Our primary focus is on decent homes and affordable living for disabled and elderly animal lovers. Currently, there is no viable housing program for those of us humans whose nuclear family includes other species.
Talking points:
1. It is well documented that many people will refuse to evacuate from natural disasters if they have to leave their animals behind, proving that people love their animals and consider them family members, just as important as any human in the household. 2. It is commonly known that pets are good therapy, especially for lonely disabled and/or elderly folks. Many of us would be lost without our beloved "critters". The love we share is our strength; the motivating force in our lives. For some of us, caring for our critters has become our only reason to live. Without them, our lives would be empty. Devoid of animal companionship, loneliness would soon take its toll on our emotional health, which in turn would negatively affect our physical health. 3. Animal lovers are usually also ecology-minded people, with a great desire to protect and preserve the environment. We are the forgotten people in the realm of housing assistance. There are no programs that consider or even acknowledge our need to keep our families. Habitat for Humanity and other housing programs do not operate everywhere (outside city limits, for example). The option given to me was "Get rid of the animals" (as if they were junk to be tossed out!) and move to a subsidized apartment in town. I WOULD RATHER DIE!
Note: I try to avoid the use of the words 'pet' and '4-legged', because they exclude many well-loved critters; the inference does not usually include animals other than dogs and cats. For instance, I have a horse, whom I raised from a foal. He is now almost 26 years old, but he is not a 'pet', he's a horse! He doesn't sleep at my feet or even get to come inside - I wish it could be so! I love him with all my heart, and would live in a tent before I gave him up. That is why I use the term "critters"; it includes any animal, regardless of species, size, or number of legs.
Me, too.
Just think...
As disabled or elderly folks, we can't always do everything we'd like - or need - to do for our critters. If we lived in a community of other animal lovers, we would have neighbors who understood our plight and could help us. Conversely, we could help them when they need it.
That's what community is all about.
Wouldn't it be great to know that, if you had to go in the hosptal, or just caught a bad cold and needed to rest for a few days, that there would be someone close by who is familiar with the care and feeding of your pets?
Just a little disclaimer and some more info about us here...
First, if you think, looking at the picture of me and my horse, that I don't look disabled, think again. That picture is nearly 10 years old, and if you look closely, I was wearing a back brace then. Since then I have had 3 cervical discs replaced with "spacers" (the FDA has not yet approved the actual disc replacements yet - see the next paren), and been diagnosed with 5 herniated lumbar discs (awaiting FDA approval of surgical techniques successfully used in Europe for years), emphysema, arthritis and a myriad of other health problems, including a TBI (traumatic brain injury) that affects my cognitive abilities.
My poor old horse ain't gettin' any younger, either. He was mildly foundered years ago, and has an arthritic shoulder from a fall we took. The last time I was on his back was to ride him to the polls, fully tricked out in banners and flags for our candidate, on Election Day 2006 to vote for Texas Governor. The 5 mile round trip was about all either of us could manage. Both our tails were dragging by the time we got home - but we made our statement!
Second, I am not noted for my tact nor my political correctness. Just to support that statement, I'll say that Jack Nicholson and Bill Mayer are two of my favorite celebrities. That should tell you something! So, if you're easily offended, you can leave - don't go away mad, just go away. Don't complain; I do enough of that all by myself!
On the other hand, if you're serious about helping elders and disabled persons obtain better living conditions, then you'll just have to overlook my abrasive personality, and look at the beauty of this plan. Yes, of course, this is a self-serving enterprise, but if I can help myself AND help others at the same time, I can die peacefully, knowing I have left a legacy of good.
Http://savingtails.blogspot.com only outlines the PAL Community; I have published more details of the plan in other places, but I'll be darned if I can remember where ... I guess I'll have to re-write it. (A mind is a terrible thing to lose.)
Finally, I am in serious need of organizational help for this project! If you have the skills and/or funds necessary to help us obtain 501c3 status, funding, grant writing, advertsing, lobbying, or just want to help by being a supporter, please join my team in groups, blogs, causes, or wherever you find me. I may post on Facebook (see Critter Link), MySpace, Twitter, and wherever else I am.. Meanwhile, you may be able to find PAL by Googling "savingtails" , "critterlink", "Critter Link" or "PAL Community".
Addendum: My keyboard is worn out and sticky, and I'm a lousy typist, so I make lots of typos that i don't always catch. Please pardon me; I do the best I can.
Mitakuye Oyasin (We are all related),
CritterLink
Please visit my blog: http://savingtails.blogspot.com. If your are an animal lover who is disabled or elderly, and on a small fixed income, this is important to you!
