Seagulls
by
Theresa Chaze

I lost my temper yesterday. Today, I am not ashamed nor do I regret the harsh words that followed as I verbally bloodied my claws on an old man. Why would I attack strange man in the middle of Meijer’s parking lot? Seagulls. The most unpretentious birds ever created, whose natural scavenger talents make the world a little cleaner. He attacked them for no reason with his car; he narrowly missed running over several and nearly hit a parked car.
I had just gotten out of my car and I stopped to watch a small flock clean up some french fries off the asphalt. That’s what they do; they clean up--parking lots, beaches, anywhere there is a free meal. Mother Nature created sea gulls to be her cleaning team. Like any carrion bird they clean up the remains after the life cycle has been completed. In addition, their acrobatic flying is secondary only to eagles. They can float on air currents for miles, effortless dipping to scoop up a snack from the water surface before returning to the lofty heights.
So why did he attack them? His excuse was they aren’t a protected species, so it was all right for him to run them over. I compared him to an anus. He was shocked when I accused him of animal abused and pointed out he hadn’t actually hit any of them. It wasn’t for lack of trying. He simply didn’t understand why I was making a big deal; they were only sea gulls. In his opinion they are loud, obnoxious pests that the world would be better off without.
What I don’t understand is why he felt he was entitled to do harm to another living creature. They weren’t attacking him, nor were they intruding in anyway on his life. They were simply having a lunch of discarded french fries. They weren’t even his french fries. Yet he thought nothing of trying to kill them. There are two reasons to kill--to have lunch and to keep from being lunch. Everything else is just ego driven garbage. When people fight and kill for land, mates or beliefs, they don’t actually win anything. When all is said and done, you can't take any of it with you. People are reclaimed by the land. Mates part. Beliefs are individual and change with perspective. The only things that are truly carried forward are the love we share, the wisdom we learn, and the results of our actions. Everything else is just a moment in time that quickly passes without notice.
So I lost my temper yesterday. Did I change anything? I don’t know. Mostly likely I will never know if my harsh language was enough to make him think about his actions and change his behavior. It said more about me, than it did about him. My anger got his attention, but did it really reach him? Was he capable of understanding my message? Or was it a simple exercise for me to prove I could draw a line in the sand and stand up for another living creature.
Alone I can’t stop wars, nor can I heal the hatred and fear, which creates them. But I can make a difference. Even if it’s only in the life in a flock of sea gulls.

By the Scruff of the Neck
By
Theresa Chaze

Soon after the new neighbors moved in a black cat appeared on my door step. At the time she was less than a year old and one of many the woman across the street was responsible for. None of her cats were altered and she took no care in preventing litters. The household was in chaos most of the time and the police were frequently called to break up fights between her and her live-in boyfriend. Her children and her cats wandered around the subdivision unsupervised. Abby as I came to call her was sweet and cuddly. It wasn’t long before she was spending more time on my porch than across the street. At the time I already had four and I didn’t feel financially comfortable adopting another. In addition, the situation across the street was so volatile, I didn’t know what the woman would do if I did adopt her. Michigan winters are not known for being mild and that winter was partially cold. I would come home at night to find her curled up on my front porch even though it was below zero. I built her a shelter and continued to provide food for her. That winter Pooky, my eldest died at the age of 19.


The next May, Abby bore two kittens under my back porch. By the time I had found them their eyes were open and they were just becoming mobile. However, Abby’s milk had begun to dry up, because she wasn’t getting enough nutrition to care for them. Immediately I made sure she got more food and fenced in a corner of my basement so I could have a safe place to put them. The next day I brought all three inside. The kittens were named Sissy and Sinbad. They were identical, so I color coded them with collars. My three weren’t exactly pleased, more so because Abby’s maternal instinct made her uncharacteristically aggressive. Whenever my others approached the fence, she would puff up and charge it. She frightened Thor so badly he refused to go downstairs and I had to bring one of the litter boxes upstairs for him.

As the kittens grew and became more independent, Abby relaxed and returned to her cuddly self. Eventually they were allowed the full run of the house. Sissy was always the more adventurous one. She made her place upstairs and won over Thor in a matter of days. Sinbad was more shy and reserved; he preferred to stay downstairs with Abby. However, Abby had many issues. Sudden movements and loud noises frightened her, which made me believe she had been abused. The sounds of big trucks sent her into hysterics. But her major problem was being afraid of loosing her home. She didn’t understand why she suddenly was abandoned. Eventually she made her way upstairs, however Thor had a long memory and held a grudge. The two of them would frequently squabble, but they were evenly matched. As long as Abby didn’t back down and run, Thor would hiss, but wouldn’t do anything. The balance of power changed when Abby went to the vet to be spayed. The car ride and the over night vet visit revived all her old issues. The fear of loosing her home became so great that she no longer fought back. Thor started teasing and chasing her until she no longer came upstairs. Instead she would hide under the downstairs sofa or in the back corner under the stairs. She would only come out to use the litter box and to eat. When she did come out she would slink around the lower level, doing her best not to be noticed.

I gave her a few weeks to reestablish her sense of security. After a month, she wasn’t getting any better and her fear was spreading to Sinbad. I decided to intervene by forcibly bringing her upstairs. I set up my office with food and a litter box. When I was home to door would remain open; however, when I left the house I closed the door to prevent any unsupervised encounters between them. It worked for a while. Slowly Abby started exploring the upstairs on her own. She was always searching for Thor. When she would see him, she would run to the safety of the office or back downstairs. It was a continuing cycle. She would run; Thor would chase her. Several times he bit her in the tail. Once so badly, I considered taking her to the vet. After which, she refused to come back upstairs.

I changed my tactic. Instead of putting food and water downstairs for Abby, I fed Thor behind the closed door of my bedroom and chased Abby upstairs. After a couple of weeks, Abby started coming up on her own. She would always run back downstairs when I let Thor out. She’d run and he would chase her. Whenever possible, I would intervene, but they are much quicker than I am. Eventually, the two started establishing a peace between them. But it only happened because Abby started standing up to him again. Instead of running she would curl up and hiss back. Thor did nothing to her. Once she realized he was using her own fear against her, she stopped running. She hit him in the head a couple of times and he started leaving her alone. The more time she spent upstairs, the less attention Thor gave her. It took over a year of running through the alphabet of new plans, yelling and forcing Abby out from under the stairs, but today all eight of my fur-kids are now eating peacefully in the kitchen. Abby sleeps on the living room couch--or wherever else she wishes. Large trucks still make her nervous, but just long enough for her look out the window to see where they are. She has regained her sense of home and trust. Quick movements and strangers make her wary, but she is also working through that.

How often does each of us give into our fears, only to find that when we turn and stand up to them, they are never as big and bad as we thought? Abby ran and hid; her fears took all her time and energy. Using a combination of love, cajoling, bribery and physical force I pushed Abby to work through her fears. When I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and required her to go upstairs it might have seemed cruel, especially when Thor bit her in the tail. However by forcing her to face her fears, she was able to over come them. By hiding under the stairs, she found a temporary sense of sanctuary, but it was false security. By running she gave her fears and Thor more power over her; by standing up and facing them she took back control over her life.

The Goddess does the same to all of us. She puts us in situations where we must face our challenges head on. When we attempt to hide from them she is quite capable of grabbing us by the scruff of the neck and dragging us back to face the lesson. No matter how much energy we waste running and hiding, she will always find us and require us to face our fears. As I did my best to help Abby heal, so will the Goddess give support and send help-mates, but it up to the individual to do the hard work. No one else can do it for us. Others can be supportive and offer options, yet it is our choice to accept the blessings or to continue to hide under the stairs. We can either spend the energy healing or waste it hiding. By ignoring the lessons, we can not make them go away. They may have a different face or be in a different place, but they will always reappear to confront you when you least expect it. Yet by facing them, you empower yourself and conquer that which you fear the most.

The Wayside park in Gulf Breeze, Florida is just over the Pensacola Bay Bridge and for years it has been home to a colony of cats. People fish there so I guess that's what originally attracted the cats. And then people started abandoning their unwanted cats out there to fend for themselves. So for years these cats have been there, somehow surviving the hurricanes. But now the Gulf Breeze City Council has decided that they must go. So three weeks ago they announced that on July 1 Escambia County Animal Control will begin trapping and destroying these cats. They've been deemed "feral" so they won't be eligible for adoption through the shelter. So a friend of mine has been working very hard to find homes for them. So about a dozen of us have pitched in and I have temporarily dedicated my website for the cause. I bought a new domain name so you can find our site at http://www.waysidecats.com Right now about 20 of them have been rescued, but there are at least 20 more out there. We have a City Council meeting next week and we're pleading with them for more time.

So I'm hoping you can take a minute to check out my website and take a look at these beautiful cats. And if you can donate a few dollars we will be so grateful and so will the kitties! 100% of the money we collect is going for vaccinations, feline aids/leukemia testing, spays & neuters and food. We want to be able to give these cats the health care they need before we relocate them to their new homes.

KEEP DOG MURDER IN JAIL - GIVE HIM THE MAXIMUM SENTENCETarget:SUPERIOR COURT OF MARIN COUNTY, PEOPLE OF NOVATO & EVERYWHERENOVATO,PEOPLE AREOUND THE WORLD PEOPLECOUNTYANDCOUNTYAND EVERYWHERECreated by:OWNERS OF MURDERED LITTLE DOG NAMED "MIMI"Our loving, young pet Mimi, a very small, chi was murdered by a man named Frank on Tuesday afternoon. Frank took our little dog and slit her throat then threw her over his back fence. Thanks to the excellent, diligent work of the Novato Police Department, Frank was arrested and is in jail with a over $100,000 bail. This man took the life of our family member, a dog that gave nothing but love to all that she met. She made our family laugh everyday with her antics. Her best friend was Ty the big black Great Dane, who is now moping around the house looking for his little friend. When I found my dog with her throat cut, ants crawling on her body, blood coming out of her ears, my belief that every human being has some level of basic kindness, died in that moment. Who is this man, whatever reason he has for comitting this act, this is a sick person who does not belong in our society. He should be listed as a predator, just like sex offenders. Is any one safe anymore? GIVE THIS MAN THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.

UPDATE: The grief is debilitating. It has been almost impossible for our family to get up everyday and do what we have to do, sleep, work, the kid's have moped around the house with the Dane, the house is a mess, laundry piling, I can't even imagine feeling light hearted ever again. WE ARE SO, SO SAD. 211 Kenwood Court was to be our home in a quite cul de sac, safe for the kid's and our pets, never did we imagine when we moved in that we would experience such crushing and painful actions of a so called "neighbor". Novato, California is a lovely rural town with great schools, friendly, animal loving people, one of the best Humane Societies in the Country and a wonderful Police Department. Everybody needs to know that there is someone here that is dangerous and we need your signatures to help to keep him off the streets in jail. We appreciate all of your support, keep signing and encouraging those around you to sign too. We want to do our best to make sure that this individual receive's THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.

You can help make this petition a success - please share this petition
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Contact with your support by signing this petition and any advice, letters for the judges, (case#SC153949, Superior Court of Marin County, District Atorneys Office, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael, CA 94903) or email: cnbservices@comcast.net. GIVE THIS MURDERER THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE.

Chuck you Farley!
By
Theresa Chaze

When did the generation who coined the phase "Chuck you Farley" become cowards? The sixties and seventies were decades filled with political and social change. Yet in the past six years, most of the civil rights that were hard fought for have been rapidly chiseled away without much protest. The anal-retentive traditionalist and bigoted jerks that were mocked and openly confronted now have free run to trample the civil rights. When did the Civil Rights generation become so politically correct that they no longer have the courage to stand up for civil rights, the environment, and individual freedoms. It was just about the time when being called a liberal became an insult or a point of view to be ashamed of; instead of meaning open and fair minded, it has come to mean weak and cowardly. Coincidently it was about the same time that ignorance and bigotry were suddenly promoted as positive aspects and wisdom and fairness were suddenly seen as a liability.
The sole purpose of Bush’s last national speech was to elicit fear and encourage bigotry. Repeatedly he warned that the boogieman was out to get every American. It is true that the world is a less safe place since 2001, but Bush’s policies have only increased the threat on the home front. Not only do terrorists from other nations hate Americans, but also Bush’s suspension of civil rights has given the home-ground bigots and nuts the power to intimidate, harass and degrade people they don’t approve of. No longer do citizens of this country have free speech, religion or are safe from unreasonable searches. Law enforcement no longer have to apply or acquire legal search warrants to search a person, vehicle or home. The presumption of innocence has disappeared, as the police only have to have a suspicion to in order to stop and search an individual. It has become common for law enforcement to attempt to silence dissenting political voices by harassing and intimidating those who speak out. Those who refused to be silenced are labeled as anti-American, traitors, or just dismissed as being ignorant--except for Rosie O’Donnell’s case; she has been labeled as fat and ignorant by traditionalists who hate that she is a strong minded, independent woman with a venue they can’t control. Instead of sticking to the facts, they chose to make personal attacks against those who disagree with their opinions; hence, the labels of treason and ignorance have become attached to those who have a liberal viewpoint.
During the sixties and early seventies, burning draft cards and marching for peace were acts of courage. However, those who protested and refused to go to war are now silent as our sons, daughters, in some cases grandchildren, die or are mutilated on the battlefield. The current administration went to war without justification or proper preparation. Many of the deaths and mutilations could have been avoided with the proper safety equipment. There was over a year debate, but instead of preparing by building up the troops and equipment, the administration continued to think the Iraqis would welcome the American troops like liberators. The US is only the latest of a long line of invaders who have come and gone throughout history; the Iraqis out lasted the others, unless there is a major change in tactics and intelligent preplanning history will repeat itself. The Bush administration either didn’t study the history of the region or they slept through the classes. A true leader stands out front and leads the battle; he doesn’t hide under his mommy and daddy’s bed or play dress up in soldier's clothes. The Bush administration had no trouble sending other people’s children in war, while keeping their family well out of harms way. When the injured return home, they are met with substandard care at over crowd facilities. Many are returning home with permanent physical and emotional issues, yet they are given little to no support.
Women’s rights, medical freedoms, and lifestyle choices are under attack as the “ole boy’s club” is trying to reincarnate themselves. Once again, discrimination is on the rise as people of color, non-Christians and women lose the jobs, children and find themselves profiled by law enforcement. Incidences of police abuse have been increasing since 2002 according to an article in the New York Times. “Random” stops and searches have increased 40% in the last five years; coincidently minorities, women, and non-Christians are more likely to be searched than white men. Violence against women has been rising, yet the Bush administration failed to support legislation, which would have provides addition protection for the women and children at risk. July 2005, five white South Carolina teens, ages 17-18, attempted to lynch a black teen. The attackers were allowed to plead guilty to lesser charges, receiving only 2-6 years in prison instead of the 30 years for the brutal attack on the 16 year old. Although the federal government could have intervene with the civil rights violations, it failed to do so stating they didn’t believe race or ethnicity was a factor in the teens actions. Equal protection under the law has once again become situational. Justice is for sale to the highest bidder. Those who have the resources are protected; those who don’t, are ground up by the system.
Once again, employment, wages and benefits are based on whom you know not what you know. Governmental services and protections are based not on need, but economic and political clout. The poorer sections of New Orleans didn’t receive the aid they needed at the time of the hurricane, nor has it yet to arrive. Conservatives and religious zealots point out that more money is being spend per student than ever before; they complain that they are paying too much for an educational system that doesn’t support their beliefs and traditions. Supplying a good education to all students is not only good for the whole country financially, but it makes the country stronger when all voices have the means and knowledge to contribute. It costs more because modern technology is more expensive than a number 2 pencil. In addition, if the funds were evenly distributed there wouldn’t be the current imbalance in the system. Some schools have more than they need, while others schools don’t even have the basic necessities. If there was a level playing field with every student receiving the same equipment and resources, there wouldn’t be such a radical difference between the level of education between graduating students.
So where did the civil rights generations disappear to? Did they change sides along with their clothing? Are they cowering in the shadows, hoping no will remember their past? Or are they simply afraid to stand up for the beliefs they used to hold as truths? Just how many people have to be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or be degraded before the independents, moderates and the liberals who used to stand for civil rights decide they have had enough? It’s time for society to take back its power and say Chuck you Farley.

Thinking Outside the Litter Box
By
Theresa Chaze


Animal care has become big business with owners of “furkids” willing to pay top dollar for accessories, food and daily necessities. It would be very easy to spent hundreds of dollars to make your home feline friendly; yet a high priced tag doesn’t necessarily mean the product is more effective. Sometimes the simple, inexpensive resolutions are the best. Whether it be litter box odor, scratching on furniture, chewing on household plants or shedding, there are uncomplicated solutions, which will allow cats and humans to peacefully co-exist in the same home.
Costing from several dollars to close to two hundred, litter boxes come in all sizes and shapes; some of them are motorized coming complete with sensors, which automatically scoops after the box has been used. However, the higher price tag doesn’t always mean it is more effective. Normally cats use the box once or twice a day. By keeping enough litter in the box for the cat to bury their waste and by scooping once a day, you get the same odor control, but at a lower cost. The rule of thumb is that there should be one litter box for each cat. Although cats will share litter boxes, it's best to give them a choice. In additions, more litter boxes will prevent the waste from accumulating if it is divided among multiple boxes. Scooping daily and completely changing the litter boxes once a week radically cuts down on the odor. Although some people swear by the clumping litter, there have been cases of the ingredients, which cause the litter to clump, also causing intestinal blockages that needed to be surgically removed. By using the cheaper clay litter, it can be inexpensively replaced weekly or bi-weekly if the necessity arises. By completely cleaning the boxes, everything is removed and the possibility of missing something is eliminated. With the clumping litter, the box is completely cleaned less frequently, making it easier for urine to build up on the bottom beneath the litter.
What you wash the box with will also make a difference. Many of the pine cleaners can cause liver damage to cats and should be avoided. Warning labels need to be checked for pet safety issues before they are used. Pet enzyme cleaning products are the safest to use. Normally these products are used to clean up accidents on floors and furniture, but they are also excellent for cleaning the litter boxes. A quarter cup mixed with water in a quart spray bottle is strong enough to clean the box and eliminate odors. Although they contain a mild detergent, the primary benefits are friendly bacteria and enzymes, which break down the odor causing elements. The enzyme cleaners are designed to be safe around cats and the residue actually is beneficial, as it continues to work to keep the box odor free between cleanings. Some people swear that adding baking soda is beneficial because it absorbs the odor. Being alkaline, it neutralized the acidity of urine, which can curb some of the smell but does nothing to really keep it clean. More than anything else, it masks the problem, but doesn’t solve it.
A secondary source of litter box odor could be the flooring. Porous materials, such as cement and carpeting, readily absorb both aromas and waste. After a while, the area can continue to smell even when the litter boxes are clean. Hooded boxes will help by preventing misses and control over enthusiastically digging, but they do nothing to prevent litter being dragged out on paws. Washing the area regularly will help, but it won’t solve the odor absorption problem. Keeping the litter boxes on non-porous surfaces, like tile or linoleum will prevent the transference and keep the area fresher. If you don’t have a suitable surface available, it is easy to create a floor guard that is both efficient and mobile. To make a floor guard you will need a piece of plywood or the equivalent that is about two feet larger than your litter boxes area and a non porous surface such as linoleum or tile that is the same size. The plywood will keep the top covering flat and stable. An uncut piece of linoleum would be best, because it lacks the seams where dirt could collect; however, if the tiles are tightly fitted, they will also be effective. The self-adhesive vinyl tiles are more cost effective, easier to install and makes the floor guard lighter than ceramic. Once the tile or linoleum has been attached, the guard is ready to be put into place. If you are concerned about damaging your floor, you can put an inexpensive rug beneath it. You will still have to keep it clean, but it will be easier to do so and will not absorb odors.
Those with dogs in the household have already learned of their attraction to litter boxes. Even well trained dogs have a tendency to snack on feline feces. By keeping the boxes up out of their reach by placing them on tables, you prevent this nasty habit from becoming a disciplinary issue. It is simpler to prevent a problem than try to correct it later. As long as the table is large enough for the litter boxes to sit flat without wobbling and for cat to jump onto it safely, they shouldn't have an issue unless age or illness are factors.
Diet can also contribute to the intensity of the litter box odor. The cheaper dry foods contain ingredients that are not easily digestible by cats. Grains are frequently used as fillers, but contain no nutritional value for them. Although your cat may feel full, they haven’t met their daily nutrition needs; therefore, they will eat more regularly. The fillers will not be absorbed in their digestive track and will eventually find their way into the litter boxes. Although the food will be initially cheaper, your cats will eat more of it and use the litter box more frequently. In addition, the filers cause intestinal issues such as upset stomachs and foul smelling flatulence, which isn’t pleasant for anyone. Ingredients are listed on the bag according to the content percentages. Foods that list meat first have that product as the primary ingredient. They keep your cats healthier and more active, especially in the later years of their life. Although these foods cost a few more cents per pound, they will save you in the amount of litter you use and time spent cleaning the boxes. They will also reduce the odor both in the litter box and what you experience scratching your cat’s belly.

PetSafe Animal Rescue needs your help


Memorial weekend in the Traverse City area, PetSafe will be hosting a fund raising yard sale. They need donations, volunteers to help and people to buy from their sale. If you can help call Michael at 231-+668-7359.

Although Petsafe is always in need of cash donations, they are in desperate need of foster families to help cats and dogs. Petsafe provides the food, veterinary care, and supplies. The family provides a loving, safe home and transportation to the adoption events, which take place at the Traverse City Petsmart on most Saturdays and Sundays. The average time a dog spends in a foster home is about two weeks. A single family could save 25 dogs a year by just taking in one at a time. Cats, however, take a little longer; therefore, there is a greater need for feline foster homes. Before an animal is placed in foster home, it is checked for medical and behavioral issues. During the foster time, the animal is altered to prevent unwanted litters and is socialized. The foster family evaluates its temperament and helps determine what kind of living situation would be the best match. By the time it is available for adoption, there are one or more people who knows it well enough to be able to vouch for their character.

The second greatest need is for loving families who are looking to adopt. Petsafe is only designed to temporarily care for them until permanent families can be found. However, they are a no kill organization, so animals in their system will remain in foster homes until they are adopted, which is why there are frequent holds on the intake of animals. Their resources simple cannot properly support all those who are in need; therefore, finding good homes is their primary concern. For every cat or dog that is adopted, space is made available for another to be rescued.