February 3, 2022 thought for today, A penny saved is a penny earned, but sometimes a penny is better spent than saved. Yiddish Proverb
Winter has come to a sort of pinnacle. We are in the process of getting a three way hit. We had rain all last evening which turned to sleet/freezing rain and has lasted all morning. When the sun came up everything was covered with ice. Bob watched the weather reports and walked the drive way and part of the street after tugging his frozen car door open. The weather reports were not only school closings but some businesses too so he decided not to take the chance of driving. The snow is supposed to start later this afternoon and is reported to accumulate to possible six inches on top of the ice of course.
My first photo a day challenge for yesterday was “b is for....” ....bricks. Bricks can be an interesting subject. There is texture and shapes, forms and patterns. Right now my brick patio is in poor shape with the overflow of autumn and winter.
After hearing the weather reports a couple of nights ago I decided I should get to the store for things we were out of and then to church to do the weekly printing yesterday. I’m glad I did that. I think I am going to be staying in until at least Saturday evening if not Sunday morning.
I am going to get the laundry done and work on making Sweet Pea’s treats...and stay indoors!!
Sue has just gotten home from staying with Tiffany. She had gone last Sunday to stay with the girls after school through the week. Due to some changes the kids had gone to their dad’s and this is the first day Tiff had a chance to bring her home.
The word today is plan. Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. Henry David Thoreau. Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. Saint Augustine. He, who every morning plans the transactions of the day, and follows that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through a labyrinth of the most busy life. Victor Hugo. It is a bad plan that admits of no modification. Publilius Syrus. Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most important subject which we, as a people, can be engaged in. Abraham Lincoln. Before beginning, plan carefully. Marcus Tullius Cicero. Purposes, plans, and achievements of men may all disappear like yon cloud upon the mountain's summit; but, like the mountain itself, the things which are of God shall stand fast for ever and ever. Charles Spurgeon. He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold. Herodotus.
This is a story about a person who has spent most of his adult life trying to help animals. The article is about a man who is retiring from the Columbus Humane Society. In the title it says “after seeing the ‘dark side of humanity’”. He tells some stories he has experienced and how he handled them. One was a pit bull who was so freighted of leaving his “forever (?) home”, he dug his nails into the wooden porch. The investigator there to remove him had a “touch of the animal whisperer” was able to talk to him in a softening tone and got him to a grassy area when he realize that added to the fear of leaving was another problem, he was afraid of steps. This particular call wasn’t one of animal cruelty, the owner was moving and couldn’t take his beloved pet. He had started his career at the Capital Area Humane Society as an animal care assistant. He had planned to study to be a teacher but once at the Humane Society he realized he had a heart for the care and love of animals. He raised quickly in his job from animal care assistant to a “humane agent” then became chief for twenty years. Over the years he faced all nature of the problems that befall animals: “animal cruelty cases ....animal abandonment, hoarding, blood sports, pet store investigations and domestic violence incidents involving pets”. He said his career was rewarding and heartbreaking at the same time. One of the ugliest times for him was one he had to go on about dogfighting. Another of the cases he tells about was when the agency got a call about two young emus roaming around a parking lot in the Hilltop area. They can run 30 mph so the agents had to move quickly. He said they never figured where they were from. Another horribly memorable time in his career was when the agents rescued a dog in 2018 from an extremely abusive home. The dog was kept in a closet and beaten as neighbors heard the yelps (cries for help?). The neighbor did help, she recorded the sound and reported it to the authorities. They "executed a search warrant” and brought the fragile and scarred dog to the center. They worked to “restore his mind and body”. Now he belongs to the retired agent and “retired with him” because he had had his own spot in the office, his own vest and badge and run of the offices. He is now a constant companion and therapy dog. This agent started a fund for animals that is dedicated to assist in medically and behaviorally rehabilitating animals.
We are having spam (bacon flavored) fried rice for dinner.
Joy
end of an era
No comments:
Post a Comment