Fields of Saffron, by Alex McBrann and published by Xlibris publishing.
Life is an exciting journey, full of challenges. Enjoy every moment, but take nothing for granted.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Department of Defense Military Working Dog Adoption Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are these dogs available for adoption?
Most of our dogs that become available for adoption at Lackland Air Force Base are relatively young dogs that have failed to meet training standards, while others (generally the field units) are older dogs that have completed their service and are being made available for adoption. Still others are being medically retired from service due to injury or sickness that will preclude them from performing the mission.
2. Is any priority given to veterans or other persons?
Title 10 US Code 2583 gives priority first to civilian Law Enforcement Agencies, then to prior handlers, and finally to the general public. In the event that a dog’s age or fitness precludes it from being considered for Law Enforcement duties, then a former handler is most often selected. Better than 90% of former MWDs are adopted by their handlers at field units.
3. Can our company or business adopt a dog and use it for security work or detection work?
All dogs that are transferred to Law Enforcement Agencies are done so with a contractual agreement which stipulates that the dog belongs to the department. Only Law Enforcement Agencies are charged under statute with enforcing laws and are thus able to apply for an available dog. All dogs adopted to private parties are done so on a separate agreement that includes stipulations that the dog is not allowed to perform patrol or security work, either public or private, nor will it be allowed to perform any substance detection work, either public or private. The DoD representative responsible for placing the dog retains the choice as to the fitness of any retired dog for any home or agency.
4. Where are the dogs located?
Two programs exist. Dogs that have been/are assigned to bases around the globe are adopted (when approved for retirement/separation) from the location they are assigned. The Kennel Master at that base is the person who best knows the status of their assigned K9 Heroes. Keep in mind that quite often former handlers, with priority rights under Public Law, adopt their former comrades. Also, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas sometimes has promising dogs available for adoption, but not always.
5. What can you tell me about the dogs?
All our Military Working Dogs are trained at Lackland Air Force Base and then sent to operational units throughout the DOD. The dogs are usually a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Labrador Retriever and occasionally a mixed breed or other sporting/herding breed dog. They range in age from 1 year to 13 years of age, and include both males and females, although they are spayed or neutered before being adopted.
6. What does the program/dog cost?
There is no cost for the dog, but any Law Enforcement Agency or person approved to adopt one of our retired Military Working Dogs is completely responsible for all costs associated with transportation of the MWD from the military installation to any final destination.
7. How long can I expect to wait to be able to adopt one of your dogs?
Due to very strong public interest in adopting retired Military Working Dogs after their period of service to our nation, we are obliged to process and prioritize in excess of a thousand applications every year. Because so many people are "queuing up" to adopt a relatively small number of available dogs, prospective Military Working Dog adopters can expect delays up to, and often beyond 12 months before a dog is available for them. We follow the "first come, first served rule," so that when a suitable dog becomes available we offer that dog to the party that has waited longest. If you are interested in adopting a Military Working Dog into your family, we encourage you to get your application in and we will schedule you for a dog as soon as we can. However, be prepared for a long wait due to the communities high interest in our adoption program. Once we set you up with an appointment to meet our adoptable dogs please be considerate of other eager adoptive families. If you need to cancel, please do so as early as possible so we can fill the appointment with another applicant.
8. What happens once I get an appointment to go to Lackland Air Force base, near San Antonio, TX to meet/adopt one of your dogs?
Once you have your appointment, expect to make at least two visits, normally two consecutive days. On the first day, about 1 hour is needed to review your application and then to greet the dog(s). Once you've selected a dog we'll need time to get the dog ready for adoption, and our veterinary clinic will need time to get the dog ready for departure. Your dog should be ready to depart with you the second day; however, sometimes issues arise that are outside the control to the adoption administrator and we ask for your patience and understanding.
9. Will I be able to select the sex or breed or age of dog that I prefer?
We will do our best to match our available dogs with your preferences in terms of breed, gender, color, etc., but cannot guarantee that we will have a dog that will exactly match your desires. Please remember that no matter what their type, sex or color, these retired Military Working Dogs were selected by the DoD for their stable and outgoing temperaments, they make wonderful companions, and they deserve great homes.
10. Can you give me an overview of the Adoption Process?
The MWD Adoption Process starts when you submit a completed application. Once we receive the completed application you will receive a confirmation, normally by email that it has been received. Your application will be kept on file in order of the date of receipt. If questions arise when going over your application we will usually email or telephone you for clarification.
As we schedule each month’s appointments we’ll start with the oldest applications first. Those who decline a scheduled appointment will be removed from the list of applications. When your application is pulled you’ll be contacted about possible dates available within the time frame being filled, usually a calendar month. About 30 days before your appointment you should receive a courtesy phone call or email seeking confirmation of your appointment and indicating information needed for a base pass, if it is required. If you do not reply to this courtesy e-mail or phone call, we will be forced to give your appointment to somebody else, and your application will be deleted from our waiting list. On the day of your appointment, please plan to arrive at the gate early to obtain your pass. You will need a current driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and current registration. Once you arrive at the kennel facility, we’ll show dogs that are well suited to your interest/ability and home-life. Once you’ve selected a dog for adoption we’ll refer the dog to the Veterinary Hospital for a departure physical, which is usually scheduled for the following day. After the physical is completed the Veterinary Staff will provide photocopies of applicable medical records for you to take to your animal health practitioner. The records and dog are usually available shortly after the noon hour on this second day.
Bring a leash, suitable collar and your driver’s license. After you sign the indemnity agreement you will be allowed to depart with your new family member. This process normally takes about one hour. REMINDER: Dogs being made available for adoptions, whether to law enforcement agencies or to private citizens, are not the highest priorities for our busy Veterinary Hospital. Emergency cases, as well as dogs that are in training or preparing to deploy to the field all have a priority over adoption dogs. Your patience is very much appreciated.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Single and Loving It, Erin A. Alexander, Western Institute for Social Research
I have had my share of various types of personal/intimate relationships over the years, and I have at this point in my life made a choice to be single. Being a counselor who primarily works with couples who are having relationship issues, I have come to realize how much work is involved in starting and maintaining a relationship. Take a look at the following list of things to consider when considering a long-term relationship:
Do you share the same values (honesty, loyalty, trust, respect, etc)? Do you have similar goals with regards to your future? Do you both want children and are your parenting styles congruent? Do you have the same socioeconomic background ? Is your educational level relatively similar? Do you have the same political views? Do you have the same religious views? Do you agree on financial matters? Are you outgoing or not very social? Which do you prefer in a partner? Do you and your partner share the same health/fitness values? Do both parties share the same values regarding the division of labor? Do both parties agree on sexual matters? What are the values related to extended family? Are your personalities compatible? That is a pretty long list! Many times, people do not figure these things out until they are well into the relationship…then the conflict starts.
I’ve decided that I don’t want to try and figure any of that out with anyone. I want to be emotionally, financially, and socially independent. I want to be responsible for my own happiness, and I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else’s. I want to be able to set boundaries for myself; I want to be able to say ‘no’ without explanation. I want to be able to make decisions on my own without having to consult with someone else. I want to have the freedom to go where I want and do what I want, whenever I want, without having to explain myself to a partner. Sounds very selfish, doesn’t it?
Well, the word ‘selfish’ is usually given a negative definition, like ‘one who only considers his own interests’. It’s usually referring to someone who is being cruel or unkind to someone else.
Let’s further explore the concept of selfish/selfish person. I gathered all the dictionary definitions:
Disagreeable person Unpleasant person Dog in the manger Someone who prevents you from enjoying something that they themselves have no need for Egocentric A self-centered person with little regard for others Exploiter User Hog or pig A person regarded as greedy or pig-like Monopolizer Narcissist Someone in love with him/herself Opportunist Self-seeker A person who places expediency above principle Concerned chiefly or only with oneself Inconsiderate Ungenerous Stingy Lack of regard for the rights or feelings of others MercenarySo, think about all of the single people that you know; do they fit in to the negatively conceptualized definition above? Or are they more accurately described by some of the characteristics listed below?
Generous Considerate Benevolent Liberal Humane Positive regard for othersAnd what about when a person does things to bring about his/her own happiness? What about when one learns to think for him/herself, and make decisions to share happiness with others? Does this make a person an exploiter, or a ‘dog in the manger’? We’ve all heard the saying ‘you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else’. Does that mean you’re a hog, or a pig, or a mercenary, or an opportunist, or a user?
A person who has chosen to live a healthy single lifestyle, is indeed doing things to bring about his/her own happiness, and in turn, share that happiness with others. These folks have learned how to establish healthy boundaries. They have learned to think for themselves, they have learned to make decisions, and to solve problems. They do not have the expectation that someone else will fill any voids in their lives. Healthy single people are confident and they take responsibility in all areas of their lives. They know how to consciously date and they have chosen not to settle. Healthy single people understand that happiness is an on-going life journey that takes effort. They strive for self-actualization (on Maslowe’s hierarchy of needs). They are in a constant state of self-growth to be a whole, healthy person:
Physical body (physical container for our organs, health, chemical reactions) Mental (the brain, our thoughts, memory, desire, consciousness, intent, intuition) Emotional (feelings, how we deal with them) Social (relationships, support systems, setting boundaries, Spiritual (truth, dignity, faith, hope, love, power greater than human power) Intellectual (learning, creativity, skill development, hobbies) Occupational (career options, sense of meaning and purpose)Based on this, the assumption is that wellness is more than one’s physical health, exercise, and nutrition. It is all of the things listed above. Each of the seven dimensions act and interact in a way that contributes to a person’s overall quality of life (this is based on information from the University of California Wellness Program).
Let’s further explore the seven dimensions.
Social wellness is the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. It is the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.
Emotional wellness is the ability to understand ourselves and cope with life’s challenges. It is the ability to acknowledge and share various feelings.
Spiritual wellness is the ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. It is the ability to develop congruence between actions and values. We are able to see a common purpose that binds creation together.
Occupational wellness is the ability to obtain personal fulfillment from our job or career, while maintaining balance in the rest of our lives. It is the desire for our careers to have a positive impact on society as a whole.
Intellectual wellness is the ability to open your mind to new experiences and new ideas that will help you make decisions. This is a desire to learn new concepts and seek challenges in the pursuit of lifelong learning.
Physical wellness is the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle that allows us to get through activities of daily living without mush fatigue or stress. It is the ability to recognize that our behaviors have an impact on our overall wellness. It is the knowledge that adopting healthful habits, while avoiding destructive habits, will contribute to feeling good physically.
Mental wellness is more about how we think (the processes and the content). It is having the ability to solve-problems, to think independently, and to be creative. This is where intuition, good insight, and good judgment come into play.
So now that there is a more holistic explanation of “wellness”, it makes more sense for a person to want to strive to become a better person, rather than carrying unhealthy baggage from relationship to relationship. It seems more logical why being single is not selfish (from a negative perspective). It’s about being happy and healthy.
I have decided to facilitate a group for people who want to live a healthy, single lifestyle. There are so many “groups” for people who are divorced, where people join together and commiserate about their divorced state (the custody issues, the child support, the loneliness, the conflicts with the ex-spouse, and yada, yada, yada). Then there are “singles” groups and websites where the focus is on getting into a relationship. The sites include personality profiles that “match” you with people of “compatible” personality profiles, giving you the hope that you can cut through the (natural) chase of dating. It’s like taking a shortcut in a sense. Those entities may be great for certain things, but not for learning to live a healthy single lifestyle. According to the 2006 census data, up to 47.3% of the 114 million US households are single people. The statistics for 2005 showed 50.3%. That is about 97 million people age 18 and over! It is looking like people are embracing the single lifestyle more than ever. The stigma attached to being single is not as prominent as it once was. People are realizing that they do not have to be in a relationship with someone to be happy.
One of the best quotes that I read from an article entitled Free as a Bird and Loving It, was by Leslie Talbot, who wrote the book It’s Better to be Alone Than Wish You Were! “There is nothing lonelier than being with somebody you don’t want to be with.” Ain’t that the truth!!
Ideas for a Group (Teaching People How to be Single in a Healthy Way)
What would some of the topics be for the group?
How to be independent (financially, emotionally, socially) How to make yourself happy (not depending on others) Co-dependency Don’t look to change other people Comparing yourself to others (especially couples) Maintaining your physical health Maintaining your spiritual health Your mental health Myths about being single, statistics, the stigma attached to being single What are healthy activities to do alone? What are healthy activities to do with others (one person or a group)? How to set boundaries Developing support systems Healthy dating techniques Learning who you are (introspection) Learning what you want in life Being able to describe your ideal mate and not settling for less How to foster independence in children Transitioning from divorce or from a long-term relationship Self-esteem, self-image, confidence Social networking, FaceBook, etc Having patience after a break-up or after divorce Knowing your 5 love languages Using good judgment Finding new interests, going out of your comfort zone Redefining yourself as being single by choice Work on a relationship with yourself Living a life rich in pleasure (create your own passion, purpose, vision---don’t wait for someone else) Living life now, not as if rehearsing for a relationship Hiring a relationship coach Leaving the past in the past Sexual stuff Alcohol and drugs Dealing with your family regarding your single statusI know there are probably dozens of other topics that can be discussed and I plan to get ideas from people as time passes. It would also be interesting to have people eventually make comments on my blog about some of the topics.
Who is the target audience? Single people, of course, but I would encourage anyone to attend if they actually had an interest in learning how to be a whole healthy person. Most of the topics can benefit EVERYONE. If people would take more time being happy and attaining self-actualization, perhaps their relationships would be more fulfilling.
Will there be any ethical issues? There is always a possibility of ethical issues when a counselor facilitates a group, primarily ones relating to confidentiality. The way I would address this would be to make sure that the group is an Open Group. I would remind the individuals in the group that it will be up to them to keep their information confidential, if they want it confidential. I will be there as a group facilitator, not as anyone’s therapist. I will discourage people from talking about therapy issues (whoever their therapist may be). The group is psycho-educational, not therapeutic.
How would I advertise the group? FaceBook, Twitter, Word-of-Mouth, Mass Email, my website and LinkedIn. These are the most cost effective ways of advertising and the best way to reach the most people.
What are the expectations and long-term goals? I would like for these types of groups to exist everywhere, if they do not already. It’s important to break the cycle of what I believe is a pandemic of codependency, so that the children of the future can be whole, healthy adults.
Please visit Erin’s website at https://brighterfuturee-counseling.com and her blog to make comments at http://serendipity1968.blogspot.com/?m=1
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