Economy Blamed For Abandoned Dogs And Cats!!

With the vast number of people losing their jobs, and not being able to afford morgages the number of abandoned pets has risen. The cost of pet care and pet food is also rising. A starving cat and dog were found in a Westmoreland County apartment building. The owner evicted for not paying rent, was unable to care for the abandoned animals.

Kathy Burkley of the Humane Society of Westmoreland county said "We're getting more and more calls from people who have lost their jobs or homes due to the economy." "Donations are also down, and increased pet population is going up, presenting a very difficult dilemmma."

The no kill Westmoreland County shelter is already filled to capacity, and is encouraging anyone who can take care of a pet to consider adopting. Donations are always welcome!

I'm sure that this situation will not be limited to one shelter. The problem will be widespread as the effects of our economy keep hitting us hard. I've found if you buy food in bulk it's much more economical in the long run. I found a 3lb bag of cat food is almost half the price of a 16lb bag. Sometimes you can get a good deal when on sale, and store in big plastic containers. I'm sad to know that not only families, but pets are now suffering for our sagging economy.

You can see the animals rescued and related story and video of the Westmoreland Humane Society here: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/westmoreland/16439916/detail.html

Adopt or give to your local Humane Society today! The dogs and cats need your help now!

Consider signing the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign petition in my previous blog post below, or here at this link: http://literallyinthemoment.blogspot.com/2008/05/sign-petition-to-lower-gas-prices-be.html

Sign Petition To Lower Gas Prices! Be The Solution!!!

American Solutions is launching a campaign to lower American Gas Prices. It is the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign to become less dependent on foreign countries for our oil. I've already signed the petition!

Join me and seven hundred thousand other Americans to help lower gas prices, and be a part of the solution to our ever growing gas prices. The "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," flash button is already added to my blog. Join me in adding the button to your blogs and websites.

As Americans we cannot tolerate the obvious recession which has been abruptly, and unvolutarily pushed upon us. Higher gas prices are a chain reaction to all price increases, including food and utility bills. This is one way we can all become involved!

Here is Newt Gingrich explaining the "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less," campaign:




Here is the link to the American Solutions site where you can sign the petition, and get the code for your blog or website: http://www.americansolutions.com/actioncenter/petitions/?Guid=54ec6e43-75a8-445b-aa7b-346a1e096659

Gas is now unbelievable $3.99 a gallon, how much more is everything else going to rise! You can make the difference!

~~~"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Mohandas Ghandi ~~~

Read my newest updated post on the gas petition here:

Drill Here, Drill Now Petition Reaches Over 1 Million Signatures!!

Things Are Tougher All Over!!

Rain, rain go away!
With the planting season upon us, we have had little time to sow our seeds in our yearly Spring Garden. The ground thoroughly soaked has not only impeded our planting, but all farmers in the region.

Flower perennials and annuals my daughter and husband purchased for me on Mother’s Day, are only a quarter planted. The rain has literally delayed our regular planting season.

The high price of gas has driven already cautious consumers to the brink of insanity. We have been forced to open our pockets deeper and deeper with every price increase. I’ve never let my gas tank get under a quarter tank, and it is almost on E! Forced to try to cut into my grocery bill, which has in turn increased as the weeks go by. Stocking up on good buys for fear prices will continue to go up within the upcoming months.

Milk, eggs, bread, cheese, rice, flour, and cooking oil have gone sky high. Last week almost five bucks for canola cooking oil, hitting hard to those who are watching calories and cholesterol.
Cutting everything in the household to less and less, and our teenage daughter wonders why we don’t want to drive her halfway across the county for a birthday party!

Times are tough, and are only going to get tougher in the future.

I had passed the idea of making our garden even bigger this year to my husband. Last Summer I froze all the vegetables we did not use at the moment. Green beans, zucchini, tomatoes, cabbage, and corn. I freeze them in freezer bags, and take them out as needed for sauces, soups, and stir fries. I never had the patience to can stuff. This is my modern way of canning, to freeze-fresh garden vegetables. I just used my last small frozen bag of tomatoes, for minestrone soup. As long as the vegetables are picked fresh and frozen, they keep very well. I'm hoping to freeze as much as possible this Summer. We cannot afford to waste a thing, cause things are getting tougher all over.

My friend Ochikeron has written an interesting article on her blog about the global food crisis affecting not only us, but also Asian countries.
Link to her article here: http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/2008/05/global-food-crisis.html

PA Puppy Mill Laws Finally!!! Attention Pennsylvania Animal Lovers Take Action!!

You can help pass the new Kennel regulations here on my updated blog post on Puppy Mill conditions:
Attention Pennsylvanians ~ Give Your Support To Kennel Regulations! 10-07-09!

Pennsylvania is known for massive puppy breeding mills. Finally legislation is going to help these poor, sweet overbred dogs from being abused in stacked cages. The story appears here:

http://kdka.com/local/puppy.mills.Pennsylvania.2.724018.html

Video is here:
http://kdka.com/video/?id=41296@kdka.dayport.com

Pennsylvanians can take action here on the The Humane Society Of The United States Website:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/PA_2008_puppymills

Read my previous post on Puppy Mills here:
Puppy Mill Raid In Tennessee Hundreds Rescued!!
Join Me To Help Stop Puppy Mills!!

Words From A Deist

Deist~ A person who believes in God, without accepting any particular religion.

From a very young age I never felt comfortable in church. I always felt so humbled as if I were never good enough to be there. My father was a Protestant, and my mother a Buddhist. Separated and divorced when I was in grade school, my mother was the perfect example of virtue. She was also separated from her religion being here in the U.S., and disgracing her Japanese heritage by marrying an American soldier. I once asked her what she thought about religion, and her reply was "Her Japanese God, and American God are one God." "We pray to the same God from there or here." "We look to the same sky as one God for everyone." She was very wise as a lot of Japanese people are, and have a deep respect for family, and others. She was also very forgiving of those who were prejudice against her, which I could not always be.

We went to a friend’s all faith church once, and the children there teased my sisters and I for being Japanese. They would pull their eyes up and say chinks, we would always say "Get it right, we’re Japs!" I never liked the word Japs either, I felt it was the worst word you could call someone like nigger, spick ect.. We were teased enough at school we didn’t need to go to church to be teased. There are some folks who go to church, who need to go to church literally! I also don’t believe I need to confess my sins. What sins does an average person confess? “I swore 5 times this week, I had lustful thoughts for my husband, I looked at another man, I raised my voice at my child.” I don’t believe we are all sinners, I do believe we make human mistakes, and the majority of the world is filled with good people. Good people trying to live good lives, treating each other with kindness and respect, this is what I truly believe religion is.

I don’t believe I need to go to church to prove to people I believe in God, or that I am a good person. There are those who go to church that consider themselves higher on the totem poll. If you wish to do so, it is your choice, but don’t look down upon me if I don’t.

My motto is I won’t put you down for being who you are, and in respect do not put me down for being and believing in who I am.

Like in the movie Stigmata based on the gospel of Thomas:
“Jesus said... the Kingdom of God is inside you, and all around you, not in mansions of wood and stone. Split a piece of wood... and I am there, lift a stone... and you will find me.”

An interesting Deist site here:
Deist.Info: http://www.deist.info/

What I See

I walk along cow pasture horizons, greeted by a young herd of black Spring heifers. Lush green grass carpets hilltops, as far as the view can conceive. Serenity surrounds me with only the sounds of sweet songbirds, and two bull cows mooing.

I walk along an old dirt railroad track, through rows of giant sycamore trees. A purple spotted monarch flutters ahead, resting on dead fallen leaves. I capture her beauty as she spreads decorative wings.

While white tree blossoms reach for a twilight sky, grateful am I to be here alive. To witness all I see, as Spring sheds her bounty.

I never grow tired of the world's beauty, I can never get enough of all I can drink in with my eyes. I could write, photograph, and envison it all in my mind forever, until my dying days.

©Jo A. True-Burkholder 2008

Tiger Ranch Linda Bruno Will Go To Trial!! Update May 7, 2008

Tiger Ranch Latest Update:
Tiger Ranch Linda Bruno Jailed Today ~ Sentencing Delayed! Update Oct 5, 2009.

On the 3rd day of her preliminary hearing on May 6, 2008, Linda Bruno has been sentenced by Judge Blaschak to go to trial. The judge concluded that there was enough evidence to take the case to trial. Linda Bruno pleaded not guilty to almost 600 animal cruelty charges. The prosecution presented damaging evidence with video and testimony. Dr. Ravindra Murarka of the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals testified "I never saw in 17 years of my practice -- conditions like this." Murarka was one of the vets who examined the cats taken from the Tiger Ranch raid on March 13, 2008. Terribly graphic testimony was given on April 28 & 29.

Link to evidence presented at the preliminary hearing April 28 & 29, 2008 here:

Tiger Ranch Stuns Vet: http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/16031945/detail.html

I'm curious as an avid animal lover how this case will turn out! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

View all my previous tiger ranch postings here: http://literallyinthemoment.blogspot.com/search?q=tiger+ranch

View Latest Update 8-17-08 posting here:
http://literallyinthemoment.blogspot.com/2008/08/tiger-ranch-trial-date-set-update-8-17.html