Disabled dog makes able pet

We made the seven hour trip to northern Indiana to visit the in-laws over the Fourth of July weekend, and as usual took our two dogs with us.  My in-laws adopted a “lab” from their local humane society in 2002, and I remember thinking the first time I saw Honey that the only lab that dog had in her was from the shots she received because she’s a hound dog if ever there was one.  But they love her just the same as if she were a pure bred Labrador retriever show dog.  Even though she’s just a shade over six years old, Honey began suffering from epileptic seizures, now controlled with medication.  If that wasn’t enough, she lost her eyesight.  I worried before we got there that our dogs wouldn’t be as accommodating as they should be because they’re both over eleven years old, and just like me, the older they get the less they’re willing to put up with without getting grouchy.  But to my amazement I found that dogs are much more compassionate towards each other than most humans.  Honey knows her way around her home implicitly, but it’s difficult to know when these 90 lb. visitors are laying in your path to everywhere.  No matter how many times she walked into a sleeping dog, there were never any cross barks between them.  Our dogs would look up, startled, yet understanding it wasn’t an intentional act and they just moved out of her way.  Somehow they understood her needs were more important than their right to be in her way.  Every time we’ve visited the dogs are working out who is allowed to do what to whom right up to the moment we return home.  But this time was different.  I’ve heard both sides of the argument regarding animals and emotions, and after years of living with them, side by side, I am more convinced than ever that animals are capable of feeling emotions like compassion and love towards their fellow pack mate.   I also learned disabilities are only as disabling as you allow them to be.  Honey has no problem making it in her world.  She still loves to go for car rides, and if you didn’t see her eyes you’d never know she is blind.  On occasion her explorations wind up in a corner, but as soon as someone points her in an open direction she’s out scouting the world again.  For her, it’s just a temporary inconvenience to suffer through until you get back to the job at hand, seeing the world one sniff at a time.

If you are ready and open to the greatest love affair you’ll ever have in life, think about adopting a shelter dog.  Even an old and disabled dog can make a difference in how we see the world.  They’ll be there to love you through all your problems, and when they have problems of their own they’ll teach you how to persevere in life by accepting what you can’t change.  They’ll enjoy your life together and show you how to enjoy the little moments that come your way each day.  You’ll never feel alone or lonely again because every day spent with our pets is a day we’re cherished with the unconditional love only a cold nose and warm heart can provide.

We’re making progress in helping the RCHS win the $1,000 donation from www.FidoFinder.com.  Last month we were third.  Let’s see if we can’t win it this month.  Visit www.FidoFinder.com and vote for Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter.  Every month a new contest begins so don’t forget to vote in July.  RCHS is having a bake sale to support the shelter at the Sparta Walmart on Saturday, July 12, starting at 9:00 am.  If you’re a good cook consider baking for the cause.  Baked goods can be dropped off at 8:30 am at the RCHS stand on the supermarket side.  If you don’t have the time to donate baked goods stop by and purchase one of the delicious desserts offered for sale.  You’ll help the RCHS save lives, one pet at a time. 

Protect your pets during noisy holidays.

We have a white German Shepherd that becomes overly agitated by loud noises and storms.  While the bad weather is still off in a distance and all we see are clear skies, Girlie Sue is pacing the floor, or trying to get as deep into your lap as possible.  I choose to look on waking suddenly to a 60 pound white butt sitting on my head as our severe weather early warning system.  With the fourth of July once again on our doorstep I decided it was time to research the best ways to protect pets (and their humans) from suffering noise related anxieties as the mother of all noisy holidays’ approaches.  The Humane Society of the United States, www.HSUS.org, offers the following advice to protect your pet on the Fourth of July:

1         Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.

2         Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.

3         Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.

4         If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for medications to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

5         Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

6         Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Keep your pet indoors on the Fourth of July in a quiet and isolated room with covered windows, or in the basement where there are no windows, to help your pet feel safe and secure. Dogs have been known to break through a glass door or window and dig under a fence to escape the sounds and find their families to comfort them.  Turn on a fan, a radio, or TV to muffle the sound of fireworks. They’ll provide familiar indoor sounds and may help soothe your pet if it must be alone on this noisy holiday. If your pet behaves nervously by pacing, whining, or crying, distract your pet by playing with him or doing something he enjoys. Don’t stroke, pet, or reassure him by saying, “Don’t worry. It’s okay.”  This may actually reinforce your pet’s anxious behavior.   And last but not least, talk with your veterinarian about also providing your pet with a microchip I.D. implant, in case your pet loses its collar and tags.  The preparation you take beforehand will help prevent the grief and heartache you will suffer should your animals escape and the unthinkable happens.

It’s a new month, so don’t forget to go to www.FidoFinder.com and vote for the Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter so we can win the $1,000 monthly donation.  If you have more than one computer, or one at work and at home, vote on all the computers available to you.  Votes are recorded monthly by computer, not by person, so let’s see if we can win the donation to help the animals that are currently waiting for their forever homes.  And if you’re thinking of adding a new member to your family, consider adopting a shelter dog.  They’ll reward you with love and affection unlike any you’ve known before.  They’ll remain by your side through thick and thin, loving you no matter what life throws your way.  There isn’t enough money in the world to buy what they give so freely and it is one decision you’ll never regret.

No time like now to prepare for emergencies

After watching the news on the floods, now worse than 1993 in many areas, I began to wonder if I would be prepared to insure the safety of all my animals if disaster would strike.  It didn’t take much reflection on my part to realize I had no idea if there are things I should attend to ahead of time to insure the safety of my animals, and there is no time like today to pull everything together to prevent a lot of grief if the occasion ever presents itself.  From AmericanHumane.org I found the following:

When disaster strikes a community, essential services like water are often unavailable. So what can you do to ensure your pet is cared for during and, especially after, a disaster?

Preparation for pets

• Have a plan.
• Keep your pets’ vaccinations up-to-date.
• Know where your pets can go whether it’s a friend or family member, pet-friendly hotel, animal shelter, or boarding facility.
• Place your contact information, including the name of an out-of-state contact on your pets’ ID tags, microchip registrations, and licenses.
• Prepare an emergency kit of leashes, collars, extra ID tags, water, food, medications, health records, and photos to prove ownership.
• Have on hand portable carriers large enough for your pets to stand and turn around in.
• Prepare a first-aid kit, including your vet contact information and an authorization to treat your pets.
• Gather any relief plans developed by your local Red Cross chapter; emergency management office; or police, fire, health, wildlife and agriculture departments so you know where to turn for specific resources.

Preparation for livestock

• Post emergency contact numbers at your barn or on your pasture fence.
• Have sufficient transportation available for all your livestock or know where to obtain it. Train your livestock how to board the vehicles.
• Create a list of neighbors within a 100-mile radius of your home who would be willing to board your livestock if you are forced to evacuate.
• Form agreements with neighboring ranches and farms to help each other with disaster preparation and evacuations.
• Know organizations in your area that are prepared to rescue and house displaced livestock.
• Involve your family and neighbors in establishing an evacuation plan for animals in barns and outlying buildings.
• Have a supply of feed at a separate location, which could be air-dropped if the animals become stranded.
• Make up a kit with leads, halters, equine and bovine first aid kits, quieting hoods for easy transport, and water.
• Keep photos and a copy of your ownership papers or brands with you at all times in case you are separated from your livestock.

I was especially glad to see the information for livestock because we are new to farming and it provided a lot of valuable information to think about.  I don’t think we’ll ever be fully prepared for surviving a major disaster, but the more preparation we maintain the better we’ll be at not only surviving, but triumphing, over whatever is put in front of us.  And if nothing ever happens, we can count our blessings and be grateful in the knowledge we were ready.

Don’t forget to go to www.FidoFinder.com and vote for Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter, and help them win the monthly $1,000 shelter donation. If you find yourself longing for something to do close to home because of gas prices, think about adding a shelter dog to your household.  Those warm hearts and cold noses will make every moment spent at home one of choice rather than necessity, and a good time will be had by all.

Common mulch can be fatal to your dogs!

The ASPCA issued an alert this week that a popular mulch used by many gardeners is harming dogs.  According to the ASPCA, if your dog likes to spend his summer grazing in your garden, his treat-seeking nose may lead him to one danger in particular: the sweet-smelling, but potentially harmful cocoa bean mulch. Made of cocoa bean shells and considered desirable for its eventual degradation into organic fertilizer, this gardener’s choice can be toxic to canines if eaten in large quantities—and some dogs have been known to eat amazing amounts!  Ingestion of large amounts of cocoa bean mulch may cause a variety of clinical signs, and typically start with vomiting, diarrhea and elevated heart rate, and if large amounts are consumed, they may progress to hyperactivity, muscle tremors and possibly other more serious neurological signs.  Treatment includes administering medical-grade activated charcoal, bringing tremors under control, cardiac monitoring and preventing further exposure.  To avoid contact, pet parents should consider a nontoxic alternative, such as shredded pine, cedar or hemlock bark.  Please take a look at the ASPCA.com online poison control center for more detailed information.

If you haven’t visited FidoFinder.com yet this month to vote for the Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter, please take a moment and do it today.  If you have internet access at home and at the office please vote twice.  Multiple computers mean multiple votes, even if only one person is voting.  Please encourage all of your friends and family to do the same.  It won’t cost you a dime and will help put the shelter in a better position to win the $1,000 monthly donation.  If you don’t have a computer a donation of money is always appreciated.  Your donations help save the lives of dogs that would otherwise be euthanized, thereby filling the world with the love only found in a cold nose and wagging tail.  Together we can make a difference.

If you’re thinking about abandoning your animals, read this

I read a story from Time Magazine regarding the number of horses that have been abandoned due to the economic downturn and the spate of foreclosures that have affected every corner of our great country.  Horses are dropped along the side of the highway, much like the dogs we’ve seen wandering the roadways after their owners are no longer willing or are unable to care for them.  Slaughterhouses used to be the place of last resort for these folks, but new laws have closed the slaughterhouses where these animals were sent.  Horses sent to the slaughterhouses were processed for food and exported to other nations where horse meat is a staple.  I admit I was one of the people that contacted my congressmen supporting the ban on slaughtering horses, but in retrospect I realize I did not see the big picture and my lack of understanding has brought about immeasurable suffering to the very animals I sought to protect.  I don’t know what the answer is but I know there has to be another way to deal with the situation than abandonment.  AmericanHumane.org offers the following advice for anyone that finds themselves in the precarious position of losing their homes, and it applies to animals of all sizes, not just dogs and cats:
If you are facing home foreclosure and you have pets, here are some tips to help you relocate with your pets or find other safe placement for them. Never leave pets behind when you vacate your home!
Take Your Pets With You or Find Them a Safe Place to Stay:
• Take your pets with you when you vacate your home; they will not survive if abandoned in the home or set loose. In addition, the comfort and companionship of pets can provide therapeutic benefits to family members by easing the strain of moving to a new residence.
• Follow these steps to find safe placement for your pets if you are unable to vacate your home with them:
     Ask family, friends and co-workers if they will care for your pets while you relocate.
   Ask your veterinarian if you can receive low-cost boarding for your pets, or set up a payment plan for boarding costs, while you relocate.
      If you cannot find temporary placement for your pets, visit www.petfinder.com to search for animal shelters and animal rescue organizations in your area where you can surrender ownership of your pets and which do not euthanize adoptable animals. This will provide peace of mind that your pets will be safe until they are adopted into a new home. Some shelters and organizations may offer to house your pets for a period of time (60 days, for example) at no cost, or at a reduced cost, while you find new housing, so you can be reunited with your pets. If you do not reclaim your pets within the time period, they may be placed for adoption. Always ask if this is an option.
       You also can surrender your pets to your local open-admission animal shelter, but be advised that open-admission shelters are required to accept all animals (including strays), and the adoption of your pets cannot be guaranteed. Thus, if the shelter is overcrowded, it may be forced to euthanize your pets.
Don’t Leave Pets Behind:
• Never vacate your home and leave pets behind or set them loose. It’s inhumane and may be illegal. If you leave pets indoors or release them outdoors, state criminal animal-cruelty laws may apply (e.g., abandoning or neglecting your pets), even if you believe you have left sufficient food and water for your pets.    If you leave pets behind and have arranged for someone to periodically check on them, you may still be in violation of criminal animal-cruelty laws. In addition, when the mortgage lender takes possession of the home, your pets will be removed by the local animal control agency, which will leave your pets at risk of an uncertain future that may include euthanasia.
When faced with foreclosure, please remember to provide for your pets to ensure that they are safe and that you do not face a criminal investigation and possible criminal charges for abandoning or neglecting them. By following these simple steps, this will help you, your family and your pets have a better future. www.americanhumane.org
 

This is a time when we all must be our brother’s keeper.  Chances are the folks that are suffering through the pain of losing their homes are putting on a good face, so keep your eyes open for clues that their animals are suffering.  We don’t need to sit in judgment; we need to offer a helping hand, because we never know when we may be the ones looking for that outstretched arm.

My pets can eat what???

It’s that time of year when families will be gathering for picnics and various outdoor celebrations, and the family pet may be exposed to foods that aren’t normally available to them.  The ASPCA has put together a list of foods that you should avoid feeding your pet:

- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

Most of the foods on the list are things I’d heard of in the past, but I didn’t realize that garlic was on the list.  I had been reading about home remedies for flea treatments, and garlic was mentioned as a possible treatment.  Before allowing our animals to eat foods from the dinner table or trying any home remedies it is important to do our homework because all advice is not good advice, so check it out before using it on your animals.  The ASPCA also offered a list of items that are non-toxic to our furry friends (although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals):
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water (without cleaning tablets)
- Silica gel
- Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry

I was sure glad to see toilet bowl water on that list.  One of my bubs thinks the only inside water worth drinking comes from the toilet, and I have to tell visitors that we leave the seat up in our house just to accommodate him.  Yes, it’s disgusting, but he asks for so little and gives so much that I hate to deny him his one true vice.  Cat litter was another surprise on the list.  Our king shepherd that crossed over the rainbow bridge was a connoisseur of the cat box.  Any time Wolffie wasn’t underfoot meant he was sneaking nuggets from the cat box, and when called his big, black, wet nose was covered with sand, removing any doubt about where he had been.  My husband is from Northern Indiana, and he said that must be an Illinois dog thing because Indiana dogs don’t snack in the cat box.  I’m not sure I buy in to that reasoning but I let it slide because how do you argue logic with a person that takes pride in being a hoosier?

 

Speaking of the man of the house, if you’re having trouble finding something to buy the man that has everything for Father’s Day, think about making a donation to the Randolph County Humane Society in his name.  I promise it will be money well spent and there can be no greater honor than helping man’s best friend during their time of need.  And if money is an insurmountable object you can log on to www.FidoFinder.com, click on Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter and help them win the $1,000 monthly donation that goes to the shelter with the most votes.  It will only take a minute of your time and affords our local no-kill shelter the opportunity to receive desperately needed financial help without spending a dime.

The most extreme kind of animal abuse

Late last month the ASPCA issued a press release regarding an alleged 2007 art exhibition in Nicaragua by Costa Rican artist Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, in which the artist reportedly chained a dog to a corner of a gallery, leaving the dog to slowly starve to death without any food or water, in the name of art.  You find this attitude towards animals in economically challenged areas where you can almost believe that ignorance plays a large role in their treatment of animals but I don’t understand what happened here.  This is an art gallery that caters to the wealthy of Nicaragua.  No one knows what happened to the dog, but public outcry is starting to build because the artist is apparently planning future exhibitions depicting the same inhumane treatment of other strays.  At this time there are no laws in Nicaragua to prevent him doing so.  While the ASPCA is an organization within the United States only, they are a member of the WSPA (The World Society for the Protection of Animals) and supports the WSPA positions on international animal welfare-related issues. According to ASPCA discussions with WSPA officials, when Vargas was invited to compete in an art show in Honduras this year, WSPA and member society the Honduras Association for the Protection of Animals and their Environment (AHPRA) acted to ensure this cruelty could not be repeated by any artist. The WSPA also indicated it will strengthen its efforts to enact stronger animal protection laws in Nicaragua.  To say that I’m stunned that it wasn’t public outcry at the time of the original exhibition that closed it down is an understatement.  We must have laws in place to put the bite into our ability to stop cruelties such as this.  This man makes his living selling his artwork to the wealthy, and ultimately his audience should have been the ones to demand a higher regard for that poor defenseless dog.  The thought of what this says about mankind and the direction the world is going is appalling.  And it’s not as if we can sit back in the US and think we’re doing a better job than other nations.  You only have to think back to Michael Vick and his dog fighting ring to know it is all around us and it affects all levels of society.  I urge everyone that is troubled by what I’ve reported here today to visit the ASPCA’s website, www.fightcruelty.org, set up specifically to teach us how to recognize abuse, and take the pledge to fight animal cruelty in our communities.  It will take every one of us to make a difference, and with the internet it has become easier than ever to become educated in what to look for so we can once and for all wipe animal abuse out of our neighborhoods.

Don’t forget to visit www.FidoFinder.com to vote for the Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter.   If Monroe County can win the $1000 shelter donation month after month I’m sure the Randolph County folks will want to get in there and help out our local no-kill shelter.  Who’d have thought you could help the animals without ever leaving your chair, and the best part is it doesn’t cost a thing except a moment of your time.  Speaking of how we can help our local shelter, Father’s Day is coming up June 15th and if you are having difficulty thinking of what you can buy to honor that very special man this year, how about making a donation to the Randolph County Humane Society in his name.  I can’t think of a better way of honoring the love that is dad than by helping a shelter dog attain their ultimate destiny in bringing love to the world.

Adopting a senior dog could be the answer to your prayers.

The Today Show recently had a segment on the difficulties shelters are having finding adoptive families for older animals.  After shedding a few tears over the stories they told and thinking of my two bubs, both over 11 (we don’t know how old they are because they were strays that adopted us 11 years ago) I wondered why anyone would not want to be surrounded with the love only an older animal can provide.  After all, they don’t have any issues with how old we are, how much money we have, what kind of car we drive.  They’re just happy for any moment they have with us, no matter how fleeting that time is with the busy schedules we have today.  So I decided to do a little research on my own and found many resources on the internet that explain why people don’t want to adopt a senior dog, only to find that the biggest issue is a perception problem. 

 

According to www.SrDogs.com, older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons, most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.  Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian….not enough time for the dog…… change in work schedule….. new baby…..need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed…. kids going off to college…. allergies…. change in “lifestyle”…. prospective spouse doesn’t like dogs. (All these reasons are taken from real case histories.)  When I read that list the thing that jumps out at me is there isn’t one animal that was surrendered because of something it did, it is the owner that changed.

 

The number of animals of all ages taken to shelters is growing exponentially by the day as the economy worsens.  If you offer your home and your love to a shelter dog, but especially a senior dog, you will be rewarded with more love and companionship than you could possibly imagine.  Every day that goes by will be greeted with their wagging tails and sloppy kisses, showing their complete and utter adoration of you for saving them.  They know what you did for them, and they will never forget your kindness.  Where else on this earth will you find a relationship so rich and rewarding as the one you can have with that special pet.  While writing this the ASPCA commercial came on TV with Sarah McLachlan singing “in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here”, and my first thought was that we could be the angels by adopting a shelter dog.  But on second thought isn’t it the animals that are the real angels on this earth?

 

Don’t forget that if you can’t take an animal into your home right now and money is too tight for a donation to the shelter, you can still visit www.fidofinder.com and vote for Randolph County Humane Society as your favorite shelter for our chance to win a $1000 monthly donation.  Monroe County has consistently won it over the last few months, so let’s step up and see if the good people of Randolph County can let their fingers do the work towards a much needed donation for our local no kill shelter.  You may be helping your next best friend, or that angel that’s been patiently waiting for you until your time is right.

National Dog Bite Awareness Week May 18-24, 2008

May 18-24 is National Dog Bite Awareness week.  The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs annually.  Of that 4.7 million approximately 800,000 require medical attention, and half of them are children.   A resolution was introduced in Congress to help raise awareness of the problem by recognizing May 18-24, 2008 as National Dog Bite Awareness Week, calling on local communities to find solutions to address this ever present problem.  The ASPCA has joined the effort to help educate children by teaching parents basic safety around dogs.  The ASPCA recommends:

• Children should not approach, touch or play with any dog who is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
• Children should not pet unfamiliar dogs without asking permission from the dog’s guardian first. If the guardian says it is okay, the child should first let the dog sniff his closed hand.
• If a child sees a dog off-leash outside, he should tell an adult immediately.
• If a loose dog comes near a child, she should not run or scream. Instead, she should avoid eye contact with the animal and stand very still, like a tree, until the animal moves away.

For more information you can visit their website, www.ASPCA.org.  There you will find a list of pledges you can recite with your child to teach them how to properly interact with dogs.  Most dog bites are from a dog known to the child, so it’s critical to teach our children the difference between safe and dangerous interactions our animals.

If you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, the Randolph County Humane Society’s 2^nd Annual Wine Event at Lau-Nae Winery, 5:30-9:30 on May 24^th promises to be a fun filled night that benefits a great organization.  Tickets are $10 per person and available at the door.  We hope to see you there!

Death of a beloved pet is the great equalizer

I read that Martha Stewart’s chow, Paw Paw, died this past week of renal failure at the age of 13.  Oprah’s beloved cocker spaniel Sophie, also 13, died recently of kidney failure.  Two larger than life women that have attained success beyond the wildest dreams of most, yet they are suffering the loss of their pets just as we do when we lose one of our own.  Our animals become such a huge part of our everyday lives that their loss is every bit as overwhelming as the death of a family member.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, good looking or not, old or young, our pets are the great equilizer in life.  The love we receive from our best friends is no different than the love Sophie and Paw Paw shared with their extraordinarily successful owners.  We open our hearts to our pets in a manner we’re either unable or unwilling to with other people, even most family members.  Not because we don’t love our family and friends, but our pets know the worst of us, yet it never affects how they feel about us.  They know our darkest secrets, and they share our triumphs as well as our failures.  No matter what life hands us they are there to see it through with us.  As difficult as it is to get through the grief we suffer after the death of man’s best friend, there isn’t an animal lover out there that would give up the years of unrequited love to avoid the pain of losing them.  As the times ahead of us appear more and more grim, there is a shelter dog sitting in a cage right now that would give anything to be by your side to offer the comfort that only a warm heart and cold nose can provide.  When you’re spending your weekends at home because you put the money you would have used for a night out in the gas tank, they’ll be right there with you to see you through until the good times hit again.  And all of a sudden, the bad times won’t feel so bad.  A shelter dog could be the new love in your life.  Take some time to think about it, and if you decide there’s a place in your heart you can share, you’ll be rewarded with a love of epic proportions.