I had heard that a lot of people in Tampa read the St. Pete Times and that it is a more liberal paper than the Tampa Tribune.  The St. Pete Times has always been kinder to me that the Tribune and I need to run some real estate ads, so I picked up  a copy after church.  I read the real estate ads, the comics and auctions, thinking that I needed to get out and do something.  I have always been amused by the Personal Ads and find it interesting to see what people are looking for in relationships.  Ninety percent of the ads of women looking for men seem to be looking for someone rich and ninety percent of the ads men place seem to be looking for someone pretty.   These people deserve each other.

 

One ad leapt off the page at me.  I want to find a copy of it again, but in essence the person advertised himself as being: Christian, ex-politician, (seems like oxymoron to me), likes animals, real estate investor, likes scuba diving, …  It was written better than this and had a catchy heading, so I knew the guy was good at marketing and had some self confidence.   I had never called on one of these sort of ads before, but felt compelled to call him and tell him I thought he sounded great.  I picked up the phone and dialed, but was reminded by my carrier that I had put a block on this line for calls that incur a fee such as this.  I tried another line. Same problem.  I tried another line.  Same problem.  I pulled out my cell phone and tried.  Same problem.  I was determined now to call this guy and drove a half mile up the dirt road to call from a pay phone.  Same problem.  I drove half way across town to the condo and called from there.  I got through.

 

I listened to the pre-recorded message he left about himself and liked him immensely.  I played it again just to make sure.  No doubt about it.  I really liked him.  I thought to myself “What an answer to a prayer!”  He said his name was Richard and his message said to leave a number or to call him, but he didn’t leave his number.  I told him a little about myself as it related to his interest.  I told him I weighed 178 pounds on a 5’8” frame, but that he would like the way I was proportioned.  I figured if he was just another shallow male and heard how heavy I was, then he would not waste my time, nor his by returning my call.  I left the sanctuary number.

 

All day, I kept checking my answering machine, but he didn’t call.  The next day, I did the same.  I left on August 11 with my mom, Jamie and Katie and Emily for our family reunion in Indiana.  I worried that he would call and get no answer and I would have missed this great opportunity to meet a wonderful person.  I called in for my messages every day, but no word from him.  I got home from vacation on Monday August 17 and still he hadn’t called.  I wondered how I could have been so wrong in my first impression of him.

 

I've been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet. 

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only.