Sentiments from a homeless child

There is a pain in the heart left with grudge and mis ery
Of a lone some ex is tence amidst the un cer tain ties
What lies be neath the hun dred hopes?
To wear such smiles of en dear ment
To live with warmth of yearn ings
Of a mother’s touch
With a fa ther’s shield

Look through his cry ing heart,
In the eyes of a home less child

He plays in un sure path of lonely grounds

Via Definitely Filipino

Ray Marr - http://blog.homeofknatchwa.net

Posted via email from Marr Family on Posterous

Reconnecting with Nature | Through a Cat's Eyes

Making a Change by Reconnecting with Nature

Pets & The Mortgage Crisis - Connected or Disconnected?

Bentley, a 3-year-old Lhasa apso, was given up by his owners because they just couldn't afford to keep him any more.

Tinkerbell, a sweet, docile house cat, was surrendered by her owners after they found out that they had lost their home.

With foreclosures disrupting life, from the family house down to the dog house, and as Americans toil through a tough economic landscape, some of their pets face an even bleaker future in the pound.

"People lose their homes and have to move to apartments that don't accept pets, so they give them up," says Cheryl McAuliffe, a spokeswoman for the Georgia State Humane Society.

via CNN News

The mortgage meltdown also affects those with pets, in an economy in a downward spiral many are having to give up their pets because they cannot afford them or they are not allowed in the place they have to move too after a house is foreclosed on. It makes you wonder, how many more of these pets will be affected before this foul storm passes? How many more pets will be lost, because of foreclosures and house losses?

How will these, shelter take care of so many animals, unless something is done sooner rather then later, I really wonder if this downward spiral continues how many of these same pets will be humanely euphanized because there is no more space for them. As the numbers keep going up, not to mention that with the fires in California how many of these pets are also being displaced?

The future may not be definite, though the big question is what can be done to make some positive changes for the future of this economy and for the many displaced pets? Your views share them in the comments.

Dog Food Recalled for Salmonella Contamination

More dog food has been recalled! Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of all dry pet food products produced at its plant in Everson, Pa. between Feb. 18 and July 29, citing potential contamination with salmonella. It is not known how much pet food is involved but involves 31 states and various brands of pet food.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in humans also. The pet food company said it stopped production at the plant July 29 when it was alerted of a possible link between dry pet food produced in Everson and two isolated cases of people infected with salmonella.

The possible contaminated pet food are under the brand names include some items under the names Country Acres, Retriever, Doggy Bag, Members Mark, Natural, Ol’ Roy, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Pedigree, Wegman’s, Pet Pride, PMI Nutrition and Red Flannel.

         Originally Posted @ mainstreet dog

Take a look in your pantry and see if any of these foods are currently in there, Salmonella is not only hazardous to Humans but more so to pets. Keeping up with the product recalls makes sense don't you think? In so doing you take care of your own health and the health of those pets who you care for so much. As in my home we have one dog, I need to check and I would strongly recommend you do the same.

If there are further updates I will be sure to let you know, my hope is that the recall will eradicate any further sickness that could otherwise be fatal. Salmonella is a serious thing, so take care of your dogs and your self.

New & Exciting Updates

Brand new and further improved iDiscuss Forums @ http://hok-international.net/smf/index.php?board=28.0 And the story continues onward with additions of new entries @ www.political-sylum08.blogspot.com & www.bike-journeys.blogspot.com

And that is only the beginning the objective is to do a complete redesign of the site and explore the possiblities beyond that moment, any suggestions?

Connect with me at Twitter

Even at 140 Characters at a time great conversations can happen, or at the very least good ideas for the future of this blog and others is quite clear if you take the time to look at it. And if 140 Characters is not quite enough you can also join me on Friendfeed via KnatdeCat.

In Memoriam Dealing with Deaths of Pets

As I was catching up on one of my favorite forums bikeforums.net I came across this topic that set my mind in motion, to think of the fact that many in the world today have experienced loss, whether a family member or a family pet that was emotionally taxing. In it the soft insides of who we are slowly immerse themselves in a new light. It is those feeling, those beats of your heart that you truly see how deeply in love you were with this entity. With this pet, that only offered unconditional love and companionship in your own trials and tribulations. In this thread the soft underbody of who we are as human beings. Those emotions often kept under lock and key fearing for hurt, fearing for loss break lose and in that you truly feel the depth of your perception of this loss.. This topic in itself is a difficult one for anyone to deal with, though it is par for the course of life, even with Focusing Forward through life there is always those inevitable moments of frustration, those challenges that appear those low times on the rollercoaster that is often our life. In those low times, in that loss of a pet or family member we enter that state where things are most certainly difficult. A popular quote goes

...even this shall pass

it is in that interpretation of the glass full or the glass half empty that you truly see more of who you are. Perhaps a side you are not so interested in, the darker part of yoru being. Or just simply the most supple part of who we are. The area that we do not want to be hurt. The area of our being that is in line with the sadness, the loss that is a part of life as we live it.

With Fluffy G Passing, and Panda just previous to that it was most certainly a challenging time, a time where family came together to remember to recall what we loved about these two animals who had passed so suddenly. It may of been a very long time between the time they came to the house and the time they died we pay no attention to time when there is such love. Often we really have no clue how much time passes as it often passes so quickly it seems like only moments. These two cats who passed to early, are still remembered the collars once worn still remains as a standing memorial. For Panda her ashes are within a box by my Mothers bed and a picture of her right above it. The impact of such love and such caring is never forgotten. Perhaps the physical beings of these animals arelost but their memory continues to reside for as many years as we are alive and even beyond that.

The Saga Continues, Join me at the New and Improved Blog @ Wordpress via http://knatdecat.wordpress.com/ and http://pawsnotclaws.wordpress.com/

Greetings and hello fellow pet lovers ... and regular visitors to rlmi-petsandpictures I wanted to keep you up to date on some of the exciting changes on the site, and additions to this blog and the others that are in line.

• With the Project in full swing I figured I would add a new page to the site as you can guess it is simple enough and you can enter it simply by clicking on pnc.hok-international.net or clicking the image above. The choice is yours. The Paws not Claws Project is still early in development though I feel it can be a wonderful resource for those with younger pets such as our kitten litte mona:
  
  
  
  
• Who is just in par along with the recommendations that were found at petplace.com as a younger kitten who is growing more each day. 

There is so much more for her to explore, and for now that is only the beginning of a longer thought coming soon.

Kittens and Growth - Training and Solutions

Challenges with Kittens - Some Possible Solutions.

How many owners out there have kittens? They can be wonderful sometimes right? Well what about the other times, when they are misbehaving, what do you do to bring them back under control? Do you just let it go and hope it solves itself or do you take action? The link above is a point of discussion as I am sure we each have different experiences with our kittens, why not share your view and read what others have said about similar situations.

Sanity, What is it?

Essays: Sanity - Essays - Helium - by Ray Marr

You ever take the time to think what is sanity, what it entails, what it means to each person? The attached essay is one view what is yours?

Ray



Technorati Tags: sanity, reality, interpretation

Pets are amazing

When I look at little mona or any of these amazing pets, it astounds me that when you talk to them they seem to be quite interested in what you have to say, in fact they appear as if they understand every word of it or just intrigued by the sound of the voice.

Mona is a bright kitten so my guess is she understands more then most, although with so many pets in a home, there is bound to be a connection amongst each of them. As there is a reason they decided to stay here, certainly there is ample opportunity to go and run, but thus far even if they do go out. They come back, to a place they consider home. A place where there is love and caring and fresh food and water. Even a farrow cat in time can be trusting. Not as much as you may like. Though with love so much is surely possible, as such it intrigues to me observe these animals. And to note the love so freely offered to their owners. Why is it in this day and age what was once unconditional in some aspects has become conditional. Depending on to many variables, unconditional love sometimes appears lost.

In society today it does make sense to be weary, with the diversity of the world today but does that mean for those you hold close you should also set conditions?

Daisy's YouTube Debut

Besides Mona, the well known kitten at least so far as youtubers there are many pets in this family. Well a total of what Two Cats, One Kitten, One Dog and some fish :) So there is no limit how much fun they can get into together.

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Daisy, has always been an outdoor cat, ever since the day she came into this world, that by cat years was a long time ago. This cat called Daisy is a senior now and I wonder if she could talk what stories will she tell. Gonna have to start studying cat whispering, perhaps the secrets can actually be understood. We shall see how it will go in the end. So far as it goes Daisy has had her first youtube debut:

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One Variation ... there is more to come this is early on in the production phases of the pets in the family series :) So enjoy it and comment or rate. Make it interesting for all those concerned.

Pets are awesome fun don't you agree?

The Coming Together Of Two Cats

Two Cats coming together Over Generations:

You ever notice how similar a cat is to a person? In the sense that when a cat meets another animal for the first time the initial viewpoint is one in which this new addition poses a threat.

To A pet who has had a home to itself for so long. So As time Progresses and the pecking order is established, you get great shots. Of A united set in love of the family that takes such good care of them. And so it has gone, when Mona first showed up here Marcy was not all that excited and showed it quite clearly, by nearly teaching the kitten in her own way how things are to be. The day shows up and this picture came about:

Truly unconditional love, sure many of you may say, well a cat is not supposed to be on the table, and maybe you will give me a thing or two about taking care of animals in keeping them in line. I will listen and I will interpret. These two cats now are like Mother & Adopted Daughter and it is a wonderful thing to see. Animals truly are caring, and unconditional in their love for you. So that is todays story there will be more to come in the future.

Mona - Growing

That sweet kitten continues to become more and more mature. Acting like the teenager as by cat years that is what she is. Have some updated photos but that is an ongoing process in placing them here. More to come soon.

Updated Stories

Lately, I have been focused on building the domain then updating the blogs here. I am glad each person who has stopped in and took the time to read through the posts have enjoyed them and felt a bit more aware from the read. This particular blog I am looking at consolidating in the new domain so I appreciate your patience as that is an ongoing experience. I am glad you continue to find this page of interest and look forward to your feedback on the new domain.

Mona & Her Story

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A wonderful well mannered little tortoise shell kitty, a recent addition to the household, with good mannerisms and five claws, in great health and just enjoyed her first holiday in the house. She was the continuation of what could of been Fluffy, if all had gone as planned. It is to bad it did not work the way as was once expected too. She has made it interesting surely a kitten through and through. It is good to have her at home.

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Revised - 02/11/:58
Well since I have initially entered this entry much has changed and seems appropriate to update as the holidays have passed and the new year has begun. Since this was specifically for Mona the kitten, I thought I would add some information. She made it through the holidays, her first holiday season within our family. And already she is about 6 months or apparently teen years for a kitten at about 6 months, so now she is testing anything and everything not unlike a teenage daughter or son. There are the good times and the difficult times with this kitten. In getting through them the rules and regulations are made concrete in a kittens mind. After which time good habits will be formed. In an ideal world at least. As we cannot see in the future at the very least we can work in the present as she becomes accustomed to the limitations.

Thanks for reading.

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Recent Updates and A New Videos Available here for any specific requests you can go here.

Loss Experienced, Over a Happy Holiday

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Sadness in a Season of Joy!

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To realize this season, these last few months have been times of sadness, over thanksgiving a kitty dies, neck broken because got stuck in the gate, attempted to save yet it was to late. I did all I could at least I can say, as I had a number of a neighbor of mine who herself had 7 cats. So fortunate was that turn of events that she was even home, to at least confirm the sad fact that such a kitty lost, left before his first Christmas. Buried near a week later, in sadness and grief, yet I guess it worked out for the best, as we now have another beautiful kitty, a tortoise shell, very bright animal who will enjoy her first holiday season with us. So in grief I remember Fluffy G, in gladness I hold Mona in my arms and pet her soft fir as the lights have gone up and the holiday has arrived and she is still with us.

Recently my Grandfather, whom I had visited nearly two seasons back, right around the holidays no less, was around Christmas last I visited him, he seemed in good health at the time but apparently, much can happen in only a couple of years. He was a jolly fellow, a recovered alcoholic getting his life back together. The only situation about this particular experience is simply, the alcohol had already done the damage for all the time previous to his recovery. Though he seemed healthy, internally, the awareness remained and he was still suffering. I must give him the fact he was making the most of each day. He had passed just this 12th of December, just over a week before Christmas, and now only a memory can be said. And good times had. May Grandpa Bill Rest In Peace over this holiday season and the many more to come.

It seems in so many years, I have not had this experience before. My Grandmother in the hospital as well as my Grandfather, each up in there years after living their existence, got me thinking of the possibility that is clearly there. Of death and loss, so near, got me thinking of where I should go and what I should do in preparation for the inevitable. For this holiday season, as it may be the last I see of my Grandparents, I want to make sure, that I enjoy these moments now and not wait so long that the chance is never presented to say goodbye.The same I can offer to those who have dealt with loss in times of happiness, do all you can to be there for there last days. Six Months, One Year, Hard to say the exact time period so take care of things now not later. My father has often said to me, though stubborn I can be, Later Is Now you see.

Thank You for Reading ... Life is Full Of Challenges, grow from them, appreciate what you have now for it may not be there next year. The Happiest of Holidays I wish you and an eventful New Year.

Kung Fu Kitty

What a fun day for sure today Mona the brave decided to show us some of her kitten kung fu ... the battle was fierce between mona and annie, with one flying roundhouse punch annie stepped back. A kitty that jumps like a kangaroo, with an effective strike, certainly quite the sight. Will have to get photos later when she decides to share further of her technique in kitten kung fu.

KiiiYaaa Kitty shots coming soon.

Fluffy G repost 12/09/07

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The Sad Truth:

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You know it has been said Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for something ... and

this thanksgiving as it has come and gone brought about things you wonder if you can be thankful for. In example a kitty relatively new to the family ... his first holiday season as our pet never expecting it to be his last, passes unexpectedly while we are away visiting family two hours from our home where all the pets were with my sister. On this day so termed as Thanksgiving, thankful for death??

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Fluffy G
A wonderful pet may he Rest In Peace

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Died 11/23/2007 Buried 12/02/07

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We usually go to San Francisco for the holidays as most of my relatives still live there and seeing as we have one dog and two cats including one kitten we always have someone stay at home with the animals, this particular time it was my sister.
We headed out in preparation for the long ride a total of 2 hours on great traffic conditions full expecting to be in SF till later in the night. So once we arrived surprisingly early we sat down after saying the traditional hellos, begin feasting. All seemed to be going well until my cell phone rang, surprised as I was I did not expect the content of the conversation. my sister called me up just as we were finishing the gluttonous feasting that is thanksgiving ... and going for my third piece of pumpkin pie. She calls and all she says is there is an emergency the kitten is dead ... it got stuck in the gate and well she had tried to save him but in the end it seems his neck got broken or he just choked to death. Last I heard he was bleeding out his nose and ears.

Murdered, choked to death ... nobody knows ... well so it went down ... the wonder of the cell ... enabling the opportunity to communicate ... so a time to be thankful now a sad time to be remembered. It got me thinking though of this world, these holidays ... a time to be with family but is it also a time to lose a family member? Or we just lucky that way. Well the ride back as it were was sad ... so much crying and the standard blame on this and blame on that. You know the shoulda, coulda, woulda. If only ... If I was there I ... and so on and so forth ... but I looked at it and said to myself and attempted to share the thought with those who were most affected, my mother in particular ... I tried to tell her it is best to accept it ... and move on ... funny thing the song from The Eagles, Get Over It!. Did come to mind but figured that was just a bit to harsh. So after a time ... I had said all I could and had done all that I was able ... we get back home and all that remains of this once active kitten Black & White tuxedo kitten, which had just begun his life and started learning how to relate with us, a stray, one in which could of become a farrow cat and may of died in more harsh a way. We saved him from that life or did we. I truly wonder sometimes what did we do for this kitten?

Thanks for reading.

This story seems that it must go on ... and so it shall ...

A Work In Progress

As many stories, and experience we each have had with our pets, it seems appropiate to setup a site specifically for that purpose. There are many wonderful things we can all share in. The way to start is ....

write something about the animals you love and care for.... and send the stories to once they have been sent they will be posted immediately. So make it a point to do what you can to make this interesting.

Thanks for your posts.

Ray

The other blogs worthy of a look:
HoK-Knatchwa
On Sickness and Health
Commute Alternatives

Happy Holidays from me to you.