Kay Raber

Yesterday I was at a PetSmart helping the Arizona Humane Society with a 3 day event for the shelter animals. I was walking one of the dogs outside, around the strip mall to get him some fresh air. We walked around for a few minutes so he could relax a little. We walked back into the store, and a lady came up to me. I asked her if she is interested in adopting a pet, she said that she had followed me from the card store next door when she saw me with my volunteer shirt on and I was walking the dog. She told me she didn't want to adopt but she was interested in volunteering but she was afraid she would be too depressed to see the animals at the shelter. I told her that I had felt the same way, but now I am helping the animals and not just sitting on the couch feeling sorry for them. She thanked me for giving her a different point of view and said she is signing up for orientation! Bless all of you that help the animals!

I'm headed out for my second day of volunteering at the Arizona Humane Society. I spent last Wednesday afternoon there and adopted out 4 kitties / cats to 4 wonderful families! It was so heartwarming to see the families get so excited about taking home a new member of the family. I was getting my hair done yesterday and told my stylist and another stylist in the salon, about the AHS and they are now excited about finding out how they could volunteer too. They both love small dogs and want to sign up so they can love on the dogs and help them find good homes. When you are excited about something, other people get excited too! Share your enthusiasim with your clients, it's still an exciting experience to buy a new home!

A friend of mine emailed me the reminder to put an emergency contact phone number in my cell phone which I had already done and wanted to share with you. To do this edit the person's name in your phone by typing in the letters ICE (in case of emergency) in front of the person's name you want to be contacted if anything should happen to you. Example: ICE Stephanie is attached to my daughter's phone number in my cell phone. Emergency personnel, fire department, police department, are aware of this procudure and will use your cell phone to call your emergency contact in case something happens to you if circumstances require it.

Next, if you are requested to remove money from the ATM against your will, type in your pin number BACKWARDS and the police will be notified and will be dispatched to the ATM machine. Example: pin # 7421, type in 1247.

Does it work? I know the ICE # works. The ATM backwards pin number? I haven't heard of anyone using it, but remember it just in case.

I finally am able to mark a resolution off my New Year's Resolution list!

For many years I have wanted to volunteer at the Arizona Humane Society. I love animals, especially cats, and have taken in many strays over the years. Last Friday evening I attended a "Volunteer Orientation". Today I attended a "Cat Handling" class and a "Welcome Volunteer" class. Next Sunday I will meet with a mentor and then I will be on my way to helping the kitties at the facility. I am soooooo excited, the organization and its staff is absolutely amazing and everyone is so kind and excited to talk to you about how they help the animals.

The unfortunate situations that occur so the animal has to go the the faciility is sad, but the employees and volunteers have such a good heart that they all want only the best for each and every animal. I've seen for myself that each animal will sleep tonight with a full tummy, in a warm and loving environment until the right family comes along to take him or her home.

I can't wait to get started! Check them out and see if there is something you can do to help.

There's always a house in the neighborhood that seems to have multiple homeowners and / or renters. That house in my neighborhood is directly across from my home. I have been in my home since 1995 and have seen various types of people in the house across the street. There was the elderly couple that lived there in 1995 that put up security cameras outside so they could snoop on the neighbors. Then there was the young couple that would take their domestic fights out into the front yard to share with the public. Whenever I put bags of clothes or household items outside for the Veterans Association, or Big Brothers and Sisters to come by and pickup, the wife across the street would come and ask me if she could have the items for her garage sale. But, I never saw her have a garage sale in the 2 years that she lived there. Were my curtains hanging in her windows? Then the house became a rental and it seems like at the first of the month someone moves in and then at the end of the 12 month lease, they move out and then someone else moves in. The house is now vacant and needs a family that will stay and make it a home. I hope it happens this time.