I had a momentary lapse of reason earlier today. It was not a very "Nakedjen" way to behave and in retrospect, I have decided to remove the post all together. A very kind friend of mine reminded me that I am not an executioner. I do not believe in the death penalty. And I also realized, upon reading my own words, that I was reacting, not acting, from a place of hurt and anger. It wasn't pretty. It rarely is when you act from that place.
I try to act from a place of love. With that in mind, I will share this article with you that is currently running on Salon.
We all know that I have spent enough to purchase a small country, if certainly not a home and multiple cars, on the care and feeding of my dogs. It was a point of contention at times in my relationship with my former husband. I am a dog person, as we all know. I'll even push that and say I am an animal person. Because when Sandpiper, my horse, was in my care, she never wanted for anything either. She always received the absolute best care possible.
I will also share that there was a time in my life when my dog Clyde had health insurance and I did not. It was more important to me that he have proper health care than it was that I did. I managed with the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic (although I almost died at their hands and should really share that story!), but there were no free clinics for dogs. So Clyde had health insurance. Health insurance that cost me more than $350 a year.
Insane? Probably. But during that time Clyde broke his leg and severely cut a major artery that resulted in two very expensive and extensive surgeries. I would not have been able to afford either if it had not been for his health insurance. And it would have surely resulted in an early death for Clyde.
Clyde, as we all know, lived to be 17 years old. He was a very important part of my life. I have absolutely no regrets spending the thousands and thousands of dollars that I did to ensure that he had a life that was very well lived.
I will do the same, absolutely, for Buddha and Stella. And any other animals whom I am lucky enough to share my life.
I am an animal person. I just am.
