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!

2009 Winner "Phrase Of The Year"

After a hot bath and a glass of chardonnay, I remembered my promise to all of you darlins to do a final year end blog. What I won't do is remember past and almost toxic New Year's parties-too boring and some still bring me hangovers.

Nonetheless, I would like to congratulate this year's 2009 "Phrase Of The Year" winner, city MTS driver, Jan for her phrase, "Don't Bite My Bus". This in reference to the day I took the bus to the store when a dog came running toward the bus. Jan was not only afraid the dog would run in front of the bus, but she was afraid the dog was going to attack. You must understand that if Jan does not know you, she is quite and professional. "Don't Bite My Bus" was totally unexpected. I delivered her cat prize at the terminal today. She just laughed.

Phrase of the year began in 2004 from a life long passion I have with people watching. I meticulously watch and listen to people. Trust me, people say and do what they do for a reason but they just don't realize it much of the time. I just expect people to justify their behavior. Sometimes, things are not too pretty too hear nor see.

Inyhoo, being a lover of humor in the midst of the uncooth, I love being caught off guard by the antics of people. Believe me, when it is good it is good. I mean that I love laughter that drenches me and makes me fall off of the dern furniture when people say the most hilarous things!

Candidates for "Phrase Of The Year" are:

1. Ordinary people.

2. Quite/Reserved people-category with the most wins.

3. Respectable/responsible people

4. clergy (they come up with some good ones too!)

5. Little kids( they are so innocent and cute)

Inelligible people:

1. Morons

2. famous people

3. people who hurt children and animals

4. people who do not make me laugh

5. wannabees

6. People who are mean-mean people suck!

7. People who hate cats!!!!

These categories are just of the top of my head. I'm sure you can think of some eligible/ineligible people too.

Now to get into the pool of phrases of the year, you have to have been a participant in "Phrase Of The Week" which is held 52 weeks out of the year. Results come in every Monday which is my favorite day of the week (no lie my darlins, I do love Mondays and wonder why everyone else has such a problem with this very special day).

Prizes are indeed available for both "Phrase Of The Week" and "Phrase Of The Year". You just have to make me laugh a lot. Of course the prize always has something to do with a cat.

This is just a little something positive that I look for in an ever increasing unkind world. I will love the fill of laughter in my body until the day that I die. Laughter when it enters the body, mind and soul never, ever hurts no matter what you are going through in life.

And now my darlins, Moo, Teddy Bear and I would love too sit and window watch, watch movies, have another glass of chardonnay and enjoy the privacy that we crave so much this night. For all of you enjoying the end of year celebrations, please have fun, be kind to each other and animals, be safe and most of all, until the next dive-bomb, MEOW!

Divine's Return??

Hello, Happy Holidays and of course Merry Christmas my darlins! It has been quite some time since I've indulged myself into blogging. Why the return? Well, during the Christmas holiday with family and friends, one of my sisters in law signed me up on Face Book. I must say that I was unimpressed. This of course is not my sister's in law's fault. After looking at what I saw on Face Book, I thought, is this what people my age do when a lot a grey hair sits in ( by the way,I love my gray hair)-post photos of class mates that never show up to reunions let alone stay in touch? My darlins, don't get me wrong, I went to school with many wonderful people who have met success and have loving families. It is the wannabees (see my profile) that I don't want to waste my time on. Come on! Photos don't always tell the truth about the lives of people. Character and how you treat those around you tell everything.

Therefore, I like blogging. I like expressing thoughts as well as reading the thoughts of others. So whether it is Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot or whatever one is comfortable using, then more power to you and more power to me. Yes, I know that I have not blogged since April 2008, but I have been reminded by those close to me that I should get back on line and do something with all my politically incorrect thoughts. What the hey. Why not?

Inyhoo, my darlins, are Moo and Teddy Bear still here? You bethcha they are!! They are still the little loves of my life and the main reasons why I should blog again.

Please join me tomorrow as I resume my blog. On New Year's Eve you say? Yup! New Year's Eve is the one night I do not go out to celebrate. It seems the older I get, I never have a good feeling being on the roads on this one night. However, I will certainly relax with a drink tomorrow night and maybe share some wild memories of New Year's parties that I went to as a young woman. We'll see.

Until the next dive-bomb, please enjoy the photos of The Little Darlins...

The Royal Side Of Cotton

Someone out there sent an inquiry about my beloved Cotton. Whoever you are, thanks for kicking me in the address so as to get me blogging again. As swamped as my schedule is, I do manage to carry a handwritten journal. Nonetheless, to all my darlins out there, forgive me for letting my blog become idle.

What ever happened to my darlin Cotton? That boy found a home in January! Prior to his new castle, I did manage to get his wedding equipment altered which calmed him down considerably. Whew! As I suspected, he turned into a bigger sloppy baby once he got indoors. I still go check on him and he gets sweeter every day!!! Just check out his photo.

Sad to say, though I manage to find homes for some of these sweet creatures, the strays keep coming. Furthermore, here in the area, animal cruelty cases are still on the rise. Only in Middletown does this problem get worse despite the problem everywhere in the country. As a matter of fact, Middletown has developed an all time reputation as one of the worst places for stray animals. I get quite embarrassed when working with other area shelters whose staff occasionally ask, "What is going on in Middletown? We get more calls from that city for stray animals than any other city". What could I expect from a city that has more Section 8 housing than I care to count. Thank God, I was never born here. If Middletown were my hometown, I assure you, I would never tell a soul! I'm still trying to figure out what the heck a "Middletown Middie" is at the Middletown school system. I only stay here because I found an apartment willing to accept Moo and Teddy Bear. In the mean time, I continue to sit in county courtrooms hearing these cruelty cases so as to understand why mean people justify cruelty to any animal -now go back and read my profile. After you read my profile again, you will understand why the more people I meet, the more I love my cats!!! Mean people just suck!!!

Other happenings...Middletown has made a national reputation for becoming "Pothole City, USA". Come on my darlins, my people in southeastern Kentucky hollers want to know what is going on with the awful streets around here. Down home, we never had the best roads in the hollers but a good bulldozer came through on occasions. What's more, at least our little roads in the hollers have regularly been paved since the 1990's. Briarhoppers visiting up here can see a profound difference with Middletown streets. We swear our hollers have never been as bad as the current conditions of Middletown streets. If you come here, be aware! If your lovely automobile sustains damage and you file a claim with the city, then the city will reject your claim on the grounds it has no money. If you have an IQ larger than your shoe size, you will want to visit another enlightening city. If Moo, Teddy Bear and I could find another pet friendly place, trust me, we would be gone from here!

On a happier note, Spring is trying to spring. The problem is, Spring just hasn't sprung yet. It will get here when it is ready. Some people are already losing patience because the area is not getting Florida weather (Come on Ohio! Florida is NOT your southern peninsula!). My darlins, may I submit to those of you that can't wait for Spring, you gripe regardless as to what weather we have. Until the Rapture gets here, there will always be four seasons. So just sit back and make the best of everything because it's just fun to do.

Until the next dive bomb, my darlins, MEOW!!!