One of the most difficult parts of living in small-town Kansas is dealing with the overall attitudes here towards the nonhuman animals we share our world with.

I have been trying to help animals since I moved here, and every day is a new level of heartbreak and agony.

It hurts me more than I can possibly describe to bear witness to the things that go on here.

I used to think I was pretty resilient, but most days I worry about even getting through the day. I keep trying to fight for the animals here, especially the cats. But to say things are rough going is an understatement. It feels like a living hell–for animals and the people that care about them and their welfare. And I say that even after my experience in working with animals and animal rescue back in my hometown, and getting up close and personal with the ways people mistreat animals.

My experience residing in my current locale has definitely the stuff of “real-life horror” where animals are concerned, I tell ya.

This weekend was especially hard in regards to local animals, so I’m still not as present in the blogsphere as I usually try to be.

I did start a citizens’ advocacy discussion group for animals, and I got interviewed by the local paper (it should be coming out soon, and maybe if I feel brave enough, I’ll post the link in the comments), and I’m attempting to get an item on the agenda at the local city commission meeting. I’d like to help my fellow animal advocates that have joined the group start a nonprofit to have an official platform from which to launch the ideas we’ve been discussing, but that’s a little ways off. 

In other, lighter news, August’s horrorscopes and the tarot reading for writing inspiration are up over at Horror Tree.

And I’m still taking a stab at writing reviews over there…hopefully they aren’t too horrifying!

https://horrortree.com/august-2023-horrorscopes-how-youll-die-in-a-national-park/

https://horrortree.com/august-2023-tarot-cards-for-writing-inspiration/

Book Reviews (I’m still kinda new at this):

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-the-midnight-lullaby-by-cheryl-low/

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-the-ghost-of-laurie-floyd-by-courtney-lynn-mroch/

https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book-review-maskerade-6-by-kevin-smith-and-andy-mcelfresh/

https://horrortree.com/comic-book-review-miss-truesdale-and-the-fall-of-hyperborea-3/

https://horrortree.com/comic-book-review-conan-the-barbarian-1/

I hope everybody’s weekend is fabulously spooky!