Hmmmm.... streaking..... for me it conjures up images of people running naked!!!!
But no, its not! Streaking is about running. I have been off my running during the summer because I tend to get very hot when I exercise and if I over heat I become very ill. This has become worse ever since my cancer treatments so I really do have to be careful. There has been a heatwave this year and its rendered me completely useless. I have been unable to run, walk the dogs, ride my horse or literally do anything. I was feeling pretty low about my running, especially as I am taking part in Erddigs 5K race in September which I am doing to raise a bit of money for North Clwyd Animal Rescue. Then in Septembers issue of Running for Women there was something in it about streaking. Of course it grabbed my attention for obvious reasons but I am glad I did because it has revolutionised my running! I have set myself my own personal goal of running every day for a week for one mile each run. I am currently on day 5 and still trying to get my head around the liberating feeling this has given me. I am not running for long enough to over heat, I can run at any time of the day and am not restricted to early morning and its short enough to fit it in at any time. I am hoping to fulfil my target of a week - 7 days and 7 miles and then perhaps another week. It has rekindled and revived my love of running and is definitely something I will do during summer months when I can't cope with the heat. ( photo courtesy of google chrome)
I have always had dogs in my life. Born at home, Victoria Road, Wrexham my dog Patch was already part of our family. My big brother Peter couldn't say her name, he called her Pa... He actually named her for the patch of white on her chest, pointing to it saying Pa Pa Pa..... nice memories.
Apparently a police man found Patch huddled in a shop door way as a puppy, she had obviously been dumped. It was cold and wet. He took her in.
In those days, they held onto dogs for seven days and then they were put to sleep.
Patch had gone over her 7 days but the kennel maids begged for her life because she was so sweet and so little. On the 8th day my mum enquired about a dog and thats how Patch came into our lives.
I remember being very protective of Patch as a child. She wasn't the prettiest of dogs and rather over weight but I loved her dearly. Apparently as a baby, she used to protect me in the pram and wouldn't let anyone near me.
When I was a toddler I remember distinctly how Patch nipped me! My mum asked me had I pulled her tail to which I guiltily replied "yes" so I was told that it was my own fault then. I have never pulled an animals tail since especially having read an Enid Blyton story about a boy who pulled cats tails!!!!!
Patch did have a set of puppies..... One funny thing I remember is the puppies getting lost. The whole house was up in arms looking for the pups...... My dad told everyone to stay quiet and watch Patch.... The little madam had taken the pups into the airing cupboard when it was ajar, a nice, safe and warm place for her babies.
Later on in life she used to "herd" my guineapigs into her basket and mother them!
Patch was over weight but she would always go begging where ever we went, she would sit there with big sad eyes pleading with who ever to give her some food. We always laughed over this.
Another funny thing was if there was a smell in the room, we would say "who did that?" and she would slink away guiltily to hide behind the sofa.
Such happy memories of a wonderful family member.
We were very lucky to have Patch in our lives for 15 years. She died when a tumour ruptured. We decided not to have it removed because of her age and she was happy and active until her last day.
The sad part was that I was at school when it happened and I didn't get to say goodbye.
Its funny isn't it how you love your friends so very much but you learn to put their loss in a special little box, you close the lid and leave it that way.
Writing this post about Patch has reduced me to tears, after 3 decades of her not being around anymore, I realise how much I still love and and miss her.
It has been nice to actually think of her and remember the funny things. She did enrich my life and she brought me so much fun as a child growing up.
I have included a photograph of my dog Bobbi, only because she looks a bit like Patch and shared the same start in life.
If you are new to blogging I just want to draw your attention to a small matter! If you see any words in this blog which change shade from black, this means that if you click on them, they will take you to a page which will give more information about the subject highlighted. Please take the opportunity to follow the links, these bears need you! Thank you.
I stumbled across Moon Bears quite by accident. I had heard of brown bears, polar bears etc but never, ever knew about these beautiful creatures.
I think I was on facebook and somebody posted a link and from that moment on I have followed the stories on their facebook page, frustrated at not being able to do something to help them in their plight.
This photo describes these special bears far better than words can. I think this is Oliver, a rescue bear.
These bears are used in Chinese medicine.
Their bile is thought to have healing properties.
They are captured from the wild or sometimes bred into their role as Moon Bear bile providers.
Now then, in words, it doesn't really sound that bad does it?
Let me tell you in words and pictures what it REALLY means!
These bears are locked into COFFIN CAGES for up to 30 years. As they grow they become more and more uncomfortable as you can see by the pictures.
This isn't the end.........sadly..........
The bear is then subjected to inhumane surgery. Often carried out without anaesthetic and not even by vets. A metal tube is inserted directly into their gall bladder so that several times a day, depending on how much bile that particular bear produces, the gall bladder is drained of its bile. This is such a painful process. The bears are unable to stop this happening to them because of their cramped conditions.
The bears weep tears of sadness and pain........
YES, they weep just like you and I would.
If they try to commit suicide then they are further incarcerated in metal armour. YES they do try to commit suicide. YES they do self harm. YES they do carry out infanticide.
But why? They are only dumb animals!
No they are not! This is just an illustration of a fact I feel passionate about. The fact that all animals have souls. They have the capacity to love, to feel sad, depressed, full of joy and excitement. Its just that they don't look like us humans and they don't speak our language.
Thankfully Animals Asia are working hard to outlaw bile farming and have set up a rescue centre for bears like Oliver.
At last after 30 years of life in a coffin cage, subjected to excruciating pain every day for those years, and lets just shock you here with some stats ........ that's 10,560 days enduring 21,120 painful extractions (that's only if its done twice a day) these beautiful creatures can live the life they were born to live.
Please take some time to watch this video, it is sad but its beautiful too.
I don't have allot of money to give, I would willingly give my time but I live in another country so even that isn't an option. I have chosen to highlight the plight of these bears, to spread the word in the hope that somebody reading my blog or my links will have enough influence to help.
I have written to some bear manufacturers "Charley Bears" asking them if they would produce a limited edition Moon Bear with some of the proceeds being given to the charity. If everyone did this, the pressure would be so great that I am sure these manufacturers would do this.
Write to your MP get your voice heard.
Don't under estimate the power of your voice! I managed to save our local schools tennis courts by starting a petition and working with our local councillor. You have the power to help these bears without money. All you have to do is write and if enough of us did that, we could make an impact.
For more information follow this link www.animalsasia.org
