Lots of Reasons to Smile

A Whole List of Reasons to Smile

A Whole Lot of Reasons to Smile

By D.S. Mitchell

 

It’s Raining 

It’s Sunday afternoon in fabulous Grants Pass, Oregon.  The rain has been relentless for the last 48 hours. Lilly the dog, is sprawled out on the back deck. Its covered. While she’s entertaining herself chewing on her favorite tennis ball a few rain resistant ducks are playing in the lake. Frustrated with the endless deluge I flip through the cable news shows. I’m a regular Sunday viewer of Meet The Press and Fareed Zakaria’s GPS. I wanted a nice peaceful weekend, my morning coffee along with the political news shows, a game of cribbage in the afternoon, an 8 pm movie with a friend to finish the day. Well, that whole plan is shot. Mostly due to the inclement weather. But, even if the weather didn’t suck Trump is doing more saber rattling in the direction of Venezuela, keeping everyone on edge.

Spoiled Child Drama

Trump is like a spoiled child demanding every moment of his mother’s attention. I do not intend to go off on a rant. I promise, but, it does make you think, his mom took him off the nipple to soon. Despite, Trumps narcissism and his constant attention seeking I think we need to get your mind, and my mine, off the American Tragedy playing out in front of our eyes.  So, my favorite distraction of the week, my Sunday version of a day-off, is imagining the simple things in life…those things that bring a quiet smile to the corners of your mouth.

Lots of Reasons to Smile:

1.) A Hummingbird at the garden feeder 2.) A day with no chores to do 3.) Left over spaghetti or cold pizza for breakfast. Yum Yum  4.) A chocolate “fix”  5.) The Nite Owl bar, Helena, MT  6.) A new mattress 7.)  A bedroom with a window seat  7.) A scarecrow dressed in Daddy’s old coveralls and straw hat  8.) Short grocery lines,  9.) A fresh bouquet of flowers  10.) Homemade Lemonade  11.) 1940’s Film Noir  12.) Watching young swallows learn the art of flight  13.) Painting the front door a bright vivid color  14.) Working a potter’s wheel  15.) Spontaneous hugs  16.) Forgetting the punch line of a joke  17.)  Libraries and librarians 18.) Using the dog to do left over clean up  19.) Fireworks  20.) Running boards on tall trucks  21.) The soft sound of a paddle cutting the water  22.) The patter of children’s feet  on hardwood floors  23.) Crater Lake, Oregon  24.) Clean as you go  25.) Gingerbread loaded with melted butter  26.) Forming a Foundation to help fund a cause  27.) Talking with intelligence instead of just blowing smoke  28.) River barges  29.) Crisp and juicy apples  30.) Doing a good job  31.) Rich, delicate French pastry  32.) Floating homes  33.) Listening to the sounds of the night  34.) A secret crush  35.) Spontaneous kisses  36.) Writing  37.) Fresh homemade bread  39.) The aroma of Honeysuckle and Daphne  40.) Cloth napkins with napkin rings  41.) The American flag  42.) Lettuce fresh from the garden  43.) My car after  the car wash  44.) Fessing up to an eff ‘up  45.) Honey Baked Ham  46.) A great painting found at a Thrift Store.  47.) Refreshing an old dresser with a coat of paint  48.) First ski run of the day  49.) Old English Sheepdogs  50.) Koala bears  51.) Rearranging the furniture for a party  52.) A banana split for two  53.) Travel magazines  54.) Swim meets  55.) Swans on Black Lake, Ilwaco, WA  56.) Wind across a field of wheat  57.) Twinkies  58.) New shoes  59.) Echoes  60.) The Olympics  61.) Mt. Vernon, VA  62.) Cheetahs in the wild 63.) Warm dry socks  64.) Mutts  65.) Sundance catalogues  66.) Buy one and get one free  67.) Making lists  68.)  Pinto ponies   69.) Sneakers without socks  70.) Unicorns and rainbows  71.) Picnic tables  72.) Owning an island  73.) Walking the railroad tracks  74.) Habitat For Humanity  75.) A team of horses  76.) Weeping Willow trees  77.) 3-D movies  78.) Political comics  79.) Lawn parties  80.) Laughing babies  81.) Getting a makeover  82.) Up with the dawn  83.) Weathered shutters on shingled beach cottages  84.) Hopscotch  85.) Night snowmobiling  86.) Hit that high note  87.) Playing Frisbee with the dog  88.) Blanket tents in the backyard  89.) Club sandwiches  90.) Being on time  91.) Woodstock  92.) Snoopy  93.) Earth Day  94.) Catching a man’s eye  95.) Dream catchers  96.) Dogs  97.) Revolving doors  98.) Retirement  99.) Winning a race  100.) Puget Island, WA.

Keep smiling. Don’t let the chaos of the Trump administration steal your joy.

Join the New Resistance

 

Should I Get a Dog?

I Want a Dog, But Should I Get a Dog?

 I Want a Dog, But Should I Get a Dog?

 

By D. S. Mitchell

 

That Damn Lily

My last dog was named Lily, she was a rescued dog. She came to my home when she was about two years old and full of personality.  She had a habit of arguing with me when I would give commands,  “Sit, Lily” would be followed by a straight on eye ball to eye ball period of audible grumbling before following the order. “To your house, Lily,” garnered the same stare me down look and grumbling response, before heading to her bed.   But she was the first to notice when I was sad or depressed, and would hurry to comfort me.  She was the first to notice when something was amiss and would quickly draw my attention to her concern. She never got on the furniture, she apparently was smarter than that; I don’t even sit on the furniture. She was always ready for a walk or any kind of activity, especially a car ride. Yippee!

Memorable Events

Her most memorable nonsense was the day she wrapped her leash around both my legs and brought me down hard on a sand dune at Sunset Beach, Oregon, just out front of my house. Turns out that little stunt fractured my pelvis, causing me to spend the next 2 months hobbling around like a 90 year old with a borrowed walker; you know the kind with the tennis balls on the two back struts.

Her second most memorable stunt was when she ( we were living in Astoria, Oregon at the time) jumped out the second story window of my three story Victorian house on Flavel Street, and took off. WTF. I mean this dog jumped from the second floor window; why? because the damn window was open?  Holy moly. I was at a total loss. Screaming and literally pulling at my hair. Why would she pull such a bull shit stunt. After she bailed out the window, landing quite athletically on the street below,  I watched her head up the hill as if she had a destination in mind. So, I of course, called the Astoria Police Department and told them my dog was missing. I gave the nice lady taking the report Lily’s description. The woman told me she would call me if Lily turned up. Well….less than five minutes later that nice police lady called back and said she thought she had found my dog.

Thank God

‘Thank God,” my response.

The sweet lady laughed and said, “You better get over to Astoria High School. Apparently, your brindle boxer just broke up the first band concert of the year.”

“Broke up the first band concert of the year?” I painfully repeated.

“According to the report, your pooch interrupted the concert, sending both audience and band members scurrying.”

“Oh, God,” I moaned.

Loving Kids

I grabbed my side kick, Dave, who was hanging out at the house, and we headed over the hill to Astoria High School. The rig had barely come to a stop when the two of us hit the ground running.  Dave was about 20  feet out front of me when we found the center of chaos and Lily was right in the middle of it. Several of the students were joyfully pursuing Lily, but she was quick and was darting in and out from behind one obstacle after another.  It was obvious she was having a hell of a good time with the kids. She loved kids.

I shouted, “Halt!” and to everyone’s surprise she did just that. She of course, grumbled and disputed my dominance, but she stopped and held her position.

I pulled out a  piece of chicken I had stashed in my pocket, for just such a situation, and promised Lily it was all hers if she’d just let me attach the leash to her ‘effin collar.  Once the agreement was struck, I hooked up the leash to the collar and Lily and I headed down the hall to the main entrance with Lily munching on last night’s chicken breast and me leading the crazy bitch to the SUV. Dave, followed close behind and hopped in the car and the three of us headed home. The next day there was a front page story in the Daily Astorian, with pictures of  Lily’s night of disruption at Astoria High School.  In the end, it was a good laugh for all.

So Why Do I Want a Dog?

Sometimes we, are not in the right place, time-wise, geographically, or emotionally to bring a new friend laden with responsibilities into our lives. It broke my heart when I had to euthanize Lily at around 12 years of age. She had thyroid cancer and was miserable with pain and I couldn’t watch her suffering any longer. It’s been five years since her death and I’m feeling the pain of being dog-less. I definitely do not want a puppy. I’m thinking elder dog for elder owner.

The time commitment required for a new puppy is more than I can take on. Before I start looking for my new companion I know I need to make sure that I have the time and the energy required to make the daily commitment to my new best buddy. Puppies will need to go out every hour until they are house trained. That means a commitment of no less than two hours daily for play, exercise, socialization and stimulation. Additionally, puppies because they are rapidly growing, need to be fed and watered three times a day. I know I can’t do that. Continue reading

You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

JD Vance's comments about childless cat ladies is abhorrent.

You Might Just Be a Childless Cat Lady

By Cate Rees-Hessel

We need the childless cat ladies’ vote in this important 2024 election. Here are twenty-four reasons you might just be one of us ladies:

  1. If you realize your own worth, you might just be a (childless) cat lady…
  2. If you own adorable feline(s) and/or canine(s) and treat them like children because they are your furbabies, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  3. If you show your love for children in other ways: auntie, teacher, foster parent and so forth, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  4. If you understand the pain of infertility but still support reproductive freedom, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  5. If you hiss, growl, and instinctively put claws out when you hear the names JD Vance or Donald Trump, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  6. If you proudly support Momola Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  7. If you realize what a complete moron JD Vance is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  8. If you love a good cat reel or meme, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  9. If you dressed as Catwoman at the last costume party you attended, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  10. If you support animal welfare organizations, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  11. If you recognize locker room talk for the abuse it is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  12. If you can’t be grabbed – we have claws and we’re not afraid to use them, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  13. If you will donate kitty litter to the next Trump rally, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  14. If you believe in woman’s rights, equal pay, ERA, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  15. If you despise sexism, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  16. If you want the world to be a better place for all daughters, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  17. If you believe in sisterhood, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  18. If you read Cat magazine, not National Affairs, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  19. If the sight of the Donald makes you want to cough up a hairball, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  20. If you want all children male or female to thrive, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  21. If you are a Democrat, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  22. If you wish you had a ball of string to strangle the Trumpy Bear that’s been advertised on television, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  23. If you bought a Trumpy Bear for your cat to use as a scratching post or chew toy, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  24. If you can be a playful kitty when the mood strikes, you might just be a childless cat lady…

Come on childless cat ladies, we can meow with the best of them. Our votes count, our lives have meaning, and frankly we are as cute as kittens…

Animal Abuse Linked to Domestic Violence

Animal Abuse Linked to Domestic Violence

Researchers have drawn a link between domestic abuse and animal abuse

Animal Abuse Linked to Domestic Violence

 

By D. S. Mitchell and Michael Leonard Douglas

Links to animal cruelty and  family abuse

The link between animal cruelty and domestic violence is clear if we are willing to look at the evidence. Domestic abuse is not usually just an attack on one household member. The abusers target animals too. Most domestic animals that are mistreated are part of a paradigm of abuse. A study by the Animal Welfare Institute confirmed there is a connection between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic partner abuse.

Statistics are eye-opening

A study by The Animal Welfare Institute measured a strong connection between animal cruelty, child abuse, and non-ending domestic violence. According to their study, up to 72% of abused women reported a similar, if not brutal, abuse of their pets by their spouse or partner. The study shows that not only were the animals abused, but often killed in the process. In a similar study conducted nationwide, a staggering 84% of the people who reported domestic abuse also claimed that their pets were abused or brutally injured.

Animal Welfare Institute

Statistically there is a direct link between domestic violence and animal cruelty. The connection of these women (occasionally men) to their pets was found to be so strong that up to 49% of those reporting abuses chose to stay in the environment to protect their pets. These are shocking numbers and should be of great social concern. But is knowledge enough to turn social concern into social policy that safeguards both animal and human rights? A question not answered by the study was, is the cruelty toward the animals a characteristic trait of the abuser, or is it related to the human target of abuse and their relationship with the abused animal?

Conclusion

I don’t know how we can fix this problem without doing lobotomies on all domestic violence offenders; an unrealistic proposal, I admit. So, friends I’m able to tell you there is a problem that has huge consequences on society, but I have no answer on what to do about it. I apologize but I’ll have to turn the problem over to those more educated than I am.

Thinking About Getting A Dog?

Thinking About Getting A Dog?

A lot of people get pets for Christmas. That may or may not be a good idea.

Thinking About Getting a Dog?

D. S. Mitchell

Dogs save lives in more ways than one. But sometimes we, or the family, are not in the right place, time-wise, geographically, or emotionally to bring a new friend laden with responsibilities into our lives. With the holidays fast approaching, many of us think, “wouldn’t a puppy make a perfect Christmas gift for Johnny, or Jenny Jr?”

Maybe, maybe not.

The time commitment required for a new puppy is often ignored. Before you start looking for that new pup, make sure that you have the time and the energy required to daily commit to your new best buddy. Puppies will need to go out every hour until they are house trained. You or your children will need to be ready to commit no less than two hours daily for play, exercise, socialization and stimulation. Additionally, puppies because they are rapidly growing, need to be fed and watered three times a day.

Continue reading

Remembering Lily

Remembering Lily

Remembering Lily

While I was looking through my video library I stumbled onto this little montage of photos my granddaughter, Amber, put together nearly a decade ago of my dog Lily, and her kitten, Inara. Amber then posted her work on YouTube. It’s just a bit long, but so is the song. So, here folks are Lily and Inara, performing their love story to Shaun Smith’s version of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine (WhenYou’re Gone)’. Pretty cute. It brought a smile to my face and smiles are a damn good thing. Hope it makes you smile too.

**My dog Lily passed three years ago. I still miss her. And Inara, is grown up now and is as spoiled as ever.

 

Another Tribute To Betty White

Another Tribute To Betty White

Thank you for being a friend

Another Tribute To Betty White

Editor: Normally CNP stays away from publishing articles on similar topics two days in a row. But in this case I said, Oh, hell, yes. So here is the second article on Betty White in two days, and I suggest just like Anna Hessel, let’s all try to be more like Betty. *Please consider donating to your local no kill shelter in the name of Betty White.

“Be Like Betty”

 

By Anna Hessel

 

The Great Betty White

The world remembers the legendary Betty White with awe, honor, and respect.  Those that knew her personally recognized she treated everyone with equal importance and kindness.  We often recall the “Golden Girls” theme song, “Thank You For Being A Friend”, when thinking of Betty.  She was a friend to all, especially God’s furry creatures.

Lover Of All Big And Small

She is quoted as saying, “When I am around animals, I don’t pay attention to people”.  Her parents were animal lovers, also, so Betty grew up visiting zoos on a regular basis.  Animal rights organizations have been flooded with donations on what would have been her 100th birthday, January 17th.  She was a champion of other liberal causes, as well.  Also on her birthday, a Google search of Ms. White’s name unlocked rose petals fluttering down the page and a message saying, “Thank you for being a friend”.

A Television Pioneer

Ms. White was a pioneer of women in television, the first female to produce a situation comedy, “Life With Elizabeth”.  In the opening of NBC’s “The Betty White Show”, which aired in 1954, Ms. White sang the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic song from “The King and I”, “Getting to Know You”.  She played various characters – naughty Sue Ann Nivens, The Happy Homemaker on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, had the title role in “The Betty White Show”,  but is remembered most as the loveable, storytelling Rose Nyland on the cult classic “Golden Girls”.

Continue reading

Celebrating The Life Of Betty White

Celebrating The Life Of Betty White

Editor: Betty White would have been 100 years old today, January 17, 2022. One of the most important aspects of her life was her commitment to Animal Rights. 

Celebrating The Life Of Betty White

By MAHINROOP PM

 

Animal Advocate

Betty White, the iconic American actress, comedienne, singer and legendary TV personality left us on December 31, 2021, just seventeen days before her one hundredth birthday. America’s ‘golden girl’ will be missed, like few other celebrities. Betty was not only a pioneer in show business, but she was a pioneer animal rights activist, too. She was a compassionate advocate for animal protection and animal rights, throughout her long life. For decades Betty White has been known for her generosity; giving to animal rights causes, zoos, and  foundations across the country. It was Betty White who stepped up and paid for the plane to relocate penguins and sea otters being evacuated from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I believe Betty would want to be remembered for her work as conservationist and devoted animal lover, as much as she would want to be remembered for her celebrated 80 years in show business.

Expanding Activism

Betty White worked tirelessly for more than 50 years with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. In a public statement, the GLAZA remembers “her service, her enduring friendship, her lifelong advocacy for animals, and her dedication to supporting our mission. ” The star deeply cared for all living creatures and her demise will leave a huge hole in animal protection endeavors.  As White’s fame grew she expanded her animal activism. One of her most beloved charities was The Seeing Eye in New Jersey, one of the country’s oldest guide dog schools.

Continue reading

The Shift From Pet To Family Member

The Shift From Pet To Family Member

Pets have gone from family service to family member.

The Shift From Pet to Family Member

The Changing Landscape of Pet Ownership in the United States

By Megan Wallin

Holiday Photos

Everyone knows that couple whose dog or cat is their “baby,” and to suggest otherwise might get you kicked to the curb—literally or figuratively. It used to be rare, or even laughable, to meet people like that, but now the family pet is just that: a true member of the family. We include them in our family photos, holiday cards, wedding celebrations, birth announcements and more. American pet owners spend an average of $1,480 per year on their dogs and a little over $900 on their cats, according to an article from Fortunly.com. To put that in perspective, some American parents—namely those who can forgo daycare and babysitters—actually spend less on their human children.

The Shift from Pet to Family Member

Perhaps it’s a demonstration of our shift from utilitarian view of pets to a relationship view. We now have behavioral specialists and animal psychologists for dogs. Professionals specially trained to seek out what could be causing Spot’s sudden loss of interest in his favorite toy or his penchant for nipping ankles whenever guests wear funny socks. (Well, maybe that’s not the exact purpose, but you get the idea.) The point is that we’ve expanded our view; from seeing animals as useful contributors to a system, such as the family guard dog or cat who functions as the barnyard mouser, to a loving, sharing, participant in family life. One look at most people’s social media accounts will tell you that pets are now bonified family members. We carefully interview potential pet sitters. We celebrate pet birthdays, and “gotcha” (adoption) days. There seems no awareness that some of our sentimentality might be displaced, because it doesn’t feel at all unnatural.

Continue reading