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We took in two shelter dogs this year. Love them!

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Also lines up with the Wolf Moon. Legit.

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I live in the middle of nowhere and people just dump dogs out here. We take them in and take care of them until we can find them a new home.

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I feel bad now. I won't have any money to spare on her birthday. But I did find a place called Providence Animal Rescue League and when I do have money, I'll do what I can. Plus they even have an option of being able to dedicate a donation in honor or in memory of someone. Perfect! I can donate in memory of Betty White, and when I make a second, in honor of you, Chuck!

Not gonna lie, when I got the email for this post, I thought, "gesture? Oh man, this is gonna be a juicy post on body language!" Wrong gesture haha

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A financial goal for 2020 is to sponsor the adoption of a puppy. Guess this is going to get accomplished is Jan!

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Boy, here I thought you were making an age-appropriate cultural reference. Then I recalled that Betty was still appearing on TV in very recent years. D'oh! Foiled again!

My philosophy is "give 'til it hurts." Easing the pain of grief with an outsized donation I almost can't afford is a win-win.

For me, the 17th is uber meaningful because it is the birthday of Oliver Schroer's (Canada's greatest fiddler/composer) late mom, who lovingly adopted me symbolically (perhaps as her spirit animal), and that of a very kind local DJ who was a light at the end of the tunnel during my young life as a pariah, so I have a lot to celebrate. It's fun to see you referencing that date too (because maybe you're all connected in my fantasy simulated world) ;)

I am no stranger to animal protection (mostly in the financial sense), but I admire your advocating for such causes. A refreshing change from shamelessly plugging subscriptions to this page. Incidentally, if ever you're giving a prize for the person who inadvertently (and occasionally intentionally) purchased the most accounts, check mine ;)

If anyone at all is reading this, I highly recommend checking out the music of Oliver Schroer (who passed 14 years ago)

https://borealisrecords.com/artists/oliver-schroer/?v=e4b09f3f8402

As a storyteller he enjoyed Postcards DVD and saw similarities with you (and loved the tale about the box, necklace etc.) We were close friends. I don't just pepper random fiddle stars with stories about you! haha

And if any hardy souls are still reading, give often, folks!

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How is your dog? A few posts back you mentioned Sassy climbed off the bed crying—unable to move her legs.

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I’m sorry to say. I legit saw a cat thrown out in the trash the other day. I won’t describe it, but it was jarring.

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The best I can do is I'll feed pigeons on my roof top. Hate to be a party spoiler but, where I live, people in general hate dogs and there's no animal shelters. You might ask, how do the folks in charge deal with strayed dogs? well, once in a while, the municipality would appoint a bunch of people ( Possibly hunters) and off they go riding a 1st gen Mitsubishi L200 then, hunt down every dog in the street.

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I once got accosted by a RSPCA charity worker on the street. She said, "Do you like animals?"

I said, yes.

She said, "Would you consider donating?"

I said, I already do. I said, "Does anyone actually say no when you ask if they like animals?"

She said, "You'd be surprised."

Good luck with the charity work.

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Good idea. I will be doing so. Thanks for the idea!

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Hey Chuck, do you ever worry about going too far? Sometimes when I'm writing something, I think "am I trying too hard to evoke emotion and end up being too edgy for the sake of it?"

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I've been looking at the autographs you gave me, Chuck. Did you know the way you write an "a" looks like a "d"

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Last February, I lost my dear Wendy cat at the age of 18. I got her when I was 19, and she passed when I was 37. That’s nearly half my life spent with one animal. The only other beings I’ve lived with that long were my parents, and I bet you don’t have to guess which roommate I enjoyed more. I don’t know if I’ll ever get another cat, but maybe sponsoring animals in Wendy’s honor will help to fill that void. 🐈‍⬛

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Chuck, you know something I would adore seeing you do on here? Create a rough draft of a short story while giving notes interspersed to share insight into your process. I think that would be immensely helpful and reassuring.

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