Gas Chambers for Pets

I'm signing this petition and I thought I'd give you a chance to as well.

In Michigan, gas chambers are still used to euthanize shelter pets. These gas chambers are extremely inhumane. It can take the pet up to 30 minutes to die. This in comparison to the five seconds it usually takes for lethal injection.

This petition is very simple. It's not saying we shouldn't have animal shelters. It's not even saying we shouldn't euthanize shelter pets. It's just saying we shouldn't use the cruel method of gas chambers in order to do it.

Obviously, we would prefer it if there were no gas chambers anywhere, but Michigan is a good start to eliminating a horrible problem. Plenty of other states have already passed laws banning gas chambers for animals. It's time for Michigan to follow their lead.

Please take a stand with me against animal cruelty and sign this petition:

https://www.change.org/p/ban-inhumane-and-dangerous-animal-gas-chambers/sign?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=345511&alert_id=HsRUGGpKPT_k6TEiHh2DKmzTYJvSCtRDY04Z8d7KATxqQgJbGmoPAA%3D

Summer Swim Fest

My aunt, who has the same disorder I have, was feeling pretty low and depressed. So my sister and I went over to her house to keep her company, cheer her up, and make her feel better.

We walked in the house and immediately the dogs descended upon us. They have a really fat miniature dachshund, and a corgi named Angus who likes to play fetch. I threw the ball for him for a few minutes. Angus was so funny. He always toddled over, all proud of himself, each time he brought the ball back.

They also have a Beta fish in a fish tank. Beta fish originate from Japan; they can survive unusually long without water, because their ancestors used to jump between the rice paddies to find water.

They have a pool, so we decided to go swimming. We all slathered on sunscreen, put on bathing suits, and headed on out. I was wearing my favorite swimsuit, a cute little backless one-piece, pink with a blue bird pattern.

We got in the pool and put on some music. (By the Killers, I think.) Anxiety chose that moment to strike. It always comes at the most inconvenient times; last time, it was at the mall. Anxiety is one of those wonderful little gifts I get for being a woman, ranking right up there along with Menstruation and Under-eating on my list of Favorite Things About Being A Girl.

I started getting scared I'd drown. The fear was completely irrational; I've swum in the ocean and across river rapids. I could make it across a pool. But anxiety follows no logic but its own.

My aunt talked me through it. Once I was feeling a little better, I tried doing simple things: making it up and down across the shallow end, doing a few laps around the pool by clinging to the edge and going hand over hand, relaxing in a floaty toy.

After the pool, we all took showers, with mango scented shampoo. Our auntie baked cookies and made coffee; we had snacks and watched an X Men movie and read comics.

Eventually, I got a little tired of being in an unfamiliar environment. That can be pretty nerve wracking for someone with my disorder. So instead of hiding in the dark back room and playing The Weirdo, I said I was a little tired and asked to go home.

On the plus side, our aunt seemed much happier after our visit. Sometimes I think it's just nice to know that somebody cares.