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Blog Entry 3 of 10 Being an animal advocate is a toughie!

Trying to "do the right thing" when it comes to companion animals is hard... I don't know what my life would be like without my puppers... Can't even imagine it in fact... I consistently try to see both sides of each perspective, because every story has two sides, but there are times when I simply fail in this endeavor... I'm not an animal activist, nor am I a 'dog flake' either... I don't believe my rights supercede anyone else's as well... I wouldn't consider myself a 'fence sitter' because I embody tremendous passion with issues I have embraced... So, where does this really leave me?... I've written about my puppers for years - they give me at least one major belly laugh a day and usually many more, they love me just as I am whether I'm sick or well, sad or happy... I think (?) I might actually like animals (for the most part) more than I care for the human society and what I observe... UT OH!

Blog Url: http://vc.yourhub.com/~AnimalAdvocate

Time to rethink our older ways of doing things?

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Contributed by: Linda Nelson on 6/14/2007

Good Mornin', You all... Today will be a very busy day in a lot of ways (not just the senior functions that are going on throughout this week here in Simi), but because I'm taking Rogaine to a oncologist to see what further options we have...
God, he's such a good dog... I've received so many emails from others who have gone through the same thing - some suggest just taking him home and loving him through his last days - others suggest that you have to do everything in your power to give him a fighting chance to beat this thing... I've had a few scary things happen in my life, but when the "C" word or death threatens to invade your life and home, human or dog-wise, it can put you in a virtual tailspin and vortex without anything to hold onto...

I want to share part of an email I received from someone yesterday... It touched me deeply and as I read it, despite all the e-talk we do online (LOL, BRB, etc.), the electronic words can jump off your computer screen and create such real emotions, bringing you to tears even if you're not someone who cries easily...

I believe after you read the snippet, you will see what I do in regards my macro-view of our companion animals and their roles in how we look at things... Because we used to think a certain way in the past does not mean we have to continue to do so in the future...

It's like the old 'turkey roaster' syndrome... Your grandmother used to cook a 20 lb turkey each Thanksgiving because there would be 20+ at the table - then your momma had less at her table, but still used that same roaster to cook the turkey - and you came along with even less to feed at the Thanksgiving table, and more places to visit on that day, but also used that same roaster to cook your 8 lb turkey in... When asked why, your response is, "Well, because my grandmother did"...

Because we used to believe in society that every female dog needed to have at least one litter before we spayed them, many people didn't get the operation done...

In my generation, I learned about sex through my experiences on the farm and many of my friends did as well... Parents (I believe) allowed litters to happen so they themselves wouldn't have to go through the stress of 'explaining the facts of life' or so that we kids could 'experience the process of birth'... Now, it's a simple matter of seeing a video or attending school as all health classes now handle this... And there is not all those unwanted puppies and kittens afterwards to deal with...

We used to believe that having a 'purebred' was some kind of guarantee we'd have the 'best of the best' until we started reading and learning about the massive amounts of genetic illnesses that run rampant in some of the most popular dog breeds... As any Cocker Spaniel owner about their vet bills and some will tell you that they exceed their mortgage payments... And many other purebreds have similar health issues - papers or no papers... Shelters used to be filled with 'junk dogs' (or so many believed) and now about 40% of the dogs there are purebreds...And they just have dogs that are no longer wanted by our disposablesociety's way of thinking about things...

My point is that, what we thought in the past or what we learned from our parents and growing up does not have to be what we today believe is true or believe in... We owe it to ourselves and our children to throw out the old ways of thinking and do our own research to make sure we're not passing on the old 'turkey roaster' ways of thinking... You can no longer trust most of the things you and I grew up with...

Sometimes it takes a heartbreaking tragedy to change your ways of thinking about things...

And now what I read that so touched my heart to write today's blog...

<<But, the reason I am writing now is. I have five Chihuahuas and a Border collie. My Chihuahua's female had two litters I couldn't give them up for no amount of money. I couldn't trust the persons I would turn them over to, to give them a good life. Six months ago, she had a lump on her tummy; it was removed and was okay. But, the vet said please spay her soon, females are more prone to cancer when not spayed. I promised to do that as soon as she recovered. Little less then a month later a lump showed up under her leg. I took her straight to the vet. He x-rayed her and her lungs were filled with cancer. She was only five years old and five pounds!! The first blood tests showed no signs of cancer! We discussed options and then was told to take her home spoil her; love her, that we did. She was given 30 days to live. She refused to give up and on the 40th day I took her for a second opinion, it was the same. The second vet said "she is a strong little girl, she won't give up, but you have to be the strong one, her lungs are filling up and it feels like a human drowning". My heart broke. On the 60th day she was still going with meds of course an inhaler and several other types of meds. She would look at me like "Oh, Mom, I so want to stay". She was my best friend, the Mother of her family and always was by my side by side. I work on the computer, and she would be right beside me. She even had her litter early Sunday Easter morning by the computer. Although I have her babies there isn't a day I don't cry for her. I wish now, I would have had her spayed right away or right after her first litter. The day I put her to sleep was the worse day of my life and always will be.>>

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Submitted By: Chris Newhart

posted on 6/14/2007 @ 4:27:17 PM

Rated Blog Entry

My little soul mate Samson, was her husband and friend. We miss her and tell God every night I can't wait to see her again! Thank you for putting her story out so as to help other female dogs! I Love you Missy forever and am grateful everyday for your beautiful children!

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Linda Nelson

Simi Valley , CA

Linda Nelson has posted 10 blog entries and 0 comments since joining on 6/12/2007. Linda Nelson 's average blog rating is 3.67.

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