I fell in love over a hundred times this past week. How did that happen? By volunteering at an emergency animal shelter! I along with a dozen or so individuals spent the Thanksgiving holiday week caring for animals in a large warehouse that had been converted to a shelter now filled with rescued dogs saved from illegal dog-fighting and a rescue that became a deplorable hoarding case. As with any big shelter, the feeling of apprehension hits the moment you walk through the door: Will I be a help this week? Will I be able to physically do the work? Will I have no regrets that I had sacrificed a week of my life, and spent a week’s vacation, for this? The answer to this was a resounding emphatic “Yes”! Nine days later I feel on top of the world! Yes, my muscles were sore every night – thank God for Aleve, Tylenol and aspirin! Yes, it was tiring – I fell asleep by 8:30 every night including Friday and Saturday exhausted beyond what I could ever imagine. And yes, I cried – it’s hard to see a big beautiful animal, or somebody’s former pet, stuck in a 5 x 5 pen when it deserves so much more. It is also difficult to say goodbye especially when you don’t know if you’ll ever see any of these animals again or where they might end up. But it was all worth it and I would do it 10 times over again! How do you articulate to anyone what it feels like to walk into a pod and see the exuberant and happy faces of every canine barking to greet you? How do you describe to anyone about Billie and her amoeba-like body as she literally melts at the door into a big dog puddle when you try to take her into the exercise pen, or Bella, who ignores her coveted milkbone for a chance to nuzzle your hand? And there isn’t any way to convey Griffen’s expressive face and soft brown eyes that stare into yours when you kneel down to scratch his big beautiful head. Mercedes, Ranger, Apollo, Frisco, Polly, Ruby, Tammy, Sugar-Bear, Cocoa Puff…you all took a piece of my soul this week and you will be forever in my heart. I don’t know what will become of these incredible animals. But I do know that I cared for some of the nicest, smartest, creatures alive this past week. And these animals are looking for their forever home. And every one of these animals deserves a forever home. Having spent dozens of hours with these animals, I can say that any home that opens their doors to one of these creatures will be blessed and their lives will be better and richer for it. And there is so much love in these animals, that anyone adopting one of them will be changed forever. This holiday season, if you are looking for a new family member or companion, please contact a nearby shelter or rescue group and consider adopting one of their amazing animals. You will not be sorry. And even better - your life will be changed and enriched for it – yours, your families, and your new furry family member! xox
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:06:19 +0000
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