Ok, ok. I watched the YouTube video of the woman throwing the cat in the garbage. Honestly, I laughed. Out loud. It was funny.
She pets the kitty... "nice kitty".
She notes the garbage can right next to her... "hmm...".
She pets the kitty some more... "well, kitty, I always liked Bob Barker...". (you know "get your pets spayed or neutered"? Maybe she was advancing Bob's cause; one less wild cat reproducing???) ...anyway...
She grabs the kitty... "see ya!", plops kitty into said garbage bin.
And continues on her way, not even looking back.
I don't care who you are, if this was on SNL, it would get belly laughs. If Adam Sandler did it, kids would be duplicating it daily. Perhaps she meant no harm, perhaps she meant major harm. I still laughed.
But, here's the deal (and where my rant begins). This has more to do with owner responsibility in my book. This cat was roaming on a sidewalk, NEXT TO A BUSY STREET! Did the owners not even consider THIS was dangerous. Perhaps the owners should thank this woman for saving their cat instead of becoming squished kitty in the street.
"Oh! But Lola NEVER runs into the street. She's a good kitty"
Right. Cats (and all animals) do have a sense of right and wrong and can look out for their own well being. My bad.
Seriously, and maybe I'm just sick of it living where I do, but the world is NOT your personal pet playground. If you think you are responsible enough to own an animal, be responsible enough to keep it safe at all times. Build a fence, buy a tie-out, get a leash, keep it indoors. If you think your animals is "safe" roaming the streets, then don't be surprised if it disappears, gets struck and killed by a car, gets injured in a fight with another animal or gets thrown in a garbage! Whether you live in England or Montana. This applies to everyone, everywhere. I'm weary of pet owners who really don't understand what it means as a "privilege" to own an animal. This can also apply to some parents whose kids wander aimlessly through town, unattended.
I also am a pet owner. I grew up in a house where if we didn't have cats, the home wasn't complete. I currently own 2 dogs, who if are not indoors, are either on a leash when we walk, are kept safe inside a comfortably large chain link fence in our back yard or tied-out on camping excursions. If they are running loose, I'm in close proximity monitoring their safety or I am dead and was not aware (for obvious reasons) that they got out. I am not a perfect owner, I am just a responsible one. I'm not advocating animal cruelty, never, ever, EVER! If this woman kicked the cat, different story. But this was done, I think, without malice (read her side of the story, she was sure the cat would jump right out). I still feel the right to find this clip funny, as a pet owner, an animal lover, and as a responsible citizen. At least that won't happen to my animals.
Cuz if it did, that would be trespassing on private property. That IS a crime.
Lighten up. Kitty's fine. Woman is sorry (now). End of rant.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Empathy
Of all the recent news, and there's plenty to discuss, the one that grabs my heart the most comes out of Laurel Montana. It involves a mom, Andrea and her daughter, Addison. Andrea was doing what probably almost every other mom does every day: multitask. Watch the kids, do dishes, laundry, vacuum, mow the lawn. Every day, mom's do this! We always check on our kids, probably to the point of obsessiveness to reassure our kids safety, then proceed to the next chore. It makes a 5 minute task take twice as long. But, it's peace of mind that is more important than completing the chore in record time.
So, just like any other responsible mom, Andrea checked on her kids. Assured of their well being, she went back to her chore that day of mowing the lawn. Then her world fell apart. A blood curling scream went out and of all horrors, her 2 year old, who was with her older sister, had left the area her mom had just checked and was behind her mom (probably wanting to tell her something). Without knowing it, Andrea back up the lawn mower, with the blades going, and backed over her baby, Addison. With all the immediate response of first responders, and quick thinking of her mom to apply pressure to Addison's wounds, Addison lost both her legs below the knee. Now this family will endure years of prosthetic changes, surgeries and more agonizing, the thought of "What if...". This story just broke my heart.
I understand this mom's situation. We had a home accident with Aria when she was just 7 months old. I was sitting in the recliner and Aria was just learning to crawl around. She got underneath the foot rest and started to whimper. Holding the foot rest up, I released the mechanism so I could reach down to grab her from underneath. The force of the mechanism was great enough to give Aria what the doctor called a "ping-pong ball fracture" of the skull. Looking back, maybe I should've just climbed out of the recliner and not released any mechanism. But what happened was done. I didn't even know anything had happened till I put my hand on her head while comforting her cries (which were probably from pain, tho I didn't realize it at the time) and noted a rather deep impression on the right side of her head. Have you ever felt so scared that you couldn't breath, that you felt like you'd puke, like the floor underneath you was caving in but you weren't moving? Well, that's is putting how I felt at that moment very mildly. I for the life of me had no idea what could've caused it at first. We rushed to the hospital in Havre, then were airlifted to Billings. Thankfully, Aria's CTs were all negative. She didn't even get any bruising to the area. The doctor said as her brain grew and her skull hardened, the area would "pop out", hence the ping-pong fracture term. It really wasn't a fracture, but we had to monitor just in case. Now there a small indent on her scalp that is hardly noticeable. But the horror of that day will stay with me forever. As will the "what if". Just like this mom, Andrea. I've read some scathing remarks towards this mom, how irresponsible she is, how her kids are in harms way as long as they are in her care... it's maddening to read it. One of my greatest fears as we waited in the ER with Aria that day was a social service worker coming in to take my baby away from me. Thankfully, the nurses and doctors there understood this was an accident. Perhaps things could've gone differently, but that's hind-site. After the incident, it's always easy to know the could've-should've-would'ves. I believe 100% the same can be said for Andrea. An unfortunate accident occurred. No one needs to beat her up, verbally or otherwise. She's doing enough of that to herself as it is. Plus, she'll be reminded of it every time she watches her little Addison struggle to cope with her injury. But like any other accident, you deal with it; accept, adapt and move on. It's easier said than done, but that is life. In what was just another day with the kids and chores, turned into a life changing event. Most of us are so lucky enough to not have something like this happen to us. Admit it, even when you think you're so careful, and so observant, if one thing didn't go right, we'd be in the same situation. It's God's grace that more of us can't relate to Andrea. There is a reason for this, and Andrea and Addison will come out of this better than before, I believe that. But people need to understand this young family is no different, no more careless, no more undeserving of their kids than the next. Addison will have the loving support of her mom and dad and sister to help her cope and heal. But Andrea needs to know that more than Addison. She's a good mom, who makes mistake daily. Just like me, just like you. Her mistake may have been more life changing, but it doesn't disqualify her as a parent.
My thoughts and prayer are for Addison to heal quickly. But they but they are more with Andrea who will deal with shameful (unnecessary) looks, sighs of disgust (unfounded), tisks of disapproval (unneeded) whenever she goes to the store, the post office, the doctor. I hope she will and is receiving the loving support of empathetic people who understand it was an accident and only that. Committed by a loving mom just trying to do what mom's do: multitask.
So, just like any other responsible mom, Andrea checked on her kids. Assured of their well being, she went back to her chore that day of mowing the lawn. Then her world fell apart. A blood curling scream went out and of all horrors, her 2 year old, who was with her older sister, had left the area her mom had just checked and was behind her mom (probably wanting to tell her something). Without knowing it, Andrea back up the lawn mower, with the blades going, and backed over her baby, Addison. With all the immediate response of first responders, and quick thinking of her mom to apply pressure to Addison's wounds, Addison lost both her legs below the knee. Now this family will endure years of prosthetic changes, surgeries and more agonizing, the thought of "What if...". This story just broke my heart.
I understand this mom's situation. We had a home accident with Aria when she was just 7 months old. I was sitting in the recliner and Aria was just learning to crawl around. She got underneath the foot rest and started to whimper. Holding the foot rest up, I released the mechanism so I could reach down to grab her from underneath. The force of the mechanism was great enough to give Aria what the doctor called a "ping-pong ball fracture" of the skull. Looking back, maybe I should've just climbed out of the recliner and not released any mechanism. But what happened was done. I didn't even know anything had happened till I put my hand on her head while comforting her cries (which were probably from pain, tho I didn't realize it at the time) and noted a rather deep impression on the right side of her head. Have you ever felt so scared that you couldn't breath, that you felt like you'd puke, like the floor underneath you was caving in but you weren't moving? Well, that's is putting how I felt at that moment very mildly. I for the life of me had no idea what could've caused it at first. We rushed to the hospital in Havre, then were airlifted to Billings. Thankfully, Aria's CTs were all negative. She didn't even get any bruising to the area. The doctor said as her brain grew and her skull hardened, the area would "pop out", hence the ping-pong fracture term. It really wasn't a fracture, but we had to monitor just in case. Now there a small indent on her scalp that is hardly noticeable. But the horror of that day will stay with me forever. As will the "what if". Just like this mom, Andrea. I've read some scathing remarks towards this mom, how irresponsible she is, how her kids are in harms way as long as they are in her care... it's maddening to read it. One of my greatest fears as we waited in the ER with Aria that day was a social service worker coming in to take my baby away from me. Thankfully, the nurses and doctors there understood this was an accident. Perhaps things could've gone differently, but that's hind-site. After the incident, it's always easy to know the could've-should've-would'ves. I believe 100% the same can be said for Andrea. An unfortunate accident occurred. No one needs to beat her up, verbally or otherwise. She's doing enough of that to herself as it is. Plus, she'll be reminded of it every time she watches her little Addison struggle to cope with her injury. But like any other accident, you deal with it; accept, adapt and move on. It's easier said than done, but that is life. In what was just another day with the kids and chores, turned into a life changing event. Most of us are so lucky enough to not have something like this happen to us. Admit it, even when you think you're so careful, and so observant, if one thing didn't go right, we'd be in the same situation. It's God's grace that more of us can't relate to Andrea. There is a reason for this, and Andrea and Addison will come out of this better than before, I believe that. But people need to understand this young family is no different, no more careless, no more undeserving of their kids than the next. Addison will have the loving support of her mom and dad and sister to help her cope and heal. But Andrea needs to know that more than Addison. She's a good mom, who makes mistake daily. Just like me, just like you. Her mistake may have been more life changing, but it doesn't disqualify her as a parent.
My thoughts and prayer are for Addison to heal quickly. But they but they are more with Andrea who will deal with shameful (unnecessary) looks, sighs of disgust (unfounded), tisks of disapproval (unneeded) whenever she goes to the store, the post office, the doctor. I hope she will and is receiving the loving support of empathetic people who understand it was an accident and only that. Committed by a loving mom just trying to do what mom's do: multitask.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
A personality test
I took this test on personality100test.com just for funzies, and the results? I couldn't agree with more! Some were a little surprising (like the environment I do best in), but after reading it, it is true about me... nice to know.
The following feedback provides you with a description of what type of information you are most attracted to, how you prefer to make decisions, and what environment you do best in.
The type of information you are most attracted to:
You emphasize past experience, realism, common sense, and practical issues. You have a matter of fact style and are direct rather than indirect. You prefer applicable, concrete knowledge over abstract, theoretical knowledge. When someone explains something to you, you often ask them to provide an example.
This nails it on the head for me!
You are most comfortable dealing with the here and now, the real world. When someone asks, 'But what if x happens or y happens?', you respond by saying, 'It hasn't yet happened. Let's deal with it if and when it does, instead of wasting time now speculating about it.' You trust information gathered by your own five senses over any other information source. Avoiding speculation and exaggeration is important to you.
Again, so true. Could explain my political beliefs, too.
You would rather say 'I get things done' than 'I create ideas and possibilities.' You don't like it when people jump around in their thoughts or when ideas don't logically flow.
Caution area: you may sometimes overlook long-range planning by being too focused on the moment.
Wow...
How you prefer to make decisions:
You are clear-headed and calm under pressure. You do not get carried away by your emotions or rely on emotional manipulation to persuade people.
I don't feel like I'm calm under pressure, but I don't get over emotional... so 50/50 here I guess.
You are able to deal with information on the basis of its structure and its function rather than its emotional content. You are able to ignore interpersonal climates and are not often swayed by gossip.
You appreciate fairness and reason. You recognize that feelings are often easily changed and unreliable. For that reason, you prefer to be fair and logical rather than emotional.
Again, could totally explain my political beliefs.
Flashy advertisements do not fool or distract you. If you go to a store because you need to buy a jacket, you stick to buying only a jacket. Deals for items that you don't need are not likely to affect you; you choose an item foremost because of its function and utility.
MOSTLY true of me.
The environment you do best in:
You do not like indecisiveness.
Surprising to me. I am indecisive, but I hate being surrounded by it!
In your living space, you like to know where things are. Other people may not recognize it, but you have an order.
You enjoy finishing things more than starting things, find simplicity to be more appealing than complexity, and are more comfortable after a decision has been made than before a decision has been made.
This is 100% me, hands down!
A fun little quiz, just posting it as an FYI. I'm into this stuff lately; getting to know you quizzes and such... is it cuz I'm nearly 31 and trying to rediscover myself? Nah, they're just fun to do and read about! Maybe I'll post more things like this later.
The following feedback provides you with a description of what type of information you are most attracted to, how you prefer to make decisions, and what environment you do best in.
The type of information you are most attracted to:
You emphasize past experience, realism, common sense, and practical issues. You have a matter of fact style and are direct rather than indirect. You prefer applicable, concrete knowledge over abstract, theoretical knowledge. When someone explains something to you, you often ask them to provide an example.
This nails it on the head for me!
You are most comfortable dealing with the here and now, the real world. When someone asks, 'But what if x happens or y happens?', you respond by saying, 'It hasn't yet happened. Let's deal with it if and when it does, instead of wasting time now speculating about it.' You trust information gathered by your own five senses over any other information source. Avoiding speculation and exaggeration is important to you.
Again, so true. Could explain my political beliefs, too.
You would rather say 'I get things done' than 'I create ideas and possibilities.' You don't like it when people jump around in their thoughts or when ideas don't logically flow.
Caution area: you may sometimes overlook long-range planning by being too focused on the moment.
Wow...
How you prefer to make decisions:
You are clear-headed and calm under pressure. You do not get carried away by your emotions or rely on emotional manipulation to persuade people.
I don't feel like I'm calm under pressure, but I don't get over emotional... so 50/50 here I guess.
You are able to deal with information on the basis of its structure and its function rather than its emotional content. You are able to ignore interpersonal climates and are not often swayed by gossip.
You appreciate fairness and reason. You recognize that feelings are often easily changed and unreliable. For that reason, you prefer to be fair and logical rather than emotional.
Again, could totally explain my political beliefs.
Flashy advertisements do not fool or distract you. If you go to a store because you need to buy a jacket, you stick to buying only a jacket. Deals for items that you don't need are not likely to affect you; you choose an item foremost because of its function and utility.
MOSTLY true of me.
The environment you do best in:
You do not like indecisiveness.
Surprising to me. I am indecisive, but I hate being surrounded by it!
In your living space, you like to know where things are. Other people may not recognize it, but you have an order.
You enjoy finishing things more than starting things, find simplicity to be more appealing than complexity, and are more comfortable after a decision has been made than before a decision has been made.
This is 100% me, hands down!
A fun little quiz, just posting it as an FYI. I'm into this stuff lately; getting to know you quizzes and such... is it cuz I'm nearly 31 and trying to rediscover myself? Nah, they're just fun to do and read about! Maybe I'll post more things like this later.
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