John McCain died this weekend, and politicians from both the left and right are lauding him for his humor, his service to his country, and his character. It made me wonder why this man was so universally admired, which led me to try and define character.
First, what it is not. It is not what religion you belong to, nor is the preaching you do on social media on the greatness of God. That's worship, not a sign of your good character. It's not "thoughts and prayers" when something bad happens.
It is not how wealthy you are, how beautiful you are, how smart you are, or the position you hold. We may admire you for those things, but it doesn't mean you have a good moral character.
So what is it then? Well, here's my definition. It's someone that puts the good of another over their own personal desires, and then acts. When something bad happens, fighting to change what caused it to begin with. Someone who walks a scared young woman down the sidewalk through the protesters to the abortion clinic, even when they personally don't agree with abortion. Someone who volunteers to work over the holidays to allow their coworker the chance to be with their family. Someone who, when bullets are flying, goes back to help a stranger.
A good moral character is not built on one deed alone. It must be stable, in other words, a lifetime. That doesn't mean that the person of good moral character always did the right thing - far from it. But it does mean that they admit when they did wrong, and attempt to make it right. They always try to do the right thing, keeping everyone's interests in mind.
I didn't always agree with John McCain's political views, but I very much admired his good moral character. He always tried to do what was right, even when it was personally painful for him. After his captors in Vietnam learned that his father was an admiral, John McCain was offered an early release. He had broken both arms and a leg, and his captors were refusing treatment until he confessed to an imaginary crime. Can you imagine the pain he was in? Yet, he refused the early release because he was taught that the ones there the longest go home first. Because of that decision, he spent another FIVE years being tortured daily. For the rest of his life, he couldn't comb his own hair because he couldn't raise his arms above his head.
A good moral character is not petulant. A good moral character doesn't brag. A good moral character doesn't bully. When I vote to put someone in office, whether it's a board of directors, or the President of the United States, I look for good moral character, or at a minimum, someone who has spent a lifetime in service to others. I'm not looking for a quick fix for me alone, or my class, or gender, or race. I'm looking for someone that will actively try to make life better for everyone, even if it means that it's a little worse for them.
I desperately hope that John McCain is not the last of his kind to put country over party, to put duty over self. Perhaps his death will lead to more working together regardless of party or belief system, to make this country better. But my fear is that this change, however hopeful, will be temporary. And remember, good moral character is stable.
Monday, August 27, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
We Have Your Dog
We have your dog. She doesn't have a collar or a microchip, so we don't know who you are.
She's lovely, and even at her advanced age she still loves to chase balls and have her belly rubbed.
We feed your dog.
We house your dog, inside, not on the chain outside she's used to. She has a big comfy bed to snuggle in, and we like to give her treats while scratching her behind the ears.
We tried to find you.
When she came to us, we told the world about her. Friends of friends of friends shared our post trying to find her owners. We put her on our website, hoping against hope that you'd see her and come get her. After 5 days, she has legally become our dog.
We still have our dog 6 weeks later. No one has called or come to get her. But something wonderful is happening - a family loves your dog and has been approved to adopt her! All of the humans that have taken her on day trips to the lake, or walked her in the park, are thrilled for her.
Now, after someone points out to you that the picture accompanying the happy adoption story online looks an awful lot like the dog you used to have, you come to get her. We fed her, we walked her, we took care of her for 6 weeks, so $25 a day is what it takes to claim her. That amount doesn't even begin to cover our cost, which is why we spend a great deal of time trying to raise money. You can't make that happen, so there are tears on both sides, and our dog goes home to her new family.
Then you started the bullying online. You got your friends and friends of friends to hear your side of the story and spread the word about how we "stole" your dog. They're encouraged to rate the shelter with 1 star, continuing the fiction that we gave away "your" dog. You contact law enforcement. You contact local media, continuing the campaign. By omitting certain crucial facts, you keep it going.
The new adopted family got spooked about the drama online, and decided that they'd adopt another dog instead. Someone stepped forward to pay boarding, and your dog is again your dog.
But the one star reviews and lies stay online, making others that want to give an animal a home think twice about coming to us. Pandora's box has been opened, and we'll be having to explain ourselves for a long time to come. And we shouldn't have to. Everything was done exactly according to the law and policy.
What we do matters. And because of you and people like you, we no longer want to help. We're tired of working so hard to save animals only to have something like this happen.
But guess what? When your still un-chipped dog wanders away again and ends up with us, we'll do it all over again. Because your dog matters. You? Not so much.
She's lovely, and even at her advanced age she still loves to chase balls and have her belly rubbed.
We feed your dog.
We house your dog, inside, not on the chain outside she's used to. She has a big comfy bed to snuggle in, and we like to give her treats while scratching her behind the ears.
We tried to find you.
When she came to us, we told the world about her. Friends of friends of friends shared our post trying to find her owners. We put her on our website, hoping against hope that you'd see her and come get her. After 5 days, she has legally become our dog.
We still have our dog 6 weeks later. No one has called or come to get her. But something wonderful is happening - a family loves your dog and has been approved to adopt her! All of the humans that have taken her on day trips to the lake, or walked her in the park, are thrilled for her.
Now, after someone points out to you that the picture accompanying the happy adoption story online looks an awful lot like the dog you used to have, you come to get her. We fed her, we walked her, we took care of her for 6 weeks, so $25 a day is what it takes to claim her. That amount doesn't even begin to cover our cost, which is why we spend a great deal of time trying to raise money. You can't make that happen, so there are tears on both sides, and our dog goes home to her new family.
Then you started the bullying online. You got your friends and friends of friends to hear your side of the story and spread the word about how we "stole" your dog. They're encouraged to rate the shelter with 1 star, continuing the fiction that we gave away "your" dog. You contact law enforcement. You contact local media, continuing the campaign. By omitting certain crucial facts, you keep it going.
The new adopted family got spooked about the drama online, and decided that they'd adopt another dog instead. Someone stepped forward to pay boarding, and your dog is again your dog.
But the one star reviews and lies stay online, making others that want to give an animal a home think twice about coming to us. Pandora's box has been opened, and we'll be having to explain ourselves for a long time to come. And we shouldn't have to. Everything was done exactly according to the law and policy.
What we do matters. And because of you and people like you, we no longer want to help. We're tired of working so hard to save animals only to have something like this happen.
But guess what? When your still un-chipped dog wanders away again and ends up with us, we'll do it all over again. Because your dog matters. You? Not so much.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
There Aren't Just Two Choices
It seems that there's always a a crisis or controversy going on. At our southern border, kids are being separated from their parents, that's a fact. One side wrings their hands and demands change, and the other talks about the criminals that will come across if we don't have tight security.
Or the Enbridge pipeline that was just approved to go through Minnesota land, threatening the water supply and the natural beauty of my state. One side is demanding that construction not start, and the other is saying how much safer pipelines are than the current practice of using rail to carry the oil, coming within feet of homes when it travels through towns.
Instead of fighting each other along political party lines (or worse, unfriending people!!), let's take a look at the actual problem. Sometimes there aren't just two choices for a solution once you go back to why the problem occurred in the first place.
Take the border. In 1971, President Richard Nixon officially declared a war on drugs. The U.S. would seize the cocaine coming across the border, and the Colombian drug cartel would kill people in retaliation. The president of Panama, Manuel Noriega, allowed Pablo Escobar, one of the best known cartel leaders, to ship the coke through Panama, making it that much easier to get to Miami and south Florida. The cartel started raking in big bucks over the demand in the U.S.
And then the tide turned on our war on drugs, at least in south Florida. The cartel decided that getting the drugs in through Miami was too hard, and started targeting the Mexican border to move the drugs to the U.S. Between Colombia and Mexico lie the countries of Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. The drug cartel swarmed into those countries, creating a trade route for cocaine and other illegal drugs. So when you wonder why people are fleeing their own country to the U.S. even knowing they will not be welcome, now you know. Staying means their children may be kidnapped and used as drug mules or worse. Staying means enduring the constant threat of violence.
Now that we know how and where the issue originated, what's the solution? Einstein said that insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If there is no demand in the U.S. for illegal drugs, there is no reason for the cartel to operate the trade route through Central America. How do you decrease demand? Other countries have done it by legalizing the drug itself. It seems contrary to common sense, but their statistics show that it's working, in conjunction with more social services for recovery. Would it work here? Maybe. Seems worth a try anyway.
On to the pipeline issue. Using the same logic, let's talk about the problem. Americans are obsessed with their cars, and trucks, and electricity. I don't know anyone who is willing to give up any of those things, so instead, let's talk about how they are powered. Renewable energy is expensive right now, because it's not subsidized by the government, or at least not to the extent that fossil fuels are. Our government pays billions to big oil companies in order to keep the cost reasonable for us, the end consumer. You can see why the oil lobby is so powerful in Washington - the taxpayers are paying for them to be in business so they can make a huge profit. They're the only game in town.
So what would happen if that subsidy were to end? Prices to us, the consumers, would skyrocket. And then what? Well, when it hurts our pocketbook, we tend to notice and take action. You might not buy that gas guzzler and opt for a hybrid car instead. Oh boy, but then that hurts car companies! Yes, but then the car companies would have to increase gas mileage in order to compete. Win win.
And better yet, renewable energy would have a chance. Those solar panels and wind towers would start to look more appealing if the cost were the same as oil. And what if the government subsidized them as much as they do oil? Before long, we'd be up and running on renewable energy and the demand for oil would be gone. Meaning there would not be a need for either pipelines or railroads to carry it across country. Our water supply would be safe, and people living near the railroad would be safe too.
Critical thinking doesn't always solve the problem, but it may offer more choices for a solution. Fighting each other along political party lines is like trying to row a canoe when two people are moving their paddles in the opposite direction - you just go in circles.
Or the Enbridge pipeline that was just approved to go through Minnesota land, threatening the water supply and the natural beauty of my state. One side is demanding that construction not start, and the other is saying how much safer pipelines are than the current practice of using rail to carry the oil, coming within feet of homes when it travels through towns.
Instead of fighting each other along political party lines (or worse, unfriending people!!), let's take a look at the actual problem. Sometimes there aren't just two choices for a solution once you go back to why the problem occurred in the first place.
Take the border. In 1971, President Richard Nixon officially declared a war on drugs. The U.S. would seize the cocaine coming across the border, and the Colombian drug cartel would kill people in retaliation. The president of Panama, Manuel Noriega, allowed Pablo Escobar, one of the best known cartel leaders, to ship the coke through Panama, making it that much easier to get to Miami and south Florida. The cartel started raking in big bucks over the demand in the U.S.
And then the tide turned on our war on drugs, at least in south Florida. The cartel decided that getting the drugs in through Miami was too hard, and started targeting the Mexican border to move the drugs to the U.S. Between Colombia and Mexico lie the countries of Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. The drug cartel swarmed into those countries, creating a trade route for cocaine and other illegal drugs. So when you wonder why people are fleeing their own country to the U.S. even knowing they will not be welcome, now you know. Staying means their children may be kidnapped and used as drug mules or worse. Staying means enduring the constant threat of violence.
Now that we know how and where the issue originated, what's the solution? Einstein said that insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If there is no demand in the U.S. for illegal drugs, there is no reason for the cartel to operate the trade route through Central America. How do you decrease demand? Other countries have done it by legalizing the drug itself. It seems contrary to common sense, but their statistics show that it's working, in conjunction with more social services for recovery. Would it work here? Maybe. Seems worth a try anyway.
On to the pipeline issue. Using the same logic, let's talk about the problem. Americans are obsessed with their cars, and trucks, and electricity. I don't know anyone who is willing to give up any of those things, so instead, let's talk about how they are powered. Renewable energy is expensive right now, because it's not subsidized by the government, or at least not to the extent that fossil fuels are. Our government pays billions to big oil companies in order to keep the cost reasonable for us, the end consumer. You can see why the oil lobby is so powerful in Washington - the taxpayers are paying for them to be in business so they can make a huge profit. They're the only game in town.
So what would happen if that subsidy were to end? Prices to us, the consumers, would skyrocket. And then what? Well, when it hurts our pocketbook, we tend to notice and take action. You might not buy that gas guzzler and opt for a hybrid car instead. Oh boy, but then that hurts car companies! Yes, but then the car companies would have to increase gas mileage in order to compete. Win win.
And better yet, renewable energy would have a chance. Those solar panels and wind towers would start to look more appealing if the cost were the same as oil. And what if the government subsidized them as much as they do oil? Before long, we'd be up and running on renewable energy and the demand for oil would be gone. Meaning there would not be a need for either pipelines or railroads to carry it across country. Our water supply would be safe, and people living near the railroad would be safe too.
Critical thinking doesn't always solve the problem, but it may offer more choices for a solution. Fighting each other along political party lines is like trying to row a canoe when two people are moving their paddles in the opposite direction - you just go in circles.
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Tips and Products for Multiple Cat Owners
Over the many years of being a cat Mama, I've tried a lot of products. A LOT of products. It occurred to me today that maybe I should should share some products and tips for managing a multi-cat household. Disclaimer - the links in this post will send you to my Amazon affiliate page and I'll receive a tiny bit if you decide to buy.
First up - litter boxes. I have the luxury of a 2-car garage, and only need one side, so most of my litter boxes are out there. I don't know why, but it took me years (and a friend's advice) to realize that I didn't have to buy something labeled 'cat pan' to hold cat litter. I guess it's one of those marketing tricks to make you buy something more expensive than you need to. Plastic under bed storage bins work just as well, are bigger, and cheaper! Look for the kind with no wheels, and few to no indentations on the bottom or sides. You don't want to have to try and scoop around those bumps, trust me.
And while we're on the topic of litter, don't buy one of those cheap plastic litter scoops. They'll break easily, and are hard to clean and disinfect. Instead, buy a metal one.
I've had mine for more than 5 years already, and have bought new ones for the animal shelter too.
I have litter boxes in the house as well, in my master bathroom. One thing I hate is cat litter being tracked into my bed, so I invested in a unique system that eliminates that. It is pricey, but the pellets and pads last a good long time.
Now, those pellets do escape the box, and it's not fun to step on one in the middle of the night. I use a rubber broom, which will get all the fur and pellets as effectively as possible.
And you don't need to buy one of those expensive "animal" vacuums either. I had a previous version of this model for about 15 years before it finally pooped out. I've had the model below for about 2 years now, and the only maintenance other than cleaning the filter was changing the belt (and that was super easy).
Finally, a topic most cat people don't want to discuss. No matter how clean and inviting the litter box may be, you'll have an occasional accident to deal with. I have tried many, many, products over the years, and think I've found the winner.
Do you have any favorite products to share? Do tell!
First up - litter boxes. I have the luxury of a 2-car garage, and only need one side, so most of my litter boxes are out there. I don't know why, but it took me years (and a friend's advice) to realize that I didn't have to buy something labeled 'cat pan' to hold cat litter. I guess it's one of those marketing tricks to make you buy something more expensive than you need to. Plastic under bed storage bins work just as well, are bigger, and cheaper! Look for the kind with no wheels, and few to no indentations on the bottom or sides. You don't want to have to try and scoop around those bumps, trust me.
And while we're on the topic of litter, don't buy one of those cheap plastic litter scoops. They'll break easily, and are hard to clean and disinfect. Instead, buy a metal one.
I've had mine for more than 5 years already, and have bought new ones for the animal shelter too.
I have litter boxes in the house as well, in my master bathroom. One thing I hate is cat litter being tracked into my bed, so I invested in a unique system that eliminates that. It is pricey, but the pellets and pads last a good long time.
Now, those pellets do escape the box, and it's not fun to step on one in the middle of the night. I use a rubber broom, which will get all the fur and pellets as effectively as possible.
And you don't need to buy one of those expensive "animal" vacuums either. I had a previous version of this model for about 15 years before it finally pooped out. I've had the model below for about 2 years now, and the only maintenance other than cleaning the filter was changing the belt (and that was super easy).
Finally, a topic most cat people don't want to discuss. No matter how clean and inviting the litter box may be, you'll have an occasional accident to deal with. I have tried many, many, products over the years, and think I've found the winner.
Do you have any favorite products to share? Do tell!
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Helping People Through Helping Animals
I remember approaching a leader in local healthcare, asking if they'd want to donate on behalf of their organization in a fundraising drive for The Marshmallow Foundation, an animal shelter in Detroit Lakes, MN. She said that they focused on human causes when deciding where to give their money, so sorry. I launched into ways that companion animals enrich the lives of humans, making them healthier and happier (in other words, I wore her down), and she wrote out a check.
Since then, I've thought often of this conversation, and seen so many examples of where rescues in the area are helping humans as much as dogs and cats. The time volunteering at a surrender event at White Earth reservation, where a family came in with a young dog. They couldn't afford to spay the dog, nor ongoing medical care. All of the volunteers were in tears as the children wailed while the mother held them close, trying to explain that they were doing the best thing for Fido. A few phone calls later by the sponsoring rescue, and the family was given a list of low cost or free resources to use. That family left that day with a dog and very happy children.
There's a single person rescue in Brainerd that is making a huge difference. She has found funding and resources countless times to spay/neuter a dog or cat, get emergency medical treatment, or simply to rescue an animal from an untenable situation. She served the low income and homeless communities, allowing them to keep their companion animal. All this in spite of the fact that her family lives below the poverty level themselves. Her children will grow up, not rich in things, but rich in experiences and compassion.
The autistic child whose beloved cat has died, and a rescue is able to match him with the perfect kitten. The elderly lady who is lonely and wants a cat, but the one she chose gets under her feet when she uses a walker. She needs a sedate lap cat, and the rescue is able to set her up.
Help an animal, and you're helping a human.
Since then, I've thought often of this conversation, and seen so many examples of where rescues in the area are helping humans as much as dogs and cats. The time volunteering at a surrender event at White Earth reservation, where a family came in with a young dog. They couldn't afford to spay the dog, nor ongoing medical care. All of the volunteers were in tears as the children wailed while the mother held them close, trying to explain that they were doing the best thing for Fido. A few phone calls later by the sponsoring rescue, and the family was given a list of low cost or free resources to use. That family left that day with a dog and very happy children.
There's a single person rescue in Brainerd that is making a huge difference. She has found funding and resources countless times to spay/neuter a dog or cat, get emergency medical treatment, or simply to rescue an animal from an untenable situation. She served the low income and homeless communities, allowing them to keep their companion animal. All this in spite of the fact that her family lives below the poverty level themselves. Her children will grow up, not rich in things, but rich in experiences and compassion.
The autistic child whose beloved cat has died, and a rescue is able to match him with the perfect kitten. The elderly lady who is lonely and wants a cat, but the one she chose gets under her feet when she uses a walker. She needs a sedate lap cat, and the rescue is able to set her up.
Help an animal, and you're helping a human.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
You’re Killing Our Democracy
Every time you share a meme on Facebook that's designed to inspire rage, you're helping kill our democracy. Let me explain.
No matter your political/moral/social views, you will be angry when you see and share a meme made to inspire a particular point of view. Here's an example. I recently saw a meme that purported to show a homeless vet living in a car. The text said something to the effect that our government should help homeless vets before helping refugees. "Share if you agree" is usually a part of these inflammatory posts.
If we agree with the meme, it means that we're against refugees. If we disagree, we're against homeless vets. Either way, you're pitting human being against human being and working to split us apart in a very real way. That's exactly what the Russian troll farms intended to do, and we have all fallen into the trap.
If you must express your opinion, how about writing it yourself and not sharing a meme or article that shares your view? If you believe that homeless vets need more help, volunteer. Or cite statistics (real ones) that show what and where the problem is. Start a conversation.
Otherwise I'm simply going to believe you've fallen under the thrall of an entity determined to hurt us.
No matter your political/moral/social views, you will be angry when you see and share a meme made to inspire a particular point of view. Here's an example. I recently saw a meme that purported to show a homeless vet living in a car. The text said something to the effect that our government should help homeless vets before helping refugees. "Share if you agree" is usually a part of these inflammatory posts.
If we agree with the meme, it means that we're against refugees. If we disagree, we're against homeless vets. Either way, you're pitting human being against human being and working to split us apart in a very real way. That's exactly what the Russian troll farms intended to do, and we have all fallen into the trap.
If you must express your opinion, how about writing it yourself and not sharing a meme or article that shares your view? If you believe that homeless vets need more help, volunteer. Or cite statistics (real ones) that show what and where the problem is. Start a conversation.
Otherwise I'm simply going to believe you've fallen under the thrall of an entity determined to hurt us.
Friday, February 2, 2018
Abandoned Cats Find New Lives
I recently told you about the efforts volunteers at The Marshmallow Foundation made to help abandoned cats in a local trailer park survive the bitterly cold temperatures outside. We built insulated shelters for them, and one of our volunteers (Connie) brought food and water almost every day, which was kept from freezing with heated dog bowls. Wet food especially was critical for them, since they desperately needed the calories to survive. Marshmallow took 5 of them when they could, and pleas were sent statewide for help from rescues.
It's been a bad winter for cats, and shelters are full to the brim everywhere, but Connie kept networking on social media trying to help these cats, while also raising funds for them. Miracle of miracles, the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society posted on Facebook that they needed cats for their adoption floor, and did anyone know where they could get some? Luckily, Connie jumped on that opportunity, and soon made arrangements to pick up as many of the remaining cats she could, added those to the 5 at Marshmallow, and arranged transport.
The manager at the shelter in Mankato fell in love with the cats immediately; they were, as we knew, perfectly tame, and very lovable. And today someone else fell in love; the first of the trailer park cats was adopted.
Connie is an employee at The Marshmallow Foundation. The reason why I call her a volunteer is because all of the time she spent building shelters, delivering shelters, feeding cats, buying supplies, transporting, fundraising and networking was on her own time. The employees there are all like that; its not just a job for them, it's a vocation. And I think you'll find that at most shelters.
So on Caring Hearts Day, will you consider supporting an organization that can't even raise enough funds to be included in Caring Hearts Day? You're not just giving money to a charitable organization; you're letting unpaid volunteers know that their work doesn't go unnoticed. You're giving them the "wind beneath their wings" to try to soar higher and higher to ensure that no homeless, abandoned animal leaves this world without being loved and cared for.
It's been a bad winter for cats, and shelters are full to the brim everywhere, but Connie kept networking on social media trying to help these cats, while also raising funds for them. Miracle of miracles, the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society posted on Facebook that they needed cats for their adoption floor, and did anyone know where they could get some? Luckily, Connie jumped on that opportunity, and soon made arrangements to pick up as many of the remaining cats she could, added those to the 5 at Marshmallow, and arranged transport.
The manager at the shelter in Mankato fell in love with the cats immediately; they were, as we knew, perfectly tame, and very lovable. And today someone else fell in love; the first of the trailer park cats was adopted.
Connie is an employee at The Marshmallow Foundation. The reason why I call her a volunteer is because all of the time she spent building shelters, delivering shelters, feeding cats, buying supplies, transporting, fundraising and networking was on her own time. The employees there are all like that; its not just a job for them, it's a vocation. And I think you'll find that at most shelters.
So on Caring Hearts Day, will you consider supporting an organization that can't even raise enough funds to be included in Caring Hearts Day? You're not just giving money to a charitable organization; you're letting unpaid volunteers know that their work doesn't go unnoticed. You're giving them the "wind beneath their wings" to try to soar higher and higher to ensure that no homeless, abandoned animal leaves this world without being loved and cared for.
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