UPDATE ON DOG PACK

Written by Captain Mary on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I thought that I would like to issue an update to a previous post DOG PACKS AND THE HORROR, as I mention previously that I had called 311, Animal services. My report to animal services had left me with some confusion, usually they ask if I would like to leave my name. I asked several times if they would like my information, but the lady was very instant that she did not want it. It seemed curious to me.

I drove by the house on Sunday to see if anything had been done, right away I noticed that the dog that was previously in the front yard was missing. As I continued to look, I also noticed that the gate to the back yard was open, I could see partially into the back yard where I noticed large kennels empty. I drove by the house once more, thinking that maybe they were just moved temporarily, again all I can see is empty kennels.

I can only surmise that they took my complaint serious, or perhaps that had already had complaints. Maybe animal services inspection revealed more than I could see from the front yard. It seemed to me that the dog out front was unusually vicious for a pet. Perhaps the dogs were being raised for fighting. We never know what could be lurking right beyond our view. What ever it was I am so glad that it is over. I do know one thing for certain the dogs roaming the street that night could not have been an accidental release. Since the dog were in private pens, separated by separate fences. What is the odds of them all escaping at the same time?

My curiosity about what was done leads me to investigate further what happened at the house of the dog pack. I made the call to Animal services for the follow up and they didn't find an animals around. Perhaps when the man saw me outside that night, with my cat he realized that he was in trouble and removed the animals knowing how much trouble they would bring him.

What ever happened to the dogs is a mystery, all I know is that they are gone and I don't have to worry about the rest of my colony being torn apart by a pack of dogs. I haven't been able to sleep since it happened, perhaps now I can have some peace of mind

SHORT DIVERSION FROM REALITY

Written by Captain Mary on Sunday, March 25, 2012

A middle of the week break is always welcome, since my days consist of work and passing out when I get home, the weekends consist of relaxation, laundry, dog baths, re coop for the next work week. This week was different, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with my sister, June, out of town.

Our journey started out with a ride down old 41, where there is just no traffic and beautiful landscape without any distractions. Getting on in years is a guarantee that I will have to pee somewhere along the road. My sister and I couldn't stop laughing when we continued to miss any possible turn-off. Not because we didn't pay attention to the signs, but, the signs didn't give us a chance to turn off without locking up on the brakes. After several attempts, we were on full alert and made a stop which offered us a short stretch and a bathroom break. We continued down 41 and watched the most fantastic sunset, the first day of spring and the sun was enormous. It was so difficult not to look directly into its path, for its beauty wouldn't allow our eyes to divert from it.

Our destination is Port Charlotte, a place just North of Ft. Myers, on the West coast of Florida. A mere couple hundred miles up the state. We continued down the road and headed onto highway 75, many lanes, by now the traffic was minimal. After the scenic road we drove strictly to get to our destination. We talked and talked, something we hardly get an opportunity to do. Approaching our exit and finding our final destination was pretty easy, the hard part was finding a hotel for the night. It had to be after 9 pm by the time we located a place to stay. It was clean and quaint, and more opportunity for us to be sisters, I only wish that my other sister, Cheryl, could have been with us. I know when I spend time with my sisters I can't help smiling and always get into deep conversation of every subject. I find both my sisters highly intelligent and there is nothing more rewarding than intelligent conversation. My job often exposes me to my vacuum and empty houses.

We were up late and really didn't sleep well, still got up early and went for our complimentary breakfast. A cup of coffee was essential to get the day moving. We didn't really do anything in the morning but lay around watching TV and talking until it was time for my sissy to go to her meeting. I was expecting her to be gone just a few hours.

I was on my own for the afternoon and the first thing on my agenda was to get a battery for her car alarm. I guess I didn't realize how much I depend on modern conveniences until I had to actually put the key in the door each time I needed to open it. I asked a few of the locals where a good place to enjoy the water might be, just about 5 miles south led me to Punta Gorda, to the bay that the Peace River fed into before eventually leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

The weather was warm and clear and I was on the hunt for some photo opportunities. There is something special about the water for me, but the west coast of Florida is not exactly my choice of bodies of water. Still I can't help the feeling I get when I am near the water, like therapy, a calming comes over me. A great way to replenish the soul. This view only made me miss the great ocean that I have grown so accustomed to, the Atlantic's open water.

The afternoon flew by and I returned to our hotel room. I was thinking that June would be calling soon to get a ride back. The hours continued and I had not yet heard from her. I got in the truck and went to see if everything was alright at her meeting place. The parking lot was still full, I could only assume that everything was well. Got myself something to eat and again returned to the meeting location, still in session I figured I would catch a nap. I fell asleep and was disturbed with the sound of pouring rain, the hours still passing since I dropped off my sister. Finally the rain let up enough and I was determined not to come back to the hotel without her. It was almost 10 hours since I dropped off sissy, she must be exhausted by now. I played Sudoku on my phone when June called, I answered with relief and we returned to the hotel.

I was glad that I had a nap, because she wanted to begin our journey back home. The adventure would not be over. We headed down the road when she decided she was hungry. I pulled off the last possible exit looking for a place that was open, we drove and drove. Finally finding a 24 hour McDonald's, but off the beaten track a bit. Back on the highway and the rest of our trip home was without event. More good conversation before we arrived back in Miami before 1:30 am. A great diversion and an adventure for the middle of the week.

DOG PACKS AND THE HORROR

Written by Captain Mary on Saturday, March 24, 2012

I have a soft spot for cats, belonging to the cat network I make certain that the cats that make their way to my home, get fixed and fed. My neighbor is a big help, he too has adopted some of them and we keep them fed and healthy together. I am greeted each day with their warm caress and their happy purr. I know that I have given them a safe place to live out their lives. So I thought, I have been loosing cats that have spent years with me, some have moved on to other neighbors, again, so I thought.

In the evenings I have been noticing the dogs next door going crazy, barking up a storm, along with my own. I peak outside and see stray dogs. I chase them off just so I can get some peace and quiet. Last night they all went crazy, it was almost 3 am and I woke up in a daze, opened the door only to see a pack of dogs attacking one of my cats, in horror I chased them off, but it was far too late. As the kitty gasped his last breaths of air, I held him close and he died in my arms, ravaged by the pack of dogs.

This cat showed up about 3 years ago as a feral, I caught him in one of my traps and got him fixed. He was very thin and full of fleas. As the years went by he was always there, he became friendly and fat, he was the first to greet me each morning and each afternoon when I came home from work. A fixture on my front porch, where last night he was taken and killed right in front of my eyes.

Distraught, I went in the house to see if they would return so that I might follow them to find where they live. The dogs began to bark again and I ran outside where I could observe the direction of their flight, when I noticed a man herding them up. I am constantly disturbed with barking in the evenings and now I know where these dogs are coming from. In the morning I walked down the block to find the address of the house that the dogs ran to. I observed one in the front yard and heard many barking in the back yard. I got on the phone to animal services and made my report. I can only hope that my remaining cats will stay clear of stray dogs. I never want to see an animal of mine mangled by this pack of dogs again. I will be on high alert for now on when the dogs bark, if only to save a life of the remainder of my colony, which have become loving pets.

When dogs gather in packs they become very dangerous, it might be cats they kill, maybe other dogs and who knows if they move on to humans. Once they get the taste of blood they are dangerous. I plan on stopping this horror in my little part of the world. Every animal has the right to live out their life without fear at their own home. I can't help thinking that I am responsible, I do know that this person lets these dogs out on a regular basis and I am going to be the one to stop him.

MY STORY 2010 TO 2011

Written by Captain Mary on Sunday, March 11, 2012

What happened this year? I lost a bunch of friends, getting older means you will meet your maker. Children have been born, the cycle continues. I had another damn birthday, they keep coming like it or not. Leaving the country doesn't seem to work anymore. I always thought if I left the country on my birthday that it didn't count, I left the country for years, I remained 29 for so long that if someone asked my real age, I had to figure it out on my fingers. I do know how old I am now, in years that is.

I got myself in a financial mess and finally disbursed my debt. The stress with lawyers and courts was almost too much to bear, but it is over, more or less. So, I guess that this year was my new start. Work was pretty steady, which is always good, considering the economic mess the country is in. I am still earning poverty level income, but it works for me. I have almost everything I could ever want. I don't know how much longer I can continue working though, I still have problems with my knees. Living a hard life on the body takes its toll in my now middle age. Stopped feeling sorry for myself and picked myself up. Finally got a doctor to look at my knees and he simply told me that people who compete just have a different brain and they wear out their bodies without thinking about what could happen in your golden years.

Four of my family members trained and worked together to achieve their Black Belt ranks in Taekwondo. My daughter, my son, and my two oldest grandsons, what a great achievement. I am so proud, I am glad to say that I was the one who started all this in 2006. This year I began training again, after more than 2 years away from my beloved school, but then I got so busy with work I couldn't make the classes, short lived exercise program.
I went on a fun family trip down the Peace River. Which is always fun, the kids are bigger now and they really enjoy the camping and playing on the water. I hope we continue making this trip. We have gone many times and the river always has something new to see, hear and explore.
I was able to take a trip to Europe, seven countries in seventeen days. Berlin-Germany, Copenhagen-Denmark, Dublin-Ireland, Paris-France, Milan & Venice-Italy, Athens-Greece, Prague-Czech Republic. So many stories to tell: Taking almost 900 pictures, really tell the story, only I can't remember what they were, that is probably another reason I saved all the maps. My mind isn't as sharp as it was, or maybe I just don't care as much to remember the things that don't really matter.

I find myself so in love with my family, maybe I just get to spend more time thinking about them. I have always made an effort to be part of their lives. I joined a Social Club to spend more time meeting people and spending more time with my sister. I wish still that the rest of my family was closer, so I could see them more often, but when we do see each other, it is joyous. I have found myself looking at everything in a positive note, even if it seems bleak. With each day I find another wonderful person and share a smile.

I tried dating and it ended disastrous, I don't know why they turn into stalkers in such a short time. One of my dates took me forever to tell that I don't want to see him anymore. I finally wrote a note and told him to read it over and over again until he got it! I don't know if I could really love someone as a partner again, how many chances does a person really get. I have loved so many times and as I look back, the best one was the last one, he was the one who really loved me for me. I don't understand why men want to control your every move, instead of moving along a path of enjoyment and understanding. They are attracted to the person they initially meet and move forward to change it, I just don't get it. I am unmovable! Maybe next year someone special will come into my life that can appreciate the person I am, or not. I am fine the way I am, I don't regret my life in anyway.

The holidays came and went, they were different last year, maybe I didn't celebrate them the usual way. Thanksgiving is always my favorite and last year was proof positive of why. The whole family together talking and laughing together as if we had never had miles between us. This year will be different and I can't wait, Monica has decided to host this year, we will have a grand time. Christmas was never a holiday that moved me. I did enjoy watching the grand kids open their gifts, but the message of Christmas is long been lost in my family. We don't gather together, we have no meal together, all I see is months of advertisements and commercials, the holiday has been tainted. The only way to enjoy it now is to see the faces of my grandchildren, which is always the highlight of my days.

I didn't make any resolutions, but I do plan on enjoying each day as if it is the most important day of my life. I am focused on finding out what makes life so special for me and how to enjoy the people that pass through my world. Looking forward to another year, which passes so quickly, perhaps getting a glimpse of more adventure and love.