Now Where Did I Put That Flag??...July 1, 1999

Now Where Did I Put That Flag??...July 1, 1999

Today was a National Holiday: Canada Day. While millions of flag bearing patriots were partying and patting themselves on the back, I remained home to say a prayer for the millions of poor, homeless, and starving men, women and children in this country. Like them, I feel there is little to be patriotic about in a country whose wealth and resources bear such abject poverty. And let us not forget just who this wealth and resource was robbed from in the first place.

A few weeks ago, I was driving to meet a client early in the morning, and found myself trapped in a typical post dawn traffic jam. It struck me just how similar our capitalist and "democratic" society was to the slave trade over a century ago. Here I was, stuck in the early morning rush to go to work and support a system I had no control over. The consequences of not doing so being starvation, homelessness, and ultimately, death. Our plantation owner is the corporate world, who dictates what we have, what we do, and who will run our country. We have to spend so much of our time attempting to sustain ourselves, that there is little "freedom" to develop our minds, our culture, our morals, our children. It is a system that is designed to support and perpetuate those who benefit it the most, and unfortunately those that are reaping the rewards represent approximately five percent of the population. The hunger of the masses feeds and nourishes them. It is Food for Thought.

I know to most this sounds like just a heap of tree hugger rhetoric. Nevertheless, our Planet, our Home, is dying a slow, terribly painful death. Where, I ask, is the profit in that?

I did decide to attend the fireworks this evening with Ms. Crabtree, Meris, Pookie, Ms. Thang and her friend, and of course, Reekie and Moo. Poor Reekie was too overwhelmed by the mass of people, and lost it completely when the thunder and flash of the display started. I decided to walk him back to Ms. Crabtree's while watching the display so that he would be distracted. Moo, on the other hand, fell asleep in Ms. Crabtree's lap.

Reekie is a hyper, stubborn pup, and it is difficult taking him into public places for fear he make a spectacle of himself. Nevertheless, this has never swayed my deep affection for him, not did the time he ate my waterbed. Once one takes an animal spirit in, it is a committment for life. They are not disposable.

Reekie chose me, I firmly believe. I went to the local animal shelter almost four years ago, after my separation, to find a pup to keep me company. There were two litters there, twelve dogs in total. Reekie was the only one not chewing on my shoes, my laces, and my pant legs. At nine weeks, he had already been horribly abused, and he merely sat at my feet, and looked into my eyes. A shepherd/lab cross, his eyes are deep brown, and they spoke right to my soul. He was timid for a long time after taking him home, and he suffered greatly when left alone (hence the great eaten water bed episode, as well as three couches). Now, he is the most affectionate, sensitive dog I have ever seen, and he make it known he loves me every chance he gets. My life would not be the same without him. He saw me through one of the worst periods of my life. When his journey is complete here, I may need therapy to get through it. I love you Reekie...

...Blessed Be