A little hello, a little more personal news, a lot more light.
On Sunday, Billy and I were married at our home of seventeen years. We had one guest: Newt.
Personal News
Nothing animal shelter related here.
Just a note to touch base with everyone and to say I’m still here. I’m not ready to return to blogging and honestly don’t know when or if I might be ready. I’ve been struggling over the past year personally, professionally – basically all the –llys. I was laid off from my job last month and so far, no prospects. My Dad, whom I love dearly, died last week. I would like to share the obituary I wrote for him because if you like me, you can thank my parents. And you guys are my friends.
Milton Robert Thistlethwaite, 72, of Bristol, went 25 rounds with cancer, a top ranked opponent, finally landing a knock out punch on February 10, 2018. In attendance was an adoring crowd along with Marilyn Thistlethwaite, his beloved wife of 50 years and always present corner man. The crowd went wild as The Toughest Fighter in the Universe spectacularly achieved his long sought victory.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in memoriam might consider St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. Oncology is on the 8th floor where they both treat patients in preparation for their return home as well as care for hospice patients and their families. They provided us a suite down the hall from my Dad’s room so that we could take turns sleeping in an actual bed, getting a shower, etc. I can’t say enough good things about the caring staff. And there was one volunteer team that brought us a few minutes of comfort during my Dad’s final days – a Golden Retriever named Rosie and her owner. I wish I had thought to snap a photo of her but I was busy kissing her face and getting kisses back from her.
I also would like to share a link to a GoFundMe I set up in hopes of being able to visit my Mom as often as possible now that she lives alone. If you are not in a position to donate financially, that is all right. I have relied upon the warmth and support of our YesBiscuit community many times over the years and it continues to help me now. So thank you for that.
An image I came across on Pinterest, in honor of Rosie and all the dogs who bring comfort to those in need.
Posted by YesBiscuit on February 14, 2018
https://yesbiscuit.com/2018/02/14/personal-news/
Backinbowl
File under: My Dog is The Smartest Dog.
Mulder usually carries her yogurt cup over to her bed to lick the sides and polish it clean. Because otherwise, it’s the old trying-to-lick-the-cup-while-it-slides-all-over-the-kitchen-floor thing which is you know, undignified. But tonight she had a new idea: drop it inside her dinner bowl for added stability. I love her.
Posted by YesBiscuit on December 6, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/12/06/backinbowl/
The Arctic National Wildlife… Refuse?
The Trump Administration seems to be having trouble comprehending the words “wildlife refuge”:
An internal Interior Department memo has proposed lifting restrictions on exploratory seismic studies in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a possible first step toward opening the pristine wilderness area to oil and gas drilling.
[…]
The Arctic refuge, which covers more than 30,000 square miles, has been closed off to commercial drilling for decades because of concerns about the impact on polar bears, caribou and other animals in the region. Opening it up has been a top priority for Republicans.
[…]
The memo does not provide a legal justification for allowing new exploration.
Of course. Because since January 20, 2017, it’s anything goes.
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 17, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/17/the-arctic-national-wildlife-refuse/
Podcast You Will Like
Sharon Greenleaf La Pierre and Esplendor, as shown on the BBC website,
If you’ve ever listened to the BBC’s Outlook program, you already know about the fascinating stories featured in the first-person. But even if you are new to the program, I encourage you to listen to this absolutely riveting tale involving a woman and two horses. It is a heart-wrenching and brutally honest examination of the human-animal bond. I happened to catch it on the radio this morning and when I heard it come on again this afternoon, I meant to change the channel but ended up being just as taken by the story the second time. I don’t think you will be disappointed if you invest the 10 minutes in the podcast.
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 12, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/12/podcast-you-will-like/
Tattle Tale
I will not share. Tell on me all you want. It won’t make any difference.
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 12, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/12/tattle-tale/
Good Hurricane Tweets
Manatee Sheriff Department serving and protecting.
Hemingway house cats with thumbs survive Hurricane Irma.
Loose dogs in hurricane: “We are scared out of our minds, running for our lives and can not listen to any human right now!”
Good guy: “I have a pickup truck!”
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 11, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/11/good-hurricane-tweets/
Climate Change: An Unnatural Disaster
These parrots, as shown on the ABC News website, appear to be using this Miami high rise hotel window ledge as refuge from Hurricane Irma. I think they are red-headed conures (although I am no expert so please put in your two cents if you think they are another type of bird). Wikipedia has this to say:
The red-masked parakeet (Psittacara erythrogenys is a medium-sized parrot from Ecuador and Peru. It is popular as a pet and are known in aviculture as the cherry-headed conure or the red-headed conure. They are also considered the best talkers of all the conures.
I wish these two would tell someone what has happened since this photo was taken and if they are ok now.
Although red-headed conures are listed as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are many other animals who live only in Florida’s wild areas and are at far greater risk. May they all endure.
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 10, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/10/climate-change-an-unnatural-disaster/
Palm Beach County Animals in Danger
Some apparently terrible people have evacuated Palm Beach County ahead of Hurricane Irma and left their animals tied to trees and cars. Local ACOs are rescuing as many as possible but also asking the public to take in any animals they see left outside.
And in an effort to reduce the shelter population in order to make space for more abandoned pets, they are waiving adoption fees as well as the normal foster and adoption application process. I know some readers will hate that but I still believe that the overwhelming majority of those who foster and adopt shelter pets are kind-hearted people who will do right by the animals. And we all know what far too many AC outfits do to reduce shelter population. (Rhymes with pill, hill and shill – actually I’m just going to give it away: it’s kill.) This beats that with a stick.
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 9, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/09/palm-beach-county-animals-in-danger/
Keeping Watch
Post anything animal related in the comments, anytime. New Open Threads are posted weakly/weekly.
Posted by YesBiscuit on September 9, 2017
https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/09/keeping-watch/
Adoptable at UPAWS in Michigan
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Randi, age 11
The views expressed in this blog are the opinion of the author.
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