 
monthly counters started on February 13, 2010 for the website, because this is a
free counter, it will not show our total numbers, only a portion of them, so its
not an accurate depiction of all of our visitors, just gives an idea about all
the people that visit our site. We do love our international
visitors. Welcome!
Visitors By Country
Top 100 Visitors
Last 100 Visitors
Visitors Map
Daily Stats
stay up with our President/Executive Director, all the directors, volunteers and
riders (Crossed Sabers is on
Facebook too). All the CSS/SWAP supporters are having a big time sharing
stories, pictures, lots of good stuff about their horses.
The
Wish List of Our Needs:
1. New or lightly used truck and 3 to 6 horse trailer, our
equipment has seen its better days, we've been using both for nearly 14 years to
pick up horses and move them to their new homes.
2. Farms in every
state for low cost long term lease or donation to expand our program to develop
more adoption locations and retirement farms for our now aging
horses returned to us from adopters who could not retire our horses. Our highest
priority locations initially are Northern Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Maryland,
Delaware.
3. New or lightly used 2 horse trailer to pick up horses when
rescued and to deliver them to their new home
4. Tack and large horse items
donated... like carts/buggies, racing
bikes, jog carts, harnesses, saddles, horse trailers, blankets/rugs to use or sell on SWAP Shopping.
Supplies to use around the
barn or office.
5. A bulk feed bin that will hold anywhere from 6 tons to 9
tons of grain donated or at low cost or even a break on the cost of purchase and
instillation.
6. Someone to sponsor our annual
Harness Racing Driving School
Scholarship, $500. annually. This gives some youngster the opportunity to
go to the USTA Driving School and get qualified as a Harness Racing Driver.
7. Someone to sponsor our
annual Intern of the Year
Scholarship, $500. annually.
Someone to sponsor our annual
Volunteer of the Year Educational
Scholarship, $500. Both of these scholarships goes toward school costs or
school supplies for the Intern and Volunteer.
8. A company with the ability to install a
methane
digester/cleaner for the horse farm and the ability to tie in to gas or electric
companies and run the farm off the digester. Any other companies who can convert
the farm to a more green operation, reduce our carbon footprint and
reduce our
overhead by use of wind, solar or methane.
9. A volunteer or low cost employee who can help us
fix our database that lists all
adopters, donors, supporters and horses/dogs/cats in the program.
10. We need about 25 to 50 fosters parents in every state
to volunteer,
especially in WV, VA, PA, OH, KY, NC, SC, TN, MD, DE, NJ, NY, these are used
when owners in that area can not afford to transport the horse to SWAP HQ but
need to be able to move the horse into a safe place.
11. People/farms to act as
SWAP Mini Rescues, those who have
the ability to take in a rescue, get it healthy, train it and then SWAP
will help you place the horse into a home using our website and all supporting
adoption documents.
12. Some sort of a cloth facility like
Cover-all or Farm-Tek building
to increase our abilities to be able to take more horses and have an indoor area to work
and train horses in winter, donated, grant or partially donated. anywhere from
50 x 200 to 72 x 300.
13. Monthly Sponsors for our light use, elderly or
retirement/sanctuary horses who's possibilities for adoption are very low, ie.
Orphy, Jelly Bean, Dixie, Allie, Kochese, Darlin, etc.
14. Volunteers for Spring/Summer and Fall Seasons and
Interns
for Summer. We should be starting our regular Saturday Volunteer days in March,
lets all hope the weather will be better. We already have 2 interns for summer
now, looking for as many as 16 more for June, July and August... just remember
there is not a lot of riding in August because the farm is overcome by horse
flies then. So we work/train horses the most from March to July and then again
from Mid September through Christmas as long as we have goot weather.
15. Sponsors and Tickets to take 10 to 20 less fortunate kids
to WEG in Lexington, KY on an educational trip. Other educational trips are also
options if you have something else in mind.
16. Volunteers to help during our
Veterans Days at the Stable,
these are exploratory days to evaluate if we can do a handicapped veterans
riding and therapy program.
17. Volunteers to commit to doing one fund raiser for SWAP
horses at your location during 2010, it can be a golf tournament, a bake sale,
book sale, lemonade stand, car wash, setting up an information stand at a horse
show. This is a great way to kids to get involved in helping horses.
18. Anyone interested in
free high quality top soil (manure
already composted) and manure for gardens, you can pick up for free by the truck
load at our WV location (bring a loader). If you are a gardener and only need a
small amount, pick up in a truck or we'll be selling it by the feed bag full at
$3.00 a bag (in a bag that is usually used for 100 lbs of feed). This is
beautiful clean top soil. This offer will only last so long because we will be
leveling the manure pile this August when its dry enough to get a dozer in
there.
19. Someone to do
dozer work on the farm, level arena/round pen, do terracing on the hill
sides to keep water out of the barns and level the top soil and manure pile to
increase the level of that land in that bottom so we can put our methane
digester in and indoor arena. Volunteer or at a reduced cost.
Reporting Neglect:
Please, if you see neglect (ribs and hip bones showing or no food available),
its critical to call the sheriff of the county where the horse/animal is
located. Have the address where the horse is located or directions to the farm,
pictures and the owners name (if possible). If the sheriff does nothing email
our cruelty case workers Tom and Ruby Fleming at
tomfleming64@cebridge.net or email PETA's cruelty case workers
Stephanie or Tori at
sbell@peta.org, or
ToriP@peta.org
Remember horses can not speak for themselves so we must speak for them!! All
reports are kept anonymous.
Getting Help for Your Horses/animals if you can not care for
them:
If you can not feed your animals, whether they are horses or
other animals, if you are adopters, call SWAP HQ immediately, if not, call your local horse rescue
and plead for help, if they are full then call your animal control officer or
sheriff to release ownership of your animals so they can get them help Before
they are starved to death, do not wait until they are starved, its critical to
get help early. Contact us if you do not know what to do. call 304-873-3532 or
email
secondwindadopt@aol.com. Many counties have pet pantries so you can
get feed when times are tough.
If things are getting tight with costs, go to a less expensive
grain like a simple stock pellet supplemented with corn, according to Ohio State Corn is the
leading horse feed in the US according to their research, many large equine
schools and large farms feed these all natural feeds because of what they get for the
price, a lot of negative stuff has been written about corn but no one can
support it with actual proof and research. We feed a simple all stock pellet
from southern states and we supplement with cracked corn for those who need more
calories, here is the link:
- http://ohioline.osu.edu/b
- 762/b762_7.htm
TOP TEN WAYS YOU CAN HELP PROTECT
HORSES
(ASPCA and SWAP Suggestions)
1. BE THEIR VOICE
- your vote is your greatest weapon against injustice, so register and actively
support horse protection and preservation legislation.
2. LEAD BY EXAMPLE - Walk the talk. Don't support or
attend cruel horse activities such as Tennessee Walker events using "soring"
techniques - painful techniques to make the horse walk a certain way, or events
that use drugs to make horses achieve results. High-diving horse acts are
cruel, as are rodeo events that don't promote respect for animals and their
health.
3. BE AN INFORMED CONSUMER - products made from horses like Premarin
(pregnant mare urine pills for estrogen replacement), are created through
horses' suffering. Your spending dollar is a weapon.
4. SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE - inform people what happens to horses
after their short careers are over (slaughter plant bound), or where Premarin
comes from, talk to them about over breeding, the hazards of over using young
horses or not training a horse. Engage them in discussion.
5. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HORSE RESCUE OR SANCTUARY - these organizations
make life better for horses.
6. VOLUNTEER - your gift of time is valuable to horse groups and if
you have special talents, so much the better.
7. REPORT CRUELTY - if you witness abuse or neglect, report it to
local animal control or your county sheriff. Someone cruel to animals is cruel
to humans, too.
8. PROTECT THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE - mustangs have a special place in
our history and you can support federal and local legislation by writing emails
and letters to your government reps.
9. KEEP YOUR HORSE SAFE AND HEALTHY - if you own a horse,
maintain its health with regular hoof, medical and dental check-ups. Make
sure they are companioned as horses suffer living alone - even a goat makes a
good companion. Feed what the horse needs, if you are seeing ribs and hip bones,
the horse is not getting enough, if you can't afford to buy more feed, then give
the horse to someone who can, just be sure to check the person out and make sure
they are not selling the horse to slaughter or just going to turn out and sell
the horse to anyone that has the money. .
10. PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR HORSE'S CARE - your health and finances
change so what happens to your horse of you can't care for it anymore? Research
your options, including a pet trust. Horses live into their mid 20s and early
30s now - that's a lifetime of commitment.
Crossed Sabers Stable:
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As
many as 60 million visitors per year
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As many as 530,000 hits
in one day
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Visitors from 113
different countries
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Website Visitors from
every continent of the world
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Thousands of adoptions (of
67 different breeds) in homes today with SWAP
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Horses adopted in 46 states and Canada
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13 Year History
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Preparing for a Cold
Winter:
HAY:
Get your hay now before the prices become outrageous, get
enough for the winter (good planning is 2 bales for every 3 days for one
horse or 10 bales per month per horse, so to make it until the middle of
June (first cutting), you're looking at 90 bales per horse at the very
least (from September to June). If you have good thick grass that has
been mowed and fertilized then depending on where you live in the US you
might just need 60 to 70 bales. For good grazing its recommended
that you have 3 to 5 acres of mowed, seeded, fertilized grass per horse.
Remember Grass is dead in WV from Oct/Nov until about April and every
state has some months where the grass does not give the horses their
calories or nutrients it needs to sustain life (USDA has details of that
for each state). They may be grazing in the winter but they are not
getting anything from the grass to survive. I know most know that but I
say it because we had an adopter last year in WV that thought if they
were eating grass that was all they needed and she nearly killed 2
horses.
GRAIN:
Remember on average horses need 1 lb of concentrated feed (grain) for
every 100 lbs of body weight, so on average horses need about 10 lbs of
grain a day, more when its very cold or if they are living outside in a
run because much of their calories go to keeping them warm. Some
horses need more so its critical to watch to make sure their ribs and
hip bones are staying meaty and covered. If you see ribs, the horse is
too thin and needs more calories, not supplements but more calories..
Easy keepers may be round but it does not mean they are healthy, most
easy keepers need a multi vitamin to stay healthy.
WATER:
One of the most critical things needed in winter is clean fresh water
all the time, anywhere from 5 to 20 gallons per day per horse and
everyone knows what a pain that is when there is ice and snow on the
ground but its critical to preventing colic. Get your electric heaters,
defrosters
now, heated buckets, what ever it takes to make sure they have good
water in front of them all the time and at least 10 gallons (2 flat
backed buckets at the very least). Here we keep 100 gallons troughs in
the stalls since we have big stalls, its much easier than frozen buckets
in winter, all we do is break the ice and remove it most days and put a
heater in them on really cold days. We use a sump pump to empty water
and scrub troughs each week which keeps water fresh and clean.
SHELTER:
Domestic horses need shelter, they are not wild and can not survive
outside without shelter or some kind of heavy waterproof rug to keep
them warm during snow/ice and freezing temperatures but the best is a
closed in shelter that is free from drafts (meaning its closed on all 4
sides with some sort of ventilation). Wild horses first of all
don't live very long, living outside in the elements is very hard on
them, secondly wild horses move in cold temperatures to keepselves warm and
they often times move over thousands of acres to keep warm or to find
cover or water. No domestic horse can not do that on 5, 20 or even 100
acres. Just because your horse has learned to survive in bad weather
does not mean its good for them, they need shelter in bad weather.
CARE:
Its important to make kids take care of their horses but they must have
adult supervision on a daily basis to make sure horses are getting what
they need. Trust me, I usually have 30 year olds working in our barn and
I still have to be there daily to make sure things are done, that they
have clean water, especially when its cold because our young helpers
want to get out of the weather and then the horses are left at risk for
colic. Every day check your child's work, do not leave your horses care
to a child (completely).
The Woman I will
Be
- I shall wear diamonds and a wide brimmed
straw hat with ribbons and flowers on it
- And I shall spend my social security on
white wine and carrots
- And sit in the alley of my barn and listen
to my horses breathe.
- I will sneak out in the middle of a
summer's night And ride the dappled
mare across the moonstruck meadow, if my old bones will allow. and when people come to call, I will smile and
nod, As I walk them past the gardens to
the barn And show, instead, the flowers
growing there
- In stalls fresh-lined with straw. I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my
hair as if it were a jewel. And I will
be an embarrassment of all who look down on me Who have not yet found the peace in being free To love a horse as a friend, a friend who
waits at midnight hour
- With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes For
the Woman I will be when I am old.
The perfect analogies for why we have the life
school tied into SWAP and animal welfare work:
"Everyone thought we took this broken down horse and
saved him but really he saved us"
Jockey Red Pollard from the
movie Seabiscuit
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.
Baggage
by Evelyn Colbath
Now that I'm home, bathed,
settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed,
I would like to
open my baggage,
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry -
So much to
forget.
Hmm, Yes,
here it is, right on the top
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my
halter hides Fear & Shame
As I look on these things I have tried so hard to
leave-
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the
ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will
you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at
my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me
unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never re-pack?
I pray that you do -
I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
A young boy was walking along the beach
- as high tide came in.
- With every crash of the waves
- he noticed that dozens of
seahorses were being cast onto the beach,
- where they lay gasping and
squirming.
- Hurriedly, he ran to each
seahorse he could find
- and gently tossed them back into
the surf.
- A man watching all this
approached the boy and said;
- "Son, what you are doing won't
make a difference",
- to which the boy replied,
"To
that seahorse
. . . it will".
Some folks said they missed my great goals
list for 2010, so here it is back again
1. Spend an hour a day with your
horses, not just feeding, training and turning out, but real quality time doing
something that is enjoyable for the both of you. Grooming or hand walking is a
great way to bond with your horse and good for both you and the horse.
2. Get your loved ones more
involved in your horses. Divorce is the biggest reason we see horses coming back
to us. Don't just share the work, share the fun too and find something they
really enjoy doing with horses.
3. Learn a new discipline, go to
a clinic, a horse show, or equine affaire. Come to one of our clinics or watch a
training video. If you are an adopter you can check out books and video's from
SWAP's Library for just shipping costs. Take a lesson at least once a month or
Bring your adoption horse here and we will help you. The better you are, the
more fun you will have.
4. Make a plan for your horse
after you are gone or if you have a major injury, let your Will Executor know
your plans. Make a plan for emergencies or financial bumps along the way for
your horse. Have a plan if you or your horse gets injured, even for the tough
times of year like winter (or summer down south and for a drought winter when
hay prices skyrocket). Ask friends, family and
neighbors to be part of your plan, most people that don't have horses or a farm
love the idea of getting away and helping. And people can not resist someone when they
are asking for help for the welfare of an innocent animal.
5. Get yourself healthy and in
better shape to prevent injury, to live a long life and to more enjoy your
horses. Eat 1-1-1 (one ounce of dark chocolate, one ounce of fresh walnuts, one
glass of red wine daily) and 2-2-2 (2 servings of fresh vegis, 2 of fresh fruit
and get 2 sources of fat free calcium). Drink 100 ounces of spring water a day,
get a whole house water filter. Change over to Sea-salt. Take one teaspoon of
apple cider vinegar every morning to keep your body alkaline (cancer and disease
can not grow in an alkaline body). Eat more fish and chicken and less red meat.
Get a good air cleaner and do daily deep breathing exercises, get outside in the
fresh air and sunshine for at least 1/2 hour every day. Get away from high fat
food, processed foods, fast food, can or boxed food, sugar or artificial
sweeteners, soda and don't eat anything if you can't read all the ingredients
and know exactly what is in it. Clean all vegis and fruits thoroughly, buy
organic, buy ocean caught fish, not farm raised, buy fresh meat and raw milk,
not packed or processed. Eat only natural carbs (potatoes, rice, oats)
bake/broil or steam everything. Get 8 hours of sleep, reduce stress/risk (reduce
commuting by car pooling, tight schedules, cell phone use in the car, watch or
read the news only once a day or better yet once a week. Do one hour of walking, yoga or weight training every day and it
will make you strong, lean, you'll look great and get wonderful complements from
friends, coworkers and loved ones and the horse work will be easier and more
enjoyable.
6. Stay clear of negative people and those very
negative chat rooms and bulletin boards, they seem innocent but every time you
go to them you lose a bit of your positive self, they are truly emotional
vampires that will leave only a shell of a person. They are not based on the
truth, they are based on harassment, complaining, whining and dishonesty. We all
become tomorrow what we are around today, every person we come in contact with
defines who we are tomorrow so be careful who you choose for friends, even the
websites you go to as each of them affect who you are tomorrow. Do you want to
be a bitter, miserable, complaining person or do you want to be happy, inspired
and honorable, all that is affected by the decisions you make today. Stay away
from Toxic people and Toxic websites/forums that are negative or that spend all
their time talking bad about people and their horses. What you are around today
and what you are doing today is what you will be tomorrow. Stop Complaining and
be Thankful for what you have. If you become a target of
harassment or anyone saying anything negative about you, if you are doing only
good, positive things and not hurting anyone then ignore them, its all based on
jealousy and a sick sort of wish to be like you. They have the problem, not you.
7. Read at least one book on training your horse
and one on care each year, if for nothing else but just inspiration. SWAP has a
great library of books/videos that adopters can check out for just the cost of
mailing it.
Click here to see our Library
8. Get carrots/apples every time you go to the
store, your horses will love you for it and always come running when you call.
Don't feed candy or anything sweeter. Carrots are sweet enough. Get rid of the
sweet feeds and you'll get rid of the hot horse once and for all.
9. Realize that if you are having a problem with
your horse, more likely than not, the problem is you. Learn more, practice more,
ask in a different way, be patient, change their environment or daily schedule
to better suit them. Taking better care of a horse always brings out the best in
that horse. Good feed/hay, time to rest in a quiet stall out of the
elements, lots of fresh water, time to be with you and time to just be a horse,
time with their buddies, farrier and vet care always done is a good start. The
biggest part of this relationship puzzle is you, not the horse. If you are
struggling, then you need to learn more and get better.
10. Ride at least once a week, regardless of
weather. Use this time as your down time for healing, your therapy, your time to
relieve stress and the pressures of daily life. Even if you don't ride, go sit
and read a book in the pasture with the horses or sit in the barn and listen to
them munch on dinner, away from the crowd and noise of your day. Enjoy the peace
and quiet, enjoy hearing happy horses eating dinner or grass in the pasture.
11. Spend time leisurely grooming
your horse once a week. Rubber curries are shine makers. You will have a
beautiful horse and a very loyal friend who will do anything for you.
12. Come and spend a week at SWAP
HQ, volunteering and focusing on helping a horse and giving will change your
life plus it will be the best vacation you ever had. Help an animal in need,
whether fostering, being one of our state reps that goes out to check on our
horses in their homes or helps us approve adopters in their area. Find horses in
need and help us find them homes. Buy a horse at a slaughter auction, get it fat
and trained and we'll help you place it into a good home. Foster and volunteer
for your local small animal adoption program. I promise, the good things you do
will come back to you a hundred times over. Every person has a talent they can
offer and if you help one horse or one dog or cat find a good home, you have
changed their life forever.
13. Know that every goal is
obtainable and it starts with a single step. Take that first step today!! No
matter what it is or how big, YOU CAN DO IT!! Every goal that is written down
will come true (really!). Every famous person, every great or notable scientist,
author, trainer/rider, parent or friend started out as just a thought, just a
goal. Remember to take one step today to reach your goals.
14. Start every day with thinking
about, what is the most important thing I can do today to change my life and
make it better. Do that one thing and in 30 days your life will be totally
different. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you did that for 60,
90 or even 365 days a year. The opportunities are endless.
15. Want to keep your horse sound for life? (That should be
every horse owners number one goal) do a long slow warm up (cold muscle is easy
to injure, a warm one is nearly impossible to injure). The very best cool down
is hand walking your horse for 1 hour after every work out. Yes, get off the
horse and walk with it. Its great exercise for you and a good time for you to
bond. Stop riding your horse during cool downs and stop using a hot walker, do
something good for you and the horse, hand walking. Its also the best rehab for
over work and injuries, the only thing better is hydro therapy and swimming your
horse. Allow soft tissue and hard tissue to become more conditioned before going
into any training program... that means 3
months of at least 3 days a week for soft tissues and 10 months of work for
bones to become strong enough to jump or do any strenuous training program.
Don't start any upper level work, jumping or extensive training until the horse
is fit and at least between age 4 and 6 and has been conditioned for at least 10
months (especially if the horse has never been jumped/worked or not been jumped
or worked in the last year).
16. Appreciate what you have and be
thankful. Instead of looking at what you don't have, look at what you do. Thank
those people who have helped you and supported you. The more you give, the more
that will come back to you. When you give something away or give something to
someone/something in need, you make space in your life for something good to
come to you. We are all very blessed, if we just take a moment to look around
and enjoy those things.
17. Get used to using favorite mantra's
and visualizations every day, simple ones that are easy to remember, like 'I can
do this, I will do this', 'this isn't going to get the best of me' or even, 'I
deserve the best' or 'the gift of love, caring, and support always comes back'
and take two minutes every morning as you wake and at night as you go to sleep
to visualize the life you want, the you you want to be, Our thoughts become
things, what you see is what you get, if you expect the best, the best will
happen, change your self-talk from negative to positive and I promise your life
will change for the better..
18. Each person is put on this earth for a
reason, each of us has a mission. What is yours? Seek and you shall find,
finding is a journey ... in the journey and the search you'll find your life
purpose. If you died in your sleep tonight is there something you haven't done
that you need to do or want to do? Someone you need to mend fences with, burnt
bridges to fix? People you need to tell them how much you love them? Have you
fulfilled your purpose in your life? Ask yourself, Why am I here? How can I make
this better? Who do I want to be? Who am I suppose to be? What reason was I put
on this earth? What is my purpose?
19. Be an inspiration to your family, co
workers and friends. We all fall on our face, we all make mistakes, we all get
discouraged, most times we all get up and try again.... sometimes we need a
nudge. Instead of being negative or doing negative things, be their inspiration.
You do believe they can do it, so why not tell them. If their self talk is
negative, then you be their positive self talk.... eventually they will start to
say it and believe it too. Life is self fulfilling, failure feeds on itself or
causes more failure, achieving does as well. So if you or your love ones are in
a negative cycle, break the cycle by changing your thoughts, your self talk,
achieve something small to get yourself and your family back into the cycle of
achievement.
20. We all file a flight plan every single day
for our life. Where is your flight going today? Just like a pilot flying, the
winds, the gravitational pull will change your flight and take you off
course, so you must make small corrections along the way to make sure you make
your destination. Have you selected your destination? Have you picked the steps
in your flight plan to get there? Every goal is really that easy, pick the goal
and figure out how to get there. The easiest way to pick your flight path/plan
is find someone who has done it before you, then do what they did. Its all baby
steps you know. Just keep an eye on that destination and keep saying...."here is
my destination, this is where I'm going, this is where I am now, this is how I'm
going to get there.... I will arrive at this time on this day. You can do
it..... its just like getting in your car to go to the store, its just deciding
where you want to go and how to get there, then take that first step. You can do
it!! No matter how big or how outlandish you may think your dream to be... it
is obtainable.
21. Laugh every day and try (as hard as it
is sometimes) to find the positive and the humor in each situation (and have at
least one bite of a truly decadent desert once a week). Life is just too short
to not enjoy it thoroughly.
22. We learn the most and do our best work
when we have fallen on our face, when we are struggling, when we are worried,
scared or frustrated, when we are anguishing over something or troubled by it. It is
then that you have true motivation, when you think clearer. The most brilliant
ideas come to people when they feel lost, frustrated, or at the bottom, helpless
or hopeless. Cherish these times because its when you can come up with your best
ideas to your biggest problems and challenges. You see, there is a reason for
the rainy days.
23. You can't make everyone happy, its useless to try and wasted
energy to think you can. 50% of all people will not agree with you at any given
time, don't worry about it and don't let it stop you. 50% becomes a lot of
people when you are in the public eye. As long as you are not hurting anyone and you are doing the right thing, then go
ahead and do it. If you are wondering what is the right thing to do, its usually
the harder thing to do, the toughest path to take. The easy way out is rarely
the right thing to do. Instead of worrying over what someone thinks of you or
says about you, do something amazing and outstanding to inspire them or at least
have them sitting on the side lines being jealous, secretly saying, "wow, she
has guts". One person with purpose becomes the majority, one way or another.
1. There are at least two people in this world
That you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world Love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you Is because they want to Be just
like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, Even if they don't Like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you Before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, Something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has
Turned its back on you, take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
Always in hope and admiration,
Celeita
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully
dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and
shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home
today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he
smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a
visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been
hung on his window.
'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'
'That doesn't have anything to do with it,' he replied.
'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or
not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my
mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when
I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the
difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of
bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and
all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing.' Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
Our lives with
horses...
Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. You know this if you've ever.... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the First time ...or watched your good horse wobble to his feet
after surgery.... or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them . . or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club payday ... or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when 'The Man From Snowy River' slid Dennie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him as a prospect ... or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a six-foot wall ... or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would triumph ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back ... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's 'and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!' (or 'Run for the Roses' circa 1980 ish?)
... or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the world
... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill ... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky
haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipazzan
perform a capriole ... or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store wearing a certain kind of hat, or boots, or buckle, or have a certain cut and length to their jeans, and felt some remote kind of connection ... or felt warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing feeling that you get when you touch the
warmth of his coat... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. ... or pulled up to your barn where you board and only your horse greets you with a welcoming hello from the sound of your car or your voice.
HEROES AND HORSES
SOME NOTABLE HEROES AND THEIR HORSES ARE MENTIONED AND WE KNOW YOUR HORSE IS
YOUR HERO AND VICE VERSA.
1. Kanthaka - Buddha's horse, the one he used when he was still Siddhartha the
prince, to escape from his father's palace and begin his journey toward
enlightenment. Kanthaka's hooves made no sounds as they fled together and he is
often depicted being lifted on his four feet by benign spirits.
2. Pegasus - the mythical winged horse parented by Neptune and Medusa and
ridden by Bellerophon to rid the world of Chimera, the monster. Athena, the
Greek goddess of wisdom, was able to capture and train Pegasus when he allowed
her to place her golden bit in his mouth.
3. Phosphorus (Light Bearer) - the great Roman racehorse immortalized by the
4th century Roman poet Ausonius (at the emperor's request) in a beautiful
eulogy: Fly with haste to join the wing-footed horses of Elysium; may
Pegasus gallop on your right and Arion as your left-wheeler, and let Castor find
a fourth horse for the team.
4. Babieca - famed white gelding of El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar, the Spanish
hero who united Christians and Muslims against a Moorish onslaught from Africa.
Babieca lived to be 30 years old and carried El Cid into all his battles.
Babieca means "crazy" as Rodrigo made a crazy choice since the colt was the runt
of the herd.
5. Bucephalus (Ox-head) - beloved horse of Alexander the Great who bore the
Macedonian hero on his back from Greece to India. Odds against a horse living
past 20 in that era were great, but Bucephalus, in his 20s, endured until he
fell in battle in India.
6. Sleipnir - the eight-legged war horse of Odin, the Norse god, was able to
fly without wings and shape-shift.
7. Balios and Xanthos - a grey and bay, both sired by Zephyros, the West
Wind, who together pulled Achilles' chariot.
8. Vivasat - a Hindu sun-god who often took the form of a stallion.
9. Al Burak - Mohammed's horse, on whose back he ascended to heaven, was
brought to him by the archangel Gabriel
10. Chiron - the centaur who taught Achilles, Jason and the first physician,
Ascelpius, all he knew.
11. Rakhsh - blue-eyed and dappled red horse of the legendary Persian warrior,
Rustam. Rakhsh was highly intelligent and saved his sleeping master from a
lion's attack, killing the predator.
There are many more famous mythical and real horses and we will be adding to our
list. Can you help us add to this list?. thank you Harmony Horse Works.
The question is not: "do you
support horse slaughter."
The question is: "do you support the cruel, terrifying transport for days
without food and water in their journey to death?"
The question is: "do you support the torture and abuse of the killer
chutes, even for crippled horses, pregnant mares, wild horses, protective
mares with foals by their sides?"
The question is: “Do you support the horse slaughter factories that lie to
their consumers about the many chemicals that taint the horse meat, and call
it Organic?
The question is: do you support the breeder who breeds hundreds of horses
just to pick out the good ones and cash in the rest to the killer buyer?
The question is: Do you support the person who uses the horse its whole
life and when it gets to an old age sends it to slaughter as a thank you?
The question is: “do you support the slaughter workers who cheer a horse on
that struggles extra hard for its life?
The question is: Do you support the killer buyer who not only buys up the
strong, fat and healthy horses and leaves the meek weak and unhealthy for
society, but also bids against the good homes and horse rescues?
The question is: “Can you see though the lies of the ones who stand to
loose a buck with the end of horse slaughter?
The question is: Do you support ripping the last of our wild horses away
from their families and peaceful lives to be slaughtered?
The question is: As a nation, can we allow this to continue and still call
ourselves a civilized country?
The question is: "Can you look at the footage of innocent horses with their
eyes gouged out, hooves ripped off, legs broken, beaten by the workers, faces
smashed in from being on the transport trucks, horses stabbed in their spines,
horses conscious for the entire killing process and do nothing?
That is the question, so what is YOUR answer?
Resolve to make the world a
better place for animals (credit: PETA)
| If you haven't already done so,
have the companion animals who depend on you spayed or neutered. These
simple procedures help protect your furry friends from many types of
cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up
abandoned on the streets or dumped at severely crowded animal shelters.
|
| If you live with a dog,
pledge to walk him or her every day, even when it's cold outside and you'd
rather hide under a blanket. If you share your home with cats, set
aside some "kitty (or horsey) quality time" every day to play
with, brush, and bond with them. It's sometimes too easy to overlook our
feline friends, but they can get bored and lonely too. |
| If there is a lonely "backyard dog" in
your neighborhood, try befriending his or her guardian. Start by
politely talking to him or her about the dog's needs, such as
companionship, daily portions of fresh food and water, and a weatherproof
doghouse filled with straw. Many lucky dogs have had their lives changed
because someone like you cared enough to intervene. |
| If you're shopping for yourself or
buying holidays gifts for your loved ones, stay away from fur,
wool, leather, and companies that make or sell products made from the
skins of animals. |
NOTE: Crossed Sabers can not fully guarantee the accuracy of
every page on this website which is huge (38,000 files and over 300
pages). We do not have the personnel or time to keep it up to date and accurate
for every situation as this Stable and all its programs have always been a
dynamic entity, ever changing and improving itself to meet the needs of horses
and horse people. We do try to make sure each
page is up to date and accurate but the best thing to do If you have a question,
is email or call us. Additionally Crossed Sabers can not guarantee anything that
anyone says about us on line, we have no control over other people and their
websites, forums or ads, all we can tell people is if you do not know the
person, their name, address and their experience, age or history/background/education and location
do not trust what they say. That is true for everything on the internet. Some things said about us have been grossly inaccurate and did not come from CSS,
some come from past employees we fired for cause (for hurting horses or stealing
from us), people that are pro-slaughter
and hate our mission and what we do for horses enjoy trying to make us look bad, some are horse traders that
we've helped put out of business and some are people we helped put
in jail on neglect cases. Again,
if you have questions about us, our services, our company structure, how we are
licensed, how we pay taxes, how we do things or anything at all, please feel
free to contact us, just don't assume that all you read on another website is
accurate because 99% of it is not true, especially if you read it on a forum,
blog or chat room and don't assume that it came from us, just call 304-873-3532 or email us at
secondwindadopt@aol.com,
or better yet, come and see our operation and you will see how we do things. I
can guarantee it's 1000 times better than what the liars and frauds say who are
jealous of our work.
All programs and services listed on this website, including
SWAP is a part of Crossed Sabers Stable which has been licensed in WV for the
last 13 years. The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption Program,
Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Horse School, Inc. was incorporated on 4
Sep 08 to address the education needs and life challenges of people and horses.
Buyer and Seller Beware!! Update on the
Robin Hollingsworth of Blacksburg, SC
(she has several alias's and about 10 fake names) fraud case for those of you who have been asking. The SC prosecutor accepted a
plea bargain from her and dropped the case if she paid the people she ripped off
(the people she took money under false pretenses from when she sold them horses
she did not own), she did that so she was
let go but the 3 arrests will stay on her record and the record of what she did
to all those people is still on the books and will stay there. If she is caught
again I'm certain she will go to jail but people who are cheated by her must
stand up and testify.. If more people that she ripped off would have not
chickened out and backed out because of fear (Quote from them was we are scared
of her, she is crazy) she would be in jail right now but beware, she is still
loose and still taking free horses or companion horses that have things like
ringbone and navicular and drugging them and then selling them as high level
jumpers and competition horses on the internet. Her daughter works with her,
Amanda or Mandy, she helps her rip people off. Beware, I'm getting calls almost
every month where Robin has committed more crimes against people, taking horses,
not paying for them, bouncing checks, buying vehicles and horse trailers and not
paying for them. BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN!! If you want her history or to check a
person's name against our black list (our do not adopt to, do not sell to, do
not buy from, do not hire or even rent to list), then contact us.
BEWARE: Do not buy a horse from anyone you do not
know, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNET, unless
they have websites like ours, their names and addresses listed and they show
they have a long long history
on their website and
do not buy unless you go to see the horse and have it vet checked and you have
contact with the vet, not the seller or even trainer telling you what the vet said. DO NOT GIVE
YOUR HORSE OR SELL YOUR HORSE WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT IS TO
HAPPEN WITH THE HORSE, RESELLING, USE/LIMITATIONS, FACILITIES NEEDED, ETC. It
you sell or give away a horse with no agreement, they could go to slaughter the
same day you release them or they could be sold and misrepresented,
living a life of neglect, abuse, over use and miss use the rest of their lives.
We hear stories all the time where a best friend or neighbor, the nice lady you
gave the horse to sent the horse to slaughter or is neglecting it and there is
not a thing the owner can do now because they no longer own the horse and they
made no written agreements signed by both parties.
If you need help doing written agreements, back ground checks on buyers and
sellers, just contact us, that is part of our 'SAFE SELLING' SERVICES. Your
horse's life depends on you being safe and thorough!
BEWARE: People are selling horses on the
internet that don't even exist so beware, the horse industry is full is liars,
cheaters, and thieves, even we have had to deal with them from potential
adopters who were in jail applying to adopt, to employees and former trainers
who totally ripped us off by stealing tack and tools, asking for huge advances
and then leaving after they get them, people who don't even know us or had any
experience with us slandering us on forums, harassing us and our supporters,
interfering with company operations and even adopters who don't think twice
about breaching their contract or forging their vets signature on applications &
annual updates or even selling their adoption horse to programs like ours and
even 501c3's public charities selling horses to slaughter auctions or being put
in jail for neglect and animal cruelty. We are bringing each person that has
wronged our horses to justice one at a time and winning all our cases but that
does not protect the general public from these liars, thieves, con-artist and
cheaters. Your horses life can easily be ruined forever, they could end up in a
fate worse than death so buyer and seller beware, your horses life depends on
you keeping them safe and you being thorough with doing things like getting
references and making sure the people have stable employment, that they really
own the farm they say they do, doing background checks to check for criminal
records. The horse world is full of dishonesty which ruins it for honest people that really care
and always try to do the right thing, such a shame. Just be very careful and get
proof that your horse is going to a good home, get more than a feeling because
we promise you about 50% of the time when it comes to horses, your feeling that
its a 'nice' person or a 'good' person' is wrong. And even when you pick a
good home, they can turn around and sell or give away to a bad home.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers.
This includes age, weight and height. Let the
doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches and negative people pull you down. People who like to cause trouble
will shorten your life and make you just like them... miserable.
3. Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain
idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh
often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for
breath.
6. The tears happen..
Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is
ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love
, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health:
If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable,
improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT
to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love
them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.
| |
 Dogs For Adoption
"Care more than others think is wise
Risk more than others think is safe
Dream more than others think is
practical
Expect more than others think is
possible"
Dogs that still need a home
|
"He is your
friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love,
his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his
heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
Bogey has been adopted
|
All dog/cat adoptions are free, there is
a quick 2 page application to just guarantee its a good home, we will take
any dogs back that do not work out. Most of these dogs were pulled out of a
kill shelter, most are fixed, all are current on their shots, most are house
broken. Help these little
ones by giving them a home, plus there are great 2'fer specials when you
adopt a horse and dog at the same time.
Bogey is a Dobie x Rotte mix with floppy ears and a
long tail, she is about 2 years old, not sure if she is fixed but if not
probably will be before she leaves here.
-
She is friendly
but a good guard dog for a family though not mean, she's fun, likes to play,
housebroken, healthy and tall, needs to gain some more weight. We ended up
taking her from an adopter who was letting her run loose and was not feeding
her, so she is sadly back with SWAP to find a more stable home.
She stays around without being tied up, good farm dog, doesn't challenge the fence, gets along
really well with other dogs, she'll even scratch our bell at the door when she wants to go out.
Super dog at a good age. Bogey is located with a foster dad in West Union, WV
about 10 minutes from SWAP HQ
|
.JPG)
Cocoa's favorite place |
Cocoa, the
chocolate Lab (mix), probably born in 2006 or 2007 from the looks of his teeth, he's fixed, has his shots and is house
trained with no
issues at all. Friendly dog. We got him in 2007 with 19 dogs from a shelter that
was going from no kill to a kill shelter and they had 350 dogs. Cocoa is our
last dog needing a home and for a long time I thought he may have to stay
with us because he was so afraid of people. He does fine with dogs, cats and horses.
He will bark to protect his home but then may run from strangers coming in to the house until he gets to know them. He
was terrified of men and just about everyone when we got him but he is getting
so he will go up to guys who talk to him and pet him (he's come a long long
way and ready for a home now). He really likes to eat and can have a
tendency to over eat and get fat so you may not be able to leave food down
all the time, the boy loves his groceries. Great with the barn cats. No big
issues, a great friend and still young, he is past the chewing stage. He's a
great friend to take on a walk in the country away from roads, he's stays
right with you without a lease and always comes. He can be loose on the farm
and does not run off. He has been the best dog but he deserves a family of
his own to love him. |
 |
this little bear is Hershey, was bought by his
rescuer because she saw an owner beating him, she took him to a vet and
found that he had head trauma, was severely dehydrated and had low sugar
from the neglect and abuse. He is all healthy now, still a bit shy around
new people but good with dogs and cats, friendly, she has in turn contacted
us to take him so he will probably arrive at SWAP soon. He looks to be 5 or
6 weeks old so he was probably born mid December 2009 (a Christmas baby), he
looks to be a chow mixed with a blue eyed breed because he has the prettiest
blue eyes, he's learning about going out side to use the bathroom and doing
well with that, the rescuer that brought him to us is going to pay to have
him fixed as soon as he's old enough, his shots are up to date (records with
one of our vets and we will have copies), the rescuer would keep him but she
had a very old sick dog that has become stressed over having a youngster in
the house. He is playful and friendly. Hershey is free to a good home, there
is a simple 2 page application to adopt him. He will be fixed at 14 weeks
old (mid March), he should be completely housebroken by then too. Such a
cutie. |
Here are the dogs that have been adopted
Dutch, a dutch shepherd
Lil Miss Dingo was adopted by K. Powell of WV
Noel
(puppy) was adopted by B. Cutright of WV
 Betty
Boo Boo
Boo Boo was
adopted by Dr. Z. Ristic and her Hubby Michael (our wonderful transporter)
lady has been
adopted by the Jett family of WV
Rufus adopted by the Macy family of IN
 Duker,
young male spaniel mixed has been adopted by Chip Murphy of IN. Chip and his
family adopted Ali, Hershey and now Duker
 Mikey,
young male Labrador retriever adopted by Meg Vanderbilt in NC, a SWAP donor and
supporter for years
 Julius is a young
shepherd (about 2 or 3) crossed with some sort of a long haired retriever, he is
wonderful with kids, house broken, has all his shots, is fixed, and does well
alone or with female dogs. For some reason he does not do well with other male
dogs in the home environment. Does well in the car and extremely loyal. Great
house or farm dog. He is located just outside of Fayetteville, NC and will be
placed from that location. He is an extra beautiful boy, these pictures really
don't do him a bit of justice. He is really a looker.
 Patrick, Labrador retriever mix, Adopted
 Kong swimming, Kong has
been adopted
(Coconut has been adopted by L. Ross
and her family of NY)
 (Chance has been adopted by
E. Hoban of CT, YEA!!)
(Ace was adopted by Angie Macy)
Lady was adopted by A. Macy of IN, her kids are really enjoying Lady and
Gizmo!!
Ben has been adopted by our farrier and his wife, Tom and Jo Powers
(Austin has been adopted by J. Murphy of WV)
Gizmo, (Has been adopted by A. Macy in Indiana)
Julius at his new home!!
He's attached himself to Maureen's daughter, sleeps with her, barely leaves her
side or bedroom when she is gone. I guess he picked his human to love. ;))
DOGS
AND CATS FOR ADOPTION IN OUR AREA
"Don't let
what you can't do interfere with what you can do!
> Please Remember
> 1) My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you
> will be
> painful for me. Remember that before you buy/adopt me.
> 2) Give me time to understand what it is that you want from me.
> 3) Place your trust in me - it is crucial to my well-being.
> 4) Do not be angry with me for long, I won't remember why you're mad.
> 5) You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I
> only have you.
> 6) Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I
> understand
> your voice when you are speaking to me.
> 7) Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
> 8) Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily
> crush the
> bones in your hand but I choose not to bite you.
> 9) Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or
> lazy, ask
> yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not
> getting the right
> food or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is growing
> old and weak.
> 10) Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old. Go
> with me on
> difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to do this" or "let
> it happen in my
> absence." Everything is easier for me of you are there.
> ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU UNCONDITIONALLY!
> - Author Unknown
Sad but true, from a fellow rescue program:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Average Pet Owner:
Thank you for contacting us animal rescuers,
shelter volunteers, and foster-homes about your
inability to keep your pet. We receive an
extremely
high volume of inquiries and requests to accept
surrendered animals (and none of us is getting
paid,
OK?). To help us expedite your problem as quickly
as
possible, please observe the following
guidelines:
1. Do not say that you are "CONSIDERING
finding
a good home" for your pet, or that you, "feel you
MIGHT be forced to," or that you "really THINK it
would be better if" you unloaded the poor beast.
Ninety-five percent of you have already got your
minds stone-cold made up that the animal WILL be
out
of your life by the weekend at the latest. Say
so.
If you don't, I'm going to waste a lot of time
giving you commonsense, easy solutions for very
fixable problems, and you're going to waste a lot
of
time coming up with fanciful reasons why the
solution couldn't possibly work for you. For
instance, you say the cat claws the furniture,
and I
tell you about nail-clipping and scratching posts
and aversion training, and then you go into a
long
harangue about how your husband won't let you put
a
scratching post in the family room, and your ADHD
daughter cries if you use a squirt bottle on the
cat, and your congenital thumb abnormalities
preve!
nt you from using nail scissors and etc., etc.
Just
say you're getting rid of the cat.
2. Do not waste time trying to convince me
how
nice and humane you are. Your coworker
recommended
that you contact me because I am nice to animals,
not because I am nice to people, and I don't like
people who "get rid of" their animals.
"Get rid of" is my least favorite phrase in
any
language. I hope someone "gets rid of" YOU
someday.
I am an animal advocate, not a people therapist.
After all, for your ADHD daughter, you can get
counselors, special teachers, doctors, social
workers, etc. Your pet has only me, and people
like
me, to turn to in his or her need, and we are
unpaid, overworked, stressed-out, and
demoralized.
So don't tell me this big long story about how,
"We
love this dog so much, and we even bought him a
special bed that cost $50, and it is just KILLING
us
to part with him, but honestly, our maid is just
awash in dog hair every time she cleans, and his
breath sometimes just reeks of liver, so you can
see
how hard we've tried, and how dear he is to us,
but
we really just can't . . . ." You are not nice,
and
it is not killing you. It is, in all probability,
literally killing your dog, but you're going to
be
just fine once the beast is out of your sight. !
Don't waste my time trying to make me like you or
feel sorry for you in your plight.
3. Do not try to convince me that your pet is
exceptional and deserves special treatment. I
don't
care if you taught him to sit. I don't care if
she's
a beautiful Persian. I have a waiting list of
battered and/or whacked-out animals who need
help,
and I have no room to foster-house your pet. Do
not
send me long messages detailing how Fido just
l-o-v-e-s his blankies and carries his favorite
blankie everywhere, and oh, when he gets all
excited
and happy, he spins around in circles, isn't that
cute? He really is darling, so it wouldn't be any
trouble at all for us to find him a good home.
Listen, we can go down to the pound and count the
darling, spinning, blankie-loving beasts on death
row by the dozens, any day of the week. And,
honey,
Fido is a six-year-old Shepherd-Lab mix. I am not
lying when I tell you that big, older,
mixed-breed,
garden-variety dogs are almost completely
unadoptable, and I don't care if they can whistle
Dix! ie or send semaphore signals with their
blankies. What you don't realize is that, though
you're trying to lie to me, you're actually
telling
the truth: Your pet is a special, wonderful,
amazing
creature. But this mean old world does not care.
More importantly, YOU do not care, and I can't
fix
that problem. All I can do is grieve for all the
exceptional animals who live short, brutal,
loveless
lives and die without anyone ever recognizing
that
they were indeed very, very special.
4. Finally, just, for God' s sake, for the
animal's sake, tell the truth, and the whole
truth.
Do you think that if you just mumble that your
cat
is "high-strung," I will say, "Okey-dokey! No
prob!"
and take it into foster care? No, I will start
asking questions and uncover the truth, which is
that your cat has not used a litter box in the
last
six months. Do not tell me that you "can't" crate
your dog. I will ask what happens when you try to
crate him, and you will either be forced to tell
me
the symptoms of full-blown, severe separation
anxiety, or else you will resort to lying some
more,
wasting more of our time. And, if you succeed in
placing your pet in a shelter or foster care, do
not
tell yourself the biggest lie of all: "Those nice
people will take him and find him a good home,
and
everything will be fine." Those nice people will
indeed give the animal every possible chance, but
if
we discover serious health or behav! ior
problems,
if we find that your misguided attempts to train
or
discipline him have driven him over the edge, we
will do what you are too immoral and cowardly to
do:
We will hold the animal in our arms, telling him
truthfully that he is a good dog or cat, telling
him
truthfully that we are sorry and we love him,
while
the vet ends his life. How can we be so heartless
as
to kill your pet, you ask? Do not ever dare to
judge
us. At least we tried. At least we stuck with him
to
the end. At least we never abandoned him to
strangers, as you certainly did, didn't you? In
short, this little old rescuer/foster momma has
reached the point where she would prefer you pet
owners to tell her stories like this: "We went to
Wal-Mart and picked up a free pet in the parking
lot
a couple of years ago. Now we don't want it
anymore.
We're lazier than we thought. We've got no
patience
either. We're starting to suspect the animal is
really smarter than we are, which is giving us
self-esteem issues. Clearly, we can't possibly
keep it. Plus, it might be getting sic k; it's
acting kind of funny. "We would like you to take
it
in eagerly, enthusiastically, and immediately. We
hope you'll realize what a deal you're getting
and
not ask us for a donation to help defray your
costs.
After all, this is an (almost) pure-bred animal,
and
we'll send the leftover food along with it. We
get
it at Wal-Mart too, and boy, it's a really good
deal, price-wise. "We are very irritated that you
haven't shown pity on us in our great need and
picked the animal up already. We thought you
people
were supposed to be humane! Come and get it
today.
No, we couldn't possibly bring it to you; the
final
episode of "Survivor II" is on tonight."
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Pet Owner, for your
cooperation.
|
The Life and Death of an Untrained Dog
Courtesy of and Copyright ? 1994, Robert J. Hoffman
Humane Society of Ventura County, California
"I woke up one morning with my littermates. I
saw Mom lying there so I went over to get some breakfast. Mom was warm
and she licked me all over. She loved us so much. Things were good back
then. Now I am bigger and live in a home with two kids and their mom and
dad. I used to be able to come in the house and play. They even let me
sleep in the house. The children would run and I would chase them
around. When I was little they would let me jump on them and even
playfully bite them. The family would laugh and encourage me to play
like this. They gave me lots of toys such as socks, shoes and stuffed
animals. I had so much fun. Those were the days.
As I got bigger, I would accidentally
knock the children down. I would try to bite them on the cuff of their
pants as they ran. I found toys like the ones my master gave me when I
was younger, and I would chew them up. They started getting mad at me
all the time. When I jumped up they would knee me down. One minute they
were laughing at me for play biting and chewing and the next minute they
would spank me for doing the very same thing. I am so confused!
Now I spend my days, hour after hour,
chained in the back yard. No one comes out to play with me. I am so
happy to see them when they come out that I jump and bark with joy. I
spend my days digging up the yard around me, which makes my masters mad
at me. The fleas crawl all over me, which drives me crazy. I get so mad
that I want to bite someone.
The more I sit out here the madder I get.
I cannot understand why they brought me home just to chain me in the
yard. If my masters are unhappy with my behavior, why not train me? Why
did they encourage me to jump and bite?
Things have not gotten any better for me.
Now I sit in jail. People come by my cage looking at me. I do not trust
them so I bark and bare my teeth. No one wants me. Oh, no! Here comes a
lady with a leash. Where is she taking me? She walks me into a room. Oh
she likes me. It's so good to be hugged again. She puts a thing around
my mouth so I cannot bite. What's this? She is sticking me in the leg.
Oh, I am so sleepy. What has happened to me? I am asleep now. NO ONE CAN
HURT ME ANYMORE."
|
- Sadly, the very same thing can be said of horses. If you don't
train your horses,
- especially your young horses you might as well sentence them to
slaughter.
The following ad in The Atlanta Journal is reported to have
received numerous calls:
SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity
unimportant.
I'm a very good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in
the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing
trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will
have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me
respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work,
wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours.
Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy.
Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane
Society about an 8-week old black Labrador retriever.
Men are so easy.
When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You
called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of
murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd
shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and
roll me over for a belly rub.
My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly
busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in
bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life
could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car
rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for
dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home
at the end of the day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more
time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you
through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions,
and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home,
tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated
by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she
and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to
another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a
"prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled
themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and
gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -
because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with
my life if need be.
I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams.
Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a
time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me
from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just
answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to
"just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be
moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision
for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It
smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork
and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you
a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat,
even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar
as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for
him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty,
about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a
goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar
and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming
move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook
their heads and asked "How could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow.
They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever
anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had
changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least
be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not
compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their
own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded
along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She
placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart
pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of
relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more
concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know
that, the same way I knew your every mood.
She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I
licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She
expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the
cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind
eyes and murmured "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged
me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place,
where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -
a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my
last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my
"How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was
thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
The End
-
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he
-
wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous
Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive
-
evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I
-
want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy
-
licking your face.
-Ben Williams
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more
-
than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings
The average dog is a nicer person than the average
-
person.
-Andy Rooney
We
give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare
-
and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their
-
all. It's the best deal man has ever made.
-M. Acklam
Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite
-
unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always
-
have to mix love and hate.
-Sigmund Freud
I wonder if other dogs
think poodles are members of a
-
weird religious cult.
-Rita
Rudner
A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn
-
around three times before lying down.
-Robert Benchley
Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never
-
washed a dog.
-Franklin P. Jones
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain
-
dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very
-
few persons.
-James Thurber
If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
-Unknown
My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is
-
up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
-Joe Weinstein
Ever
consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean,
-
here we come back
from a grocery store with the most
-
amazing haul --
chicken, pork, half a cow. They must
-
think we're the
greatest hunters on earth!
-Anne Tyler
Women and cats will do as they please, and men and
-
dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous,
-
he will not bite you; that is the principal difference
-
between a dog and a man.
-Mark Twain
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will
-
give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never
-
would've thought of that!'
- Dave Barry
-
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
-Roger Caras
If you think dogs can't
count, try putting three dog biscuits
-
in your pocket and then give him only two of them.
-Phil
Pastoret
DOG ADOPTION PROGRAMS IN OUR STATE!!
Volunteer at a rescue near you today!! You can foster one dog until
it finds a home or even go to the rescue one night a week to spend some time
with the dogs/cats and even horses!! Programs just like the ones on this page
need your help!
Some racehorses were standing in their shed row at the race track.
One of them starts to boast about his track record. "In the last 16
races, I've won 8 of them!"
Another horse breaks in, "Well in the last 27 races, I've won 20!!"
"Oh that's good, but in the last 37 races, I've won 29!" says another,
flicking his tail.
At this point, they notice that a greyhound dog has been sitting there
listening.
"I don't mean to boast," says the greyhound, "but in my last 91 races,
I've won 89 of them!"
The horses are clearly amazed.
"Wow!" says one, after a hushed silence.
"A talking dog."
THREE POWERFUL
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT EUTHANASIA OF HOMELESS ANIMALS
1. Adopt or Rescue the next time you add an animal to your family. SAVE A
LIFE! When we buy from a breeder or pet store, we help perpetuate the
overpopulation of animals and displace one more home needed for millions of
homeless pets. When we adopt and rescue, we save a life! Whatever species
or breed we would like to live with and love, we can find it through rescue!
Visit your local shelter or find the animal waiting for you at:
www.petfinder.org or do a search on breed rescue for the breed you love.
2. Spay and Neuter every pet you have. SAVE MANY LIVES! Please don’t add
to overpopulation. Spaying and neutering saves lives. Seeing the "miracle of
birth" creates the tragedy of death of 5 million animals in US shelters every
year, including many pure breds. Want to find low cost spay/neuter anywhere in
the U.S.? Facts on early spay/neuter? Visit these web sites:
www.spayusa.org or 800-248-7729
www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter/spayneuter.html
www.enviroweb.org/foa/spaying/htlne.htm
3. Keep Your Animals for Their Lifetime! Make a commitment to work hard
and creatively to find ways to keep your pet in times of stress and change.
Honor your bond of love and promise of care. When you acquire an animal, choose
carefully for compatibility with your lifestyle, finances, personality, family
needs, etc. to help insure a commitment to lifetime love and care. When
challenges of behavior problems, finances, family structure change, moves, etc.
do arise, connect with the resources that can help keep you and your animal
together. Seek the help of dog trainers, animal communicators, behaviorists,
holistic practitioners, veterinarians, other professionals, and friends and
family before you take your animal to a shelter or rescue group.
.
If everyone of us who claims to love animals did these three things, shelters
would not be overcrowded, shelters would not see more people surrendering their
animals than they do people adopting them, and shelters would have no need to
euthanize. Shelters could be in the business of sheltering a small number of
homeless animals and placing them in good homes. Please, let’s not blame shelter
workers for a problem we created as a community! Let’s work together to prevent
and resolve it.
PETS ARE NOT A CONVENIENCE. THEY ARE A COMMITMENT FOR LIFE.
How To Break A Dog's Heart
First, you get a puppy, take him home, play with him all the time, lavish love,
toys and treats on him. Then as he gets bigger and older, start to ignore him.
When he chews your shoes scream at him. When he pees on the floor because you
didn't take him out, hit him. Then when he's about 9 months old, tell him he
gets to go in the car, drive him out to an old country road and toss him out.
Don't turn back to see the look in his eyes because you obviously are a rotten
SOB so it won't matter to you that you broke his heart.
We can tell you about those dogs because we see them every year. A dog who has
been dumped in the country quite literally has his heart broken. They stand in
the road not knowing what has happened or what to do. Many of them will stay
right were they were dumped waiting for the sorry excuse for a human to come
back for them.
These dogs suffer greatly and then they die horrible deaths - hit by cars, shot
by farmers, eaten by wild animals, starving or freezing to death. There is very
little hope for them. Every one of them is a wonderful dog. It's amazing that
they are all always grateful and forgiving. Only a dog has the ability to
forgive such cruelty and offer love and devotion again.
If you have been thinking about adopting a dog, the time is now. The dogs
listed above on this page are ready to go to their new homes.
|
TENDER HEARTS
By Dee Clair
I
greet each day inside my cage
And wait for God to write my page
I wonder if you’ll come today?
And let me feel the light of day
My
whole life has been dark with pain
And those who caused it--what did they gain?
They stole my trust, my livelihood
And all because they simply could
I
yearn to run through scented fields
Without a cage and lock to yield
To chase a squirrel that can't be caught
To earn a love that can't be bought
But the darkest days have a light
In the quiet mornings that follow night
You come to visit every day
Without a motive, without a pay
You carried me when I was weak
Brought trust I was too pained to seek
You healed my wounds that took their toll
You rescued my slowly dying soul
And now I listen for your voice
Knowing that you're here by choice
You didn’t know me at the start
And yet I’m planted in your heart
I’m learning to accept your praise
And not avert my fearful gaze
Forgive me if I cower still
My life has been against my will
I
feel that you are growing tired
Within this fight that you’ve been mired
If you can keep your doubts at bay
It would mean the world if you could stay
I
can’t predict how this will end
But I know this of you, my friend
You selflessly all played your part
You saved me with your tender heart |
|
Here's just
some of the nearly 150 dogs and cats we've found homes for (besides the ones at
the top of the page):
|
Alone Again
I wish someone would tell me what it is
That I've done wrong.
Why I have to stay chained up and
Left alone so long.
They seemed so glad to have me when
I came here as a pup.
There were so many things we'd do
While I was growing up.
They couldn't wait to train me as a
Companion and a friend.
And told me how they'd never fear
Being left alone again.
The children said they'd feed me and
Brush me every day.
They'd play with me and walk me
If I could only stay.
But now the family "Hasn't Time";
They often say I shed.
They do not want me in the house
Not even to be fed.
The children never walk me
They always say "NOT NOW!"
I wish that I could please them.
Won't someone tell me how?
All I had, you see, was love.
I wish they would explain
Why they said they wanted me,
Then left me on a chain?
Anonymous
 |
|
Baggage
by Evelyn Colbath
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed,
I would like to open my baggage,
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry -
So much to forget.
Hmm, Yes, here it is, right on the top -
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear & Shame
As I look on these things I have tried so hard to leave-
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left
me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never re-pack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
© Evelyn Colbath
|
|
Did Christ Have a Little Black Dog
I wonder if Christ had a little black dog,
All curly and wooly like mine,
With two silky ears, and nose round and wet,
Two eyes brown and tender that shine?
I am sure if He had, that that little black dog,
Knew right from the first He was God,
That he needed no proof that Christ was divine,
But just worshipped the ground where He trod.
I'm afraid that He hadn't because I have read,
How He prayed in the garden alone,
For all of His friends and disciples had fled,
Even Peter, the one called a "Stone."
And oh, I am sure that that little black dog,
With a true heart so tender and warm
Would never have left Him to suffer alone
But creeping right under His arm;
Would have licked those dear fingers in agony clasped,
And counting all favors but loss,
When they took Him away, would have trotted behind,
And followed Him right to the Cross.
|
|
A Dog's Prayer
By Beth Norman Harris
Treat me kindly, my beloved master,
for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness
than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick,
for though I should lick your hands between blows,
your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me
the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music
as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside,
for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside
the hearth.
Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than
rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you
are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water,
for although I should not reproach you were it dry,
I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play
and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my
health or sight,
do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled
hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest -- and I will leave you
knowing with the last breath I drew,
my fate was ever safest in your hands.
|
|
Do I Go Home Today?
by Sandi Thompson
My family brought me home
cradled in their arms.
They cuddled me and smiled at me,
and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me.
They showered me with toys.
I sure do love my family,
especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me,
they gave me special treats.
They even let me sleep with them --
all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks,
often several times a day.
They even fought to hold the leash,
I'm very proud to say.
They used to laugh and praise me,
when I played with that old shoe.
But I didn't know the difference
between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag,
for hours we would tug.
So I thought I did the right thing
when I chewed the bedroom rug.
They said that I was out of control,
and would have to live outside.
This I did not understand,
although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one;
they said they hadn't time.
I wish that I could change things,
I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely,
in the backyard on a chain.
I barked and barked all day long,
to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter,
but were embarrassed to say why.
They said I caused an allergy,
and then kissed me goodbye.
If I'd only had some classes,
as a little pup.
I wouldn't have been so hard to handle
when I was all grown up.
"You only have one day left,"
I heard the worker say.
Does this mean a second chance?
Do I go home today?
© Sandi Thompson
|
|
Don't Grieve for Me
(Author Unknown)
Don't grieve for me, for now I am free.
I'm following paths God made for me
I took his hand, I heard him call...
Then turned, and bid farewell to all.
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace...at close of day.
And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened...deep with sorrow,
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full...I've savored much.
Good friends, good times...a loved ones touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wants me now...He set me free!
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Do not mourn my passing
(Author Unknown)
Do not mourn my passing for if you could only
see
by slipping all my earthly bonds, I'm young again and free.
By day I run the Heavenly fields, my body healthy and strong
At night I sleep at Angels' Feet, lulled by Celestial Song.
So do not mourn my passing, just close your eyes - you'll see
I'm once again that frisky pup, just as you remember me.
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For Hanna by Elizabeth Clark
What morning when you waken
Is the right one to decide
That this dog will be forsaken
And no more with you abide?
A dog like this, she'll find a home
And what will be the harm
In telling all the children
That she'll be living on a farm?
As you bring her in and leave her
In her lonely metal cage
And act as though you have no choice
I feel a silent rage
What heinous thing has this dog done?
What has been her crime?
Or are there other things more pressing
And you don't have the time?
This dog who loved her master
And served him day by day
Has become an inconvenience
And has now been sent away
She keeps a faithful vigil
The tears in my eyes burn
While with trusting expectation
She awaits for your return
A dog like this will have no home,
No master will be found
For who will take an older dog
When younger ones abound?
Now at last her time has come,
And with a gentle nod
I'll cradle your dog in my arms
And send her back to God.
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He Will Come
By Gina Richey
Don't close the door
Don't push me away
Why are you leaving?
Don't make me stay.
Slow down the car
I can't keep up
This pavement is hot
and my pads are cut.
I've got to quit running
or my heart will pop
Every muscle is aching
why didn't you stop?
I'm so hungry and thirsty
Darkness is near
But I shouldn't leave
He will come for me here
Several weeks have passed
I'm dead on my feet
They call me a nuisance
because I eat off the streets
Every car that passes
I chase it to see
If it is my master
coming for me
Though I approach
those that come near
With trust in my eyes
and no sign of fear
With hate in their voices
and a cold, heartless stare
They threaten to kill me
They don't even care
Batter my body
with rocks that they throw
I will not leave
He will come, Don't you know.
Overtaken with weakness
my body is numb
I'm sick and so lonely
Oh please, let him come!
I will go back
to where he first threw me out
I'll wait for him there
He will come, no doubt
My thoughts are fading
My chest feels like lead
I'm sleepy, so sleepy
I can't lift my head
It's so quiet, so peaceful
all remains still
There is my master
at my home on the hill
Yes, I can see him
He's calling my name
His voice is so gentle
His hands are the same
He decided he wants me
Things will be fine
I really do love him
that master of mine.
My tail wags with pleasure
I can't catch my breath
He came in my dreams
but so did my Death
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I'll Lend You for a Little While
(Author Unknown)
I'll lend you for a little while, a wee
Scottie pup God said
For you to love him while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years, or only two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief
You'll always have his memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay since all from earth return,
but there are lessons taught below I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true,
And from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain;
Nor hate me when I come to take my wee dog back again?
I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord,
Thy will be done,
For all the joys this pup will bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may.
And for the happiness we've never known forever grateful stay.
But should you come to call him back much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand,
If by our love we've managed your wishes to achieve.
In memory of him we loved, to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful friend departs this world of strife
We'll have another wee scottie pup and we'll love him all his life."
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THE LAST BATTLE
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
---Unknown
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"A Man's Best Friend"
A faithful dog will play with you
And laugh with you and cry...
He'll gladly starve to stay with you
Nor ever reason why...
And when you're feeling out of sorts
Somehow he'll understand
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.
His blind implicit faith in you
Is matched by your great love
The kind that all of us should have
In the Master up above.
When everything is said and done,
I guess this isn't odd,
For when you spell dog backwards,
You will get the name of God.
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Molly Sue's Birthday Poem
(1st Birthday)
"My Angel, Molly Sue"
Upon your back are traces I see
where your angelic wings used to be
For a year ago on this very day,
You were born and your little wings were clipped away.
It was 12 long weeks before we met,
and the moment I first held you, I will never forget.
For when I held you in my arms,
You filled my heart with your infinite charms.
How I love to watch you play and grow,
and teach you all the things you'll need to know.
I always knew right from the start,
You would capture the love within my heart.
For my little angel it's not hard to
see,
You truly are my "Destiny"
And so whatever dreams in my life you bring
remember to me you mean everything.
So little pup of just one year,
who has filled our lives with so much cheer,
We adore you and we want to say,
We wish you the happiest 1st Birthday.
By Josie O'Brien
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A Poem to Molly Sue Migan-O'Brien from her Mommy
My Scottie is an angel
She means the world to me
Every time I look her way
She smiles playfully.
She runs and jumps the whole day long
And guards my home with glee.
My fluttering little angel
Will let no harm come to me
In the morning when I awaken,
She'll pounce upon my chest,
And kiss me right on my face
And will not let me rest.
I thank God and the Angels
For bringing her my way.
She makes me laugh and want to sing
As I welcome each new day.
So special angel Scottie
You know I love you so
For we will share eternity
Because we share one soul.
© Josie O'Brien
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My Best Friend
(Anonymous)
My best friend closed his eyes last night
as his head was in my hand.
The doctors said he was in pain
And it was hard for him to stand.
The thoughts that scurried through my head
As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
And oh his many charms.
Today, there was no gentle nudge
With an intense "I Love You" gaze;
Only a heart that's filled with tears,
Remembering our joy-filled days.
But an angel just appeared to me and he said,
"You should cry no more.
God also love our canine friends,
He's installed a doggy door."
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Online Friend
(Anonymous)
I have a little group of friends
As dear as they can be.
I love them all, but sad to say,
Most I'll never get to see.
The only claim I have is that
When I feel sad, alone or blue,
I get on line, Play wav's and chat.
And maybe find someone who feels it too.
They give love and support,
Opinions and such,
Which I can take or ponder much,
But sometimes I round a bend
And LOL, I'll make a brand new friend.
Feel bad, or sad?
Just plain sick?
Got an attitude or habit You want to kick?
"It's ok," your friends will say,
"We've all been there before,
A time or two, just like you."
We know the ups, the downs,
The highs, the lows,
The "I-could-kill-that-so-n-so's."
The pain and strain,
Of getting through
The leave-takings without adieu.
We've seen it all,
the been-theres, done-thats,
We've worn all the different hats,
That makes us each uniquely "us,"
And when we want to make a fuss,
We come online and find
The equalizers,
The friends, who become our sympathizers,
Who know, And feel,
And wish, And pray,
When you both know
There is nothing more to say --
But an online friend
Will say it anyway.
All wrapped up in a warm hug!!
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The Orphan and the stray
(by Josie O'Brien ©)
Across the brook near the Rainbow
Bridge
There stands a little boy
Who never had a puppy
And scarcely had a toy.
He had never really had a home
Or a loving family
His parents had left the world
Quite sudden and tragically
His life on earth was lonely
Because he never quite fit in
He was just a little different
That was his only sin
Each night as he would lie in bed
He'd give the Lord his plea
Please send me a companion
A little LBD (Little Black Dog)
Now on the darkest, coldest streets
God heard another plea
A tiny little puppy
Cried out in agony
Please send a little boy
To share my life with me
I promise I'll be no trouble
My family has abandoned me.
The night that God heard their pleas
They had each taken their final breath
They crossed through the meadows of the Rainbow Bridge
Where there is no cruelty or death.
When the little boy and puppy
Looked across the brook they would see
That God had answered their prayers
And granted each a family.
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Parted
High in the courts of Heaven today
A little dog-angel waits,
With other angels he will not play
But he sits alone at the gates,
"For I know my master will come "thinks he
"And when he comes he will call for me."
And his master on earth, far down, below
As he sits on his fireside chair,
Forgets sometimes, and whistles low
For his Scottie that is not there.
And the little dog-angel cocks his ears
And dreams that his master's voice he hears.
And I know when at length his master waits
Outside in the dark and cold.
For the hound of death to open the gates
That lead to the Courts of Gold;
His little terrier's welcoming bark
Will comfort his soul in the shivering dark.
Author Unknown
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Poem for Loss
by Josie O'Brien
My darling as I hold you near,
my heart is aching so.
I know that you must go away.
It is something we both know.
Acceptance is the hardest part
of knowing I'll remain.
For I know that when you're free at last,
I will cry with heartfelt pain.
Each memory has been traced with love
deep within my heart.
I never dreamed the day would come
When we would be apart.
For as I hold you in my arms
and whisper our last goodbye,
I'll cherish every memory
until the day I die.
For when my soul is released and free,
I'll come to you, my friend.
And the love we share will once again
be eternal; with no end.
© Josie O'Brien
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THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
THERE IS A BRIDGE CONNECTING HEAVEN
AND EARTH.
IT IS CALLED THE RAINBOW BRIDGE BECAUSE OF ITS
MANY COLORS. JUST THIS SIDE OF THE RAINBOW
BRIDGE THERE IS A LAND OF MEADOWS, HILLS AND
VALLEYS WITH LUSH GREEN GRASS.
WHEN A BELOVED PET DIES, THE PET GOES TO THIS
PLACE. THERE IS ALWAYS FOOD AND WATER AND WARM
SPRING WEATHER. THE OLD AND FRAIL ANIMALS ARE
YOUNG AGAIN. THOSE WHO ARE MAIMED ARE MADE
WHOLE AGAIN. THEY PLAY ALL DAY WITH EACH OTHER.
THERE IS ONLY ONE THING MISSING. THEY ARE NOT
WITH THEIR SPECIAL PERSON WHO LOVED THEM ON
EARTH. SO EACH DAY THEY RUN AND PLAY UNTIL THE
DAY COMES WHEN ALL THOSE PETS YOU HAVE LOVED
SUDDENLY STOP PLAYING AND LOOK UP! THEIR NOSES
TWITCH! THEIR EARS ARE UP! THEIR EYES ARE
STARING! AND THEY SUDDENLY RUN FROM THE GROUP.
YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN, AND WHEN YOU AND YOUR
SPECIAL FRIENDS MEET, YOU TAKE THEM IN YOUR ARMS
AND EMBRACE. YOUR FACE IS KISSED AGAIN AND
AGAIN, AND YOU LOOK ONCE MORE INTO THE EYES OF
YOUR TRUSTING PETS.
THEN YOU CROSS
RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER,
NEVER AGAIN TO BE SEPARATED.
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Second Dog
by Lee Avery
Sometimes I look for traits in you
Of a little dog you never knew--
A dog who loved me all his days
And understood in special ways.
But that's not fair to you, my elf,
You're not a substitute, but yourself.
You've dried the tears and eased the pain
And tugged my laughter home again.
Yet, at times, puppy, I almost start
When your eyes recall him to my heart.
You'll never lack for love, it's clear--
Because of him, you're twice as dear.
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To Those I Love
And Those Who Love Me
(Author Unknown)
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do.
You mustn't tie yourself to me in tears.
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess,
How much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love each of you has shown.
But now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It's only for awhile that we must part
So keep the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away, for life goes on.
So if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All of my love around soft and clear.
And when you must come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile, and say,
"Welcome Home"
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Waiting at the Gate
I explained to St. Peter
I'd rather stay here
Just outside the Pearly Gate.
I won't be a nuisance, I won't even bark,
I'll be very patient and wait.
I'll be right here chewing
A celestial bone
No matter how long you may be.
'Cause I'd miss you too much,
If I went in alone--
It wouldn't be heaven for me.
Author Unknown |
Brothers and Sisters I bid you beware,
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear."
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