Thursday, June 01, 2006
Memory Collective...((Heavy Long Post))
Yesterday was a very difficult day..
I think of myself as being strong, but the day brought me to my knees.
I felt weak, vulnerable and helpless...
Something I hate to feel. I don't like being weak..
After leaving the shelter, I cried in my car for a long time...
Feeling the anguish just ebb from my body....
My mind, my collective memory is starting to fill...
The faces, the howls, the death that I see will forever haunt me.
As you can see from the pictures in this post.
The needless waste of life. It is everywhere, in this country and around the world.
There are many of us fighting for the animals, but we are not enough, we need more who care...
Together we can make a difference.
No matter what level you can help at, no matter where you live or what you do, you can help those of us that help the animals.
Help the animals by donating time to your local shelters and rescues. Your talents are needed, be it art, computers, website, that is all needed for marketing purposes and generating revenue. Recycle gently used pet items, old towels, if you can sew make pet bedding and most of all say prayers for the animals and those that do rescue or work in animal related professions. Money is always needed as is medical supplies.
For example the cost of kitten formula for feeding 3 kittens is $20.00.
So you can imagine what the our medical costs are every month, since we caring pets who are malnourished, parasite ridden & living in substandard conditions.
Since I have lived here the past 5 months, I have treated 20+ cases of Parvo.
Fostered, medicated and transported 107 animals.
I'm very tired and emotionally exhausted but believe in the cause.
Some days, I don't know how I'll pay the next vet bill or buy the next round of vaccine. I am never forsaken, always an Angel shows up & something always comes thru.
Faith gives me hope for a new day..
Love gives me Faith that someday my vision will come to fruition.
I struggled with putting this heavy post up, but felt the need to.
I don't like to focus sadness, but also don't want to pretend that it doesn't exist.
So now you have a view into a difficult day in my world..
HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates
Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000 -- 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:
25% (HSUS estimate)
Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.
I could not leave the shelter with a dog, I have no more room...
All my crates are full, all my bowls are being used. We have 30+ animals here in rescue. This is my all time high.
Until my building is built, I will have to help what I can and try to focus on that and not what I can't...
Most of the dogs will be leaving on Sunday for transport to my networking of Humane Societies.
It is their only chance out of here.
I have worked with these Humane Societies for years and they have always been my strongest allies.
I did take a kitten out of the shelter, the euthanasia rate here is 99.9% for cats.
If they end up there they never make it out..
So here is the little guy that made it out, he's fuzzy, but all skin and bones. He also has no tail.
It's weird to see him without a tail, but I think it adds to his personality. Any name suggestions??
The Flame Point mix I have his name is Sammy, he has adopted the little guy:) I have to say I am blessed to have such wonderful animals that take care of each other..
The animal controls that surround me, euthanasia every 3 or 5 days. It makes me shudder.
I feel even worse for the people who do this for a living....
The one thing that caught my eye as I was walking away from the building was a rose bush. It was blooming in the most amazing way.. I found it ironic. In a place of such sadness and death, there was a symbolic message that spoke to me..
Hope, there is ALWAYS Hope for tomorrow...
I've always believed that Beauty and Love can be found if we look for it and there it was..
This quote really spoke to me, so I will share it with you..
"These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God who created them, knows their suffering, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it. It is a sin against their Creator."
George Q. Cannon (Animal Activist)
Again sorry for the dreary post..
I truly appreciate you taking the time to read.
Time for me to sleep...
Blessing and Light to you all....:: posted @ 2:34 AM by Bernie Berlin::
Yesterday was a very difficult day..
I think of myself as being strong, but the day brought me to my knees.
I felt weak, vulnerable and helpless...
Something I hate to feel. I don't like being weak..
After leaving the shelter, I cried in my car for a long time...
Feeling the anguish just ebb from my body....
My mind, my collective memory is starting to fill...
The faces, the howls, the death that I see will forever haunt me.
As you can see from the pictures in this post.
The needless waste of life. It is everywhere, in this country and around the world.
There are many of us fighting for the animals, but we are not enough, we need more who care...
Together we can make a difference.
No matter what level you can help at, no matter where you live or what you do, you can help those of us that help the animals.
Help the animals by donating time to your local shelters and rescues. Your talents are needed, be it art, computers, website, that is all needed for marketing purposes and generating revenue. Recycle gently used pet items, old towels, if you can sew make pet bedding and most of all say prayers for the animals and those that do rescue or work in animal related professions. Money is always needed as is medical supplies.
For example the cost of kitten formula for feeding 3 kittens is $20.00.
So you can imagine what the our medical costs are every month, since we caring pets who are malnourished, parasite ridden & living in substandard conditions.
Since I have lived here the past 5 months, I have treated 20+ cases of Parvo.
Fostered, medicated and transported 107 animals.
I'm very tired and emotionally exhausted but believe in the cause.
Some days, I don't know how I'll pay the next vet bill or buy the next round of vaccine. I am never forsaken, always an Angel shows up & something always comes thru.
Faith gives me hope for a new day..
Love gives me Faith that someday my vision will come to fruition.
I struggled with putting this heavy post up, but felt the need to.
I don't like to focus sadness, but also don't want to pretend that it doesn't exist.
So now you have a view into a difficult day in my world..
HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates
Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year: 6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year: 3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:
Between 600,000 and 750,000 -- 30% of dogs and 2-5% of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)
Number of animal shelters in the United States:
Between 4,000 and 6,000 (HSUS estimate)
Percentage of dogs in shelters who are purebred:
25% (HSUS estimate)
Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 420,000 cats.
Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-10
In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs.
I could not leave the shelter with a dog, I have no more room...
All my crates are full, all my bowls are being used. We have 30+ animals here in rescue. This is my all time high.
Until my building is built, I will have to help what I can and try to focus on that and not what I can't...
Most of the dogs will be leaving on Sunday for transport to my networking of Humane Societies.
It is their only chance out of here.
I have worked with these Humane Societies for years and they have always been my strongest allies.
I did take a kitten out of the shelter, the euthanasia rate here is 99.9% for cats.
If they end up there they never make it out..
So here is the little guy that made it out, he's fuzzy, but all skin and bones. He also has no tail.
It's weird to see him without a tail, but I think it adds to his personality. Any name suggestions??
The Flame Point mix I have his name is Sammy, he has adopted the little guy:) I have to say I am blessed to have such wonderful animals that take care of each other..
The animal controls that surround me, euthanasia every 3 or 5 days. It makes me shudder.
I feel even worse for the people who do this for a living....
The one thing that caught my eye as I was walking away from the building was a rose bush. It was blooming in the most amazing way.. I found it ironic. In a place of such sadness and death, there was a symbolic message that spoke to me..
Hope, there is ALWAYS Hope for tomorrow...
I've always believed that Beauty and Love can be found if we look for it and there it was..
This quote really spoke to me, so I will share it with you..
"These birds and animals and fish cannot speak, but they can suffer, and our God who created them, knows their suffering, and will hold him who causes them to suffer unnecessarily to answer for it. It is a sin against their Creator."
George Q. Cannon (Animal Activist)
Again sorry for the dreary post..
I truly appreciate you taking the time to read.
Time for me to sleep...
Blessing and Light to you all....:: posted @ 2:34 AM by Bernie Berlin::
COMMENTS:
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We already have three dogs but after reading your post, you make me want to take all of them in :0) I don't see how you can handle all the sadness. But I'm so glad that I found you and so proud of what you do! May the Lord be with you always.
Ah, Bernie. I'm crying right along with you. I feel so lucky to live in a place where my local shelter hardly ever has to euth for space, and where my state has a mandatory spay/neuter of shelter animals before adoption.
My local shelter has required spay/neuter on its own for decades; I don't know if that is why the population of unwanted dogs and cats is lower here than some places, but it has to have helped.....
Sending you hugs and good vibes (and a small donation).
-- Vicki in Michigan
ps -- I squished your banner down to button size to put on my blog.
My local shelter has required spay/neuter on its own for decades; I don't know if that is why the population of unwanted dogs and cats is lower here than some places, but it has to have helped.....
Sending you hugs and good vibes (and a small donation).
-- Vicki in Michigan
ps -- I squished your banner down to button size to put on my blog.
Bernie,
Saying you have your hands full would be quite an understatement. The pictures are truly heart-rending and I know my knees would have buckled under me if it was I who had to look at all of them in the eyes. I salute you and your efforts. Keep your strength because these animals need you. If I could I'd volunteer for you as well. :)
Take care and see you in Manila.
Saying you have your hands full would be quite an understatement. The pictures are truly heart-rending and I know my knees would have buckled under me if it was I who had to look at all of them in the eyes. I salute you and your efforts. Keep your strength because these animals need you. If I could I'd volunteer for you as well. :)
Take care and see you in Manila.
Your little kitty that has no tail is called a "Pixie Bob." That is what I am. I have the cutest little fluffy nubby. Please accept our donation.
Bern, I don't know how you do it. I'm still struggling with losing Gopher, and can't even begin to imagine dealing with numerous losses all the time. You are much stronger than I am-I'll give you a call soon.
# posted by 
: June 01, 2006 6:38 PM
: June 01, 2006 6:38 PM
OOOOOoo Bernie!
Was thinking of you just today! Spring cleaning and I have a little girl's blankie just laying around soooooo I thought I would seeee what else is just laying around, what suffering you endure!
I promise I will say prayers for you and your sweet creatures, every sweet creature, every day this month! and a little care package will be coming soon! Is the kitty a boy, if it's a girl maybe Rose could be her name, if it's a boy how about Zion? or Patches? or First(for June 1st) sweet dreams! sweet rescuer of the animals
Was thinking of you just today! Spring cleaning and I have a little girl's blankie just laying around soooooo I thought I would seeee what else is just laying around, what suffering you endure!
I promise I will say prayers for you and your sweet creatures, every sweet creature, every day this month! and a little care package will be coming soon! Is the kitty a boy, if it's a girl maybe Rose could be her name, if it's a boy how about Zion? or Patches? or First(for June 1st) sweet dreams! sweet rescuer of the animals
Gah!!!! My heart is breaking. I wish I had your courage. Thank you for sharing the Truth, because it's way too easy to brush past it these days. Thank you for reminding us all to NOT ignore, because how can we end suffering if we refuse to see it? I can't stand the irresponsibility of our society--our willingness to throw away such precious gifts. Please take time to take care of yourself, too. Thank you for sharing such an honest post.
I so admire your passion for your cause... I cannot even imagine how overwhelming and heartwrenching it must be for you, but your perserverance and love is making such a difference to those animals, it is truly inspiring.
xo
melanie
p.s. How about Zuo for the kitten's name? Inspired by my word verification for this comment: zuohead :)
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xo
melanie
p.s. How about Zuo for the kitten's name? Inspired by my word verification for this comment: zuohead :)
# posted by : June 02, 2006 2:34 PM
: June 02, 2006 2:34 PM<< Home
