For this post I'd like to talk a little bit about Animal Shelters. They do some great work, rescuing dogs and cats and finding them new homes, many even offering to help owners spay and neuter their pets.
But, there is so much that they don't do.
While animal shelters are good intentioned, I think they do many pets a disservice in many situations. The biggest example is their refusal to approve an adoption when a potential owner says the dog will spend a certain amount of time outdoors. It is not uncommon for this to be the case.
One example is a story about how our local shelter refused to let a man take one of their Rottweilers because he informed them that while he was at work during the day, he planned to tie the dog to a run he had attached between the house and the garage. He would leave the door open for the dog to enter the garage and then when he returned home from work, he would bring the dog inside. The shelter told him they couldn't allow that, and refused to give him the dog. My Step-Grandmother knew the man and said he was very nice and would have given a dog a good home.
But the people who are supposed to care about these dogs, denied one a perfectly good home because of a twisted view in their heads. This is only one of many stories like it. It makes you wonder if the dogs who could have had good homes were actually adopted, or killed because the Shelter didn't want them outside.
Now, personally, I believe tying a dog outside to a house should be a last resort. It is a fact that they are happier indoors with their humans, because they are pack animals. God created them to be with people. However, if I were given the choice between killing a dog and tying him outside...well, I'd choose the latter.
Shelters should instead educate people on how to properly care for a dog that is outside. If an owner wants to keep a dog outside for a stupid reason (such as, "oh I want a dog but I don't want to clean up after it/deal with hair", or "I don't believe animals should step toe in a house"), then I can see not wanting to give one to them. But I do believe shelters shouldn't be so picky about who adopts a dog. There are some dogs who are ok with being outside. I know someone who had a dog that preferred her doghouse to the actual house.
Shelters would be better off telling people that if they choose to adopt a dog to put outside, they must be responsible, and follow certain requirements (shelter staff checking up on these dogs they have adopted out to be outside pets can ease workers minds and ensure these animals are not being mistreated). Telling them how to build proper dog houses that can withstand cold, making them understand that outdoor dogs must be exercised daily, will get more dogs homes. Which means lives saved and families with wonderful pets. :)
And since we're on the subject, I'll list the tips for keeping an outside dog:
1. Make sure you have a suitable doghouse.
Determining whether a dog house is good enough will depend on the size and breed of your dog, and what your weather is normally like. Finding instructions on how to build one online is fairly easy.(Building your own house is far better-and I'm pretty sure less expensive-than buying one.) Make sure the house is insulated and your dog can't get to the insulation to chew. The roof should be shingled to minimize leaks. Your dog should be able to stand up in the house and turn around, but it needs to be just right so the dog's body heat won't escape and will be used to keep it warm. Be sure the house is propped up on cement blocks so the bottom doesn't get wet and rot. The lid should be removable for easy cleaning and make inside repairs easier. The opening for the door should be covered up by a piece of rubber, a carpet or piece of blanket to keep out cold air and rain. Cut off a corner or make a slit in the center so your dog can peer out and it makes access easier. (my dog won't keep a flap on his house unless there is a slit so he can look out) The doghouse should be filled with hay, sheets/blankets, and/or a waterproof dog pillow. The weather and your dog's preferences will let you know what to put inside. :) Note: plastic igloo doghouses are not warm enough, so please don't get one of those.
2. Yard location;
Put the doghouse in a flat (if you can) spot in your yard. Make sure he isn't near anything too dangerous and try not to place him too far away from his people. Make sure he has shade to escape the heat. If you don't have any, build him a lean-to or something of that sort to lie under.
3. Restraints
If your dog is not strong enough to break it, a dog run/clothesline is best because it doesn't tangle. There are some dogs though who are just too strong, so a chain and stake may be your only option. Try to give your dog as much space as possible. You can have stores cut you some chain to your specific length and thickness. I find those types of chains are less likely to knot themselves. You can also keep your dog behind chain link fence, but again, try to connect several fences together to make a decent area. When I see dogs kept in tiny kennels all day, it makes me feel sad. (think of it in terms of you being shut in your bedroom all day long with nothing to do....not fun is it?) Leather collars work great for tie-out dogs. They last a long time and are very sturdy. The best option of all would be to fence in the whole yard with a doghouse in the corner.
4. Exercise.
Outside dogs need just as much-probably more-exercise as indoor ones do. Be sure your dog is off of his chain every day, and not just for a few minutes. Take him for long walks/jogs, let him run around the yard, and play with toys. Train him so he can be included in activities like inside dogs, and set up a routine to stick to. The reason outside dogs bark constantly, dig, run away and act anti-social is because a lot of people treat them as lawn ornaments. Something to just look nice, and not be bothered with.
I believe if Shelters educated the public on the proper way to keep a dog outside, instead of labeling it inhumane and refusing to give dogs to people with the intention of keeping them out, less dogs would be put down and more people would have happier outdoor dogs.
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/index.htm
This is an awesome site. Check it out! You can also find stories of people who were denied pets because of being outside.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Of Sticks, Stones and Words.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."
We have all heard this saying before right? Whenever someone is being made fun of by peers, or unkind things are said in anger, people always quote that phrase. But I think you will find the Bible has quite a different view on the matter. So let's look at it.
It's true that when people say rude things about us or to us, we can let it roll off our backs. We certainly shouldn't take offense to every little thing that is said. But we shouldn't forget that words hurt much more than we think they do. Those little jabs we make at people, the mean things we say behind their backs, the smart comments we make to their faces, the times we laugh when they make stupid mistakes, or when they do something embarrassing, all pile up, and eventually, if we are not careful, will blow up in our faces. I'm not saying we can't laugh at/with people sometimes when they do things, but I am saying we need to be very cautious when we do it.
Proverbs 18:21~Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Psalms 34:13~Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Ephesians 4: 29~Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Jesus tells us that our words have the power to kill. He also tells us we should not kill with the sixth commandment. It seems that the sticks and stones saying, is not a very true one.
Words hurt more than sticks and stones do, because they make wounds that are far more difficult-sometimes nearly impossible-to heal. Hurt will stay with someone for a long time, and can manifest into something that you may not be able to control. Sometimes, its too late to take something back once its been said.
The Bible says the tongue is one of the most evil things, and very hard to control. But as Christians, it's our job to do that. This verse is pretty simple.
Matthew 7:12~"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
If you don't want someone to hurt your feelings, then make sure you don't do it to someone else.
Before we open our mouth to laugh at the way someone is dressed, yell/scold someone, or call someone a name, we need to ask ourselves if what we are about to say is pleasing to God. Would we say it if Jesus was standing in our living room? Because technically, he is ALWAYS in our living room.
Galatians 5:14~"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
We have all heard this saying before right? Whenever someone is being made fun of by peers, or unkind things are said in anger, people always quote that phrase. But I think you will find the Bible has quite a different view on the matter. So let's look at it.
It's true that when people say rude things about us or to us, we can let it roll off our backs. We certainly shouldn't take offense to every little thing that is said. But we shouldn't forget that words hurt much more than we think they do. Those little jabs we make at people, the mean things we say behind their backs, the smart comments we make to their faces, the times we laugh when they make stupid mistakes, or when they do something embarrassing, all pile up, and eventually, if we are not careful, will blow up in our faces. I'm not saying we can't laugh at/with people sometimes when they do things, but I am saying we need to be very cautious when we do it.
Proverbs 18:21~Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Psalms 34:13~Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Ephesians 4: 29~Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Jesus tells us that our words have the power to kill. He also tells us we should not kill with the sixth commandment. It seems that the sticks and stones saying, is not a very true one.
Words hurt more than sticks and stones do, because they make wounds that are far more difficult-sometimes nearly impossible-to heal. Hurt will stay with someone for a long time, and can manifest into something that you may not be able to control. Sometimes, its too late to take something back once its been said.
The Bible says the tongue is one of the most evil things, and very hard to control. But as Christians, it's our job to do that. This verse is pretty simple.
Matthew 7:12~"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
If you don't want someone to hurt your feelings, then make sure you don't do it to someone else.
Before we open our mouth to laugh at the way someone is dressed, yell/scold someone, or call someone a name, we need to ask ourselves if what we are about to say is pleasing to God. Would we say it if Jesus was standing in our living room? Because technically, he is ALWAYS in our living room.
Galatians 5:14~"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Love one another
I think I'll take a break from my Top Ten Things and try to write something a little more meaningful. The subject that came to mind was about how God commands us to love, and how we lack so much in that area. The inspiration for the idea? A news article.
It was about an Autistic boy who was told to do the Ice Bucket Challenge by two boys he thought were his friends. The boy accepted the challenge, only to find too late that the other boys had filled the bucket with human waste.
God commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, so that our joy may be full. There are many different ways to show love to someone. It is true that keeping God's Law towards someone is loving them, because we are not harming them. And people think "well I'm obeying God because I didn't kill, steal, or spread gossip etc." so I'm good.
But we need to pay attention to how we act towards people on a daily basis more than we do. We may not steal from someone, dump human waste on their head or murder them, but is there more we can do to show love? I think so.
When was the last time you told your spouse how much you appreciate everything that they do, that you love the fact they are your spouse?
When did you tell your children how much you love them, how much you appreciate everything that they do for you?
How about your Pastor? Have you thanked him for laboring faithfully for you, preparing sermons every week, visiting congregation members, and praying for you?
I could keep going, but I think you get my drift. If we are to love others as much as ourselves, we need to treat them how we would want them to treat us. Show the merciful, undying love God has shown to you, to others around you. There are endless ways to do it, you just need to think about them. It is easy to think about big things, but especially pay attention to the small things, the things we neglect. God notices small things too, and often uses them to show others himself through us.
"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" ~Luke 6:31
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." ~1 John 4:11
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" ~1 John 4:20
"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." ~ 1. Cor. 13:13
It was about an Autistic boy who was told to do the Ice Bucket Challenge by two boys he thought were his friends. The boy accepted the challenge, only to find too late that the other boys had filled the bucket with human waste.
God commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves, so that our joy may be full. There are many different ways to show love to someone. It is true that keeping God's Law towards someone is loving them, because we are not harming them. And people think "well I'm obeying God because I didn't kill, steal, or spread gossip etc." so I'm good.
But we need to pay attention to how we act towards people on a daily basis more than we do. We may not steal from someone, dump human waste on their head or murder them, but is there more we can do to show love? I think so.
When was the last time you told your spouse how much you appreciate everything that they do, that you love the fact they are your spouse?
When did you tell your children how much you love them, how much you appreciate everything that they do for you?
How about your Pastor? Have you thanked him for laboring faithfully for you, preparing sermons every week, visiting congregation members, and praying for you?
I could keep going, but I think you get my drift. If we are to love others as much as ourselves, we need to treat them how we would want them to treat us. Show the merciful, undying love God has shown to you, to others around you. There are endless ways to do it, you just need to think about them. It is easy to think about big things, but especially pay attention to the small things, the things we neglect. God notices small things too, and often uses them to show others himself through us.
"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" ~Luke 6:31
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." ~1 John 4:11
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" ~1 John 4:20
"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." ~ 1. Cor. 13:13
Monday, September 8, 2014
Top Ten Favorite....
SONGS.
Heavy metal/rock version. :)
1. Someday ~Nickleback
2. Dear Agony ~Breaking Benjamin
3. Not Alone ~All that Remains
4. Wake me up inside ~Evanessence (hopefully I spelled that right)
5. Far Away ~Nickleback
6. Last Night ~Skillet
7. This Calling ~All that Remains
8. Whispers in the Dark ~Skillet
9. Hero ~Skillet
10. Its not me its you ~Skillet
Next time I might do books or movies. We'll see. I'll try to do something of importance soon. ;)
Heavy metal/rock version. :)
1. Someday ~Nickleback
2. Dear Agony ~Breaking Benjamin
3. Not Alone ~All that Remains
4. Wake me up inside ~Evanessence (hopefully I spelled that right)
5. Far Away ~Nickleback
6. Last Night ~Skillet
7. This Calling ~All that Remains
8. Whispers in the Dark ~Skillet
9. Hero ~Skillet
10. Its not me its you ~Skillet
Next time I might do books or movies. We'll see. I'll try to do something of importance soon. ;)
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Top Ten Favorite....
SONGS:
Pop songs this time! (again, very difficult decisions, and these aren't necessarily in any particular order.)
1. Clarity ~Zedd
2. Perfect ~Pink (clean)
3. A Thousand Years ~Christina Perri
4. Skyscraper ~Demi Lovato
5. Warrior ~Demi Lovato
6. 22. ~Taylor Swift
7. Eyes Open ~Taylor Swift
8. Say Something ~ Great Big World ft. Christina Agulera
9. Jar of Hearts ~Christina Perri
10. Love Somebody ~Maroon 5
Next post: probably be heavier songs, rock, heavy metal. :P
Pop songs this time! (again, very difficult decisions, and these aren't necessarily in any particular order.)
1. Clarity ~Zedd
2. Perfect ~Pink (clean)
3. A Thousand Years ~Christina Perri
4. Skyscraper ~Demi Lovato
5. Warrior ~Demi Lovato
6. 22. ~Taylor Swift
7. Eyes Open ~Taylor Swift
8. Say Something ~ Great Big World ft. Christina Agulera
9. Jar of Hearts ~Christina Perri
10. Love Somebody ~Maroon 5
Next post: probably be heavier songs, rock, heavy metal. :P
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Top Ten Favorite.....
SONGS:
Ok, so I thought I'd do a series of Top Ten Favorite Things. And, I decided to start with music. I'll do Country songs for this one. (this is super hard btw. I like a lot of songs,)
1. Till Summer Comes Around ~Keith Urban
2. Teardrops on my Guitar ~Taylor Swift
3. Cop Car~Keith Urban
4. Every Storm Runs out of Rain ~Gary Allen
5. Tattoos on this town ~Jason Aldean
6. Long Hot Summer ~Keith Urban
7. Highway Don't Care ~Tim McGraw/Taylor Swift
8. Dirt ~Florida-Georgia-Line
9. I drive your truck ~Lee Brice
10. Stay ~Florida-Georgia-Line
Next time for Top Ten Favorites I will do Pop Songs. :) Feel free to list your top ten on your blog or in the comments below!
Ok, so I thought I'd do a series of Top Ten Favorite Things. And, I decided to start with music. I'll do Country songs for this one. (this is super hard btw. I like a lot of songs,)
1. Till Summer Comes Around ~Keith Urban
2. Teardrops on my Guitar ~Taylor Swift
3. Cop Car~Keith Urban
4. Every Storm Runs out of Rain ~Gary Allen
5. Tattoos on this town ~Jason Aldean
6. Long Hot Summer ~Keith Urban
7. Highway Don't Care ~Tim McGraw/Taylor Swift
8. Dirt ~Florida-Georgia-Line
9. I drive your truck ~Lee Brice
10. Stay ~Florida-Georgia-Line
Next time for Top Ten Favorites I will do Pop Songs. :) Feel free to list your top ten on your blog or in the comments below!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
More than Nine Lives
We recently had a stray female Tabby cat show up at our house, and soon after, she brought her only kitten, spitting image of herself, and also a girl. After checking with neighbors we determined she is another drop-off case. Since we live in farm-country, we have a lot of fields, woods, barns, outbuildings, and lots of stray cats. You drive up and down the road, and see cats at almost every farm and house. Our house seems to have been involuntarily dubbed the "Cat Sanctuary" because we have had many a stray cat over the years show up. Most have stayed, and others have only visited for short periods before leaving. Currently, we have 2 indoor cats, and 8 outdoor cats. We have had litter after litter of kittens from 3 stray females (The first one is long gone, after having only one litter, the last of which resides in our house, the main culprit having finally passed from old age, and the other is fixed). One year we had 24 kittens. Eventually we ran out of homes and places to put up posters. So, we got stuck with various cats from various litters. We managed to fix all of our females and one of our males. And then 2 toms cats were dropped off, a stray Tom cat showed up recently and now these two females. The point I'm trying to make? There are too many cats.
I love all the cats I have, and I know they are all here for a reason, but it makes me sad each time a stray wanders into our yard, because I know that it wasn't wanted by someone else. These cats are thrown away because there are simply too many of them, and they are left to survive on their own, afraid of people, and produce more offspring, who are just as unwanted as their parents. And why is this the case? Because owners don't spay or neuter their cats.
One female cat and her mate can produce 11,606,077 kittens in 10 years. It is no wonder there are strays everywhere and the shelters are full to bursting. If every cat owner fixed their cat, there would be less unwanted cats on the planet, and even less in Shelters. About 2.7 million cats and dogs-one every 11 seconds-are euthanized in Shelters each year. If you stop and think about it, that's insanity.
I'm calling owners to be responsible, and to get their pets spayed or neutered today. Getting your pet fixed is not as complicated as people make it out to be. Watch local shelters closely for spay/neuter specials. Our shelters will run weekly and monthly specials for spaying and neutering, and I've seen prices as low as $25 for a male cat. Vets will offer payment plans and sometimes even give you a discount on stray animals. If money is tight, find areas in your budget that you can cut back on until you have enough to make an appointment. Go without cable TV for a while, don't go out to eat or buy items that you can live without. You know the old saying; "Where there's a will, there's a way."
There are steps you can take to ensure your dog/cat does not reproduce until you are able to get him/her fixed. When your female cat/dog goes into heat, keep them away from other animals as much as possible. We have had to kennel our females until their heat cycles end, and while we awaited vet appointments. If your dog is in heat, don't let her go outside unsupervised, or without a leash. If your cat is in heat, keep her locked away until she's through, and make a speedy appointment at the vets office. When we fix our cats we ask the vet for dissolvable stitching so we don't have to drive back to the Hospital a second time just to get stitches removed. Do your research and form a plan that best suits you. In the end, it is well worth it.
Spaying and neutering can also help solve other problems like territorial/aggressive behavior,
wandering away from home, and peeing in the house during the heat cycles. So really, it's a win-win situation.
Go online and search shelters, rescue organizations, and phone local vet offices to find out the cost of spaying/neutering and make an appointment now. You'll be doing yourself, your pet, and your fellow man a favor.
I love all the cats I have, and I know they are all here for a reason, but it makes me sad each time a stray wanders into our yard, because I know that it wasn't wanted by someone else. These cats are thrown away because there are simply too many of them, and they are left to survive on their own, afraid of people, and produce more offspring, who are just as unwanted as their parents. And why is this the case? Because owners don't spay or neuter their cats.
One female cat and her mate can produce 11,606,077 kittens in 10 years. It is no wonder there are strays everywhere and the shelters are full to bursting. If every cat owner fixed their cat, there would be less unwanted cats on the planet, and even less in Shelters. About 2.7 million cats and dogs-one every 11 seconds-are euthanized in Shelters each year. If you stop and think about it, that's insanity.
I'm calling owners to be responsible, and to get their pets spayed or neutered today. Getting your pet fixed is not as complicated as people make it out to be. Watch local shelters closely for spay/neuter specials. Our shelters will run weekly and monthly specials for spaying and neutering, and I've seen prices as low as $25 for a male cat. Vets will offer payment plans and sometimes even give you a discount on stray animals. If money is tight, find areas in your budget that you can cut back on until you have enough to make an appointment. Go without cable TV for a while, don't go out to eat or buy items that you can live without. You know the old saying; "Where there's a will, there's a way."
There are steps you can take to ensure your dog/cat does not reproduce until you are able to get him/her fixed. When your female cat/dog goes into heat, keep them away from other animals as much as possible. We have had to kennel our females until their heat cycles end, and while we awaited vet appointments. If your dog is in heat, don't let her go outside unsupervised, or without a leash. If your cat is in heat, keep her locked away until she's through, and make a speedy appointment at the vets office. When we fix our cats we ask the vet for dissolvable stitching so we don't have to drive back to the Hospital a second time just to get stitches removed. Do your research and form a plan that best suits you. In the end, it is well worth it.
Spaying and neutering can also help solve other problems like territorial/aggressive behavior,
wandering away from home, and peeing in the house during the heat cycles. So really, it's a win-win situation.
Go online and search shelters, rescue organizations, and phone local vet offices to find out the cost of spaying/neutering and make an appointment now. You'll be doing yourself, your pet, and your fellow man a favor.
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