"I rescued a human today"

It is important to remember that we need pets just as much as they need us...

"If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth." - Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce

I rescued a human today:

"I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to
help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today."

Life is a highway

"Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve."

I know, I know. I have been neglecting that which is my blog. And rather than get in here and have enough time to type an update, I am really just taking the time to write a short apology. A new update will come within the next couple days. I promise. So don't go away folks! Here is just a little teaser of how life has been...

Peaches enjoying Boba tea from Tapioca Express.

I have never seen Peaches SO still as when this box of cheese wedges was right by her. Haha.

...I don't know how I ever lived without rats. They are absolutely adorable! And, if everything goes as planned, I should have two more additions to the cage Thanksgiving weekend. *crosses fingers* It has been far too long since Peaches had a cagemate. Poor sweetie. Although that may explain why she has been warming up to me lately. She has been giving me quite a share of ratty kisses lately, that's for sure.

OK, I admit, that was a weak excuse for an update. But I promise. More to come soon on my new job, the hunt for a new place, dog attacks, housesitting, volunteering and more. Oh the places I have gone, and the things that I have seen, to say the very very least.

"Life is a highway. I wanna ride it. All night long."

Taking one step forward and two steps back

"I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions." - President Barack Obama

As President Barack Obama delivered his victory speech at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, I continued refreshing CNN.com's local election coverage.

Although the presidency was on my mind when I awoke that morning, there was something troubling me far more. While news reported weeks prior that Mr. Obama was expected to win by a landslide, I wasn't so sure about Prop 8. And that is why, listening to his speech playing on the TV in the background, I paid more attention to the results coming in for Prop 8.

I eventually fell asleep at 12:15 after receiving a text message from a friend (working in a newsroom in Palo Alto) that with 52 percent of the votes counted, Californians voted 52-48 in favor of the ban against gay marriages. When I awoke the next morning, my boyfriend turned on his computer and gave me the bad news -- the ban had passed.

Tuesday was a monumental landmark in this nations history and I am proud of that. We were able to come together and elect our first black president. But, California (a state heavily in favor of Barack Obama) still voted against equality for all.

Wanting to take in the other arguments before Prop 8 passed, I visited the yes on Prop 8 web site. I listened to the arguments, but they still came across as weak. Those in favor of Prop 8 argue that gay marriage can destroy families and the tradition of marriage. In my mind, these "values" were destroyed a long time ago.

Families have been broken for a long time and divorce seems to be more common than a lasting marriage, from what I have witnessed in prior generations. And in a world that is overpopulated and in need of "unwanted" children to find a home, I would think that gay marriage could only better this situation.

It disgusts me. Disgusts me that we all seem to recognize that everyone is created equal, yet are unable to give others their earned respect.

So as the nation celebrates its first black president, just 143 years after ending slavery, let us remember to look and move forward. The fight for justice is neverending and it takes an entire community to make a difference.

"Oh what a night"

"A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence; or a good piece of music. Everybody can recognize it. They say, 'Huh. It works. It makes sense.'" - Barack Obama

As many of you know, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, a monumental change was made. Our country stood tall and, most importantly, together to elect its first African-American President Barack Obama, hoping for change. As many newspapers and TV stations reported, voter turnout was HUGE (especially among the younger generations that generally opt out).

"Above: Some 100,000 people gathered in Chicago's Grant Park to hear Mr. Obama speak. For what he assuredly felt would be his victory speech on election night, Barack Obama chose the highly symbolic venue of Grant Park." (Source - Telegraph Media Group)

For a historial venue I was at just three months ago, it is obvious this was a huge step for mankind. Compare the picture above to the one below. Although both photos look like crowdshots for a rock concert, only one is.

Lollapalooza 2008 was crowded. "For the first time ever, they sold out all three days. That’s 75,000 people walking shoulder to shoulder for ten hours a day in 90-degree heat." (Source - Noeviltwin.com)

No matter who you voted for Nov. 4, the important thing is that you voted. There is no denying that you are now a part of history. I am sure you will never forget where you were, and where you stood, during election 2008.

The economic driving force

"The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you're on the job." -Slappy White

It has happened. I have been unemployed for three months and have since had three interviews, each of them seemingly more successful than the last. Although this is promising, I have also been getting discouraged.

At an interview three weeks ago with a managing editor and executive editor of a newspaper, I arrived both prepared and confident. The interview went well and ended on a positive note. The next week I followed up with the executive editor about the available position and he informed me that I came neck to neck with another candidate, but did not receive the position. He apologized, emphasizing how neck to neck we were. After he told me this, I was informed that 30+ other candidates were to be informed of the decision that day as well. I know, it SHOULD make me feel good. Good that I was in the top two of 30+ candidates for a position. But it didn't. It reminded me of being in school ... You know, when you would receive a B+ as opposed to an A-. So close, but yet so far.

But all I can do is learn from my experiences and continue moving forward. I refuse to settle for anything less than I deserve. And for that reason, I have not taken a job to stay "busy." I figure, I have paid into the system and for the time being, the system can pay back to me. It is not like I am taking advantage of the situation. After all, I am freelancing articles (and reporting these earnings) to stay busy and keep my mind fresh. I may as well see my unemployment as a retreat. After all, I can't change anything ... no matter how much I may want. I am not the only one unemployed. In fact, recently it has seemed a rarity for those that have a job.

Let's face it. On a given WEEKDAY, driving around town I can't help but wonder, 'Why are there so many cars on the road?' Granted I am a person driving one of those cars, but can that many people really be unemployed? I have looked at the daunting statistics of recent unemployment rates (probably too many times), but I don't know if I have yet to truly comprehend it. It's true that many people have the benefit of working from computer (thank you technology), but again, this can't account for the number of others on the road. Any thoughts?

I just seem to be increasingly curious what is driving the average American's income if so many people seem to be driving the economy, and cars, so often during the day?