My name is Faith, ex-puppy mill dog, and this my story!

Normally when a pup is born, it’s a reason for celebration, right? Wrong! When I was  born, it was in a cage that was situated in a dark, smelly barn. My mom was weak, because she had too many pregnancies in a short period of time.

You see, when I was six weeks, they came and took me and my siblings away from my mom. I was so scared. Six weeks is way too young for a pup to be taken from the mother. I never saw my mother, or my siblings again. I was put in another dark cage. I was so scared and I felt so alone. I cried many nights for my mom, hoping that she’d come and get me. Keeping me warm like she had done for all of six weeks. My siblings were sold!

You can guess that I had no such luck. Another little pup was then put in my cage, and I did feel so alone anymore. I still missed my mom very much. At least with the other pup in my cage, we could keep each other warm.

I grew up in that same cage, and never saw daylight. Never got fresh air, I didn’t know what daylight or fresh air was. What I did know, was the nasty, penetrating smell.  You know, no one cleaned our cages, ever! Sometimes they came into our cages and with a broom, sweeping away the feces. Mostly we could scurry away, but if we weren’t fast enough, they would use the broom on us.

When I was barely old enough, they forced me to become a mother. I didn’t know what happened, and I was so scared. Even though I was pregnant, they kept feeding us gruel. No extra vitamins, no proper food at all, just gruel! I desperately tried to keep the area clean where my little babies slept. I took the feces and put them in a corner, away from my babies.  I only had a piece of cardboard for my pups and for myself. It was cold, on the concrete. I did my best to keep my babies warm, like my mom had done with me and my siblings.  

I wasn’t very strong, and it didn’t take long before I got health problems. It was slippery inside my cage, because it never got cleaned properly. I had to walk around in my own pee, and feces. So it was many times that I just slipped. Over the years I developed osteoarthritis. No one cared about it, though.

I was in pain every day. Getting up, and walking around in the small cage became more difficult every day. My front paw grew skewed because of the untreated osteoarthritis. Still, they forced me to get pregnant as many times as they could. Injecting me so my body could conceive again, six weeks after I gave birth. I was so scared, all the time!

For six years I lived like this, in a cage, in the dark and in my own filth. For six years I was treated like I didn’t matter, like I was some kind of plastic toy, throwing me from one corner into another. Six years they used me for their own gain. Six years they sold my pups and hit and kicked me when I didn’t get out of the way fast enough. I tried to get away as fast as I could, but I suffered to much from osteoarthritis, so mostly I just wasn’t fast enough.

Six years of pure hell!

Then, one day, an angel came, and she took all of us with her, she was so gentle when she carried us out of that hell. We were transported, in a warm car, to an animal shelter. I didn’t know what was happening, and again, I was so scared. There was a veterinarian to see us. Then I got spayed, they said that I never needed to get pregnant again. It was finally over. Also, I got dental treatment, and medication for my osteoarthritis. Sadly, because I never got proper food, they needed to remove a lot of  teeth. I’m still able to chew kibbles, if they are not too big that is.

One by one the others got new homes, but was still in the shelter. The people at the shelter were very nice, and they did their best to provide me with all that I needed. One thing they couldn’t provide me with though, was a loving fore ever home. Then there was a family that took me in, just until I would find my fore ever home. After six days they brought me back, said that they couldn’t give me what I needed.

I couldn’t blame them, really! I’m traumatized, I’m not housebroken. In fact, I’ve never even lived in a house. I’m scared of people and I have severe osteoarthritis. Plus, I didn’t look that great, no, I really didn’t!

You  see, we ex-puppy-mill dogs need special attention and special care. I my case, it was also special medical care that I needed. We, ex-puppy-mill dogs are not easy to take care of, and not many people can pull that off. Their hearts are in the right place, but it’s just difficult.

Then, shortly after I was back at the shelter, a miracle happened, I was adopted. After I nearly had given up, I suddenly had a mother, father and a big brother. They didn’t care that I was a bit dirty, or that I have osteoarthritis. No, they loved me from the moment they saw me.

Mommy tells me every day just how much she loves me, how precious I am to her. Daddy tells me the same, all the time. My brother, Max is awesome. He’s my rock, and I feel so safe. He’s the best brother, ever!

It’s been almost five weeks since I moved to my new home, and slowly I’m getting better. I sleep in the living room, where it’s warm all the time, with my brother Max. I get medication for my osteoarthritis, and now I’m pain free. I get nice treats and proper food.

Today, for the first time, I joined Max on his morning walk. I’m still a bit scared when I’m outside, but it was great. For now I’m allowed only one walk (about 15 minutes) per day. Mommy says that, because I’m doing really good, I don’t my medication every day. I don’t limp anymore, and I’m walking smoothly, because I’m pain free. You still can see that my front paw is crooked.

I’m not the only dog who suffered because some human is greedy and only thinks about money! There are thousands who suffer. Puppy  mills are hell, pure hell! They treat us like dirt, we get no medical treatment id we get sick. We don’t get proper food, to keep us and our offspring healthy. They hit and kick us, just because they can. In the summer it’s too hot, and in the winter it’s too cold! More often than not they don’t refill our water bowls.

After reading my story, I hope that you never, ever buy a dog from the puppy mills. Never buy a dog in a shopping mall. Never buy a dog in any kind of story, even a pet store.

Why not in a pet store, you ask? The answer is very simple! We do not belong inside a freaking shop! We do not belong inside a showroom behind the glass! That’s why!

I urge all of you to think it through, long and hard, before you buy a dog! If you really, really, really are sure that you want a dog, adopt, don’t buy. Because you can’t buy love, but you can adopt love!

Many people say, that they don’t want a dog from a shelter. They think they all the dog who are in a shelter are trouble. That’s where you’re wrong. It’s because of people that dogs land in a shelter. If you adopt a dog, then it’s healthy and has all the vaccinations. Often they are spayed or neutered. Adopted dogs are the most loyal, and loving dogs ever!

A puppy that comes from a puppy mill is often weak and sick. You won’t notice right away, no it only manifests itself at a later date. That’s where you have the choice to either pay the huge vet bills, or bring him to the animal shelter. It’s a fact that puppies that come from puppy mills are often sick, because the mother dog is treated badly. Plus, because she is pregnant all the time, ad get’s no proper nourishment, she’s weak and can’t give birth to healthy, strong pups.

Below you can see how I lived for six years! I urged you all, to first think long and hard before you decide to buy a dog. Take a few weeks or even months to see if it’s what you really want! Think about what it means to have a dog in your home. We need love, but we also need care, like brushing, at least once a week. 

Then there are the veterinarian bills when we get sick! We need proper food. We need good and solid guidance, and not being hit if we don’t understand what you mean. Don’t keep us outside, it’s a lonely existence, we need the pack to feel safe and secure. Plus outside, it can be too cold or too hot. Sometimes, being left outside can be dangerous too!

You see? There are so many things you have to consider if you want a dog! My life was hell, just because people want a dog but want it as cheap as possible. Let me tell you, that it’s wrong on so many levels!

All I want for Christmas...

I thought long and hard, and this is the first Christmas, in years, that I don't have any wishes left! I'm so content with how things are right now, it's downright scary! Really! My life is perfect, my dear hubby is doing well, after severe heart problems. I'm doing great, because I too was quite ill. Our little dog Max is happy and healthy. He's doing so great, despite his lung and respiratory problems, just awesome!

Also, at the end of October we adopted Little Faith. She's an ex-puppy mill dog, used for breeding only. She was held in a dark barn, in a cage. Never saw daylight, and she never left her cage either. She just got some kind of porridge to eat, never proper dog food!

The vet estimates her age around six years. When we went to pick her up, she was in a bad shape. The poor thing couldn't even stand or walk properly, she was just skin and bones. Faith is traumatized and has osteoarthritis. Because of that, people walk passed her in the shelter. Well, I have osteoarthritis too, and with the right medication and the warmth, I function just perfectly. So this little lady had our name written all over her. Fay-Fay is doing great right now. She even runs together with Max, challenging him to play with her.

Furthermore, our still young business (start-up 2014) is flourishing. We have plenty orders coming in, so financial troubles are gone  for now. We didn’t lose the house either!

I do blog a lot about that’s going on in the world, mostly the bad things. That’s because I want people to know, plus I have to write things down, so I can better cope with it! Writing things down helps me a lot.

I’m still a happy person and I try to every day be as positive about life as I can. Last night I sat on the couch and looked around. Hubby was internetting on his tablet, Max and Faith both were sound asleep, warm, safe, loved! I was watching The Voice of Germany. It’s evenings like this that I’m so grateful for everything I have. I’ll bet you that not even the richest person in the world is more happy and content than little me!

I’m more at home right now, because of Fay-Fay. She needs Max and either me or hubby around her all day. More at home means more time to write. Both Max and Fay are sound asleep right now, the house is clean, Facebook is up-to-date. Now it’s mommy time!

This year, we don’t need to buy Christmas presents, because we have all we wish for, instead I donated to the shelter and to the woman who rescued our Faith! Right now she’s on yet another rescue mission. For me and my family 2015 was a very good year, and we have much to be thankful for! I don’t need to be rich to feel good, that so like…yeah like bullshit!

So, I wish all of you a merry, merry Christmas and a healthy and a prosperous 2016!

Christmas Gifts and Puppy Mills...

First of all, never, ever  buy a dog because your children want one. A dog is not a gift, or a toy to entertain your children. Children don't walk the dog, because they are at school all day. If they aren't at school, they are with friends, and that's ok. So mom, who spends the whole day at home has to take care of the pup, right? So, use your brain and buy them a stuffed animal or a game-computer!



Christmas the happiest season of all, right? Wrong, because it's hell for dogs and other animals who are serving as a Christmas gift!



Yes, it's that time of the year again. Time to spend with your family. Time to buy presents, and here it often goes wrong. I can't stress enough, that animals are not presents. An animal is a living, breathing being, with feelings. They feel pain, grief and of course happiness, if they are lucky enough to get a good home.


You see, most of the "gifts" end up in a shelter. Personally, I think that giving an animal as a gift, is stupid and very wrong. It seems that that are a lot of stupid people out there who'd buy someone a puppy for Christmas. The puppy mills are cashing in big time around Christmas, and that's why I know.

I've never understood, why people give live animals as a Christmas gift, it's insane and more than that, it's very irresponsible! Adults should know better than to behave so stupidly! Everyone who buy's a puppy at the puppy mill is guilty to animal abuse!

Puppy's that come from a puppy mill are in most cases weak and sick. Why? Well, in puppy mills they don't do hygiene, they don't feed the dogs the proper food, nor do they give a shit when a dog is getting sick. All they care about is money, money and...money! Female dogs that live in puppy mills are getting more than two litters per year. It seems that they get injected with some kind of stuff that makes them ready for breeding sooner. So one little is taken from her after six weeks, then she gets the injection and she's ready to get pregnant again.

Those who read my blog about puppy mills have seen the pics that go with the blog. This gives you an idea of how bad these poor little dogs were treated. They eat, sleep and live, day in and day out in their own filth. They don't get out into the fresh air, and they don't see any daylight.

Puppy mills still exist, and that's because many people don't think before they buy a puppy! They want a specific brand, and pay a little as possible for it. These people buy at the puppy mill.

If you take in a dog, you have to know that dogs can get very old. Some of them even reach the high age of eighteen years. So, remember that when you choose to take in a dog! It's not something for a week or a year. Plus taking in a dog is a huge commitment.

A few weeks ago I adopted a traumatized little dog, Faith! She's an ex-puppy mill dog, and was used solely for being pregnant all year long. She never was, not pregnant.

I think  that every puppy mill, is one too many! These monsters must be stopped. This, we can achieve, when people start using their brains, instead of wanting to buy the cheapest dog possible. On top of that, the veterinarian bills will come with the puppy mill dog, because they don't get treatment. They don't get medication, they don't get the food they need. Especially when the female dog is pregnant, she needs vitamins and high quality food.

Puppy mills don't provide anything for their dogs, they just want to earn money.

Please, DON'T buy at the puppy mill, and DON'T buy a dog or any other kind of animal as a Christmas gift. Adults should know better that that!

Puppy Mills...

It's been a quiet two weeks for me. Almost two weeks ago now, we brought home a rescue dog. Our little girl, called Faith, spent her whole life in a puppy mill. We all know what that means. When we got her, she was in poor health. Now, after nearly two weeks with me, she's doing so much better already. She, just like other rescue ex-puppy mill dogs doesn't know anything. She's not housebroken, can't walk on a leash, doesn't know any commands. Also, she distrusts humans. Right now our other little man is het rock. She's not going anywhere without her big brother, Max.

As for me, I didn't have time for anything but our newest addition, Faith. Even though I'm home now for most of the time. I'm only working on Tuesday and Saturday. Hubby is home on the days that I'm working, so Faith isn't alone. After all, we are starting to slowly get her housebroken. And for that one of us needs to be home.

There is also some good news. The puppy mill (monster) owner is quitting the business. So it was important to rescuing the dogs in time, before he put them down or sold them to another puppy mill. Most of the dogs found a loving forever home. Only a few are still in the shelter, because they're just now ready to be adopted.

I can't believe that puppy mills still are legal, it should be prohibited, punished by law if some monster runs a puppy mill anyway! I have pictures of the rescue in my possession, and let me tell you, it's the stuff nightmares are made of.

I debated with myself if I should post dome of the pics, or not. Well, I decided to post some of them, so you have an idea of the hell they live in.

So, I urge everyone, to NOT buy dogs from a puppy mill!! If you do, you are guilty of animal abuse. Before you buy a dog, search the internet for information. There's tons of info out there for you to read about breeders and puppy mills!

Violence and more violence!

In a new video message, the terrorist Islamic State (IS) threatened France and its allies with further terrorist attacks.

"We have  called out to Muslims, to attack everyone in the infidel West, and everywhere else in Europe!" A spokesman for IS made the announcement  in an approximately eleven-minute film.

In this video message the Islamic State is threatening that it will strike  America in the heart. Washington is referred to as the next target of the attacks. The authenticity of the video has yet to be checked. However, experts assume that this video is for real.

The Jihadists have previously claimed responsibility for the series of attacks in Paris. In one on Saturday published statement  on the Internet. "Eight brothers with explosive belts and assault rifles" had committed the "blessed raid". The targets had been "deliberately chosen to hit the heart of Paris," was said in the statement.

Anonymous:

The hacker collective Anonymous has declared war to IS in a video message. “Make no mistake, we will come for you, we will find you, and you can’t escape us. We will launch the largest campaign ever, against you. Expect major cyber attacks. The war has been declared, be prepared. The French people are stronger than you, and they will be even stronger from this atrocity."

The hackers also announced that they, “will use their knowledge to unite humanity.”

Ghost Security:

This Group fighting IS too. Earlier this year, a top official left the collective in order to align themselves with the 'Ghost Security Group’. This is a professional team of hackers that also declared electronic war to IS. It’s understood that The Ghost Security Group had more than 100 IS sites shut down, and more than 55,000 Twitter accounts blocked.

My Thoughts!

I think all of it is scary like hell. Fighting violence with even more violence? I don’t know! It’s a sad fact that, terrorists can attack anytime, anyplace and anywhere. It’s just something we can’t do much about. Governments prevent six attacks, good for them! However, the seventh, eighth, ninth and-so-on will happen, and we all know it!

I must admit that there is a lot that I don’t understand anymore. Right now I feel like I have to write to keep my sanity. I’ll keep on blogging, because I need to! Beirut and Paris were the latest victims of the terror attacks by IS. People are scared, they don’t feel safe anymore because of the attacks. Unfortunately, many citizens and politicians are seizing the opportunity to spread the hate against all Muslims.

I stand by what I said earlier. I don’t hate Muslims. I do, however, hate Muslim-Extremists-Terrorists. The things I hear about what IS does to the humans that they capture is terrible! It’s the stuff that nightmares are made of.

Yes, I want IS gone. But I think that most governments are underestimating the situation. Over the years they let IS become strong, because no one ever took action against them. They could have prevented so many things, if only… (Would have, should have and could have) And nobody did! Now that it’s probably too late, governments do spring into action, telling us that they will put a stop to IS.

Why is it that I don’t believe them?

Soon, I will start with a change of subject. There are so many things out there for me write about. Here’s (for now) my final blog on the war against terrorists. If there developments to report, I’ll of course will blog about it!

Pray for the World!

Good morning!

A good morning to all of you. Tonight was many a sleepless night, just like the night before! I'm up and ready for work. The weather is bad. Right now, rain and strong wind. Yesterday we had storms, I don't like storms. Strong wind, or storm means loud noise, and that scares me.

I once was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Because of that, I was almost killed. It happened all so fast, but I remember like it was yesterday. I experienced an explosion the threw me right back into the supermarket I just exited. So, I can relate to all of you who experienced a terror attack, and lived to tell the tale.

Anyways, I'll blog some more when I'm back from work. After all, I'm girl has to earn her money, right?

I wish all e peaceful day. Also, I hope that you will respect the 1 minute of silence for the victims of terror in the whole wide freaking world!

A true Lebanese hero!

Is there other news? Yes, of course there is. But, first things first! It’s short, but this man, this hero, doesn’t need more words to describe what he sacrificed.

A true hero:

His name was Adel Thermos, a true hero, and this is his (short) story!

A Lebanese man, Adel Thermos, can rightly be called a hero. Dozens of people are still alive thanks to his outstanding courage. Adel was with his daughter in downtown Beirut, when a bomb went off. However by acting the way he did, Adel prevented a second man in the middle of a crowd blew up.

While people gathered around the site of the first explosion, Adel saw a second man with a bomb, and he was moving toward the audience. In a split second Adel rushed to the man, and pushed him to the ground. By his action, the bomb exploded, but many lives were spared. His heroic actions saved many people's lives. Sadly, Adel Thermos and his daughter were killed in the action.

His name is “Adel Thermos” and I hope that this man will never be forgotten. He and his daughter deserved so much better!

It’s not much, but I needed to at least write about what this brave man did to save so many lives.

US claim:

Rumor has it, that the US killed IS leader, Abu Nabil, also called Najm Wissam Abu Zayd Al Zubaidi, an Iraqi who was, active for the terrorist group al-Qaida. The death of Nabil has not been confirmed, yet! According to the US reports, it is very likely that he did not survive the attack.

Extremists:

It seems that Radical Muslims are trying to seize the refugee crisis in Germany to recruit more supporters. Many refugees are not satisfied with the living conditions in Europe. I don’t know what they expected, but apparently this was not it. So, that makes it very easy for the extremists to try and recruit refugees. I’m afraid that they, right now, are very successful in doing so.

The government knows that about a hundred or so refugees were approached by the extremists. It’s a scary thought. Think about all those refugees who get shelter. Hell some of them are living directly beside a kindergarten. As much as it scares me, I refuse to let fear rule my life. The refugees in my neighborhood are friendly.

For the record!

The bombers that caused death and destruction in Paris, were criminals and not refugees.

#Pray_for_the_World

Paris cries, hides and mourns, and Beirut still in shock!

Yes, right now, I pray for the world!

Like Paris, Beirut will also need time to recover from these horrendous attacks. They will mourn the death of family, friends and loved ones. They will pick up the pieces and go on living their lives, because they don’t have any other choice. They are wounded, but not broken. They stay strong, because they don’t have a choice. They will never give in…

Many people think that in countries like Lebanon people are  used to getting attacked by terrorists. Well, let me tell you, that, if you think that way, you’re an even bigger idiot than I thought you were!

No one “Well, except the terrorists, of course” deserve to be attacked, or live in fear of an attack! I’m sad, and my heart is breaking when I think of the people in Beirut. I don’t forget them in my prayers. Also, I’m sill baffled that there was so little news about this horrific attack that happened only one day before the attack in Paris. So many people lost their lives, and for what? Because some weirdos think they have the right to kill everyone who think differently?

At least one terrorist has escaped, after the terror attack in Paris. And Assad, pointing an accusing finger at the west, isn’t helping! If anything, Assad should love his people and provide them with security. As it is Assad is a dictator, plain and simple. It’s for the most part his fault that so many refugees seek asylum in Europe!

To be fair, yes Europe and the US should have done more to prevent a civil war that killed thousands and thousands of innocent people. It’s the civil war and the lack of a strong leader that gave IS the opportunity to take over more and more.

I am against violence of any kind of form. I’ve never understood how people can murder other people just because. The blast in Beirut, tore down many buildings, I’ve seen the pictures and it wasn’t pretty.

Right now the European leaders are trying to reassure everyone by using strong words. I don’t think that anyone is capable of preventing attacks like the ones in Beirut and Paris. I think that’s BS…

Let’s not forget that many innocent people, all over the world, lost their lives.

Let’s not forget that many people lost family, friends and loved ones.

Let’s not forget that it can happen to each and every one of us.

Let’s not forget how precious life is.

Let’s pray for the world.

Beirut Not Forgotten!

On Friday the whole world looked in utter horror at the Paris attacks that left nearly 130 people dead. However, on the day before, Thursday, November 12^th IS attacked Hezbollah in Lebanon’s capital Beirut, “Burj al-Barajne, Hezbollah’s stronghold,” to be precise. The attack killed at least 43 Muslims, leaving more than 239 wounded. Today I’ve read about it, and that people didn’t understand that the terror attack in Beirut wasn’t much in the news.

So, here is their story!

On Thursday, November 12^th, tragedy struck when there was a double suicide attack in south Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah, an Islamist group who is fighting in IS in Syria. The motorbike that was loaded with explosives blasted a hospital, a community center and a bakery.

Two extremists managed to detonate their bombs, but it seemed that a third suicide bomber was killed by the second blast, before he could detonate his own bomb. Imagine how these people must feel. So many dead and even more are wounded, and IS is celebrating the killing and mayhem. I’ve seen the pics of the aftermath and they say it all. Not much is left. Buildings are destroyed, and the streets are littered with bodies, it’s really bad! The attack happened just when Lebanese lawmakers held a legislative session’s. These sessions were held for the first time since more than a year. Hezbollah has troops fighting IS.

This was the bloodiest attack since the civil war, and these people are devastated, just like the people in France are devastated. It’s the sad truth that indeed, this wasn’t much news to the world. I have to ask myself, why? Why is it that, when terrorists attacked France, (for the second time in less than 10 months) it’s all over the news. Yet, on Thursday, when at least 43 Muslims died in a terror attack by IS, it wasn’t much in the news. The terrorists were killed by the special forces. Still the damage was done, just like IS wanted.

What happened in Paris is more than horrible. It makes me so very sad that so many innocent people have lost their lives. Also, it makes me aware that I’m a lucky woman. I live in a small town, and yes, we too have refugees in our midst. Muslims, not terrorist, mind you! These refugees are fleeing for the extremists too. They also are being hunted down by e.g IS.

My heart weeps for all those who were killed, or wounded in the terror attack by IS. It doesn’t matter if you believe in God, Allah, or that you don’t believe at all. Showing respect and being humble, is what makes us better humans. There is no justification, religion or whatever else, to go and kill people! There just isn’t!!

IS is a group, claiming to be Muslims, but in fact they are just ordinary murderers.

I also believe that there is more to come. IS threatened Russia too. I don’t know how Putin will take it when they get attacked by IS. After IS claimed they had brought down a Russian plane with civilians, he went and upped the bombings in Syria. Hezbollah has tight security measures in the area, but still, it wasn’t enough.

It seems that we are at war, and that it will not end soon. In my opinion, every war is one too many!

We know that it’s coming. We don’t know when. We don’t know where.  All we know is that it will happen, sooner or later. Terror attacks are done by cowards, simple. On Thursday November 12^th it was Lebanon’s capital that was targeted by IS. It left people dead and in utter despair and unimaginable pain.

I think that the reason the Middle East isn’t much in the news regarding attacks is because it happens a lot more over there, than in Europe. Still, that’s not a reason for us to ignore the fact that people in the Middle East are under attack by IS too.

Hezbollah or not, these people didn’t  deserve to die like this. I hope that soon IS can be brought down!

I am the world!

I am freedom!

France under attack!

First thing I do when I wake up? I get myself a coffee, and I put on the news. Well, I, like most people,  was in total shock after I saw and heard about the terror attack in Paris (France). The city was attacked at six different locations, claiming the lives of 128 innocents (so far). I know that the count will go up before the end of next week.

Paris, the City of Light fearfully awoke this morning. Paris is crying. The world is mourning. People all over the world are devastated and in shock.

Friday evening at 9:20 pm the horror story began with the first of three explosions at the Stade de France where France and Germany were playing at game of football when bomb-vests terrorists blew themselves up. French President Hollande, who attend the game was evacuated. To  keep the public from panicking and flee the stadium, the football match was just played out.

The French authorities stated later that the attackers were confined to restaurants in the immediate area because they are deterred by the security measures around the stadium. That the attackers made use of bomb-vests have shocked the French. Such attacks were not yet known.

Almost simultaneously there was shooting in a popular neighborhood in the 10th arrondissement near Place de la Republique in restaurants and in bars. 12 people were killed by the terrorists when they  bombed the restaurant Le Petit Cambodge. Eight terrorists were killed by law enforcement.

About 25 minutes later, the famous Bataclan concert hall was hit. Armed men indiscriminately started shooting on the approximately 1500 visitors. People were also taken hostage and it was reported that they were executed.

In an online statement IS claimed the responsibility of these horrifying attacks on several locations in the city.

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JUST IN: At house searches in the Brussels district of Molenbeek the police has arrested a man that is associated with the attacks of Paris. According to the BBC, the police would be looking for a black car with Belgian number plates. According to the Arabic service of the British broadcaster,  several witnesses have said that the terrorists of Paris, among others, used a car with Belgian license plates. Also there were be Belgian parking tickets found in a car used by terrorists.

******

An unknown pianist put his piano in front of the music hall Bataclan and started playing Imagine by John Lennon. This morning I cried for all those who lost their lives, for family and loved ones. Just now I cried again, but this time because it was so beautiful.

******

I know that many people are blaming the Islam, and that’s wrong on so many levels! This isn’t a religious problem. This is a terrorist problem, plain and simple! IS terror organization is very Ruthless, and more than dangerous. Terrorists are cowards who attack from behind. Everyone who attacks from behind is a coward IMHO. Anyways, it’s the second terror attack in then ten months time. Many European citizens are blaming the refugees, who are coming from countries like Syria and Irak. These people are refugees, well, most of them. I see them as harmless, but not all!

Most refugees are innocent. Unfortunately, not all of them are innocent. It turns out that there were/ are terrorists among the refugees. This is not good! How many terrorists did come into Europe that way, unseen? That's the 65 million dollar question. Am I scared? Sometimes, yes. I, like all the other Europeans, refuse to live in fear!

What can I say! My heart is heavy, I’m sad, shocked and mad as hell. I know, since I saw the news this morning. I needed time to gather my thoughts so I could write about the horror!

Je suis Français

Je suis de Paris

Je suis la liberté 

Angora Farming, the horrible truth!Angora Farming, the horrible truth!

Work and being sick prevented me from blogging for some time. I’m kind of back now, and I hope to, at least blog once a week.

The first theme I want, no, need, to write about, are those poor sweet little bunnies. You know the white fluffy ones. Well, fasten your seatbelt, because what you’re about to read is the ugly truth about angora farms.

For the record, I myself don’t wear any kind of animal. So, no angora, leather of any kind or wool! I will blog about the harsh wool industry and the suffering that sheep have to endure because of it!

Back in the days, when there was no such thing as social media. I knew nothing about the large extent of the animal industry, and what kind of suffering that entailed. The  links below will show you the horrible truth about angora. I hope that, after reading my article, you will stop wearing animals, all together.

First of all, forget all you read or what you’ve been told about fair angora farming. Why? Because they don’t exist! Fluffy bunny’s are being held in wire cages, which are dirty, because they never get cleaned. They often don’t get food or water. Bunny’s have sensible little feet and living those horrible cages hurts them, very much so!

Every 3 or 4 months they are pulled from their cages, to get their fur plucked from their bodies. Sometimes the bunny’s have to lie on the cold floor and the men are putting their shoes on the bunny ears. That way the bunny can’t get up or escape the horror that awaits him. The fur is pulled out with all the force the men can muster, and you will believe me, after you hear them scream in pain.

Sometimes the bunny is strapped. Their front and back legs are tightly tethered, and that’s a terrifying experience for any prey animal. Then the torture begins as they pluck the fur from the bunny’s body.

Imagine that someone is pulling your hair out, just like that. Would you feel pain? Yes, of course you would. So, imagine how the bunny must feel!

Bunny’s at angora farms are living in a state of shock for most of their miserable existence. They lie in their cages, trembling and in agony. After the plucking, the bunny’s skin is red raw, so the bunny’s can easily get infections. The bunny’s that survive the horror end up by being hung upside down and having their throats slit.

You can get further info by clicking on the links below. I must warn you however. The contents of the footage can be disturbing!

If you ask me. I find the footage contains the stuff out of nightmares! I’ve seen to much of the horror, regarding animal abuse, to last me a lifetime! Most nights I’m lying awake, because I can’t get rid of the images of animal abuse!

Bunny Abuse Angora Farm 01

Bunny Abuse Angora Farm 02

A trip down memory lane... Photo's

Some weeks ago I saw a message on my fb that the neighborhood where I grew up, is set for demolition! 

My mother was a single parent, not by choice, I might add. I grew up with four siblings, so five in total, in a small 3 bedroom apartment! Even though mom was always there for us, my childhood was anything but easy. My old neighborhood holds so many memories, good and bad. It's strange that after fifty years all the apartments finally make room, for? For what, I don't know! I suppose that the apartments are being replaced by expensive houses.

The big supermarket, is gone too. As well as the farmland, where  cows and sheep used to graze. Expensive houses everywhere, it's surreal! The apartment on the second floor that's where I grew up. The apartment on the left is where I lived for several years and married the love of my live. When my mom died, we moved away, because I could stand to see the apartment every single day, knowing mom wasn't living there anymore. It's been more than fifteen years, and it's all behind me now. Or at least that's what I thought.

Memories of Christmas, large tables were set-up so we all fit in. Think of five children and their spouses LOL. Sunday afternoons with lemonade and cookies. 

Bringing mom's dog to the vet, so he could put him down, he was very old and sick. The poor boxer had cancer! Celebrating New Years with the whole family. Back  then, most doors to the apartments were open and we went from one neighbor to the other, it was so much fun. Back then, there were not many cars, so playing soccer and other ball games on the streets was normal. It's with a smile and a tear that I look back, and take a stroll down memory lane! So much has happened in the last fifteen years. I lost family and friends, but on the way, gained new friends. As it is, life does go on, no matter what!

I came to live around the corner from the apartment I grew up in after I returned for good from Switserland. I have so many fun memories looking back. I loved the place, it was also a three bedroom apartment. The smallest room, I used as my office. Another bedroom I turned into the dining room. Yeah, it was a nice place indeed!

Looking back, I know that there were many changes in my life and that's how it's suppose to be. We need changes in our lives, it keeps us going in new directions.

My mom was a wise woman. She told me once that "I should never forget that I was young once too" She said that too many people forgot and that's the reason that they don't understand young people... They simply forgot that they, too, were young, once!

There isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think of my mom. But seeing the empty apartments that are ready to be torn down, made long forgotten memories flooding to the surface again. I grew up, poor, really poor, and I had to fight for everything I have now. That's why I take nothing for granted, I now have my own home (we built it about eight years ago) with a nice garden, hubby is doing great. Max is happy and healthy, I feel fine, life is good!

So, changes in our lives, when we get older, is not a bad thing, as long as we remember that we were young once, and don't take people or the things they do for granted!

I know it doesn't look like it now, but once the surrounding area was nice and in good shape.

Andreas L fatal flight 4U 9525

More and more details about Andreas L, "the co-pilot who committed suicide, and took 149 innocent people with him" are revealed. Neighbors and  acquaintances  are starting to talk to the press. It turns out that Andreas L was for at least 18 months under psychiatric treatment. At dome time, he was even committed to a mental facility for further treatment. Neighbors also told the press that the co-pilot was depressed for several years now. A broken off relationship with his girlfriend could have been the trigger to commit suicide.

What exactly is on a suicidal person's mind? Sadly, no one knows, not even the shrinks, and they treat people like Andreas L. Normally, if someone wants to commit suicide, he, or she does not let the world know about it. It's always afterwards that you hear family and friends say "I didn't know it was that bad," or, "I didn't even know that he or she suffered from depressions". Normally, when a person commits suicide, they do it in silence away from the world. They don't take other people with them. So, I don't think that this was an ordinary suicide. No, this was so much more.

It normally takes some time before someone commits suicide. It's not like they wake up in the morning and think "hey, today is a good day for me to commit suicide". Thinking, there's a lot of thinking going on before they actually do it! Some plan ahead, and some just wait for the right opportunity. What the co-pilot of flight 4U 9525 did, doesn't look like a regular suicide to me. Andreas L must have been full of anger, rage and despair to not only take his own life, but take 149 innocent people’s lives in the process.

I think that for Andreas it was clear that he would kill himself, it was just a question of when he would get the chance. Also, I don't think that he really planned it ahead to take down the Airbus 320 with on-board 149 innocents! My guess is that he got an opportunity and he took it, not needing to think twice, after all, the decision was probably already made some time ago. The opportunity came when the captain left the cockpit because he had to go to the toilet. The police did a house-search and a rumor is that they did find a farewell letter, but it's just a rumor, so far anyways.

The mind is beautiful, yet very complex, and hard to fathom, even for specialists.

******

It saddens me every time when I hear of someone committing suicide, I've lost acquaintances because of it. I myself fought depression for most of my life, I still have difficulties to think positive, so I know what I'm talking about! When I say that this wasn't a regular suicide, then believe me that it really wasn't!

Fatal Flight 4U 9525

I know I didn't blog for a while, but to my defense, I was swamped in work, almost drowning, if you will! For us, it’s top season right now, so that means a lot of work, like 6 days a week, which is good of course LOL. Only I don’t like it when I have so little time for other things I love to do, like writing my blog on a regular basis. I didn't work on my book for months now. I just started this week again. Let me tell you that being away from my story this long wasn’t good. Anyways, I’ll try to write on a regular basis from now on, because there is so much to write about.

The 28 year old German co-pilot of the crashed Germanwings flight 4U 9525 was alone in the cockpit at the time of the crash, and he seems that he willfully let the plane crash against the mountain. This was announced today at the press conference held by the Public Prosecutor in France!

The captain left the cockpit, presumably to go to the toilet, about ten minutes before the Airbus 320 crashed, according the Public Prosecutor, who led the press conference about the fatal flight 4U 9525. The co-pilot locked the cockpit from the inside, and then he started the descent. In the last eight minutes the plane decreased from 12 km altitude to less than 2 kilometers.

Closed off cockpit

The captain kept trying to enter the cockpit until the plane crashed. It seemed that the pilot called several times that he wanted to be let inside. The cockpit is only accessible for those who have the code. The captain and cabin crew do have access to the cockpit. However, if one pilot locks the cockpit from the inside, there’s no way someone outside the cockpit can enter. Not even with the emergency code. So the question remains, why did the co-pilot lock the cockpit from the inside?

Suicide

From what I understand, (watching the press conference), it’s more than likely that the co-pilot committed suicide. As far as they now know, the co-pilot was alive during descend of the plane. So it all point in the direction of foul play. They know that he was alive because the voice recorder recorded his breathing, and analysts say that his breathing was normal, that he wasn’t unconscious. So the possibility that this man committed suicide is becoming more and more a reality. Also, it seemed that the co-pilot was suffering from depressions which he got treatment for, and that’s a bad sign.

Haltern: The school class who never comes home again!

This is a small town in the area where I live. The school there lost 16 students and 2 of its teachers. So, Haltern is in deep morning right now. The students all were 15 and 16 years young! One teacher just got married last year, and the other one was set to marry this year.

The black box also recorded loud banging on the cockpit door, probably the captain who tried in vain to break down the door. The door of a cockpit is made out of reinforced steel, so it was futile for the captain to try and break it down. That he did such a thing, tells us how desperate he must have been, knowing it was a reinforced steel door that he was trying to break down, knowing it was impossible. Imagine the panic, because I believe that the captain knew what was happening the minute he couldn’t enter the cockpit anymore.

The flight captain shouted and pleaded, but copilot Andreas L. did not respond to the pleas of the other pilot. Also, there was no observable response to calls from the air traffic control. The Public Prosecutor has asked Germany to the spiritual condition of the pilot, and other backgrounds. The Public Prosecutor in Marseilles closes emphatically suicide committed by the copilot no impossible.

Shouting

On the basis of the recordings, researchers conclude that the passengers were aware from the beginning of the fact what happened. Because, shortly before the plane crashed the voice recorder, recorded, the screaming of the passengers. The passengers must have a terrifying last 8 minutes of their lives. The voice recorder only records what it heard in the cockpit, so the creaming must have been loud for the voice recorder to record it.

Passengers:

There were three generations of a Spanish family on board the crashed Airbus, a little girl, her mother and her grandmother.

72 Germans were on board of the fatal flight 4U 9525, including 16 students and two teachers. Also, there were 3 British, 2 Japanese, 2 Colombians, 2 Argentinians, 2 Americans, 2 Australians, 2 Iranians, 2 Venezuelans, 1 Dane, 1 Turk, 1 person from Belgium and one Israeli aboard. That is confirmed by the different countries. The Dutch government has confirmed that a Dutch woman (20) from Deurne was also killed in the crash.

******

Today the German TV showed pictures of the passengers who died on flight 4U 9525. Seeing all the faces pass, it made me cry. Yesterday I cried a lot, on hearing the awful news. Now, after hearing the co-pilot probably committed suicide, I’m angry, very angry. Most of us know that people who commit suicide aren't thinking clearly anymore. No one really knows what’s going on in the mind of a person who wants to kill him/ herself. What I don’t understand is why kill 149 people in the process of committing suicide?

I myself booked a flight to London at Germanwings airline. I will not cancel my flight, Germanwings is a good airline they only had one rotten co-pilot.

My prayers are for the survivors of fatal flight 4U 9525 I hope you all are in a better place…

Charlie Hebdo...

Capital of the world.

On Sunday, January 11 2015, the world made a statement and, Paris became the capital of the world! Je Suis Charlie is all about our freedom, human rights and making a statement against terrorism!

All over the world, people marched through the streets, making their statement against violence and terrorism. Charlie Hebdo is sold more than five thousand times already. Charlie Hebdo is all about satire and not about a specific religion. 

If only the extremists would understand. But then again, they only understand their own language. They even kill fellow Muslims when they think that they aren’t behaving accordingly. Terrorists use religion to hide behind, and only cowards hide. Terrorists hide behind masks they almost never show their faces voluntarily.

Again, only cowards behave like that. Shooting an officer who is already down, that’s an act of cowardice. They went into the building where Charlie Hebdo is settled, using Kalashnikovs to shoot unarmed civilians. For that, you don’t need to be brave, really you don’t!

Amedy Coulibaly said that he operated separately from the brothers Kouachi, "so it would have more impact." "I've focused on the police." He calls the attack on the Jewish supermarket 'fully justified'. His motto, "If you attack the caliphate and the Islamic State, you get yourself attacked."

In a video, which was picked up by the SITE Intelligence Group, shows Amedy Coulibaly swearing allegiance to the Islamic State and Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Amedy Coulibaly is seen making several speeches and can be seen while he is training.

Al-Qaida has claimed the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the Jewish supermarket.

Terrorists live of the fear of others, the more afraid people are, the more they like it. What they certainly didn’t expect was that Charlie Hebdo sold 5 million editions of the satirical magazine, all over the world, in 16 different languages. People everywhere marched against violence, carrying banners and flags; it was so awesome to see. I hope things will settle down soon, but I’m afraid that it will take some time for things to get back to normal. 

Terrorists keep threatening our families, our homes and our safety. They are cowards who attack from behind, they always do. They show us footage of them fighting and god knows what not, but the fact is, they don’t fight, they attack with Kalashnikovs. Only if you are a coward you attack defenseless civilians who don’t wear guns, who are unarmed.

What amazes me is that so many young people travel to Syria to join the terrorists. What is going through their minds that they want to join these killers? What about all the young women who travel to Syria? What is a woman to a Muslim extremist? Not much, they are good for only two things, sex and cannon fodder. Women don’t have any rights. Once they arrive in Syria they are at the mercy of the terrorists, sounds pretty awful to me!

******

About me!

Right now, I don’t have much for writing anymore. Today I wrote 5 pages of my book, because even on a Sunday, I am busy. I quit my job because my boss has changed into a really, really mean bitch. I have my job back, but now I work directly for the company and not via an agency. The company hubby and I started last year is very successful, I now have two jobs and work like 5.5 days a week (house cleaning not included).

I know that writing only one day per week isn’t much, but right now it’s all I have. I love to write and I will continue to do so.

One day, I will get published! I will take the time to finish my book, because my dream is to become a published writer, and I won’t stop until that dream comes true!

Blessed be…