Please Use Caution

It's official.
I'm worried.
Keep in mind that I've been worried for awhile.
My students would attest that I worry about poor behavior
or behavior that could escalate into something larger and much worse.

I worry that our society is always looking for the newer, better, and more convenient products.
The newest computer? Trade the old one in!
Launch of a new cellphone? BOOM... upgrade!
Not enough room in your house, car, yard?
Why you shouldn't a newer, better, faster, bigger, prettier....whatever.
Yeah. Please.
Yes...I have a big yard. Necessary for dog playtime.
Yes, I have an SUV. Totally needed to haul a muddy, wet dog around town.
And yes, I like pretty, sparkly things. Duh.
I love to sparkle.
I even like new things.
But I'm going to draw a big worried line in the societal sand here about this.

There is a business currently open called Hannah the Pet Society. They provide pets for people. Sounds great, right? Heck, you know I adore pets!   In fact, there are some positives in that Hannah the Pet Society allows people the opportunity to have a pet.  But most people who go through this organization don't actually own the pet.  They have a contract with Hannah the Pet Society which sounds nice...1) All veterinary care provided  2) Food and supplies delivered and 3) Training and On-going support.

So you might be wondering what the problem is with that.
Well, in my mind there's a big "Yield" sign flashing.

People can lease a pet. Yes, lease...like a car. But, this has more of a Rent-a-Center vibe to it, because if you're not happy or there's a flaw with your lease, you can return and exchange it.  Return...okay, I get that some matches might not work and yes, animals are expensive.  There are times that animals have larger issues then families are able to care for, and so it is much better to find them a new home.  Still, I worry that this kind of business model will promote temporary relationships. I know, I know.  Not all dogs are as smart as my Murphy.  Some are not analyzing every situation like he does, but I see how quickly pets "fall in love" with their families...so I worry.

We're talking here about living creatures, with real emotions and feelings, not a handbag or TV. It's a dog, cat, bird, rabbit. Animals make connections right away. Within seconds if seeing Murphy, he was my family. He trusted me and looked to me for safety and guidance. It's my job to care for him.  Of course, I think of my pets as family, so I prepare for it like I would with any family member.  No, I can't predict that something bad will happen that may cost me a lot of money in medical bills, but I know that it's my responsibility.  Pet ownership IS a responsibility and we should treat it as such.

In my mind, living things are not exchangeable. No dog, cat, bunny, horse, or pony replace those that I've lost. I would never attempt to replace Woody (8 years), Bun-Bun (10 years), Jinx (18 years), Babe (28 years), Spunky (28 years), Quincy (16 years), Sammy (18 years), or Roy (14 years). By adopting new pets, I just add to my list of animals that will changed and stretch my heart.

Also, I can't help but wonder...
What are we teaching these animals about the value of their life if we show them that they're exchangeable?

How can we teach our children to love and care, long-term,when we support business that treats animals like a product?

I certainly will not support it.

But more pressing on my mind in is...what will you do? Will you support actual humane societies that promote lifelong relationships or designer, convenience pet ownership?

Please educate others that pets are a lifelong commitment.

Remember...your actions demonstrate what you truly believe. Live a life that you can look back on and be proud that you made it a better place. We can all make a difference. No action is too small.

All my warmest hugs,
Lori and Murphy too!

On Hannah the Pet Society website,

they have a very large FAQ's section that address questions

that have been asked about their product.

After (or before) reading their FAQ's,
check out some of my favorite local humane societies! I have NO worries about these fabulous organizatons.

Oregon Humane Society

 

Family Dogs New Life Shelter

 

Cat Adoption Team


Humane Society for Southwest Washington

I dabble

Some people have a special talent or skill...not me.
I dabble.
I like to try different things.
Cool jewelry...I think, "I can make that!"
Oooo, that's a fun painting, but so expensive..."I can paint that!"
Bake, cook, knit, crochet, sew, garden, tile...if its a home idea or new craft, I've probably tried it.
"Hi, my name is Lori, and I'm a dabbler."
Some people might find this type of crafting life frustrating, but to me it's a challenge and an adventure.
I've had epic, expensive failures...which I will not share. (Today that is.)
But, I've also discovered that there are hidden talents that I never knew that I had.
Like I said, my world is an adventure.
This weekend, was an adventure in trying new things.
I had a pile of fabric laying around. It felt wasteful to have do many beautiful patterns with their lives unfulfilled. It was my job to find their purpose, and hopefully bring myself and others joy in the process.
So here it is...
A look into my dabbling world of crafting over one weekend.

 I needed to practice frosting and filling shapes,

so why not try to make a chocolate cream cheese cookie? 

The frosting was fabulous...the cookie...oh, it was okay.

On to the the next dabble...pillows and pillowcases!

My bedroom needed a little update and I had a stack of fabric,

so just a little stitching and BOOM...update!

 

  

I had a little fabric left over so I kept right on stitching and made a few pillowcases for the Beaverton Clothes Closet too! I hope that these bright, fun colors will bring someone a little joy.  

After all of the "hard" work I definitely deserved a little deliciousness.

So I heated up my beloved pie maker, gathered supplies, and made some quiche.

Yumma!

Now I feel better.

I have dabbled in sewing, baking, savory pie making.

In my world, that all equals up to a fabulous weekend.

I might be a dabbler, but that's okay. I don't plan in changing a thing! :0)

Maybe someday I can crown myself the Sparkle Dabble Queen! (The Shiny crown is a must.)

Cheers and happiness in your dabbles this weekend,

Lori



YouTube Trap

Darn you!

Yes, YouTube, YOU!

Why do you trap me with your funny animal clips?

Draw me into animated shorts about cats?!

And why Ellen, does your show have so many guests,

games, and silly side notes that keep me watching

and clicking... WAY TOO LONG?!?!

Why?!

Sigh.

It's my fault.

All me.

Yeah, it would've nice to throw the blame on other people,

but it was me who throw myself down the rabbit hole of spinning video clips.

I'm an adult.

I work with teens...

I should know better...

Well, I guess I do, but I still do it.

Okay, here it goes...

"Hi."

Cough. Cough.

"My name is Lori., and I'm addicted to YouTube."

I bury my head in my hands.

I'm not sure when it happened, but like any addiction it started slow.

So slow that I didn't notice it was happening!

It was one video...

 

"The Ultimate Dog Tease" or as I call it "Bacon"

Yeah...that might have started it all.

If only it stopped there, but it didn't.  Not even close.

Then two...

Sweet Denver, "The guilty dog."

Then three...

"Banana"

And then...sniff...giggle...haha...I tumbled down the rabbit hole!!

I hang my head in shame...but then, I realize...

I COULD USE THIS FOR GOOD! (Light bulb!)

If I share my favorite videos

and they make others smile or laugh or just giggle a little,

then all of that time wasted!

It wouldn't be in vain!

(YES!)

So here they are...some of my favorite videos.

The top three are at the top of this page...but here are a couple more.

This one just tugs on my heart.

My sweet older pup Quincy cried like this when I came home from college.

 

Or this loving boyfriend knowing how to help heal his girlfriends' heart.

 

Murphy is a fan of YouTube also.

Not surprisingly, his favorite videos are animal related...

 ...and currently they are the "goat" videos.

 

"Miley Cyrus-Party in the USA"

 

"One Direction- What Makes You Beautiful"

(The multiple goats really got his attention.)

 

And finally...one of my all-time favorites! 

This video makes me chuckle every time.

Best. Ever.

I hope these videos made your day just a little bit better.

Hugs,

Lori