For the Love of Goldens

Several years ago I decided to adopt Lucy Lou.

I had had a Golden Retriever (Penny) for many years until she peacefully made her transition. After grieving for two years, I decided it was time. So, I went to Golden Bond Rescue in Oregon and submitted an application.

After several interviews, including an in-home and one with the foster mom, Lucy came home. She has been an important part of my family ever since.

Those that have met her would agree that there is not much that riles her. She is sweet, loving, and completely addicted to tennis balls. With a HUGE heart and an expressive personality, Lucy has been a source of endless love, lots of laughs, and constant companionship.

She, along with every other Golden I have ever met, is an adoring, gentle being. That is why it breaks my heart to once again hear about the atrocities of puppy mills. In this particular case, several Goldens were rescued from a mill in Burns, Oregon and are in the process of being reacclimated to loving environments.

While Golden Bond is in desperate need of donations (they expect vet bills to exceed $10,000), many, many dogs country-wide are in desperate need of homes.

I am not blogging because I have alterior motives. No one from Golden Bond asked me to write about this. But, I am so moved, so DISAPPOINTED by people who make a living through the suffering of loving, furry animals.

I know, I know. There are many atrocities throughout the world. People do awful things to each other. People do awful things to animals and our planet. So, where so we begin to right the wrongs?

There is only so much each individual can do. But, collectively, these small efforts amount to great change. Figure out what moves you. What small step you want to take. I will admit - I offered a donation to Golden Bond. And, quite honestly, if I were in Oregon, I would be at the shelter lending a hand. So, my call to action is to find a shelter here in New Orleans and do the same.

If you feel moved to donate, I'm sure Golden Bond would be grateful. If not, just consider a small step - a donation of time, energy, love, into anything that would help right a wrong and continue to shape our world into the loving, positive place it is meant to be.

Attitude

Attitude...we all have one but it seems that few of us are able to keep it in check. How many of us take the time to truly distingush between what persona we are portraying to the outside world as opposed to who we truly believe we ought to be?

Throughout this journey, I have found that my own attitude has shifted and now I am able to look for and often acknowledge the positive aspects of life. I find it interesting that, when faced with the decision to look at the negative or positive, human nature seems to steer us towards the former rather than latter.

However, I firmly believe we all have a CHOICE as to how we want to perceive and ultimaltely deal with each situation, decision and obstruction life throws our way. I also believe that quite often the choice we make is to relinquish this choice and decide that others have the POWER to dictate our moods and, therefore, our attitudes.

Eleanor Roosevelt summed it up quite succinctly when she stated that no one has the power to make one feel inferior without one's permission. I think of Roosevelt often as I have found that this notion is applicable in a much broader sense in my life. No one has the power to make you feel anything unless you give them the authority to do so. Be it love or fear, compassion or confusion, we all have the ability to empower ourselves and decide what attitudes are best to incorporate in any given situation. All of us have been put on Earth in order to thrive, grow, and find balance in self and in service to others. Part of this charge is taking full responsibility for our own emotions and the attitudes we choose to adopt.