I have really been struggling with updating my blog. Not because I have nothing to say but because I have too much to say. The other day I came across this website:

http://www.petsofhomeless.com/default.htm

I was completely taken aback. Not because I was unaware of the problem, I just didn’t realize how much bigger the problem is getting. Homeless people owning pets is actually a controversial subject to some. Many think that they don’t deserve to have pets or that it is unfair for the pet to have to live this type of lifestyle. I completely disagree. I understand why some might feel like if a person can’t take care of themselves, how or why would they try and take care of an animal. But I look at it like this: in some cases that animal or even that animal’s human is the only living, breathing, loving being that they know. This is their only companion. Most homeless people are not homeless by choice. I don’t think they should be punished or denied companionship because of those circumstances. Would it better to take the animal away, making both miserable and then taking the pet to a shelter only to be put to asleep after 5 days unless adopted? Also, the housing foreclosure situation has compounded the problem of abandoned pets. Honestly, if I had to leave and had the choice of living in my car with my pets or an apartment without them, I can honestly, with all candor, say that I would live in my car. I am lucky that I have family that loves me and would take me and pets in if necessary but the thought has crossed my mind.

Now there does beg the question “if they can’t feed themselves how can they feed a pet or pay for vet care”? Well, it is hard if not almost impossible. I have been asking myself for the past few days, how do I help? So for the next few weeks I will be on a fact finding mission on how to partner with Pets of the Homeless in my part of the US. I don’t think getting food donated would be the biggest task, I think it will be finding someone who knows how to find the section of the population that needs this type of assistance. So, wish me luck and I will try to keep my blog updated in a more timely manner! Also, visit the website if this subject interests you, as they say it so much better than I can.

Merry Earth Day!

Yesterday was Earth Day and of course every one on TV had a story about it. What you can do to save the environment, ways to reduce your carbon foot print…and the like. I am glad that everyone is thinking about it today. The problem is that everyone needs to think about it ALL THE TIME.

I have read over some of my past posts about what I am going to do to help save the Earth. And I have to say that I am fairly proud of the fact that I have kept up with a lot of my “promises”. Of course there is room for improvement, especially when it comes to reusable bags. But I am vigilant about unplugging things when not in use, trying to conserve water and changing all of my light bulbs over.

But now there is a whole other realm of things that I never thought about, that worries me. The environmental safety of my shampoo, tooth paste etc. I mean it all goes down the drain, and thus in to the ground water. So if you know of a good eco friendly shampoo, that I don;t have to buy online, please let me know.

Something else that I never thought about was how to make my pets "green". Here is a cool link to that info:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/how-to-green-your-pet.php

Hmm... I wonder how Bunnie, Chloe and Otto will feel about new hemp beds?

The Mystery Guest

My sister-in-law called me the other day and said that she had a story to tell me. When she went to pick up my niece from school, M informed her that she was bringing a Mystery Guest to school. K asked her who the Mystery Guest was…and M proceeded to tell explain. More or less this is what she said:

I am going to hide my Mystery Guest behind some desks and then I will say “ My Mystery guest is 30 years old, with 3 dogs and 11 cats and it is (big build up here) and then Mimi will jump out from behind the desks and say Tada!

I am not sure what credentials I have to be a Mystery Guest but I was thrilled! I mean have never been a Mystery Guest before, plus she made me 8 years younger! :-) I don’t have 11 cats but I do have 3 dogs so not so bad!

I wonder what goes through a 6 year olds mind in order to create a whole scenario about a Mystery Guest. I think it was probably show and tell but the creativity that she showed was amazing! Both of nieces are very creative and I love that about them. They have such great imaginations.

So, let me know if you need a Mystery Guest for any occasion. I am happy to volunteer. You might want to check with "M", my agent. I might be booked!

Happy Trails Oswald

For those of you who read this blog, (all 3 of you!) I have some happy news. Oswald has been adopted by a family! I got to say goodbye to him yesterday and he was as sweet as ever. This is the happy ending to sort of a sad story. Good Luck Oswald! I will miss you but I know you will be happy. I love you and you will always be my fuzzy face!