax YOUR TWO US SENATORS
  • Ask them to support the Ensign/Byrd Agriculture Appropriations Amendment (prohibiting your tax dollars from being spent on horse slaughter) and respectfully request their specific position on the issue. The fact sheet below can be used for talking points. Your phone call or fax could make all the difference.
  • Pass the message far and wide - it is critical that the phones resonate on Capitol Hill
  • To find your two US Senators, visit www.senate.gov or call the Capitol Hill operator at (202) 224-3121.

    On behalf of the horses, thank you for your support,

    The AWHPC Team
    American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign
    www.wildhorsepreservation.org




    FACTS ABOUT HORSE SLAUGHTER
  • Last year three foreign-owned slaughter plants cruelly slaughtered more than 65,000 horses for human consumption in Europe and Asia.
  • Tens of thousands more of America's horses were exported and slaughtered in other countries. Slaughter is NOT humane euthanasia. Horses suffer horribly on the way to and during slaughter.
  • Passage of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) will reduce animal suffering - hence its wide support throughout the equestrian and veterinary world, as well as the humane community.
  • Americans support an end to horse slaughter for human consumption overwhelmingly (polls from Kentucky, Texas and Utah respectively show that 82, 72 and 69 percent of those questioned oppose the practice). In California, a 1998 ballot initiative (Prop. 6) banning horse slaughter for human consumption passed with 60 percent of the vote.

    1. Sick and old horses to slaughter

      Question: Is it true that slaughter is only a last resort for infirm, dangerous or horses who are no longer serviceable?

      Answer: 92.3 percent of horses arriving at slaughter plants in this country are in "good" condition, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Guidelines for Handling and Transporting Equines to Slaughter.

    2. Neglect and abuse

      Question: Will horse abuse and neglect cases rise significantly following a ban on slaughter?

      Answer: There has been no documented rise in abuse and neglect cases in California since the state banned horse slaughter for human consumption in 1998. There is no documented rise in Illinois following closure of the state's only horse slaughter plant in 2002.

    3. Cost of caring for "unwanted horses."

      Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horse rescue and retirement groups have the resources to take care of unwanted horses? Should the government have to pay for the care of horses given up voluntarily by their owners?

      Answer: Not every horse going to slaughter will need to be absorbed into the rescue community. Many will be sold to a new owner, others will be kept longer and a licensed veterinarian will humanely euthanize some. Opponents of this legislation admit passage of the bill will not necessarily lead to an increase in the number of horses sent to rescue facilities, precisely because humane
      euthanasia is so widely used. It is not the government's responsibility to provide for the care of horses given up voluntarily by their owners, as these animals are private property. Hundreds of horse rescue organizations operate around the country, and additional facilities are being established (a list is
      available).

    4. A safe and humane solution for sick, old and unwanted horses

      Question: If slaughter is not an option, what will we do with sick, old and "unwanted horses?"

      Answer: Approximately 690,000 horses die annually in this country (10 percent of an estimated population of 6.9 million) and the vast majority are not slaughtered, but euthanized and rendered or buried without any negative environmental impact. Humane euthanasia and carcass disposal is highly affordable and widely available. The average cost of having a horse humanely euthanized and safely disposing of the animal's carcass is approximately $225, while the average monthly cost of keeping a horse is approximately $200.

    5. Export of horses for slaughter abroad

      Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter in the United States, will there be an increase in the export of horses for foreign slaughter? Will horses suffer from longer transport for slaughter in countries where there may be weaker welfare laws?

      Answer: Horse slaughter has declined dramatically in the United States over the past decade, but there has been no correlating increase in the number of American horses exported for slaughter abroad. Further, the AHSPA prohibits the export of horses for slaughter abroad and contains clear enforcement and penalty provisions to prevent this from happening. Risk of federal
      prosecution and the high costs associated with illegally transporting horses long distances for slaughter abroad are strong deterrents.

    6. Standards of care at sanctuaries and rescue organizations

      Question: Is it true no standards exist for horse rescue facilities that take unwanted horses?

      Answer: The Doris Day Animal League and the Animal Welfare Institute published "Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility" in 2004. Additionally, the Association of Sanctuaries and the American Sanctuaries Association provide accreditation programs, a code of ethics and guidelines for the operation of sanctuaries and rescue organizations. Horse rescue
      groups must also provide for the welfare of horses in their custody in compliance with state and local animal welfare laws.

    7. Use of horsemeat in pet food

      Question: If there is a ban on horse slaughter, will horsemeat no longer be available for pet food?

      Answer: There is no horsemeat in pet food. This practice stopped decades ago and has some connection to the enactment of protections for America's wild horses in 1971. The US public and Congress were outraged to learn federal agencies were rounding up and allowing the exploitation and slaughter of these
      national treasures for items such as pet food. Some by-products of the horse slaughter industry are used in various consumer items, but they are derived from the rendering of dead horses (a different process than slaughter and not affected by the AHSPA) and other animals.

  • Wednesday, September 14, 2005

    The weight of it all...sigh

  • Some Are Found, All Are Lost...Littlest Victims: The luckiest ones are merely displaced. The unlucky still can't find their parents. For every one, the trauma will last a lifetime.

  • Uncharted Territory...Mental Health Experts Struggle to Forecast Katrina's Psychological Impacts -- and Best Treatments

  • number nine

    Today is our ninth wedding aniversary!

    Somehow we've survived one another. He's neat. I'm messy. He's very structured. I'm very laid back. He's outgoing. I'm shy. He eats things with eyeballs. I don't. He plays by the rules no matter what. I like to bend them according to the situation. He can't give medicine to the cats. Therefore, I am the medicine lady. He grabs our animals and plays with them. I lure them to me with my psychic powers (yes, I'm kidding). He likes to get laundry done. I'll go buy new underwear to keep from doing it. He spits his toothpaste all over the sink. I wipe his crusty toothpaste spit off of the sink. He throws stuff away. I am a packrat. He stays out until 3 with his friends. I'm home before midnight. On regular nights he goes to bed early. I like to stay up late (or at least I used to before I had to start getting up at 5:45 am!) He has the gift of gab. I have the gift of keyboarding. He has a tender heart for animals. So do I. He has a zany, often politically incorrect sense of humor. So do I, except I'm probably less politically incorrect...most definitely zany. I can't figure out why we get along, but we do and I'm blessed to be married to such a great guy :-)

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. I LERV YOU MORE THAN GOAT CHEESE (and that's a lot!)

    And, no, that's not us, but it is a pretty funny picture, especially of the man's swimtrunks...

    Tuesday, September 13, 2005

    Updates on Hurricane Katrina Animal Rescue Efforts

    UPDATE FROM Petfinder.com: Nobody loves the Internet and gossip more than me, but we all know the combination can be very troubling. I have become aware of some troubling rumors circulating about the care of the animals at emergency facilities in the New Orleans area.

    Most of the national animal welfare organizations - everyone from Best Friends out West to the ASPCA out East - are collaborating on the disaster relief effort. The rescue teams that are heroically saving pets are a mish-mosh of agencies as are the people running the temporary shelters. It is heartening to see staff and volunteers from groups as diverse as The HSUS, The Animal Rescue League of Boston, KittyCo Rescue and Last Chance Ranch all working side by side triaging pets, scooping poop and making food drops.

    There are several troubling rumors right now that are harming the morale of the animal welfare community. I care about this because our own Petfinder people are down there. Mike and Joan, known to you as the Petfinder press team, are taking photos of pets as I type this (they also happen to be my parents). It is important for you to know that the people who are there are committed and caring.

    So here are some things to keep in mind: we've been assured that no animals are being euthanized for space. In fact, they are working to move hundreds of animals a day into other shelter facilities throughout the state and country to ensure they have enough space to accept more. Also, no owned pet will knowingly be adopted without giving their family ample time to locate them.

    If temporary sheltering and emergency response were a perfect science, we wouldn't call these events disasters. But they are disasters. Please know that there are major forces at work to reunite these pets with their owners. Together we will rebuild. Together -- in partnership with every single one of you reading this. -Betsy

    Fantastic article on what the situation is like for the rescuers...from St. Petersburg Times...at the end are some resources if you want to help.

    Rescuers search city for marooned animals

    excerpts:
    "Maretti, a Chico, Calif., firefighter, climbs inside through a back window and pushes a small brown dog through the back door's metal railings and into Elmslie's waiting hands.

    But he's got an 80-pound problem. A listless black retriever mix lies inside, too weak to move or even bark.

    The pair tries to use a crowbar and a 2-by-4 to force open the metal security door. When both fail, they summon other rescuers and form a human chain to lift the hulking dog through a window and over the putrid floodwaters into the boat.

    Finally, they succeed.

    One saved. Perhaps tens of thousands more to go."

    ...The water rescuers move swiftly and listen for barks, meows and almost inaudible whimpers. Many rescuers are old hands, having responded to disasters all over the world, including the tsunami in Thailand, floods in India and oil spills in Spain and South Africa.

    But this rescue is different.

    'This is one of the worst disasters I've ever seen, primarily because of the huge devastation,' said Anand Ramanathan, a veterinarian who heads IFAW's disaster relief programs."

    ...'We take every one we can get,' he said. 'If we think that there's any chance at all that this animal is going to make it, we take it.'

    Craig will sit for hours on the median and wait for teams to bring back their catches. He sends the rescuers out with a warning about the murky water.

    'If you slip and fall, I'll have to kill you where you fall,' he said smiling. 'You kids have fun. Check in with dad every so often.'"

    ...Laura Maloney, executive director for the Louisiana Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the group takes in 500 animals a day. At this pace, she expects to have shuffled at least 9,000 animals through the shelter by the end of this week.

    'We're racing against the clock,' she said. This is the biggest disaster we've ever seen in our history for animals.'

    More examinations occur at the Expo Center. Animals are treated for injuries and put in stalls. Volunteers create an identification file, which contains each pet's care instructions and, if possible, the address at which they were rescued.

    Soon, Maloney said, volunteers will post photos of each animal on a Web site, www.petfinder.com with the hope of reuniting pets and owners. So far, about 100 animals have been reunited.'"

    ...The rescuers compare dog bites; rub their lesions with Betadine and scrub their hands incessantly with bottles of Purell hand sanitizer.

    They also talk about the ones they left behind.

    'We were full; we couldn't bring them back,' said Sam Hall, a Largo developer who joined the effort late last week. 'A lot of them aren't going to make it through the night.' The crews vowed to return, but bad news doused their plans.

    The temporary veterinary triage center in Jefferson Parish was not accepting animals. Dozens of animals sent there earlier in the day were turned away.

    There were no more empty crates for the animals left behind.

    Craig, the operation leader, worries that the dogs already in the crates will overheat. He orders the crews to pack up and head to Gonzales.

    'I want to get these dogs there alive," he said. "I'm not wasting everybody's good work.'

    But when they reached the Expo Center, there was more disappointment. Officials there turned them away, too. It was already overcrowded.

    The team eventually found refuge for the animals at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Every animal, even the injured, made it there alive.

    But the day had taken its toll on the water rescuers.

    'I'm disappointed,' said Shirley Minshew, and IFAW disaster on-site coordinator from Macon, Ga. 'The animals haven't done anything wrong, and it's not fair for them to pay the price. We're risking our lives being in that nasty water to save these animals because we believe in what we're doing.'

    With the shelter closed to incoming animals, the rescuers spent Sunday loading up animals for shipment to Houston."

    PLEASE HELP; GIVE TO:
  • ASPCA | Read the Rescue Diary
  • LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Humane Society of the United States
  • Noah's Wish
  • Best Friends (yeah! they have set up a shelter in St. Bernhard's Parish where the animal population was in dire need! thank you!)
  • IFAW
  • American Humane Association
    -->Check out your organization here: Charity Navigator

  • Monday, September 12, 2005

    Someone needs to tell the truth...

    Originally, the HSUS dispelled the animal shoot-to-kill order as rumor, but as people who have been displaced to my city have been interviewed the stories are clear and quite unpleasant. One man, who wanted to bring his animals, was refused and they shot his animals right in front of him. His words: "'They made us get out of the parish, and I wanted to take my animals (but)they shot my animals right in front of me,' said Miller.'" He has one dog left, Sassy.

    Link to that story:http://www.wbir.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=28517




    Also, there is this video from Dallas News where a now-famous Sgt. Minton is busy shooting animals (hurry while it's still working--GRAPHIC WARNING):
    http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/photography/2005/katrina_video/straydogs.html




    And, another PLEA from a blog from the Gulf Coast, GulfSails (http://gulfsails.blogspot.com/2005/09/kelsey-pet-rescue-speaks.html):

    "OK. The report I got from Dr. White who has been rescuing in St. Bernard Parish is that even though he has brought at least 40 dogs, 1 squirrel (a pet) and a Muskovie Duck-Saturday night and another 35 Sunday night, It is a DIRE problem.

    His words: 'There is an unending supply of dogs in St. Bernard Parish and they are dying.' The shoot to kill order has been given, by local officials, but the National Guardsmen don't want to do it. He asked me to put out a plea to ALL ANIMAL RESCUE GROUPS...WE DESPERATLY NEED YOUR HELP. COME DOWN AND GET SOME.

    I have seen other groups, but why are they not going to where the greatest need is? Please contact St. Bernard Sheriff's Department about housing some, and we mean lots, of these animals. I saw a load of Min-Pins and Skipperkees-I know it's spelled wrong-Saturday. These are pure bred small dogs. Our housing capabilities locally are stretched and the State animal shelters that were set up for the Katrina survivors are filling up quickly.

    Please spread the word to any animal rescuers and potential foster families that we need them."




    I have written to the HSUS about this asking for a straight answer. I hope I hear something. I just want to know the truth.




    More--from Petfinder's forums, related news stories and organizational updates:
  • St. Bernhard's Parish Needs Help
  • Mass Euthanasia by HSUS??? THIS IS A FALSE RUMOR!!!!
  • St. Bernhard [parish] Shooting Helpless Animals
  • Animal Friends of Katrina--InfoPage
  • OUTRAGE! letting business owners into NO; why not pet owners?
  • Snowball's Chance | Snowball FOUND

  • Call Now! The Senate vote is upon us!

    (from the Humane Society of the United States)

    Thanks to the outpouring of support and assistance from our members, supporters, and friends, The Humane Society of the United States is continuing our animal rescue operation in response to Hurricane Katrina. We know it is a difficult time for both people and animals and, now, we face another enormous challenge. We need your help immediately to save our horses.

    A crucial vote on whether to end the slaughter of American horses is expected to take place as soon as Tuesday, Sept. 13, in the U.S. Senate. This is our big chance to stop the annual killing of 90,000 American horses for food exports. It is absolutely essential that we reach every single member of the U.S. Senate today to secure their votes for the Ensign-Byrd horse slaughter amendment. Please call and email your two U.S. Senators today!

    1. Make a Call. Please make a brief, polite phone call to each of your two U.S. Senators and urge them to support the Ensign-Byrd horse slaughter amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to your Senators or call their Washington, D.C. offices directly.

    Not sure what to say? You can simply say this:

    "My name is [your name] and I'm calling from [your city and state]. I'm calling to urge Senator [your Senator's name] to support the upcoming Ensign-Byrd* horse slaughter amendment on the Agriculture Appropriations bill. I care very much about our horses and am horrified that thousands are sent to slaughter for European and Asian markets each year. Thank you."
    *Pronounced "En-sin" and "Bird"

    2. Take action. Send an email to your Senators and urge them to support the Ensign-Byrd horse slaughter Agriculture Appropriations amendment. Click here to contact your Senators now.

    3. Spread the word. Every single Senator needs to hear from concerned citizens like you. Ask your friends and family to call their Senators as well. Click here to tell five friends to take action now.

    You have the power to help put an end to the abhorrent practice of butchering our horses for menus overseas. The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed an amendment to prevent the use of tax dollars for horse slaughter. This tremendous victory could stop the slaughter of horses in the U.S. and prevent horses from being shipped elsewhere for slaughter -- IF the Senate passes the Ensign-Byrd amendment this week. Click here to take action today.

    Please stand with us to spare the lives of our wonderful horses. This is the homestretch -- with your help, we can push this legislation across the finish line and save America's horses from a horrible fate. Thank you for all you do on behalf of animals.

    Sincerely,

    Wayne Pacelle
    President & CEO
    The Humane Society of the United States

    P.S. If you are having trouble clicking on the links above, you can take action by cutting and pasting this URL into a new web browser window:
    https://community.hsus.org/campaign/ensign_amendment

    Sunday, September 11, 2005

    paws everywhere!

    The little lab puppy, Sassy, (there was only one, not two as I expected) sat on my lap the whole trip...
    My mother got kind of attached to Foxy Cleopatra. She really did look like a fox with big bat ears and a lean body. Ma is walking her before we load up.
    I didn't get a great picture of Daisy Mae, who was a dobie-mix. She had lived her entire life in shelters! She was very shy and had the saddest demeanor. She would walk up to you and look at you, but she wouldn't make "pet me" gestures. My heart broke for her. She is headed to a foster home, so I hope she'll learn how to play and romp for the first time.More Daisy Mae, Sassy and Zorro up front with the gal from Nashville who handed off the pups to us.
    Zorro was a big powerful pit bull, but he was an absolute perfect gentleman and laid in the backseat and lounged. Daisy Mae and Foxy were crated so we wouldn't run the risk of too many adult dogs getting riled up. Zorro would not go into the crate, so Daisy Mae had to go in.
    The only peep made during the whole trip was Foxy Cleopatra, who went nuts when the windshield wipers were turned on. It scared the shit out of both of us. The pics are not the best because I had my hands so full that I had to rely on my camera phone.

    Woof.

    Friday, September 09, 2005

    A car full of dogs...

    Tomorrow I will be transporting three adult dogs and two puppies to a city about 1.5 hours from here as part of a rescue transport tag-team. My 71 year-old mother has been commandeered once again to help. She thinks it's neat, but I can tell she's a little bewildered by my activities sometimes. I just love getting these sweet animals to responsible owners who will love and take care of them. Every living thing deserves to be respected. They are gifts to be cherished, not thrown away, abused or ignored.

    I am so excited that my charity painting raised over $200 for the Humane Society! I can't believe that! As Lawrence Welk always said, "Wonnerful, wonnerful, wonnerful."

    I've also decided to start my mid-life crisis early and get my nostril pierced. No, really. Why? Because I feel like it, that's why. I'd like to have one of those tiny studs like the beauties of India wear. Of course, I'll probably get fired if I don't cover it up somehow (I have to keep it in long enough to heal). I work in an ultra-conservative office. How did that happen?

    So, where did all that whining go about the fieldwork position you wonder? The terrifying prospect of working so many more hours a week, the getting out the door before the sun comes up. Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!

    Turns out it ain't no thang.

    Why? Because learning something new, useful and personally meaningful has reawakened my poor corporatized soul. I have actually had more energy than usual. The proof is in the pudding (I prefer vanilla, by the way). Now, tonight I really am tired, because I don't sleep more than four or five hours a night and it has caught up with me, but I am hoping I can eventually get my body out of insomnia mode. I haven't had a good night's sleep since Daddy died.

    That's a whole other story.

    That I don't want to talk about right now.

    There have been a lot of folks from the devastated Gulf Coast who have displaced to our area. I will probably get to work with them in a professional capacity which, I think, could be really rewarding and useful.

    So, I think that catches us up for now. I have been really overwhelmed at work and elsewhere as well, so I've not been up to posting much more than urgent messages. Hopefully I can get back to my cantankerous postings someday soon. There is too much sorrow and devastation right now.

    I will look forward to my happy carload of doggies tomorrow to bring us joy and amusement. I shall, of course, try to take photos if they are not camera shy.

    Then I'll get my nose pierced.

    Because I'm 40.

    And I can.

    Storm Aid

    STORM AID SITE

    Wednesday, September 07, 2005

    Wow!

    You guys are so generous! I'm floored. Click on the charity auction on the left to see what I mean. *wipes non-PMS tears from eyes*

    Shall We Debunk These Myths Together? Let's.

    From the ASPCA Rescue Diary...

    (I hope they don't mind me posting this, but the rumors are flying everywhere! I'm glad they posted some definitive responses!)

    "Evening Update, September 5:

    Don't believe everything you hear. The ASPCA has investigated allegations that family pets in Louisiana are being taken from their owners and shot. We have found absolutely no truth to this widely circulated rumor. According to reliable sources, one dog was shot and killed after he tried to attack an officer. There is no order to shoot animals unless they are endangering law enforcement officers. You can help keep a volatile situation from becoming even worse by checking out rumors before passing them on.

    Clearing up false information
    You may have heard the rumor that evacuees in Louisiana are being ordered to abandon their animals. In some cases, they have had to leave their animals but there are many animal rescuers in the area. The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine has assured us that every effort is being made to reunite animals and people. The LSU veterinarian's Office is now coordinating all information about animals stranded in Louisiana. They have a 30-computer and phone bank set up, and are on site, so they are in the best position to combine data and forward it to rescue teams. In Louisiana, people reporting stranded animals or have found an animal should call (888) 773-6489. Outside Louisiana, people should call (225) 925-3980. Information may also be e-mailed to katrina@ldaf.louisiana.gov. The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine website is loaded with very good information and clear instructions."

    Monday, September 05, 2005

    !!!!!RELIEF!!!!! URGENT---PLEASE CROSSPOST !!!!!!!

    Update: 9-5--I think the following crosspost is enough evidence to rest easy about this. With the pervasive chaos that gripped New Orleans, it was worth checking out. A special thank you goes out to Papillion rescue enthusiast Judy B. for sending this information to me.

    SPCA Texas Shelter Update
    ~ !!!cross post!!! ~

    From: Andra O'Connell
    To: AKCparentclublist
    Sent: 9/4/2005 8:32:17 PM
    Subject: [akcparentclubconference] Shelters in Texas

    Many of you know Carl Holder. I spoke with him tonight and he gave me the following report regarding the shelters in TX and what he knew of others. Andra O'Connell
    Secretary, DCA

    From Carl Holder - the update as of Sunday, September 4, 2005 - The situation is not desperate and animals are still coming into the Houston SPCA as well as a number of other shelters and rescue groups. The Beaumont area humane society of SE Texas (an independent shelter) is loaded and has purchased additional runs to house the many dogs. Many of the animals now are going to Baton Rouge and Lafayette shelters. There is a group that is getting the strays that were abandoned.

    There are lots of wild rumors going around. "Shoot to kill" is one of the rumors and simply not true.

    The Baton Rouge local independent shelter is still taking animals. Food is not needed! Many dog and cat food companies are supplying fresh food to the shelters that need it. Local people that were not affected by the hurricane are coming out in mass to volunteer to help at the shelters.

    The Beaumont Texas shelter is NOT adopting animals out because they know who the owners are. Those animals that are not identified are not going to be adopted out right away either to give owners a chance to reunite with them. Many people are coming out daily to visit their pets.

    Please, if people or clubs wish to donate, it needs to be money and given directly to the shelters. These funds will go for the medical supplies and medical treatment of the animals that have been taken in. These are independent, local shelters that are 501 (C)(3) and will give tax deductible receipts. The addresses that you can send money donations to are:

    Humane Society of SE Texas (Beaumont)
    2050 Spindletop Road
    Beaumont, TX 77705
    Capitol Area Animal Welfare Society
    6357 Quinn Drive
    Baton Rouge, LA 70817
    (addresses of the other local and independent shelters will be posted later today)
    Permission to cross post to other lists is granted and encouraged
    Andra

    Judith H. Simpson, AKA Rosalind Foxx, Sara Logan


    Update: 9-5--I have heard from at least one person that this is a rumor and not fact, but I don't have any more evidence from her (yet) than from the original sender of the message. I do not have sources and nothing checks out on Snopes.com or hsus.org. I haven't heard back from the Humane Society, but I would say they are, shall we say, busy. Personally, I think if it was NOT a rumor there would have been a statement made already by the ASPCA, HSUS or other major animal protective/rescue agency. I will continue to post whatever I find out on this. In the meantime, rescue groups are working their asses off to get families' pets back to safety. Last night HSUS were able to recover 140+. Time is of the essence, so I am hoping these poor people are at least due one small happy surprise in the midst of losing everything else. Peace.


    Original info posted on 9-3:
    I cannot guarantee the validity of this information, but it is worth getting out in case there is some truth to it. I am also emailing the HSUS about this. Please also do the same. Info came from Domestic Psychology. We need to find out if this is a rumor.

    "This e-mail came from a dog show group:


    FWD: URGENT Info from New Orleans

    I will write a more detailed post tomorrow, actually today, but my husband finally reached me. He is safe, well protected by our Police force when they are fighting the fires, but I need to get this out ASAP. What he told me is so disturbing and urgent, if there is anyone out there with the power to do something quickly, this has to get out. I do have more inside info but I'm too drained to write more.

    My husband said that a shoot to kill order with regards to animals may begin soon. They believe it is the most humane way to handle the multitude of animals that are starving and ill, or injured. I cannot fathom this, and I can't bear to think that someone's family pet will end like this. Please, please, please try to get this order rescinded. I don't know who it came from. But someone will know the right person to contact. Let them begin on the Westbank, it isn't flooded, and there are secure back highways to come in. The rescues are just waiting for the word to go, and the military is coming in, and they will take care of the criminals that have better weapons than our own police force. I will post more, later after I've rested. Permission to crosspost.

    I stand behind the validity of this information.

    Siberianly,
    Lynn Szymurski
    Richlynn Siberians
    New Orleans, LA
    "

    CROSSPOST AND ALERT OTHERS SO WE CAN DETERMINE THE SOURCE/VALIDITY OF THIS STORY.

    Saturday, September 03, 2005

    And please read this...

    Thanks to Markham's Behavioral Health for the link...
    ZNet Commentary: How the Free Market Killed New Orleans

    and maybe this from an Aussie blog Donate? To Americans? I can tell you this disaster will highlight the weaknesses and imbalances in our nation. And there are many. But you must continue to do good. Every person who has it in them to do good must do so.

    DO please read the following post if you are also concerned about the pets and animals stranded by the storm...there could more disheartening events to follow...

    Horse Rescue Efforts - Hurricane Katrina Relief

    If you are a horse lover, check out what's going on with the National Horse Protection Coalition...posted on Stop Horse Slaughter.

    Before and After

    Before and After Katrina

    (thanks to Knitting in Color for pointing me to the link).

    Friday, September 02, 2005

    Charity Ebay Auction--100% of Proceeds go to HSUS Hurricane Katrina Rescue Efforts

    I hope you have given what you could to help our two-legged friends. I do also hope you will remember their beloved animals--family friends they may have been forced to leave behind. Since I do mostly animal-related art, I thought I would donate this little painting "Wilbur Doesn't Want Seconds" to the Humane Society of the United States. They do good work and need your support in rescuing stranded and hurt four-legged loved ones. I have decided to give 100% of the proceeds to the cause, so please be generous if you are able. I hope to have some more donations to auction over time (as I am able to finish them!). Obviously the watermark is not on the actual painting. Duh.



    Share the love, y'all. This old world needs that more than anything.

    *I am also very happy my company is matching employee donation dollars up to $100k. I think more companies should follow suit. This is such a sad, terrible thing. We need to return to what's real--community, charity, taking care of one another. Without that, what is there? Nothing.

    More perspectives...

    When something big happens here I like to read the international papers to see what other perspectives might be. They are indeed eye-opening and usually a lot less "sugar-coated" than the US media. Of course, don't take any media report as gospel, but it helps to have more than one source for perspective.

  • Australia: Economic ripple effect
  • Australia: America Fails It's Own
  • UK: Criticism of Bush mounts as more than 10,000 feared dead
  • A slide show from Germany
  • UK: Battle for Survival

    and here, the Christian Science Monitor
  • UK: Need is vast, but so is outpouring

  • It's not easy to pack a horse...

    Horse Rescue Groups Mobilizing Hurricane Relief Effort

    In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, horse rescue groups are mobilizing to provide assistance to horses and livestock impacted by the devastating storm and are seeking financial support for the effort.

    The National Horse Protection Coalition, along with Texas based Habitat for Horses and the Louisiana Equine Council have joined forces to assemble and deliver much needed relief for the animal victims of hurricane Katrina.

    The NHPC has secured a donated tractor-trailer that organizers hope will be filled with hay, feed, and veterinary supplies for horses and other livestock who have been displaced by the hurricane.

    "We are hopeful that our efforts will not only reduce animal suffering, but will also help to reduce any further financial and emotional loss to those affected," said Gail Vacca the Illinois coordinator for the NHPC.

    The NHPC is currently seeking donations of hay, straw, horse feed, livestock feed, and veterinary medical supplies which are being gathered in DeKalb, Illinois to be transported to animal welfare organizations who are already set up in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The loaded truck is scheduled to deliver the supplies in Louisiana as early as Sunday, Vacca said.

    "Many of these animals are injured and hungry and in order to ward off any further loss of animal life in the aftermath of this tragedy, we are doing everything we can to get these supplies down to the hardest hit areas as soon as possible," Vacca said.

    While Vacca's group is seeking donations of hay, straw, feed, and veterinary medical supplies from those in the DeKalb, Ill. area, others can make financial contributions are also needed and can be mailed to: National Horse Protection Coalition, 16217 State Route 23 , DeKalb, IL 60115 . Put "Katrina equine relief" in the memo. Information on how to donate online can be found at www.horse-protection.org/info.php?id=75.

    Wednesday, August 31, 2005

    Katrina, you ugly-ass bitch...

    Pray (or dance in a circle, burn eucalyptus leaves, or whatever you do to create good karma) for these folks and their beloved pets who may have been left behind. Give until it hurts. Skip dinner out. Don't buy those shoes. Buy cheap shit for yourself and send help now!

    Two-legged:

  • American Red Cross Hurricane Fund
  • FEMA-approved charities for cash donation or volunteers

    Four-legged:
  • Noah's Wish
  • Humane Society of the United States-Disaster Relief Fund
  • American Humane Association Animal Emergency Services

    Years ago, I went down into Missouri to work flood relief after the waters had receded weeks later and still came back with both salmonella and e. coli despite rubber boots and gloves. These people are really up against rough times for a while. Keep them in your hearts and prayers.

  • Monday, August 29, 2005

    Poor N'awlins...

    Go to the NOLA blog: Nola.com

    Thanks to Blue Ridge Blog for the link.

    Autumn Kitty

    A new mini-painting on Ebay:

    Sunday, August 28, 2005

    bumper wisdom

    I saw a bumper sticker the other day that simply said, "Remember who you wanted to be."

    Wednesday, August 24, 2005

    well, um...

    Well, I think I feel a little better. My headache is finally starting to dissolve after about 12 hours of pounding. Things will get better (slurp of wine); things will get better (gulp of wine); things will get better *klunk*

    Ok, I don't have any wine, but it sounds awfully good right now. No more willy-nilly for today. Tomorrow, we start again. Tomorrow, we try again. Tomorrow, we will have grown up and past who we were today.

    duck and cover...

    (Last Home, this post ain't got nuthin' to do with you.)
    There are times when I think my head is going to pop off. This is one of those times. Next week I start a 56 hour work week for 9 months (and I need to squeeze a hysterectomy in between semesters). I'm a little nervous because I'm not a morning person and I have to start coming in at 7 am every day and after I put in 8 hours, I have to go to my intership where I need to have lots of energy to learn.

    Work has been super busy and I swear the harder I work the more criticism I get. I have really just shut down at work and only let my nutty personality out every once in a while. Work harder; get appreciated less. What's the point? Since Daddy died I am just not in the mood to put up with stupid shit from people and I've jumped on a couple of people when it was not advantageous to do so.

    I know I'm working through the anger stage of grief, but being in PR right now is an even worse match for me than usual. I'm not good at ass-kissing--never have been. I guess I get that from my Dad. I like to think we're all worth the same precious amount. And we are as far as I am concerned. Hierarchies be damned...which I may be muttering to myself one day in the unemployment line.

    At least I think I'm going to avoid the root canal. My dentist altered by bite a little and that seems to have helped. I'm still having the splint made so I won't grind my teeth so hard at night.

    I think I've just worked myself up into a frenzy again...like I haven't been for months? I can't seem to calm down to pre-disaster emotional levels. It doesn't take much to push me over the edge, or make me mad, or make me cry.

    With that said, I'm taking off Thursday and Friday. Half of Thursday is a skills lab in social work, but after that, I'm free. And I need it.

    I am going to have more paintings up by the weekend. I have about six nearly-finished canvases. I'll be ok...just way too tense these days.

    Monday, August 22, 2005

    absenteeism and such...

    Sorry, y'all, things have gotten too busy to breathe...pant, pant, pant. I'll be back soon.

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