Everyone knows how many cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, horses, etc. are euthenized every year in Los Angeles due to the problems of overpopulation and neglect, as well as one of the worst run Animal Services Departments in the nation. One of the worst because of the "pay to play" antics of our current Mayor Hahn. At least that's what it appears to be. If it is not, PLEASE show us. Show us how you "see the light". Is it because of the endless, tireless efforts of several animal groups that lighted at your doors ceaselessly to give animals a voice, or did you just have a brain seizure into sanity? Or, are you feeling your voting base flounder?
In any case, there now lies ahead a new opportunity for a new General Manager of Animal Services for the City of Los Angeles. Applications welcome. Who could/would apply that makes sense? Job description is to "turn LA into a low-kill/no-kill city by 2008 and be the PREMIER animal services department in the country!!! RA, RA, RA!! I FEEL the love ... and the exaggeration a bit on their parts. Spin Doctor must have been in instead of Dr. Doolittle that day in the Department.
I looked at it and asked myself "do you have the qualifications to do this?" Not specifically, but I know how much of my life has been devoted to helping animals and I wonder if they consider that "field training" or "life experience" transferable to their needs. The salary is nice. I am willing to work 7 days a week for animals ... but the politics - yuk! I used to work in politics as a journalist ... must say that was a REAL zoo 'cept the animals there got to roam free and run our lives too!
I may send out that resume. Hmmmm, last 5 jobs and salaries in "public administration, management, or animal services, etc." I can spin with the best of 'em, but what the heck. Let's see when my rejection letter arrives and what they state.
I do KNOW people and people that KNOW people that could get me in up higher along the resume pile. But... what would I do when I have to see the horrors of the shelters, those beautiful faces peering through the bars begging for a chance, an opportunity for ME, ME to look their way and just maybe bail them out.
God love them.
God bless the new GM of Los Angeles Animal Services!
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Monday, May 17, 2004
On Being Charm ... and Shelly
Sunday was one of the most glorious days I have seen in a loooong time in LA. Picture perfect weather as I drove to the stables in Atwater to see Mr. Charm. THE most gorgeous bay Thoroughbred you can imagine. A glistening, flat coat like a certain dog breed that I just can't recall the name of right now. A pit or hairless chihuaha, I don't know. The coat was so flat with almost an oil base to it so that your hand glides effortlessly over his defined musculature. And to hear he is 13 - insane! He looks like a youngster! He moves with such dynamism, confidence and at the same time he is sooooo laid back. He always wants to kiss your face and just KNOWS that carrots follow an interlude with momma. Momma (Kelli) lovingly nudges her boy and he loves her caresses and kisses. They are such a pair to watch. He knows on Saturdays he gets to run through Griffith Park up and down the hills slowing only for blind corners, free to be who he was bred to be - a runner. His nature is to love and be outdoors, plain and simple. There are no pretenses with Charm. He's his own man, confident and self assured enough to give and receive love. Where is MY Mr. Charm in real life? Oh well, that's ANOTHER blog.
I was fortunate to get on his back and walk around the arena as one year had passed since I rode and I wanted to be able to walk the rest of the week.
A dear friend Shelly died that morning and I found out while brushing Charm. The security of being with a horse was so perfect at that time. My life was spent on horses and they helped me through the uncertainties of childhood and many difficulties in my personal life growing up.
It was a shock to hear about Shelly although we knew his time was coming as his cancer had spread and it was only time.
Such similar beings Shelly and Charm. They are bigger than life and FULL of life, laughter and love of people. Both have the courage to run and know when to stop. They stand out in the crowd and people take notice. I knew that riding Charm on such a gorgeous day was something that Shelly would want me to do in his honor. I did so with purposeful thoughts about Shelly the whole time. I wanted Shelly to feel my joy of freedom on earth at the same time he was enjoying his on the next plane
Wherever Shelly is, he is free like Charm when he is at a gallop. His hair is blowing in the eternal winds of a beautiful place beyond our comprehension. He is so loved, just like Charm is by his momma. All is good in the world when you see the similarity between a man and a horse.
I guess that's why cowboys are who they are. But that's another story.
I was fortunate to get on his back and walk around the arena as one year had passed since I rode and I wanted to be able to walk the rest of the week.
A dear friend Shelly died that morning and I found out while brushing Charm. The security of being with a horse was so perfect at that time. My life was spent on horses and they helped me through the uncertainties of childhood and many difficulties in my personal life growing up.
It was a shock to hear about Shelly although we knew his time was coming as his cancer had spread and it was only time.
Such similar beings Shelly and Charm. They are bigger than life and FULL of life, laughter and love of people. Both have the courage to run and know when to stop. They stand out in the crowd and people take notice. I knew that riding Charm on such a gorgeous day was something that Shelly would want me to do in his honor. I did so with purposeful thoughts about Shelly the whole time. I wanted Shelly to feel my joy of freedom on earth at the same time he was enjoying his on the next plane
Wherever Shelly is, he is free like Charm when he is at a gallop. His hair is blowing in the eternal winds of a beautiful place beyond our comprehension. He is so loved, just like Charm is by his momma. All is good in the world when you see the similarity between a man and a horse.
I guess that's why cowboys are who they are. But that's another story.
Saturday, May 15, 2004
Wonders of the Woof...
Grass and muscle tendons. Yup, grass and muscle tendons go GREAT together for Astro's liking. GROSS ME OUT!!! Doesn't he know what it is? Oops I forgot! Astro's Appetizing Adventures!!!! A day without gross stuff is a day bad for my dawg. He went after a few kleenexes and doggie poop yesterday so he was satiated there. (double gross) Mostly eating grass these days to soothe the tummie ... and barf all over my house. Hasn't graced the new house with that yet though, hmmmmmm... the countdown is on. I am about to buy a 6 x 9 carpet so it's not so difficult for him to get up as the arthritis and age are getting to his 91 pounds (down 10 from last year, now at age 14) But I KNOW, I KNOW as soon as I bring that puppy (rug) in here that he will barf all over it. Oh kvell, what's a mother to do? It's funny these wood floors I thought would be so cool actually show SOOOOOOO much hair and his slobber (a Newfie/lab mix DOES do both very well you know).
The kittie sisters on the other hand will LOVE the jute and probably sharpen their claws in no time on that rug. So WHY buy it I ask? WHY? Because it's beautiful and it will help "pull the living room together" or that I just like to suffer and watch nature take it's course through my dog's gastronomic adventures and my cat's loving destructive ways? Who cares at this point. Their my BABIES dahlin' and I jist LOVE THEM! Forgot to mention, AHM from Texas and I sometimes even write with a drawl dahlin'. It's just a southeren thang hun.
A couple walked by Pier 1, the home still of my new rug to be, and they had a huge black "thing" on an expando leash. I couldn't tell if Mastiff, Staf or what. It was tres muscular and cool looking. I ran thru the wicker to get to see it and all I saw were his guardian's butts, not his/hers. Thought I could make a new friend.
Mrs. Bird is at it STILL. Those eggs are trying to get warm enough in our 80 degree heat but I guess they need oven temperature to pop open. I can't wait to hear the chirping of her darling lil ones when it occurs. You know her orange chested husband up and left her after they finished the nest. Typical polygimist he was. Probably flew to Utah where his other "chicks" were. I always say "Hello Mrs. Bird" when I go in out the back door as the door sort of rocks her nest. Her front door is facing me as I come out and she shifts tail to door then head to door I guess to evenly cook the babies. Her diligence and devotion blow my mind. I just WISH I could commit to SOMETHING in my life like she is. I have with my animals and that's beautiful, but I am so used to it it just seems normal. But passion, true passion and determination, that's Mrs. Bird. I swear she is teaching me great lessons now about how sitting around the house may produce results. Hopefully it will with the new job I plan to accept tomorrow which would include working out of the house dialing for dollars.
Mallie could not sleep last night as I just didn't want her curled under my chin.
Mootzie can ALWAYS sleep as that means she gets to wake up and EAT more! Boy are they polars - bulimic and anorexic my two girls. They both have good figures don't get me wrong, it's just that well, keeping the food schedules and stuff in order is getting to be a bit much. Also stepping in a bit of barf occassionally is not all that fun.
DID YOU THINK I WOULD BE WRITING ABOUT BARF SO SOON INTO THIS DEAL? I sure didn't. SORRY about that.
Next subject.
I need to go rollerblade and see butterflies and the birds at the wildlife preserve now before dusk. I haven't bladed in quite some time but I just finished some Indian food and had to let it settle before bladin' on.
Catch ya on the flop. ... for those youngsters that was CB talk back in the good 'ole 70s. Gosh, 70s, now THAT was a scary decade. Do NOT look at clothes you wore then. DO NOT I am warning you - they are scary.
No animal news of note other than I am inundated with Animal Welfare messages about such hard working groups such as Last Chance for Animals, ADLA, SHARK and IAKAKAPS who do such amazing, hardcore work in the legislature, against the City of LA dopes at Animal Control that can't get what needs to be corrected, against Rodeo, etc. abusers including helping the Baylor Bears get better conditions (that goodness to them Waco is my hometown and the treatment of the Bears was appalling to say the least) and finally a group that fights the Korean Government to prevent the eating and mass killing of cats and dogs for human consumption for aphrodisiac qualities. I get so many Viagra e-mails I should re-direct to Korea and tell them to get a grip and take their blue pills and save the time and trouble of farming animals if they are so hung up on getting laid.
Mallie just drooled on my arm for the last time during this e-mail so I am done with it so I am off to blade.
Check out those groups above - they do GREAT work.
Oh check out Aussie Rescue, my friend Linda in Ventura has saved TONS of Aussie's and is a blessing to the animal world. She has been a dear friend too. She has Linda's Paws and Claws there that is a holistic pet store so CHECK THEM OUT in Ventura. K?
savpets for goodness sakes!
The kittie sisters on the other hand will LOVE the jute and probably sharpen their claws in no time on that rug. So WHY buy it I ask? WHY? Because it's beautiful and it will help "pull the living room together" or that I just like to suffer and watch nature take it's course through my dog's gastronomic adventures and my cat's loving destructive ways? Who cares at this point. Their my BABIES dahlin' and I jist LOVE THEM! Forgot to mention, AHM from Texas and I sometimes even write with a drawl dahlin'. It's just a southeren thang hun.
A couple walked by Pier 1, the home still of my new rug to be, and they had a huge black "thing" on an expando leash. I couldn't tell if Mastiff, Staf or what. It was tres muscular and cool looking. I ran thru the wicker to get to see it and all I saw were his guardian's butts, not his/hers. Thought I could make a new friend.
Mrs. Bird is at it STILL. Those eggs are trying to get warm enough in our 80 degree heat but I guess they need oven temperature to pop open. I can't wait to hear the chirping of her darling lil ones when it occurs. You know her orange chested husband up and left her after they finished the nest. Typical polygimist he was. Probably flew to Utah where his other "chicks" were. I always say "Hello Mrs. Bird" when I go in out the back door as the door sort of rocks her nest. Her front door is facing me as I come out and she shifts tail to door then head to door I guess to evenly cook the babies. Her diligence and devotion blow my mind. I just WISH I could commit to SOMETHING in my life like she is. I have with my animals and that's beautiful, but I am so used to it it just seems normal. But passion, true passion and determination, that's Mrs. Bird. I swear she is teaching me great lessons now about how sitting around the house may produce results. Hopefully it will with the new job I plan to accept tomorrow which would include working out of the house dialing for dollars.
Mallie could not sleep last night as I just didn't want her curled under my chin.
Mootzie can ALWAYS sleep as that means she gets to wake up and EAT more! Boy are they polars - bulimic and anorexic my two girls. They both have good figures don't get me wrong, it's just that well, keeping the food schedules and stuff in order is getting to be a bit much. Also stepping in a bit of barf occassionally is not all that fun.
DID YOU THINK I WOULD BE WRITING ABOUT BARF SO SOON INTO THIS DEAL? I sure didn't. SORRY about that.
Next subject.
I need to go rollerblade and see butterflies and the birds at the wildlife preserve now before dusk. I haven't bladed in quite some time but I just finished some Indian food and had to let it settle before bladin' on.
Catch ya on the flop. ... for those youngsters that was CB talk back in the good 'ole 70s. Gosh, 70s, now THAT was a scary decade. Do NOT look at clothes you wore then. DO NOT I am warning you - they are scary.
No animal news of note other than I am inundated with Animal Welfare messages about such hard working groups such as Last Chance for Animals, ADLA, SHARK and IAKAKAPS who do such amazing, hardcore work in the legislature, against the City of LA dopes at Animal Control that can't get what needs to be corrected, against Rodeo, etc. abusers including helping the Baylor Bears get better conditions (that goodness to them Waco is my hometown and the treatment of the Bears was appalling to say the least) and finally a group that fights the Korean Government to prevent the eating and mass killing of cats and dogs for human consumption for aphrodisiac qualities. I get so many Viagra e-mails I should re-direct to Korea and tell them to get a grip and take their blue pills and save the time and trouble of farming animals if they are so hung up on getting laid.
Mallie just drooled on my arm for the last time during this e-mail so I am done with it so I am off to blade.
Check out those groups above - they do GREAT work.
Oh check out Aussie Rescue, my friend Linda in Ventura has saved TONS of Aussie's and is a blessing to the animal world. She has been a dear friend too. She has Linda's Paws and Claws there that is a holistic pet store so CHECK THEM OUT in Ventura. K?
savpets for goodness sakes!
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Welcome to my Woof!
starting today...is there not a better time to do so?
To blog or not to blog, that has been on my mind for almost a year and now after my 46th BD it has become a reality. Why wait? The animals need me...you, all of us to talk more about them to help improve the quality of their dear lives.
I am blessed to know Stuart Rosen, creator of www.gurustu.com a wonderfully insprirational site for personal growth. ALSO a major animal lover himself. He so believes in the spirit and love of creatures that he has ignored a severe allergy to cats to allow a beautiful kitty into his world for the last 9 years. He bathes him, puts dander free powders and "stuff" on him so they can live in harmony. And it works! So when someone says they are allergic, think about the power of "pawsitive thought" as synergy between beast and man can occur against all odds.
This blog is devoted to my love of animals and their importance in our world. It is also a place to acknowledge those that rescue. It is also a place for petlore, health tips, ideas, urgent news and amazing animal/human stories that show the real bond between the two so different, yet so similar creatures.
Pets like cats, birds, dogs, hamsters, fish and more come into our homes and hearts and change us forever. Nature is empty without the lullaby of birds, the dance of the butterfly, the strength of elephants, the speed of a cheetah, the curiosity of a bear, the majesty of a horse running, a cow peacefully grazing or a simple rodent crossing the street. I have always felt strange when I am somewhere where I cannot see or hear or touch an animal. It feels lonely almost as their quiet presence comforts me, especially in my darkest hours.
That is the true beauty of God's creatures - what they bring to our world through our senses. We see them and it brings joy to our hearts. We feel their soft coats and touch their tiny paws and know that we are connecting with nature, or God if you like, on a different level, a non-verbal one. A direct hit to the Big Guy in the sky (Although I do not believe in an anthropormorphic version of a Higher Power, I do sometimes refer to God as the Big Guy!)
Mallie my littlest girl kitty is in my lap loudly purring and drooling (of course!) She was thrown out in the garbage on her first day of life in a baggie with her two siblings. She meowed so loudly someone going to throw out their trash thought it was a human baby, jumped into the dumpster and fished them out. She has NEVER stopped yelling since then unfortunately. Actually it's a cry of happiness everyday from when she wakes up to when she curls up under my chin to go to sleep. Please do not try to prevent her from that place either as she will toss and turn and push and shove her way into there all night. I just surrender and let it be as I can't compete. I do need my sleep sometimes! She was bottle fed and held in the crook of someone's arm and was allowed to suckle on their forarm. It drives me crazy as she always wants to lick your arm, but she is too, too cute still. She would allow you to put her in any position, hence, Mallie for Maleable Kitty. Everyday she wakes up jumping up, crying, walking all over me so glad it's morning, so glad's it's a new day - ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAPPY! How can I ever compete? And should I? I believe she relishes everyday she was given out of that dumpster. When I was called by a friend when she was 7 months old and told "there is a little girl that we KNOW you need, she is like you and you HAVE to see her" I thought they were nuts. I have two other cats in a one bedroom condo. Are they KIDDING??? I fell for it. Then months later we had the earthquake and that day she went into heat and the crying and meowing. Oye! Was that a nightmare. Later I inherited my 120+ dog from my ex-boyfriend who's apartment had blown up in the quake. Well that's a WHOLE other blog. And it's really interesting about the psychic connection between myself and my 'mules, as I call them.
I know that I was blessed to know animals and they rescued me growing up. Again, ANOTHER blog, but they truly did. And I owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to them for that.
News: There's a new mobile spay/neuter van in LA started by a group that is connected to some television show I believe. I will include the specifics later. With over 70,000 animals being put down in our LA shelters alone per year, this is very needed. Let's write them a note (when I have the info) and let others know about them so more unwanted pets can be prevented. Prevention IS the key to successful integration of humans and pets in the Big City.
Well my first blog comes to an end. But the story has just begun. The story of a city (LA) that is TRULY no-kill, with children and families educated about the importance of spaying and neutering and treating animals with kindness, respect and care. An environment where the wild beasts can roam safely and have plenty to eat amongst the ever expanding housing starts. Also, I dream of senior facilities full of roaming pets to keep our older citizens happy and loved during their later years when family and friends may be few. All of this can happen.
I have a dream ... do you?
Best wishes from Astro, Mootzi and Mallie
P.S.
Look for 'Mallie's Musings', 'Mootzie's Messages from the Cat Within' and 'Astro's Appetizing Adventures' (hold on to your stomachs for these as they have been quite outrageous through the years!).
Suggestions, comments and links are greatly appreciated to make this another great source for the animal lover.
To blog or not to blog, that has been on my mind for almost a year and now after my 46th BD it has become a reality. Why wait? The animals need me...you, all of us to talk more about them to help improve the quality of their dear lives.
I am blessed to know Stuart Rosen, creator of www.gurustu.com a wonderfully insprirational site for personal growth. ALSO a major animal lover himself. He so believes in the spirit and love of creatures that he has ignored a severe allergy to cats to allow a beautiful kitty into his world for the last 9 years. He bathes him, puts dander free powders and "stuff" on him so they can live in harmony. And it works! So when someone says they are allergic, think about the power of "pawsitive thought" as synergy between beast and man can occur against all odds.
This blog is devoted to my love of animals and their importance in our world. It is also a place to acknowledge those that rescue. It is also a place for petlore, health tips, ideas, urgent news and amazing animal/human stories that show the real bond between the two so different, yet so similar creatures.
Pets like cats, birds, dogs, hamsters, fish and more come into our homes and hearts and change us forever. Nature is empty without the lullaby of birds, the dance of the butterfly, the strength of elephants, the speed of a cheetah, the curiosity of a bear, the majesty of a horse running, a cow peacefully grazing or a simple rodent crossing the street. I have always felt strange when I am somewhere where I cannot see or hear or touch an animal. It feels lonely almost as their quiet presence comforts me, especially in my darkest hours.
That is the true beauty of God's creatures - what they bring to our world through our senses. We see them and it brings joy to our hearts. We feel their soft coats and touch their tiny paws and know that we are connecting with nature, or God if you like, on a different level, a non-verbal one. A direct hit to the Big Guy in the sky (Although I do not believe in an anthropormorphic version of a Higher Power, I do sometimes refer to God as the Big Guy!)
Mallie my littlest girl kitty is in my lap loudly purring and drooling (of course!) She was thrown out in the garbage on her first day of life in a baggie with her two siblings. She meowed so loudly someone going to throw out their trash thought it was a human baby, jumped into the dumpster and fished them out. She has NEVER stopped yelling since then unfortunately. Actually it's a cry of happiness everyday from when she wakes up to when she curls up under my chin to go to sleep. Please do not try to prevent her from that place either as she will toss and turn and push and shove her way into there all night. I just surrender and let it be as I can't compete. I do need my sleep sometimes! She was bottle fed and held in the crook of someone's arm and was allowed to suckle on their forarm. It drives me crazy as she always wants to lick your arm, but she is too, too cute still. She would allow you to put her in any position, hence, Mallie for Maleable Kitty. Everyday she wakes up jumping up, crying, walking all over me so glad it's morning, so glad's it's a new day - ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAPPY! How can I ever compete? And should I? I believe she relishes everyday she was given out of that dumpster. When I was called by a friend when she was 7 months old and told "there is a little girl that we KNOW you need, she is like you and you HAVE to see her" I thought they were nuts. I have two other cats in a one bedroom condo. Are they KIDDING??? I fell for it. Then months later we had the earthquake and that day she went into heat and the crying and meowing. Oye! Was that a nightmare. Later I inherited my 120+ dog from my ex-boyfriend who's apartment had blown up in the quake. Well that's a WHOLE other blog. And it's really interesting about the psychic connection between myself and my 'mules, as I call them.
I know that I was blessed to know animals and they rescued me growing up. Again, ANOTHER blog, but they truly did. And I owe a lifelong debt of gratitude to them for that.
News: There's a new mobile spay/neuter van in LA started by a group that is connected to some television show I believe. I will include the specifics later. With over 70,000 animals being put down in our LA shelters alone per year, this is very needed. Let's write them a note (when I have the info) and let others know about them so more unwanted pets can be prevented. Prevention IS the key to successful integration of humans and pets in the Big City.
Well my first blog comes to an end. But the story has just begun. The story of a city (LA) that is TRULY no-kill, with children and families educated about the importance of spaying and neutering and treating animals with kindness, respect and care. An environment where the wild beasts can roam safely and have plenty to eat amongst the ever expanding housing starts. Also, I dream of senior facilities full of roaming pets to keep our older citizens happy and loved during their later years when family and friends may be few. All of this can happen.
I have a dream ... do you?
Best wishes from Astro, Mootzi and Mallie
P.S.
Look for 'Mallie's Musings', 'Mootzie's Messages from the Cat Within' and 'Astro's Appetizing Adventures' (hold on to your stomachs for these as they have been quite outrageous through the years!).
Suggestions, comments and links are greatly appreciated to make this another great source for the animal lover.
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