humanity
Isn't it ironic that the very best of humanity is seen through the love and empathy we show to our pets?
The homeless and their pets
I know you've all heard of the good ol' saying A dog is a man's best friend. I used to be a cat person but some where along the way I found myself with the cutest 4 week old all white miniture poodle/chihuahua who I named Lucky. How typical... He was who I considered to be my son. I ended up homeless after my boyfriend went to jail. Now that I think back I've been trying to fill a void with dogs to replace the love of my life who is still currently serving time. Yet I had convinced myself my son Lucky needed a companion. Yes I got my dog, a dog! Now my mother was stuck babysitting 2 grandchildren Lucky and Loki which she eventually got fed up with and refusing to enable my irresponsibility any longer she sent them to live with me indefinitely. I had no idea how to care for 2 dogs 24 hours, 7 days a week and remind you I was living on the streets. If all of this wasn't enough a small Jack Russell I now call chupies decided to adopt me and refused to leave. He turned out to be the most Loyal and protective dog I have. He would die protecting me without hesitation and I for him. Needless to say I was overwhelmed but my heart as big as it is found a way to adapt. It took me months to get used to taking care of them. Feeding, training, bathing, cleaning, screaming, breaking up fights and the biggest challenge of all locking them up before I could even cross the street. Loki is an escape artist and dogs learn fast. It only takes them seeing 1 dog do something for them all to learn the bad habits. Loki has been hit by a car. His leg was split down the middle but thanks to Pets of the Homeless and the East Bay spca he recovered 100%. My dogs are all vaccinated, chipped, spayed, and nutured. The resources are out there even if you don't have a dime you just have to go out and look for them. I'm a homeless woman who often builds in homeless encampments or as they're called tent cities. My dogs which now is a total of 6 Loki, Chupies, oso, Lucy, Minnie, and My lil Fat Daddy I've yet to name plus 1 kitten i think I'm naming Cat (she's a bigger handful than all the dogs put together) I now care for effortlessly. They keep me safe and warm at night. They keep me on my toes. Days when I don't want to keep pushing forward or even get out of bed I hear 1 bark and remember I have to. They're my responsibility if I don't feed them then they won't eat. I owe them my sanity. I truly believe if it wasn't for these crazy amazing little creatures I wouldn't be as humble, grounded, responsible, or sain as I am today after 2 very hard years. I get overwhelmed yes because they are a great responsibility and it isn't easy by any means especially financially but I would never give them up because they're the most loyal and loving creatures put on this planet. If you see homeless people with pets or dogs who aren't as fortunate as I am to care for their animals before you judge them or call the pound why don't you see what you can do to help. Buy a bag of food or some flea medicine. Help them search for resources before you call animal control because I guarantee no one on this planet can love a pet more then their owner and the pound is no better place for them to be. My Lucky was picked up and it cost $372 for me to get him back only for my baby to die in my arms because he got sick in the animal shelter. I'm homeless, I'm a drug addict and I'm not proud of it but I'm not ashamed either. I'm barely getting a grasp on life and I know my dogs play a huge role in why I haven't completely lost my way. My dogs are fat and healthy, flea free, chipped, vaccinated, and happy. Stop taking pets away from the homeless and help them instead of judging their situation. You don't know what that cat or dog may mean to them and you don't know what they might mean to that cat or dog.
By Stephanysays.blog4 years ago in Petlife
Rescue Me
I grew up in a small town. I mean, really small. Our population usually hovered somewhere around five hundred, but it didn't count the many of us that lived outside the city limits. We lived in what most people there called "the middle of nowhere." Our house was separated from the main highway by a large field and a long gravel drive. That drive is where my story begins.
By A.W. Naves4 years ago in Petlife
Why Do You Prefer a Dog or Cat as a Pet?
"Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but in a sense, because they don't; because they all stand unequal and powerless before us." ― Matthew Scully
By Fast Mouse4 years ago in Petlife
Imagine Life Without Our Pets
I have lived with pets and I have lived without them. I can tell you that life with pets is much more enhanced in quality. I grew up with cats and dogs. Back then cats were inside pets and our dogs were outside pets. Today as an adult I am a dog mother of two of the smartest, goofiest, caring girl pups who love me and their dog dad and each other very much
By Jodian Marie Thomas4 years ago in Petlife
October Was My Second Opportunity To Serve Animals and I Am Grateful for the Triggered Pain
October was too harsh. In addition to life standard chores, I spontaneously volunteered in some animals rescue missions. I’ve been witness to so much cruelty; a nonchalance in the best-case scenario.
By Myriam Ben Salem4 years ago in Petlife
Stop Killing Animals
To rant perfectly on the topic: When people especially the government (I say the government because they are the ones who are in charge of the world by country and they promote and should be protecting the rights of equality and such as by being the only ones who can ever bypass or make new laws to protect our lives and our rights and also for the lives and rights of those that cannot defend themselves. Animals.
By Keanna Barry 4 years ago in Petlife
Finding Kittens, Finding Me
I've always loved animals, ever since I was 9 years old and found an injured pigeon outside of church in the parking lot. I begged my mother to take that bird home and let me keep it, and she reluctantly said yes. Now, it soon followed that I found another pigeon, wounded on the street and took it home, also. Those pigeons became more pigeons, and I joined 4H where I expanded my collection to include chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, quail, doves, dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. I did very well in 4H, and in high school I joined FFA. I got a job at Hardee's, saved my money, and bought a pony that I named Blackie. Blackie was followed by a horse named Sandy, and then I got pregnant. I was 19 years old by that time, still living at home, still having all my animals, and my mother said that they all had to go except the dogs. I had to grow up because I was going to be a mother. I was sad to have to get rid of my loved ones, but I realized that as an adult I had responsibilities that outweighed my love for animals, so my collection was divided up between several children who needed animals for 4H.
By Sheila Sellinger, Author4 years ago in Petlife
Elsa and Champ
Elsa is sitting in the waiting room of the veterinary clinic “2VETS”, having her head in her hands and her body moving back and forth. Four more people waited their turn for their pet’s appointment. She finds herself in the center of a comforting “hug” and tearfully recounts all the wonderful times she had experienced in the company of Champ — the wolf-dog that has been her companion for the past 5 years — while receiving the expressions of compassion from the bystanders who touch her on the shoulder, hold her hand and watch her in tears, expressing words of comfort. Ten minutes earlier, one of the clinic’s two veterinarians had announced that he had not been able to save Champ from the effects of ingesting rat poison he had taken from a storage locker in the garden that had been accidentally left open…
By Anthi Psomiadou4 years ago in Petlife
Your Dog Will Teach You How To Meditate: Mindfulness Lessons From Animals. Top Story - November 2021.
Mindfulness practices teach us to be in the here and now, notice what we are feeling, and bring more awareness into what we are doing. They work to relax the body and mind and reduce stress levels. Most often these are exercises with a concentration on breathing; meditations while standing, sitting, or in motion, which can be combined with other activities such as yoga, sports, or everyday activities.
By Michail Bukin4 years ago in Petlife
True Love Story About My Tabby Cat and Bobcat Near Death with Humanity
Lately there is a true story circulating in our community that links a bobcat facing certain death to human kindness and a deeper affinity to my domesticated cat and the roles of all animals in human psychology with rights to be protected and honored … just a simple precursor to humanity’s evolution with animals.
By Annemarie Berukoff4 years ago in Petlife
