Moco's Last Wish
This story was one of the ones that gave me permission to write about their ordeal. I hope I do it justice, and I hope that it helps spread the word. Things like this can only stop by YOU doing something about it. YOU choosing to demand answers, or YOU choosing to let it go. A Rush song quotes "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." And I agree with that 100%. It's up to us to change our generation.
This was another case of wrong place wrong time. (Which it's sad how common that is lately!) Moco was a Boxer dog, and he was shot and killed by an Ojai Police Officer. Reports say, that the Officer was investigating a call about Vehicle Tampering. The family had no involvement in the tampering, nor had they made the call. They were an innocent party, and they were doing nothing but playing with their dog.
The Officer made his way into their yard, where the dog began barking and running forward. Now sure, you see something like that and you think 'how do you know they weren't going to attack?' Well, this dog had no prior history with aggression, or disobedience. He was a loving, gentle neighborhood dog who's only fault was being excited to see a new person. The officer wasted no time, shooting and killing the boxer while his family watched in horror.
I linked to their facebook page, where they are seeking justice for their beloved dog. They hope to keep anyone else from having to go through this.
It's happening more and more often, and some people do nothing about it. Until it happens to them. Then it's time to bring the smack down, and I just don't agree with that. You can not like dogs, but the fact is they are someone's family member. They are a beating heart, longing to do nothing but love you forever. I encourage you to take a look at the facebook page, and be informed on what to do, if an officer approaches your family. Including your dog.
I'm so behind on my wedding planning, I don't even have invites sent yet. I know, it's horrible, but at least everyone is aware of it. They may be a month in advance, but that's better than nothing. Money is tight tilla fter the wedding, and I've said it before but I will say it again. I really cannot wait to stop spending money on this thing. Haha. That sounds terrible, but I bought a $500 dress, for example, and after the alterations and 'everything the dress needed' according to the seamstress, the dress was an $800 one. I found the perfect photographer, and I'm so excited to work with her. She knew exactly how low my budget was, and didn't want me to miss out. That's kindness.
Speaking of kindness, today I am blogging about something that really touched me. The other day, we had placed my check in the bank early in the AM. Well they had told me it would be in there immediately. So we went next door to Walmart to get some food for the week. Well, we were in line after shopping, both exhausted, but we were quite happy to have food. Well.. My card didn't go through. And then Tom's, who we both knew had money on it, didn't go through. So at this point, I am really upset. I'm supposed to have money, and here I am standing in line with it not going through. So I call the bank, who then proceeds to tell me they made an error, and it will be in there bright and early the next day at 8am. (She said this in a happy, go get 'em voice and that irritated me further.) Well then the people at Walmart look at me like I've suddenly grown another head atop my shoulder.
So they transfer us to Customer Service while Tom tries desperately to get his card going through. We ended up taking stuff we didn't need out to remove $10 from the cart. Well during this fiasco, there is this nice older gentleman keeping Alex company in line. Alex is throwing his box of goldfish, and the guy picked it up, and they continued that game. This man then went to tell us as we were leaving, that he wanted to pay for the stuff we couldn't take that day. (We were going to come back the next day.) We told him no, and thanked him. He asked again, saying he would love to do it. It really warmed my heart, and I was so caught off guard that I just thanked him, told him he was too kind, and waved goodbye. But the genuine look in his eye, really did touch my heart. He offered to help two people in need, and he had no obligation to offer things like that.
We didn't take his help, since we had the money, it just wasn't registering in our bank. So I was really upset, that I even had to be humiliated by an error they made. But I was really touched, to know that there are still very good people out there.
Let that be a note to you! Your kindness goes a long way, so take some time to smile to a stranger!
Okay so the title isn't really true. I'm not slacking on the blog, so much as I am completely slammed between planning a wedding, and planning a honeymoon. I wasn't aware of all the work went into the planning process. Just when I think I've gotten one part down, I find I forgot another. I will really be happy when I can just enjoy this wedding, rather than stressing over it! I'm finding though, that planning can be a lot of fun, if you have the funds for it! haha. We are doing a simple wedding, as being a couple with a child, expenses are something we have to be careful with.
In my absence from the blog though, I spent time messaging some fellow facebook groups on the subjects of animals being shot by police departments. Some lived, and some, unfortunately, did not. I will share their stories all the same. The families deserve the attention, and people need to know that they need to be incredibly careful with their animals. You could be playing with your dog in your backyard, and have an officer show up in your yard without your being aware. Now, some would understand, letting you place you animal inside. Others however, are easily triggered into shooting the animals they feel are threatening them.. Even though the animal itself might feel threatened by a stranger being in their yard. Dogs bark. It happens! A barking dog does not indicate a dangerous dog. There is more to it than that.
But anyway, not to ramble in this post. That will come in my next few. Tomorrow I will be sharing the story of Moco. A beloved boxer shot by a police officer.
I hope that you guys will read it, and share it. It is really important to know what to do if an officer approaches your home. Thank you! See you guys tomorrow! ;)
Things have, again, been very hectic in my life this week. As some of my friends know, I lost my rat Sixx to cancer on the 30th of March. He was an old guy, he lived about 3.5 years. His brother who was a beloved pet in another family, died two weeks before he did. It left a huge hole in my heart. But I was sure, that I would never get another rat since they don't live long. The pain of losing them is like that of losing a dog, or a cat. But with only a 10th of the lifespan.
Then a few days ago, I found out one of my ferrets was really sick with bloating in her abdomen. Though that was the only sign of her actually being sick, was the bloating. She has something wrong with her spleen, that only surgery would fix. It's a costly surgery, as well as there is no garauntee she won't be sick afterwards. So we decided, and boy was it a hard decision, to let her live out her life until her quality of life becomes bad. Once we think she's suffering, we are going to make a decision. But for now, she's happily snuggled next to her sister. I'm not sure what to do.. I know that ferrets can die of heartache, and these two have been together forever. I'm afraid of getting another ferret, because my girl is already 4 years old. It feels like I will create an endless loop of ferrets, since one will always be 4 years older than the other. It's a helpless feeling, because the only other thing I could do, would be to get her a new home with lots of other ferrets more her age. But that would mean giving up my girl, and.. I love her so much. I guess my question for myself, is if I love her so much, why won't I do what's best for her and get her that home she needs. But.. I feel animals should be taken in for life. Not bounced around from home to home, and we rescued these two before my son was born. I guess I'll just have to figure it out..
On a good side, I got two baby rats the other day. One of them I rescued, since she was far too small to be in a cage with adult sized ratties. Upon bringing her home, I realized that she needed a friend. Sixx had always lived alone, because he didn't like other rats in his cage and would beat them up. So I had forgotten they are a group creature. So I went back out, and got another little dumbo girl. Having them for a few days, I've realized I'm pretty sure they have respitory issues. The petstore where I saved them, says they offer a 14 day satisfaction garauntee and that they would replace sick pets. But.. I don't see them investing the time they should in helping these babies. They'd probably be written off as snake food at that point. So I've decided just to keep them, since I don't have the heart to take them somewhere that they will be put to death.
Though in some other good news, I found my wedding dress! I did a lot of work these past few days. I have set up most of what I need, and I also have been making a list of the rest of stuff that's needed. Weddings are so freaking expensive! If I had realized this beforehand, I probably would have eloped LOL. But oh well, my dress is beautiful, and I am really excited to see my fiance's face when he sees it on me :)
Have a good monday everyone!
Life really gets busy once you start planning a wedding. Time just seems to fly and I have no time to catch up on anything it seems! Three days ago marked the two month until the wedding time frame. I'm increasingly nervous, because the last time I had as much attention, it was the birth of my son. I want to live up to expectations, and not have anyone be disappointed in the wedding. Though it's about what makes me happy, I don't want to bore the crap out of everyone. Lol.
Well, I finally found some time to blog now that the termite situation is being taken care of. I feel a weight lifted off my shoulder, and another one placed on it. My ferret, Roxanne, I think has a blockage. I can't really afford to do surgery on her, so I'm hoping that it's the type that can be coaxed out on it's own. Losing my rat, Sixx, in April, and my Grandmother in January.. I just don't think I'm ready to handle another passing right now. So I'm hoping she pulls through. A very good friend of mine even donated a little, in order to help me just in case it is really bad. I am so blown away by her kindness.
For some good news of the day, I found a pit bull story that has been circulating all over the internet. With the title of "Dog saves woman from train" usually, it would be better suited as "Pit bull saves woman from train." Because if it had been an attack, I garauntee the type of dog it was would have been announced in the title, and people jumping to condemn the breed. But this post isn't about the hatred of pit bulls, this post is about the story of a true hero.
This 8 year old pit bull was adopted by a woman's son and it helped her curb her drinking addiction. They had been walking, and for some reason the woman passed out, and was unconscious on the train tracks. The dog knew she was in danger, and she was right. The train was making it's way right to the unconscious woman. The dog, Lilly, put herself in danger's way in order to pull her human from the tracks. Lilly managed to get her woman off the tracks, though not in enough time to pull herself free too. The dog was hit, "degloving" her front paw, and breaking her hip in a few different places. But the dog survived, miraculously. Rescuers had been called to the area, and when they showed, the dog was covered in blood. She still was guarding her human, scared they were going to hurt her. But she relented, and both dog and human were rushed to the hospital. Lilly is a hero. More stories like this, and the pit bull Kilo who saved his family from a home invasion despite being shot in the head, should be shown. One of the most loyal breeds, doing exactly what they've always been known to do.
I know it has been far too long since I posted anything. But truth be told, I haven't had a whole lot of time the past few days. On Saturday we came home to a swarm of about 40 or so Termites, and so we've had inspections of the house all day yesterday. We didn't see them Sunday night, we thought we might be getting lucky.
Unfortunately, we saw them swarming again yesterday. It's so tiring going around and killing them as we see them. But we can't just let them crawl around all willy nilly. That gives me the creeps. We get the house sprayed and taken care of on Friday, so until then my posts may be either very short, or non-existent. But I wanted to touch base and let everyone know that I AM still here, and I AM still blogging.
Thanks for your support guys! Happy Tuesday!
Today I haven't had the chance to look around for stories to give my opinion on. Today is a big day, and I am excited. Engagement pictures today! Which means I have to get the clothes we are wearing prepared, along with aaaall the other stuff that comes with a photo session.
I haven't been sleeping well.. I think it's anxiety, and I sit there and just think all night. There's nothing that can be done about what I think about, but I still can't seem to stop. So last night I took a sleeping pill. I was impressed that it worked, and I fell asleep quickly.
Though I don't know that the nightmares I had, were very restful. It was horrifying, and made me wake up and just grab my little boy and squeeze him tight. I'm lucky that he's healthy, and that I'm healthy, and that everything is okay. Though if that's what a sleeping pill causes, which I'm not sure.. Maybe I have an overactive imagination, then I don't think I will be taking another one. I would prefer no sleep, to the nightmare that plagued me the entire night.
Today's post is shorter, since I have some cleaning to do. Hopefully I have another one tonight telling how it went. That would make up for it I think haha.
Yesterday was a horrible day. Bad tempers and headaches all around I think. I'm happy for the new day, though seriously the nightmares couldn't have been worse. I find myself dreaming about the sick animals I wish I could help. It didn't help that right before I went to bed, there was a new story about a 5 month old pit bull puppy being shot by a Birmingham Police Officer. Alabama isn't far from me, maybe a few hours. The thought of it being closer to home, than say California.. It hit home. Authorities shot this puppy, because he had escaped from it's fence, and with the first shot, the puppy ran home. As it got home and back into it's gate, the officer's shot the dog 4 more times.. Witnesses even heard the cops joking and celebrating about who's shot was louder. This sickened me. Like, deep down to my bones. I was unaware that cops were so trigger happy with shooting these animals, when a taser or pepperspray would be a better alternative. Saying a puppy was charging at you, but the gunshots being in the back of the puppy.. There is no way. But the Police Department will probably try to cover it up. Take the side of their officers and let that be that.
There have been many, many stories about this lately. All it takes is to look up "Cop shoots dog" and you see an unending response in return. People don't know about this very often, because the Police Department's cover up the story. One PD was accused of trying to pay someone off when they caught the cop's misdoings on camera. Thankfully the woman said no, and took her video to the media. The officer still was not fired, even for the proof that he had shot the dog for target practice, and it had nothing to do with him feeling threatened.
Someone asked a good question, and it's "what laws are there for animals against police officers?" Well the truth of it is, if they "feel threatened" they can shoot the animal. It doesn't matter if they WEREN'T aggressive, it just takes that momentary feeling. So then I was asked, "Well is it legal to say that if an officer shoots my dog, my life feels threatened because it was my family member? Am I allowed to shoot the officer?" That's something only a lawyer could answer, but it was a very good point. Companion animals these days, are largely part of the family. Once they are hurt, it is like hurting a toddler. If my dog was shot, I would feel threatened.
The hatred for pit bulls, drives most of the shootings. Officers are ten times more likely to shoot a pit bull, rather than try to figure out another way. Merely for being a pit bull. Such as this puppy. Each shot in the pit bull puppy was from a further away trajectory. Proof, that the puppy had been retreating for it's life. It pains me to think about these stories, and my fear of my pooch meeting a fate like that terrifies me. I'm just glad I'm aware of the steps in keeping my animals safe. At least as safe as I possibly can.
I'm linking an article on how to keep YOUR pet safe, and I really recommend reading it.
A Police Officer Shares Insight on How to Keep your Dogs Safe
Well this is a touch different than animal stories, but someone recently asked me to tell my plans. So here goes! It's a mostly smaller affair, though I have some amazing friends who are coming from all over the US to come and see me on my big day. They don't care that it's not this grand affair, they just want to be there for me. That's truly what a friend is, I think. Anyway.. We started putting things into stone for real this week. We had been slacking a bit in terms of what we were going to be doing, and that could be my undoing as the time slowly draws near. The big day is the 7th of July, a day before the dating anniversary of my fiance' and I. I figured that would be perfect, since I wasn't too sure if I wanted a Sunday wedding.
So Saturday, I'm probably going to be taking Engagement pictures with Tom. I'm really excited, because I've been wanting to do this for months! Haha. I don't know why I like getting pictures done, I just do. Also on Saturday, we will be going to bridal shops and searching for dress styles I like. Though I am almost positive I am sure what dress I want, I want to see if the store has one similar I can try on. I'd hate to get it and hate the way it looks on me. That would be awful! So I'm trying to do the smart thing. I'm preparing myself to be a Bridezilla to these Bridal shops if I have to. I have a budget, and no, I won't cut anything down in order for you to sell me a more expensive dress. I've been told horror stories about pushy bridal shops. So we will see. I'm a force to be reckoned with when I'm angry, so I sure hope they are prepared haha.
I've contacted a wedding photographer, but she hasn't gotten back to me yet. Hopefully soon she will. Like I said, I adore pictures haha.
Well.. I'm not really sure what else to talk about yet, but Monday I'll give an update. Since, Monday my friend and I will be going out and picking the perfect place for the wedding!
Truth be told, I'm totally excited for the honeymoon. :P
