Saving the animals!

The little found dog, who now has a forever home!

In case you couldn't tell, the Optimist Optometrist REALLY loves animals.  In fact, zoology was my major in college, and I thought for many years that I would be a veterinarian.  (working in a vet's office cured me of that idea). 

A couple of weeks ago, this cute little dog somehow made his way into my fenced yard.  He REALLY wanted to play with my two dogs (who are a little older, so they were pretty worn out after meeting the stray dog). 

The new dog (we will call him Gus, as that is what his new owner named him) looked like he was part Chihuahua and maybe part jack Russell terrier.  He had a lot of energy and just wanted to play.  He was friendly, but a little scared at first.  I fed him, and one of my neighbors and I took turns keeping him.  He had a collar but no tags.  No microchip either.

We put signs up in the neighborhood, and posted his info on Facebook and Craigslist.  Nobody was looking for this adorable little dog.  We found him a permanent home with another neighbor, and he is doing quite well.  I see my neighbor walking Gus often, and he always look happy.  I'm so glad he has a good home now.

Finding this little dg really made me want to help animals.  I had an idea while I was running (did I mention I did a half marathon at Thanksgiving?) of a way I could help... I thought, "what can I do that not everyone can do, to raise money for pets?"... and then I decided I would do a day of eye exams where all the proceeds would go to our local Humane Society!

Today was the day we did the event, which I called, "Save the Animals!  Eye Exams to Benefit the Humane Society."  I am so proud to say that today we raised over $500, and also got donations of pet food and treats!  I'm so excited to be able to help in this way.

I would love for each of you to think of a way you can make a difference.  It can be very rewarding to help out those less fortunate.  It's one reason I continue to be optimistic :).

What you see is not always what you get

Hello, friends and lovers of all things optometry and optimism.  Welcome back.

This post is not going to be very optometry-heavy.  I was just feeling the urge to share a quote I saw somewhere:

"Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel."

That's great advice, huh?  We see highlight reels so often these days, don't we?  Social media thrives on them!  We get all excited about our happy times and we want to share them, right?

I don't see any problem in sharing your happy times.  But remember, people post their HAPPY STUFF on social media sites, not the sad stuff that they don't want to share with the world. 

So, you're allowed to have sad days and days where you wish things turned out differently.  This is your life, live it and make the best of it.  You have so much greatness ahead of you, and you've got one heck of a highlight reel yourself! 

Just my thoughts for the day!  Go out and make this an awesome day!

Staying optimistic when skies are gray

Hello, my friends!  Wow, has it really been a year since I have written?  A year can go by so quickly sometimes. 

I just wanted to share something about one of my wonderful patients.  All of my patients are wonderful, but this one is especially kind and thoughtful.  The optimist optometrist has had some very joyous and very sorrowful situations this past year, and this patient, at her last eye appointment, said that she sensed that without even seeing me.  She told me that she was thinking of me, and that she was so appreciative of the care I have offered her over the years.  I am so thankful when patients are thankful!  I feel very lucky, because I get to work with some of the kindest patients on the planet. 

Speaking of joy and sorrow, check this out:

"On Joy and Sorrow
 Kahlil Gibran

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits, alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall."


This piece is something that has hit home with me lately.  We all will have sad or difficult times in our lives.  Everyone does.   But sometimes we need to go through sad times to be able to fully appreciate good times.  We all have good times too.  I'm trying to appreciate all the times in my life, whether pleasant or not.  Hope you do too.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend :)