It's Been a Long Journey

As I sat there intentionally attempting to quiet my mind, it came to me. A thought. And while I know that the whole point in quieting the mind is to rid oneself of chatter, I also believe it's in those moments that the important thoughts get through. I took a deep, long breathe. Then let it out slowly, with focus, as I had been taught to do years ago in massage school. I felt the cool breeze on my skin and attuned my attention to the bird calling out, high above in the trees. And for those moments I was in the moment. A peaceful moment. For me, it's during those moments that my creativity ebb and flows following the wave of the wind. So after a hiatius away from this sacred space, where I have shared my visions and struggles, I am back. My journey back to mindfullness, and regain my spirit, begins.

Today was day one. And it's been good. I set the timer for twenty minutes. I teetered to thirty, but recognized in myself the need to start slow if my intention is to be successful. The dogs were sent inside, so I could have the sacred space of my backyard, free from barking. This backyard has such a spirit, surrounded by beautiful trees and wildlife. But the dogs are more focused on the man walking his dog, or the kids riding their bikes. They break the air's silence with loud noises of discontent. And so they stayed indoors. Ironically it is one of the reasons I am reminded of the importance to find this space for myself. The House of Zen as a sanctuary and rescue is meant to be a peaceful, tranquil place where animals roam freely and contently. But my break from mindfulness over the past couple of years, can be seen in my dogs as well, and in the way I interact with them. And so I do this for them, in as much as I do it for myself.

While acknowledging, through feeling the warm rays of the sun, I was visited by one of our cats. He was demanding my attention, forcing his head below my palm. It broke the silence in my mind and I wondered if I was going to have to put him indoors as well. But because the air was still quiet, I turned my thoughts to the feeling of his fur. And the rhythm of his gestures. And before I knew it I was mindfully connecting with him. Experiencing his unconditional bond. And a little drool. Oh Hunter.

Twenty minutes went by, and while there were just a couple of moments where I was suddenly focused on the time, the majority of time was spent getting back into the flow of meditation.

It's been a long journey to say the least. Sometimes it seems like a lifetime. And in reality it has been a lifetime, of learning. But two years ago I was much more connected than today. Two years ago I was financially stable which freed my thoughts to reach my highest level of self awareness. I was inspired to follow my dreams of the House of Zen and to put real creative thought to making it happen. I allowed myself to rescue and truly participate in the vision, even if it was on a small level. I was living a motivated life, with vision boards, daily meditation videos and full of creative productivity. But the realization of just how unstable my financial footprint was, came smashing down, along with a job I had been a part of for the better part of a century of work. And suddenly my mindful serenity was in broken pieces and my ability to stay focused on the dream faded.

Ironically it would take a new opportunity, in a profession I had hoped to keep sidelined, to give me the breathing space, by financially coming up for air. And with that long awaited breathe, a shift in the tide, back to me. And to my dreams.

And in that quiet space today, I realized that the House of Zen is not just the sanctuary and rescue vision for animals, but it's also the space where my best self and my spirit align. Because it's only when I am at my best, feeling aw inspired with creativity abound, can I truly provide that space for the voiceless animals that need my help.

It's good to be back, even if to start again.

The Game of Cat and Mouse (aka Politics and Cronyism at It's Finest)

As many of you know, my passion is advocating for the voiceless. If you've known me for only a short time, the voiceless are helpless animals being killed recklessly at our tax funded "shelter" or "animal control" if you actually don't care about animals.

However for those that have taken the time to know me, the voiceless are all those needing to be heard in a system built and maintained by cronyism. This is just a sample of the voiceless I speak of and ones that speak to me.

My animal advocating has grown over the last couple of years. As I followed what resignated with me, I found tools being used in other cities (some right next door to Wylie) that were making a difference. Cities of varying sizes were acknowledging the fundamental responsibility we have as human beings, to care for those animals in need of intervention. As I immersed myself in research, I found that most significant, life saving efforts, required little to no additional money needed, but instead relied on the community to come together. And where cities embraced their community's help, dramatic changes took place. Lives were being saved. Budgets were unaffected, if not reduced.

When I learned of what was happening in Rockwall, Seagoville, Sachse, and other neighboring towns, I was excited because I expected that this incredible growing city that we live in, would rival, if not exceed, in our "animal control" department. What I found was disheartening.

Not only is Wylie NOT LEADING in progressive sheltering of our community's strays, lost, and neglected pets but we are neglectful ourselves. And as an animal advocate in Wylie, I set out to make an improvement.

So I started the Wylie Coalition for Animal Shelter Reform. I invited all those in Wylie that advocate for animals. From federally acknowledged 501c3 rescues, to TX state non profit rescues, individual animal advocates, shelter volunteers and neighbors, I invited all those in Wylie to come together to help make change. As our voices got louder and we began to take part in the "politics" of a city animal shelter, change happened.

Unfortunately, this change was small and it's inefficient usage by our paid staff hasn't made much of a dent in the kill rate statistic. A simple Records Request by any city resident, will produce a hunka hunka bit of data. In this data you will see that our progessive city, that we love, is paying for a shelter that kills cats the same day they arrive.

And even though our city ordinance requires a 7 day hold on cats and a 3 day hold on "ferals", our "shelter" still kills them the day they arrive.

While that may not be important to a non pet owner in Wylie, that cat they killed could very well be a resident's family member. And without giving time to reunite them, as what we SHOULD be doing, our "animal control" is KILLING them. On the SAME DAY THEY ARRIVE. (breaking their own city ordiance while doing so).

So why did this propel me to run for city council this year?

Well, common sense would say, that after 2 years of fighting the same ole same ole, sooner or later one has to try to affect changes from within. However, when I heard that Diane Culver could be running unopposed, my concern, and the concerns of others on the Coalition grew. Many of us in the Coalition have already experienced Ms. Culver's position on animal control. And her position is  JUST THAT. Wylie doesn't have a SHELTER, it has an ANIMAL CONTROL. Her new and improved political slogan is Principles Over Politics, however all our group has ever experienced while she was on the City Council and chairman of the Animal Advisory Board, was politics. When brought to her attention that our shelter was not following our city ordinances and KILLING our community animals, her response has always been in defense of the staff that they are animal control...not a shelter. I don't know about you, but patting the backs of a killing department over saving the lives of innocent voiceless animals seems more about politics than principles. But I digress.

So if we are animal control, delegated to safeguarding the public's health and safety, why is it that I know several neighbors that have had issues with wild life in their backyard with NO HELP from animal control? When my 80 year old neighbor called animal control to help her with a possum, they informed her that she would have to come down to the shelter and lease a trap. Trap the possum herself, and then call them when it was ready to pick up. Let's just say I'm thankful our fire department doesn't offer the same sort of help.

When another neighbor's yard was inundated with armadillos, our animal control was difficult to get in touch with and in the end my neighbors had to figure it out on their own.

But hey...I'm sure glad they are taking care of that "feral cat problem" our city has been overrun with.

It is sad that our shelter is more about CONTROL, of both people and animals, than actually being a resource for our residents and their 4-legged family members. Just one look at their dismal active volunteer stats will give you a good insight to how well they work with the community. But don't take my word for it. I've been banned for trying to save the life of a dog. Other volunteers have been banned from taking photos or simply looking at the animals.

And at this point, there doesn't exist an "active" volunteer program. Not that there aren't residents that have dedicated their personal time to TRYING to be a volunteer. But with the ridiculous and lengthy application process, and the lack of a program that would use these volunteers to save lives daily, a volunteer program is just another tool our city's shelter can't seem to get off the ground.

But many of my friends, whom come from various political parties as well as diverse religious beliefs, have raised the concern, can I win an election on just one topic.

In my honest opinion, I believe anyone that discounts the power that the animal advocates in a city of 44,000 people have, would be naive. Just a glimpse into social media outpourings from animal advocates will show you just what they can accomplish when they coming together.

But I have lived in Wylie for almost 7 years. Wylie is the first (and only) place I moved when uprooting my family from CT. I moved here because after doing a bit of research and having 2 interracial children, I found Wylie to be a wonderfully diverse group of people. However, I have found that our city council doesn't seem to be nearly as diverse as the people it governs for.

I have also been very open to my recent struggles after having lost my job of approx. 8 years. As a single mother of 2, the ability to juggle a small budget to make sure that our necessities are met, has been nothing but eye awakening. Where I thought there was no more room to cut, I found room to cut. But where my priorities kept me, were still with allowing my children to live and enjoy life TODAY, as nothing is promised to us beyond that.

I look at this recent struggle as a means to grow my spirit and learn humility as I have had to rely on friends, family and the kindness of others, to help me stay afloat. I am continually reminded of the African proverb "it takes a village to raise a child". While I have always prided myself on my ability to be resilient amongst obstacles, I have also found humility in needing the help of my village. And to me, Wylie is a part of that village. 

So to say that the only topic I am passionate about are animals, would be a gross disservice of who I am. I have been voiceless. I have struggled. I have endured. I have common sense. I have a love for mankind AND the animals we are charged with caring for. And I have a love for Wylie.

It would be easier to start over, in a smaller footprint in a less expensive neighboring town. But Wylie is where my family's rehabilitation occurred after a painful divorce. Wylie is where I have called home and started over. And Wylie is where I will fight to stay.

So call me that nutty feral cat lady. But realize that what you get in me is NON POLITICS. You get someone who's real. Someone who's not above reproach. Someone who doesn't have spare cash to buy an expensive sign to put on 544, but someone that is not willing to give up for a passion to help, just because it requires stepping out of her comfort zone to do so.

Wylie Boy - The Love Story

On January 16th of last year, Wylie Boy found himself in a cold, quarantined cage in the city shelter. So terrified, not even the animal control officers could handle him.

He had been there for almost 2 weeks, after having lived on the streets for several years.

But Wylie Boy's fate was about to change. A year ago today John Miller of Texas K9 Rehab would enter his life, and with the help of the House of Zen and one of it's biggest supporters, Wylie Boy's life would never be the same.

We knew he stood a chance at rehabilitation from the first day John went to assess him at the shelter.

John immediately was able to get him on a leash and walking outside. It wasn't easy to watch. After feeding Wylie Boy on the streets for over a year, I had grown attached to him and it broke my heart to see him so frightened and lost. But John was a glimmer of hope of what was to come.

Over the course of several months, John gradually turned this feral street dog into a calm but skittish dog, and eventually into a confident, well balanced dog. It took time. It took patience. And it took leadership.

Now Wylie Boy is a happy house dog, living the good life. The days of being fed on the streets, sleeping in the cold and rain are behind him. Now he lives inside, sleeping in a lap on a couch.

Playing with toys.

And napping with his brother.

He still enjoys the outdoors, but now it's relaxing in a digging pit, behind the safety of a fenced in yard.

Wylie Boy no longer seeks shelter under tables, but now confidently lays beside the table.

And his love for his hero, John, never waivers. The two are bonded by more than just leadership. They are bonded by love.

We couldn't have done any of this without the many Wylie Boy supporters that have helped us along the way. Your support not only allowed us to hire John at the beginning, but allowed us to take care of all Wylie Boy's medical needs which enabled us to cure him of heartworms. I can't thank you enough, each and every one of you, for all the support you have shown us along this journey.

And I will be forever grateful for John for turning this once homeless scared dog that I could only feed from a distance, into the loving, incredibly sweet dog he is today.

Happy Anniversary John and Wylie Boy!!

Before Buddy There Was Moose

It was the day before Thanksgiving, almost a year ago. An animal advocate, as well as citizen of Wylie, decided to visit the animals. Her heart was touched by the season and wanted to check in on the forgotten citizens of Wylie. So off to the shelter she and her young adult daughter went. There could have been other things to do the day before a national holiday, but her heart pulled her there.

The shelter was quiet. After all, who would want to visit animals the day before Thanksgiving? It was staffed minimally. While 2 animal control officers stayed up front, the kennel tech escorted the to women to the back where the dogs are kept.

As the women entered the kennels, they were surprised to see that only half of the kennels were were actually occupied. None of the dogs had beds. Instead, across each kennel was a duplicate kennel. In these empty kennels were raised beds propped up against the empty kennel wall. Later she would learn that this is normal. It allows for the staff to have an easier go at cleaning.

The women began walking down the aisle. They came across a sweet white and brown lab mix dog just desperate for attention. The dog was standing up on his hind paws, just trying to reach out to them. As they got closer they noticed blood on the concrete floor and spattered across the white brick wall. They asked why there was dried and wet blood in the kennel. The tech informed them that the dog keeps hitting the wall with his tail, causing the tip of his tail to be raw and bleeding. No medication was offered. No bandage to protect the wound. Just an anxious pup looking for someone to spend time with him.

They continued. Right next door was a scared, wimping brown dog. A small thing, trying to get around the kennel by hopping around on 3 legs. He was visibly in pain and unable to put his 4th leg down.  The women inquired what was wrong. They were told that in the morning while the staff cleaned out kennels, one held the little dog. Without warning, the dog jumped out of his arms and fell to the floor. The women asked if the dog was going to be treated by a vet since it was 3 pm on Thanksgiving Eve, but they were told that it was not something the director does. They asked if he was being given pain medication but the tech didn't respond.

 
Concerned for this little dog, the women asked what was going to happen to the dog. The tech said it would be a very sad day for the dog come Monday. The women's heart sank.

At that time the ACO in charge walked in. They asked if it was true that the dog would remain in the kennel over the holiday weekend, with no medical attention. The ACO in charge confirmed this and added that the city doesn't have it in their budget to take the animals to the vet. She insinuated that since the dog was injured, he would be "put down" come Monday. She said it was probably his fate, but they would have to make that decision on Monday. The women were horrified.

The ACO in charge explained that since the dog was injured, he was no longer adoptable. Trying to educate the women, she stated that people don't want to adopt dogs that are sick or hurt because they would then have to spend more money on them. So there was really nothing they could do. The ACO in charge left.

The kennel tech shared with the women that he had been arguing with them just days earlier for putting a sweet and healthy pitbull down. He felt bad for Moose and all the other animals being put down, but said that when they make that decision everyone just jumps and does it.

The women sobbed thinking about Moose's fate. They immediately decided to adopt him. They talked with the ACO in charge, who said the fee would be $75. They asked if they could get a discounted rate, since he was deemed him unadoptable. But the ACO in charge would not alter the adoption price. It didn't matter. The women adopted Moose and rushed him to their vet, Thanksgiving Eve.

Moose was diagnosed with a broken leg, but because he was estimated to be about 7 months old, the vet said the break would heal naturally on it's own. Moose also had a urinary track infection. He was sent off with his new family and some antibiotics and spent the long holiday weekend in a home surrounded by love and care.

It took about 6 months for his leg to completely heal. Moose is now just a happy little camper, living life as a family's pet companion. His emotional and physical scars from his experience is behind him and his story is that of success. But more than that, he represents HOPE for all the other animals finding themselves in the shelter.

While Buddy's story ended in tragedy, Moose was slated for the same. It took 2 women with big hearts to change his future. With your voice, and ours, WE can do the same and change the future for ALL the animals that find their way to OUR shelter.

How Do You Help a Depressed Shelter Dog? You Kill Him

At least that's what the City of Wylie Animal Services does (and many other "shelters" nationwide). The real question is when is it going to stop?

This story is about Buddy, a Rhodesian Ridgeback caught in the middle of bureaucratic irresponsibility led by control freaks that seem to dominate the animal shelter industry. But his story is just one of millions happening all throughout our country. And until we, as citizens of our individual towns and cities, large and small, come together and demand better for our community animals, we will have a long haul ahead of us.

The good news is there ARE towns and cities making a difference. If you haven't already been introduced to the No Kill Advocacy Center, I urge you to visit their site and do your own research. Knowledge is power, and it is the ONLY way we will win this fight. And make no mistake, it IS a fight. At stake are the lives of helpless, homeless, abused, neglected, lost and frightened animals that need our collective voices to speak up for them.

Buddy entered the City of Wylie Animal Services facility like many other dogs do. He was a stray found on the streets by a Good Samaritan. Thinking the best way to get him back to his rightful family, the Good Samaritan brought him to the facility in mid August. He was already neutered which is a good indication that he was cared for and disputes the antiquated excuses shelters give when killing an animal - "irresponsible pet ownership". 

Buddy sat and waited for his owners to find him. But they never did. As with most "shelters" Buddy was given a minimum hold period (in Wylie it's 7 days), and when those days were over, his fate rested in the hands of the shelter director.

Had he been in a TRUE shelter, that adheres to the No Kill Equation set forth by the No Kill Advocacy Center, he may have found his family. Their strategies include Proactive Redemptions (otherwise known as Return to Owner Programs). In many No Kill Communities, Proactive Redemptions boil down to actions taken by Animal Control Officers “in the field.” These steps include things like scanning animals for microchips, checking for rabies tags or identification tags, checking on lost pet web sites and making limited inquiries of businesses and homes in the area where the animal was picked up. While it may be more work initially, it is less work for the staff back at the shelter. It means less animals entering the shelter and more animals going home alive.

However, Buddy was brought in by a Good Samaritan. While Proactive Redemptions start in the field, they don't end in the field. Utilizing volunteers to check lost and found reports, an efficient website where these reports can be generated and an active social media marketing plan all go towards getting the animal back home.

Buddy, unfortunately, did not go to a TRUE shelter. Instead he found himself in an obsolete shelter, where talk of change versus CHANGE exists. Sure, there has been a little progress to move towards a No Kill shelter, but it has been extremely small and taken well over 2 years in the making. Still, the "shelter" listed him on their Facebook page, and he was given the opportunity to be seen through a couple of offsite adoption events; items that have been like pulling teeth to get, to utilize efficiently and to maintain.

Volunteers at the "shelter" described Buddy as follows:

He was a great personality. Never spoke a word and was always happy to see anyone that came near his kennel or crate. Walked well on a leash and would constantly look back at you as you walked him to flash a smile of content back at you for giving him the time of day.

He was a great boy that would have been your constant companion and in essence your best "buddy". He always had a smile and lots of kisses to share!

Yet Buddy remained at the "shelter" waiting for his chance at a forever home. At the beginning of October, volunteers worked intensely to help Buddy get out of the "shelter". The volunteers reached out to the Texas Independent Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Group, a rescue specializing in finding homes for this specific breed. They agreed to pull Buddy from the "shelter" once a foster home could be found. Immediately the volunteers set out to find a foster home. In their email dated October 2nd, they informed the shelter director that a rescue group was on board and a foster home was being secured.

On October 22nd, another Wylie animal advocate called the "shelter" to check up on the status of Buddy. She was aware of the rescue and foster that had been found for Buddy and wanted to see if things were moving forward. She was told by a staff member that no information could be given out about him. She pressed about wanting to know if Buddy was still at the shelter, and again told they could not answer that. She demanded to speak with the shelter director.

The director stated that Buddy was "depressed and not socializing well", a fact disputed by all volunteers that had come to know Buddy. She stated that even though the "shelter" was currently NOT full, Buddy was "euthanized" (aka KILLED) because of his depression and not because of space. She emphatically declared that the "shelter" is NOT a HOME and that she had to make a "tough" decision.

Not once did the shelter director contact the volunteers that worked feverishly to get everything set up for Buddy's salvation. No excuse was given as to why other dogs are given more time, yet Buddy was not. Not once did the director inform the volunteers that Buddy's time was limited, or to inquire about when the rescue and foster would be pulling him.

Instead, even with ample space for Buddy to remain, she KILLED him. And even though the staff is slow to updating animals available for adoption on their Facebook page, Buddy was immediately removed from their page as if he never existed.

Well Buddy DID exist. And he DID have a family that loved him (enough to neuter him) and most likely tried to find him. He had volunteers that worked WITHOUT pay, to try and find him a place to go where he could be safe until he found a new forever home. People that worked tirelessly for him and others just like him, only to be slapped in the face by the very people that ARE getting paid to protect our community animals.

Buddy will NOT be forgotten. He CANNOT be simply erased from our hearts like he was erased from their Facebook page. And we WILL continue to FIGHT for every animal, in every "shelter" who's fate is slated to be like Buddy's.

RIP Buddy...your death will NOT BE IN VANE!

Empty the Shelter Event: Successful or Surreptitious?

So our city shelter, for the first time in it's history, participated in a well known No Kill event called Empty the Shelter Day. The goal for participating shelters is to empty the shelter through adoption. This particular event got lots of general media attention and I was thrilled when I saw we were one of the shelters participating.

However, I quickly became disappointed from the lack of marketing effort set forth by our city as well as the unexpected amount of cats that were actually up for adoption the day of the event.

While I realize that our city runs on a budget and that budget can dictate our marketing efforts, it gives no excuse as to why we were not promoting the event more aggressively with the opportunities we have available to us. They never listed the event in our utility bill that would have been seen by ALL our residents, even though events like the Bluegrass on Ballard gets it's own flyer sent out with the utility bill. But I guess that's because that event can make money for the city whereas our animals in need are just an obligation. The kiosk that can be seen from the street in front of our rec center only listed the event approx. 3 days before, even though our own press release about the event was sent out 2 weeks prior.

Caught a Bug! Now What?

No Insecticides Required...it's Just the DIY Bug

Reluctantly, and at the urging of our House of Zen (HoZ) President, we started a Pinterest account. WOW! While I was aware of Pinterest, I wasn't quite sure how it would help further our goals for the sanctuary. But as she went over the fundamentals through a Pinterest 101 of sorts, suddenly the light bulb burst on. Not only could we use this platform in the obvious way, like networking our animals up for adoption, showing off our success stories, and sharing our merchandise, but a hidden treasure of money saving ideas began to emerge.

Never have I found one place where I could get so many DIY ideas. From baked goods to furniture makeovers, the list is endless. And as with most things, when my creative brain is turned on, the motivation and determination follows. 

Suddenly I found myself looking at things in the house differently, looking for other purposes. Then it hit me. Just a couple of weeks ago, I happened to be driving by a garage sale, when I spotted this large wicker basket. I immediately thought of my plants (another love of mine) and with it only costing $2, I just couldn't help but bring it home. Unfortunately the plant I had envisioned it for, didn't fit, so it sat in a corner of a hallway begging for attention. I figured I'd get around to doing something with it, but it sank to the bottom of the priority list.