I heard something a few days ago, and found myself just.. horrified by the thought of what I was told. My father was telling me about a situation that happened on Navarre Beach, Florida. That's relatively close to home, and it hit close to home in my heart as well.
As some of you know, it's the breeding season for the sea turtle. All sea turtles, along with loggerhead sea turtles, are all endangered and on the protected species list. Which means they are protected by state and federal law. However that did little to help the nest that was on the patrol route of the volunteers walking the beach. Volunteers patrol the beach all the day and night, switching shifts in order to protect the sea turtle.
Only 1 in 1,000 sea turtles survive to maturity, and maturity means 20-30 years. Which means it's almost impossible to this animal to survive that long. It has a lot of predators, one of which being sharks. But then what about us human beings? We cause a lot of death to more than we even mean to. We pollute the ocean, causing many deaths, as if the ocean population needed our help destroying the animals.
But this time, it wasn't even pollution. A group of vandals went to one of the nests overnight, and the nightly patrol found it. Eggs had been destroyed, and scattered all over the pier, and along the public area of the beaches. A shovel was found within the perimeter, as they had foolishly left the tool behind. Some eggs had been torn apart with the shovel itself.
The level of disgusting is just.. beyond comprehension. I'm glad to say that officials are on an active manhunt for the vandal, or vandals. They will be charged with a felony for tampering with the nest, and I hope they get the book thrown at them.
Tell me again, how we are the better species?
Today was a new experience! I started my very own fan page. It gives me somewhere other than here, to discuss the things I like discussing. Let's face it, it's hard to have a discussion on a blog post. Not so much when it comes to a fan page. I'm excited for this new experience!
Furbabies Facebook page!
I'm going to likely be sharing adoptable dogs/animals, as well as the animal stories I post here often. It isn't just limited to the discussion of dogs, or the adopting of dogs. I'm willing to share all the babies that need homes, regardless of whether they swim in a bowl, or are large enough to be ridden.
This post is kinda small, since I really haven't had time to come here and post a story today. But I wanted everyone to know about the facebook page, just in case I have a few followers interested. Have a great Monday all!
Today is a happy post! I am almost 100% positive my two dumbo girls I got a few weeks ago's breathing problems have gone away! Not only do they not sneeze anymore, but they don't wheeze or make those "barking" sounds I heard before. That makes me really happy, and I give the credit to the new bedding they are on. I was scared that they wouldn't last long (even compared to a normal rats life.) and was almost preparing myself to not get attached. However I did get attached, of course! I did everything I could to help their breathing, and the bedding change seems to have done the trick. I'm very happy they could overcome it.
Anyone who knows me, knows that my rats are like my babies. I never thought I could own another once my Sixx passed, but Kali had other ideas. I'm proud to say I rescued her, but I think her and Loki rescued me. I wasn't aware of how saddened I was.. Really. Bringing them home made me happy in ways I hadn't expected.
It's funny when I hear stories of people being so incredibly disgusted of rats. Because I just want to smile at it. In my head, I'm usually thinking 'Well that's just too bad for you.' Because a rat brings a whole new level of loyal to the family. My rats, are more loyal than my dogs. Now, I'm not selling Oz and Spike short. My dog-babies are lovebugs. But there's something about owning a rat that helps you understand what I mean.
This was really just supposed to be a "yay my rats are better!" post. Apparently I got a little distracted and started rambling. Which is another thing I do when it comes to talking about something I love!
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!
