Comments on: Health Hazards

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:18:21 +0000

Please continue adding items to your wishlist!

By: boxcarkids

boxcarkids — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:44:06 +0000

It was the bullies I don’t want anyone to feel pressured to give us anything. I only created the wishlist because a couple of readers asked me to (and it was very nice to receive the blankets for the kids since we don’t have heat in the trailer).
We use the cheap animal clinic – they recently started offering medical services – and the vet there is very nice and gave me meds to administer at home. All parasites are gone and the new kitten is a real love. Our animal shelter is fairly high kill and the vet said she didn’t think the kitten would have been deemed adoptable if we had taken him there. As the Dali Lama said “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”

By: boxcarkids

boxcarkids — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:21:14 +0000

We clearly have different parenting styles, I’ve noticed this before in other of your comments. The remark about wrestling the kids from the computer was tongue in cheek, and both the older kids did have research to do on projects that were due after the break. I’m not an animal hoarder – or any other sort of hoarder. I wager we have fewer material posessions than any of you. The medicines were all succesful and the itching is a thing of the past.

By: julia

julia — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:25:05 +0000

“Maybe the next time the dog bites, it will rip off a baby’s face because you did not report it.” Dramatic much Practical Parsimony?

Boxcar mom took in a kitten, not a Great Dane. The fleas, mites and worms were unanticipated and, unless I’m missing something, the cost to have all the pets treated was minimal. (of course this will likely turn into a huge problem once she becomes a full fledged animal hoarder) I’m sure the itching will be gone and forgotten in a very short matter of time while the fluffy new addition to the family will be enjoyed for many years to come.

And you’re implying the Boxcarkids were “running roughshod” over mom and her attempt to find employment? Really? Or perhaps she simply parents differently than you. I doubt the job search was hindered by the kids’ time on the computer.

The Amazon wishlist is just that – a wishlist. Big deal. If you don’t want to buy anything off it, don’t. If you don’t want to “bail them out” via the Paypal link, don’t.

Sorry for my snide remarks but I tend to be very defensive of this family.

Lastly, I’m so very sorry to hear about Tricia.

By: Practical Parsimony

Practical Parsimony — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:56:15 +0000

Rona,
I was once at the depth of despair, jobless, alone, broke and had $5 left to my name and no hope of more anytime soon. I bought a lipstick and a magazine. but, I did not live with children with serious health problems, add an expensive animal to the three I already had. I did not talk about my children running roughshod over me and my attempts to get a job. I got foodstamps just for me. She, at one time, did not want to get fs for the sake of the three children.

I used the lipstick and read the magazine. The next day, I figured out what to do. That was a long time ago when $5 would buy both lipstick and magazine.

Rescuing too many animals is not a stress reliever for anyone but the person gathering animals. Children of animal hoarders are always stressed. I am not saying she is hoarding, yet, but common sense seems to have gone by the wayside.

I am sympathetic about the job search and the difficulty of finding a job.

I do understand impulsivity but she insists on keeping the cat to the detriment and deprivation of all in the house. Her decision to get rid of the cat would have been met with wails from all four kids, that I know. I just wonder if they will look back some day and wonder why on earth they went through all the itching and crowding of their lives.

Maybe the children will make better decisions with their own children.

By: Sara A.

Sara A. — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:53:45 +0000

So I got my paycheck and went to go look at your Amazon wishlist and it was empty! I hope it is because people bought things for you, and not because you got bullied into taking the items down.

Well, in any case, it might be worth it to call around about the pet meds. Many vets get new kitten kits free from pet companies that want you to buy their products, and they might give you one or two even if you are not a patient if you tell them your situation.

In my town there is also a non-profit pet clinic that does free/cheap shots and meds. Do you think there might be one in your area? If you are not sure the local animal shelter or humane society might be able to point you in the right way.

By: zelda

zelda — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:21:00 +0000

I have, for the last few months, thought pretty much the same thing about the choices that boxcar makes. I also feel that the use of this blog to seek charitable donations is a little too much; mainly I feel this because of the job search strategies. If I lived in a camper trailer, and my children were all crowded into nooks and cranies to sleep, I think that I would take the first job that I could get, regardless of if it is in my profession, pays x amount of dollars, or any other of the various excuses that I’ve see boxcar post.

By: Maria de Miami

Maria de Miami — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:10:54 +0000

I completely agree with you.
Little things that make us feel good help our health by reducing stress levels and that is also important.

By: Rona

Rona — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:13:23 +0000

At first when I read it I was like wow I would never do that just like you Practical Parsimony but then I realized I have done a lot of dumb things in my lifetime. lol Probably someone looking in at my life would have thought… Why the heck is she doing that at this time. For instance I have about $20 for the next two weeks and yesterday I bought a big bag of chips. I didnt necessarily need it and may regret it later because its $3 im probably really going to need next week, but as I sit here munching Im enjoying these dag on chips. haha Would I donate cat supplies probably not, but then im not much of an animal lover. I have a friend who would feed them her right arm if she had nothing left.

Im probably lying i would donate cat supplies if I was near by and I was able..I dont like any living thing to suffer..

I guess my whole point is everyonce in a while we all say the heck with it and do something moronic. We all deserve a bit of slack.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:58:19 +0000

Although I agree that this was not the wisest use of resources, we all do things sometimes that aren’t nesscessarily the “best” choice. Whether it’s eatting a bag of chips instead of carrrots or spending money on cable instead of going to the library and reading a book, sometimes we need a diversion from daily living.