Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
A Pet Pantry Sunday
It seems this weekend has been a weekend of emptying my trunk, or taking care of my Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry folks.
I say this with pride because it is my responsibility to make sure that some pet owners are able to remain pet owners and I help provide the food, that they cannot always afford to purchase for their dogs and/or cats.
Over in the Frayser area is an older gentleman named Mr. Bryant. I have only spoken with this man once, but he is a very appreciative man on the food. He just wants to make sure his cats have food. I think he is uncomfortable with wanting to come outside and say hello, but he may not even have a phone at his house. From viewing his house and the neighborhood he lives in, one can tell that his cats probably mean the world to him. His neighborhood is one of the only streets that I know of where there may not be a single street light. One day, just maybe one day I will meet this man.
This morning I received a phone call from Mr. Moore (no first names are allowed on this post). He was actually calling about a puppy his cousin has who was born with some issues (in regards to gender organs), and so the phone call was mostly about that problem. Then we got to talking, and he stated that it gets hard for him to always take care of his animals, I explained to him that it was no problem for Memphis Pets Alive! to keep support his family of four-legged ones. After all, with the recent enormous donations from Kroger and our newly launched Amazon wish list (click there for more:Amazon Wish list) we are definitely in surplus mode at the moment. Mr. Moore is a man who lives down in a rough neighborhood that is off S. 3rd Street.
I have been supplying Mr. Moore, and his sister Miss Moore (who lives a few miles to the N. of her brother) with food for the last few months. Mr. Moore is a man living on disability as a result of a motorcycle accident that occurred while he was riding his motorcycle down the highway near Baton Rouge. He has not lived in this area very long, but he has two young pups, a momma cat, and two of her kittens, that I have been able to watch grow up. One of the kittens was a little too brave and got hit by a car just in the last week or two. Mr. Moore may came from a different culture, different neighborhood, and maybe a totally different world than I do, but I am certain that I will always receive one thing from him - a giant hug! Last month during our visit he said this to me, "Mr. John, I love you for what you do to help me take care of animals, I really do." That's enough to give a guy like me a few goosebumps. We have a Tuesday morning fishing day together coming up pretty soon as well.
His sister has a heart just big as he does. She is a little lady that I first met while delivering food to her neighbors. She had a little grandson with her who instantly was joined to my hip for the 20 minutes or so that we were together. She rides around these days in an electric wheelchair and lives alone with her three dogs that who stay in her front yard that is fenced to protect her house. Today I learned that she had lost 170 lbs, but still has some knee issues that were preventing her from getting out of her wheelchair. She will be having surgery in a few weeks to repair that bad knee, so I look forward to seeing her walk soon. Just like her brother, she has shared her love with a hug, and a few prayers for me as well. She is a fine church going lady, and you can see it in that big smile of hers whenever that wheelchair comes down the driveway. She reminds me of a character from the book The Shack, if you have read it you will know.
Last of all, is Miss K (I only know her first name actually). She usually just sends me a text now when her young dog needs food. She is a single mom with a daughter who may be in middle school, and a boy who is a little younger. The boy will grow up to be a fine young man for sure. He always comes to the door and most of the time the car, to carry the bags of food into the kitchen area. What impresses me most is that he remembers my name and tonight shouted to his mom "John is here". He loves his dog, though he thinks the poor mutt should have a litter of puppies, which I will persuade him out of sometime soon. What made me laugh as I was leaving their house tonight in the Jackson Avenue area, was that I heard "tell your wife I said hello", in reference to my ex girlfriend. He meant well without a doubt, so I appreciated his thoughtfulness.
I write this tonight to say that there are some pet owners out there with tremendous hearts and lives that have been filled with burden (though we may or may not know the burdens), that make it difficult for them to financially support their own pets one hundred percent of the time. That is where the Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry comes into bring assistance to these members of our community.
Please help share if you may wish and help us to help more members of this fine community so they may be able to remain pet owners and not be those that are looked down upon for surrendering their pets to certain places that will not be named.
Since yesterday evening I have delivered about 40 cans of cat food, 32 pounds of cat food, and about 200 pounds of dog food.
Miss Moore's little doggy Lilo (like the cartoon character)
Ask any cat and they will tell you they love Temptations treats
Handing off food to Mr. Moore for the kitties.
Without the help of companies like Kroger, and Walmart, along with local organizations, a trunk like this would not be possible.
I say this with pride because it is my responsibility to make sure that some pet owners are able to remain pet owners and I help provide the food, that they cannot always afford to purchase for their dogs and/or cats.
Over in the Frayser area is an older gentleman named Mr. Bryant. I have only spoken with this man once, but he is a very appreciative man on the food. He just wants to make sure his cats have food. I think he is uncomfortable with wanting to come outside and say hello, but he may not even have a phone at his house. From viewing his house and the neighborhood he lives in, one can tell that his cats probably mean the world to him. His neighborhood is one of the only streets that I know of where there may not be a single street light. One day, just maybe one day I will meet this man.
This morning I received a phone call from Mr. Moore (no first names are allowed on this post). He was actually calling about a puppy his cousin has who was born with some issues (in regards to gender organs), and so the phone call was mostly about that problem. Then we got to talking, and he stated that it gets hard for him to always take care of his animals, I explained to him that it was no problem for Memphis Pets Alive! to keep support his family of four-legged ones. After all, with the recent enormous donations from Kroger and our newly launched Amazon wish list (click there for more:Amazon Wish list) we are definitely in surplus mode at the moment. Mr. Moore is a man who lives down in a rough neighborhood that is off S. 3rd Street.
I have been supplying Mr. Moore, and his sister Miss Moore (who lives a few miles to the N. of her brother) with food for the last few months. Mr. Moore is a man living on disability as a result of a motorcycle accident that occurred while he was riding his motorcycle down the highway near Baton Rouge. He has not lived in this area very long, but he has two young pups, a momma cat, and two of her kittens, that I have been able to watch grow up. One of the kittens was a little too brave and got hit by a car just in the last week or two. Mr. Moore may came from a different culture, different neighborhood, and maybe a totally different world than I do, but I am certain that I will always receive one thing from him - a giant hug! Last month during our visit he said this to me, "Mr. John, I love you for what you do to help me take care of animals, I really do." That's enough to give a guy like me a few goosebumps. We have a Tuesday morning fishing day together coming up pretty soon as well.
His sister has a heart just big as he does. She is a little lady that I first met while delivering food to her neighbors. She had a little grandson with her who instantly was joined to my hip for the 20 minutes or so that we were together. She rides around these days in an electric wheelchair and lives alone with her three dogs that who stay in her front yard that is fenced to protect her house. Today I learned that she had lost 170 lbs, but still has some knee issues that were preventing her from getting out of her wheelchair. She will be having surgery in a few weeks to repair that bad knee, so I look forward to seeing her walk soon. Just like her brother, she has shared her love with a hug, and a few prayers for me as well. She is a fine church going lady, and you can see it in that big smile of hers whenever that wheelchair comes down the driveway. She reminds me of a character from the book The Shack, if you have read it you will know.
Last of all, is Miss K (I only know her first name actually). She usually just sends me a text now when her young dog needs food. She is a single mom with a daughter who may be in middle school, and a boy who is a little younger. The boy will grow up to be a fine young man for sure. He always comes to the door and most of the time the car, to carry the bags of food into the kitchen area. What impresses me most is that he remembers my name and tonight shouted to his mom "John is here". He loves his dog, though he thinks the poor mutt should have a litter of puppies, which I will persuade him out of sometime soon. What made me laugh as I was leaving their house tonight in the Jackson Avenue area, was that I heard "tell your wife I said hello", in reference to my ex girlfriend. He meant well without a doubt, so I appreciated his thoughtfulness.
I write this tonight to say that there are some pet owners out there with tremendous hearts and lives that have been filled with burden (though we may or may not know the burdens), that make it difficult for them to financially support their own pets one hundred percent of the time. That is where the Memphis Pets Alive! Pet Pantry comes into bring assistance to these members of our community.
Please help share if you may wish and help us to help more members of this fine community so they may be able to remain pet owners and not be those that are looked down upon for surrendering their pets to certain places that will not be named.
Since yesterday evening I have delivered about 40 cans of cat food, 32 pounds of cat food, and about 200 pounds of dog food.
Mr. Moore's doggies getting some well deserved attention
A little puppy that belongs to Mr. Moore's cousin
This one looks just like his mom.
Without the help of companies like Kroger, and Walmart, along with local organizations, a trunk like this would not be possible.
Credit for photography goes to Miss Beth Spencer
Friday, August 15, 2014
Help Me Help Some Four Legged Ones
Check our wish list for Memphis Pets Alive! That is the fine organization that I help out in my spare time weekly.
Below is our website
Memphis Pets Alive
This is our Amazon wishlist
Amazon Wishlist
Below is our website
Memphis Pets Alive
This is our Amazon wishlist
Amazon Wishlist
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
(No Title Needed)
I received this today from a friend of a client. I believe she may have been a church member that was helping a disabled member of the congregation out, or possibly a neighbor. The owner of this little puppy (who had a an early case of Parvo) was a very kind, and very quiet older lady, who walked with the assistance of a cane. Some of us were unsure if she was returning to pick up little Coco, who I wanted to name Chico or Taco, due to being a chihuahua. Both ladies were extremely kind as I helped them out. The younger lady had a cross on her bible with her in the lobby and I complimented her on how I liked the cross. She looked me and said "it's yours." Sometimes when you are at a crossroads in life, you just wonder how certain moments occur, certain people appear/disappear, and what the heck is God really doing up there.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Some of What I Do on Tuesdays
Here's a cool video that my friend Erika posted recently of one of the puppy dogs at the Memphis Animal Shelter. We (Memphis Pets Alive!) go out and take pictures, give treats, and even make a few videos of all of the animals out there.
Check this one out.
Tanner the Dog
Check this one out.
Tanner the Dog
A Dog With a Really Cool Heart
And it's not what you think!!
Someone is paying to get this dog out of the Memphis Animal Shelter all the way to Chesterfield, VA. As I checked the distances on Google this evening, I discovered that it would be one heck of a road trip, so we may be flying this fellow on to the coast of VA, sometime very soon.
Please share with your friends.
Please share with your friends.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
An Ode To Sirius XM Radio
I reactivated you yesterday
Out of boredom
To help a monotone saleslady make her pay
I had to refresh my signal today
So I could even have a listen
I did not realize you had something new to say
It was a new station of that twang I enjoy
One that played a respectful type of twang
Not like that stuff those raspy guys that can easily annoy
I heard the sounds of my boy Trace
That big fella' who has lived a country song recently
Definitely put a smile on my face
Next I heard that 'ole Clint Black
Now I knew this was no dream at all
With this I thought real country radio is back
The station name itself even has a good ring
Y2Kountry, who'd of thought
You would have made my country heart sing
Out of boredom
To help a monotone saleslady make her pay
I had to refresh my signal today
So I could even have a listen
I did not realize you had something new to say
It was a new station of that twang I enjoy
One that played a respectful type of twang
Not like that stuff those raspy guys that can easily annoy
I heard the sounds of my boy Trace
That big fella' who has lived a country song recently
Definitely put a smile on my face
Next I heard that 'ole Clint Black
Now I knew this was no dream at all
With this I thought real country radio is back
The station name itself even has a good ring
Y2Kountry, who'd of thought
You would have made my country heart sing
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
An Almost Perfect Day and a Photo Story of a Four Legged
The last week or two have consisted of fatigue, overtime (and then some), a jacked up foot/ankle, a little more overtime, boredom due to jacked up/foot ankle, struggling to figure out where I want to live in a few months, and the list could go on and on and on.
Well, thanks to a young four legged who trusted me with a few days of his life, things became a little fun yesterday during my day off.
Usually my days off consist of laundry, watching stocks, trolling Facebook, checking emails for something magical that never seems to appear, and then joining the ladies for Wag Along Tuesdays at Memphis Animal Services.
For those who do not know me too well, I have a ton of wanderlust still. When one has lived and traveled overseas off and on for 6 years or so, it gets tough being in a place you haven't lived in since you were in high school. Living in Memphis for over eight months?? Would have never thunk it!!!
Now to the fun stuff. Recently I decided to help a young dog formerly named Tattoo out in starting his new life. He spent the weekend at Memphis Animal Clinic, since I was doing the kennel shifts. We got to spend a little time together, and he was very respectful of his new temporary lodging place. The moment he got his own run he embraced his spot, and sucked down a whole bowl of water like a hoover vacuum will clean that mess of dog hair you have in your bedroom.
Saturday afternoon checking out things outside as the day drew to a close
Now oddly enough, I was a little in awe of this boy Saturday evening. I left the clinic thinking that this dog would not bark at all. Well, Sunday morning changed that. Sometimes we know what a dog is saying when they bark or make a certain sound - "get me outside before I make a mess in my bed", is usually common-theme when it comes to reading a dog's mind. Other times they know it is time for a feeding or perhaps they need a refill of their favorite frosty beverage (only if your dog rolls that way - no pun intended). Whatever the reason for his barking I just kind of took in the sound as it still did not retract from that twangy stuff blaring over the portable speakers in the kennel area. Tattoo did teach me that some dogs just want to have their own space, and when they want to share that bubble with a human, they will let ya know.
: At least there's a warm fuzzy blanket in here".
"There's that idiot again sneaking another picture of me. I can see you".
So we will fast forward to Monday evening. I received an email saying this canine friend of mine was going to need a leash collar for his ride on Tuesday. I just usually roll with a slip lead if a dog is riding with me, but this guy was going on an adventure to start a new beginning in his life. He needed to roll with a little style. I found one of those popular Lupine peacock leach and collar sets to give the boy before his ride. One big mistake - I placed the leash on his kennel door and you could tell he felt a little misled.
Tuesday morning I arrived at work earlier than ever, but thankfully it was not work related. I got Tattoo out of his kennel, and we took a quick stroll outside so he could take care of business. He learned that when you ride with me you gotta at least go two hours toward your destination before you can make a pit stop. As we left Midtown, I drove out to a Shell, and then on Walmart, so I could stock up on Clif Bars, Naked Juice, and of course some ALPO Snaps. That antsy fool swore I was gonna leave him there alone in my car at Walmart. I could hear barking as I walked away within seconds. Once I arrived back at the car, I could hardly get in without him wanting to jump out.
A little selfie before leaving the clinic
Showing off his collar/leash set before I filled up the tank
Once there was a man who said this,
If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special. Thanks to the late Jimmy V for that one.Well, thanks to a young four legged who trusted me with a few days of his life, things became a little fun yesterday during my day off.
Usually my days off consist of laundry, watching stocks, trolling Facebook, checking emails for something magical that never seems to appear, and then joining the ladies for Wag Along Tuesdays at Memphis Animal Services.
For those who do not know me too well, I have a ton of wanderlust still. When one has lived and traveled overseas off and on for 6 years or so, it gets tough being in a place you haven't lived in since you were in high school. Living in Memphis for over eight months?? Would have never thunk it!!!
Now to the fun stuff. Recently I decided to help a young dog formerly named Tattoo out in starting his new life. He spent the weekend at Memphis Animal Clinic, since I was doing the kennel shifts. We got to spend a little time together, and he was very respectful of his new temporary lodging place. The moment he got his own run he embraced his spot, and sucked down a whole bowl of water like a hoover vacuum will clean that mess of dog hair you have in your bedroom.
Now oddly enough, I was a little in awe of this boy Saturday evening. I left the clinic thinking that this dog would not bark at all. Well, Sunday morning changed that. Sometimes we know what a dog is saying when they bark or make a certain sound - "get me outside before I make a mess in my bed", is usually common-theme when it comes to reading a dog's mind. Other times they know it is time for a feeding or perhaps they need a refill of their favorite frosty beverage (only if your dog rolls that way - no pun intended). Whatever the reason for his barking I just kind of took in the sound as it still did not retract from that twangy stuff blaring over the portable speakers in the kennel area. Tattoo did teach me that some dogs just want to have their own space, and when they want to share that bubble with a human, they will let ya know.
So we will fast forward to Monday evening. I received an email saying this canine friend of mine was going to need a leash collar for his ride on Tuesday. I just usually roll with a slip lead if a dog is riding with me, but this guy was going on an adventure to start a new beginning in his life. He needed to roll with a little style. I found one of those popular Lupine peacock leach and collar sets to give the boy before his ride. One big mistake - I placed the leash on his kennel door and you could tell he felt a little misled.
Tuesday morning I arrived at work earlier than ever, but thankfully it was not work related. I got Tattoo out of his kennel, and we took a quick stroll outside so he could take care of business. He learned that when you ride with me you gotta at least go two hours toward your destination before you can make a pit stop. As we left Midtown, I drove out to a Shell, and then on Walmart, so I could stock up on Clif Bars, Naked Juice, and of course some ALPO Snaps. That antsy fool swore I was gonna leave him there alone in my car at Walmart. I could hear barking as I walked away within seconds. Once I arrived back at the car, I could hardly get in without him wanting to jump out.
Once there was a man who said this,
I can not credit the young boy for moving me to tears (that was reserved for a few hours later when I saw the grave site of one of my heroes).
I definitely spent a ton of time in thought and laughed my ass off though between 7:30-10:20 yesterday morning. I never thought I dog could spent so much time getting to know the front and the back of a small vehicle like Tattoo did. He spent most of his time in the front seat, but once I let those windows down just a tad, he was all over the place.
font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">He was like that kid spends so much time ever so patiently waiting to see the beach for the first time, or that foreigner flying into America for the first time and gazing down at the sights of this beautiful nation. For the first two hours of that ride, he was not interested and sleeping AT ALL. The feel of that fresh Tennessee air blowing at his face brought joy and smiles to us both. When he finally did lay down towards the end of the ride I was a little disappointed. I could go on and on about the fun time we shared, but I will end this with a few pictures. Yesterday, thanks to the dog formerly known as Tattoo, my friend Kent and his kid, and a few random strangers, I did just about have the perfect day.
Thanks for reading!
Just in case you needed to know what put the icing on the cake for the near-perfect day. . . . . . .
It has been way too long
Well,
Hello World! I am not sure what else to say at the moment. My mind has been going crazy these last few weeks. Last year at this time I was in Bulgaria, thinking I was going to be enrolling at Sofia University's Graduate School. Well, someone had different plans for me. I still miss the nights hanging out in the park with friends there in Sofia, and that lovely weather (though locals complained of hot days - that were low 90s with almost ZERO humidity!).
Other days I long to be back in Korea in my old classroom hanging out with those young intriguing minds. I anticipate the moment when I we will be able to act goofy again, even if it is only for a short time span. In regards to that, that may be happening very, very soon. As odd as it seems, I even had a dream about Korean Mom, and Korean Grandma last night. It seemed so real, and then of course I woke up to reality, and found that time does not move so fast when you actually want it to do so.
So I do not want to report everything that is going on life, but life will improve soon. I find peace in the same 'ole things. Instead of finding peace in the eyes of the little ones that I taught, I find peace in the eyes of the four legged ones, that just maybe I can help save. Spending time with owners who are passionate about their animals is just as rewarding as a parent who loves seeing the results of my teaching on the faces of their little ones.
I'll be back soon to post on a previous adventure, but I will leave you a picture that was really cool.
A young boy decided to step on our scale at work, and his dog followed him up there, while their mother paid their bill.
Hello World! I am not sure what else to say at the moment. My mind has been going crazy these last few weeks. Last year at this time I was in Bulgaria, thinking I was going to be enrolling at Sofia University's Graduate School. Well, someone had different plans for me. I still miss the nights hanging out in the park with friends there in Sofia, and that lovely weather (though locals complained of hot days - that were low 90s with almost ZERO humidity!).
Other days I long to be back in Korea in my old classroom hanging out with those young intriguing minds. I anticipate the moment when I we will be able to act goofy again, even if it is only for a short time span. In regards to that, that may be happening very, very soon. As odd as it seems, I even had a dream about Korean Mom, and Korean Grandma last night. It seemed so real, and then of course I woke up to reality, and found that time does not move so fast when you actually want it to do so.
So I do not want to report everything that is going on life, but life will improve soon. I find peace in the same 'ole things. Instead of finding peace in the eyes of the little ones that I taught, I find peace in the eyes of the four legged ones, that just maybe I can help save. Spending time with owners who are passionate about their animals is just as rewarding as a parent who loves seeing the results of my teaching on the faces of their little ones.
I'll be back soon to post on a previous adventure, but I will leave you a picture that was really cool.
A young boy decided to step on our scale at work, and his dog followed him up there, while their mother paid their bill.
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