Just when I thought I'd get through the holidays with no tears...

[moosmom]

I called my brother last night because I hadn't talked to him in a while.

He asked me how I was doing, how I liked writing for an online newspaper. I started telling him about my involvement in the puppy mill protest and how I posed as a customer, and what I saw.

He proceeded to yell at me saying "I don't want to hear it!!" I did everything I could to fight back the tears, not letting him know he got to me (yet again!!). I was hoping he'd say "Good job, Donna!!" But no. He lives down South where puppy mills are all over the place. I told him I was just trying to educate people on the importance of either adopting from a shelter, or a reputable breeder where they CARE about where their puppies go and what happens to them. The conversation went down hill fast from there.

I feel like crap, crying at the drop of a hat, remembering WHY I hate these holidays so much. Then I realized that it's 37 years ago today that our house burned down and my maternal grandfather, Bumpy George died from his burns.

Merry freaking Christmas.

[catnapper]

I'm so sorry Donna. I'll tell you a hundred times over what a GREAT job you do for animals. Ignore him. He's just a grumpy blankety blank.

[wombat2u2004]

Cheer up old mate, you're not the only one with a sibling who doesn't understand. I got one to
I believe that you are doing a tremendous job Donna, and I read you threads regularly to be informed about all the wonderful things you are doing for our pet friends.
Just remember....all of us here, and all of the pets you have saved think you're the best thing since sliced bread

[Arabella]

Hugs. Hope your Monday goes well.

[Arabella]

Thought you might find comfort in this website, http://www.godvine.com/, my mom did.

[Freckles]

He asked me how I was doing, how I liked writing for an online newspaper.

Remember, HE opened the door.

[moosmom]

Thanks for the link, Arabella.

Thank you all for your compliments. It brought tears to my eyes to know that you all appreciate the work I do.

My relationship with my brother has never gone smoothly. One day he's sending me checks for Christmas ($1,000 last year blew me over!!!) the next he's yelling at me for standing up for what I believe in. It's a sorry reminder that the only civilized conversation I CAN have with my brother, is on line.

Wom,

That compliment really means alot to me!!

[davidpizzica]

Oh sweetheart! I felt really ticked off at his reaction to your telling him about the puppy mills, and upsetting you like that. You do wonderful work above and beyond the call of duty for animals. I'll call you today and I'll have my soggy shoulder ready to go.

[moosmom]

Davidp,

I'll call YOU so it won't cost you anything. You may be miles away, but you're still my ROCK!!!!

[Karen]

Oh, Donna - remember, friends are the family we choose with our heart. You cannot pick your relatives, but you can pick your friends, and I'm sure we all outnumber him in thinking you're doing a good thing with both the new job and with fighting puppy mills!

[moosmom]

Thanks, Karen!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Donna, what you are doing is AWESOME! Please don't let your brother make you think otherwise. He may not get it, but we all do here. I wish I could do just a fraction of what you do to help animals. Keep up the good work!

[Bonny]

Your brother asked & you answered. What the heck is wrong with people? We are all here for a reason & you are doing a great job at saving animals & putting common sense into the minds of people that don't seem to get what they are doing is wrong (puppy mills etc.) Everyone should have a goal of some kind in life & you have yours. I say go for it, you are my hero.

[Catty1]

Donna, I am so sorry that happened. At the VERY least, your brother could have said that quietly! Like, "I know it's important for you Donna, but I'd rather not discuss it." He could have been a lot more polite about how he said it. Yelling is NOT called for.

You have tremendous guts and love for the critters you write about and protest. I would never have the courage to go into the puppy mill house as you did.

You absolutely rock, and it is people like you who make a huge difference for the helpless animals in our world, and will continue to do so.

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS! (and that's an order! )

[sana]

Donna, you're doing a great job. What you are doing is great and very helpful for the puppies, think it in that way, you are doing a great job.. Not everybody has a good enough brain that they understand the good others are doing Sadly they don't get it..

And about the Merry freaking Christmas, I'll tell you something.
On 31st August, 2010, my lovely mud-turtle Squirtle became POTD. It was great news, but, it wasn't all good, that was the same day it had been 3 years since my grandfather passed away. That's why 31st Aug, ain't a all happy day... even if that was the same day a certain number of years had passed since Squirtle became POTD....