Li's Sharebook 

Our Kitty Mika. Mika means New Moon in Japanese. He is just 8 weeks old in this photo.

Photo: Mika, Oct, 15, 2012.JPG Mika, Oct, 15, 2012.JPG by Li P. (27)

Since our kitty Mika arrived I couldn't help myself from taking 1001 pictures and videos of him. LOL!
I lost Gizmo 10 years ago. He was not only my dog he was also my best friend. Gizmo had gotten really ill and there was not much more our vet could do. I did not want to see my Gizmo in pain so the only thing left to do was to put him to sleep...to date, that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I stayed with my Gizmo until his last breath. I miss him everyday!
I thought that I would never get another furry little creature, but I love animals and I really missed the love and warmth an animal can give you and the love that I can give them. Getting another dog was still to hard for me so I compromised on a little kitty.
When Mika (our kitty) arrived at our place it was like he had always been part of it. He took right to us and his new place. I am so happy that Mika is a part of our lives and our family today.
I'd like to dedicate this album to my Gizmo. The pictures that I posted are of our kitty Mika...from the day of his arrival till now.
"It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being". ~Henry David Thoreau

Album: Here Comes Kitty Since our kitty Mika arrived I couldn't help myself from taking 1001 pictures and videos of him. LOL! I lost Gizmo 10 years ago. He was not only my dog he was also my best friend. Gizmo had gotten really ill and there was not much more our vet could do. I did not want to see my Gizmo in pain so the only thing left to do was to put him to sleep...to date, that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I stayed with my Gizmo until his last breath. I miss him everyday! I thought that I would never get another furry little creature, but I love animals and I really missed the love and warmth an animal can give you and the love that I can give them. Getting another dog was still to hard for me so I compromised on a little kitty. When Mika (our kitty) arrived at our place it was like he had always been part of it. He took right to us and his new place. I am so happy that Mika is a part of our lives and our family today. I'd like to dedicate this album to my Gizmo. The pictures that I posted are of our kitty Mika...from the day of his arrival till now. "It often happens that a man is more humanely related to a cat or dog than to any human being". ~Henry David Thoreau by Li P. (27)

I dedicate this to my best friend, my dog Gizmo...who gave his life for me.

We recently got a little kitty. His name is Mika and he is 9 weeks old. Mika means New Moon in Japanese and since we got him on a New Moon we thought it was purrrfect!

It took me quite awhile before I decided to get another lovable furry bundle. Approximately 10 years ago I had to have my lovable beagle, my friend Gizmo put down. The decision to have him put to sleep was the hardest and sadest thing I've ever had to do. He had been part of our family for over 8 years and I didn't want to let him go. I finally realized that I couldn't be selfish...the pain and suffering Gizmo was going through was just to unbearable. With a breaking heart and tears just over flowing I gave the veternarian the permission to put him to sleep. I stayed with my Gizmo, holding him and telling him I loved him and that I know we would one day be together again. As I looked at him I saw tears on my precious dogs face. I will NEVER forget that moment and I will NEVER forget my best friend.

I could not sleep in my bed for the first little while. It was just too painful and it would remind me of how Gizmo always loved going under the covers and how he had his favorite spot on my bed. He was quite the character. I will never forget the night I finally decided to try sleeping back in my bed. As I got into bed I was thinking about my Gizmo and I was telling him how much I missed him. All of the sudden I saw the mattress sink down, where Gizmo use to sleep and the scent of my Gizmo just filled my room. I could feel him and with every fiber of my being. I knew It was my Gizmo. I was so overwhelmed with warmth and love. It was so beautiful. I just want to add that since I was a child I always had problem sleeping. It not only takes me a longtime to get to sleep, but I wake up every 2 hours, but that night, miraculously I slept like I have never slept before.

I had my Gizmo cremated and kept his ashes...it made me feel like he wasn't totally gone.

After Gizmo passed I really didn't want to ever get another animal. I didn't want to go through the hurt again. As the years went on I would help friends take care of their animals...take them for walks, feed them and spend time with them. I felt so wonderful being around these beautiful creatures. It was then that I realized how much I missed having and wanted and needed to take care of an animal of my own.

We've only had Mika for a couple of weeks, but she has added so much love and spirit into my life, and has become such a part of our family. I will always have an extra special place in my heart for my Gizmo. The bond that we shared was so special and It's forever.

What I've learned through all of this is the love that an animal can bring into your life is unconditional and priceless.

EPILOGUE
This soldier, I realized, must have had friends at home and in his regiment; yet he lay there deserted by all except his dog. I looked on, unmoved, at battles which decided the future of nations. Tearless, I had given orders which brought death to thousands. Yet here I was stirred, profoundly stirred, stirred to tears. And by what? By the grief of one dog.

Napoleon Bonaparte, on finding a dog beside the body of his dead master, licking his face and howling, on a moonlit field after a battle. Napoleon was haunted by this scene until his own death

It was another hot, humid & scorching day in the town where I live.  The reason why I mention the weather will become apparent as you read on.  About one week ago my partner and  I went to Walmart to pick up a few things. After we parked the car and started walking up to the Walmart entrance we noticed this man yelling at these people leaving in a car.  Along side this man (that was yelling), was a woman, a police officer, and a dog.  We found out that the dog had been in the car for over an hour. That day was one of the hottest days we've had this summer. How can anyone who cares for their animal think of leaving them in the car on such an overly hot and humid day? The person that called the police (as they couldn't find the number for the humane society) noticed the dog in the car before she went into Walmart.  And when she came out an hour later she couldn't believe the poor dog was still in there.  I want to add that before this woman called the police a man left a note on the dog owner's windshield.  It said, "Do not leave your dog locked up in your car or I will call animal control."  Thank God for the man who left the note and the woman that called the police...they probably saved that amazing but unfortunate dog's life.  I say unfortunate because no one should have owners like that poor dog. 
As my partner and I were walking by the owners of the dog we could hear them trying to make excuses to the police officer.  They talked with such arrogance. When I looked at these people as we were walking by they felt cold, and non caring.  Shortly after this incident I read in the newspaper that a couple who lives in Sudbury had left their dog in their car while in Vaughan. Sadly, the dog died.  These people will be charged with animal cruelty and a number of other offences.  Reading this last story was the last straw.  I had to do something...so here I am writing my story. I don't know who will read this story...if anyone?   But I had to voice my anger and my concern. 
If you don't have a choice and you have to bring your animal with you (on those hot & humid days) then don't leave them in the car for more then 5 minutes.  Perhaps park in the shade where available.  And don't forget to leave the windows open enough so there is a good air flow. Think before you act!  Dogs & cats get hot just like people do - more so because of their fur.  If you want to get an idea about how your animal would feel in a car on a hot blistering day, go in a sauna room with a fur coat on.  I bet you couldn't last 5 minutes without wanting to run out tearing that fur coat off. 
Well that's about it for now.  I want to thank all those who took the time to read my story.  I wish you all a good and safe summer.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
"I believe in animal rights, and high among them is the right to the gentle stroke of a human hand."  - Robert Brault