Some days are just strange, slightly edgy, a bit frustrating – and sometimes heartbreaking (more on that later). Yesterday was one of those days. Scout was not having a good day, though she’s been fairly spry of late. I’m narrowing the possible reasons why down to this one: when it’s really humid, she simply doesn’t do as well. And it’s incredibly hot and humid out there.
Well, neither do I, so I understand.
Like my mother before me, who probably passed this particular knee-jerk reaction on to me, I hate spilling things. There’s been a fair amount of spilling going on lately. Don always wonders why I overreact in those situations. Like mother, like daughter, say I.
The car had to be taken in as part of the exhaust system had detached. Hang in there, 2001 Honda. You’re old and rusty, but you’re a real trooper. We love you. We need you to keep it together a bit longer, please.
Don traveled into the city for an audition – navigating around Manhattan in 90 degree weather – only to have the casting director come out before the audition to warn him that the director (some up and coming theater wunderkind) “probably won’t say anything to you.”
I’ve done my share of auditioning in the past – on both sides of the table – and it costs nothing to be nice and friendly. Nothing. That kind of self-absorbed arrogance really ticks me off. Everyone who steps into that room has spent time preparing the audition, has spent money to travel to the audition (whether it’s by subway or train or bus), and deserves to be treated with respect.
Don’t get me started.
While working on my top-secret miniature project, I made a mistake that I hope I was able to fix. I’m not sure. Fingers crossed. But I was really annoyed with myself.
And then I found myself enraged and sickened by the actions of the Minnesota dentist who killed a beloved lion in Zimbabwe, by luring him out of the protected preserve in which he lived, shooting him with a crossbow, tracking him for hours and hours as he struggled in great pain, finished him off, beheaded him and skinned him. But not before triumphantly posing with his ‘trophy.’ Oh, did I mention that he paid $55,000 for that kill?
I know, believe me, that animals are hurt, hunted, betrayed, abused, every minute of every hour of every day. At times, I find I cannot handle seeing another picture of a neglected or abandoned animal. Sometimes my Facebook feed, because I am a supporter of animal welfare groups and many of my friends are, as well, is too much for me to bear. This one, however, this one, made me so sick to my stomach and so angry that I couldn’t click out of the story. I signed petitions. I went on Yelp’s site to rate his dental practice – thinking that prospective patients might want to know about this dentist’s history of trophy hunting. I did everything I could but personally grab him and wring his neck – and believe me, I felt like doing that yesterday. I feel the same today. And, of course, in the end I’m powerless – all of that activity probably achieved nothing.
I don’t understand this mind set. I don’t understand the mind of a man or woman who needs to prove something to themselves by hunting a beautiful, and many times endangered, animal and then pose with their kill. The only thing they prove is their lack of any sort of moral compass.
Oh, friends, I didn’t mean this to turn into a diatribe of any kind. I’m just heartsick today. The truth is, I’m heartsick about this sort of thing most days. But yesterday’s news sent me off into a tailspin, so much so that when we were watching a movie in the evening and one of the characters abandoned a cat, I couldn’t take it. I went to bed.
We’re fine. There is much to be thankful for. But there is also much sadness in this world.
I’ll close with a hollyhock update.
Thanks for listening.
Happy Wednesday.
We think alike so I understand fully. I hope Scout feels better today. This heat keeps our dog inside in the A/C most of the day. He does not do well in humid conditions. He is fifteen now. Deb
Yes, I think the humidity is very hard on them. We keep Scout indoors, too, but it’s as if she already knows – before she even goes outside – that it’s humid. Her body feels it. I’m glad your dog is resting in the A/C.
Oh Claudia, I had not heard that story…I stopped watching the news a long time ago…just too depressing for me. You and I are very much alike indeed. I do hope Dame Scout can feel better (and you too). Our cat does not do that well in the heat. On a light-hearted note, Toad finally did show up yesterday. A very itty-bitty, tiny toad. So glad to see him. Our son was over and named the rhino beetle Geoffrey. No sign of either creature this a.m. when I had coffee on the patio…only the extremely large slugs. They are beautiful (sort of a leopard-like design), but they still gross me out. Stay cool – it is supposed to be hot and humid here for 5-7 more days. I am longing for September.
I love the name Geoffrey for your beetle! I hope you stay cool, as well, Vera.
Poor Cecil. I’m glad you posted about this today.
I live in a part of the world where my indigenous neighbours hunt. For food.
I’ve never understood “trophy” hunting. Wounding an animal and allowing it to suffer is completely beyond my comprehension. To me it was akin to torturing a cat. I pride myself on not being sentimental about animals, but even I cried after the news last night.
I’m nothing if not sentimental about animals. Can’t help it. It’s the way I’m wired.
I don’t understand it either. I cried, too.
Hi Claudia, After dealing with a difficult decision I have to make and hearing about the lion made me cry also. A very sad story. Doris
A very sad story. I hope you’re okay, Doris?
I don’t understand the killing of the lion. It boggles the mind … why would anyone kill an endangered animal? Why would anyone kill any animal. It’s been a strange week. I’m on a neighborhood email … mostly crime postings, tag sales, road work. But sometimes, one of the rescue girls asks for support for, in this case, saving 15 chi-weenies that had been dumped at a kill shelter. These dogs were probably used for breeding and then the “breeder” dumped them at the shelter. I can’t imagine. People complained about her posts! What??? I added my two cents saying I thought the life of an animal was much more important that a post about “did anyone have any moving boxes”?! Moving boxes? Get off your duff, go to Home Depot, and buy some boxes! Off my soapbox. I hope Scout is feeling better …. ox
I like your soapbox, Snap. I concur. Moving boxes or living beings? There’s only one correct answer!
I understand completely.
Thank you, Tana.
I ranted a tad bit yesterday about poor Cecil. I do not understand killing an animal for pleasure. It is sadistic, cruel and plain old mean. Torture for the shooter would be to humane.
Dear Dame Scout. I do hope the humidity breaks soon. It does do a number on the joints and makes you feel crabby.
I hope Don got the gig. Directors have no need to be a pain in the tush. They don’t know the story behind the person auditioning.
Thank you for ending with the hollyhock. It is so pretty. With all the heartache in the world, it is good to remember things like flowers and the joy and pleasure they bring.
Hugs to all,
Deb
I ranted a lot about the murder of that beautiful animal. There is a place in whatever we think of as hell for that man masquerading as a compassionate dentist. I hope the karmic payback comes quickly.
That’s exactly why I closed with the hollyhocks. To remember beauty in times like these.
Claudia, I am also grieving for the senseless death of this beautiful animal. How on earth anyone could get pleasure out of something so cruel is beyond my understanding. I hope people will boycott his practice and then he won’t have the funds to spend in such a horrible way. I hope Scout gets to feeling better. The humidity is awful here, too. I will say an extra prayer for your girl.
I hope he loses his practice. There were pages and pages – over 60 when I last looked – of negative reviews on Yelp, the vast majority of them because of his trophy hunting.
I don’t always watch the news but did last night and this story about the Lion truly made me sick to my stomach. I do not nor will I EVER understand hunting as a sport. Sickening. Sorry poor Scout is having trouble, Charlie seems off his food a bit and I too think it is the heat. Makes me cranky all this heat and humidity, not to mention cruelty in the world. I think I will go bury my head in a book.
hugs,
Linda
I think I will, too, Linda. Or minis. Something to help me escape. We all need that.
Hi Claudia, First, I agree regarding the director (or anyone)… I kind word, a smile, any small gesture can go such a long way and costs not a penny to give. Second, I’m so sorry Scout is having her days. The humidity is terrible here, too. I thank God for our A/C. Our Tiger will be 22 in a few weeks and I don’t know if she’d be able to handle the high temperatures and humidity without the A/C. Third, I was heartbroken about Cecil as well. It’s just so hard to fathom. My Amanda had given me a book to read, The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang. I just finished it last night (it’s a one-day read), and although heartbreaking through so much of the book, the story is so beautiful and profound. Anyone who thinks “animals are just animals” should read it. I can’t imagine they would never view animals the same way after finishing it.
Stay cool, and I hope Don gets the part :)
Donna
Perhaps we should send a copy to this pathetic imitation of a man?
Wow, so many typos/grammatical errors in my post! Sorry! I’m clearly having an off day!
Donna
Didn’t even notice!
Claudia, I too was appalled when I heard about this animal killer/poor example of a human. Did you know he illegally killed a bear in Wisconsin and lied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife department and tried to cover up the location of the bear’s death? For this incident he received probation and a small fine. Seems to me, this man (aka piece of garbage) has no morals and some real mental issues. Imprisonment in Zimbabwe just might be the answer.
I’m curious as to what his patients think about their “dentist” now.
Vanessa
I wonder that very thing, Vanessa. Yes, I heard on some news program yesterday that he’d been in trouble concerning the killing of a bear. He is beneath contempt, this pathetic man. Beneath contempt.
Yes, the news is very depressing and this news about an American dentist really sickens me. I suspect his dental practice will suffer and I hope it does. I
Most of us would love to have $55,000 to live on. This lion was obviously loved by many, very sad.
The director sounds like a winner. Your re rights that a little kindness/ friendliness goes a long way. Poor Don!
Hope the rest of your week goes better. Very hot and humid here in Maine too. Love your hollyhock photos! Our cat Shiloh tells Scout to stay cool.
We’re in a bad stretch hot and humid out here on the East Coast! I hope Shiloh stays cool, we’re sure trying to keep Scoutie cool!
Amen , to the Director bit.
Kindness never goes out of style. What an ass! I mean sweet heart.
Ha! Your first word choice was the best one.
I saw the story of the lion ,Cecil, on the news yesterday, and cried. What kind of a human can do such an awful thing to a animal? The same kind, that in my state of Wisconsin, killed a black bear, on property which was not legal to hunt on, and “dragged the bear 40 miles, to where it would have been legal to shoot, and then lied about it, but got caught anyway. Right then and there, he should have had his hunting license revoked. Hope his dental practice goes down the toilet!!
I hope he loses everything. I know it isn’t necessarily the healthiest or most spiritual reaction, but I have fantasies of the punishment fitting the crime. In this case, exactly what was done to the animal should be done to that pathetic excuse for a human being. I don’t think I’d blink an eye.
I am sickened by the death of that precious lion. Good for you, speaking out as you did. The news seems particularly depressing these days, on many fronts…very disheartening. I’m concerned for my kids…not really kids anymore, they are grown-up… but for what kind of world we are living in…and all the violence. it’s all so senseless. Thanks for ending with a flower…beautiful! ;)
All senseless, indeed. I lost hope sometimes. Just being honest. On a day like yesterday, and today, I feel a sense of hopelessness for this world of ours.
It broke my heart to hear of Cecil being slaughtered. Every time I think of him I cry. I can only pray that that idiot dentist and the guides that should have known better get theirs. Nothing hurts my heart more than the inhuman things humans do.
A cool, damp cloth on Scouts neck will help, this humidity is rough on our furry family.
Thanks for the tip, Cheryl. Though she has SO much hair, I wonder if it will penetrate through to her skin? Poor girl.
I hope they get theirs and a whole lot more, besides.
Cecil’s story really made me angry. Besides being brought up on charges for the bear, he has also settled out of court for sexual harassment of his receptionist. I think that all of these things speak to the man’s character – or lack of it! I hope that something good comes out of all of this, for the animals………more money, and personnel, to help manage these areas? I am still upset! Thanks for letting me vent, Claudia~
The sexual harassment I hadn’t heard about. He’s really despicable.
You are welcome to vent.
Oh Claudia… I saw the picture quite by accident and was sickened. How is that even hunting. Its like luring a housecat outdoors then killing it as its disoriented. Where do we go with that anger? Its just all so wrong
I hope Don got the respect he was due?
I hope Scout is having a better day.
Im sure your mistake will either be corrected or add character. You are so creative.
Take care and hope you all have a better day
SueZK
We’ll see about the mistake! I’ve been having to compensate for that little error all day long.
I don’t know what to do with my anger, Sue. It’s still with me today. I’ve had to stop reading the news today because I’m afraid I’ll burst if I read anything else about that vile man.
I totally agree with you about the lion and the non-human dentist. What you call a rant is just speaking out and we all need to do more of it and let these people face the consequences of their actions. I wanted to wring his neck also.
We all need to speak out – you’re so right, Jan. We can’t just shake our heads. We must find away to speak out so that these people know they will be brought to justice.
Oh, that dentist. He also killed a black bear in Wisconsin a few years ago. “Ooopps!” seems to be his standard answers to these situations. What a jerk. And that smile he seems to wear all the time makes my stomach turn.
I love the Hollyhock. My mom used to grow them. I am adding them to my list for next year as well.
Stay cool along w/ sweet Scout. Humidity is hard on the joints!!
I heard about that incident, Chris. Shameful. He should be prosecuted for that and for every other animal he has illegally killed. One of the photos I saw of him with one of his trophies had him bare chested – as if he thinks he’s a real He-Man. He’s only a pathetic being who needs to pump himself up.
My heart aches along side of you. I purposely stay away from the news on television as well as in the newspapers and online most of the time. I am such an emotional person and my health issues are affected dramatically by stress and emotions so I just can’t do it.
I live in Texas and believe me it seems as if everyone around me does the hunting thing except for my husband. Who I might add was born and raised in Texas and has never lifted a rifle or any weapon towards a helpless and defenseless animal. We are both against hunting and will never understand. Much of the reason we became vegetarians.
I hope that Scout feels better soon. And I also hope that you can find more beauty in the simple things around you and that some comfort will be brought to your heart.
Blessed be.
I do, too, Belinda. There are many days I avoid the news. It’s all so heartbreaking. Bless your husband for bucking the norm in Texas. He’s to be applauded.
I’m trying to occupy myself today with working on the project and taking care of Scout.
Some days it is hard to live in this old world. I understand your feelings on these topics completely. I like the ending. Hollyhocks always take me back to simple days of my childhood. I love those flowers.
The ending is what gives us a moment of peace and hope, Sally.
I totally agree with you about the dentist. I’m not a violent person, but cruelty towards animals makes me so angry, I think I could commit a great deal of violence against these sadistic lowlifes.
But does that make me as bad as them? I’m sorry Scout isn’t feeling too well. The heat affects my MS, so I know how the poor girl is feeling! Having said that, today here in the UK, it’s really chilly, and I’m cuddled under my duvet on my day bed. I hope Don got the part. Wouldn’t the world be a much nicer place if good old fashioned manners were practised? Blessings , and thank you for your thought provoking blogs.
I know it makes me as bad as them, but to be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t trust myself around him. I’d want to hurt him.
Yes to manners. They seem to be sadly lacking. They are definitely lacking in much of this country’s political discourse and the crowds seem to love it. I wish these candidates wouldn’t sink to the lowest common denominator. It demeans us all.
I know. I can’t even think about it.
I understand, Sue. I have to force myself to think about other things and occupy myself with happier pursuits.
Thank you Claudia, another well written blog. That director requires a good kick
in the butt. He certainly isn’t making a good impression with his staff or actors.
I think Jimmy Kimmel summed the dentist up very well last night. Definitely worth
watching him. It is the arrogance of some so-called humans that bothers me. They
have such an entitlement attitude and never accept responsibility for their wrong
doing. I don’t understand the mindset of hunters period.
Thinking of Scout and hoping this hot and humid weather breaks soon. Ontario is
suffering along with you.
Keep writing from your heart.
I’ll check out Jimmy Kimmel’s thoughts on the subject. Bless him and everyone else who is speaking out. Piers Morgan had a great column about it in the Guardian yesterday. And Ricky Gervais, thank goodness, doesn’t mince words about this horrific act.
Yes, he’s now saying it was the guides’ fault. What an ass.
I saw the article on the lion who was murdered. I couldn’t even finish reading the article. I was so sickened by the arrogance of that dentist. Then I read the article about the 8-year old girl in Santa Cruz who was allegedly lured into another apartment in her complex and killed by a 15-year old neighbor. What a dismaying morning it has been.
I suspect Don is professional enough and has grown a somewhat thick skin to survive in the entertainment profession. However, one hopes being well-mannered should be automatic for everyone.
Poor Scout! Would clipping her fur a bit shorter help?
Hope the rest of your day is brighter, Claudia. It’s a testament to you being well-mannered and thoughtful that you don’t just shake off horrible actions, but are affected by them. However, I hope you can balance the bad with lots and lots of good.
Yes, the little girl’s death was heartbreaking. The depravity of some beings – I can’t even call them humans – is chilling. That poor child, with her whole life ahead of her and I can’t even begin to understand what her family must be going through.
Don has a thicker skin than he did when he was first starting out, but that doesn’t stop this sort of thing from making him angry. Don’s worked with some of the best stage directors in the world – always kind, always treating actors with respect. This director would do well to learn from them.
You know, we’ve thought of it, but I don’t think clipping Scout’s fur would help too much. She’s in the air conditioned house, she only goes out to do her business, but somehow the heat and humidity really bother her. She’s very old and she’s got arthritis. It makes sense that it would bother her.
I also saw that picture early this morning on the news. While driving to work, I couldn’t get the sweet look of that lion’ s face out of my mind. And the triumphant look on that creep’s face. I wish they would put him in a cell and throw away the key. This has really upset me
Me too. I would be very happy to see him tossed in solitary confinement for the rest of his days. At the very least, I hope that his life, as he’s known it, will change forever. And not for the best. I know that makes me less than compassionate, but he had no compassion for that lion, so I have none for him.
Yes!!! I agree 100% on the Cecil situation. What kind of “sport” is that???!!!! AND to pay that kind of money for the “pleasure” of it!!!!??? I don’t get it!!! Pleasure, out of a living things’ agony and death??? A trophy??? How can you be proud of that!!!! I am glad my dentist uses that kind of money to go to under privileged countries and give free dental care.
Leave your mark in this world….something generations can be proud of….NOT hide in shame about!!!!
Addie
What the hell kind of ‘trophy’ is that? I could say something related to his manhood, but I’ll refrain. I’m sure you know where I’m going with that one. He’s trying to make up for some ‘shortcomings.’
Good for your dentist, Addie. Now that’s the way to lead a good life!
Claudia, you were one of millions that were enraged by that trophy-hunting dentist, and from what I just heard on MSNBC, the consensus is that his days of leisurely-spending $50K on ego-boosting safari trips may well be over. In his statement, he blames his local African guides – unbelievably – and the journalist filing the story was saying that this incident may have gone a LONG way to permanently end this kind of “tourism” in Africa – people are THAT outraged. Not just animal-lovers, but ordinary African citizens as well. Hopefully this is true, because in all honesty I thought the days of “Out of Africa” safari trips had been over for a long time already. So hopefully, Cecil may not have died in vain. We can hope at least. Stay low and cool…
What an ass. He still can’t take responsibility for his actions – laying the blame on everyone else. Trophy hunting is done in this country, you know. There are private preserves where animals are kept – simply for hunters to kill. They’re trapped there. They have no way of escape.
It all makes me sick.
I hope you’re right, that things change. I’m not so sure they will.
Oh, one more thing for Scout…..you can get those freezable gel packs at the drug store, they are bendable after freezing, then you wrap it up in a lightweight dish towel and tie or safety pin it to her neck/collar. I do this for my girl AND when it is REAL hot, I do it for myself also!!!! It is great!!! It really does the trick!!!
Addie
I have some of those packs. I’ll try that, Addie. Thank you!
I have anguished over the loss of this beautiful animal since first watching the news. My heart and mind cannot comprehend how anyone on this planet has a right to kill anyone or any of God’s creatures, but yet the fact is they feel they do, legally or illegally. The “man or woman” with enough dollars can it seems destroy another with or without permission …by calling it a sport, a right, or their own lack of compassion. How is this so called professional any different than the evil kid/man with a rifle and taking the life of others in a movie theater. ? Each gave themselves permission to pull the trigger not to defend others, but to destroy a living breathing animal or human. Is it simply an act to feel powerful? Disgusting & disturbing on every level.
Thank you for your post Claudia, and your sensitivity for all.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Marcy Ray. It’s no different to me than any other murder – all of it is senseless, cruel and horrific.
And who decided that we were the nobler creatures? I don’t believe that at all. Animals live far nobler lives than many beings of the human variety. But the point is, no one has the right to take any other being’s life.
I also am appalled by that dentist. Brings to mind the dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, but without the humor. Hope he reaps what he has sown.
I do, too, Shanna. I do, too.
Well said Claudia. I cried like a baby when I had my Cavalier of fifteen years put down a few weeks ago. I, like you, cannot understand the mindset of evil people, and I put this man in that category. Hopefully, the news media will not put him on and somehow make him seem normal. As I type this I am crying for all the little ones who are mistreated and I include children of course. Better days ahead I pray.
I hope so. I’m so sorry to hear that you had to say goodbye to your sweet dog, Tracy. Please accept my sympathy and my heartfelt wishes for healing. I know how hard it must have been for you. xoxo
. . . . . I will be right next to you for the ‘neck wringing’ and worse Claudia! Don’t forget I’ve been to Zimbabwe, twice, and I know why/who wants the money from these despicable wealthy hunters. I may have never see that handsome Cecil but I’ve been within a few feet of so many amazing lions, lionesses and cubs – they are awesome and deserve the greatest respect . Once they, and other majestic species are lost forever because of human interference, the planet will be a very sad place.
I hope that pitiful excuse for a man really suffers – anyone who could even consider going to him for dental work isn’t much better than he is.
Hope Ms. Scoutie is better today.
Mary x
Yes, you know better than anyone, Mary. You’ve seen these beauties in their natural habitat.
It’s tremendously sad – we must do whatever we can to save these animals and stop animal abuse everywhere – for any reason.
I whole heartedly agree with you on trophy hunting. I just don’t understand it.
I never will understand it. I also don’t understand any sort of hunting in this day and age. Long ago? Yes. Now? Not necessary.
oooh, I feel the same way you do, Claudia. What an ass. The consolation, if there can be any at all, is there are reports that he had to close down his dental practice because of the backlash. I hope he’s finished. What kind of person can feel any kind of pride in doing such a heinous thing.
I know it had to close down for the day yesterday. I hope it closes for good!
The same type of feelings I have told you lately that have me down….I can barely stand to watch the news anymore…everyday day a shooting somewhere…The human animal is the most dangerous in the world…they do the most despicable and inhuman acts…yet they think they are superior to all other creatures….even other humans…it hurts…physically and emotionally..my heart aches for all of the innocent lives lost…What has happened??
Also…many hugs to sweet Miss Scoutie…may this heat wave break soon and give her some relief…
Thank you, Nancy! Poor girl!
You put it beautifully, Nancy. Right from the heart. As has everyone today.
I wish I had an answer as to what has happened. All I can think of is the Decline of Rome. We are in our decline.
I am heartbroken for the poor lion, and all innocent animals that suffer cruelty and death at the hands of despicable human beings!
I hope that Scout feels better soon. I know this awful heat wave with the high humidity makes my joints hurt terribly, so I know my two elderly dogs and your Scout must be really suffering….
I really try and stay away from the news these days as it is so depressing. Your beautiful photos from yesterday and today have really been uplifting. Thank you for that.
You’re welcome, Lily. We’ll try to capture some more beauty this week…perhaps it will be healing for us all.
I have been sickened and haunted by the whole situation about Cecil…I cannot for the life of me understand trophy hunting. Have you seen the change.org petition? http://www.change.org/p/justice-for-cecil-the-iconic-collared-lion-slaughtered-by-trophy-hunter
There are several petitions out there. I don’t know if I signed this one, but I’ll head on over and sign it. Thanks, Linda.
I hope Scout is feeling better. I hate it when one of my fur babies are under the weather.
One of my friends had a Facebook posting about the dentist and my comment was ” never understood the sport of killing animals, never will”.
It was a sad day and not just for the lion that was murdered but for all animals that are murdered for sport.
I agree, Kathleen.
Claudia-
Don’t ever apologize for using your passionate voice.
I appreciate true Heart felt passion…
More than – jumping on the band wagon – types.
I for one don’t mind reading about the hunter and the hunted; when it comes to feeding your family– but hunts such as this do nothing for me. Sensationalism. Pure and simple.
However, I’m not passionate about it.
I respect your feelings– and know you’re sincere when you say it makes you sad and you ended up going to bed, due to the agony of it all.
I’m sorry that it weighs you down– at the same time I’m glad you took action. It helps to know we do what we can. Speaking up for those who can’t.
Christ holds us to that.
Thank you, Pat. I’m passionate about all creatures because I believe they were created by God, a Higher Power, whatever name we feel comfortable with. I don’t believe one creature – man, for instance – is more important than another. I believe animals have souls. So any deliberate killing, especially one for a ‘trophy,’ is appalling to me.
This one seems especially so, though I know poaching and murder and hunting and abuse of animals goes on all of the time.
Thank you for your words today, the hunting of our animals have to stop I worry some times that some of most amazing animals will only be seen in e books or DVDs in future generations. I saw a couple of weeks ago that James Hadfield from heavy metal group Metallica was posing with a beautiful black bear he killed. A lot of social media are calling on people not buy tickets for their up and coming concerts. This band has a world wide following so why can’t they show fans how to do right respectful attitude towards animals. Sorry for the rant, I have signed every petition I could find about Cecil! On a brighter note my mother ‘s favourite flowers were hollyhocks every year in August when my come out to bloom near her birthday, she passed 7 years ago her birthday is August 24th! I always look at their beauty and love it when they sway gently in the wind it is a wonderful living memory. At if all else fails in our days that come upon us! Just breathe……
Never have been a fan of Metallica, but if I was, I would not be once I had seen that photo.
I’m glad hollyhocks bring back lovely memories of your mother, Janine.
I’m sorry you have such a heavy heart, Claudia. I feel exactly the same about that beautiful lion.
Our Boston terrier can’t tolerate extreme weather at all, so, aside from her shorter than usual walks, we keep her in AC. She’s a spring and fall girl.
Scout is inside now – it’s awfully humid out there!
I saw that story on my email site, but did not read it, as I knew I would be so upset and powerless to do nothing about it. These type of people sicken me and I wish somewhat would lure them away from the safety of their home and hunt them down. What a waste of space he is.
He should be hunted, just as he hunted that lion.
I have a new liking for the talk show host (comedian) on late night TV, Jimmy Kimmel, who got very choked up talking about the beloved and magnificent lion (I watched a clip; I think it was during his monologue) and he got right to the point of talking about what a jackhole the dentist is (that was his descriptive adjective), echoing your question along with a million other people around the world…why? WHY? Why such a senseless act of unspeakable cruelty? He posted the website for the wildlife entity who humanely tracked and studied this lion for years, saying help them if you can (when feeling powerless to do anything else). There WILL be a reckoning on this one, Claudia; just wait. A large number of ‘powerful’ celebs alone (animal rights activists) will put money behind their disgust about the tragic event. Your comments on Yelp DID NOT GO UNNOTICED: I read an article, just now, about how the dentist’s website has been pulled down; his Facebook page…and Yelp was flooded with hundreds of entries by outraged people just like you, i.e. the creep got attention; he’s exposed. People are leaving stuffed animals in front of his office as a sign of protest…the coward. I have to end it there because I, like so many, could go on with this for too long and the crime (it will ALWAYS be a moral crime) needs action and hopefully some measure of prosecution, soonest. I’m glad it’s out in the open and hope justice will somehow be served. Seriously…for a trophy? Really? Conversely, it helps the hurting heart that a majority of humans across the globe are crying over such violence and selfishness. Frankly and personally, I consider it an act of depravity. Pure evil.
For a long time, I’ve followed the fashion industry…high couture. Love fabric, embellishments; gorgeous tailoring; expert craftsmanship and style. I’ve kept a scrapbook of red carpet dresses. But I’m continuing to be horrified with what it takes to make fine-leather shoes, crocodile-skin or python-skin bags, fur-trimmed sweaters, feather gowns and the like. I saw a pair of fashion pumps yesterday, costing thousands, which featured a trendy tuft at the ankle strap, described as ‘calf hair.’ It made me want to vomit. The fashion industry is a big culprit when it comes to perpetuating animal cruelty. Going ‘fake’/faux is a much-more expensive manufacturing process. It’s cheaper for the designers to get their ‘stuff’ from the animal. There have been recent photos revealed by PETA about the terrible conditions of crocodiles raised in captivity to the age of 3 and then skinned alive so as not to ruin the skin for sale. Some don’t die right away and I don’t think I need to discuss this further because it’s too graphic. Coincidentally, I decided yesterday, all things considered…it was that kind of day…to no longer continue my scrapbook.
Yes, Claudia, why do blogs? Why read blogs? Because we have to get away from the headlines when we’re at the computer. Every day, something more terrible happens…to children, to the elderly, to animals; to innocents. Sometimes I wonder about a more insulated (is that the right word?) life…say, on a farm in the 1800s, where news of the world was limited, and your own world was more of a rhythm of cooking, cleaning, darning, working the garden, tilling the soil, working the cows, feeding the chickens, taking the wagon to town, gathering at church, teaching the children, keeping a journal, tending to a sick neighbor; families working alongside each other for a common goal. And here I sit in 2015, reading about every worst possible thing that can happen in a modern world, from a machine that leaves me connected, yet disconnected, with my husband working long hours far away from home…and I don’t mean for any of this to sound backward or for me to not be an empowerer of women or anyone, but sometimes I wonder which was the better life; how to strike a balance, well over a hundred years later. Who needs this stress of 24-hour news…although I was raised to be an informed individual; blahblahblah.
I am glad to listen to you. Thank you for listening to me. I hope tomorrow is a better day. Claudia, my pets shut down in heat and humidity. My big shepherd lays on the floor, which she never does. She usually lives exclusively on the bed, the chair, the sofa…except in heatwaves. And we have central air! I had a rottie/beagle mix who was greatly affected by heat; he would barely move in heat & humidity. Perhaps the heat also gets to Scout because she’s older…they say everything affects us differently when we’re older humans; maybe it’s the same with old dogs.
We limp with old cars, too; preferring to drive them til they sputter and stop. I drive a 1997 vehicle and my husband drives a 1999 vehicle. I don’t think we even take THAT good of care with them, but they’ve been workhorses. I still have a car from my teen years and we won’t talk about how old THAT car is! My everyday car (formerly my hub’s commuter vehicle) has nearly 300,000 miles on it, but I don’t drive a lot and I DO NOT WANT a car payment again, if I can help it. My husband can do an amazing amount of car repairs, so we’re lucky.
Go hug Don and Scout, Claudia. Hugs are healing. I needed one last night. I went on a later-afternoon errand, it was so darn hot. The counter people at the post office were crabby. The line was long. I stepped out onto the sidewalk into the path of a bicyclist who was illegally riding on the sidewalk…and she sassed ME for being in her way! I don’t normally ‘engage’ that kind of behavior, but I snapped right back that she wasn’t supposed to be riding on the city sidewalk and we went back & forth about it a couple of times; she was insulting and called me a name (I realized I was dealing with a bully and, you know, in these days, if you go up against the wrong person, they can just as well shove a gun in your face). I was so annoyed with myself for stooping to such behavior and causing myself to be upset but, you know, yeah, it’s how the whole day had gone. Blame it on awful weather, awful headlines; awful day. Again, let’s hope for a better one tomorrow. XO
Yes, I saw that clip from Kimmel’s show. It was very moving.
I’m sorry you had a rough time running that errand! We all need a break. A break from the horrors of this world, a break from the 24 hour news cycle, a break from evil and lack of empathy and cruelty. Sigh.