Steven Ferrel's Blogs

Posted September 17, 2006 by Steven Ferrel

"HOW COULD YOU? By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"--but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcome her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obey her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch-- because your touch was now so infrequent-- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked if you had a dog, that you produce a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answer "yes" and change the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said " I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempts to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dreamor I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounding in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The "prisoner of love" had run out of days.

As in my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life to continue you to show you so much loyalty.

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters.

Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for an animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop killing, and encourage all spay and neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals------Jim Willis

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.
"

U.S House Passes Permanent Horse Slaughter Ban

Posted September 17, 2006 by Steven Ferrel

When We Unite We Can Make A Difference!

:clap: The following info is from the Humane Society Of The United States:

In a key victory for protecting American horses from slaughter, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 503, the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, by a vote of 263 to 146 on Sept. 7.

Passage of the bill marks a historic moment in a groundswell effort to ban the slaughter of American horses for human consumption abroad. More than 20,000 individuals told The HSUS that they called their representatives in the days leading up to the vote, urging their support of the bill. The callers added their voices to more than 500 organizations and editorial boards across the nation that have been calling for an end to the practice.

The legislation, which enjoyed more than 200 cosponsors and bipartisan support, was designed to stop the slaughter of nearly 100,000 American horses annually in three foreign-owned slaughter plants in the United States. Their meat is shipped overseas, primarily to France, Belgium and Japan, where it is considered a delicacy.

"What we are exposing today is a brutal, shadowy, shameful practice," said Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY), who introduced the bill along with Reps. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), John Spratt (D-SC) and Nick Rahall (D-WV).

In the days leading up to the vote, the opposition stepped up efforts to defend the slaughter industry, but two amendments that would have gutted the bill were defeated in votes (Goodlatte Amendment | King Amendment), and the day went to horses, lauded as an icon and symbol of American heritage.

"The horse is tied to the spirit of the American frontier," Rep. Whitfield told the house in debate. "Most importantly, the horse is a companion."

With the majority of Americans and the U.S. House of Representatives on the record supporting a permanent ban on horse slaughter, the Senate will now take up the bill for consideration.

Horse slaughter is simply indefensible, and polls show that the vast majority of Americans agree,Ӕ HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle said. As we build on todayӒs successful vote and take the debate to the Senate, we urge humane-minded citizens to call and write their senators and get this legislation passed once and for all.

Making Things Happen

Posted August 21, 2006 by Steven Ferrel

Goals are fantastic to have, but many times challenges surface that make it difficult for a goal to mature. Many may never start toward their goal because of doubt in their abilities. Some do not attempt the actions required to make their goals a reality. While others do not allow the right mental conditions to exist for fruition of their dreams.

We are all given the tools, but it is up to us what we decide to build and how magnificent it will be.

Steven Ferrel

Goals are fantastic to have, but many times challenges surface that make it difficult for a goal to mature. Many may never start toward their goal because of doubt in their abilities. Some do not attempt the actions required to make their goals a reality. While others do not allow the right mental conditions to exist for fruition of their dreams.

Those who do not have a strong belief in their abilities, usually have to see it first to believe it can happen. Many things were once invisible and started as a thought, as this article once was. We cannot see our thoughts this does not mean they do not exist. Electricity is invisible, it has no form, but it is very real as anyone who has felt the intense power of electrocution can attest. If you felt extreme pain when someone you deeply care about passed on, you have experienced the power of the invisible. It may manifest itself into tears or expressions of sadness, but it originated from within, that invisible place. What comes from within are the most wonderful and powerful forces of all. Our bodies have certain limitations, but our true inner self, has none. Open your mind to the possibilities of boundless dreams that all begins within you, where our true beauty resides. Until you go beyond the limitations of your form, you will not be able to live your life to its fullest potential and truly experience your dreams.

Remember clarity is power so make it clear what you need to do in order to achieve your goal. Without a map, you may encounter detours that you could have avoided if you had one.

The next and most important step is to take a step, and keep stepping until you achieve your desired result. You must be proactive to achieve your goal. That means do the things you need to do to achieve your goal. Ask yourself what actions do I need to take to make this goal a reality, and then do them. Without action, nothing is accomplished. You can always change your direction when your view becomes heightened, but the engine has to be moving in order to make progress. It is not what you can do, but what you do do that counts.

Finally, nourish your mind with healthy thoughts. Jesus Christ said, "As you think so shall you be." What we think about expands in our minds. If we do not focus on a goal long enough, it will be difficult for it to mature into form (the visible). When we use a magnifying glass to start a fire, in order for it to work the focus must be on a certain spot for a length of time and the conditions must be right. If it is only held for a short time, or if there is too little sunlight, it will not accomplish what was intended. Focus constantly on thoughts that will empower you while doing the things you need to do to achieve your goals. This will allow for the right conditions and eventually it will become second nature. When this occurs, you will be in the habit of assuming peak performance levels at most times. This will facilitate the process of attaining your goals.

Most of us have heard that the most important thing about goals is having one. Do your true self a favor and let one of your goals be to nourish and allow your true self to come into form living your life without limitations. Until our next meeting, here is a beautiful quote I came across to close this article "you will never know how high you can fly until you spread your wings."

May your dreams come true.

Steven

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