Protection.

Yesterday I was minding my own business, eating my delicious chicken wrap whilst reading the Red Eye, when I came across an article. It was about pets and shelters and that's when my appetite diminished.

Did you know that every dog that gets dropped off at a shelter from an unwanted family must go through an evaluation to see if they are adoptable?

Especially pit bulls.

They all go through multiple tests and if they don't pass them, it's bye bye, baby.

Are you crying?

An estimated 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized per year. Chicago alone euthanized 11,000 cats last year.

I remembered how I first got my baby Duchess. The owner was trying to sell her but at the moment I just had no money to get a puppy. Days later he asked me again if I wanted her because he was going to give her out for free but wanted to give it to the right hands. Even then I thought long and hard before saying yes, later I had to convince my mother about getting her because as soon as she heard "pit bull" come out of my mouth she let out a big fat "NO!" Having to educate her about how pit bulls got a bad name (and I educated myself also) and after showing her a picture of her:

Me: Mom! Look at her! (showing picture)
Mom: OH MY GOODNESS! That's not a pit bull, that's ADORABLE!

Now Duchess has a home, and we got a new family member.

And not too long ago, Lucky came into the picture and I wasn't so sure about having her (err, him, we found out later that she was a he all along.) No one was properly taking care of him. Don't get me wrong, he was being bombarded with kisses and squeezes but no one wanted to claim financial responsibility for him. I made a call to the shelter and it was all set up to take him that afternoon. My mom called me later on and asked if I was going to take him because she didn't want to be the one to send the cat to his death. I never even thought about that before she put it that way. Something happened and he finally lived up to his name. He got Lucky that some people got a change of heart and actually called a vet to get his shots so that he could officially live with us.

Duchess got a brother and we got one cat off the death sentence.

People, if you have a pet and haven't spayed or neutered them, remember you are not giving them a chance to give life but you are giving them the chance to kill that life.

Want a pet? Adopt. So many puppies and kitties in steel cages waiting for you to come save them. Save them.

Thankful.

"Small minds don't get far with their small feet made of gossip and hurtful remarks. Open minds grow into big trees that are only trying to reach the sky and stars."

Thanksgiving came and left and although this holiday was about taking a time and remembering to appreciate what we have won and lost. To be grateful of what we have in the present and to await what comes in the future. I paid no attention. I felt nothing. 

Why not? 

Because I've been doing it every day, every night this past year. Don't wait ONE day a year to take time to tell someone that you are thankful for them. Say it every day. Say it or just think of it.

Every day should be a taken with appreciation, it should be taken like a gift.

These past few days I spent with family and friends, I've had a smile from ear to ear because I was so grateful to be in the presence of so much love. 

Tonight, a simple and quiet day. Woke up, told the sweet man that holds my heart that I loved him, took baby Duchess for a (misty) walk, did chores, helped paint the dining room with my family, ate pizza, and watched a movie with them.

Thankful for this simple Sunday night.

and thankful for beautiful music like this....

little valuable lessons part 2

Remember, curiosity killed the cat. Well, in this case, the cat can kill you.

 

Sometimes, you have to turn off the TV, computer, or iPod and play with your pets AND children.

Drink as much water as you possibly can. Also, if you are feeling a little bit upset, a little splash of water on your face helps. (This guy is probably very thirsty...or VERY upset.)

Remember, being a little mysterious is always good. Ooo, so misterioso pelican ...

Try your hardest to not let anyone fall down.

DON'T overdo it during the Holiday seasons.

 Its nice to lend someone an ear. People sometimes need that more than advice.

Climb as high as you can. All the time. And if you can, bring someone up with you. ♥ 

Next time you are talking to someone, or say "Thank you" or "How are you?" or "Have a nice day." Look at them in the eyes. Your words will mean and matter so much more. ♥

Thanksgiving is literally around the corner...and if you feel down and feel like you have nothing to be thankful, well, be thankful that you can at least see this. Blind people would do anything to see your world for half a minute.

Spectrum..

Well, being unselfish is more complicated than I thought. It's hard because I've always been taught to put myself first always except when it's family. I carry that in my heart all the time but I have a hard time with people that have no blood relation to me. Strangers will never appreciate the kindness that comes out of people and that is one thing that scares. THERE I go again. Why should I care that my kind actions be recognized? I should give and run away. Never seeing or hoping to see a reaction out of them.

Ok, I got it. Give and run away. Give and run away with a smile in my heart.

I can't do this overnight ya know. :)

Tomorrow, is only a day away.

little valuable lessons

Open your eyes....

  Walk around and explore your world...

Realize and learn that not everything with a hard outer shell is hard inside also. (this mother alligator gently picking up her baby)

Sometimes you just have to put your hands up...and have faith that things happen for a reason

 Make new friends. Even try to friend your oldest enemy...

Get a little silly sometimes

 "Bear" hug as much as you can ;) ♥

And never...ever push someone down.

Love Love Love ♥♥♥

Untitled.

I want to learn to be the most unselfish person. Is that possible? I want to learn how to give and TRULY not expect anything in return.

So many people say this all the time but deep in their thoughts they get so upset when nobody gives anything back so they revert back to their old ways of taking taking taking because they sure as hell know that no one is willing to give anymore.

P.S. You know, I've slowly reverted back into my old ways of thinking bad of the people that live in this world. Its hard not to ignore when there is so much violence, hatred, and negativity in this little tiny blue planet. It's hard but I STILL believe it's possible to truly see that deep down in everyone...there is good. God doesn't create bad people. They just stop believing in anything so they stop caring but if someone could show them the good...then maybe it wouldn't be so bad at all.

P.S.S My "You're beautiful" campaign has not stopped but it was been reformed. I think when I started saying and thinking "I'm beautiful" I was really looking at the external me and of everyone. Then I woke up and smelled the mothereffing coffee. You have to be beautiful inside first. You have to be beautiful well deep in your thoughts and soul so that it can break the outside shell and no one will be able to doubt the beauty that you exude. You will make this world a more beautiful place with your beautiful mind... But I know that everyone has a beautiful soul, we just have to believe it.