Jan 27, 2014

BCSP Report – Week 2

January 6-12, 2014 (written by Marilyn Neville)

I actually had a date with my husband on Sunday afternoon.  In December I had won four tickets from KZIM 960 radio to the Wehrenberg Theater which included all you can eat.  So we invited Karen and Randy Sanders to join us.  It was hard to pick a movie, but we narrowed them down to Lone Survivor, The Hobbit and decided on the movie “Saving Mr. Banks”.

It was a “moving” movie filled with tragedy and historic events.

I was not so sure I was ready for the life-like and mostly true story of Lone Survivor on a huge screen.  I think it was Bill O’Riley on Fox News who had interviewed the author and hero portrayed in the movie.  Over 75% of what you see in that movie was actually experienced by the author.  Hollywood seems to feel a need to spirit the truth with fiction thinking the truth in such a bloody event is not dramatic and strong enough to stand as it was.

My mother was a history buff.  She was an active member of the Norman County Historical Society and she wrote the county first history book.  She was passionate, dedicated about that project and when it was completed she was proud of her work.  She taught me a lot about life from history, including how important it is to tell the truth, not only about history but about what we do on a day to day basis.

When in my elementary and high school classes I found history boring. Through my mother I learned that history is important and is indeed interesting.  The teacher, the electrical cord that makes a subject come to life, is the key.

Today amazing documentaries and colorful, fact filled programs on the History and Military channels easily capture my attention.  My country’s history is so interesting to me. How the railroad grew to cross from the east to west coast, how we defeated the Germans and Japan in World War II or how our nation got to be in the debt situation we are suffering today, history is not only interesting, but we all should learn from our family or nation’s history including mistakes.

We can improve our own situations by understanding our history.  If we grew up in poverty, we can work to get out of it if we know what in our life kept us from exceeding.  We can learn what anchors kept our parents from earning their way out of poverty.  IF we recognize that graduating from high school is a first step to a better life, we may appreciate the teachers who are dedicated to help us be successful in our adult lives.   Dropping out of school can lead to a life of struggle to have a roof over your head or a good meal in your stomach from meat not poached deer from our painted forests.

Once you complete high school, you work to find a good paying job to move up the ladder, maybe taking advanced schooling while working.

As you mature in life you will look back at your history and evaluate your personal choices: dating, friends you hung with or who hung you (by getting you into trouble), etc.  You will thank your parents who encouraged you to do better with your life than they had done. Maybe it was your teacher who said you were an achiever.   Even a student who struggles to get a D can be an achiever in their personal lives and end up with a nice home and family and afford pets for the kids.

The first of the year is always a time to reflect.  What did I do in my past that I want to do better in 2014?  How can I better serve my family, my school, my community and better care for myself?  How can I secure my future by learning from my past?

There are several things you can do to in 2014 to help you and your pets.

Take advantage of our spay voucher program. Save lives by controlling the unwanted population.

Keep your pets on Heartworm prevention 12 months out of the year.  Heartworm disease is a horrible way to die with chest discomfort and often lung disease.  Your pet is very uncomfortable and can Heartworm can kill them before age 2.

Don’t turn away from that stray this year.   It needs help and maybe you are that Good Samaritan who was meant to help that stray dog or cat.

Don’t dump your unwanted pets.  Some die from predators, disease, or starvation, others are killed by a passing vehicle.  We nearly hit a hound mix female on Highway 51 near the junction of Highway E on Sunday afternoon.  She was eating road kill.  Was she a stray or did she belong to a nearby family?

Your children watch you.  They learn from you.  You are their most important teachers.

History often repeats itself.  We can learn from our past avoiding many tragedies and challenges.  We have a chance to redirect our path to a more positive future.

Accepted strays and relinquished dogs:

… Yellow Labrador female, pure, age 4, sweet as they come.

… Chocolate male Labrador, pure, age 2, so good-natured, playful.

… Pointer male, pure, black and white, age 3, wants to hunt: above three dogs from same family.

… Heeler Pit mix, neutered this week.  He has nowhere to go here as I don’t have a regular pen for him.  Being a Pit mix, I can not leave him in a pen with another male dog, even though he may seem ok with males.  Looking for a home

 Adoptions, return to owner or placed in other rescues (3):

… Boston Butt Err, tailless female, was flown by Tim Winter half way to her excited Lincoln NE home. medical records auditor, he picker at Waverly plant for Tractor Supply.

… Dr. Christiaan Barnard, Lab Weimaraner mix, golden, yellow eyes, age 11 weeks, going to a home suburb of Nashville TN: spinal surgeon.

… Dr. Corey, brother to above pup, went to Rolla Mo family

Cat calls:

… FREE, ten cats: age 1 year, all spayed or neutered house cats, litter trained. Well cared for, call 573-495-2033

… Three long hair tabby kittens: one dark tabby semi long, a white with tabby, and a black tabby with white, age 6 months, spayed.   Call 573-495-2033

Dogs with Heartworm, Erlichia, special needs, or that were euthanized:

… Cheesy Mouser, aka Friendly Fellow, not claimed, treating for Erlichia.

Calls requesting assistance for dogs we did not admit:

… FOUND 1/6/14, 4 miles on 72 towards Patton: Chocolate type Brindle, Lab type coat, possible Catahoula, 60 pound area, intact male, on FB.

… FOUND 1/11/14, OO area near Gordonville: black 35 pound female Pit mix, on FB.

… 10-yr-old neutered Akita male, owner killed in a car accident: will seek a rescue.

… Asked to help find a rescue for an intact Siberian Husky in Festus, who bit a 9-mo-old child.

Miscellaneous and contact info:

We had 44 dogs at our home 1/13/14.

Please report animal abuse and discourage anyone from dumping dogs or puppies.

Offer strays water on day one and food day two or three. Call if missing a dog or you have a stray.

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, call the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Hotline, 314-647-4400 or 800-383-9835 or you can make a confidential report on line at Humane Society of Missouri.

To understand when an animal is being abused or neglected in the state of Missouri read the following link:http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/mo_cruel.htm

We LOVE Buchheits!  Donate a buck or more at the Jackson store for dog food and supplies when you shop. Also, Second Time Around in Marble Hill is taking donations for the Stray Project. Monetary donations are accepted at the Bollinger County Veterinary Service, Marble Hill Coop, Buchheits, and the MH Town and Country.

Thank you to the County Residents who have continued to support the Bollinger County Stray Project. 

Check out our available pets at Petfinder.  Call 573-722-3035 about our adoptable pets.