Applying for a job at PETA

Yesterday I decided to apply for PETA. I like PETA and what they stand for, so I thought that it would be a good idea to just try for a position. I've applied to them before but, as with many companies, I never heard back.

To apply for PETA, you have to read their stance regrading the "humane" euthanasia of displaced dogs and cats. Of course I wrote my response agreeing with the subject. Lets face it people, I've been unemployed for over a year, I'll tell anyone just about anything they want to hear. I know many shelters have very short turn over rates. I volunteer for an animal rescue called Pooch Match. Many of the volunteers foster soon to be euthanized dogs, (which were either found on the streets or rescued from the shelter) until they find their "forever home." Should these dogs be blamed for their irresponsible pet owners?? I think not!

However, my biggest concern wasn't their stance on euthanasia, it was their stance on the domestication of any animal. Although, they love their own pets, they feel that it is in the animals' best interest, and I quote directly from the PETA website, that "it would have been in the animals' best interests if the institution of "pet keeping"—i.e., breeding animals to be kept and regarded as "pets"—never existed." (From PETA). I understand that because of this practice, there is a surplus of animals euthanized each year. OK I get it, but don't try to make me feel bad because I have a dog.

The article goes on to say that a house pet's life is "restricted to human homes where they must obey commands and can only eat, drink, and even urinate when humans allow them to." (again a direct quote from PETA's website). Um excuse me, but my dogs, both house dogs, let me know when they have to pee and I take them out immediately, they drink when they want to, but yes I have them on a feeding schedule.

So I ask you PETA, if a dog wanted chocolate, would you give it to them??? Probably not, right? How many "house dogs" have you interviewed. I spoke to my shelter dog, Mia, who was almost euthanized, and she has to disagree with you regarding her life as a house dog. Below, please find Mia's quote in her own words:

"As a young house dog, I would have to disagree with your stance regarding the domestication of my breed and a few others in the animal kingdom. I was young, on the streets, pregnant and then impounded by the horrible people of the San Bernardino Shelter. I contracted kennel cough, which was left untreated and eventually turned into pneumonia. Remember I was pregnant at the time and no one knew. I was on the verge of death, but was rescued by the good people of Pooch Match. I was being fostered by a wonderful family who already had a young male, neutered dog name Sam. Unfortunately he was bought at a pet store :(, please don't fault my parents, they have learned the error of their ways and have made up for it. They took me in, still not knowing that I was pregnant, and decided that they loved me so much, they wanted me to be a part of their family too. (I will bypass the story of the birth of my two sons and their adoptions, as that is still difficult for me to discuss, but let me just say that they too have found wonderful homes.) My "mommy" loves me with all of her heart. She made sure I was spayed, she takes me almost everywhere she goes, out to eat, to get coffee with friends, on vacation and to my "grammy's" house. Even though I have a nice bedroom of my own, when it's really cold my "mommy and daddy" let us sleep with them in their bed. I didn't come from wealth or privilege like my brother Sammy, but I can say that, I really am living the "American Doggie Dream." After living on the streets, I would take my nice warm bed over a pile of leaves, grass or dirt anyday. Oh, one more thing, I really do hate cats, can you do something about them? Best regards, Mia"

OK, before PETA gets their "organic panties in a bunch", let me just acknowledge that the article does go on to say that they do not want to take well cared for pets from their owners and set them free. With that being said, I am a proud member of PETA, would love to work for them (even though this post may forever ruin my chances), am against animal cruelty (PETA you don't think that the dog clothes you sell are cruel?? Sorry my dog DOES NOT LIKE TO WEAR T-SHIRTS), would never go to the circus, and would like harsher punishments for animal abusers.

I would like to end this post with a quote from Ebenezer Elliott "If't were not for my cat and dog, I think I could not live"

Blessed

The other day I was coming back from the gym and was waiting at a light for a man to cross the street. He was struggling, he was handicapped. We all have times throughout our lives where we feel sorry for ourselves, that day I stopped.

As I watched the gentleman struggle across the street, I thought to myself, my life is good, I am blessed. I can go to the gym, I can run, walk, skip, drive a car, make a meal, read a book and type a blog that no one reads, but I can do it. I have wonderful people in my life who are there to help me when I need it. Did this man? Did he have a mother who loved him, or loved ones to help him?

I watched him struggle to the other side of the street, it took him longer than the light allowed, but he made it, all by himself. Do I have that in me? At that moment I realized, he was stronger than me. I knew nothing about him except what I could see. I don't know his past, if he was born with his handicap or if it was the cause of an accident.

From that moment I decided to stop being the victim of my own circumstance. I know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's hard for me to see it, but it's there. Does this man have a light.

I was moved by his persistence. That day I learned patience and kindness, both things that I thought I had in me, but realized I didn't.

I probably will never see him again and that's OK because he taught me a lot that day. I am blessed.

When I told my family and friends that I started a blog, most expressed their distaste for my decision. One even stated that I have "way to much time on my hands". Well currently that's the case. I have been out of work since last June and being able to write a blog gives me something to do, something to accomplish. Most people that I tell just roll their eyes. This includes my husband, who thinks that I have better things to do with my time. I didn't realize how very unsupportive many people can be.

I am not a great writer and I do not expect many...well anyone for that matter, to read or respond to my blog. Its more of a personal writing experience, like a journal, but without pen and paper. I've always wanted to be a writer. I know that I don't have the great American Novel in my head...I never will, but at times I can be witty and interesting. Today's blog won't be either of those things.

This morning I got up and ate oatmeal in a cup, not that the oatmeal in a cup makes the oatmeal smaller, all my bowls were is the dishwasher ready to be washed. Yesterday and the day before I went to the gym, big deal right? Well, I have made a deal with myself. My husband wants to get a tattoo on his fortieth birthday, I want to get one when I lose 40 pounds!

I am reading the Blueberry Muffin Murder. I haven't finished it yet, but when I do I will have a lot to say. In the last two weeks I've finished 3 books and will be more than happy to talk about them in another blog.

Have a great day everyone! Well just me, as I'm the only one who actually reads this stuff :). (are there emoticons on a blog or did I just type out a colon and parenthesis??)

I'm Excited, it's my First Blog!!

This is my first blog. I’ve never written one so it may be a rough start, but I will try my best. At first I wanted to review books that I read, and I will, but I have more to talk about than just books. So I’ve decided to write about whatever is on my mind. Kind of like my own personal growth story.

A little bit about myself, first, I should say that I have been out of work since June of last year. It has been a pretty difficult time for me, but I have managed to keep myself busy with things that I enjoy. During this time I gained 30 pounds , (not something that I am happy about), but I am working hard to lose the excess of me that I don’t like and I will talk and be open about my struggle. Second, if I think it I usually say it, which at some times can get me into trouble. I am open, sarcastic and am willing to make fun of myself. I make many mistakes and therefore I am willing laugh at me and will laugh at others, when they are deserving of it! Third, my stream of consciousness is like a runaway train. I move from one topic to another, kind of like my life story. Fourth, I’m married with two dogs, (just had to throw that in!).

Now, enough about me and down to business, my first book review:

I recently finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The story, without giving anything away, is about the effects that WWII and the German occupation had on the people of Guernsey Island. Guernsey Island is one of the Channel Islands, owned by England and located in the English Channel near France. When my book club suggested this book, I was not in the mood to read another story about WWII. I am in multiple book clubs and have read roughly five books on the subject. The title I thought was ridiculously hard to remember (and to write out in this blog). When I was looking for this book, I kept asking people for "The Potato Peel Society". Everyone still understood what book I was requesting and with good reason, it was great to read! It was quick and hard to put down.

The book is written as correspondence back and forth between The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society members and Juliet Ashton, who is looking to write her next novel. From here we learn why the members start their own book club and why it’s entitled, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Although this book is fiction and its characters are fiction, you can’t help but become engaged in their lives and think that they actually did exist.

This book went through the whole gambit of emotions from, sadness to happiness to just wanting to laugh out loud. Two of my favorite characters were Eben Ramsey and Isola Pribby.

Eben’s character was the most compelling and every time I read one of his letters I broke out in tears. Isola’s character was the most endearing. She reminded me of a feisty grandma, who like me, thinks it, says it and doesn’t care what others think. She made me laugh out loud when I really shouldn’t have been laughing.

Keep a pen and paper by your side when reading this book because keeping all of the characters in order was quite a challenge. The book really began to pick up when the society members were sharing their stories with Juliet.

Overall this book was a joy to read with compelling stories and characters. It is a book that I recommend.