Howie Helps Small Businesses Grow

The summation of this proposal is that I need you to do what you used as your seven-second job description: "You help small businesses to grow by doing the things they don't know how to do, or don't have time to do." My feeble attempt to put the pictures in my head into written form below further illustrates my need for you.

Time Line:

From 1983 till 1993 100% of my attention was focused on growing the real estate business. From 1993-1997 I dropped to 25% attention on the real estate business and 75% attention to the hands-on care of the ever-growing population of cats. From mid 1997 (when Don disappeared) to 1998 I was scrambling to protect the business from an onslaught of people who were suing the estate claiming rights via Don's supposed promises to people claiming to be his illegitimate children wanting a cut. I fired three office staff (leaving no one) and took over the accounts receivable, accounts payable and all other administrative duties. The conservatorship refused to allow more than $125,000.00 to go to the care of the animals and all of my assets had been seized, so I had no way to meet the $399,000.00 budget.

In 1998 my mother agreed to give up her pension and run the daily operation of the real estate business. I slept for three days straight. From 1998 until 2002 I focused 80% of my attention on getting WildLife on Easy Street self sufficient, 10% on the real estate business and 10% on protecting the assets in the estate and trying to free those that had been mine before the marriage.

In the aftermath of 9/11/01 I realized that all I had done to establish financial security for WildLife on Easy Street could literally go up in smoke with the collapse of the twin towers. My real estate business was successful because it was recession proof and WOES needed that same security. I hired the ICC to show me how. I've found the process beneficial because it's caused me to take a more organized look at things, but as yet, it hasn't produced any tangible benefit to WildLife on Easy Street. The only revelation has been that ultimately WildLife on Easy Street depends on my real estate business.

Where I am: I am now in a time of transitioning. I am trying to divide my attention equally between WildLife on Easy Street and the real estate business, but sense that I am only being half effective in either endeavor. That is causing a tremendous amount of stress because I refuse to fail, even if I knock myself out trying.

It took me 20 years to learn the real estate market and I am still learning every day. Evaluating potential deals is what consumes so much of my time and yet is the hardest thing to train someone else to do because it's based largely on experience. Anyone good at it doesn't need to work for me.

The same is true of the refuge. Anyone who has mastered the art of appealing to the public to support animals is probably up to their eyeballs with their own commitments. Anyone who has been exposed to the larger picture has come to realize that sweeping social change will not likely come about by the efforts of one sanctuary, no matter how well intentioned.

My life is not justified by saving 200 animals. It wouldn't be by saving 2000. There isn't a number that quantifies success. I have been too richly blessed (with you, with a loving family and with supportive volunteers) to leave this planet without affecting the greatest shift in perception that I am capable of achieving.

Where I want to be: I want to see an attitude of compassion and responsibility. I want to see people treating each other and all life forms with respect. Everything else will follow. Many may find that desire to be naïve, but I believe it's possible. I'm willing to be patient, because I know it won't happen overnight. I know it means starting locally and it will gain momentum, one community at a time. The biggest problem with animal advocates is that they have turned to animals because they cannot deal with other humans. WildLife on Easy Street stands alone in the animal community as a group that not only works well together, but also assists other "competing" groups. Seeing this shift in attitudes encourages me to take it further.

I can see a world where a vast majority will come to know that we are all ONE.

How I plan to get there: Much like your attitude toward love, I believe that actions speak louder than words. I lead by example. When other people see you take a leap of faith, and come away better for it, they are much more likely to follow suit. They have to see the benefit in doing something outside their comfort zone before they are willing to get involved. I plan to form strong alliances with people and groups that are already moving in the right direction to enhance the work that others have already set in motion.

I want to be certified by the AZA (American Zoological Association) because they are the most powerful group in the animal industry. They don't want to over breed each year, but are financially forced to compete with roadside zoos that offer cute and cuddly cubs. They are driving much of the legislation that is aimed at eliminating private breeders. They are well funded, well respected and are doing a lot to improve the situation. Unfortunately, they are motivated by money and prestige and often sacrifice the animals in order to achieve their goals, so it has been my desire to infiltrate the system with attitudes of compassion. Getting volunteers we trained into their paid positions is a step in that direction.

I want to learn the law making system and use it to promote kindness. The U.K. is an established and effective model of the success achieved through outlawing the ownership of exotic animals. It's not allowed there and they don't have tigers languishing in basements, children being mauled or any of the other horrific scenes that we are exposed to daily by our "freedom".

Ultimately, I would like to see hunting outlawed. There is no excuse for it in today's world and it only encourages a separation of "us" and "them". How can we expect a child, who grows up with such a concept of acceptable killing, not to see himself as superior to others, including his fellow man?

Why I need you:

Name one man who is more loving, giving, nurturing, encouraging or compassionate than you. Name one person less likely to take advantage of me. Add to that your note in your diary where you said that the first time you felt a real purpose in your life was in making me happy. (You told me that. I wasn't peeking) When I asked what you most wanted to do you said that the things you found most fulfilling were in building relationships, mentoring and motivating others to work hard and enjoy it, and organizing and writing in a convincing way. What better opportunity than this to do what you do best?

You are strongest in areas where I am weakest. I could name all of those for you, but you can see it. Besides passion and peace you bring balance to my life. I don't believe anything is coincidental. There is a reason we have come together and I believe it is to enable us to reach our fullest potential.

As I see it, this is pretty risk free for you. I am not expecting you to change the world. I only need someone who is supportive of my efforts. If I fail, I have failed because of my own inability, which is no reflection on you as my choice of partners, because I already realize that there is no one better suited for this task than you. I don't expect to live long enough to see the ultimate fruit of this labor, so success is measured in the little improvements along the way. There is no dead line. There is no fear of failure.

It seems the only issue left is how can you be fairly compensated for your efforts? This proposal started out as being merely a business proposition, but as I worked my way through it, I became increasingly aware that I was ready to make it more. You just came in and "interrupted" me with a wonderful afternoon of delight. I am still aglow and now I cannot resist the urge to speak my heart. I want to marry you and share all that I have with you. I know that you are the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. I have no doubt. No reservation. But I know that you do, and I am willing to wait as long as it takes. There is no need for us to talk about this until you are ready. Eventually you will find me irresistible, so I feel that whatever you cost me in billed hours in the interim is truly building toward our future and thus a good investment on my part. ;-)

I believe you may have sensed how I feel about you, and because of that I hesitated to say it out loud for fear of causing you discomfort. On the other hand, I often assume people know what I'm thinking, and don't say the things I should. It is not my intent to rush you, nor to put any sort of pressure on you. When you are ready, you will know. Love, Carole

Email from Trundy Stairs (my sister in law) to Carole:

Dear Carole: I have an hour before my next PE class, so i usually come up to the library and read or check email, etc. Chuck is doing a hundred errands today so he hasn't seen your email yet. However, I have the librarian asking me if I am ok because I am blubbering after reading your proposal. We too, really like Howie (KIDS included), and felt out of everyone we had met, that this is the first truly kind soul you have brought to meet us.

I wanted to write to you because I have also married a truly kind soul, and I want you to know what you have in store for you. My husband wakes up with a smile on his face, and in his heart. He quietly gets out of bed and starts coffee, while I take the 5 extra minutes to pull myself from his warm spot he has left. We get the kids ready for school, and then we get so excited because we get to be alone for a couple of hours before I go to work. He is patient with me, with my family, with the kids, with mean people, with cruel people, and I am in awe of him. He controls his temper, and no matter who it is, he find something nice to say about that person.

He is a leader, and I have no worries of someone not going to work, or not paying the bills, or looking for a younger model of wife. He treats me with respect, gentleness, passion, and true love like I have never known. He is a man that I would give my life for in a second because he is good. Good. Not alot of people are good. So, when you find a good, kind, gentle, and sincere man, do what I did, marry him, and be happy. Appreciate his gentleness and goodness even if you don't understand it at times. I think the hardest thing for me about living with Chuck is hearing anyone say anything negative about him. I cannot tolerate it. He is too good, generous, kind, loving, and forgiving for anyone to say any thing but that he is a rare find in this world. You are truly blessed, as I am, to find such a man. I am thrilled for you, and pray that Howie realizes the rare jewel he has found in you also. I pray for happy endings, and for appreciative hearts, and for God's great blessings! Congratulations! We are happy! love, c & t

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 and is my opinion.