Monthly Archives: November 2013

working at the zoo?

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not exactly sure what is going on, but all sorts of memos about animal mayhem on campus.

is it an uprising? are these incidents somehow connected? 

in the endless sea of boring communications at school, these animal memos always brighten my day.

To: Community_Dist
Subject: Important Announcement

Wednesday evening, coyotes were spotted.  While coyote attacks on humans are uncommon they can be aggressive towards small animals such as small dogs and cats.  In addition, Coyotes can be carriers of rabies making it important not to approach or come in close contact with these animals.  Coyotes are primarily nocturnal, but can be seen in daylight hours. If you reside on campus, please take the necessary steps to protect your small pets and yourself.  As always, when walking your pet please use a leash to help keep your pet from encountering a potentially dangerous situation.

If you have questions or need further information, please contact the Human Resources department or Public Safety.  

Thank you,

 —

To: Community_Dist

Subject: guinea pig cage

Hello,

I’m wondering if anyone has seen my guinea pig cage with water bottles, feeding dishes, and other stuff.  It was inadvertently “thrown out” and I need it for our new guinea pig, Buddy.

To: Community_Dist

Subject: Have you lost a parakeet?

Hello,

A parakeet has been recently seen.The concern is that it may have gotten loose from a resident or classroom on campus.  If you lost your pet, please contact us asap.

Thank you,

Perhaps measuring animal intelligence by comparing it to human intelligence isn’t the best litmus test.

Ingrid Newkirk

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image credit: (erikearossi.com)

miss you little cowboy

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our perfect day 

set out on an adventure

shared by

kindred spirits

 –

up to the top 

of the  

empire state building

 – 

both had always wanted to 

never had –

found our chance

saw it and looked

in amazement

at the world around us

– 

next stop

a favorite park

playing in the autumn sun

– 

 sat by the water

talked about life

 all the important things

– 

scooby doo, spiderman, 

stuffed monkeys, 

people we love,

holidays, colors,

magic, fairies

– 

calm and peaceful

took coins

kissed them and made wishes

– 

tossed them in

watched them sink

as ripples moved

away from them

 –

he asked me

what is your wish?

i shared

– 

breaking the code of secrecy 

that goes with all wishes

just this once

for this very special reason

– 

my wish –

that you never feel sick again

(it’s been 2 long years)

and that we will share so many, many

perfect days

together

just like this one

i asked him

what is your wish?

he shared

breaking the rules

just this once

– 

his wish

so powerful

i sat

just listening

– 

tumbling

from the lips of

this 5 year old boy

who has endured 

so much more 

than most adults

in their entire lifetime

ever will

– 

old soul trapped in a child’s body

his wish

was 

the most amazing response

my wish 

he said

in that most innocent of voices

is that all of YOUR wishes come true

 we sat

in silence

looking at each other

both understanding

this would be our last perfect day together

we knew

these were our gifts

to each other

that we would always keep

gifts given

in their purest form

each only

for the other

we shared a moment

now held within us forever

on this,

our perfect day.

dedicated to my nephew h, who passed away soon after, (november 1, 2006), on a perfect autumn day.