-by Deannalynn Arzola

Created by The Doris Day Animal League in 1995, WORLD SPAY DAY joined forces with Humane Society United States in 2006 in an effort to educate people around the globe about the overwhelming statistics attached to pet overpopulation.

Over 4 million dogs, cats, and other animals are needlessly killed in the United States alone due to the inability to place the unwanted (or lack of ability to care for the) animal. Here are some more staggering numbers:

• Cats can litter up to 18 kittens in a single year.
• Dogs can litter up to 20 pups.
• That number accounts for the birth of approximately 4,700,000 animals every year.
• In the first 15 years of WORLD SPAY DAY, our participants have provided permanent birth control to over 1,458,00 dogs, cats, and rabbits and thanks to their efforts, from 1995-2010, the lives of over 70 million domestic and sometimes feral animals have been spared an often painful life and needless death.

Officially taking place the last Tuesday in February, WORLD SPAY DAY is the first and only international day of action set aside specifically to promote the anti-overpopulation of pets in our society, bringing together veterinarians, their staff, animal welfare professionals, business owners and citizens, collectively educating the human population on the importance of pregnancy prevention in the pet population, exponentially decreasing the unfortunate necessity of euthanasia and saving the average taxpayer over $175, the typical cost to shelter an unwanted animal.

Please help us celebrate WORLD SPAY DAY by talking to your vet, your friends, your family. Spread the word. Educating people on the numbers doesn’t cost a thing. If you would like to donate, please visit HSUS’ website at humanesociety.org. Visit a shelter, adopt a shelter pet. You will be loved and appreciated every time you come home to your new best friend. Your new shelter pet will come home already spayed or neutered, as well. Donate to your favorite pet charity. Google WORLD SPAY DAY, learn about other ways you can help, and most importantly, spay and neuter your pets.

At Heaven Can Wait, it has always been our mission to prevent the horrible deaths of over 30,000 dogs and cats a year in Las Vegas by starting at the root of the problem, educating pet owners and sellers about the misery connected to the needless death of every beautiful animal, and business owners and volunteers about the need for funds to provide spay and neuter services at little or no cost to the many animal lovers and pet owners who simply cannot afford pregnancy prevention for their pets. While we have been in operation since 2000, and have several amazing programs to help pets find forever homes, we finally achieved our dream in 2009 when we opened our state of the art facility at Eastern and 95, providing low cost pregnancy prevention to Valley pet owners. Please visit our web site at hcws.org for more information. We also wish to thank our volunteers who work so tirelessly in support of our cause.

Help us celebrate WORLD SPAY DAY by sharing this knowledge with someone you know because someone you love will love you for it.

Ode to a Female Bathroom Valet

I'm from a small town in South Dakota you've probably never of. On my twentieth wedding anniversary, my darling husband, Jack, surprised me with a weekend in Vegas. Now, let me tell you, this was a big deal for me. I've lived in Armor, SD, population 782, my entire life. I was born here, went to school here and married my high school sweetheart here. All five of my kids were born here and three of them are still in school here. In spite of the size of Armor, I've led a very busy life. My husband and I run a dairy farm here in our scenic little town not too far from the Black Hills, which keeps us busy working from sun up to sun set, so when I felt the envelope Jack slipped under my pillow the night of our twentieth, I assumed I would find another anniversary card, one I had probably received before, seein' how Armor has one drugstore, next to our six-room hospital, and it's about the only place in town to purchase a greeting card.
Imagine my excitement when I opened the envelope to find two tickets on Frontier Airlines to Las Vegas. First thing in the morning, I Googled everything Vegas. What to wear, how was the weather, where to eat, what shows to see. I'm one of those planning types and since I don't get out of Armor too often, I wanted to be prepared.
Three weeks later, Jack and I were on our way to Huron Regional Airport, and neither one of us could contain ourselves. Jack made sure to book our flight at night so we could fly over the Strip while it was awash with neon. Lord, what a sight to see. We checked into Caesar's Palace, had a late dinner at The Augusta Cafe, did a little gambling and went to bed. We had an entire three days ahead of us chock full of fun stuff planned in our own personal itinerary, so a good night's sleep was in order.
We woke up the next day, had a breakfast buffet and hit the Forum Shops. We did some sight-seeing, lots of shopping, plenty of eating and more than enough gambling and even caught The Beatles Love Show at The Mirage, but one thing I did not plan for was all the amazing night clubs Vegas had to offer. Believe you, me, the thought of Jack and me dancing in a "disco" never really crossed my mind. But here we were, in the "entertainment capital of the world", celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary, sans the kids and the cows, so, we figured, why not?
We decided on a club inside the Bellagio, where we were greeted with the option of "bottle service". We gave it a shot. I have to say, the service was really spectacular. A "hostess" made our cocktails right there at our table. The music was great and Jack and I danced like we never had before. After a couple drinks, I excused myself to use the ladies room. Now this was something I had NOT anticipated. Bear in mind, as I said, I am a planner, and I thought I was ready for everything Vegas had to offer, but when I came out of my stall and approached the sink to wash my hands, a lady offered to squirt soap in my hand. When I couldn't get the automatic sink to dispense the water, she helped me and then she handed me a paper towel to dry my hands with. I was intrigued. I asked this lady to tell me about her job, here in this ladies room, as I myself did not realize a job like this even existed. She was more than happy to share her job description and some of her more interesting experiences with me.
Jenny referred to her title as a "Bathroom Valet". She explained to me that this is a service some of the better establishments offer to their guests. Jenny's "set up" consisted of a plethora of toiletries, such as lotions, hair products, fragrances, feminine needs, mouthwash, mini-one-use toothbrushes and dental floss, gum, mints and her own nicely scented hand soap. Her products were conveniently arranged and she kept the ladies room clean and smelling fragrant with a beautifully scented candle. When I asked her how much the bar paid her to stay in the ladies room all night, Jenny informed me that she worked strictly for tips. I must admit, I felt a little embarrassed asking all these questions, but Jenny reassured me that most people were not familiar with this new service and also asked her many of the same questions.
Having been made to feel quite comfortable by my "bathroom valet", I asked Jenny if she was actually able to make a living at it. She explained to me that in a lot of instances, ladies don't bring money with them to the restroom, unaware that a service like this is offered, however, once they know that Jenny provides all of these items at her own cost, so that her customers have access to things they would other wise have to purchase at an exorbitant cost in the hotel's gift shop, or return to their room to use, they often come back into her restroom to tip her. She also explained to me that some ladies feel uncomfortable and don't feel they should have to tip someone for handing them a towel, but assured me, the discomfort is unwarranted and she provides this service as a little something extra to enhance her guests' experience.
I spent so much time with Jenny, that when I returned to our table, Jack thought I had gotten lost. When I shared my story with him, however, he informed me that the men's room had an attendant, as well. Of course, Jack said he thought this was "just another Vegas thing" and that he was pleased with the service of being handed a towel in the men's room.
When we returned home, thoroughly exhausted, we developed our photos, invited our friends over and shared our magnificent memories with them until we were blue in the face. By the time we were finished, everyone in little Armor was ready to book the next flight to Vegas and when I told all my girlfriends about the unexpected service I experienced with my "Bathroom Valet", the girls suggested, perhaps we should hire someone at our local coffee shop to offer us the same service Jenny did.
 I'm sure Jenny would get a real kick out of that!!!  

In April 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama for organizing a peaceful demonstration during the Easter shopping season in hopes of removing humiliating racial signs from storefront windows, among other atrocities perpetrated by Southern Segregationists. As president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he and his staff were invited to Birmingham by the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. Upon agreement to come when called upon, Dr. King negotiated with store owners in Birmingham and a compromise was reached by both parties. If the store owners agreed to take down their "Whites Only" signs, a moratorium would be called on all demonstrations. Unfortunately, the store owners broke their promise and Dr. King realized he had no choice but to take action.
In the weeks leading up to the planned Easter action, the Reverend held classes for his demonstrators on non-violent protest, however Dr. King and his group of peaceful demonstrators were condemned, not for utilizing their first amendment right to peaceful assembly, but for their timing. I pose the question, "Is there ever an efficient time to demonstrate in the minds of those who refuse to perpetuate necessary change?"
In fact, Dr. King presented this certitude in a letter he wrote while incarcerated at the Birmingham Jail; "Lamentably, it is an historical fact that the privileged seldom give up their privileges voluntarily" and noted how "Through painful experience, freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed'.
When I think about the title give to Dr. King, that of  "Civil Rights Leader", I don't think of a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of one particular caste. I think of a man who laid down his very life for the advancement of the human race. 
It is one thing to be an outspoken advocate for change, for as it has been said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease". But to stand by silently as those who attempt to effect change are condemned, for fear that they themselves might become segregated, must pursue the courage to speak out against injustice.

-Deannalynn Arzola

"Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone."

-Nurse Cavell, immediately prior to execution by German firing squad, 1915

 

'Nuff Said:::

"The Christian fear of the Pagan outlook has damaged the whole consciousness of man" 

-D.H. Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence wrote one of my favorite stories, "The Rocking Horse Winner". It was published in the early 20th century and tells the tale of a young lad named Paul, whose parents are consumed with money at the impairment of their children. When Paul receives a rocking horse for Christmas, the horse soon becomes his best friend and constant companion and allows Paul to lose himself in the enjoyment of the ride. Subsequently, Paul believes his beloved horse can communicate with him, picking winners for the next horse race, tips Paul passes on to his uncle, a gambler. 

Paul's uncle shares a percentage of his winnings with Paul, who in turn hands the loot over to his greedy parents. Seeing that his parents are finally happy with their new wealth, Paul rides his horse harder and harder until one day, he doesn't awake from his trance and passes away.

D.H. Lawrence was an amazing writer with a fantastic imagination and I was so fortunate to listen to my friend Nova practice the telling of this tale over and over as my freshman lit class prepared for a Poetry and Prose competition. Of course, Nova won. Her "Rocking Horse" was a winner.

DeannalynnArzola

Gateway to Wonderland

I open my eyes to darkness

My lips part to yawn a silent scream

I swallow a bitter pill

I bathe in contempt for humanity

My soul prepares for loss 

And my  shattered heart dons armor

My enervated mind endeavors to focus

I clothe my weary constitution

And embark upon an unwanted journey

The frigid air of life cracks my face

But I soldier on, a choice I make with great tenacity.

Wading through quicksand, a brilliant light beckons

One more excruciating mile  

A willow bends to extend it's aid

And I pull myself up

The air is much lighter 

And for once, I can breathe.

The sweet smell of decay fills my senses

Twisted branches offer a bridge

And my unfamiliar curiosity compels me

Wondering if the grass is greener as I traverse my path

My thoughts are interrupted

I turn to face the luminous chasm

Warmth encapsulates me

And the constant companionship of pain departs 

I open my eyes to light

My lips part in awe

I bathe in welcomed wonder

 My soul prepares for benediction

And my heart begins to heal. 

 -by Deannalynn Arzola

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