Saturday, September 18, 2010

To Whom It May Concern....

Just because somewhere along the way in life, you got the crazy notion that animals were disposable, does NOT mean that we, as a rescue, are responsible for cleaning up your mess.  It does not mean that you can harass us, spam us, stalk us, and then publically slander us with false-hoods when we do not work as quickly as you would like, or when we are not able to help you at all.

You chose to breed your pet quality dog, not us.  You chose to buy a dog from an unethical breeder and get a puppy who turned into a dog with a slew of health and temperment issues.  You chose to bring home a puppy and never train it or do a damn thing with it.  You chose to acquire an animal (of any species) which you knew absolutely nothing about.  You chose to do all or one of these things....not us.

Yet we, as rescuers take in these 'problems' and ask very little or nothing from you in return.  All so you can go out and do it all over again.  Ruin yet another animal's life, and move onto burdening another rescue of your choosing.  Yet we 'somehow' managed to turn this 'throw away' animal of yours into a splendid, adoptable, well mannered family pet.  We aren't magic workers, we do not have super powers, it's just called time, money, dedication, and education.  Go and get some.

We don't do anything extra-ordinary, special, or outstanding to re-home your animals.  In fact, in some cases, we do very little.  All it takes is some patience, a little basic obedience, and an educated adopter, or one who is willing to learn.  Something that was clearly too much of a sacrifice to ask of you.

When you bring an animal, any animal, into your life and your home, they all have different needs, wants, and requirements.  It is up to you to study all of that ahead of time, or learn along the way.  Not us.  It is up to you to put YOUR time, effort, money, and knowledge into this animal.  Not us.  Yet we are still somehow, the ones who end up with your animals, your 'lifetime commitments', and we are the ones who 'magically' turn them into adoptable animals.  Bullshit.  You are lazy, selfish, unprepared, and narrow-minded.  We are the giving, selfless, educated, hard-working, open-minded ones who always save the day.

This is to all of the rescuer's out there, in this world.  Who day in and day out are reminded of other people's mistakes.  Are reminded of other people's laziness.  Are reminded of other people's selfish attitude.  This is to all of us, who will always step up to the plate and take over and give of ourselves without wanting anything in return except seeing that animal healthy, happy, and in a forever home for the rest of their lives.  This is to you, me, us, all of you.

From one to another, I am letting you know, your job is appreciated.  We all know we cannot and will not be able to save them all.  We are reminded of it day in and day out by people who do not 'get it'.  But we know it isn't about saving them all.  It is about saving One at a time.  To that ONE animal, we are saving their life.  To that ONE animal, we are making a difference.  To that ONE animal, we are nurturing them into that amazing adoptable animal with manners and abilities that their former 'owner' or 'breeder' never saw or cared to nurture in them.

To that ONE animal, we have made a world of difference.

We cannot rid the world of these selfish, ignorant, lazy animal owners.  But we can try to educate them, steer them in the right direction, or, unfortunately as is mostly the case, clean up their messes successfully.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

the journey is what matters

my last blog was a little depressing with some shards of light thrown in for good measure.

my satellite tv provider has given me the extra stations not included in my lowest package.  I dont know when it started or for how long, but i've been resting a little and taking full advantage of it all day.  I finally got to watch "the fabulous beekman boys", its a show on the planet green station which i've wanted to see since learning of it.  It makes me long for a farm of my own though.  It's in upstate new york, which is also where I have always wanted a farm.  The last episode I saw was Thanksgiving.  The colors and scenery was simply magical to say the least.  They even raised and then slaughtered their own turkey.  I would not do that, but the fact that they're in touch with what theyre eating, raising, and giving these animals good lives before eating them for thanksgiving is great.  After they butchered their 2 pigs (all of their animals are named btw), they cried a little and said they now know the true price of that dollar cheeseburger you get at the fast food place.  except those cows arent raised nearly as nicely as those pigs were.

They have a llama also (i think) and her name is polka spots.  i feel bad for her though because they have a crapload of goats who wont let polka spots eat.  haha.  watching the goats play and do goat-like things gives me a kick too.  i'd like to visit their farm sometime.  they also make their own cheese and such.  it really is fabulous and looks like utopia.

for as depressing as life can get at times, theres so much beauty and so much to be thankful for.  i was a bit down this AM and Macy marched over to lick my hands.  I woke up sore and cranky and Hoss was mugging at me with that Boxer look.  I let the dogs out and watched Dinah and Hawk play.  These small things given to me by my animals each day really make up for all the crap-tastic stuff I have going on.  The decent, pretty awesome people who I have around helps a bit too.  There's always something to look forward to and stay positive about.  Dont count the positives and negatives.  This is not a check list.  This is life.  In life even if the negatives are greater at a point in time, as long as there are still joys and positive occurrences, thats all the reason you need to continue on.

Its really easy to be negative.  often times i come on here and ready up a rant or a bitch fest, even once i had one all typed up nicely...but I stop.  The world needs a wake up call, and people need reminding of goodness in life, but i'm not going to stress myself out and get carpal tunnel typing that 6 page long bitchery up.

Good day.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

and down it goes....

and not only because she said so.

it's been so long that i've had to keep a straight face, put up a brave front, and keep on trucking.  But, i can't even begin to remember the last time I had a totally pain-free day.  essentially no matter how positive i stay and such there's no ridding myself of the physical pain I have.  I've also tried remaining pretty calm and happy about all of the crap I have or don't have, but even at times that gets to me.

I had a dream last night that was pretty much a perfect life.  In my dream, everything didnt seem light years away, all of my animal loved each other and got along in peaceful harmony, my mortgage was paid in full, and I was completely pain free everyday in my life.  Essentially, most of that isn't a lot to ask for, but I woke up and none of it was reality and it bummed me out even more.

But really I make the best of what I don't have and that's just minor shit, but a lot of days I have no idea how I can continue to live through all of the physical issues I have at times.  That isnt even taking into consideration the mental issues.  All of it from MS.  Seriously...where's my cure?!  If I didn't lead such a semi active or go getter life, I would still be in pain, but perhaps less.  But then what would my QUALITY of life be like?  I would feel as if I had no purpose yet again as I felt in the past so often.

My neck and legs especially are just screaming today.  I don't think facebook helps situations too often.  I see people bitch and moan and whine about the most idiotic shit every minute of the day.  I won't dare say your issues aren't painful in their own ways, but if I can push passed my constant pain and deterioration on a daily basis to focus on more important issues in the world and other people, I'm sure some of you can perhaps put your life and your "issues" into perspective.

I dont know, maybe I'm just being crabby, cranky, and way too harsh.  or maybe most people in this world really are just too self absorbed and superficial to care about other people or the planet they're living on.  Oh well, essentially I'm just writing to myself.  I dont know if people actually read this and I cant say I care either.  Writing is good, writing gets the shit out so you can focus on more positive things.  Sometimes it's a downer though when I recall how amazing I used to be at writing before MS.  Now I often times literally feel like a shell of my former self.  But I'm writing for me.  Maybe one day I will gradually work myself up to where I used to be before my mind decided to go down the crapper with my body as it followed this disease.

At the end of the day, I'm left with it, and after pushing it all out onto my keyboard just now, I feel like I might sleep a little better tonight.  So this is for me, and here's to my hopefully sleeping better.

I also have to add that if any of my MS friends should read this...many of you know me well enough by now to know that I rarely have these pity parties for myself.  And really, this isnt even that.  All this was for me was cathartic, therapy, bleeding, essentially just getting it out.  if I had a blank journal, I wouldnt have even typed it in this blog, I would have hand written it.

I want you to know if you're reading this, that the attitude and outlook you keep does matter, but eventually we all crack under the pressure, the pain, or the stress.  But you and I and everyone needs to let it out somehow, sometime.  The more you hold it in, essentially is the more you ruin yourself.  We all know how much stress leads to our relapses or diminished quality of life with this disease, and none of us want to be there.  I've been dealing with this for 7 years, and I have days when the pain is so bad I have no idea how I'll make it another 7 let alone another 57.

Again none of this is actually for me to talk to anyone...just to talk to me.  But if any of it helps any of you with your battle or struggle, I am glad.  let me also say that today is a down day, but it will ALWAYS and does always get better.  No matter how dark it feels or how much pain you have, there's always a better day and we both know that.

so, keep our chin up.
good night.  lets hope i can sleep better now.  :)