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.