Wednesday, August 18, 2010
My apologies, I forgot to post my Operation Fido's Freedom blogs here!
I apologize for forgetting to post my Operation Fido's Freedom blogs here since Day 5. My bad. Feeling a bit too lazy to catch up right now, and don't know why I'm suddenly unable to add pics, so I'm going to just send you to my main site page where I'm archiving the daily blog. It's at http://www.fidosfreedom.com, scroll to the bottom, and each page is linked. See you there!
Friday, August 06, 2010
Day 5, August 6, 2010. Operation Fido's Freedom; This is What a Law Does
A proposed Toledo dog chaining law would include "a 15-minute limit for chaining a dog outside unsupervised and prohibiting chaining a dog within 500 feet of a school."
I love the 15-minute limit unsupervised! Presumably it's longer supervised, which I can understand and live with, but by stating this and also putting it into context of the proximity to the school, they are recognizing the fact that chained dogs can and do become more aggressive than other dogs, and are seeing it as a measure to protect their children too, as a community solution, and not just a--gasp--'animal rights' solution.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, officers are doing sweeps for suffering animals in the heat.
"Take this dog for example, a female pitbull named Diamond. Animal care and control has her now. She was seized last week, after authorities took these photos of her tied up outside in the heat in a yard in West Palm Beach. The temperature that day was a sweltering 93 degrees and Diamond had no shade, except for a small dog house.
Captain Walesky said, "we try and explain to 'em it's a bad idea. but not only is it a bad idea, it's a law. You can't do this. In Palm Beach County, it's illegal to tie a dog up outside between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening."
Having a law enables the officers to do what is right and just and what people are asking them to do: save the dog's life, and stop the suffering.
But while most Pennsylvania residents 'get it,' there's still that 10-20% who just don't get it, and need to have their actions legislated. I don't care if you're intelligent or not, you have two eyes, and it's time you open them and your heart and have a good look around at the suffering of chained dogs and the suffering of neighbors forced to endure watching it.
This message on the DDB Facebook fanpage shows the typical ignorance we fight: "I'd like to know what your alternative is for an outside dog other than chaining? We had a beagle and he was an outside dog for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day. He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train. In late years, was blind and deaf. Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine? What about their rights? What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day? Are you standing up for them too?"
This message is so problematic on many levels. First, it attempts to confuse, by dragging in totally unrelated issues and assuming that it's our responsibility to advocate for all societal wrongs: "What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day?"
Second, it states their beagle was an 'outside' dog. If you look in any of the breed books, there is no such thing as an 'outside dog;' these are just regular dogs of every different breed, every single one of which has many others just like it living inside as part of a family. The only difference is the level of responsibility assumed for that dog's happiness and well-being by the dog's caretakers.
Third, she states that: "for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day." Attention several times a day? My arse! I'm 100% sure that dog was lucky to get any food/water on a daily basis, let alone attention several times a day. Every chainer tries to make out like THEIR dog is the exception to the rule that chained dogs are neglected, and puts a beauty of a spin on it so it appears like the dog led a dandy of a life. In truth, any dog spending 24 hours a day on a chain is by that very virtue neglected and in my opinion abused.
Fourth, she says "He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train." My question is, if he were so happy there, why was he breaking his chain? Why was he running to the neighbors? Maybe because he was seen there and treated with love and respect?
Fifth, she tells us, "In late years, he was blind and deaf." There is no mention that in those years he was indeed given a reprieve from the chain due to his immense physical challenges, but it appears that he was left chained, unable to see, and unable to hear. I can imagine very few greater horrors than to not only be unable to see and hear, but to be nothing more than a sitting duck for any animal or human intending to do you harm. You may smell him coming, but without seeing or hearing, there is no way you could avoid him or fight him off. You are totally vulnerable to death at each and every moment, and without love or light to guide you and give you safety, death would indeed come as a welcome release from the crushing fear.
Sixth, she implies that there is only one alternative to chaining your dog outside: "Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine?" Why in God's name would any human with an ounce of decency cage a dog for 12-16 hours in his own feces and urine? Who wouldn't take their dog out to the bathroom? Did you not know that crates are to be used only as tools and only as long as it takes to get the dog trained, then the dog can have the run of the house without incident? What about your dog living in your home with you as a companion, not a prisoner? What about building a fence so your dog can go outside to potty and then come back inside with his pack? Have you heard of walking a dog on a leash? Why are none of these humane possibilities even thought of as an option?
And lastly, she states: "What about their rights?" Here's the one place we agree, Anita, because that's exactly what I want to know. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS?
Having just spent five 10-hour days on a chain on their behalf, I'm asking that same question of my state legislators. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS? Despite having endured one week of absolute and mind-numbing 10-hour days of torture on that chain, I still cannot fully comprehend the horror of being there ad infinitum. I so looked forward every day to the magic hour of six o'clock, and I watched as the minutes and seconds dragged on. What if getting off the chain were not an option? What would I do?
I can honestly say I've never waited for a weekend more in my entire 46 years--EVER--and I've pledged to enjoy every single second of my freedom before I force myself back on that chain on Monday. To think that these dogs cannot look forward to freedom for any amount of time is truly unconscionable. I cannot endure the mere thought of it for their sakes.
Pennsylvania legislators, I am personally holding you accountable for opening your eyes and seeing the suffering of our friends. I am asking those 80-90% of PA citizens who agree with me to join me in holding them accountable.
It's time for this abuse to end, and it's time for people like Anita to grow up, and go buy a dog book for Pete's sake. Some things are common sense, and if you don't have any, then don't have a dog or find a way to buy some. Common sense, that is.
Pennsylvania, and the world, MUST stop tolerating this abuse of Man's Best Friend. If this is how we treat our best friend, I would hate to see how we treat our enemies.
Random incidents or thoughts from the day:
1. My new friend Cathie (don't know her last name) brought me water, sun chips, and magazines. I told her I wasn't allowing myself to read as it wouldn't be fair to the dogs, but I would save the chips for later. She's a very sweet and caring woman.
2. A young girl who works at the Capitol brought me out a bag of pretzels and a water. I wonder if she read my blog from yesterday? Oops!
3. Oddly, by sheer coincidence, an Altoona man I met at a Sheetz one time came wandering by. When I met him before, he was very interested in getting involved, so I had him go to a street in Blandburg, Cambria County (Senator Wozniak's district) where there was a chained dog at every house, and see if he could do any ejumakatin'. He told me that he was physically threatened there by the residents when he tried to discuss their dogs with them. He described it as 'a scary place, man.' Ah, welcome to my world!
4. Deb Smith came and chained up with me for a couple of hours. She was very excited because her house rep hasn't been supportive of chaining legislation, but she is being challenged in the upcoming election by Gene Stilp. She spoke to Gene, and he's fully in support of the legislation, so she called Sue Helms and told her that. Her office immediately said she'd call Deb back on Monday. We all need to push the issue with our reps. Enough is enough.
5. A college student at Harrisburg Area Community College was inspired to do her speech on the issue after seeing the news articles this week. She came to interview me, and was super excited about making a difference and spreading the word that chaining has to stop.
6. Joe surprised me in his beautiful Camaro around 3:00, took me to dinner at 6:00, and played professional photographer, again.
7. So many of you in the Harrisburg area are bringing me water, worrying about me all day (just like the dogs), and wanting in some way to make a difference. I truly am in awe of your kindness, and humbled by it. Thank you.
8. I'm asking any of our supporters who might have business attire in sizes 10-14 (assuming the fasting drops some weight off me, which would be the 10, I'm currently a 14) that they no longer want, to send it along to me. If I receive clothes that don't fit me, I will share them with some of the needy people I meet on the streets of Harrisburg. I want to be decently dressed every day to present a positive image of our work for chained dogs, but have very few business clothes myself. If you have anything, please send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.
9. I'm embarrassed to admit what I thought was blood in my urine and a uti was actually red from the beet juice in the veggie drink I got at the corner Juicy Rumors each day! My test from Tuesday night came back fine, and I got suspicious it could be the beet juice, and I was right! Well, at least now we all know…if you drink beet juice, and it turns red, don't panic like I did...
http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?2,130704,130747
From the above website: "It's quite normal for the wee to turn red on consuming large amounts of beetroot juice. I'm not sure it's down to depleted HCL, as it's rare to find someone whose wee doesn't turn red after consuming beetroot juice. Mine does, and I've been raw for two years (100%)."
10. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Please, if you haven't contacted your Senator yet, it's SO important. Please make the call on Monday.
To view pics from Day 5, visit the webpage at: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/FidosFreedom/day5aug6.html
I love the 15-minute limit unsupervised! Presumably it's longer supervised, which I can understand and live with, but by stating this and also putting it into context of the proximity to the school, they are recognizing the fact that chained dogs can and do become more aggressive than other dogs, and are seeing it as a measure to protect their children too, as a community solution, and not just a--gasp--'animal rights' solution.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, officers are doing sweeps for suffering animals in the heat.
"Take this dog for example, a female pitbull named Diamond. Animal care and control has her now. She was seized last week, after authorities took these photos of her tied up outside in the heat in a yard in West Palm Beach. The temperature that day was a sweltering 93 degrees and Diamond had no shade, except for a small dog house.
Captain Walesky said, "we try and explain to 'em it's a bad idea. but not only is it a bad idea, it's a law. You can't do this. In Palm Beach County, it's illegal to tie a dog up outside between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening."
Having a law enables the officers to do what is right and just and what people are asking them to do: save the dog's life, and stop the suffering.
But while most Pennsylvania residents 'get it,' there's still that 10-20% who just don't get it, and need to have their actions legislated. I don't care if you're intelligent or not, you have two eyes, and it's time you open them and your heart and have a good look around at the suffering of chained dogs and the suffering of neighbors forced to endure watching it.
This message on the DDB Facebook fanpage shows the typical ignorance we fight: "I'd like to know what your alternative is for an outside dog other than chaining? We had a beagle and he was an outside dog for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day. He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train. In late years, was blind and deaf. Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine? What about their rights? What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day? Are you standing up for them too?"
This message is so problematic on many levels. First, it attempts to confuse, by dragging in totally unrelated issues and assuming that it's our responsibility to advocate for all societal wrongs: "What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day?"
Second, it states their beagle was an 'outside' dog. If you look in any of the breed books, there is no such thing as an 'outside dog;' these are just regular dogs of every different breed, every single one of which has many others just like it living inside as part of a family. The only difference is the level of responsibility assumed for that dog's happiness and well-being by the dog's caretakers.
Third, she states that: "for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day." Attention several times a day? My arse! I'm 100% sure that dog was lucky to get any food/water on a daily basis, let alone attention several times a day. Every chainer tries to make out like THEIR dog is the exception to the rule that chained dogs are neglected, and puts a beauty of a spin on it so it appears like the dog led a dandy of a life. In truth, any dog spending 24 hours a day on a chain is by that very virtue neglected and in my opinion abused.
Fourth, she says "He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train." My question is, if he were so happy there, why was he breaking his chain? Why was he running to the neighbors? Maybe because he was seen there and treated with love and respect?
Fifth, she tells us, "In late years, he was blind and deaf." There is no mention that in those years he was indeed given a reprieve from the chain due to his immense physical challenges, but it appears that he was left chained, unable to see, and unable to hear. I can imagine very few greater horrors than to not only be unable to see and hear, but to be nothing more than a sitting duck for any animal or human intending to do you harm. You may smell him coming, but without seeing or hearing, there is no way you could avoid him or fight him off. You are totally vulnerable to death at each and every moment, and without love or light to guide you and give you safety, death would indeed come as a welcome release from the crushing fear.
Sixth, she implies that there is only one alternative to chaining your dog outside: "Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine?" Why in God's name would any human with an ounce of decency cage a dog for 12-16 hours in his own feces and urine? Who wouldn't take their dog out to the bathroom? Did you not know that crates are to be used only as tools and only as long as it takes to get the dog trained, then the dog can have the run of the house without incident? What about your dog living in your home with you as a companion, not a prisoner? What about building a fence so your dog can go outside to potty and then come back inside with his pack? Have you heard of walking a dog on a leash? Why are none of these humane possibilities even thought of as an option?
And lastly, she states: "What about their rights?" Here's the one place we agree, Anita, because that's exactly what I want to know. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS?
Having just spent five 10-hour days on a chain on their behalf, I'm asking that same question of my state legislators. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS? Despite having endured one week of absolute and mind-numbing 10-hour days of torture on that chain, I still cannot fully comprehend the horror of being there ad infinitum. I so looked forward every day to the magic hour of six o'clock, and I watched as the minutes and seconds dragged on. What if getting off the chain were not an option? What would I do?
I can honestly say I've never waited for a weekend more in my entire 46 years--EVER--and I've pledged to enjoy every single second of my freedom before I force myself back on that chain on Monday. To think that these dogs cannot look forward to freedom for any amount of time is truly unconscionable. I cannot endure the mere thought of it for their sakes.
Pennsylvania legislators, I am personally holding you accountable for opening your eyes and seeing the suffering of our friends. I am asking those 80-90% of PA citizens who agree with me to join me in holding them accountable.
It's time for this abuse to end, and it's time for people like Anita to grow up, and go buy a dog book for Pete's sake. Some things are common sense, and if you don't have any, then don't have a dog or find a way to buy some. Common sense, that is.
Pennsylvania, and the world, MUST stop tolerating this abuse of Man's Best Friend. If this is how we treat our best friend, I would hate to see how we treat our enemies.
Random incidents or thoughts from the day:
1. My new friend Cathie (don't know her last name) brought me water, sun chips, and magazines. I told her I wasn't allowing myself to read as it wouldn't be fair to the dogs, but I would save the chips for later. She's a very sweet and caring woman.
2. A young girl who works at the Capitol brought me out a bag of pretzels and a water. I wonder if she read my blog from yesterday? Oops!
3. Oddly, by sheer coincidence, an Altoona man I met at a Sheetz one time came wandering by. When I met him before, he was very interested in getting involved, so I had him go to a street in Blandburg, Cambria County (Senator Wozniak's district) where there was a chained dog at every house, and see if he could do any ejumakatin'. He told me that he was physically threatened there by the residents when he tried to discuss their dogs with them. He described it as 'a scary place, man.' Ah, welcome to my world!
4. Deb Smith came and chained up with me for a couple of hours. She was very excited because her house rep hasn't been supportive of chaining legislation, but she is being challenged in the upcoming election by Gene Stilp. She spoke to Gene, and he's fully in support of the legislation, so she called Sue Helms and told her that. Her office immediately said she'd call Deb back on Monday. We all need to push the issue with our reps. Enough is enough.
5. A college student at Harrisburg Area Community College was inspired to do her speech on the issue after seeing the news articles this week. She came to interview me, and was super excited about making a difference and spreading the word that chaining has to stop.
6. Joe surprised me in his beautiful Camaro around 3:00, took me to dinner at 6:00, and played professional photographer, again.
7. So many of you in the Harrisburg area are bringing me water, worrying about me all day (just like the dogs), and wanting in some way to make a difference. I truly am in awe of your kindness, and humbled by it. Thank you.
8. I'm asking any of our supporters who might have business attire in sizes 10-14 (assuming the fasting drops some weight off me, which would be the 10, I'm currently a 14) that they no longer want, to send it along to me. If I receive clothes that don't fit me, I will share them with some of the needy people I meet on the streets of Harrisburg. I want to be decently dressed every day to present a positive image of our work for chained dogs, but have very few business clothes myself. If you have anything, please send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.
9. I'm embarrassed to admit what I thought was blood in my urine and a uti was actually red from the beet juice in the veggie drink I got at the corner Juicy Rumors each day! My test from Tuesday night came back fine, and I got suspicious it could be the beet juice, and I was right! Well, at least now we all know…if you drink beet juice, and it turns red, don't panic like I did...
http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?2,130704,130747
From the above website: "It's quite normal for the wee to turn red on consuming large amounts of beetroot juice. I'm not sure it's down to depleted HCL, as it's rare to find someone whose wee doesn't turn red after consuming beetroot juice. Mine does, and I've been raw for two years (100%)."
10. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Please, if you haven't contacted your Senator yet, it's SO important. Please make the call on Monday.
To view pics from Day 5, visit the webpage at: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/FidosFreedom/day5aug6.html
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Day 4, Operation Fido's Freedom: Dichotomy of Tami-Treatment points to Apathy over Animal Abuse
I'm not gonna lie. Today was tough, but not weather-wise as expected (was supposed to be heat index of 104 degrees plus severe thundershowers and didn't happen). It was because I let the naysayers and critics get me down.
I know logically they're there and I need to just go about my business and ignore them, but today it wasn't so easy in practice. I think of the amazing soul of Nelson Mandela, and how he suffered, and it gives me strength and tells me to stop whining and just get on with it.
I did almost cry today, more than once, but the peach incident was what really laid me low. The peach lady drove up, parked her blue pickup truck full of peaches right in front of me, got out all bubbly wubbly, and waved to her three friends who were obviously Capitol employees and were walking down the steps toward her.
The three women passed me closely without looking at me or even acknowledging my existence, and she started telling them the three kinds of peaches she had, which I assumed she was selling.
But, turns out she was giving them to these women. They excitedly oohed and awed, took their bags of free peaches, and pranced right past my doghouse again, never saying hi, and certainly never offering me one of their free peaches.
The extreme indifference to suffering or lack of plain old human kindness displayed by these women really knocked me for a loop. I could probably die chained to this doghouse and no one from the Capitol would even notice until I started stinking three days later.
It's exactly like the chained dog caretaker in NC who, when Animal Control told her the dog was dead, said "Why didn't anyone tell me?" The dog laid there for days, dead from starvation, and she didn't even notice? How can you not notice a dead dog in your backyard?
The fact that I am well-dressed, a veteran, hold a master's degree, have written one book and edited another, and am founder of a nonprofit means nothing to them. They don't know and they don't care. They don't see me at all.
As I was really grappling with the turmoil of that experience, Stacey Romberger and two of her office mates came walking toward me with big smiles on their faces, and Stacey was bringing me water. For me!
My friend Gordon Bakalar brought a cooler with ice and water, and then Deb Smith and Barb Hacker both stopped by with water, while Melissa Swauger and Darryl came by with Gatorade. Sandra Stegman brought me grapes which I'm saving for tomorrow night, and another unknown woman came with water as well. (I think I got them all?)
Suffice it to say, I've got enough liquid for tomorrow already!
I shared a water with one of the local residents who is very down on his luck, and he in turn shared his Mayan wisdom with me. He told me that no matter how people treat you, you hold true to your belief and your passion, and you cling to that, you never let it go. He took the time to minister to me spiritually even in the midst of his own personal crises.
It's obvious to me there are people who think about the suffering of others, and reach out to help whenever they can. And there are people who turn a blind eye and walk right on by.
But I'm here, and I intend to stay, through good days and bad. I committed to these dogs, and when I am pacing, dragging my chain, just about out of my mind with boredom, I look down at the picture of the day, and I see these faces looking toward me with hope.
I cannot let them down.
Miscellaneous observations from the day:
1. Thank Dog for 100 Sunblock. I'd be crispy crittered without it.
2. I deserve the best in life, just as the dogs do. Both the dogs and I (and YOU) deserve a loving family, freedom to choose, access to good food and water, a decent living environment, to be seen, to be clean and have shiny fur/hair, to play.
3. People really do think it's ok to attack other people just because.
4. I need to get a tougher skin. Maybe all the sun will help. Ugh.
5. A musician named Gravy came up and entertained Sandra and I with three songs. She came to play for 'the dog lady.' She was so good we got goosebumps!
6. Only 24 hours until I can eat. I just can't wait!
7. Mike Romberger's arranging someone to be there every night at 6 to help me get stuff into the van. How sweet is that?
I know logically they're there and I need to just go about my business and ignore them, but today it wasn't so easy in practice. I think of the amazing soul of Nelson Mandela, and how he suffered, and it gives me strength and tells me to stop whining and just get on with it.
I did almost cry today, more than once, but the peach incident was what really laid me low. The peach lady drove up, parked her blue pickup truck full of peaches right in front of me, got out all bubbly wubbly, and waved to her three friends who were obviously Capitol employees and were walking down the steps toward her.
The three women passed me closely without looking at me or even acknowledging my existence, and she started telling them the three kinds of peaches she had, which I assumed she was selling.
But, turns out she was giving them to these women. They excitedly oohed and awed, took their bags of free peaches, and pranced right past my doghouse again, never saying hi, and certainly never offering me one of their free peaches.
The extreme indifference to suffering or lack of plain old human kindness displayed by these women really knocked me for a loop. I could probably die chained to this doghouse and no one from the Capitol would even notice until I started stinking three days later.
It's exactly like the chained dog caretaker in NC who, when Animal Control told her the dog was dead, said "Why didn't anyone tell me?" The dog laid there for days, dead from starvation, and she didn't even notice? How can you not notice a dead dog in your backyard?
The fact that I am well-dressed, a veteran, hold a master's degree, have written one book and edited another, and am founder of a nonprofit means nothing to them. They don't know and they don't care. They don't see me at all.
As I was really grappling with the turmoil of that experience, Stacey Romberger and two of her office mates came walking toward me with big smiles on their faces, and Stacey was bringing me water. For me!
My friend Gordon Bakalar brought a cooler with ice and water, and then Deb Smith and Barb Hacker both stopped by with water, while Melissa Swauger and Darryl came by with Gatorade. Sandra Stegman brought me grapes which I'm saving for tomorrow night, and another unknown woman came with water as well. (I think I got them all?)
Suffice it to say, I've got enough liquid for tomorrow already!
I shared a water with one of the local residents who is very down on his luck, and he in turn shared his Mayan wisdom with me. He told me that no matter how people treat you, you hold true to your belief and your passion, and you cling to that, you never let it go. He took the time to minister to me spiritually even in the midst of his own personal crises.
It's obvious to me there are people who think about the suffering of others, and reach out to help whenever they can. And there are people who turn a blind eye and walk right on by.
But I'm here, and I intend to stay, through good days and bad. I committed to these dogs, and when I am pacing, dragging my chain, just about out of my mind with boredom, I look down at the picture of the day, and I see these faces looking toward me with hope.
I cannot let them down.
Miscellaneous observations from the day:
1. Thank Dog for 100 Sunblock. I'd be crispy crittered without it.
2. I deserve the best in life, just as the dogs do. Both the dogs and I (and YOU) deserve a loving family, freedom to choose, access to good food and water, a decent living environment, to be seen, to be clean and have shiny fur/hair, to play.
3. People really do think it's ok to attack other people just because.
4. I need to get a tougher skin. Maybe all the sun will help. Ugh.
5. A musician named Gravy came up and entertained Sandra and I with three songs. She came to play for 'the dog lady.' She was so good we got goosebumps!
6. Only 24 hours until I can eat. I just can't wait!
7. Mike Romberger's arranging someone to be there every night at 6 to help me get stuff into the van. How sweet is that?
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Day 3, Operation Fido's Freedom: Well, Now I've Gone and Done It
I swore I wouldn't keep talking to you about pee. I mean, who the heck wants to know about something like that? But darned if I didn't go and get a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) from Monday's bright idea of not drinking or going potty all day. (I know, I can hear you all I-told-you-so'in in the background.)
I told Joe, my beau, that I suspected a UTI, and he asked me when I proposed to go to the doctor. I said, innocently, "Saturday?"
I can't miss 'work' tomorrow! I just got there this week, what would the neighbors think if I didn't show up to work my corner of the Capitol?
He wasn't overly fond of that idea, so after a little internet research, I decided it would be best to seek out a local VA. I depend on them for my healthcare, and I refuse to say a bad word about them because I'm grateful to have a place to get treatment without paying my next three month's salary!
So I called a nurse on duty, and she told me I needed to seek treatment within the next 12 hours. Damn. This didn't fit really well with my plan of working until 11, blogging about the day and trying to catch up on the e-mails that are laying around. But, I realized that going now before it got too bad just might save me a world of hurtin' come this weekend. And I can't be sick this weekend!
I have eaten' to do! And boyfriending! I can't be lollygagging around at some hospital where I might not even get food, and I only get to eat from Friday at 6:00 through Sunday night!
So, reluctantly, off I went to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, which was about 40 minutes away. It was actually VA record time (I swore I wouldn't complain) and I was out of there and back at my hotel by 10:15. The diagnosis was UTI, but the culture won't be back for two days, at which time I'll find out if they gave me the right medicine.
Seems that I ended up like Aldus (the dog in Day One's blog) after all. Peeing blood and in need of immediate vet care. (Get it, vet…he needed a vet, I'm a veteran…it was a play on words. Oh, never mind.)
Let this be a lesson to all of you. Next time you chain yourself to a doghouse and think you can emulate the dogs by going all day without drinking and get away with it, think again.
Some items of note from Wednesday's chaining:
1. Wheatgrass rocks! I never had it before, but Steve from Juicy Rumors gave me a shot of it. I was taking little sips and he said you usually just slam it down. I told him, "Yeah, but I'm not eating, so I have to savor every flavor, even if it's grass."
2. Did three interviews today, one with Altoona news station over the phone, and two with radio stations.
3. The heat index hit over 100 today. When I got in my van, it said 95 in the shade. It was a hell of a day. I was pretty much just covered in sweat all day. At about 3 o'clock the State Street Building across the street blocks out the sun. I really look forward to that time.
4. I got as smart as a chained dog and when the shadow was about to hit my area, I drug my chain over and got in early. I've seen chained dogs seek out the tiniest bit of shade and try to stay in it. Pitiful, really.
5. I think I left all the salt in my body on the Capitol steps. I wonder if they'll make me come clean it up.
6. Had a fair amount of company today, starting with Morgan, Steve from Juicy Rumors' 14 year old daughter, who loves to come over and be an activist if she agrees with whatever is being activated at the Capitol. She's adorable, and reading the Warriors book series, which is what my daughter and I read too. She couldn't wait to take my place on the chain for the potty break!
Barb Hacker was telling me that she got a dog off a chain not too long ago. She had watched this dog for a couple of years, and it really ate away at her. She found out the lady was moving, so she got her phone number and asked her if she could have the dog. Now she lives with them, getting to run in a two acre fenced yard, play with her doggie siblings, and sleep in the house with her pack. Sweet!
7. Got the nicest text from my older brother! My family isn't that close, so this text really touched me: "Hey, Tam, I saw your newsletter and Vince also sent me an article about you chaining yourself in front of the State Capitol. I want you to know how proud I am of you, how touched I am by what you're doing, and at the same time angry at the gutless politicians who are afraid of losing just a few votes rather than doing the right thing. I love you, Sis, and I think you are an amazing lady!" Wow! (OK, maybe it wasn't nice for the politicians, but for me, it was amazing.)
8. Now, call me crazy, but I really think if you fast for three days you should lose like 30 lbs. I'm pretty sure I suffered at least 30 lbs. worth! And I've got plenty of cushion…the poor chained dogs? Not so much. Three days is probably in some cases enough to do them in if they haven't gotten regular food and had some weight on them before that. Definitely, in 90 degree heat, without water and shade, they are dead meat, and quick.
9. When I got there this morning, there was a reporter in my 'territory' and not there to interview me. I must have forgotten to mark it last night. Luckily one of my foster dogs that I got off a chain four years ago came to visit me, and I encouraged him to mark the territory for tomorrow. Hopefully no one will encroach again, or I'll have to bite them.
Oh, crap, I DO have to go back again?
Dogs Deserve SO much Better!
I told Joe, my beau, that I suspected a UTI, and he asked me when I proposed to go to the doctor. I said, innocently, "Saturday?"
I can't miss 'work' tomorrow! I just got there this week, what would the neighbors think if I didn't show up to work my corner of the Capitol?
He wasn't overly fond of that idea, so after a little internet research, I decided it would be best to seek out a local VA. I depend on them for my healthcare, and I refuse to say a bad word about them because I'm grateful to have a place to get treatment without paying my next three month's salary!
So I called a nurse on duty, and she told me I needed to seek treatment within the next 12 hours. Damn. This didn't fit really well with my plan of working until 11, blogging about the day and trying to catch up on the e-mails that are laying around. But, I realized that going now before it got too bad just might save me a world of hurtin' come this weekend. And I can't be sick this weekend!
I have eaten' to do! And boyfriending! I can't be lollygagging around at some hospital where I might not even get food, and I only get to eat from Friday at 6:00 through Sunday night!
So, reluctantly, off I went to the Lebanon VA Medical Center, which was about 40 minutes away. It was actually VA record time (I swore I wouldn't complain) and I was out of there and back at my hotel by 10:15. The diagnosis was UTI, but the culture won't be back for two days, at which time I'll find out if they gave me the right medicine.
Seems that I ended up like Aldus (the dog in Day One's blog) after all. Peeing blood and in need of immediate vet care. (Get it, vet…he needed a vet, I'm a veteran…it was a play on words. Oh, never mind.)
Let this be a lesson to all of you. Next time you chain yourself to a doghouse and think you can emulate the dogs by going all day without drinking and get away with it, think again.
Some items of note from Wednesday's chaining:
1. Wheatgrass rocks! I never had it before, but Steve from Juicy Rumors gave me a shot of it. I was taking little sips and he said you usually just slam it down. I told him, "Yeah, but I'm not eating, so I have to savor every flavor, even if it's grass."
2. Did three interviews today, one with Altoona news station over the phone, and two with radio stations.
3. The heat index hit over 100 today. When I got in my van, it said 95 in the shade. It was a hell of a day. I was pretty much just covered in sweat all day. At about 3 o'clock the State Street Building across the street blocks out the sun. I really look forward to that time.
4. I got as smart as a chained dog and when the shadow was about to hit my area, I drug my chain over and got in early. I've seen chained dogs seek out the tiniest bit of shade and try to stay in it. Pitiful, really.
5. I think I left all the salt in my body on the Capitol steps. I wonder if they'll make me come clean it up.
6. Had a fair amount of company today, starting with Morgan, Steve from Juicy Rumors' 14 year old daughter, who loves to come over and be an activist if she agrees with whatever is being activated at the Capitol. She's adorable, and reading the Warriors book series, which is what my daughter and I read too. She couldn't wait to take my place on the chain for the potty break!
Barb Hacker was telling me that she got a dog off a chain not too long ago. She had watched this dog for a couple of years, and it really ate away at her. She found out the lady was moving, so she got her phone number and asked her if she could have the dog. Now she lives with them, getting to run in a two acre fenced yard, play with her doggie siblings, and sleep in the house with her pack. Sweet!
7. Got the nicest text from my older brother! My family isn't that close, so this text really touched me: "Hey, Tam, I saw your newsletter and Vince also sent me an article about you chaining yourself in front of the State Capitol. I want you to know how proud I am of you, how touched I am by what you're doing, and at the same time angry at the gutless politicians who are afraid of losing just a few votes rather than doing the right thing. I love you, Sis, and I think you are an amazing lady!" Wow! (OK, maybe it wasn't nice for the politicians, but for me, it was amazing.)
8. Now, call me crazy, but I really think if you fast for three days you should lose like 30 lbs. I'm pretty sure I suffered at least 30 lbs. worth! And I've got plenty of cushion…the poor chained dogs? Not so much. Three days is probably in some cases enough to do them in if they haven't gotten regular food and had some weight on them before that. Definitely, in 90 degree heat, without water and shade, they are dead meat, and quick.
9. When I got there this morning, there was a reporter in my 'territory' and not there to interview me. I must have forgotten to mark it last night. Luckily one of my foster dogs that I got off a chain four years ago came to visit me, and I encouraged him to mark the territory for tomorrow. Hopefully no one will encroach again, or I'll have to bite them.
Oh, crap, I DO have to go back again?
Dogs Deserve SO much Better!
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Day 2, Operation Fido's Freedom: My Mission, Should I Choose to Accept It
Click the link above to view this blog on the site and see pics.
Long before I started Dogs Deserve Better, I was on a mission to discover my mission. I knew I didn't want to die without making a difference, and judging by the nasty comments on the article posted in Penn Live today, I guess it's working.
I'm annoying the hell out of those people who's mission it is to cut down anyone with a mission.
Pretty crappy mission, if you ask me, but they're the ones who have to look themselves in the mirror every morning and say, "Well, who shall we abuse today?"
I spent a lot of time in the self-help book section attempting to point my life in a positive direction. Every time I would ask God what my mission was, a picture of the dog up the road would come into my mind, just like one of those little thought bubbles. I would shake my head and say, "no, God, that one's too hard. I'm gonna' need an easier one."
The dog up the road, Worthless (yes, that truly was his name), was a black lab mix with a stumpy tail, and a sweet as sugar disposition. I loved him dearly, but there he was, chained to a post in the yard, and always tangled around a tree. I used to sneak up and give him food and water, until they told me to stop. For two years I watched him suffer and grow old, until I finally could bear it no more.
I accepted my mission.
After today's chaining, I'm thinking about that old me who just knew chaining was too hard of a mission…and I'm wanting to agree with her.
What was I thinking committing to doing this every Monday through Friday? Not eating? Working late each night to catch up on the work I missed while I spent ten hours chained to a doghouse? Nursing sunburn, aching bones, stinky feet?
I am thinking that YES, it IS a very hard path to treed, but that's exactly why I'm here. If it were easy to live chained to a doghouse, for dogs OR for me, I wouldn't be here. But it's not easy.
It downright SUCKS.
And I know all the naysayers and nasty-grammers will say "people aren't dogs." OK, that's the one thing you've got right. People AREN'T dogs, people are MUCH more capable of living by themselves than dogs are. People don't need people the way dogs need people. Dogs are the neediest creatures on the planet, bar none, and to chain them up like their social nature doesn't matter is just beyond insensitive…it's genuinely apathetic.
One man touched my heart today. He was a big, strong-looking man from Juniata County with a short, marine-style haircut. He told me he hates seeing chained dogs, and every time he drives by this one mangy dog near him who spends his life chained, he feels so much empathy for the dog he almost wants to cry. This is one aspect of the whole need for a chaining law that people don't get…not only are the dogs suffering, but those of us who have to watch them suffer right along with them.
Why should we have to suffer because you can legally torture your dogs? It's not acceptable.
Today I sat for the dogs in Mifflin County. May you know your voices were heard, mores than ever before. In fact, we were part of a bit of a media frenzy, a big thank you to any media who came out to interview. Wave hi as you drive by about your Capitol beat in the next few weeks, you know where my house is: the Doghouse in the Shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA.
Observations from today's chaining:
1. Another big "I'm Grateful" to Juicy Rumors Smoothies and Juice Bar for allowing me bathroom breaks and supporting our mission. And to Deb Carr, Gordon Bakalar, and Linda Cribb for coming out to hang with me.
2. People here are still giving me funny looks, but the natives are starting to accept me. This would be a time that being extroverted would help, but alas, I look at them warily, as a chained dog who's been beaten before and doesn't know if he can trust again.
3. The weather wasn't too bad today, although I still got a little sunburned, hot, and sweaty. Unfortunately the next two days are supposed to be much hotter AND have a 50% chance of showers. Sweet!
4. A few people from the Capitol started to come out and tell me "We heard you were here." Can you imagine the water cooler conversation?
5. My new computer programmer friend I met yesterday made signs for us. They helped draw people in, which was cool. But, then they kept blowing over, and I felt annoyed that I had to keep putting them back up. Really? Like I had anything better to do?
6. LOVED the Channel 8 guys, they spent over an hour videotaping and asked really insightful questions.
7. Two guys in a pickup truck drove by and shouted "You're the only one protesting." Well, at least they can count to one. Probably have a chained dog at home.
Long before I started Dogs Deserve Better, I was on a mission to discover my mission. I knew I didn't want to die without making a difference, and judging by the nasty comments on the article posted in Penn Live today, I guess it's working.
I'm annoying the hell out of those people who's mission it is to cut down anyone with a mission.
Pretty crappy mission, if you ask me, but they're the ones who have to look themselves in the mirror every morning and say, "Well, who shall we abuse today?"
I spent a lot of time in the self-help book section attempting to point my life in a positive direction. Every time I would ask God what my mission was, a picture of the dog up the road would come into my mind, just like one of those little thought bubbles. I would shake my head and say, "no, God, that one's too hard. I'm gonna' need an easier one."
The dog up the road, Worthless (yes, that truly was his name), was a black lab mix with a stumpy tail, and a sweet as sugar disposition. I loved him dearly, but there he was, chained to a post in the yard, and always tangled around a tree. I used to sneak up and give him food and water, until they told me to stop. For two years I watched him suffer and grow old, until I finally could bear it no more.
I accepted my mission.
After today's chaining, I'm thinking about that old me who just knew chaining was too hard of a mission…and I'm wanting to agree with her.
What was I thinking committing to doing this every Monday through Friday? Not eating? Working late each night to catch up on the work I missed while I spent ten hours chained to a doghouse? Nursing sunburn, aching bones, stinky feet?
I am thinking that YES, it IS a very hard path to treed, but that's exactly why I'm here. If it were easy to live chained to a doghouse, for dogs OR for me, I wouldn't be here. But it's not easy.
It downright SUCKS.
And I know all the naysayers and nasty-grammers will say "people aren't dogs." OK, that's the one thing you've got right. People AREN'T dogs, people are MUCH more capable of living by themselves than dogs are. People don't need people the way dogs need people. Dogs are the neediest creatures on the planet, bar none, and to chain them up like their social nature doesn't matter is just beyond insensitive…it's genuinely apathetic.
One man touched my heart today. He was a big, strong-looking man from Juniata County with a short, marine-style haircut. He told me he hates seeing chained dogs, and every time he drives by this one mangy dog near him who spends his life chained, he feels so much empathy for the dog he almost wants to cry. This is one aspect of the whole need for a chaining law that people don't get…not only are the dogs suffering, but those of us who have to watch them suffer right along with them.
Why should we have to suffer because you can legally torture your dogs? It's not acceptable.
Today I sat for the dogs in Mifflin County. May you know your voices were heard, mores than ever before. In fact, we were part of a bit of a media frenzy, a big thank you to any media who came out to interview. Wave hi as you drive by about your Capitol beat in the next few weeks, you know where my house is: the Doghouse in the Shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA.
Observations from today's chaining:
1. Another big "I'm Grateful" to Juicy Rumors Smoothies and Juice Bar for allowing me bathroom breaks and supporting our mission. And to Deb Carr, Gordon Bakalar, and Linda Cribb for coming out to hang with me.
2. People here are still giving me funny looks, but the natives are starting to accept me. This would be a time that being extroverted would help, but alas, I look at them warily, as a chained dog who's been beaten before and doesn't know if he can trust again.
3. The weather wasn't too bad today, although I still got a little sunburned, hot, and sweaty. Unfortunately the next two days are supposed to be much hotter AND have a 50% chance of showers. Sweet!
4. A few people from the Capitol started to come out and tell me "We heard you were here." Can you imagine the water cooler conversation?
5. My new computer programmer friend I met yesterday made signs for us. They helped draw people in, which was cool. But, then they kept blowing over, and I felt annoyed that I had to keep putting them back up. Really? Like I had anything better to do?
6. LOVED the Channel 8 guys, they spent over an hour videotaping and asked really insightful questions.
7. Two guys in a pickup truck drove by and shouted "You're the only one protesting." Well, at least they can count to one. Probably have a chained dog at home.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Day One, Operation Fido's Freedom: Thayne's on a Chain. A-Gain (pronounced with a long A there, you know, for rhyming purposes.)
Seems like I just got off a chain. I guess Chain Off was about a month ago now, though…it just sticks in your mind.
Well, we all know why I'm here, if you read my Open Letter to PA State Senators and House Reps…and you all know what I want.
And a big part of why I'm here is to inspire YOU ALL to take action on behalf of chained dogs…so please, please, please contact your reps, and contact them again, etc. They don't come back to session until September, but if we all pitch in, we can get them ready to take action by then.
First things first, though, let me just tell you that I made it eleven hours without peeing today! I know, that's personal information that you really were happier not knowing, but how can I not share a record like that? If you knew me, you'd indeed know how much of a miracle that really is!
Granted, I know it can't really be a good thing for my kidneys and bladder. But still, there it is, and now you know.
And, I want to know who's pea-brained idea it was for me to fast for the dogs who are starving on a chain with no way to get food for themselves as I type? I know it was mine, but still…now I'm starving (well, very hungry at least, I know I have a buffer that the chained dogs don't have before starvation sets in) too and I don't like it. Not one bit.
I'm on the record as against keeping up the not-peeing thing, which is problematic given that I shouldn't abandon my 'stuff' for the time it takes to tinkle, and can't see myself dragging a doghouse and chain into the nearest bathroom. The dogs have it made over me in that area, what with their ability to cop a squat wherever they damn well please…as long as it's within the 10 square feet of their doghouse, of course.
Right across the street from my doghouse (hey, maybe I could get an address for my house? Like on Harry Potter…Tamira Thayne, the doghouse in the shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA) there's two establishments, the Caffeine Connection and Sammy's Authentic Italian Restaurant. Maybe one or both of them will give me bathroom privileges in exchange for mentioning them repeatedly in my blog? Which won't be hard to do, given that I'm thirsting and starving to death, and I just stare longingly and with drool hanging down my chin across the street at their tantalizing signs all day.
Anyway, I hope I don't get a bladder infection. I got this dog off a chain once who was peeing blood in the snow. The vet said he'd just gone too long without enough water and it messed him up pretty bad in the kidney zone. He was one of the lucky ones who got off the chain, into rescue, and into a home where he was able to know love and live as part of the pack.
Each day I will sit for different dogs, dogs in different counties, etc. Today I started off for all those that have died on the end of a chain, and there are many that I know of—at least 5 I can think of right off the top of my head—that got old, and then just disappeared from this earth. Poor things. They never knew love, never knew laughter or hugs or a family to call their own. Rest in peace babies, we're fighting for you. We won't give up until others don't have to suffer the same fate that you did.
Odd or funny observations from today's chaining:
1. I sat down at numerous and sundry times on the oh-so-hard granite wall, but I'm confessing because it felt like cheating. But I don't think I can stop. My feet hurt too bad, and I can only pace for so long.
2. I wondered why the flags were at half-mast. I'm sure one of you smarty pants has an answer to this.
3. People were taking their lunchtime walks, going to Sammy's, and just taking their freedom for granted. Chained dogs deserve this too.
4. I didn't explain this one right in my 140 character tweet, so have to try again. Three foreign people, older people, came up and asked me in a heavy accent if I had quarters for parking. I said "No, I'm chained to this doghouse." They wanted to know why, so I explained it. The woman agreed with me, and took a paper. Then she said, "It would be good if you had coins too." lol
5. Note to self. Obviously, wearing white shirts in the rain isn't a good policy. Granted, Weatherbug said only a 30% chance today, but obviously the bug was wrong.
6. Really, really, REALLY not looking forward to that all day rain. I couldn't sit down at all, so I had to pace the whole time, and I think it rained for half hour…what am I going to do in the all day rain?
7. Joe came up and took pics for me, and I just wondered if I ever mentioned how much I love that man?
I'm SO glad I don't have to go back tomorrow…oh, shit, wait!
(If you want to follow my daily tweets during the chaining, follow me @tamirathayne. If you want to see more pics, etc., every evening, fan the campaign on facebook at Operation Fido's Freedom.
Well, we all know why I'm here, if you read my Open Letter to PA State Senators and House Reps…and you all know what I want.
And a big part of why I'm here is to inspire YOU ALL to take action on behalf of chained dogs…so please, please, please contact your reps, and contact them again, etc. They don't come back to session until September, but if we all pitch in, we can get them ready to take action by then.
First things first, though, let me just tell you that I made it eleven hours without peeing today! I know, that's personal information that you really were happier not knowing, but how can I not share a record like that? If you knew me, you'd indeed know how much of a miracle that really is!
Granted, I know it can't really be a good thing for my kidneys and bladder. But still, there it is, and now you know.
And, I want to know who's pea-brained idea it was for me to fast for the dogs who are starving on a chain with no way to get food for themselves as I type? I know it was mine, but still…now I'm starving (well, very hungry at least, I know I have a buffer that the chained dogs don't have before starvation sets in) too and I don't like it. Not one bit.
I'm on the record as against keeping up the not-peeing thing, which is problematic given that I shouldn't abandon my 'stuff' for the time it takes to tinkle, and can't see myself dragging a doghouse and chain into the nearest bathroom. The dogs have it made over me in that area, what with their ability to cop a squat wherever they damn well please…as long as it's within the 10 square feet of their doghouse, of course.
Right across the street from my doghouse (hey, maybe I could get an address for my house? Like on Harry Potter…Tamira Thayne, the doghouse in the shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA) there's two establishments, the Caffeine Connection and Sammy's Authentic Italian Restaurant. Maybe one or both of them will give me bathroom privileges in exchange for mentioning them repeatedly in my blog? Which won't be hard to do, given that I'm thirsting and starving to death, and I just stare longingly and with drool hanging down my chin across the street at their tantalizing signs all day.
Anyway, I hope I don't get a bladder infection. I got this dog off a chain once who was peeing blood in the snow. The vet said he'd just gone too long without enough water and it messed him up pretty bad in the kidney zone. He was one of the lucky ones who got off the chain, into rescue, and into a home where he was able to know love and live as part of the pack.
Each day I will sit for different dogs, dogs in different counties, etc. Today I started off for all those that have died on the end of a chain, and there are many that I know of—at least 5 I can think of right off the top of my head—that got old, and then just disappeared from this earth. Poor things. They never knew love, never knew laughter or hugs or a family to call their own. Rest in peace babies, we're fighting for you. We won't give up until others don't have to suffer the same fate that you did.
Odd or funny observations from today's chaining:
1. I sat down at numerous and sundry times on the oh-so-hard granite wall, but I'm confessing because it felt like cheating. But I don't think I can stop. My feet hurt too bad, and I can only pace for so long.
2. I wondered why the flags were at half-mast. I'm sure one of you smarty pants has an answer to this.
3. People were taking their lunchtime walks, going to Sammy's, and just taking their freedom for granted. Chained dogs deserve this too.
4. I didn't explain this one right in my 140 character tweet, so have to try again. Three foreign people, older people, came up and asked me in a heavy accent if I had quarters for parking. I said "No, I'm chained to this doghouse." They wanted to know why, so I explained it. The woman agreed with me, and took a paper. Then she said, "It would be good if you had coins too." lol
5. Note to self. Obviously, wearing white shirts in the rain isn't a good policy. Granted, Weatherbug said only a 30% chance today, but obviously the bug was wrong.
6. Really, really, REALLY not looking forward to that all day rain. I couldn't sit down at all, so I had to pace the whole time, and I think it rained for half hour…what am I going to do in the all day rain?
7. Joe came up and took pics for me, and I just wondered if I ever mentioned how much I love that man?
I'm SO glad I don't have to go back tomorrow…oh, shit, wait!
(If you want to follow my daily tweets during the chaining, follow me @tamirathayne. If you want to see more pics, etc., every evening, fan the campaign on facebook at Operation Fido's Freedom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)