As a lot of people around Ohio and the US know, there was a major release of 50 some exotic animals by the owner of them, then he committed suicide. This took place in Muskingum county near Zanesville. The man who owned them has had troubles with the law in the past, and he has had animals escape numerous times since 2004.
Police and other law enforcement took action and killed 49 of the animals which included 17 lions, 18 tigers, 6 black bears, 2 grizzly bears, 3 mountain lions, 2 wolves, and a baboon. They had to act fast due to the fact of these animals being released at night, how dangerous they were, and how close to homes and schools they were. They did not have tranquilizers readily available, and could not risk darting an animal and it possibly attacking someone before it took effect (which was said to take up to 7 minutes to) or the animals escaping before it did.
There is a lot of people upset by the fact that they killed the animals. It is tragic they had to do so, but the number and type of animals involved posed a huge threat to people's lives. I wonder how these people would've felt if their child or loved one would have been killed. I am all for animals being treated fairly and humanely, but the number of such dangerous animals and the location did not allow them to waste any time.
If there is anyone to blame it is law officials such as the governor who did not do anything previously to enact a strong enough ban not allowing them, and letting the one ban that there was to expire. These animals have no place in a regular private citizens possession. The only 2 places they should be are in a zoo or where they come from.
This is not the only incident of something happening as a result of someone owning exotic animals. Just a couple years back there was the woman who was brutally attacked by a 200 pound chimpanzee, which resulted in her losing her sight permanently, her face literally being ripped off, and the loss of her hands.
I wish there could have been a more gentle way of capturing these animals, but given the circumstances there wasn't a whole lot of choice in the matter, it had to be done quick to protect people's lives who lived nearby.
Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our control. Sometimes things happen we cannot put logical reason to, or figure out for the life of us why. We have questions we cannot find answers to. This is life.
I'm not a religious man, so I don't see things being a part of "gods" plan. I do however believe things happen for a reason.
What we do and/or how we react to these things in life, I believe is what defines us a people. Our true character shows itself when we are faced with adversity. Life is not always going to be good, no matter how much we all wish it would be.
My x-mas stash for mom and dad is growing. I've got a ton of stuff already, picking up stuff when I get paid, and stuff here and there when I see it and have the money to get it. I made a list of things I've gotten so far so I can keep track of what I've already got and what I still need to get.
If I keep going at this rate I'll have no problem making x-mas really good for them gift wise. I know that stuff doesn't matter to them and they could care less if I got them anything. But the approach I'm taking is not just getting them something trivial like a shirt or hat,ect....., I'm getting them things they like, need, and use, that they have a hard time buying because they have a really fixed income and barely scrape by as it is. The more I get is less stuff they'll have to buy for a long time, and better stuff at that. They deserve to be treated to something nice for a change, and I'm doing all I can to make that happen.
At this point in my life I figured things would be different. 10 years ago when I pictured being 32 I saw myself being in a happy relationship if not married by now, and at least one child. Obviously this is not the case, I am single and childless.
It's not for lack of trying, that's for sure. I have been in 2 long term relationships in the past decade, and dated around a bit in between. There have been some high points, and some really low points.
Yet thru it all I am still standing, and I'm still going down the road of life. I have learned a few things about myself along the way. I want a family of my own more than anything, but I know until I find it or if I do finally find it, that I can carry on alone in life's never ending journey. I know things do not stop and wait for you, if you don't keep moving you will be left behind.
I like to think of myself as a strong person, and that I can handle what is thrown my way. I think I have done a pretty good job doing so. There have been times where it was so tough for me to face the day, yet despite whatever it was I did. I have it burned into my brain that no matter how bad it might be, it is not the end of the road.
So I move forward each day. I take on whatever may come along and do the best I can possibly do.
Not a bad day today. Got up and eased my way into the day with some coffee and propping my feet up for a bit. Got some stuff together and went to mom and dad's to surprise them with a cook out, I brought all the food and stuff with me. Spent some time with them, and dropped mom off at work before I headed home. Got home and got the house cleaned up. Now just drinking a couple beers and getting ready to watch my Buckeyes take on Nebraska here in a bout a half an hour, and hoping for the best. Invite my neighbor over to have a beer with me and watch the game, so we'll see if they come over.
I've never really started shopping for X-mas this early before. The only people I am buying for is my parents since I'm not seeing anyone right now. I'm trying to buy something each paycheck so I can make it a good one for them. I know they cannot buy anything for me since they have hardly any money, but it doesn't bother me and I do not want them to spend what little they have on me.
I'm trying to buy stuff they need, and try to buy enough to last them for awhile. If I can save them money on this stuff and get them the better stuff I know it will be a big help to them. I know they cannot afford name brand stuff, only the generic bare essentials. I'm trying to get them the household things they have a hard time getting because the little they get in assistance does not allow them to buy. I hope to go over for X-mas with my truck packed of stuff for them. I plan on going overboard because I want them to be pampered.
Once it gets close to X-mas I'm going to take pay for my vacation hours I'll have accumulated by then on the last check before X-mas. I hope to take that and whatever overtime I'll have to get them gift cards for a couple stores by them so they can get what they need or want, and a gas card for when they need it.
I know mom will cry and be emotional because she'll feel bad because she'll think she has to buy me something and cannot. That is how she is. To see her worry about things and be upset cuts thru me like a knife. I'm making it my priority to help as much as I can, and make life easier for them in any way I can.
I got the oil pump and oil pan gasket for my mom's car yesterday, and took it over. Mom and dad had no idea I was coming over, they were thinking I was going to come over today. They surely didn't have any idea I was coming over with the parts for mom's car. I also got some tomatoes at the store for dad because he mentioned something last weekend about him wanting some, and that my uncle said he needed to come get some but dad told him money is too tight for him to burn that much gas to drive over and get them. So I figured I'd get him some when I came over. $7 and some change for 4 big tomatoes is crazy, but I don't have a problem buying something for mom or dad if I have the money.
Mom was working when I got to the house, and dad just so happened to come outside for fresh air when I pulled in. Dad and I sat and talked for awhile, and then went to pick up mom from work. She was surprised to see me at the restaurant. Dad didn't tell her about what I brought until we got back to the house. Mom acted like she thought she had to pay me back for the car parts when she had enough money, because she give me grief for doing stuff for them. I told her I don't want her money, I did it because they needed it and I could do it.
The part that really got me was something each of them said. Dad said he bet more parents wished they had a son like me that does stuff for them without expecting anything in return, and goes out his way time and time again. I don't think of it as doing anything more than what I should, they're my parents, if I can do something to help them I do it without a second thought or desire for anything in return. It gets to me sometimes that I can't do more for them. What dad said made me feel good, but what mom said had me fighting back tears. She was choked up and started crying last night, and said she wishes she could do more for me, and that she can't tell me how much her and dad appreciates what I do for them.
Mom is very emotional, she always has been. She worries alot with how tight things are for them financially, and about dad's health. She always worries about me too, even though she knows I can take care of myself. She has such a big heart, and I know that's where I get mine.
The thing is there isn't anything she can do more for me, she has done more than enough. She made ends meet and provided for me growing up. Her and dad made sure I knew nothing was going to be handed to me, that I had to work hard for everything I get. She has been there for me when I needed a voice of reason and had nowhere else to turn. She was the only one I heard in the stands when I played football, her and dad never missed any of my football or baseball games, they are and always will be my biggest fans. They were there when I showed my dog in 4-H, they went to all my county and state fair shows. There's nothing else they can do for me that they haven't already done.
I have had a couple long term relationships, and I have dated around here and there. Obviously I'm still single, hence my reason for being on an online dating site.
I think I am a good man, yet sometimes I wonder why the things I want most in life have continued to elude me. I would love to find someone that I could have something meaningful with, and have hopes of starting a family someday.
At 32 it seems my clock is ticking more rapidly. I have moments where I question why it is I wind up back at square on over and over, time and time again.
I see my friends and family have the things I want, and I see how happy they are. I sometimes feel like the odd man out or the third wheel around them and their wives/girlfriends/and-or children. I know these things I want I am ready for without a doubt.
I see others who have these things, that do not appreciate what they have. It really saddens me to see this because what they take for granted, I would cherish. I really wonder why someone who doesn't appreciate it and takes it for granted can have it, but I have searched long and hard for it and have time and time again come up empty.
I don't have a bad life by any means. I have a good job, a nice apartment I've worked hard to furnish nicely, a nice vehicle that is reliable, parents that love me and did what I think a stand up job raising me, good friends who are there for me if I need them and I the same for them.
I have a lot that I am really thankful for, don't get me wrong, but the one thing I want is to have a long loving relationship and a child or children, even if they are step-children. The man I call my dad is my step-dad. He has been there for over 26 years of my 32 on this earth. He never once not claimed me as his son. When growing up I didn't always realise things, and now being older I am somewhat ashamed I didn't realise these things a lot sooner than I did.
I'm going to go buy the oil pump and pan gasket today for my mom's car. My parents are on a limited income, and just recently it has become even more limited. Mom is a waitress and doesn't make much of anything, and dad's health prevents him from working and he is on SSI disability. Dad's monthly SSI check got cut by a little over $120 a month, so things have become a lot tighter for them. It saddens me to see people like my parents who deserve help get screwed over, while those who use and milk the system get things handed to them.
I try to do what I can to help them. Last year I used extra money I got from a 401K loan to buy them a new washing machine when I found out their's died. I bought them some stuff they needed and a couple goodies I knew they'd like to have but could not afford as well. I know how much what I do means to them, and sometimes I wish I could do more. To see mom's reaction last year was worth far more than the money I spent.
I wish I could find a way to come into money so I could make it to where they would not have to worry ever again about making ends meet. Sure there's things I'd like to have, but to be able to take care of them is what I'd really like to be able to do.
buckeye1332 Blog (33)