I've been thinking, and anyone that really knows me -- well, I been thinking!
Here I am an old lady, and many may have second thoughts about the "lady" thingy, but this old woman has to wonder about this here Mississippi County Animal Rescue, yet my heart and mind knows it must be a done thing! Mississippi County is part of the 1st Congressional District in Arkansas, which is known to be the poorest congressional district in the United States. Reckon we gotta be known for something. Dontcha wonder why, when we have highways, we have waterways, we have airways, and we have railways? Now we ought not be so blasted poor.
Many say it's because we ain't got leadership. We got leadership -- may not be the best in the world, but there's a bunch that is trying. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 920 square miles, that being 901 square miles of land and 19 square miles is water. Unless we get 4 inches of rain all at once, then them numbers change a bit.
I looked up the Census on 2000 -- there were 51,979 people, 19,349 households, and 13,911 families residing in the county. That works out to 58 people per square mile. There were 22,310 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 64,45 percent white, 32,9 percent black or African-American, 26 percent Native American, 0.38 percent Asian, 0.03 percent Pacific Islander, 1.07 percent from other races. There were 19,349 households out of which 36 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. 50 percent were married couples living together. 17.40 percent had a female householder with no husband, and 28.10 percent were non-families. 24.70 percent of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70 percent had someone living alone who was 65 years or older.
The per capita income for the county was $13,978. About 19 percent of families and 23 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.10 percent of those under age 18 an 19.80 percent of those age 65 or over.
Reckon as how not many of those numbers have changed, toward the better. The best I can tell we have a couple animal controls in our county and a couple humane societies that stay full to running over. You probably already tired of me whining about the animals that are taking over the county (those that have survived as the fittest). I am going to repeat, these animals did not ask to be born only to be tossed out the county. As I recall, it is the human element that socialized them and allowed them to breed unwanted offspring.
With all this knowledge, I have to wonder how in the world will I gather enough money to make a place for these animals and give the population of people relief from overpopulation? If you have any ideas, please share them with me and my group that we may one day have a good shelter for these unwanted pets. I have a promise of some concrete and some iron to get it started. Hey! It is a start!
I got a wonderful note from Shirley Masterson from out in Westminster Village and a great donation. I want to share it as a Jazz says: "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." She sent this in memory of "Angel." Lovely sentiment!
Thought for the week: "Dance like no one is watching, work like you don't need money, live like there is no tomorrow." I don't know who wrote that but, it is a great thought.
Think about Mississippi County Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 2374 Blytheville. We need your help!