Ladies? Looking at the women in the mirror.

The mirror. Either a women's best friend, or worst enemy. Either way we look at our selves in it, every single day. Why though? Do you look in the mirror to get ready to go out? To look at how good you look? Or to look at how bad you think you look. Ladies, we all have a standard set for us by the world that we have to look a certain way, act a certain way, say this, don't say that, if you don't wear X designer you're a nobody. We all know it, and we all fall victim to it. Every. Single. One of us.

THIS is what "society" thinks we should look like, basically:

Slim, tanned, toned, flawless skin, nails always done, hair always where it should be, big, perky breasts. Basically, and unattainable image of beauty.
Take a close look at this lovely lady. Her skin is perfectly flawless, no pores, nothing. While some of you out there have beautiful skin like this naturally, for the rest of us, we have a few blemishes. This picture has been air brushed, and edited. And, in case you ladies reading this cannot tell, this lady's breasts are fake.Or appear to be to my eye. We all know natural ones, not matter how young and fit you are, aren't that perky.

Have any of you ladies ever look at celebrity before and after photos for magazines or other photos? Here are a few.

Jessica Alba


Madonna


Not too sure who this is, but you get the idea



Now ladies. Let me ask you this. WHY do we feel the need to cake on the make up, suck it in to fit into our "good butt jeans" and dress like we're in a rap video? Because society tells us to. The tell us we're too fat. They tell us that if you don't have flawless skin no one will like you. If you don't have the next big designer you're nothing.

Ladies I know we all get uncomfortable when a really pretty girl walks by. We all think "wow, she look amazing, why can't I look like her?" For all you know she could be thinking the same thing about you! I've had girls come to me on a "bad day" and say "I love your _____ !" I try to do the same if I see a girl who seems to be having an off day.

And for you ladies with men in their lives, I'm sure you've caught your man watching an adult film or two, and I'm sure you were hurt, and slightly offended. Those girls are gorgeous, right? Think of it like this though. Those girls/women get paid to do that, multiple times a day with multiple people. No real man in their right mind would want to have that as a relationship partner! They are with you because they love YOU. Everything about you. Your messy hair, you un-made up face, your sweat pants, how you snort when you laugh. Those women are all fake. Men are...visual creatures you have to remember this. They are going to look, and you're going to get mad. As long as he doesn't touch, everything is a-okay!

Like my fiance says, "If you looked ugly, I'd tell you." Which is his way of saying, you look amazing every time I see you, since he never says I look ugly! :)

We're all insecure, every one of us, for some reason or another. But you have no reason to be! Love you for who you are. Don't change for anyone but yourself. Confidence is the sexiest trait a women can have!


*Note-All photos found via google search. I do not own rights to any of  them*

Repo! The Genetic Opera

This movie. In one word-AMAZING. I've never really been one for musicals, but this one takes the cake. It's not your average musical by any means. It is a rock opera. The cast includes Alex Vega (Spy Kids), Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Paris Hilton, and more. The story line is an interesting one:

In the year 2056 - the not so distant future - an epidemic of organ failures devastates the planet. Out of the tragedy, a savior emerges: GeneCo, a biotech company that offers organ transplants, for a price. Those who miss their payments are scheduled for repossession and hunted by villainous Repo Men. In a world where surgery addicts are hooked on painkilling drugs and murder is sanctioned by law, a sheltered young girl searches for the cure to her own rare disease as well as information about her family's mysterious history. After being sucked into the haunting world of GeneCo, she is unable to turn back, as all of her questions will be answered at the wildly anticipated spectacular event: The Genetic Opera.

Organ failure is becoming a huge problem, so GeneCo emerges from the chaos. You can have your organs, however, if you fail to make a payment (similar to a car), the repossession clause in this contract is a real...killer. Literally you get hunted down by the Repo Man, and your organ is repossessed.

The sound track and songs in the movie, fantastic. My personal favorites are "Zydrate Anatomy", "21st Century Cure", "Legal Assassin", "Mark it Up" and "At the Opera Tonight". Two other songs I like, but were cut are "Come up and Try my New Parts" and "Crucifixes". The entire sound track, however is amazing. The movie also hold the record for the most songs ever composed into one film, with 64 songs!

Here is the trailer. Only a taste of what, in my opinion is the best rock opera in a while.

I honestly didn't think that I would like it. It was on FiOS free movies, and looked kind of interesting, so I decided to watch it. And man am I glad I did! It got a lot of bad reviews, and not a lot of promotion, since Lionsgate had the SAW franchise. I feel like if it would have had more promotion from Lionsgate it would have been a huge hit. However, I kind of like that it has more of an underground or "cult" following. Since when someone says "I feel like I'm the only one who has ever seen this!" You can say "Hey! I've seen it!" It's honestly amazing how many people HAVE seen it, but you just don't know it.

Watch it. You will not be disappointed!

Pitt Bull Stigma...Why?

This is something I feel very strongly about; the stigma attached to Pitt Bulls. Why is there a stigma, and why do people feed into it?

Why is a very simple question to answer. They are used for dog fighting and portrayed by the media as vicious killing machines that go out and look for babies to eat. Hold on a second...isn't that what we have done in the past with other breeds? German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, all of these breeds at one point had the same exact stigma attached! All of these breeds were bred for different purposes. German Shepherds, believe it or not, bred to herd sheep! (Source). Rottweilers were bred for herding, as well as guarding (Source). Dobermans were bred to be a watchdog and a bodyguard for tax collector Louis Dobermann (Source). So how the heck did they get the stigma of "killer" attached to them? Just like with Pitts...media hype. Pitt bulls were bred to be pitted (hence the name) against bears and bulls (Source). If the media were to report a Labrador "attack" no one would find it interesting, since there people look at labs as big goofballs who would never hurt a fly. When in reality I've been bit by more labs than anything. But when the news says Pitt Bull "attack" oh no. "These are evil dogs, they should all be killed." Excuse me, what?

This bring me to my next point; why do people feed into the stigma? Because they don't know any better. They have never met a Pitt Bull, or know some one, who knows someone, who knows some one, who got growled at by a Pitt. In my life time, I have never come into contact with a Pitt who has growled at me or tried to bite me or injure me in any way. How a dog, any dog acts, is in how you raise them. If you properly socialize them, get them obedience training, and treat them right, they will not be "evil monsters". But if you leave a dog on a chain, beat him, and just neglect them, they will turn out bad. Not evil, just bad. Any dog can be retrained, it's just a matter of who is willing to take the time to do it? Not the state or county, which is why 9 times out of 10 when dogs are seized from a fighting ring, the ones used for fighting are put down.

All of the breeds I have listed and have come into contact with have been complete sweethearts. German Shepherds are just big love bugs who want to curl up on your lap. Rottweilers just want to play, and give you slobbery kisses. Dobermans, the few I have met have either just want to go, go, go and play all day, or just wanted to be next to me and be cuddled. Pitt Bulls are big headed goof balls! They love playing, and just want to be loved.

When people think of these breeds...this is what comes to their minds usually:

For German Shepherds:

For Rottweilers:

For Dobermans:

And for Pitt Bulls:

It's not right or fair. At all. THIS is how I see these dogs:

Please tell me, who are the monsters and killers here? Them...or us, the humans who turn these dogs evil?

I have never been bit or felt threatened by any of the breeds listed. I have been bit by many labs, a shepherd mix, a Jack Russel, a Dachshund, a Portuguese Water Dog, and a Shiba Inu.

When will we start blaming the real monsters behind dog fighting, that just adds nothing but negative light to these beautiful creatures? Sentences need to be harsher, fines need to be higher or it will never stop. Pitts are being BANNED in certain states and countries. With the way BSL laws are heading, who knows what breeds could be targeted next? Honestly, how can you condemn this face to death?

Give a Pitt a chance! :)

*NOTE: All photos used are NOT mine. I found them on google. Credit goes to the owners of the photos/dogs!*

The Day in the Life of a Kennel Worker

It's not as easy as people make it seem. Which is probably why a lot of the people we hire don't last too long. They come in with the mind set that all they will be doing is playing with dogs, and picking up after them.

Nope. Sorry. There is a lot more to the job then that.

While, yes, we do play with the dogs, we have a whole other list of responsibilities. Which include, cleaning the enclosures 3 times a day. Vacuum and mop, and if it's really bad, scrubbing it down. We also have to make sure the right dog gets the right food, especially if they have food allergies. We also have to know how to properly medicate a dog, whether it be by pill or injection. We also have to know how to administer minor medical care, like cleaning a scratch or bandaging a paw. Giving baths and nail clippings is something we do too. And we always have to be alert, especially when the dogs are outside and playing. One of the dogs could push another one too far and a fight breaks out. You have to be ready for that. I have a few scars from breaking up dog fights. Nothing terrible, but pretty noticeable.

You also have to go in with the mentality that you will get bit at some point or another. And you will, whether its just a nip, or one where you have to get stitches, you should expect to get bit. I'm not saying you should walk around terrified of every dog, but you should learn the signs of a stressed/scared dog who may lunge out. Usually their ears will go back, their tail may be low, wagging slowly, and they might be licking their lips a lot. There are some dogs who will go completely still and just stare at you. When this happens you can usually sense the tension, and it would be in your best interest to walk away. And one thing you should never ever ever do when meeting a dog for the first time is look them in the eyes. They take it as you challenging them. So it's a totally horrible idea!

Cleaning takes up a good chunk of the day, also spraying down the outside runs with disinfectant, keeping the facility clean and looking nice for when tours come through, it can get to your body. Not to mention if you are not used to being on your feet all day, it is a huge change! You will go home from your first day and fall right to sleep! And it will be the best sleep in your life!

It's a really fun job to have. And stuff like this:

And this:

And also this:

Make it completely and totally worth it :)

Now all of what I just said, it just a fraction of the tasks we do. It doesn't count the cooking-yes we cook treats for the dogs (and cats!)-doing the laundry, washing dishes, and other little side tasks to make sure everything looks good and is running smoothly.

It's a job where....if you don't have the drive or love animals, and are just in it for  the paycheck, you won't last. But just look at those faces up there! How could you not love that? :)

Dogs: Shelters v. Breeders

First of all, let me start this off by saying this will in no way be negative towards dog breeders. I do realize that they take pride in what they do, in breeding top of the line dogs, and it takes a lot of work, time and dedication to make sure all dogs are healthy and properly cared for. I have a lot of respect for breeders, don't get me wrong on this.


Now to the point of this. All of my life, I have loved animals. Ever since I was a little girl I would always try and  help an animal in need, and I loved learning about them, their behaviors, how to train them, everything. And I still do, which is why I work at a kennel.


As of late, I have kind of taken on a little side project, if you can even call it that. It's just a Facebook page, made for networking. Rescues and individuals can post animals that are in need of homes, on death row, etc to the wall in hopes of the picture and story reaching someone who can save them. And lately this method of "rescue" has taken off. Many many dogs, cats and other animals have been saved from euthanasia and terrible situations by just someone hitting the "share" button. Getting involved with some of the people who see the "dark" side of the animal industry, has really opened my eyes.


Shelter dogs. I've always had shelter dogs. And when I get my own place I do plan on adopting from a shelter. People do say "why do you want someone's recycled dog?" They're not "recycled", they are not products, or trash. They are living, breathing, feeling beings who deserve a second chance at life.


Little known fact; Did you know...at least 25% of all shelter dogs are pure bred? Meaning, they could have come from a breeder! Shelters around the world are extremely overpopulated. According to the Humane Society of the United States 4 million dogs and cats are put down in US shelters each year alone. That averages to one every 8 seconds...That's a statistic that breaks my heart. Also, a lot of puppies come in to shelters, it seems like now more than ever. A lot of pregnant mothers come in, and give birth in the shelter, too.


This is where things could get..well...hairy. Breeders in all honesty are not helping the over population problem in the US. Now I do realize that there are people who show dogs, and they have to be pure bred, up to the breed standard. I do know this, and I respect that. Dog show handlers also shell out a lot of money and time to get the "perfect" dog.


But what about all the people who don't show dogs? If the people who bought from breeders adopted from a shelter, I feel that it would make a dent in the over population! Think of it like this. Buying from a breeder, a pure bred lets say Yorkie. AKC registered, all vaccinations, de-wormed, has a perfect pedigree, they usually begin to sell puppies at 8weeks old, though some breeders wait a week or 2 more, selling price could be anywhere from $500-$1,000. I've seen Yorkie puppies for $1,500! That's not counting getting them spayed/neutered!


Now compare that, to the price of a shelter dog. At my local animal shelter, female dogs are $56, males are $41. Female cats are $36, males are $26. I believe these prices include:

Preliminary Exam Spay/Neuter Surgery Distemper/Rabies Vaccinations Worming License (if applicable) However I am still waiting to hear back from the shelter to see if those are included. Either way though, at most that's about...$200 maximum? Also, if you are not a breeder and are not intending to breed your dog, you should always always always get them altered. It won't take away your male dogs sense of manhood. He doesn't have pride like you do. In fact, the risk of them developing testicular cancer plummets drastically, also it prevents them from marking their territory, or "spraying" their scent everywhere. Including in your home. It also calms them down. And no, your female will not feel like any less of a "women". It reduces the risk for mammary gland tumors, and also she will not go in to heat, which will save you from a stained carpet, and save her from wearing doggie diapers. Yes they make those, before my dad got his dog spayed she went into heat and the poor girl had to wear a diaper. She has since been spayed and is a happy healthy little girl! Like I said before, I respect breeders and what they do, since to some it is their profession. There are a lot of really nice, sincere, amazing breeders. It's the bad ones who ruin it for all of the rest.  If you do buy from a breeder, I'm not going to think you're a terrible person, people are going to spend  their money and do what they want to do no matter what I say. But maybe, just maybe I've changed the mind of one person reading this. And one person could make all the difference.

Scary Stories to tell in the Dark (Book Series)

Someone has to remember those books. You know, urban legends, scary stories, folklore? The ones where the pictures creeped you out more than the stories most times. You know, these books?

I love these books, probably more than a "normal" girl should. But then again, folks, I am not your average girl, nor have I ever really been. I've always loved sports, mud, and scary stories/movies. The thing about these books though, is yes there are illustrations, but only one per story. Maybe 2. So it's up to you to fill everything in, in your head. Which to me makes it all the more scary. It gets your mind working, and your brain thinking, "What was that I just saw out of the corner of my eye? Just a trick of the mind I'm sure...!" Or the feeling of uneasiness when you get up to go to the restroom, the hallway is dark, and the house settles, at least that's what you tell yourself as you venture down the pitch black hallway. It seems darker than usual tonight, but you can see the dim nigh light in the bathroom. But what's this? It's flickering? But that happens all the time, something is wrong with the wiring to that part of the house. It has always done that, at least you're pretty sure it has. When you finally make it, you don't know whether to keep the door open, or to close it, for fear of what might be on the other side when you come out. And after you've finished, it's a mad dash back down the hall and a leap from your door to the bed so nothing can grab you.

Okay now I'm freaking myself out.

But books and movies (which is rare now a days) that can do that to you, I love it! I love being scared.

A good movie that kind of has the same effect, but is more along the lines of a psychological thriller, with a MAJOR twist at the end is Psych 9. It is very strange, and one of the only movies to make me scream and jump so bad it scared my poor dog. I would give you a summary, but then it would give away the whole movie! The only thing I can say though is...its set in an abandoned hospital, and there is a killer on the loose, but it's not who you think. And by the end you will be amazed. I'm usually not one for those free On Demand horror flicks, because honestly half the time they're corny, low budget, have way too much cursing in it to be realistic, and half the time are just people having sex, there's hardly any plot and I loathe movies with no clear plot line. I was (and still kind of am) a big English nerd. I was always good at it, and I learned to appreciate a good plot twist, and books/movies with actual substance.

I used to write a little in high school, I still have some of my short stories. I'm thinking about starting again, though maybe take an angle like the one I did about, a scary one. Who knows where this new endeavor could take me?

The first post is always the hardest.

Well, here it goes. I'm never good at this sort of thing, so bear with me.
As you have probably figured out, I'm Raechel, 19 years old, even though my body feels ancient some days, and I am engaged to Bryant who is 23 (or will be in a week. Feb. 21!), who is in the Maryland Army National Guard. We'll be together 2 years in June. The 20th to be exact. We're looking to get married on December 21, 2012. Yes, the alleged "end of days". People did always joke with Bryant when he was in high school that the day he got married would be the end of the world.

There's not too much to me.

Currently I am working part time at a boarding/doggie daycare facility (but we accept cats and small mammals too!) part time. I do almost everything there as far as taking care of the animals; feeding, grooming, medicine, all that fun stuff, also I do customer service, and sales and marketing.

I also am going to school to get my Paralegal degree. A lot of people ask me what exactly a Paralegal is. Basically, they are the lawyer's assistant. They do a vast majority of the work on cases as far a research, taking notes, interacting with clients, etc, while the lawyer gets all the credit at trial. Which could be a good thing, if the lawyer is a "bad guy" :)

I try to do a lot as far as animal rescues. Well as much as I can for now. I have a Facebook page specifically for animal networking called "Saving Shelter Animals, One Click at a Time"

I'm not sure what else so say, I'm horrible and ending things, blogs, vlogs, essays, love notes.
If you ever want to get a hold of me with any questions about...anything, my Facebook is on the pages linked. You can also reach me at:
raechelf@msn.com (personal)