Girl From the North Country

I grew up in northern Kentucky, where we think we don't have an accent. Still, here in Lexington, I'm told I do sound as if I am "not from here," and when I lived in Memphis, I was flat out accused of being a Yankee.  I would laugh and say, "Oh stop it, you guys!" to fellow waitresses at Grisanti's, and they would sneer and mutter remarks like "git out of here with that you guys yankee shit," and later sneak oysters into my apron pocket when I wasn't looking, or spaghetti or parmesan cheese (or all three, that was their hat trick).  I eventually won them over, but it took a lot of talk about the ability to make "pounds" of white gravy, fry taters in leftover bacon grease, make homemade doughnuts out of canned biscuits, and slipping a few uses of "fixin-to" and "I'll carry you home from work" into the conversations to fit in.

Anyway, back to the whole why am I squawking about being from the north.  My ears just always listen a little more closely whenever I hear even a slight accent that might take someone north of Dry Ridge. I love the South, don't get me wrong, but I also am fascinated with our friends up North, up East in particular. 

So imagine how pleased I was when I met a kindred spirit like Sandy Davis.  Boston Girl.  Outspoken.  Liberal. Boston RedSox fan.  Loves animals.  Artistic. Articulate. New England Patriots fan.  Gorgeous blonde. Blue eyes. Charming husband.  The best thing about Sandy, though is that she is compassionate and enthusiastic about finding homes for the local share of the 8 MILLION animals who go homeless in the United States every year. Locally, Sandy works tirelessly as Public Relations Director with the Woodford Humane Society, which places an estimated 90% of all the animals who are surrendered to their facility to loving homes.

*Watch for information here and in Ace Weekly for monthly events that WHS will be having to keep the issue of pet care in the forefront as we move into the Spring, when so many litters will be born. WHS is sponsoring a spay/neuter day in late February, more details to follow, so stay tuned!

Did you know if EVERYONE altered their pet today, there would be no more need for shelters within 3 years?   However if one pregnant mama with her kittens, within a few years, could possibly produce descendants that would number in the TENS of THOUSANDS...from just one poor lil pregnant kitty!  

It's funny about how easy it is for some to disavow the need for spaying or neutering their dog or cat.  We recycle. We go to the events that support the right causes, but is OUR pet altered? 

My former guy had two Chinooks - one was a purebred, pedigreed Chinook, who ol' dude selected before he was ever born, went to Maine to adopt, brought him back on an airplane in a basket, nurtured and fed and spoiled for years and years...but he never got Tavi neutered, even though Tavi has a breed-specific problem with one testicle that never descended. He paid thousands of dollars to purchase the dog, selected "just the right puppy" for him, and then he never got him fixed.  The result?  Tavi has had at least two surgeries for tumors that are directly related to his not having been neutered.  

(Tavi is the puppy in the back of the basket in the photo.)

Why?  Why would anyone buy an expensive dog and then not think to take him to a vet and have a minor surgery to keep him to keep him from breeding, but more importantly, to keep him healthy and alive?

Obviously, I don't know the answer to that - and oh, so many other questions. However, I do know that by making ourselves aware of the many facilities and resources available to us, we can learn and then teach our children the best way to love animals and to care for pets is to be aware of the growing pet population.

I have friends who have pets that need to be surgically altered - and thereby relieving both them and their pet of all added/future parental duties - and I bet you do too. You can encourage them to do right by their beloved pet and take advantage of the inexpensive offers made by the many facilities here in the Central Kentucky Area, at Woodstock, Woodford or Lexington Humane Society there are plenty of people who share the love of God's creatures and can provide useful information.  (But you already know that, don't you?  I know. This is just a gentle reminder, Lambchop :)

Free Family Fun

I don't know of one child who does not like animals, and really, what better way to spend a rainy day, than to take your child to see some of these big-eyed souls?  That's what I did yesterday when Sandy and I toured the action packed facility that has been so thoughtfully designed for optimum use. 

At Woodford Humane Society, all you have to do is drop in and they will even let you hang out with the cats - FOR FREE!  You don't HAVE to adopt, but you CAN feel the love and return it, all the pets are happy you're there and you will share some incredible moments with them. I promise if you do, you will give your children, and yourself a memory that will affect them the rest of their lives. After all, Awareness is the only way we can make the future better for all God's creatures.

peace,

Kimmy

Check out ZINNIA (seen in above photo with me, taken yesterday at Woodford Humane Society) - she's adorable ... adoptable :)  
 

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14437023