Rufus

On April 22nd of this year, Rufus was found alongside a busy road lying on his side with his head picked up watching the cars speed past him. Today was going to be the luckiest day for little Rufus (or as I now call him, Woofies), and it was going to change my life in a most profound and positive way.

Below is the story of Rufus, as I remember it.... that fateful day when two lives will be changed, for the better, forever....


Today at work (I work in a very large mixed animal veterinary hospital where I lead the wildlife rehabilitation facility and where I am also their only small animal dental technician) we received a call from a client who sounded desperate and was frantic. "I just found a dog by the side of the road. he is just laying there with his head picked up. I think he was hit by a car because he is bleeding from his neck and his head is swollen. he is very skinny and won't move."
Well, we all prepared for the worst. This dog who we thought was hit by a car and had allowed a stranger to pick him up has to be in a bad way. Little did we know what we were in for.
This sweet woman rushed into the clinic and handed me a small bundle wrapped in a kids blanket. "here it is" she said. I unwrapped the blanket and was stunned, saddened and angered at what was inside.
I rushed this boy to our emergency treatment area and paged the veterinarian I work with. She ran up to the treatment table and whispered, "Oh my God.... how can he still be alive?" Well, alive this boy was but not too bright nor coherent. He was unable to move with stability and was very lethargic. The reason for his weakness and lethargy was due to his being extremely underweight and emaciated. Not only was he severely starved, he had been attacked many times over. His head and ears were riddled with bite marks. But his worst injury was found on his neck/throat area. He was viciously attacked and this attack was meant to kill. The laceration to his neck is about 5 to 6 inches long and about an inch wide. there are many other bite wounds around the laceration also.
This poor boy we determined to be close to 6 months of age and is unaltered. He is very scared of loud noises and loud barks. He is afraid of large dogs and of hand jestures to his head.
I have taken him home to treat all of his wounds, feed him properly and perhaps socialize him with my boys who seem to have already taken a liking to him!
This is going to be a very long process and this boy is far from recovery but.... he will recover and he will be a very happy boy!

Do What's Right....

Today, right now, this very moment, a dog, cat, rabbit, mouse and any other animal which was brought into a shelter is dying. Dying because we could not or would not care for him/her.
We as caregivers to companion animals made a conscious decision to be the protector and guardian of the very animal we have chosen to share our lives with. That means for the life of that companion.... NOT, until we grow tired of him or can no longer keep her.
Todays economy is dwindling and everyone is feeling the effects. But no one is feeling it more than those companion animals whom are dumped at city shelters because an owner feels burdened or is apathetic.
Shelters are being inundated with animals and are unable to shelter them all. Shelters can no longer afford to keep and shelter these animals. So what happens then.... what do you actually think happens in an animal shelter? Do these poor souls live out the remainder of their lives in a sanitary and compassionate environment? NO! The majority of them will be killed because they are UNWANTED by society!
Before you choose that special dog or cat as a christmas gift... before you see that cute puppy jumping up and down, wagging her tail and barking... before that kitten imprints himself on you by his dreamy little purr and kneading of paws on chest, think about whether or not you can commit your busy life to this boy or girl. Check your calendar and pocketbook and see if you are willing to devote your time and money to her or him.

I speak from experience when i say.... A dog or cat (in my home it is dogs and cats) is at least a 12 to 20 year, full time commitment! Are you willing and able to spend your time and money on a companion animal for this period of time?
Think before you buy and if you decide to get that special dog or cat.... make it an extra special one and adopt! Adopt your companion animal, for right now they are being killed thousands at a time because we no longer want them... and this is very, very sad and very, very pathetic!

Free Me....

I roam this world alone, uncaring, careless, free...

Afraid of nothing nor of anyone whom attacks me...

Traits i've honed early in life, whatever shall be will be...

Hit me, kick me, this pain i've felt many times before...

Can you hold me down, can you feel me fighting even more...

My strength enormous and my heart, like the eagle, does soar...

Search deep within my soul, can you see who i am or what i need...

Am i like you, do you hunger for information, shall i let you feed...

No, i am not like you but i do feel pain and, like you, i do bleed...

Forgive me, i forgot to mention one small detail which you may want to know...

But one fear i've failed to address and it is one i shall never show...

Alone... what an ugly word, my eternal enemy, it will never let me go...

Thanksgiving.... What is it to me?

I don't follow holidays as many others do. I don't succumb to tradition or to the "rules" which apply to a hallowed day.  Holidays, for me, are just another day to work and play. Another day to live and survive.

I find that holidays tend to be very hypocritical. A day in which a reason is had for people to get together with friends and family they may not see on any other day. A day to socialize with those in which you don't remember or don't care to remember the next day.... 

Holidays have also become very glamourized and commercialized. People stray from a holiday's true meaning and use it to skip another day of work and be gluttons and drink in excess. Is this wrong, I am not saying it is wrong or right, all I am saying is that people will use a holiday to better suit themselves and forget exactly why the day is celebrated.

I don't need a holiday to spend quality time with people I care about. Nor do I need a holiday to celebrate life, in all forms. For me, everyday should be a day to give thanks to that which makes you happy and complete. Thanks for good health and the health of your friends and loved ones.

Today is a day which has me in very mixed emotions.... I am truly thankful for waking this morning in good health and strength of body, soul and mind. I am thankful for being able to go into work and walking the dogs which are stuck in kennels for the holiday. Making them happy for a little while and allowing them a bit of freedom from their cages. 

I am very thankful that my own boys have health and vitality and such a verve for life. I am thankful that they never are in need of anything and want nothing.

What I am not thankful for is all of the turkeys (roughly 42 million) which were abused, tortured then slaughtered just to satisfy the palates of the millions of americans who gluttonously ate of these magnificent birds. 

I read in bewilderment how george bush pardoned a turkey. Pardoned a turkey for what! This bird committed no crime! He never threatened a life nor did she ever break a law! Yet, for amusement and celebrity, the president pardoned a turkey for no other reason than to humor a nation which has been led by fear....

Well.... I've ranted and I've raved, this is just my two cents worth. You can collect your change at the door, thank you!