Animal Shelter Visit

I went a few weeks ago to take supplies and funds from Helping Paws. We took the supplies and monetary donations for the 37 rescued dogs (rescued from hoarder - you probably heard about it on the news). 

 

I met Shadow that day and her puppies had just been rescued but she was left behind. She was not one of the 37 - just a beautiful black dog that was not wanted. The visit and the truth of the fate of many of these animals  broke my heart. Yes I cried, but I learned respect and compassion for the shelter workers. They go into work every day, knowing that animals who they have cared for and loved may not be there the next day. I saw compassion and affection for each animal, so that the animals don't spend their days their (the last days for some of them) alone, without a friend.  I saw workers give that kind of love to Shadow, knowing that she may not be one of the lucky ones.They didn't ignore her; they talked to her and gave her compassion and affection. I don't know if I have the strength for that job.

 

It’s so hard not to be able to save every dog or cat or any animal in need. They need us more than we acknowledge most of the time.  It would be easier to turn our heads away so we don’t see and it doesn’t hurt. But that is not the call for me and it is not the answer. It's easy to say - 'you can't save them all'. I 've heard that too many times. The implication is 'so why try to save any?' or 'don't fret about saving one.' We can save some and we can at least help many. So as Winston Churchill said, never never never give up.  We CAN make a difference.

 

Many of us are turning our heads away because it's easier. I don't believe in easier. If I don't see it, it's still there. Mother Teresa said - "if you can't feed them all, feed one."  We can do that. We can help.

 

 Donate where you can to help these animals - Helping Paws Animal Network is one place that can always use help and the many shelters and/or rescues in your town are others. It's easy to find needs; it's harder to find the ways to meet those needs. If you don't know where to look, ask me or just plain look in the phone book for shelters and/or rescues. They are everywhere.