INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Recognizing abuse is not always easy. Aggressive, timid, or skittish behavior can be but is not always an indicator of abuse. The best way, according to ASPCA's experts, is to observe animal’s treatment by its owner and its surrounding environment. Examples of typical abuse include.  Physical signs of cruelty  Wounds on the body or signs of injury not being treated Patches of missing fur/hair. Limping, weakness, or the inability to stand or walk normally An owner striking or otherwise abusing an animal Overly tight collar embedded in the animal's neck Visible signs of confusion or extreme drowsiness   Environmental signs of abuse  Pets that are left repeatedly alone without food/water, often chained Pets that are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions Pets kept in an unsanitary enclosure Animals kept in cages or kennels that are either overly crowded or too small   Signs of neglect  Tick or flea infestations left untreated Extremely thin/starving animals Signs of inadequate grooming, poor coat condition, extremely long nails Heavy discharge from eyes or nose Animals that show signs of injury but have not been taken to a veterinarian Every locality has different laws or agencies that deal with animal abuse. Do some research online or simply in the telephone book to find some of your options. You may also contact your own veterinarian to find out what agencies are available in your area.  Some examples to look for:  Local police. Either call the main non-emergency desk number or find out if there is a separate animal control officer. Do not call the emergency 9-1-1 number unless there is an actual emergency. Your county District Attorney’s office. You will often find there is a special department assigned to crimes against animals.  Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). This is a national organization, but there are state branches that include the name (and initial) of the state:  MSPCA – Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals  NJSPCA – New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Check the Internet for your state or local branch of the SPCA.   Humane Society Other online sources – just do a general search online for “Animal abuse in [your state].” This should give you plenty of options. If possible, try to get photographic, video, or other recorded evidence of the abuse happening. If you can, try getting written/factual statements from other witnesses. If not, write down everything you know, witnessed, or think you know about the abuse. Concise/factual details/dates will be valuable. Be careful not to put yourself in danger or break any laws. You should not trespass or enter another's property without permission. Not only is this illegal but you could assume that the owner who is committing the abuse could be just as dangerous toward you as he or she is to the animals.

SUMMARY: Be aware of possible signs of abuse. Research local animal care agencies. Collect evidence.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: One criteria often used to judge "leagues" is a person's monetary worth. Of course, plenty of poorer people date richer people, but more often than not, people tend to date and marry within their social or economic class. Therefore, if she has a lot more money than you do, she may decide you're not in her league.  Use visual clues to help you decide her socio-economic status. If she's wearing designer clothes, expensive jewelry, and a high-end handbag, those are good indicators she has some money. If you know the woman, think about the people she's dated in the past. Has she dated people who had a significantly different income than she did? That can also help you judge. That doesn't mean you shouldn't approach her if you think she's richer than you. For one, she may have just figured out how to appear richer than she is. For another, you should let her decide what makes you in or out of her league. Another criteria that people use to judge "leagues" is looks. For example, if she is much more conventionally attractive than you are, she may consider herself out of your league. Just like economics, people often tend to end up with people who are similar to themselves as far as attractiveness goes.  You may find it easier to judge her looks than your own. However, to truly gauge whether you are in her league, you need to be honest about your own looks. Are you just an average-looking person, while she's got exceptionally good looks? Then she may be out of your league. If you're not sure how to judge your looks, ask a good friend to help you figure it out, someone who will be brutally honest with you. Just be sure you can take it. Even if you're average or below-average in the looks department, you still shouldn't count yourself out. Let her do that for you after you approach her. Plus, she could come to find you more attractive over time if she enjoys your personality. In addition, education and intelligence is another important part of considering if someone is out of your "league." In other words, if she has a doctorate and you barely finished high school, that may not be a good match because you may not have the same pursuits. Of course, education and intelligence are not the same thing. You can be incredibly intelligent and only have a GED. Nonetheless, if she's smart and sharp, she's going to probably want someone who can keep up with her. If she's very into healthiness and you're not, that could be a barrier. You should be able to tell on some level. If she's muscular or is obviously abstaining from unhealthy foods, that's a good indicator that a healthy lifestyle is important to her. It's not that you are less worthy if you don't enjoy the same type of lifestyle. It's just that you may find that your two lifestyles aren't compatible. While having different beliefs from someone doesn't constitute a "league," it is an important part of attraction and connection. In other words, if she's religious and you're not, that could be a significant barrier.  Other barriers could include the issue of marriage (Do you both want it?) and kids (Yes or no?). You may also have issues based on what kind of life you want. For instance, if she wants a fast-paced urban life but you prefer suburbia, then you may not be compatible. Money, looks, education, and social status do obviously play a role in choosing a mate. However, many other factors can make you more attractive to a woman, including being a competent person or having a warm personality. In other words, don't dismiss your other good qualities just because you've judged her to be "ahead" of you in certain areas.

SUMMARY:
Consider economics. Think about her looks. Check educational level. Pay attention to her fitness level. Consider religion and lifestyle factors. Remember it's not all about leagues.