Curiosity Did Not Kill The Cat. PartII What Gives Me The Right?

Never have I been questioned as to what gives me the right to get involved in situations such as mentioned in Part I. If anything, I hope that justifying my involvement will compel others to do what is right for animals held in abusive control.

First and foremost, my conscience is my guide. I can not possibly move on knowing that an animal is neglected or abused. The human in control of said animals are a red flag. The Profitt case is a clear example of a red flag in which her children were immediately removed from the home after conditions of the home and a dead dog found chained in a basement were accounted for by police.

Some people limit their conscience when they are aware of the abuse but do nothing about it. They may expect someone else to step up and save the day. This is often what I encounter. If I have learned anything from animal control is that officers can not respond to heresay. They will respond to the facts. If I call animal control, I always assume that the facts exist and if charges are imminant, there is a good chance I will be on a witness stand in court. I always give my name.

Yes there are those that want to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. I suggest that the witness offer to give a name off the record because retaliation does happen. I have personally experienced retalilation from animal abusers. The level of anger tends to subside when I remind the abuser that no one told them to neglect or abuse their pet.

One case comes to mind regarding Laura Spencer from Trenton, Ohio. In 2007, we heard her case in MiddletownMunicipal Court. She had left a labrador chained so long that the chained became embedded in the dog's neck. While nothing justifies treating a dog like a lawn ornament, Spencer's attorney spent time convincing the court that Spencer had a history of caring for animals since she was a child whether it be volunteering in local shelters or just having pets at home. Visiting Judge Larry Moore heard testimony from her pastor, parents, etc. Judge Moore concluded that with Spencer's life long exposure to animals, there was no excuse for her to chain her current dog 24/7. She was found guilty. As we left, Spencer's father and husband lunged for us. My friend Bill calmly turned around and told them "No one told her to treat that dog the way she did. It deserved better". The court was not happy with Spencer's family's conduct. Later, I found myself interviewed by local news and said what I had to say.

Despite retailiation possibilities, my conscience remains my guide. I never like to find myself in a preventable situation with a seared conscience.
Next, you may ask if I'm being a bit harsh and judgemental on those who hurt animals. Truth be told, I don't worry about it. I've never been questioned about my thoughts on animal abusers.
I've also learned to be careful listening to others complain about watching others abuse animals but expect others to save the day. For example, in Part I, I mentioned the young woman that would have a bad day, go out and grab her dog by the collar and slam it against a brick wall. Onlookers outside on a smoke break repeatedly saw this but left their cell phones in their pockets. Experience dictates that these onlookers draw a line on abuse. When it comes to proving that their neighbor's son is a Tier III sex offender-they don't want to know! Watching animal abuse is not serious enough to get involved. Truth is truth and abuse is abuse. There are no lines to be drawn. If you witness abuse and do nothing, you are equally at fault. If you tolerate your sweet innocent neighbor's sex offender son visiting next door while your grandchildren visit you, you are sick! I have absolutely no problem with avoiding red flags. If anything, it is a shame that these red flags are allowed to live in my neighborhood.

Until the next dive-bomb...

Curiosity Did Not Kill The Cat. Part I Dumber Than Cornbread.

You know the old saying, ''curiosity killed the cat''. Nowadays and more often, I personally see this cliche becoming a myth. Reality dictates many stupid humans are the most destructive driving force behind behind neglected/abused domestic animals. This fact alone has made Middletown, Ohio a pathetic city in regional animal rescue circuits. Within and around the confines of my apartment building and within less than a year, I am shocked as to how many animals have suffered at the hands of some very stupid people who should never, ever own an animal. Here are just a few examples:

In an apartment building next door, a young lady would chain her dog to a big tree outside regardless of weather. There was no bedding, food or water for this dog. This is illegal only within Middletown city limits. On her bad days, she would grab this dog by the collar and sling it against the wall. The sad thing is that residents in my building would stand outside and smoke their cigarrettes and do nothing to save this dog. I called animal control four times. Later, some children asked me "Did you call the police on Amy? The police were called on her nine times". Yup! I called four times. The little darlin is no longer living next door either.

These same children are mad at animal control for citing their mother, Jackie, several times for harboring a vicious dog without liability insurance, allowing a dog to die in her care and dogs running loose. Furthermore, Jackie had a cat named Dottie. Dottie has spent her life as a very pregnant cat. Finally, Jackie got mad at Dottie for staying pregnant and abandoned her. Jackie's "lovely" children, told me that they always take Dottie's kittens, place them in a box and dump them somewhere. Thank goodness, Dottie was adopted by a family down the street and she hasn't been pregnant since.

Brandon, in his thirties, got caught dumping his sister's kittens at a convenient store under the claim she can't care for them. Duh! Get the cat spayed. Brandon pitched a fit when he found his butt in court. Judge Wall let him off lightly (as most judges in this state often do). Now his grandmother here is still proud of him.

Linda, allowed her dog to suffer from bladder cancer for months. Determined to defy complaints from residents and management here, Linda paid her vet to write a statement with said diagnosis stating that her dog can live a quality life. Exactly one week later, this suffering dog died a sad death. This is also why this Dr. Bremmer here in Middletown does not touch my Darlins.

A woman named Julie talks about her own history with cats. She talks about having cats in the past that end up on i.v.'s. Julie puts her current cat in a cage at night "because he is always jumping on the bed when I sleep". As a result, this cat is denied food, water and his litter box while Julie gets her beauty sleep. Yet, Julie complains that her cat is always sick. I was asked to come look in on this cat. She is right. Not only is the cat sick but he is also depressed. I would be suprised if he is still here in the building let alone alive.

A very stupid man, Will, who likes to brag about his grown daughter going to jail for assault, didn't want his little cat anymore. Will just opened his window and tossed the cat out. It was sad to see such a sweet kitty stare at Will's window begging to be let back her home.

Another stupid man, Barry, kept complaining that his cat stopped eating and drinking. Barry has no trouble what so ever getting a ride to get his cigarrettes. He came to me as if I can do something. I pleaded with him to rush the cat to the vet. Barry was more focused on shopping for his friends while said cat suffered greatly. After more than a week, Barry was desparate for someone else to do something that he should have done-take the cat to the vet. The service coordinator called me to see if I can help. I told her he ignored this cat's needs and he is looking for someone else to do what he should have done. Needless, to say, Barry's cat passed away. After telling Barry do not approach me, he had the audacity to place his cat's personal effects by my door. He is so upset that I am able to be proactive with my Darlins with love, vet care, education and plain common sense. By the way, Barry is a class example of pet owners who think as long as pets are indoors, nothing can go wrong. Two cats have died in two years under Barry's care. By the way, Barry just got back from getting his cigarrettes.

Then there is the "lovely" Patricia Profitt here in Middletown. She and her, what ever he is to her, called the police about their stolen 32" screen t.v. When the police arrived, they smelled a fowl stench and noticed food and feces all over the floors. Police went down to the basement only to discover a dead dog on a chain. Children were removed from this home immediatly. Miss Profitt has been found guilty of animal cruelty and has already broke her probation. She sits in the Butler County jail as I write this.

Ohio's ranking as the worst state for animal cruelty laws provides little help for these poor animals. Domestic animals have reached out to these very stupid people for love and care. In the end, these lovely animals met their fate. There is no excuse what so ever for these creatures to be neglected and abused because there are too many success stories among this sorrow.

In addition to being dumber than cornbread, all of these people have admitted that they like animals. Scary to hear this statement come out of such pathetic human bodies. To make life more hopeless for animals in these peoples' care is that Ohio law does prevent these people from owning an animal even after a history of neglect.

One Little Girl

Enjoying my coffee while sorting through Christmas cards, I found one card I want to keep.

This card was placed on my door on New Year's Day. I thought how strange to get a card on New Year's Day. People here are dropping off their cards because I send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children every year. However,this was one lone card on my door.

I opened this card to see that it is from a little seven year old girl who visits her grandmother down the hall from me. The little girl, named Maria, wanted to thank me for a cat calender that I had given her for Christmas. After reading her note, I thought how sweet and at least Maria has parents willing to teach her the meaning of gratititude. So I have placed Maria's card on my refrigerator among all of my cat stuff.

Why does this card stand out? It represents my favorite word; gratitude. It also illustrates what adults seem to boldly ignore, especially around the holidays. Here are just a few examples.

This year for the first time, the day after Thanksgiving, I walked into my local Marsh store with a sense of dread. A cashier stated that she already waited on ten rude customers. I said "Welcome to the holiday season and it will get worse".

Black Friday? Never heard of that when I was a kid. Let me see.. staying out in the cold all night until a department store opens at 4 a.m. only to get inside to punch some out is the reason for the season right?

Next, I personally witnessed a local church deliver bags of groceries to low income people. I never saw and heard such ingratitude in my life as I did among those receiving groceries that included a Butterball turkey roast. There were grown men and women arguing over who was to get what, complaints as to what food was given, or accusations of theft from fellow neighbors.

And my favorite...a young high school girl volunteered her time at a local charity. After a half an hour, she noticed a pattern. "Needy" people drove up with their cars crammed with stuff they got from other charities all the while complaining. Needless to say not only did this young girl conclude that these people milk a system designed to help legititmate needy people, this experience has hardened her heart. She has now decided to volunteer at a local animal shelter where real help is needed.

Yet, in the midst of these episodes, one lone little girl, Maria, was grateful for a cat calendar. Go figure! Her card got my new year off to a great start-thanks Maria! You will go far in life.

Until the next dive-bomb my darlins, Meow!

One Dead Cat Mom

What a great day today! With no New Year's resolutions to deal with, I got on with the day. It is almost midnight. Snow can be seen falling under the street lights. The cold is bitter outside. Time for this tired 'ol cat mom to climb into bed with the Little Darlins and call it a night. Though Moo and Teddy Bear will rouse me back up with dive-bombs or other antics like belly rubs, fetching toys or whatever THEY want from me. I'm such a sucker. Over the past six years, I've learned to sleep when they sleep. I have no choice over cat matters such sleep. As a rule, when one owns indoor cats, one will never have a good night's sleep again. Regardless, the Little Darlins are still the loves of my life.

Until the next dive-bomb my darlins, sweet dreams and MEOW!