Mud can always be washed away

This was one of those rare mornings when the weather forecast actually did deliver as promised. We couldn't have been wetter or dirtier when we came home from our hike if we had stopped to roll in the garden on way back up the lane.
Why do we go out on a day like this? Its not just good for my heart .... believe it or not its actually very good for my arthritis too.
I'll be the first to admit it would be really easy to make excuses on this kind of day. The hills just seem steeper and its harder to get motivated until I walk off some of the stiffness.
Yes .. it would be easy to stay home and do nothing.... but it wouldn't be the path to success. Not unless I want to hop on the merry go round of meds that so many my age are engaged in, where each pill has side effects that will need yet another pill to manage. I far prefer having room in my medicine chest for my essential oils and first aid bits please and thank you.
And of course I have a commitment to the big dogs to provide them with the things that they need .... and the importance of exercise is one of the few things that all dog trainers will agree upon.
At first glance its always easier to do nothing ..... to follow the path of least resistance. For years the Cape Breton branch of the SPCA has never needed to change .... because the provincial board which oversees them has never taken them out of their comfort zone.
Every year, permission to continue using the gas chamber was granted upon request. Every year the board had failed to react to the horrific statistics with anything more meaningful than the gentlest of criticism. Every year the branch has been allowed to go its merry old way and pay little but lip service to the goals of the society.
Which is why the online minutes of the society BOD meetings make for such very interesting .. and promising ... reading. The latest minutes, March 30, 2009 , include the following update:
4. Cape Breton site visit follow-up
It was noted that the Cape Breton had been asked by Sean Kelly to participate in the meeting via conference call to present their action plan for removing the gas chamber; however, no representative from Cape Breton was present. Mary Hill and Kat Horne briefed the Board on the negative media coverage resulting from an interview with the Cape Breton branch manager through CBC online. The requirement for Cape Breton to provide an action plan was discussed and it was determined that in lieu of the verbal presentation planned for tonight, the branch is to be asked to submit a written brief to the provincial Board outlining the action plan or confirmation that use of the chamber has stopped and thedevice removed from SPCA premises. It was noted that Sean had planned to follow-up with Mel and that he would be directed to request the written notification.
[Discussion of an internal branch issue omitted from public minutes.]
Action: Sean Kelly to request written submission regarding status of gas chamber from Cape Breton branch.
So let me get this straight. First Cape Breton complained because they had neither help, interest or an actual visit from the provincial board. So.... several board members spent their Valentine's Day on a site visit at the branch, after which the online minutes stated that "Mel and Patsy both commented that this was the first time they felt that anyone actually cared about their situation and that anyone was willing to help them. "February 14, 2009 (Cape Breton)
Clearly they aren't accustomed to anything like this. The provincial board is still waiting for the "plan of action to remove the gas chamber would be submitted to the provincial board of directors as soon as possible "
This is a brave new world with the new board and clearly Mel and Patsy haven't quite grasped the meaning of phrases like 'as soon as possible" They're more accustomed to the comfy old approach where nobody cared ( ie interfered ) with their situation and nobody burdened them with an action list of items needing to be changed.
My Granny was from the Pier.... when she married Grampy they moved to North Sydney where they lived for the rest of his life... at 97 Pierce Street. There is no family left there now, but I am still proud of my Cape Breton roots. Who wouldn't be? Cape Breton is breathtakingly beautiful and has produced some of the most brilliant and artistic minds in this country. It has inspired some of the greatest discoveries, literature and music ever created in this country.
Cape Breton is not an uncivilized backwater .... it is brimming with kind and compassionate animal lovers who are willing to work hard on behalf of the animals.
Regular readers to this blog have already read about the old poster in my laundry room that reads " Do Something.... Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way." Why do I keep referring to it? Because it is such a good life motto.
What time is it? Maybe if Mel and Patsy aren't willing or able to wash away the old mud and lead the way foward by following direction from the provincial board, its time for them to get out of the way for someone who will.