Worst Blogger, Ever is.....

Me! I admit it, I am. And I would like to apologize to anyone who was expecting any updates. After I stopped writing I was in the process of looking for another job and transitioning from one job to the other. I finally have a new job again and although it's not my dream job (I work in retail, enough said) it does provide my family with additional cash, which is great. Long story short, I'm back with more animal stuff to write about.


Since I've stopped writing, my husband and have added a new member to our family! Olive, a black Pomeranian we adopted off of a lady that was selling 3 Pom puppies--and she's a dream! I love her so much! And now that I have to go to work it makes me feel a lot better that Sophie isn't home by herself. 


Anyway, everybody meet Olive! 

Wordless Wednesday

"I'd rather be dead than eat at McDonald's"

....that's what one of our protest signs read when I along with other animal rights activist use to protest in front of McDonald's on Mission St in Santa Cruz, CA when I was in college. When I was an undergrad I joined a group called, Banana Slugs for Animals, an animal rights group at UC Santa Cruz lead by Eric Deardorff, the Action Team Coordinator at PETA. 

You can't see me because Eric's 6ft frame is covering me, but I'm the one holding the red sign that says "McCruelty, I'm Hatin' It." 

This picture inspired this blog entry. I found it on Eric's Facebook page. I'm in the center of the photograph. 

We also use to protest at the local KFC, until it was shut down which was a major victory for animals. 

University of California, Santa Cruz!! Banana Slugs for Animals :) 

I have to admit though, since I've graduated college ( June 2011) I haven't attended any protests. For now, I'll use Internet to spread the word about animal cruelty. 

Are you prepared?

September is National Preparedness Month, so this is a great time for fur-parents to formulate a disaster plan for themselves and their furry bundles of joy. I advice all pet-parents to go to ASPCA website and sign up for the FREE Pet Safety Pack, which includes a pet rescue window decal that alerts rescue personnel that pets are inside your home, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center magnet—a convenient way to keep the APCC's toll-free emergency number.

The ASPCA also has a list of steps that should be taken to help pet owners execute an effective disaster plan. I wont list them all here since it'll be redundant. Disaster Preparedness

  

Wordless Wednesday

Bad Puppy!

I'm beginning to notice that I have a habit of NOT cashing or depositing my paychecks immediately after I get them. My boss hands them to me every Friday-- I open it, smile, put inside my purse, drive home, and place my paycheck next to my other checks. Why? Well for starters, my shift usually ends right before the bank closes so there's no way I can deposit the money. Secondly, this is purely psychological but i feel like If I deposit at least two checks at once, I'll have "more" money. Irrational, I know--and very, very consequential.... 


Yesterday was my day off and my husband had a half day at work, so we decided to take advantage of our schedules by going to Petco to buy a few pet supplies. As I was upstairs getting ready I heard him greeting Sophie with a high-pitched voice, "HEY BABY!!! DID YOU MISS DADDY?! OOH MY PRETTY BABY! YOU'RE SO ADORABLE!" Suddenly his sunshine filled tone became worrisome and serious, "Babe, have you seen this?...." He went upstairs and handed me my last week's paycheck torn into a million little pieces. The culprit, Sophie was standing next to him with smiling eyes, tounge sticking out and wagging her tail. Before I cried, because you best believe I cried for my torn paycheck; I scolded Sophie like never before. After I collected myself, I accepted the fact that I was partly at fault. To make a long story short, the bank teller was able to tape back my check and deposit it into my account. Oh Sophie, how I love you :) 

Meet Sophie

....my six month old Pomeranian puppy. She's my first pet and I love her dearly. As a child I didn't grow up with pets. My parents said caring for animals was a great responsibility--a permanent one that must be taken serious. At the time I didn't fully understand what they meant by that, but now as a fur-parent, the message is clear: pet ownership is a serious lifelong commitment. Getting "rid" of an animal because he or she is misbehaving or having occasional potty accidents are poor excuses that are used by many owners as a way to "rid" themselves of the responsibility they volunteered for. 


I'll be perfectly frank, that first full day I took care of Sophie, I was a somewhat disillusioned and frustrated. I had an adorable ten-week old fur-baby peeing and pooping what seemed like every 5 minutes. I couldn't take her out of her kennel for more than a few minutes before she caused some kind of mischief. One thing is researching and reading about caring for puppies but it is an entirely different thing to experience the mischief taking place in front of your eyes. Suddenly, Sophie's irresistible cuteness was clouded by her destructive puppy shenanigans. Despite the heavy dose of reality that had just bitch slapped me across the face, never did I once consider getting "rid" of Sophie when she was being house broken; because the truth of the matter is, I was frustrated with myself far more than I was with my fur-baby. Sophie was just being a puppy. There was nothing wrong with her; like a human child she needs guidance and as a fur-parent it is MY responsibility to provide her with that guidance. I realized that I had to buckle down and take her needs with a large degree of seriousness. Pets are non disposable living creatures that need us for survival, it won't always be puppies and rainbows (the name of my blog! :D) it'll be frustrating and expensive from time to time, but providing for an animal is a rewarding, kind and selfless act that positively shapes the lives of animals.  

(ps my intent wasn't to make this entry so somber, I promise my other entries will be more.....cheerful :) )