The bitter truth for cats and dogs lost in rural townships...

In response to the public outrage about the shooting of eight shelter animals in Houston, Alaska by a police officer ordered to do so by the town mayor...

The general pubic for the most part does not realize that in rural communities across America and Canada, the shooting of pound cats and dogs is the norm, a practice that occurs everyday by the thousands. The bodies are often taken to the local dump.

In our case here in rural Ontario, until I stepped in back in 1993, the cats and dogs were shot, put in garbage bags and disposed of at the local garbage dump. I also discovered through investigation and interviews, that years before, the bodies were dissolved in a vat of acid, this a best kept secret for decades in our community, still unknown to mostly everyone. Horrific, I know. When asked, the local newspaper refused to expose the practice to the public because the editor felt is was too disturbing. We were as a collective able to end the practice and engage the help of a local Vet.

People must be made aware that hundreds of rural townships still contract with local farmers, where barns act as holding cells until a lost or abandoned pet's D day is up. It is the reality.

What you can do: If you live in a rural area and don't know of a shelter nearby, call your local township office and just ask the question ~ what they do with stray cats and dogs? Perhaps you will be the one to change things in your area as did we. Not only did we stop the shooting, we had the pound redesigned for the health and safety of the animals, and encouraged an active adoption program successfully reducing the number of unwanted animals being unnecessarily euthanized. It was also the catalyst behind me founding HART: The Highland Animal Relief Team which has since 1993 rescued tens of thousands of unwanted pets, created a successful fostering program, induced a successful SNIP spay and neutral program and educated the local community on pet ownership awareness.  Perhaps there is something you too can do to assist the plight of lost pets in rural areas. Oh yes - and always adopt. Never buy! xo (that's my latest animal companion, Happy Hemi we call her, all the way from rural Ohio!)

Women on the Leading Edge of an Evolutionary Leap. SAVE THE DATE: June 27 to July 4th for The Grail Lady Faire!

 

It's been a decade in the making... now in gestation. Due date: June 27th. It's 'The Grail Lady Faire'. I could barely sleep last night. You know when something is right when it comes with ease, flow and acceptance. Just hours after going live with the event yesterday I fielded dozens of email inquiries from friends, family, colleagues, and even a male friend who is trying figure ways to qualify! I sense this is going to be one of the most magical, inspirational, evocative, and important weeks of my life, and the life of many other women. It's a pivotal point for great change and transformation, both personally and for the planet. One thing I know for sure, every woman counts.

There is a rising tide, a paradigm shift on its way. It's out with the old, in with the new. But it is up to women to decide the outcome. It is up to women to finally empower themselves with their innate female gifts that were for so long suppressed and hidden, to dig deep and rediscover their conviction and take leadership roles. It is time to put away the old fears and brainwashed ideas of female limitation. It is time to grab our swords and shields and charge to the front lines. Sounds like a war cry. It is a battle but a battle of a different kind. Our swords represent 'right thought in action', the shield represents 'the oath of justice, truth and freedom for all'. I am in my mind's eye just now visioning my favorite cinema scene of all time ~ Kate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth in her final battle with the patriarchal Spanish Armada. An etheric vision of spirit fully embodied with the heart and mind of a true leader.

If you too have heard the call, and feel compelled to act then please join with us on June 27th to July 4th as we answer the call with sword and shield in hand and begin to co-create together a new world of love, peace, truth and freedom for all.