Ever Wonder What It's Like to Care for Animals? Here's An Interview with a Veterinarian.....

I love animals. Anyone and everyone that knows me knows that. I can’t stand those that harm or want to harm animals, or anyone that stands by and lets someone harm an animal. I couldn’t imagine my home without a pet in it or wildlife outside.

     Along that vein, allow me to take the time today to welcome my guest, a veterinarian named Doctor Corey Jones.  Doctor Jones is an animal doctor that I feel I can trust to take care of my animals. He cares and loves animals. What he doesn’t know, he tries to find out and has no problem discussing diagnosis, tests, treatment, etc. with me my about my pets.

Dr. Corey Jones

     SJ: First off, please feel free to give me a brief biography about yourself. Background, education, etc.

Jones: My name is Dr Corey Jones and I am originally from Louisiana.  I attended college at Louisiana Tech where I got a bachelor degree in animal science pre-vet with a minor in chemistry.  I then continued my education at Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine from 1999-2003.  After graduating I started practicing veterinary medicine at Royston Animal Hospital in Georgia. Practicing with eight other veterinarians in that hospital taught me how to become a practical veterinarian.  With their guiding hand they helped me become a better veterinarian. I worked in Georgia for 2 years, Huntsville, Alabama for 5-6 years, and now I call Yazoo City Animal hospital in Yazoo city Mississippi my home where I will stay till I retire.

     Now for the questions:

SJ: Let’s start with the obvious question, why did you become a veterinarian?

Jones: I have always loved animals and seemed to have a strong bond with all animals.  I tried several different fields of education while in college but working with animals seemed to make me the happiest.  

SJ: What is the most satisfying thing about being an animal doctor? Helping those that suffer in silence.

Jones:  It is so rewarding to see patients leaving my hospital happy and healthy knowing that just a few days ago they were so sick and we got them better and back on their feet.

 

SJ:What is the most frustrating thing about being a veterinarian?

Jones: The most frustrating thing is when I have patient come in that I just cannot figure out what is going on and why are they so sick or when help is not within our reach.

SJ:If you had one piece of advice to give to a pet owner in order to provide their pet the best care possible, what would it be?

Jones: That would be to keep current on vaccination, and see your veterinarian at least twice a year.    Also maintain heart-worm, flea and tick prevention and remember to spay and neuter your pets.

 

SJ: What do you feel is the most pressing issue facing veterinarians today?  

Jones: The most pressing issue is the student loan debt to income ratio that new graduates are facing.   There are a lot of veterinarians graduating school that can’t find jobs because the market is flooded with new graduates and only about 20% of the graduates are going to be career veterinarians.  Misleading information that is supplied to pet owners via the internet and false advertising.  There also has been a heavy push by large pharmacy and other business to take the pharmacy business away from all veterinary hospitals.  We need our meds on hand to treat animals in hospital.  Would you want to go to a hospital that has no medicine and have to wait for the doctor to go down the street to pick up your meds?

 

SJ: If you had one piece of advice to give to someone interested in becoming an animal doctor, what would it be?

Jones: I is a very rewarding field but the field is changing and I am not sure if the changes are for the good or bad.   You need to get some true hands on experience and make sure that is what you want because the road is long and hard and expensive.

SJ: Anything else you’d like to add, what is a typical day like for you?

Jones: I usually start off the day checking all the hospitalized patients or post op patients. Then I start working on drop off patients and appointments then I start working in surgeries.   Evening usually is appointments and finishing surgeries. Last hours is making sure all animals are all settled in for the night.    

 SJ: What do you consider a good day for you?

Jones: A good day is when I all surgeries go will and the sick get better quickly and all owners are happy.

 

SJ:  What do you consider a bad day?

Jones: A bad day is when staff does not show up or out sick and we are shorthanded.  Animals’ lives are lot shorter than ours so it's tough seeing clients loose the best friend.  What is the worst is when you try everything to save a patient and it just does not work to you favor.  We try hard to make sure all patients get the best care possible and keep owners happy, but sometimes it's impossible to please everyone.

     Thank you, Doctor Jones for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend time enlightening us about what it is like being a veterinarian.

    Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward.

Reminder: This time of year is cold.

    Regards,

    S.J. Francis

    In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Available now from Black Opal Books and for sale at on-line retailers and independent booksellers.

                          “Some secrets should remain that way.” 

      My Black Opal Books Author Page:

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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

 

 

Animal Cruelty Has to Stop and I Aim To Do My Part To Do So. How About You?

Animals at peace with one another. Why can't we be nice to them?

I love animals. Anyone and everyone that knows me knows that. I can’t stand those that harm or want to harm animals, or anyone that stands by and lets someone harm an animal. Why is there so much animal cruelty? There’s no need for it. Is there something missing in a person’s life, or were they bullied when they were a child that someone feels a need to inflict harm upon an animal? Every week I must sign at least fifty petitions to get justice for an animal, rescue an animal from a shelter, rescue an animal from being euthanized for no good reason, et al. I could go on with petitions, but you get the idea. Every day I read stories from around the globe about animal cruelty. The stories are endless and just when I thought I heard the worst story possible, another one comes along that is even worse.

 

 

     Why would anyone want to bury a senior, arthritic dog alive? Good question. There was no reason for it, yet someone did just that in a Paris park. Fortunately, someone came along and rescued the loving dog. Why would someone steal a wheelchair from a disabled, stray dog in Peru? Good question. Now, the poor dog is shown on the video dragging itself around because his back legs don’t work. Who took the video of this helpless dog and didn’t give it a home? The heartless person that stole its wheelchair? I remember the dog named Excalibur from Spain. Remember the big Ebola scare we had a year or so ago? The Spanish nurse came down with Ebola from tending to a Spanish priest and the government decided her dog was a threat and put it down. Murdered it out of fear without even testing the poor animal. How about the millions of animals that are euthanized every day simply because there are too many of them. Or how about the other thousands of animals that are bred for nor reason except for chemical testing and cruel experiments? They never experience love or kindness. They’ll never see the sun or feel the grass beneath their feet. 

I'll never forget Ugly.

       There are so many stories and they all touch me, yet the worst one I’ve heard to date was about a disabled cat that lived near an apartment complex and was nicknamed “Ugly” by the people that lived in the complex. The people hated this “ugly” little cat that had a front deformed paw from people slamming doors on him. Children threw rocks at him and other adults sprayed it with a hose, but “Ugly” never gave up. This little homeless cat just wanted love, but no one in that building would give him any. He’d walk up to children and push his head into their hands but he was ignored or had rocks thrown at him. He was desperate for love. One day, Ugly wandered into a neighbor’s yard and was mauled by two dogs. An apartment dweller heard the screams and went down to rescue Ugly, but it was too late. Too much damage had been done, but the dweller picked up Ugly anyway and held him. Even in his last moments of life, obviously in sheer pain and misery, Ugly tried to suckle on this human’s ear. He even purred before dying in this human’s arms. All Ugly ever wanted was love, yet all he ever met was hate. What caused the people in this apartment to hate an innocent, harmless and homeless animal so much that they would purposefully inflict harm upon him? He obviously had once lived there or he wouldn’t have hanged around. Why hang around a place where everyone hates you and hurts you? Why didn’t anyone take this cat in? I would have. If I was there, I would have adopted this cat. I’ve adopted fourteen animals to date with five of them being homeless stray cats from off the streets. This story still makes me cry. There was no need for this cat to endure so much hate.

 

     Animal cruelty is rampant from the large metropolitan cities to the small rural towns. Where I live in Mississippi, it is all too common for people to toss animals at dumpsters, which sadly isn’t just a Mississippi thing. That is how I acquired my last two kittens. Myra and Pepper were just three weeks old when some rotten women dumped them and a sibling at a dumpster when they were just three weeks old. Another woman came by and took one of the kittens and left the others behind. A colleague witnessed this and not wanting to leave the two helpless girls outside, took them in. She couldn’t keep them and that is when I stepped in and adopted them. At eleven months old now, they’re thriving. Myra, the black kitten sits next to my laptop as I write this post. Now they are safe with their older dog brother, older dog sister and older cat sister. All are rescues.

 

     Animal cruelty doesn’t have to happen. You and I can stop it. All we have to do is speak up. Don’t turn your head when you see a homeless animal. Don’t turn away when you see someone harming an animal. Animal cruelty must stop, but it is up to you and me to do it. When you see cruelty, call the police, the sheriff, the state trooper, the Humane Society, whatever, but please be a voice for the animals. They can’t speak but we humans can and must. We certainly speak up when we’re offended. How about speaking up for a cause that really matters. I’m one for the animals. Are you?

    

For more information on ways to help animals or to read more about some sad and happy animal stories, please check out these links: 

 

Report cases of animal abuse and dogfighting to your local law enforcement, but don't be afraid to go higher if need be: 

      www.humanesociety.org

      www.aspca.org

 

 

A click a day at this site helps rescue and feed shelter animals. They also sell some cool animal clothes and gear:  

http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/home?utm_source=ars-reminder&utm_medium=email&utm_term=10032015&utm_content=reminder-m&utm_campaign=ars-home&origin=ERA_100315_ARS_m&oidp=0x32fe56608415fe16c0a80a50

 

This is the story of Ugly the abused stray cat that no one took in. Read only if you have a strong constitution:

Everyone Was Warned Not To Touch This Cat, But This Guy Did. This Is Heartbreaking: http://beingcreativ.com/everyone-was-warned-not-to-touch-this-cat-but-this-guy-did-this-is-heartbreaking/ 

Woman Turns House Into Retirement Home for Elderly Dogs and Cats: https://www.yahoo.com/makers/woman-turns-house-into-retirement-c1243224128716854/photo-since-opening-its-doors-in-1440595731735.html 

This Pit Bull Went From Likely Euthanasia To Napping With Her Best Cat Friend:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-one-little-pit-bull-went-from-likely-euthanasia-to-napping-with-a-best-cat-friend_55d5d4a7e4b055a6dab2ff59?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592&ref=yfp&kvcommref=mostpopular

 

Pit Bull Recovering From Horrific Acid Injuries Awaits Happy Home: https://gma.yahoo.com/pit-bull-recovering-horrific-acid-injuries-awaits-happy-181819558--abc-news-pets.html 

Mother Dog too Hurt to take care of puppies. Animal agency steps in to help:

https://screen.yahoo.com/mother-dog-too-hurt-care-122857042.html 

Prosecutors: Woman fatally beat family dog, bragged about it:

http://news.yahoo.com/prosecutors-woman-fatally-beat-family-dog-bragged-152905050.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory&soc_trk=ma

Some of my favorite animal blogs:

      www.thedodo.com 

      www.pawmygosh.com 

      http://barkpost.com

 

        Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward.

    Regards,

    S.J. Francis

    In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming Oct 24^th from Black Opal Books.

                          “Some secrets should remain that way.”

 

      My Black Opal Books Author Page:

            http://www.blackopalbooks.com/author-bios/bio-sj-francis  

 

View My Shout Out:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM  

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 Remember, your pet, dog or cat just wants to be with you.

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

 

Hunting is for Sissies. Otherwise, why hunt? RIP Cecil & other victims of humanity.....

     On my last blog post, I examined why some hunt? Of course, I posed some of the excuses hunters put out there. I also examined how much I hate hunting. Hate is a strong word but the only fitting one to describe my feelings about such an ugly and totally unnecessary activity. This post is overdue, but still true.

  Cecil at Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe .

     Since my last post, Cecil, a rather famous and majestic lion, and king of his piece of jungle aged 13 that resided in Zimbabwe with his pride until one fateful night, an American dentist from Eden Prairie, Minnesota named Walter Palmer paid some local guides the outrageous sum of $55,000 to hunt a “trophy”. His hired guides used an animal carcass to lure Cecil out of a protected area of the Hwange National Park in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, Palmer shot him with an arrow from a crossbow, and injured and bleeding, Cecil wandered about for forty long tortuous hours until he was tracked and shot with a rifle, skinned and beheaded by Palmer and his “guides”. Palmer got his trophy. Cecil lost his life, not in a fair hunt, but in an illegal trapping scheme. Cecil was poached, murdered by a greedy, selfish, trophy seeking hunter and his hired cronies.

 Palmer and "his trophy" Cecil.

 

Palmer denies he did anything wrong. He denies he knew Cecil had a tracking collar, but if you ever saw an animal wearing one, it is not to be missed. Palmer violated hunting rules before and after killing Cecil, he planned on killing another “trophy.” Though, Palmer insists he didn’t know about Cecil’s fame and being protected, but when the big cat’s beheaded skeleton was found, the tracking collar was missing. In another report, the tracking collar was later found where apparently Palmer and cronies tried to bury it. However it really happened, Palmer was definitely a sissy. Though he hunted regularly continually seeking trophies, he never discussed his “hobby” with his patients. Obviously, he wasn’t very proud of his hobby. How could any person feel pride in killing and butchering an animal unfairly.

     Cecil was poached, plain and simple by a hunter looking for a trophy. Nothing else. No other reason. Zimbabwe wants him extradited to face charges and he should be. America should not protect such a criminal. Not now. Not ever. What Palmer did was wrong and he knows it. Otherwise, why run back to America so quickly with his trophy of Cecil’s head in tow? And what of the facts?

Cecil at Hwange National Park.

     According to news reports and Wikipedia, a criminal investigation was initiated on 7 July 2015 by law enforcement officers of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority after they received information “that a lion had been illegally killed on a farm near Hwange National Park. The investigation discovered that a lion had been illegally killed on the farm on 1 July 2015.

     On 29 July 2015 Theo Bronkhorst appeared in court at Victoria Falls and was charged with poaching offences for not having the required hunting permit. He was granted bail at US$1,000 and was ordered to appear back in court on 5 August. Bronkhorst stated: "Palmer is a totally innocent party to this whole thing, and he has conducted and bought a hunt from me that was legitimate." Separately, Ndlovu was charged with allowing an illegal hunt on his land. Zimbabwe National Parks spokespersons explained that lion hunting using firearms is legal, but it requires a permit and a quota which is assigned to a given area. However, this killing was illegal because it took place in an area that does not have a quota for lion kills. On 5 August 2015, Bronkhorst reappeared before magistrates charged with failing to prevent an illegal hunt. The case was adjourned until 28 September when Bronkhorst's barrister was next available.

 Cecil's cubs.

 

     Walter Palmer left Zimbabwe for the United States after the hunt. He expressed deep regret for the killing, maintaining that he had relied on the expertise of the local professional guides to ensure that the hunt was legal. He indicated that he would cooperate with authorities in the investigation.  On 30 July 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was looking for Palmer as part of its investigation. He contacted them voluntarily through a representative on the same day. On 31 July 2015, Zimbabwe officials said they initiated legal proceedings to extradite Palmer from the United States to face a charge, claiming that Palmer "had a well-orchestrated agenda which would tarnish the image of Zimbabwe".”

 Cecil's cubs.

     Now we have to keep our fingers crossed and hope that Cecil’s cubs are safe. In the animal kingdom, when a male lion is killed, another one will move to take over and exert his dominance. As a result, he’ll kill the male cubs to take over. However, so far according to an interview with Johnny Rodrigues, head of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, Rodrigues said Cecil’s brother, “Jericho had taken over the pride but had not killed Cecil's cubs, and that he was also keeping the cubs safe from any rival males.” Let’s hope this is true. Cecil’s six cubs shouldn’t also fall because of one selfish, greedy hunter in search of a trophy.

           Cecil at Hwange National Park.

     For me, hunting is for sissies. No real man comfortable with himself would kill and/or torture an animal and call it sport. Killing an animal, any animal in such a way is cruel and inhumane. It is totally unnecessary. I guess this is how some men get aroused: They kill an innocent animal. Have total control of their fate. I say, go to the drugstore and buy one of the Viagra pills out there. Leave the animals alone. They’re not bothering anyone. As for you and your kind, the world would be better without you. Unfortunately, hunting isn't limited to men. Women do it, too. Why? Trying to act like a man? What other reason is there?

     That is my take on hunting anyway and I’m proud to say so. I don’t hunt. I never will. I’d rather starve than kill and innocent harmless animal. Hopefully, something good will come out of this. Tourism in Zimbabwe has dwindled. Hopefully, it will continue to dwindle until they put an end to trophy hunting. Before too much time has passed, I want to express my loss over Cecil, over any animal hunted, abused, abandoned, mutilated or otherwise mistreated. I dedicate this post to Cecil and his pride and hope they live a long and safe life. Perhaps, I’m a bit biased since I love animals and big cats, especially lions and tigers are my favorites. For all those animals murdered, as a member of the human race, may I be allowed to say, I am so sorry.

                                                                           

     I’d love to hear your take on hunting, trophies and the loss of Cecil.

SEE IT: Cecil the lion's cubs pictured in the wild as their slain father will receive his own statue in Zimbabwe national park:

  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/cecil-lion-statue-zimbabwe-park-article-1.2316563

The pride looks after Cecil the lion's cubs:
   
     http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/africa/70909511/The-pride-looks-after-Cecil-the-lions-cubs

 

Check out The Lion King’s artist’s tribute to Cecil the lion:

     https://www.yahoo.com/makers/disney-artist-blown-away-by-c1227910636863542.html 

Read a New Yorker article here about Cecil and the law of the animal kingdom and ours:

     http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/cecil-and-the-law-of-the-playground?mbid=nl_080615_Daily_Photo&CNDID=31780931&spMailingID=7965003&spUserID=ODIxMzI4NTE5NzIS1&spJobID=740789633&spReportId=NzQwNzg5NjMzS0

 

Cecil the lion’s cubs faring well, new footage shows:
Read more at http://www.grindtv.com/wildlife/cecil-the-lions-cubs-faring-well-new-footage-shows/#5hhDiDCt8v4JLAbH.99

      Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Please, don’t hunt. Unless you’re starving down in a ditch somewhere, there is no logical reason to do so. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward. 

    Regards,

    S.J. Francis

    In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming this year from Black Opal Books.

      My Black Opal Books Author Page:

            http://www.blackopalbooks.com/author-bios/bio-sj-francis   

View My Shout Out:  http://bit.ly/1r3oynM 

                 My web page: http://sjfranciswriter.com  

                                     Twitter: https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419 

 Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006313201444  

                  My writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com 

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And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.

Why hunt?

      Why Hunt? That is an excellent question. Shall we explore and see what comes of it here?

      Why hunt? Unless one is destitute and hungry, there really is no need for it. Not today in our modern age when one can quickly go into a supermarket and purchase meat. Besides, it isn’t the poor and hungry that is doing the hunting anyway. Hunting today is done by so-called sportsmen seeking a trophy to place on their wall. But ask yourself? With all kind of electronic gadgets available to hunters today, is hunting really a sport? No. It isn’t. Now, if a hunter was to hunt as if the Indians did for food and clothing, it could be called a sport, but that will never happen. Now, hunting is just an activity centered on fancy new guns and hunting gadgets.

Turkey Hunting. 

But, back to the original question, why hunt? I’ve heard many reasons for hunting over the years, but none of them justified. To me, killing an animal that was basically minding its own business and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time is no justification for any reason voiced. “I love venison or duck,” I’ve heard as one prevalent reason. Nowadays, a person can purchase venison or duck on-line. But does one really “need” to eat venison or duck? No.  I love animals. I can honestly say that I have never hunted nor had any interest in hunting. For me, I never had any interest to chase down and shoot Bambi, Bugs Bunny or Simba. Some have. I currently live in Mississippi where hunting seems to be the number one activity, probably more so than making love if you hear them talk about it. They’re proud of hunting. It’s been supported and promoted by the state. Our local newspaper regularly posts color photos of proud hunters with their “trophy kill” whether it is a deer or a rabbit. Young children that I don’t think even know what hunting is are in the photos. Sound sickening to you? It does to me. But that is the mindset of a hunter. Me, I see an animal and all I want to do is hug it and protect it. On my property in the country hunting is not allowed. I don’t care how far a hunter has chased “his trophy”, I don’t allow hunting. If a hunter shows up on my property to chase his prey, he/she better be prepared for an arrest or getting shot himself because I will call the sheriff and I will press charges for trespassing. I will also shoot that hunter if they try to shoot me or that animal.

 

I may lose some readers after this post. That’s fine. Sorry to see you go, but I don’t hunt. I don’t like hunting. I don’t approve of it. This may be America and you’re allowed to do it, but not near or anywhere around me. For me, hunting is wrong for so many reasons. One doesn’t need to hunt. This isn’t the pioneer days. There is no sport in it. The hunter has too many advantages. ATVs? Really? Dogs? Night vision scopes, range finders, blood trackers and more. Come on. Get real. If you’re really a sportsman, let’s see you hunt as in the olden days. A hunter and his gun. That’s it. Nothing else. No camo gear. No deer stands. No false scents. No animal decoys and decoy calls. Just you, your gun, or bow, and the animal. No compound or cross bows either. Hunt the animal fairly on equal terms. I still won’t approve, but I’ll respect you more as a true hunter.

 The government is no better. When they decide there is too many animals in existence, they order the animals must be culled and hunting is promoted. We don’t kill humans when there are too many of us. We don’t kill, though we should, pedophiles, serial murders and rapists, though there are way too many of them, but we blatantly kill animals without a second thought. Horrible. Wrong. Inhumane. Horrific. I could go on, but you get the idea on how I feel about it. For me, hunting in any form is wrong. Not necessary.

 

Why hunt? Got me. Personally, I don’t get the attraction, the need to do it. I guess people need to prove themselves, have control over something helpless, innocent and basically harmless. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m no idiot. If I see a wild boar or a grizzly bear charging at me or mine, I will kill to defend myself or those I care about, but you’ll never see me out and about looking like some fool hunting down an animal I don’t need to eat just so I can hang his head on my wall or make his body into a rug. And while we’re on the subject, when did it become all right to hunt giraffes? Where is the sport in that? Where is the need? Just another trophy. I love animals. I hate people. People have made this world what it is. We’re killing the bees off because of the pesticides and gunk we spray on our lawns and in the air. We’ve made huge tons of garbage heaps in the oceans. I don’t need to go on. Why hunt? There is no real reason to do so except out of egos, or because it is “tradition.” I have family members that used to hunt. They stopped. Why? They saw no real reason for it anymore. They don’t need the food. Hunting is no longer a sport. It’s become all about trophies and nothing else. That’s my humble take on it anyway, and because I own some property in the country, there will always be a haven, even just a small one, a refuge for those animals that need to feel safe and truly are. I don’t hunt and on my land, neither will hunters. 

That’s it for now. How do you feel about hunting? Do you hunt? Why? If you don’t, why don’t you? Did you ever hunt? Why did you stop? Why do you think people hunt when they really don’t have to anymore?

 

      Until next time….hug your animals. Tell them you love them. If you don’t have a pet, adopt one. Make adoption your first option when seeking a pet. Adopt. Don’t shop. Can’t adopt. Please consider fostering one. The animal will have the taste of home and the shelter will cover the expenses. Can’t foster? Make a donation or volunteer at your local shelter. Whatever you do, however you do it, please be a voice for the animals large and small. All it takes is one to make a difference, good or bad. I’m one for the animals. Are you? Thanks for visiting. Stay safe. Be strong. Be happy. Smile. Show compassion. Be nice to one another. Pass it onward.

    Regards,

    S.J. Francis

    In Shattered Lies: "It's All About Family."  Coming this year from Black Opal Books. 

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I'm a registered blogger for the South Carolina Literacy Celebration.  

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The purpose of the South Carolina Literacy Celebration is to provide an outlet for authors to sign books, meet fans, and discuss the importance of their work. This event will include 20-45 authors. This is a mainstream event for all authors. They are anticipating a large crowd this year. This event will also include workshops and readings that are free and open to the public. For more information or updates, for both authors and readers, please follow on twitter at @literacysc, Facebook, and the official website: http://scliteracycelebration.com 

  

And now for some legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, S. J. Francis and are meant to entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.