Angels!

I have had a spiritual epiphany. I have been working hard to return to my spiritual roots. Part of what I have been asking the universe is how I am to fund Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch. As I was meditating the answer came to me, but I was unsure if the answer was the path I should take as it involves some work with breast cancer victims and I was not sure if I should linger there.


Those of you close to me know that I have won a 3 year battle with breast cancer and have had a pretty nasty case of PTSD due to the experience. As a mental health practitioner, I had lots of tools in my arsenal but was still overwhelmed with fear. I went looking for help and could not find it. In the end, I created my own program, which I am being lead to share with others. I was resistant to think that the answer to funding the Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch was somehow attached to breast cancer. I wanted nothing to do with it and have worked hard at distancing myself from it, and focusing on wellness.


On a whim one day recently I called into a radio talk show on Hay House radio. There was a man by the name of Kyle Gray who is well known as "the angel whisperer". Not even knowing if I really believed in angels, for some reason I decided to call and ask him how I was to fund my project. He blew me away by not only telling me that the arch angle Ariel is with me, but describing the courage I had to use to get through the past 3 years. Next he had a vision that described the key elements of my PTSD program and told me that this was going to be key to funding Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch.


I had not shared with him what the rescue project was about nor, the PTSD program I have been putting together. After I hung up, I googled the arch angel Ariel. I was shocked to learn that she is considered the guardian of the animals and nature. Within few days, I was offered a chance to use my PTSD program with a prominent medical practitioner in my area. I did not solicit this invite and it took me by complete surprise.


When I first got cancer, and over the 3 years of beating it back, I have continually ask the universe "why is this happening to me?" It seemed so wrong. I know in my heart I am a good person and I felt very picked on and devastated by the whole situation. Could it be that it's purpose has now been revealed to me?


I would love to hear your thoughts about this if you are willing. I also need help naming thePTSD program. I welcome feedback and suggestions. Breast cancer and animal rescue.....does this add up?



Merdodson@yahoo.com

Lost pets, Lansing area

While looking for places to post a photo of a dog that found me and needs help getting home, I have discovered that there are no good local forums for posting a lost or found pet in the Lansing  area. The Michigan humane society has a page but no contact numbers included (only an office number) and they are closed on the week end. The dog that found me  is a match to one listed on their page but I have no way of contacting anyone about the dog.

So I have decided to include a free service on the Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch blog for people who  have either lost or found a pet in the Lansing area. Anyone can email me with information about a lost or found pet and I will share it with my extensive network of animal lovers, post it on the main page of the Downsy Dude blog, share it on facebook and put it on Craig's list in Lansing.

Please share this with your network of contacts. Information can be sent to me at merdodson@yahoo.com.

Thank you helping me with this, and for helping those sweet little lost pets find their way back home.

                                          I am lost and afraid, please help me find my way home.

Do dogs have emotions?

If you are a dog lover you all ready know the answer to this question. What about a memory? How long do they remember things or people? Ever hear anyone say "ah, it's just a dog, they don't know what's going on?  If you are a person who has said something similar, here is a convincing  video that illustrates a dog experiencing joy. Dog lovers, I'll warn ya, it may require a tissue or two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xZSrLyWzxVI

Cat courage

Volunteering at the shelter returns my efforts ten fold with adorable moments of animal behavior that I am privileged to witness. Today I arrived to find two new kitties, hiding behind one of the play structures. They are 4 1/2 year old litter mates and almost identical twins. Both raised in the same home by the same owner. Yet It was very clear that Della and Rock each  had a unique role in their relationship.

I knelt on the floor next to where they were hiding. They were backed into a corner each one looking in a different direction as if playing sentry duty. I approached Della first as she seemed to be the less frightened of the pair. I am never certain about whether my approach will be welcomed or  not so I always offer the back of my hand for a sniff first. Della allowed me to touch her, and within a few minutes she was accepting pets and chin rubs, all be it, still in the hiding place. She could not be coaxed out.

After a bit I moved the play structure just enough to be able to see Rock's face. The poor guy looked so rattled. as I offered the back of my hand for a sniff it spooked him and jetted under his sister for comfort. He crawled right under her and she allowed it, calmly. His face was buried in her tummy. Not being one to give up on a cat, I offered my hand again to Della who gave me a knowing look and a head butt, then began to purr. I continued petting her for a few minutes hoping that Rock would get a sense that it was OK, and that I was a safe person. The side of Rock's cheek was exposed and I gently rubbed it and cooed his name. Next I had his eyes, then much to my surprise, he bolted under me, just like he had done to his sister. So I stayed there, crouched, with him allowing me to give him comfort and pets for a good long time. Someone came in and he darted back behind the play structure, his sister followed and cuddled him like he was her kitten.

I have to say that was one of the cutest exchanges I have ever seen between two cats. Della clearly has more courage than Rock and she also knew exactly how to comfort him-Just adorable!

                                                                     Here is Della

Here is  Rock

Please choose adoption

Free pet Neuter in Ingham County

LANSING, MI --- The Capital Area Humane Society is pleased to announce, thanks to grant funding from PetSmart Charities totaling $120,910 over two years, CAHS is able to offer free spays and neuters for cats living in Lansing zip codes 48910 and 48911.

WHAT:

1. The Capital Area Humane Society Spay & Neuter clinic is offering free spay & neuter cat surgeries for Lansing residents living in 48910 and 48911 zip codes.
2. All cats and kittens must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh two pounds.
3. Rabies vaccines and microchips are included at the time of surgery, if needed.
4. Proof of address is required.
5. People who live in other ZIP codes, but need help, are encouraged to call the clinic to discuss other options
6. Residents in 48910 and 48911 wanting to schedule free surgeries for their cats can call 517-908-0756 be 517-908-0756.

WHEN: Now and over the next two years.

WHERE: All surgeries will be performed at the Spay & Neuter Clinic located at 5919 South Cedar Street in Lansing.

WHY: Spay and neuter is the only effective way to address the pet overpopulation problem in mid-Michigan. According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, about 250,000 animals end up in Michigan shelters every year.

I am a "lunatic", it's official!

Every Wednesday afternoon Lewis and I go to the local shelter and work with the "shy" cats to try and make them more adoptable. Recently because of one very shy kitty we have been going in twice a week. Oden was brought to the shelter on March first of this year and has spent months hiding behind his littler pan. He was clearly traumatized and very dispirited, to the point he was at first refusing food. He was on the top of every one's concern list. His only comfort was another little kitty named Mittens who was brought in 3 weeks before Oden and also very shy. Much to every one's surprise these two little trauma victims found one another and buddied up. They would curl up together and try to hide behind anything they could find. As time went by it was clear that  these two would do better in a separate cage away from the busy activity of the other cats. They were put in side by side cages with a pass through to each others cage.

Volunteers worked hours and hours to gain Oden's trust. Finally he learned to trust that hands of respectable humans. He would allow petting but still hid as soon as his cage door was shut. Last week Sunday I made a special trip in to the shelter to see Oden. After all, he and mittens had been there in cages  for nearly 4 months. I worried that time was running out. Oden had made great progress, sometimes eating while I had his cage door opening and on Sunday he did not hide when I left. I was able to view him through a window on my way out. I thought to myself " I wonder if my friends would think I am weird if I asked them to pray for a cat to find a home?" I thought, well I have never prayed for a cat, but I think I will try envisioning this kitty with a quiet loving home, that includes his best buddy Mittens.

A few days ago when the moon was full I went outside for my usual spiritual ritual. I use the full moon to remind me to pray for my hearts desire. As I stood there looking up at the moon I said " This one is for Oden and Mittens." What could it hurt to make a wish for them right? After all I have everything I need and time may be running out for these poor little kitties that nobody seems to want.

Well, today is Wednesday and I made my usual trek straight to Mitten's and Oden's cage only to find them empty! My heart leaped and then sank-I went to the desk to ask where they were, bracing myself for the worst. But much to my surprise I learned that someone had taken them in to foster them, both. I choked back tears and tried to  go find other kitties to work with but I ended up having to leave so I did not burst into tears in front of all of them and leave them to think I am a lunatic, no pun intended.

Here is Oden after much work on trust:

Here is Mittens:

Here is a cute little video the staff made that I think proved very helpful in getting these to long term cage cats, some much needed love and freedom.

http://www.petango.com/webservices/adoptablesearch/wsYouTubeVideo.aspx?videoid=2trwlGJXxV8

So, now I will ask you to pray for these two- that all goes well and a  blessing to the person who took them in. May their good Karma be ten fold! And next time you see the moon, remember this story.