I'd Like To Bring Some Of The Awesome To You
Being quarantined means I've watched some people I personally know be heroes to others. Let's thank them.
Tonight, right as I sat down to write this column, one of my admins and friends texts me. With Melissa, I knew it wouldn’t be long before she found a creative outlet. Much like myself, she’s always doing something productive, because inactivity just makes her feel icky.
She created some graphics to help people find a pet. I teared up a little. The fact that a) people are taking this time lookout for animals and actively find avenues to do so, and that b) my people that know what saving dogs (and kitties for the cat owners) means to me, and helping me reach those I speak to is such a big deal to me, it touched me.
Everyone I know is in their own version of what this pandemic is doing to them and their personal lives, but what I’m seeing is how despite their personal situations, there are a lot of people in my life that are just really great people. I know, for me, everyone I know has been more than supportive. They’ve been fucking amazing.
Last week, our legal advisor and lover of great shoes, Rachel, sent the dogs some funds so they stay fed. I had put out an offer on Quora, and a few of my other platforms, just advising everyone that if they couldn’t buy pet food because they’re not working, or whatever has you jammed up, no judgment, just reach out to me on the hotline, and I’ll Amazon it over, same day. Rachel wanted to ensure I could do so.
I’m aware of the fact that people are probably in tough spots. Shit, I’m living on spaghettio’’s but my dogs don’t know it, and that’s how I will keep it. I want everyone to be able to feed their pets, because I know what my boys (and Puffin) mean to me, and to think of pets going to shelters because of financial hardship…I can’t even. I’m not going to lie, I’m crying thinking about it. And yes, my offer still stands, courtesy of the amazing people in my life. The offer of Ask A Bitchface stands, we vow to help you feed your pet during this time, no questions asked. Simply reply to this post, or link to any of my social media links and hit “message the author”.
I have the dogs some new chews coming from Sarah, my sister from another mister, who has donated some to animal shelters in her area (she’s in Canada, but love for dogs is universal). You know, when you take the time, in the middle of something that is threatening to steal your livelihood and change the financial course of your life, even if you aren’t directly affected with the medical issues, broke ain’t cool.
Yet, those of you who are simply locked away at home, and still want to be certain that those who matter, their families, and their pets are still OK… Y’all the real MVP’s. I am overwhelmed with emotion when I think of the real-life quality individuals that I spend my time talking to. I knew my friends were the best people out there, but it’s been reiterated in a big way since this virus started taking hold around us.
I have a friend I worked with at Publix, kick ass mechanic and avid hog hunter. He and his daughters, who are probably better hunters than most guys I know, have a surplus of pork and he is offering it to families in time of need, no questions, if you’re hungry or can’t feed your kids lunch because you don’t normally budget for that, he’ll hook you up with some pork. I don’t know about y’all, but someone who is willing to reach out and help feed others when we don’t know, as a country, if our next check is guaranteed…I can’t lie, I don’t feel worthy of being as blessed as I am in the friend department.
Every day, my inbox has people reaching out to tell me they’re ok, asking if me and the dogs are ok, and just being fantastic humans taking the time to reach out and be great people. I don’t know about the rest of you out there who read me, but I won the fucking friend lottery. These people…I’m gonna need Brian to pass me a hundred dollar bill so I can blot my eyes.
I know it’s a challenging time. I know it’s disheartening and overwhelming if we allow it to be. But, if I can offer just this one thing… let my friends be an example that there are some true heroes out there walking around among us. They’re usually not as easy to spot because there is constant motion around us. But when we’re sitting still and really paying attention, we can watch them in action.
To the heroes in my life, thank you. I hope you all have your own set of heroes to thank.
Well fuck you very much, don’t make me cry this late at night. The crying leads to eating candy, the candy leads to being awake, being awake leads to watching the only things left on Netflix I haven’t watched, which leads to horror movies, which leads to me getting pissed off cause I don’t do scared correctly... dammit woman. I do love the hell out of you though, you’re an inspiration. Thanks for being my friend. I’m lucky too.
I love how Melissa talks like such a hardass. She's a fucking badass superhero, but her Clark Kent is still a big softie. Ya both are ducking amazing! And well, Brian...ya know he's some kinda wonderful! 💖 all three of ya!