Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

When I got home from work today and was ready to sit back and relax with a nice television show,I obviously chose "Dr" Phil (yes, I like Dr. Phil, please don't judge me for it), and the entire episode was about confronting animal abusers.

I knew the next hour was going to be a rough one, and I got my tissues ready (aka my sleeve). I was right, of course, it was intense and hard to watch at times. There were excerpts about animal hoarding, dog fighting, and abuse for no apparent reason. I cried a few times, felt angry, sad, and forlorned, but I kept watching, because I was hoping for some answers of why these people did this, and what they could have possibly been thinking.

They had some scum bag, which is an understatement, on to talk about why he felt dog fighting was not inhumane. Clearly the entire audience disagreed along with "Dr." Phil, and he honestly made no sense. He explained how they had bait dogs and how if the dogs didn't "want" to fight he would keep them as pets. He also explained that the dogs had a wonderful life, and they were able to be pets for the first two years of their lives before they fought to the death. It was hard to not buy a plane ticket to CA, fly over there, and beat the shit out of this so called "man".

I really didn't get any answers of why a person feels no remorse for these voiceless animals that cannot defend themselves, or why they feel the compulsion to kick and beat or even just neglect a life, but I was pleasantly surprised by one of "Dr" Phil's guests for the day.

A group called "Rescue Ink - New york" was the guest for the day, and they were an interesting group to say the least. They ranged in age and appearances, but one thing they all had in common was their many tattoos. They've dedicated much of their free time to rescuing animals and being the voice for the voiceless. I commend these motor cycle men and would have probably, in all honesty, judge them a little differently if I had just come across them on the streets of New York. These men were more of a man then that pathetic dog fighter, and they had plenty to say to him. I'm glad there are other's out there that believe in saving and helping all these helpless animals. It takes a sick person to pick on someone who cannot defend themselves whether that be animals, children, or just a regular person. I wish all the best to these gentlemen and hope they keep up the amazing work!

Go check out Rescue Ink's website at www.rescueink.org



Remember you can save a life too, adopt!!!! Thousands of animals are up for adoption everyday through the Human Society or even the LCR (Last Chance Rescue) Give an animal a second chance at life.

My Job is crazy!!!!!

I know it's probably against protocol to write about my job, so I'll be sure to not state anyone's name or any child's name while I bitch and moan about my day today.

Everyday I leave work and know that I made a difference. I know that even if it was just a little, I helped to better a child's life. I know that even though it can be exhausting and feel like your going in circles some days, the kids are improving each and every day. I love seeing the kids, and miss them when they leave our school or end up going back to public school full time. I've made real relationships with these children and can honestly say my life is better because of it.

With that said....

There are also those days, where you sit back, and think.... and I mean really think... "what the FUCK am I doing here?".

I had one of those days today. Even though I know these children don't know any better and aren't hitting and having behaviors because they have a personal vendetta against me, it doesn't make it hurt any less. A new student that has just recently started has every behavior in the book: biting, pinching, scratching, kicking, hitting, punching, tantrums, and falling out. I experienced each and every behavior, and I have the wounds to prove it. My arms are bruised and at one point, I even had blood on my shirt. I was sweating, and exhausted by the time it was 3:00. There were moments that I wondered if I would actually be able to keep my cool and not lose my patience. Finally, after dropping her off with her parents, I realized... I made it. I did it. No matter how hard or how thin my patience ran, I was finished.

Until next week of course.

Even after everything that happened and after I saw all the bruises and welts on my arms and legs, I realized that we were getting closer with this new student. The children try everything they can to get out of working. They don't know any better. They don't want to work, and they cannot verbally tell anyone "I don't want to be here", so they have to use the only other thing they have, their physical abilities. Seeing how different this child acted since the day before shows me that we're going to get this under control, and that her parents are going to be able to enjoy their child's company more. I'm not saying they don't enjoy being around their kid, but it would be so painfully hard to know that you were under your child's control. How hard would it be, to know that you don't know how to handle your child's behaviors, and that yelling at them or grounding them wont work!?

I don't have any children but I have to imagine it would be horrible and hard to deal with. That's why, I know that soon enough, after a few months of ABA, this little one will hopefully be more patient and willing to work, and their parents will know how to better handle their child's behavior.

I guess I've really only convinced myself even more that I love my job. I was going to explain to everyone that yes, it sounds so terrible to be scratched and bit, but I didn't need to. I love my job, and although I'm going to dread the day that I have to work with this kid again... I'm going to do it, because I know it will improve their life, even if it's just a little bit.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Yesterday was the first day of the no smoking ban. I'm sure all you cancer puffers out there are pretty pissed that you have to go outside every fifteen minutes to smoke your cigarettes, but it can only help you in the long run.

I woke up this morning and I didn't feel like I had caught the black lung, and my hair/sheets didn't reek of smoke. For the most part everyone seemed to enjoy it. I heard very little complaining and figured there were going to be more people trying to smoke in the bars anyways... god forbid we infringe on your civil rights! I think for now everyone will think this is great and we'll probably have very few smokers complaining... that is until the snow returns and all of them are freezing their asses off outside .... I guess we'll see.

For now I'm welcoming this new law with open arms... it certainly took long enough and I don't feel sorry for any of you that are pissed about it. I am glad that I don't have to worry about getting a seat for a table while the smoking section is completely empty. I'm excited about not having to worry about my sheets smelling after going out for a couple drinks or worrying about whether or not I'm endangering my self and health by entering into a bar or working at one for that matter. It's a wonderful change and I'm so happy it's finally here!