November is "Adopt a Senior Pet Month"

Back in 2005, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and petfinder.com gave older shelter dogs a much needed public relations boost when they designated November as Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Since then, a senior-dog rescue movement has been spreading across North America. Thousands of lucky dogs are finding safe, stable homes in their later years. Our neighbors adopted 2 senior dogs a few years ago and gave them a loving home. One of them was 12 years old. Actually older dogs can be wonderful companions and have many desirable traits. They are most likely to be calmer than a puppy, and already house-trained., not to mention, they can love you just as much and sometimes even more than a puppy because they appreciate that you rescued them.

Also, a growing number of assisted-living facilities, nursing homes and other long-term-care communities are allowing live-in pets now, because the animals help banish loneliness and boredom for the residents. The assisted living community where my mother-in-law was living had an elderly Golden Retriever, Blossom, whom the residents loved....she would go and sit with them, give them kisses, and of course many of the residents would give her treats, and sit for hours telling her stories and stroking her fur.

So, if you are looking for a pet this holiday season, why not consider adopting a Senior Dog. It will make you feel good and it will make the last years of his/her life happy.

Hear are 8 reasons to adopt a Senior Pet: 

1. They are usually already house-trained
2. They are done with their teething phase
3. They are less rambunctious than puppies
4. Their size, shape and personalities are already established
5. They tend to be calm and mellow
6. They are a great fit for people with busy lifestyles
7. They still have much love, comedy and adventure to give
8. They are perfect match for the elderly

If you already have a pet, be thankful for it and appreciate their love, companionship and the countless hours of enjoyment and happiness they bring to you!

Enjoy the upcoming holidays and may you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Tear down the walls of separation

The outcome of the election a few days ago was both surprising and historic, to say the least...It was a hard fought race and one of the most polarizing races for the American voters. The day after the election seems like half the voters were elated and the other half were upset. The message to our politicians is clear that America wants change. Now the real work begins......

As the votes were coming in and it was becoming obvious what the outcome was going to be, the world was watching and reacting as well. The Dow Jones Index dropped as much as 800 points due to the emotional reaction of investors around the world. However, by the following morning, investors had calmed down and the Index had recovered. People who are unhappy/disappointed with the election outcome, should also try to cope and move forward. Just because we did not elect a woman to the White House doesn't mean it is the end of the world, nor does it mean that women are held down. On the contrary we should look at it from the perspective that we as women DO have the opportunity to compete and run for the highest position in the land. Obviously this was not the right time.In four years another woman can run and maybe win.

What is disturbing to me is watching all the protests around our country. Our culture is in trouble, and our society seems dissfunctional. When people beat innocent bystanders, and when protester close our freeways for hours and hours, preventing commuters from get home to their families...I ask the question: what purpose do these protests serve? I understand that there is anger,disappointment and fear among many people, but violence will not fix anything. We must stop treating each other as the enemy. Our country needs to be united as one, not as fragmented groups of people, but as American people. If you live in this country you must embrace it and make it better. We must ask ourselves what contributions we can make, to make a positive difference. As President Kennedy once said: ask what you can do for your Country NOT what the Country can do for you".

My father dreamed of coming to the USA all his life and in 1970, at the age of  59, he was finally able to have his dream come true. He worked hard, he learned English and became a US citizen as soon as he was eligible, and so did all of my family.People still come to this Country for freedom and for opportunities that don't exist elsewhere. Some people chose not to see it that way, and it is sad! Some celebrities talked about leaving the country if the election went to Mr. Trump, but now they changed their minds. Why? Their behavior is disgraceful, appalling, and immoral in some cases, especially since they have achieved so much in THIS Country.

So, where do we go from here and how do we heal the wounds of our beautiful Country? One thing we can all do is pray (God does hear our prayers) that Mr. Trump, our 45th President elect, will get to work and do what is right for ALL people and that he will take the country in the right direction. As citizens we must also play a part in it and instead of fighting each other, we must join in and tear down the walls of separation, hatred and discrimination. We must rebuild America not only from the top down, but also from the bottom up.