Nature's Creatures

'Our howls do wake a lot of humans.

But sadly, our cries cannot awaken humanity. '

A scowl genetically embedded on my face, as I didn’t come from the greatest place.
I was born out of brutality and cruelty. 

Any act of kindness towards me would be something completely new to me.
I never win the popularity contest, as I am not liked by many. When they handed out chances, I never received any.

I always walk alone, but not by choice, I can’t even plead my case, as I have no voice.
The jury is out before my trial even begins.
I have become a storage facility that is full of humanity’s sins.
My friends are sentenced to death without committing a crime. The hurt and the pain that is inflicted on me is overlooked all the time.
I have been racially profiled because of my breed.  Fought to the death for people’s greed.
I have viewed much of my life on chains, or behind bars. You can’t even see my smile, because it’s been hidden by scars.
You read horrific stories of all my heinous acts. The press exploits me without knowing all the facts.
My neck has grown heavy with your weights and your chains. I have been fed nothing but torture, and I have absorbed all the pain.
Is this the path that society has made for me? 

I am resilient by nature and I have way too much pride.  That’s why It’s rare to see someone like me ever cry. What I really want is to be by your side.  I’m loyal to you forever or at least until I die.
Only few know how emotional I can be.  All I want is to be part of your family.
I am not saying that all of us are perfect or great. Humans come in both and good and bad, so you should be able to relate.
I don’t want to be beaten down any longer.  You need to make laws to protect me, much stronger.
Don’t stand there and let this happen one more day.  The cruelty I am subjected to,  is not OK.
I know it will take time and your schedule is full.  Why would you want to try and help me??
I’m just a Pit Bull.

Ten Things About Pit Bulls Everyone Should Know

1. Pit Bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, Pit Bulls are making a mark as outstanding therapy dogs.

2. Pit Bulls are used in Search and Rescue work. One example of well known SAR Pit Bulls is Kris Crawford and her dogs. Kris and her dogs have helped save the lives of many people during their efforts. http://www.ForPitsSake.org

3. Pit Bulls serve as narcotic and bomb sniffing dogs. One Pit Bull, Popsicle (named that because he was found in an old freezer) has the largest recorded single drug find in Texas history. Read more about Popsicle here. Including how he found over 3,000 lbs. of cocaine in Hildago, Texas.

4. Pit Bulls are great with kids. They weren’t referred to as the "nanny’s dog" for nothing that’s for sure.

5. Pit Bulls are not human aggressive. The American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed is not human aggressive. In fact, quite the opposite is true of the breed. They are gentle and loving dogs. Like any dog individuals can be unsound and have behavior problems.

6. The Pit Bull was so popular in the early 1900′s they were the USA’s mascot not only in World War One, but World War Two as well. They were featured on recruiting and propaganda posters during this time period.

7. Sgt. Stubby. A Pit Bull war hero. Stubby was wounded in action twice, he saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack and he single handedly captured a German spy.

8. Pete the Pup on the original Little Rascals was a Pit Bull.

9. Pit Bulls score an 83.4% passing rate with the American Temperament Test Society. That’s better than the popular Border Collie (a breed who scores 79.6%). View the ATTS stats here.

10. They are dogs not killing machines.

~ from an article by Christina Harvey, courtesy of Jason Mann of Pit BullLovers.com

I'd like to thank Jace for showing all of us what an incredible companion these dogs are, as well as Jace's grandma Cheri for providing the pictures.

♥☆¨´`'*°☆.¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.
(: ․☆´`'*¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.․:)
`☆.. ♥♥ HUGS ♥♥~ ¸☆
․ ․`'☆.¨´¸☆¨¸.¸.☆¨
․ ․ ․ ․ `'*☆.¸.☆puppy kisses! ♥     Wiggles and Wags

 

The Grass Is Always Greener

Animals...so content with so little.  So pure and uncomplicated.  Did you ever look at your dog and think, 'I'd like to have your life.'  Let's put on our rose colored glasses and look at the world through the eyes of a dog...

Things that I, the Dog, Must Remember

The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I’m lying under the coffee table.

I will not roll my toys behind the fridge, behind the sofa or under the bed.

I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.

I will not eat the cats’ food, before they eat it or after they throw it up.

I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to get sick.

I will not throw up in the car.

I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.

“Kitty box crunchies,” although they are tasty, are not food.

I will not eat any more Kleenex or napkins and then redeposit them in the backyard after processing.

The diaper pail is not a cookie jar.

I will not chew my human’s toothbrush and not tell them.

I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.

When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it’s raining outside.

We do not have a doorbell. I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.

I will not steal my Mom’s underwear and dance all over the back yard with it.

The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom & Dad’s laps.

My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

I will not bite the officer’s hand when he reaches in for dad’s driver’s license and car registration.

I will not play tug-of-war with dad’s underwear when he’s on the toilet.

I will not eat mint flavored dental floss out of the bathroom garbage—this will avoid having a string hanging out of my butt.

I will not use “roll around in the dirt” as an option after just getting a bath.

Sticking my nose into someone’s crotch is not an acceptable way of saying hello.

I will not hump on any person’s leg just because I thought it was the right thing to do.

I will not pass gas in my owners face while sleeping on the pillow next to their head.

I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt across the carpet.

The toilet bowl is not a never-ending water supply and, just because the water is blue, it doesn’t mean it is cleaner.

I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch when company is over.

Suddenly turning around and smelling my butt can quickly clear a room.

The cat is not a squeaky toy so, when I play with him and he makes that noise, it’s usually not a good thing.

Dog's Pet Peeves About Humans

1. Blaming your farts on me is not funny... not funny at all!
2. Yelling at me for barking.....I'M a friggin' dog, you moron!
3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Whose walk is it anyway?
4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose.
5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Why do you think I chew up your stuff when you're not at home.
6. That slight--of--hand, fake fetch throw. Oooooh. You fooled a dog! What a proud moment for the top of the food chain!
7. Taking me to the vet for that "Big Snip," then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back there.
8. Getting upset when I sniff your guests' crotches. Sorry, but a handshake will never be as good.
9. Dog sweaters. Have you noticed I have fur? Idiot!
10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. We both know the truth: you're jealous!

Food for the soul...

In my old neighborhood there were two homeless men that always spent their days together outside a nearby 7/11 with their dogs.  After making my purchase, I gave them the money left over plus my allowance to buy some food.  They went inside and came back out with a box of dog food.

♥☆¨´`'*°☆.¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.
(: ․☆´`'*¸.☆¨´`'*°☆.․:)
`☆.. ♥♥ HUGS ♥♥~ ¸☆
․ ․`'☆.¨´¸☆¨¸.¸.☆¨
․ ․ ․ ․ `'*☆.¸.☆puppy kisses! ♥     Wiggles and Wags!!!

What Is Right Is Not Always Easy

I would like to share something with you, that at first rendered me speechless, and then had me on my feet asking, "How do I get that started here!?"

Volunteers spend their time with dogs in their final moments, creating lasting memories

Every night one of nine people show up at the Animal Care and Control center in New York to spend the night, and create a lasting memory for a dog who will be euthanized the following morning. Whether it is a long walk, a special treat, or just time spent cuddling, members of the Compassion Program make it their priority to ensure the dog is happy and loved on his final night.

The Compassion Program, which started four years ago, focuses its efforts on animals that need extra support and love–animals that will be euthanized. It is primarily run out of New York’s ACC Manhattan shelter, with the hope of expanding throughout the state.

Members accept donations, host drives, and hold events to raise money to purchase special treats and toys to give to the dogs on their final night. “It’s about providing last minute tender love and care,” said volunteer Yolanda Crous.

The program was started when a combination of staff and volunteers came together in an effort to make sure dogs are given the same care as humans in their final days. It isn’t a job for the weak of heart, as each night the volunteers are given a list of dogs that will be euthanized the following morning. A kinship is born immediately, but at the same time the volunteer knows the next day the animal won’t be there.

“It’s one of those things where I don’t think I would have ever expected myself to do,” Crous admits. “But once you see the need, you can’t walk away.

The overpopulation of pets is a problem throughout the United States, and in New York there just isn’t enough room for all of the dogs in need. Crous said dozens of dogs enter the shelter everyday and its the goal of the Compassion Program to make sure the dogs are loved as much at the beginning of their lives as they are at the end.

“I feel like I am making a difference every moment I spend with the dogs,” she said. “And one of the best parts is the dogs give back just as much compassion as we give them. It is just amazing.”

~Printed in Tails Magazine

Your first thoughts...That's incredible, but I could never do that!" Second thoughts,"What we need is better spay/neuter programs," or "We need to put an end to these kill shelters." 

Do we need spay/neuter programs? Yes. Do we need to continue to fight this epidemic? Absolutely! However, there will still be some. And they deserve my tears!  They deserve some one to tell them that the unconditional love they had no doubt given in their life was not in vain.  They deserve my time, because they gave some one theirs.  They deserve a piece of my heart, because they gave some one theirs.  

"There comes a time when one must take a stand that is neither safe, nor political, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right."~Dr. King

Desicions

I've been struggling with what direction to take this in.  Do I put the focus on those know there's a problem, but don't realize the magnitude, write often sad, often shocking posts?  Do I focus on those who are completely blind to the epidemic, write posts filled with numbers, statistics? 

Do I focus on the rescuers, those who often so desperately need to see something positive, uplifting?  Do I focus on those of who know the truth, but are just tired of fighting, need to refocus, true but some times sad?

I came back to the last two choices.  Debating, thought about those souls that bathe us in complete, unconditional love.  I began to think about what love is.  How complicated, some times painful but often exhilarating it is.  We do it for love.  For the love of those precious souls and the love of around us who we hope to educate so they too can feel the power of that love.

I decided, today, I would just go with my feelings over the last few days.

If you have suggestions or opinions, they are always welcome.

I'm Still Here

Friend please don't mourn for me
I'm still here, though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach-
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown

 

Dear God,

     Please find me a home today. I'm scared and lonely and I heard them say something about my time being almost up.

Love,

Cage #275

(Once known as Jake)

War of Cats and Dogs

After an extremely trying night, I felt the need for a little levity.  After years of cat people on one side and dog people on the other, perhaps we can break down the positives and negatives and put an end to this war.(ok, this maybe a little dramatic but can you really be a rescuer with out some drama?)  Enjoy and please get a good chuckle!

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother's

....then adopt a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour, for as long and wherever you want ...

....then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies

.....then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores

....then adopt a dog !

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually ..

....then adopt a dog.

BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness ..



.....then adopt a cat!

Wiggles and Wags!

A Thank You For Your Service

Every day we fight.  We stand up and fight for a cause so special, so deep in our hearts.  It's not easy.  It's rarely easy, but we continue to fight.  Some days are rough.  When we feel we've lost, failed, that we're defeated.  When we have to shut down the computer for a brief time to get some of those faces, those images out of our heads.  Yet, we always go back, because we are their voice.  It's never easy when we lose, but we mourn those times and keep pushing through, for there is always another waiting, every single one saved makes a difference.  Every single one saved is a life given back form a precious soul who's life has been wrongly, recklessly, knocked off course, at no fault of their own.  

For every single one of you, who has stood up for a cause that has the potential of causing such grief in your heart, remember this, hold it close to your heart.  One pawn in front of the other.  You make a difference.  You are saving lives!  Thank you all for your service, dedication, sweat and tears.

I would've died that day if not for you. I would've given up on life if not for your kind eyes.  I would've used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.

I would have left this life believing that all humans don't care. Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn't matted, skin that isn't flea bitten, good food and enough of it, a warm bed to sleep on, a couch to stretch out on, a deep soft pad just for me by your chair. You show me I deserve love just because I exist.

Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands

Your big heart saved me...

Soothing away the memories of my old life.

You have taught me what it means to be loved.

I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me. I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair

"Why do I do it?"

When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes, you open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter, make just a little more room...to save one more like me.

I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes

In the best way I know how.  Reminding you why you go on trying.

I am the reason. The dogs before me were the reason. The dogs after me will be the reason

Our lives would've been wasted, our love never given;

We would die if not for you.

Just a Dog

"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."

-- Gene Hill