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This journal is frequently friends only!

I am very open to making new friends, however, I also want to keep my journal friend list on the manageable side, as well as protect my privacy. I've had a few issues with people leaking things from my LJ that shouldn't be leaked, so I like to at least KNOW who I am adding before I add them. Comment here if you're interested in being added, and let me know how we've met, or what we have in common!

Also, please read the info listed in my profile, particularly the part about respecting other people's opinions, great and small. If you're someone who would force your opinion on other people and say "I'm right. You're wrong." it would be best if we parted ways. Even if it is an opinion we both share! My profile is also a great place to see what fandoms and activities I'm currently involved in.

Also, recently (1/19/11, 7/16/11) I started to prune my friend list of people who aren't active, or who I don't really interact with on LJ. I plan on doing this from time to time from now on. If I remove you, please do not take it as a personal offense, most likely it means I thought you didn't read my journal, and I hadn't been keeping up with yours.

Any questions, just ask.

Today I got a glowing evaluation back at work. My supervisors spoke about how organized my classroom was, how dedicated I am, how well I do ABA therapy, and how I have a positive attitude. I couldn't be happier. I also dealt with DYFS for the first time, ouch. But it went okay, I did everything I could possibly do and I think the situation will (hopefully) turn out fine.

Tomorrow I go to "Prom". Basically a fandom formal dance a friend of mine set up, with a real DJ and food and so forth. It'll be silly, but it should be fun. And what's more - I'm dressing as a guy. In a suit. I'm really excited to get a chance to show off my more masculine side, and dance the night away (followed by more partying!)

Right now, I am feeling pretty good in general, and hope the weekend will go well!

scratch that entry about things being better. they are in a way, I'm okay and that kid didn't hurt me thank god, but things just got crazy in other areas. I don't even want to go into it.

fml.

If you are seeing this both here and on Facebook I apologize. I have a LOT of people I only have on one or the other. But yes, I wrote this reflection the other night after watching a very tough video on euthanasia and animal shelters. Under the cut is the video (warning: it will probably make you cry, esp if you like animals), my reflection, and photos of the animals I have fostered and/or adopted. I know that there are more terrible things going on in the world than this, but it is still a big problem. Animal shelter adoptions, pet responsibility, and spay/neutering are all very important issues to me. So please, if you have the time, at least read the reflection. I tried to end it on a positive beat.

( Animal Shelter and Euthanasia Reflections )

AMEEERICA FUCK YEAH.

...Who would not love this? Really. Except you know, commies and terrorists and anything else Stephen Colbert lists as "Dead To Me"

I think every piece of classical literature should be banned.

That way, kids might actually *want* to read them.

For those of you who don't know, President Obama declared Sept 11th a day of service. This means it is a day where you volunteer your time or services for the benefit of others. For example, a local yoga teacher is offering free yoga lessons today. Across the country there are things like beach clean ups, save a tree gatherings, packaging kits for soldiers, etc etc. Basically anything to help, no specific cause! This is in honor of how people dropped everything to help on 9/11.

I think this is such a wonderful and appropriate idea for today. I would have been at the shelter anyway but I may try to go for a few extra hours this week if I can. Through the years it has been very tough to recognize this day. As someone from New York City it was a very hard day for me, but over the years I've had trouble juggling with the media frenzy and constant barrage of images of my home town being torn apart, and then with people who use it as a day to get angry at the government and be insensitive to those who are mourning. I am a very private person when it comes to this sort of matter and it has been hard to show my sadness without going overboard or giving in to those who would harass me for it. I really like the idea of commemorating it with good deeds that many can benefit from, whether they are into remembering 9/11 or not.

If you are doing something for the day I would love to hear what it is!

I have been working in my shelter for going on a year now, and I absolutely love it - it is one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. But there are certain things that make me RAGE harder than a rabid fangrrl who just had someone bash her favorite pairing. There are a few things I just HAVE to get off my chest. I hate seeing perfectly good animals sitting in a shelter because of the ignorance and carelessness of human beings.

Dear people looking to adopt animals,

- PIT BULLS ARE NOT SATAN'S DOGS! Saying a pit bull will automatically bite you because of its breed is as bad as saying a big black man is going to rob you because of his race. YES, people have exploited the breed's strength to make fighting dogs (BTW, Michael Vick, go fuck yourself and I hope the Giants pulverize the Eagles this year - and I'm not even a football fan) But NO, not all pit bulls are bad dogs, and they are WELL worth looking at if you like larger dogs. Guess what, if you want a calm dog, and you take a hyper lab over a calm pit just because you think pits will automatically bite, you just screwed yourself out of a dog that might have been a better fit for you.

- Shelters are not a pet store - we do not know when we will get in a specific breed/cannot special order one for you. There's no Shitzu breeding season or summer of the Sheltie. We get them in when we get them in - the best thing to do is to get to know your local shelter's volunteers! If you are not a crazy person, we will gladly call you when such a breed comes in, or hook you up with a breed rescue (which is probably your best bet!)

- If you are NOT willing to give your shelter dog or cat several days to adjust, preferably a week, DO NOT LOOK INTO ADOPTING. In fact, don't bring home a dog or cat from ANYWHERE. Get yourself a goldfish. Cats and dogs, but ESPECIALLY dogs are going to need time to get use to their new surroundings. It is normal for them to be jumpy and defensive. If you cannot handle this fact, you should not look into adopting, and might want to consider another type of pet. Many shelter animals WILL exhibit these behaviors in the first day, possibly into a week or longer, and adopting it and bringing it back is just going to screw with the animal and make it more nervous for the next person.

- If you are not willing to take responsibility for your animal's medical bills, DO NOT ADOPT. This INCLUDES spay and neuter, which is possibly one of the most important medical treatments your animal will get - it not only helps your animal behaviorially, but it saves countless animal lives from living on the streets, or being euthanized. Your shelter can give you a ball park of what the fees will be - and remember, many adult cats and dogs (vs the puppies and kittens everyone looks at first) will go home with their spay/neuters already done and shots already given! It is worth a consideration when finances are an issue, but still remember that your animal WILL have medical bills.

- Be absolutely certain everyone in your house is allergy free before adopting your pet. If you are not, have an allergy plan of action in case something undiagnosed comes up - your shelter can give you tips on what to do. If you need to return the animal when it becomes impossible to work around the allergies, so be it, however, at least TRY the methods first. If you are not willing to try those methods, and not willing to test your allergies before adopting - DO NOT ADOPT.

- Know what you're getting into. Do your research. Know what your animal will entail, and if you cannot handle it - DO NOT FUCKING ADOPT AND THEN BRING THEM BACK. YOU ARE TOYING WITH THE ANIMAL'S LIFE. Know what you're getting into FIRST, know that you are 300% ready, and THEN begin your search - not the other way around.

Sorry if that seemed negative, so here are few things to try to end on a positive note.

PLEASE DO ADOPT IF
- You are a responsible person, and willing to put in the time and effort that goes into having a pet.
- You understand that adoption is a process that continues when you take the animal home.
- You have other pets and want to/are able to take on another - Most shelters will allow animal meetings to give you an idea of how things will be, and can give you techniques on how to handle having both at home!
- You want to give an animal a second lease on life.
- YOU LOVE ANIMALS!