The Season of Giving

Most of you know that I have a deep love for animals and I donate monthly to the American Humane, which not only helps animals in need but children as well. If you find it in your hearts this season to give to a charity, here is one I highly suggest. Here is one of the many stories that shows where you're donations go to.

Left to Die in a Ditch
A man in Tennessee was heading back to his car after a day of fishing when he heard whimpers coming from a muddy ditch in the woods. A small, terrified beagle was trapped. She had been brutally shot and was desperately trying to pull herself up the steep wall of the ditch, her back legs dragging uselessly behind her.

The fisherman took pity on the little dog and brought her home. She spent three days living beneath the man’s parked car, clinging to life. When he realized the beagle wasn’t going to recuperate on her own, the man contacted a local animal rescue group. One of the group’s workers arrived and was amazed when the traumatized dog emerged -- in terrible pain, but so grateful for help she covered the worker with “kisses” as only a dog can.

Was Emma a ‘Lost Cause’?
The brave little beagle, named Emma by the shelter workers, still had a long way to go. Two gunshots had left both of her hind legs paralyzed. She had also lost control of her bladder and bowels. How would the shelter afford Emma’s vet bills and scooter -- a special dog wheelchair designed to help her get around with ease -- on its shoestring budget?

That’s when American Humane stepped in. Thanks to American Humane through donors, they have provided vital support through the Second Chance Fund to help cover Emma’s medical expenses and ready her for adoption.

Incredibly, Emma found a new home with a “forever mom” named Sheila, whose sweet disposition matched Emma’s. Sheila consulted with a canine rehabilitation center, brought Emma to physical therapy twice a week and even converted her own pool to a water therapy center for Emma. This spirited, fun-loving little dog -- expected to never get around without her scooter again -- is now able to walk a mile every day on her own!

Please give what you can to bring hope and success to other children and animals looking for a second chance, who still have tremendous love to share with new families.

click here to find out more and to donate

It’s The Little Things

For those of you who don’t know, I live at home with my parents. I know it sounds pathetic, but it was my Mom who actually suggested it as I was going to be living all by myself in a apartment and she basically is home by herself a lot of the time because my Dad is out of town for business and is home only 6-8 days for most of the month. She thought instead of two people living alone that it’s better that we stayed together. I have no problem with that, because I do have the best parents a girl could ask for.

The other day, my Dad was at home and my Mom had to have major surgery on her teeth. My father took the time out to be by her the whole day. He isn’t home often, so he spends time catching up on things that need repair on the house and getting ready for the next trip, but he put my mother first. He even spent the whole day on the couch with her, while she slept for 12 hours. He just watched over her, hardly left her side, because the doctor said that she may come down with a fever. It’s the little things like this that make me gleam with delight and brings me happiness to be able to spend time with such caring and wonderful parents.


Quirky Quote: Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

Making a Difference…Maybe Not

Yesterday was almost like any other. ..working, except that I had to go to the store for some office supplies. I was happy to see that when I was leaving the store I ran into an old friend I haven’t seen in three years. He used to be in one of my old single wards from church. I went up to him with a smile and a happy greeting and he just looked at me like I was crazy. I explained to him who I was and he still didn’t remember me.

This saddens me to the point of almost crying on my lunch break. I had spent so much time with him in the past I thought he wouldn’t forget me. He is physically handicapped and confined to a wheelchair and he depended on me to pick him up and taking him to several places, such as work, church and even to go on some dates. I introduced him to several people, even one girl that he ended up dating for a few weeks. Here I was thinking that I helping him getting rid of his bad attitude that people ignore him because of wheelchair and was helping him to get around instead of relying on the bus system. I thought I was making a difference in his life and yesterday comes along and it was like a stab in the gut.

There are so many people that I help with, because it’s in my nature to do so and most of the time I do enjoy it, but I can’t help to think that I don’t mean much to them, that I’m not worth remembering. I’m not looking for praise or glory, I just want to be remembered as a good person, a friend and someone that people can depend on. But some days it feels like I’m the person that people will go to for help, because 90% of the time I’ll say yes. I’m more of a convenience than a friend type of thing. Maybe this is my wake-up call to forget about others, let them defend for themselves and just work on myself.

Be Grateful Everyday

A couple of nights ago, I got a call from my dad, he was coming home from teaching class in Shreveport, Louisiana after only one day of work and I needed to go and pick him up at the airport. This has never happened. Yes, classes sometimes get shortened but not cancelled after one day.

He was teaching a small class of three men that grew up together. They all went to the same High School and even worked the same jobs. They were best buds for years. The first day of any training my father teaches Safety guidelines set out by OSHA. One thing he tells everyone is “Think if you were hurt, what would happen to your families and loved ones”. Well, my dad went to set up the training class and no one showed for the longest time. These three men were in a major accident on the way to work. One may lose his leg, one paralyzed from the neck down and the other was not confirmed with his injuries, but I’m sure it’s not good.

It’s amazing what a new day will bring, even just a few hours. I always get depressed with how boring my life is, but you hear of something like this happening and it puts your own life in to prospective. Be grateful for the things you have in life, even stuff we take for granted such as the ability to walk or being able to lift your arms and give someone a hug, because maybe one day we not have those abilities.


Quirky Quote: As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy