I am very very sorry you dealt with this — You sound like a tough cookie, and I appreciate your sharing.

I will say that the cops were the only ones who did anything to help me. The night of the attack they straight up told me they would be happy to testify for me in court and that even if my ex was claiming to be the victim they would testify to the fact that he hurt me and had no injuries himself. They also immediately…

Exactly. I used to actually believe that overall the US legal system gave a fuck, and that if I did the right things, obeyed the law, etc. I would be protected if I ever needed it. The whole ordeal destroyed all faith that I had. I realize how foolish I was, and that the legal system gives literally zero fucks about…

Well, they also said they were certain that he would re-offend and that he was someone who would need extensive therapy or anger management classes (this was the DA who said all of this), but then the DA only asked for a year probation after which my ex would have a clean record. She also informed me that he only…

Agreed.The night my ex attacked me I called the police. I was the only one hurt and had visible injuries but as soon as the cops placed him under arrest he started insisting he was the real victim and he wanted a restraining order against me. He was, of course, denied a restraining order and I was granted a temporary…

First and foremost my thoughts go out to the woman who was shot. As an advocate I can share that attempting to get legal paperwork in first is a classic perpetrator move. Perpetrators of DV, SA and stalking love to play the victim.

As opposed to the US where it isn't?

I take umbrage at your suggestion that squirrels are jerks! That, sir, I cannot abide! Squirrels are fluffy critters of materialized cuteness and you should be ashamed of yourself—nay—appalled by your denigration of the Maker's most beautiful animals.

also witnessed leaving the scene.

"Most of them just want pets."

Our palliative ward allows familiy members to bring their pets (With permission!) to dying patients for visits. I think it's wonderful. A wee dog was visiting last week <3

When my dad was dying of cancer (at home) our last remaining family pet (a fluffy Himalayan cat named Mr. Kittles) spent almost every hour of the day by his side, napping, purring, and lounging. He basically only left the room to eat and go to the bathroom. My dad wasn't even a cat person but he said it was very…

My Dad (WWII veteran, died earlier this year, broke my heart, etc.) had a cat at home. He loved her, and she him. He died at a hospital where cats were just not possible. I think a cat visitor would have done him so much good, and I am also fucking crying. Animals are living, breathing balms.

Tom is everything. He's handsome, kind, empathetic, has good posture, and has an important job in healthcare.

Hah! I read this completely dry-eyed!

FYI, you can also add the Nat'l Network of Abortion Funds as your Amazon Smile recipient. I did this solely because the Taco and Beer Challenge made me realize that I could donate to such a fund.

"I get told to abort myself, or run into traffic, or jump off a building, every week. "

I worked (for a short time) in an emergency vet clinic and shadowed my supervisor while walking pet owners through the paperwork prior to euthanization. There are so many people of average-or-less means who make their pets' lives very happy while they are around, will go to great lengths and pull every social…