Got my DNA Tribes results back and I'm a literal Heinz 57 (moreso than even I knew), with a sprinkling of Ch'ol Mayan, Tineh/Apache (Southwest New Mexico region which would be the Chiricahua Apache), Puna (Andean Argentina) & Otomi. I knew there was Irish, French, Welsh/English, German & Scottish...but they were not the top dawgs. There's also... Danish, Flemish/Belgian (those were the top 2), Romanian, Belarus(ian ?), Swedish & Polish.
Got my butt in gear finally and have my eBay auctions up and running...took me long enough to get around to it. lol But my Baby made it so much easier for me...Thank you, my Guru!!
As some of you may know, I foster Shelties and sometimes Collies for a Rescue organization here in Central Florida. We personally have the three dogs that you see below (and the two cats), plus we have one or two fosters at any given time.
Today I had to go to one of our local shelters (Animal Control for our county) to see about adopting a Sheltie for our rescue. We do this to help the shelter, as well as to make sure that each dog is given the very best family...a FOREVER family, as well as avoiding euthanasia for them.
There were also two Collies that had come in together. I will know in two days if they will come into our home until we can get them healthy and find them their new forever home. They look to be a brother and sister and the boy has a mangled right front foot. Not sure what happened there, but want to get his booboo feeling better as soon as possible.
It's so hard for me every time I go there...seeing all of those faces and knowing that only a small number will find a home. This shelter has gotten MUCH better about euthanizing fewer animals, plus they have expanded and are very clean. I also found out today that they are now working with rescues, which they had a reputation for NOT doing in the past.
I have such a hard time understanding some of the "reasons" that people give up their "beloved" pets. And being in rescue, it seems to fall into the same few. The two main ones are "I'm moving" and "Someone in the house is allergic" (ahem....after ALL this time of having the pet?!?!?!?).
I found this story below some time back and decided that after today's visit, it would be good to put up here. Not to jump on my soapbox, but I'm going to jump on my soapbox lol, in hopes that maybe even one of you reading it will be affected now, or in the future, to help or to think differently, when it comes to owning/relinquishing a pet so easily.
They are not disposable, and not something to get on a whim. Yes, they are CUTE and it can be REALLY hard to see a sweet face and walk away from it, but think of it as a child...would you walk away from your child? Or dump it on the street or with a stranger? I know there are days we may feel like it, but in reality, it's not something you do. Okay, I've added my two bits, now enjoy this read and grab a HUGE box of Kleenex!!!
"How Could You?" Copyright Jim Willis 2001 [email protected]
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh.
You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.
It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."
You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.
As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.
She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.
And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
The End
A note from the author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in America's shelters.
Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a non-commercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards.
I appreciate receiving copies of newsletters which reprint "How Could You?" or "The Animals' Savior," sent to me at the last postal address below.
Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious.
Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. If you are a member of an animal welfare organization, I encourage you to participate in the Spay/Neuter Billboard Campaign from ISAR (International Society for Animal Rights); for more information, please visit: http://www.i-s-a-r.com
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January 6, 2007
I've been keeping busy with all kinds of new things and actually working hard at keeping up with day to day life and it's going well. Michael got me PMC3 Silver Clay and a HotPot for Christmas so I've got a new avenue to try with jewelry. He also got me a half pound of California White Sage, a bag of White Sage seeds to grow my own and when we went on vacation in Georgia, I was madly in love with the Cotton fields full of wonderful white bolls, so he even got me my own Cotton seeds to grow!!
Needless to say, I'm going to be VERY busy come Spring. lol I've been reading up on how to work with the clay so that I won't waste it...that $hit is expensive!!! And I've also been working more on finding my Native bloodlines. I've got out my Mom's Maternal Family Tree book and am also on a board on GeneTree and have been given some links that should help me out. There really is a strong tie to Ohio and German & French connections with Tribes. Now to see if any of it pans out.
I've also found a different DNA test that is supposed to be more accurate in regards to which Tribe and also happens to be $50 less, plus the add ons are wayyyyy less. It's DNA Tribes.
So please everyone, if you think I'm not talking to you, I am just keeping busy and not spending a ton of time on here....but don't want to lose any of you for thinking I'm ignoring you by not replying. You are all important to me and I love being able to go to any of your pages at any given time for a smile. Thank you for understanding!!
July 17, 2006
I want to WELCOME all of the new Spirits who have joined my list. Something has led me to each and every one of you. I don't add friends for the high numbers. I add my friends for Spiritual & Creative input, inspiration and for something to put a smile on my face every day (Aside from the ones I get from my hubby, kids & creatures).
I may not speak to each and every one of you, or I might converse for a while then not. Even those with whom I have never 'spoken', you still have meaning to me and I hope that you never think otherwise.
Since I've been on myspace, I've tried to weed out some of my friends. Some were easy to delete, but even though I wanted a more manageable number, I could not bring myself to delete the rest of you. As I said, there is something special about each and every one of you and that is why you are here. I feel as if I am led to my friends and don't add anyone who I feel no connection to. .
I honestly think that I have the BEST group of friends in all of myspace in MY list!!! The most talented, most creative, most beautiful, most loving & caring, most kick arse and all around AWESOME bunch!!
You all help to make my World a wonderful place to be!! Thank you for that. ;-)) Okay, enough of the gooey sweet stuff....
My Dalmation Jasper Bear Fetish With Inlaid Coral Eyes...I made him!! (And miss him...) He was only my SECOND stone fetish carving I've made...I'm damned proud of him and he was intensely strong. Sadly I gave him to my brother who probably tossed him in the trash....money and social stature are far more important to him. I've felt sick in the pit of my stomach ever since for placing him in such an environment.
Atlantis Quest
OMG this game is fun! Starts out fairly easy but gets alot tougher in level 3.....
Inspheration
The Rise of Atlantis