As most Cats, and Dogs, know many Humans love to play Fetch, and Catch, and otherwise Chase, with balls of various types, all over the place, just as we do.
The difference is that, in several of these games the Humans need to wear, and use, various types of equipment to get the maximum enjoyment out of the experience.
From early childhood they are taught the skills they need to get the most out of their Catching, Tossing, Chasing, and Fetching abilities, and the fortunate few who make it to adulthood as top masters of these skills in their chosen game, can then make a lot of money playing them.
This is important for Cats, and Dogs, to understand, and appreciate, because many of us sometimes take our Humans ability to feed, and entertain us, provide various comforts, and pay our medical bills, for granted.
This takes money, lots of it, and if your loving, caring, Human has the skill to become what they call a "Professional Athlete" then, lucky you, you will be set for life.
This brings me to a story Daddy showed me in the Tuesday Orange County Register:
Players and coaches locked up their equipment Wednesday afternoon. But, when they returned for practice Thursday, they were shocked to find everything – mitts, bats, helmets, cleats, catching gear and a pitching machine – gone...
"These are students who already face a lot of adversity in their lives every day," she said. "It breaks my heart that they have to face this as well."
About 80 percent of the items that were taken belonged to individual players; the rest was purchased by the school and the booster club...
The teams' March 12 opening season games were canceled...
Practices, suspended last week, resumed Monday with players using older gear and some donated equipment, which will also enable the varsity team to play a game Wednesday, varsity coach Dan Strobehn said.
Bolsa Grande High School does not have resources for new purchases. About 70 percent of the school's students come from economically disadvantaged households.
This story really ruffled my fur! See the video!
I told Daddy that I wanted to do something to show my support, and so Daddy went to a Big 5 Store, which is a popular place where the Humans go to buy their balls, and all the things they need to play with them, and found out that each ball costs almost $4.
I know it isn't much, but I asked Daddy to write a check for $12 when he got his paycheck today, in the name of this blog, and take it to the school.
Yesterday we learned that the Orange County Human community has responded to the need of these kids (Video), as well, but Daddy is still heading out the door, and over to the school with my check.
I am doing this, and reporting the story, because this is a story that not only affects critters whose young Humans play these games at all levels of school, community leagues, and even what they call "Traveling Team" leagues, but all of us as well.
I don't know if anyone in the Animal Blogging Community has considered this side of such stories before, but I hope that this will make you, and your Human, think about helping out, if at all possible, in any way you can (Small, or Large, every little bit helps!), the next time that you hear about something like this in your own city, or county.
This was such a wonnerful story.
Your Dad was furry nice to be concerned, and help you take it a step furrrther, by helping out.
Too bad more beans aren't like him.
Love & Purrs,
KC
Posted by: KC | March 21, 2010 at 12:03 AM
Nikita and Mr. Nikita's Dad - ::standing ovation::
YAY!!!
You two are PAWSOME!!!
Posted by: The Meezers | March 21, 2010 at 08:01 AM
Yes, it is always nice to help humans in need too.
One of the complaints of humans who hate animals is that we only help our own species when they have needs, but that's not true.
We just don't always blog about it.
We're glad you did.
Hope you are enjoying your stroller now.
Posted by: jansfunnyfarm | March 21, 2010 at 03:09 PM
oh nooo dids dey gets da stuffoms back?
Posted by: Katie Ann Kitty Too | March 22, 2010 at 02:47 AM