I thank Mary Moore Hughes for posting for me last Saturday. Living in Central Florida, we’d found ourself twice in a brief span of time in what is called The Cone of Uncertainty, and uncertainty it does bring. Being without internet made it impossible for me to post and I asked Mary to present a repost honoring the third birthday of my dog, Quint. I have posted about him frequently and he continues to be a bright spot in my life.
As many know, back in 2012, my late husband and I experienced the destructive forces of Hurricane Sandy as it pummelled the Northeast, a place no one ever thought would experience a hurricane of such power. When speaking of super storms, Rich used to say that it was just a matter of When, not If, that our region of the country would experience the wrath of an epic weather event like Sandy. He would tell others that it had happened before, a very long time ago, but we as a nation we tend to have short memories.
We can’t even imagine the scope of damage and destruction that is being felt by those fortunate to even be alive. Many in the Carolinas, and elsewhere, could have ever imagined that the combination of weeks of record ranifall, topped off by Hurricane Helene, would alter their realities forever.
We were fortunate to be on that outside edge of that Cone of Uncertainy that occurs when meterologists can’t yet pinpoint where or exactly when a storm will make landfall and then in which directon it will head and at what category that will predict wind gusts and rain totals.
And then there are those Spaghetti Models that look a lot like the scribble of a Kindergartener that are issued by several predicting sources. Most are not much help; only heigtening our our personal Cones of Uncertainty. You don’t get to choose which model you prefer as it will be delivered to you by fate and the universe. There is also this paradox, if that storm does miraculously avoid your neck of the woods, it is inevitable that others will suffer elswhere, and we will never be certain by how much unless you and your neighborhoods are able to garner media attention and the potential of help and assistance. Many will suffer in silence, too poor, old or sick to even try to recover. They simply give up.
But these Cones of Uncertainty remind us that nothing in life is certain. Every day brings uncertainty yet we hurl our way through each with our to-do lists and plans confident that this will be just an other “ordinary” day, until it isn’t. That is the only certainty there is…
except…
To seque to a lighter note, there is something known as the “Cone of Shame”, (although there is nothing shameful about healing). That Elizabethan collar usually plastic (there are options) placed around the neck of our pets post surgery to prevent licking and biting at their stitches. My “little” Jackson is now 11 months old and on Monday, he will undergo neutering. He is a majestic and powerful animal with a strong and graceful build with a sleek white coat with beautiful black markings. We adopted him earlier this year on Valentines Day; one of nine sickly puppies abandoned at our local animal shelter.
Due to his potential size we put off this procedure. My veterinarian and I agreed that having Jackson neutered at too young an age could cause developmental problems with his joints later on.
This procedure isn’t inexpensive, and I’m glad to share that Putnam County, where I currently reside, will soon have a low-cost Spay and Neuter trailer serving this underserved rural community. As I believe it is one of the most important methods to lessen pet overpopulation, it has been fulfilling to be helping to promote this initiative.
Come Monday, when Jackson begins his healing process, I will tell him he looks adorable in what I will call his “Cone of Certainty”, assuring the world that he will not be adding to the number of homeless animals that crowd our shelters and roads. It will also help to settle him as he matures in to his second year of doghood.
I truly hope that these Cones of Certainty that will soon be worn by more dogs and cats of this region, will help to ensure a better quality and appreciation for the lives of the animals that are already here. One can only hope and keep trying, and of that you can be certain.
