Wisconsin Humane Society Director Anne Reed introducing me.

Had a great crowd at the Wisconsin Humane Society and I told them at the beginning that although the loss of animals is sad, I am not into being depressing and so we were sad sometimes,and we laughed a lot, celebrating our love for animals, and the bittersweet process it as, as the animal we love don’t live as long as we do.

We talked about empowering tools, things that work in easing grief, how to talk to children about it, and  bout guilt. Nobody cried during this talk, which was a milestone achievement for me and the first time this happened. Wisconsin is different than when I last came here, the state and the city are rocked, ripped up by the bitter political battle between teachers and unions and the Governor earlier this year.

Feels like scars everywhere, lot of anger, talk of revenge..

One reason people love dogs and cats so much, I said, is that our collective space – our civic life – is polluted by anger, fear and greed. A lot of nodding heads. And the people of Wisconsin talked a lot bout my blog, and about the donkeys and dogs.  I thank them for that. And they bought a lot of books.

I can get some sleep tonight. Don’t have to get up to 5 and then can spend the day returning home, to my former girlfriend, who  I miss quite a lot, and who is getting ready for her art show. I feel like a proud and nervous Papa.

And as I am nodding off over the keyboard, time to say goodnight. I’m whupped. I’m eager to get back to the farm. Tour resumes next Tuesday In Massachusetts.