What is your idea for a dream vacation? I have two. First, My ideal vacation would to be a beached whale drinking fruity cocktails in the sun. My second one would be to visit a spa resort for at least 2 weeks where they feed me very healthy, cleansing food, and I would do an intensive amount of yoga and therapy. Lucky for me, I just had a vacation that was very rejuvenating. It was not very long or relaxing per se, being bundled in 4 layers of snow gear and trekking through the snow and ice, but I turned off my cell phone and emails and I mentally checked out. It was just what I needed. 

I won't lie, working a full time job, running AND growing a full time non-profit, managing real life stuff, all those things have forced me to let myself go. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love getting did up. Lately, I have not had much time to to do that or have had the time to participate at an event that requires me to get fancy. Not only have I given up all of my hobbies and pretty much all of my social life, but giving up my heels and makeup has been really humbling. Dedicating any and all extra time to PEP! has become my life.

Don't get me wrong. I am so in love with PEP! and how things are going for us, but truthfully I wish I didn't have to do it. I wish the problem that PEP! is aiming to tackle wasn't there to begin with. I'm sure many animal welfare workers, like I ,would like to be a couch potato sometimes and watch tv. Right now my television intake is at 0 hours per week. 0! Compare that to Nielsen Research, that the average American watches 34 hours of television per week. An extra 34 hours a week would at least allow me to blow dry my hair so I don't have to wear a hat, mind you -a very cute hat, or exercise. No time for myself means no time for loved ones. I have very little time to speak with my friends or family. I talk to my parents about once a month on the phone, which I know they miss me, but what may seem like a selfish deed for avoiding conversation is really just a selfless act working towards something that is bigger than me. 

And the big thing that I'm talking about is a big mess that we, as animal rescuers, are cleaning up. I will speak for most of us and say that we wish the mess wasn't there to begin with. But it's not. Remember 'The Hangover'? Imagine if you were the housekeeper who came in to clean the mess in the hotel room the next day. Imagine that right as you finish cleaning up their mess, someone else came in to destroy the room once again. 

That is basically what we are doing everyday. Each day in America over 11,000 cats and dogs are euthanized. Just in our State of Louisiana 353 are put down each day. Who would be there fighting for them if we weren't? And the fight doesn't seem to end. It is a round the clock battle to find homes for the homeless, save the injured, and find justice for the abused. 

As animal rescuers, we unite for one goal, that no healthy adoptable pet be euthanized ever again. We are all working to reverse the statistics. Years of neglect from past generations has built up to a mountain of stark facts and proof that the welfare of animals has been a low priority in this country. Of course we are working on immediate action, that is where animal rescuers come in. Follow any animal rescue site on Facebook or Twitter and see for yourself that Animal rescuers do not live for themselves. They are not posting about themselves or their day, but they are posting for a cause. We are called to make a change for the lives of animals. Because they have no one else to pull them out of the situations that they have entered- all 
through no fault of their own. Too many pet owners have fallen short with the animals that were entrusted to them. There is a false perception that when surrendering pets to the shelter that they are guaranteed to find a home, but we all know that is not true. A shelter is in no way obligated to find a home for a pet that one has seized responsibility for. Therefore, animals don't have choice whether to enter into a kill or no kill shelter or whether they can choose to be euthanized or not. It is the owner's. 

Not only do we face the inevitable like pet overpopulation and over crowding in shelters, which is a direct punch to these animals, but we are combatting animal cruelty as well. Most people do not see the faces of animals who have been abused. Most people believe that it is too difficult to hear of these stories or look at the horrendous photos. I'm not telling you that you need to see to believe, cause believe me it is out there. But just be informed that is it happening. Just yesterday in East Texas a family's pet was skinned alive. Whether you believe that animals have feelings or a soul is a question for yourself. But despite the chance that they don't, I can see the reflection of my soul in their eyes and that is enough for me. 

We do not become immune to hearing and seeing cases of animal cruelty. It is just as hard for us to face as it is to anyone else but we are compelled to do something about it. And I hope those of you reading will feel compelled to do something as well. Personally, I believe that everyone is a piece to the puzzle to making the world a better place. Everyone has their calling. Whether you are already working for change be it- animal welfare, hunger, pollution, poverty, equality,.....the list goes on. Or you choose to just be good at what you do, contributing to society and issues help makes the world go round and in turn a better place. Contribute your gifts and skills to make a change. Millions already have and I am one of them. 

PEP! is what drives me. The thought of a day where no animal is put to sleep just cause there is no one out there to save them or love them is what gets me out of bed each morning, including waking up early on weekends when I would rather to sleep in. I want nothing more out of my life by the time I die than to have made a change in the lives of animals and a dent in the statistics. I am not speaking of hundreds or thousands, I am talking millions. What I wish is that the billions of animals who have already lost their lives, would have had a second chance at life. I just wish there wasn't a need for animal rescuers- That there would be no problem to overcome. 

But that is why PEP! is here. Through practicing prevention PEP! is here to create a better future for our upcoming generations. We are teaching kids that animals deserve kindness, love, attention, care, and companionship. Time, resources, and energy are key to raising a happy and healthy pet. So many people assume that it's too easy. Raising an animal can be very hard and stressful at times. We are teaching kids to be prepared before getting a pet, and we are teaching them to be responsible once they do. The lack of effort to be a good pet owner puts so many pets out of a home. Look on sites like Craigslist to see evidence of careless pet ownership. So many people are willing to surrender their pets due to 'circumstances'. Given, there are cases when people absolutely can not care for their pets anymore, but any shelter worker will tell you that most surrenders occur either cause their pets were not spayed and had babies or cause caring for the pet has turned out to be more work than expected. 

It is a privilege to own a pet. We as people are blessed to have furry creatures that we can cuddle with, laugh at, and live among. We have all loved animals at some point in our lives, especially as kids when our idols were cartoon characters like Mikey Mouse or in my case a little dog named Poochie. Think of the joy and love that they and our pets have provided for us. We are lucky to have them and peacefully live among them. They are very well equipped with sharp teeth and claws to injure us but they choose not to. What will you choose to do? 

If you have finished reading this very long blog post, I challenge you to take charge and make a difference in some way. Kids are doing it every day, if they can do it, why can't you? Our latest PEP! Star, Stevie Nelson has raised over $38,000 for homeless pets at the age of 6.  And last month's PEP! Star Emily Rose, rather than playing video games or doing kids stuff, has recruited plenty of her friends to help with PEP! on the weekends. 

Take it from me. All animal organizations need help. If you don't like animals, fine. That doesn't matter. There are so many needs to fill with each organization, and I believe that everyone holds a talent that we can utilize. I'm on this Earth for a purpose. I am blessed to know what it is. It is a true gift to know that my absolute existence is for this reason. I hope that everyone can find that one day. 

I'll close with this. I love PEP! We are 3 years old this month. We have done so much as a team and we are growing like wild fire. We are only as good as the people who help us to continue our mission. Without them, we would be no where. They are in the same boat as I am. We work tirelessly because we know that our message works. Kids are listening, adapting, and learning; and so are the adults and teachers who have sat through a PEP! Talk. Nothing is better than to hear a kid learn the importance of spaying and neutering their pet, or why it's good to adopt versus shop. But it's also very touching to receive an email from a teacher saying that we turned their perspective and are now providing their pet, who was once an indoor pet turned outdoor pet because of overactivity, attention each day.

We are doing this everyday and aiming to reach kids everywhere. The more kids we reach the better, because when they grow up, they will have the knowledge. And because of that they will have conquered and reduced a problem that at one point seemed unattainable. 

I ask from all of you readers to help me carry on my vacation in the real world to provide just a little bit. Help make things a little easier for us, for all animal welfare workers out there. Visit our site and find out a few ways to get involved or make a difference. 

Truthfully, I'm just pooped and I need the assistance. Obviously the vacation was not long enough, but I have to keep going with it.  

Here is how to help: Visit our events page to see if you are available to help. Or give us your feed back, you can win a PEP! water bottle, or tell us your ideas on how to make PEP! even more fun and exciting. Browse our site at www.ilovepep.org and get to know us. Help us recruit volunteers or sign up teachers for a free PEP! Talk. Or donate to keep our efforts affloat, your gift is tax deductible. Call and ask us and we can put you to work. I guarantee it.  Every little bit counts. 

And at the very least I ask you to please spay and neuter your pet. Your pet can be responsible for up to 16 offspring a year which can multiply into the thousands in just a matter of years. That small effort will bring exponential change to all pets everywhere who are looking for a second chance at life. 

For low cost spay and neuter in Shreveport/ Bossier please contact Robinson's Rescue  located at 2515 Line Ave. Call for your appointment today: 318-221-0017

Aaaaahhh. A break. I am checking out of town for a few days. At this time tomorrow I will have pampered myself with an almost expired spa gift certificate and a blow out at Chemistry Salon. It's sad that I had to take a day off of work cause I had no other free days to do so but I'm thrilled the hard work and the lack of free weekends has been paying off.
After my spa-venture. I begin my first vacation in over 2 years! I am going skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado. I'm sure I will be sore and cold most of the time, but it will be great to get a breather. 

With that said, I'm checking out of PEP! for a few days too. I am trying to promise myself to not work on any PEP while I'm off. No emails, no phone calls, no texts... ugh... I don't know if I will be able to do it, but I'll give it a good shot. 

Love you PEP! I'll see you in a few days! xoxoxo