Together on Tuesday - MY Personal Causes!

Today's topic:  Soapbox time!  What is the issue that gets you stirred up?  What is your personal project or cause(s)?  How does this affect your daily life?  How do you try and make a difference?

Rescue Animals
Anyone who has been reading this blog...or has read it only once...or has seen the name of this blog can guess that rescue animals tug hard at my heartstrings.  I have literally stood in the dog section of the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) and cried because I couldn't take them all.  All three of our dogs have been rescue dogs, and any pet we ever have will be a rescue.  There are so many sweet, sweet pets that needs good, secure, and loving homes.  I cannot urge people enough to consider adopting rescues when they want a pet.   Most states require that all animals be spayed or neutered before adopted out from shelters, so that is ONE LESS HASSLE you have when you adopt!  Adopting a rescue can happen in many forms, most people think they all come from shelters (yes, that is what springs to mind - typically for me too) but it also happens when people take a pet someone can no longer keep or take in a stray they find.

Excuses, excuses, excuses...the Top 3 that I hear from people as reasons why they don't want to rescue:

"You don't know what you are going to get because you don't know what the animal has been through"
TRUTH:  You NEVER really know what an animal has been through, nor can you predict their future behaviors whether they come from a pet store, breeder, or a shelter.

"I don't want a pet that has been/will be/is sick"
TRUTH:  most of the time an ill animal will be isolated from the rest of the shelter animals and unavailable for adoption, most shelter animals are cared for by Veterinarians who either volunteer or work for the organization, their immunizations are kept up-to-date, or just ask...they will usually tell you whether an animal has been sick during its time at the shelter they also typically have Vet/Medical records available to give adoptive parents...just ask to see them.

"I heard some horrible story about a family who adopted a rescue...."
TRUTH: There are always some failures with adoption.  It just happens.  Did you know that there are also failed child adoptions?  I am by no means comparing adopting children to adopting a pet, I realize that adopting a child is a much more serious event, but most people don't want to think about child adoption failures, but it happens.  Some child adoptions have had to be legally unwound and the child returned to 'the system' for various reasons.  Likewise, all kinds of pet/family relationships fail every day.  Do you really think that pets that are purchased from pet stores or breeders never fail to work out with the families?  Really...do honestly believe that NEVER happens?  If you believe it never happens, contact me, I will sell you some ocean front property right in the middle of a desert...(kidding...!)

I do realize that in special circumstances, certain families need certain types of pets such as Physical Handicap Service Pets, Therapy Pets, and Hypo-Allergenic bred pets.  I understand that...I wouldn't argue with these needs for special-purpose pets.  It is the rest of you that I am preaching to!

**If you are interested in adopting or fostering a rescued animal; donating time, pet supplies, or money; or participating in fundraisers, you can contact: Kentucky Humane Society, No Kill Louisville, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS), or PetFinder.**  Or, just talk to people about it.  Someone you know always knows someone who is needing to find a home for an animal.  You can usually find the age and size you are looking for within a short period of time of doing this.  The need is always there, just ask or spread the word that you are looking for a pet!

In Kentucky or Southern Indiana, I urge people to first check at LMAS for a pet companion to rescue or foster from.  That place has a bad history, I feel like they are cleaning up their act now, but only after years and years of mishandling of animals.  A number of people who have worked there in the past should do jail time for the things that went on there.  It is horrific what went on there.  The city and the CURRENT Mayor are working to clean up the mess that LMAS became (in my OPINION which is based on news stories in the local media: the previous Mayor, pretty much IGNORED the reports of what went on there during his reign of atrocity terms in office).  I am so glad Mayor Fischer and his administration cares about the situation, and are trying to clean up LMAS and make it a better place for homeless animals.  I really think the current staff is doing their best to improve the place, but they need our support and the more animals they can adopt out, the better they can handle the improvements they are working on there.  The community, city officials, and local media also need to remain vigilant of what is going on at LMAS so that it doesn't ever backslide into the horrible mess it once was.

If you ever find yourself in the situation of having to surrender a pet, please, first reach out to No Kill shelters.

How this cause affects MY daily life:
I have been lucky to have been/be a dog mom to three of the BEST dogs ever to Watson, Eli, and Austin!  ALL have been rescues.  They melt my heart, we adore them.  Their sweet faces and antics make me smile and laugh every single day!  Sometimes my house feels more like a 'dog rodeo' but I would not have it any other way.

My Loveys: 

Watson: 

Adopted him in December, 2006 when we lived in Indiana.

Sadly, we lost him in October, 2009 - RIP Buddy, we miss you everyday!

Eli:

Adopted him: February, 2009 from Kentucky Humane Society.

He is the diva.  If you look 'diva' up in the dictionary, you will see the above picture of Eli!

Austin:

Adopted him: November, 2010 from LMAS.  

This pic is Austin & Mark watching our Sunday NFL Football the day we got him!

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What is YOUR personal cause?  What soapboxes do you preach to any who will listen?  I would LOVE to hear all about them!

Together on Tuesday - My Gratitude List

List 30 things that you take for granted that you have gratitude for - elaborate as much or as little on each item.

I have been dealing with some very serious health issue for the past few weeks, so a lot of mine will reference that.

• Mark - I always have been and always will be grateful for him. But facing serious health issues and getting back on my feet has made me realize how truly grateful I really am for him. He is THE BEST and has taken phenomenally great care of me. 

• Our family - Everyone just dropped everything to see that I was being taken care of.  My family lives nearby, but they put their lives on hold to be at the hospital and do whatever Mark or I needed.  They were there when I was rushed to ICU and when the doctors came and told me all the scary stuff they may have to do if things 'got bad'.  They held it together while I fell apart and was completely terrified not knowing what was going to happen.  Mark's family also dropped everything and drove hours and hours to get here to see me, comfort both Mark and I, take care of our house, and take care of our dogs.  Other family members have sent cards, e-mails, and notes of concern and filled with such kindness.
• Our friends - we have had so many kind words and expressions of concern from our friends. So many of them have been praying for us and each day we feel those prayers being answered.
• Our co-workers - many, many of our co-workers also fall into the friend category and have reached out to us personally. Both our employers have shown an outpouring of support and have given us the time we've needed to handle this and recover. My department especially, has had to take on my workload on top of their own, with no advance notice - they are wonderful.
• The fact that my recent health crisis was no worse than it was and that we eventually expect a full recovery.
• Our two dogs - did you really think they wouldn't make the list? Didn't think so! They are so sweet and seem to realize that I am not my full self right now.  I sure did miss those two adorable faces when I was in the hospital!

• The three years we had our first dog, Watson.  RIP, buddy - we miss you!

• Our memories & photos of Watson.

• Our home
• Our jobs
• My car - because it is paid off - no more payments!!
• Mark - again!

• The fact that my husband and I have a similar sense of humor - warped?  You bet..but funny!

• Backless, slide-on tennis shoes...how convenient!
• Flip-flops
• Being allowed to wear jeans to work on Fridays.
• Yoga class - especially when I am well enough to go, not these days, but I will get there.  I highly recommend PM Yoga in Louisville. 
• Technology - including, but not limited to my iPhone, my new Netbook, and wi-fi.
• Ink pens with purple ink!
• My ToT blog group & the other ToT ladies, of course!
• Spaghetti & other pasta - my favorite!
• Sushi Tuesday lunch with the ladies at work.
• Driving - I miss being able to jump in the car and drive myself wherever, whenever.  Will get there again, in the meantime it is just frustrating.
• Two weeks of driving around Europe this summer with Mark.

• That I don't actually own the tiny car we drove around Europe for two weeks.
• The fact that the people around me know that I am sassy, opinionated, and that I just tell it 'like it is' and that they seem okay with that.
• The little things in life: those double-walled hard plastic cups with lids and the plastic straws (and how can you NOT love those straw stoppers??!!), Brisk brand Raspberry Iced Tea, my pink Swavorski crystal memory stick, having a TV in my kitchen, our new and hopefully dog-proof garbage can, fingerprint-free stainless appliances for the kitchen, and fall-themed seasonal decorations.
• My scarf collection - yeah, I have a scarf collection!
• Zip-front hoodies and fleece jackets.
• Mark - yes, AGAIN!  3rd time is a charm...right??

 

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What are you most greatful for???  Please share!