Proubasta Reader: My 2012 Christmas Gift

Christopher Liner, a gem of a scholar and a gentleman, came up with the perfect Christmas gift for someone who has everything. This pretty much describes most people in developed economies. Homes are chockfull of stuff, half of it unnecessary. Does anyone need more clothes, gadgets, accessories made in China or Honduras, really!?

Meanwhile, out in the mean streets and fields there are those who have nothing but fear and bad prospects ... Dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, farm animals, and the few brave, ethical people who try to help them. But nothing happens without money.

Therefore, the agonizing exercise of “shopping” for presents can be as simple as finding out whether the intended recipient has a charity or a cause. Even if it doesn’t involve animals -- which would be weird -- consider a donation or the dues for a membership in his name in a related organization. It’s original, socially responsible, on target regarding the other person’s preferences, and tax deductible.

Wisely, Chris contacted the Humane Society of the Ozarks (HSO) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where we are living since September 2012. One of their fundraisers consists of publishing an annual photographic collection bound into a slick album, “Tails of Love.” He wanted to purchase two facing pages memorializing Farhaan (bio in this blog) and Magnus (story soon-come). But because he had been traveling extensively he had missed the deadline for insertion of a page, let alone two.

“We’ll miss the print deadline” ... "Facing pages is impossible” ... “Who does this Liner think he is!” .... But animal people are desperate people and will do anything for a donation that goes to feed, heal, shelter, and otherwise keep animals alive. And so, in a feat of industry and creativity, Julian and Lori, the 2012 HSO photo album production team, re-made the layout ... just in time.

Thank you Chris for contributing to HSO, and thank you Ruben and JoAnn Liner for donating to ASPCA in my honor. A 1963 Studebaker Avanti would have also made me immensely happy, but it would be just more “stuff” after all. You gave me breathing, feeling, pulsating life instead.