Tag Archives: Dogs

Blessing in Disguise?

16 Thursday Nov 2017

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Last night, as my husband and I walked our dog, he said I seemed a lot happier. It’s a pretty big statement about someone who was quickly labeled “moody” as a child and “depressed” as an adult. I had to agree with him.

In early October, I was laid off from a company that I had worked at for 22 years. I’m only 51, so that’s a huge chunk of my life. As I changed my author biography across all my social media sites and book pages, erasing “works as a technical writer for a large software company,” I was bitter – and angry – and sad – and scared. I was one of three writers let go from our team, and the person who made the decision had never talked to me one-on-one and didn’t know my strengths or skills. The decision maker didn’t even consult my immediate supervisor (who would have voted to keep me).

Now that a few weeks have past, I feel that I’ve found some peace. I’ve started writing a new novel, and I’m trying to break into the freelance world. (Hire me! I’m an excellent editor/proofreader.) My days are filled with job searches, writing, and household chores – and a bit of reading and movie watching. So, yes, a layer of stress was removed, and I’m happier. I was a first-rate technical writer, but I didn’t enjoy it like I enjoy writing/editing fiction.

With my extra spare time, I’ve had two run-ins with Shakespeare this week. I read Interred with their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell, and watched the Joss Whedon adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing (2012). Carrell’s novel was filled with murder and conspiracy theories wrapped around a lost Shakespeare play. I was lost a few times, but still enjoyed it. I absolutely love anything Whedon touches (I was Buffy one Halloween long ago), and this movie and Kenneth Branagh’s version (1993) are my favorite Shakespearean adaptations of all time.

So, readers, have you ever lost a job? How did you feel? What made you feel better? And what’s your favorite Shakespeare play?

 

Dogs on the Inside – Documentary

02 Thursday Nov 2017

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Last night, my daughter hosted a documentary at Loyola University in Chicago that was inspiring.

From IMDB:

“Filmed in a Massachusetts prison, DOGS ON THE INSIDE follows the birth of a relationship between abandoned rescue dogs and prison inmates as they work together toward a second chance at a better life. Giving a voice to a forgotten dog and a forgotten man, the film is a life-affirming testament to the power of second chances.”

There are those who would say a prisoner doesn’t deserve the companionship and love of a dog, but being in prison in the first place is the punishment. Shouldn’t we then try to rehabilitate the person and try to make a decent human being out of them?

In the documentary, stray/abandoned dogs are matched with inmates for 8 weeks. The inmates teach the dogs basic commands, which make them more adoptable and increases the chance a family won’t return the dog.

These dogs have often been abused and have lived horrific lives – just like many of the inmates. Besides the basic dog commands, the inmates teach the dog to trust and love again. And guess what? The inmates learn the same thing. In surveys from a similar program in Florida, the most often used word when asked what they got out of the program was “love.” How wonderful is that? In some cases, this is the first time the inmate has felt it. How terrible is that?

After the documentary, Dyan Larson from Can Do Canines in Minnesota spoke to us about their program. They place dogs with inmates for a year, and the inmates train them to be mobility service dogs. After the year of training, the dogs then receives further training in one of five service categories. Once trained, these dogs are worth $25,000, but because of the prison program, the organization can give the dogs to a person of need.

From their website:

“This unique program and partnership has proven to be beneficial for all involved. The dogs are well-cared for and receive around-the-clock attention and training. The inmates learn new skills and develop traits such as confidence, dedication, and patience. Prison officials say that the prisons have become a more warm-hearted place and report fewer incidents of violence. And at the end of it all, a client with a disability receives a specially-trained dog to help them achieve greater freedom, independence and peace of mind.”

It’s a win-win situation. I applaud all those involved and hope these programs around the country can continue and even expand. And I would like to thank my kind-hearted daughter for spreading the word about these programs.

Get involved! You can make the world a better place!