Make a Wish!

A few words about yesterday's comments.  First of all, I LOVE police men.  I love ANYTHING in uniform. Ask my girlfriends (wink).  But seriously?  Think what this world would be like without our police forces - well, think of what it would be like in THIS country without groups policing the bad men and women out there.  CHAOS, and we all would be goners.  I have such great respect for our men and women in blue.   They have helped me out more than a few times in my life when I needed help. I have met some great cops/animal lovers in the mornings since I began doing this nearly 15 years ago.  I call 911 for anything suspicious in my own neighborhood, and have done so for over 20 years that I've lived in my home.  And they are always there.  My mother says I have a speed dial number for them.  And they know who I am when I call - that they pick up the phone and with an eye roll, say 'yesssss Janine....'..  :) My dearly departed grandfather, Big Bill McCann (huge cat lover), ran against Sheriff Skinner in the 60s.  He lost, but not without a lot of votes!

Every day, I drive around one of Rochester's worst areas for crime and violence in the wee hours of the morning to feed homeless feral and stray cats.  It is sad that it is like that, but this is where the population of them are and I've made it my mission to help, so I just do it.  This also includes reporting dogs I see chained in the zero degree weather outside with no protection, rescuing those that are wandering, and lost, and also picking up dead cats from the road that have been hit and not bothered to be helped, or moved  to the side of the road.  This also includes helping out the occasional homeless guy, with a blanket, or a sandwich which I went back home to make and brought back to him because he was hungry.  Or talking to a streetwalker (they all know me) about maybe getting a real job at the hospital I work at.  Offering some hope.  That life isn't as hopeless as they think.

The police that work this area put their lives on the line every day and night.  Not many of us would be prepared to do anything like they do every day when they are on duty.  I am not the only one out there at strange hours of the night trying my best to fix a bad situation and we all rely on the police for protection and assistance. 

When I write about the cop that pulled me over that morning, I know he was doing his duty, but after realizing there was no wrongdoing or intention to do wrong, which he did let me go without a ticket or warning, but a smile and/or a kind word would have gone a long way.  That's all I was trying to say about that.  And yes, maybe he was in the height of personal despair, so I should remember that old saying.. "Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about..."

I write this blog to speak out about what I do for the animals, to try to educate people about what's out there, right under our noses, and hope for a solution to the ills of our society.  I write about what I see, who I encounter, and what my opinions are about every day stuff.  This country is all about free speech, and I am going to speak!  I try to speak for the animals, because they have no voice.

I love the police, but we have to work together - as citizens.  That is my wish.  So tomorrow, on my day off from my real job, when I pretend to blow out the candles on my pretend birthday cake (yes, it is - 27 on the 27th!  :)) (and no cake for me!), I will wish for harmony and peace for all, homes for all the homeless, safety for our officers, and to be a few pounds lighter at my weigh-in in the morning!  :)

Have a nice day!

"You were born to be real,

not to be perfect.

You're here to be you,

not to be what someone

else wants you to be.

Stand up for yourself,

look them in the eye,

and say 'Don't judge me

until you know me,

don't underestimate me

until you've challenged me,

and don't talk about me

until you've talked to me."