Laura Stricker

Today is my birthday. Usually birthdays are a time of great excitement for me, but not this year. I’ve been trying to figure out why and a few minutes ago it finally hit me.
About this time last year I was attending my university’s graduation ceremony. I had all sorts of amazing plans, including going overseas for a five month journalism internship. At the time I felt as though I was on top of the world, and nothing and no one would be able to stop me from achieving my goals.
To make a long story short, the internship I was supposed to take ended up falling through at the last minute. I was extremely depressed over that for a long time and found it really hard to search for another job. I knew without a doubt I still wanted to be a journalist, but it just didn’t seem as though it was in the cards for me. I really had to rethink my entire life plan. The thing I had wanted to do for so long - almost 10 years- was slipping further and further out of my grasp.
I still have not given up on my dream of becoming a journalist, but with the way things are in the newspaper industry right now, I really had to force myself to think with my head instead of my heart. My head told me to go back to school, and so that’s what I’m doing this September, unless I somehow find an amazing job between now and then.
I guess what I’ve learned from all of this is that things rarely turn out as we expect them to. This time last year I expected to have an amazing career in journalism at a fantastic newspaper and be doing what I loved and had studied. Although this has been a major setback in so many ways, I am really trying hard not to let it drag me down. It’s so easy to do that, but another thing I have learned is wallowing in self-pity is a gigantic waste of time. Sitting around feeling sorry for yourself about how things should be and could have been is pointless. Instead of waiting for that golden opportunity to magically appear in front of you, it’s time to be agressive and go after what you want, no excuses! Because let’s face it, if you really want something, you have to work hard to get it. Things don’t happen unless YOU are willing to make them happen.

Back when I was young(er), innocent (somewhat) and in my first year of university, my awesome English teacher showed us this crazy, trippy video, based on the Samuel Beckett play called…’Play.’ I liked it immediately. There are a lot of things in art and literature that seem pointless, self-indulgent or just plain stupid, but this was not one of those things. It struck me right away and has stayed with me all this time. I actually had sort of forgotten about it for awhile. I randomly remembered it tonight and thought I’d share, since I have this super cool space where I can do all that, whether anyone actually reads it or not.

For a quick summary, ‘Play’ is about a man, his wife and his lover. They are all dead and stuck in purgatory, stuck there repeating the whole tale of the affair from the perspective of the man, his wife and the woman he was having the affair with. It’s quite chilling. And depressing. But you should still watch!

If you live in Toronto and read the news, or even if you don’t, chances are you’ve heard by now about the recent drama at Toronto’s Humane Society - the allegations against president Tim Trow, the clashes with OSPCA, accusations of understaffing, animals being left to suffer, etc.

For those who have not read the articles, you may want to check out part one and part two.

I find the articles very one-sided. The Globe is clearly out to prove their point without using any space to get the other side of the story - and one thing we were taught in Journalism school is that there is always another side.

Obviously I don’t know Mr. Trow, but as an animal lover myself, I have to assume that someone who is the volunteer president of THS - who probably would not be there if he did not love animals - cannot be that bad of a guy. With stories coming out all the time of people who abuse and mistreat animals - like this one I discussed here awhile back, and this one I read most recently, about a dog who was left to die with a brick tied to his collar - I’d say animals need all the support they can get, regardless of whether the person offering the support is a ‘people person’ or not.

I was discussing this with someone I know the other day, who is involved with THS. Part one of the series makes mention of dogs and cats living in less than ideal conditions. My friend made a very good point, which is that a cage could get cleaned out and then five minutes later be dirty again. I have two cats, and that is certainly true for me. Even if I clean their litter box twice a day, it’s pretty much guaranteed to be gross again in half an hour (or less).

My friend also mentioned worrying about, now that this story has come out, the number of donations dropping off. THS is run entirely on donations. The article makes mention of severe understaffing, both by veterinarians and volunteers. How exactly is publishing an article ruining their reputation going to help get more donations and staff?

Don’t get me wrong, I believe all companies should be held accountable for their actions. I just don’t think we are getting the whole story here. I also think an organization that takes in animals that have been abandoned or injured - and does not immediately rush to euthanize them - should be commended, not condemned.