i ordered a book from Amazon. It’s called “One at a Time. A Week in an American Animal Shelter.” I couldn’t sleep, I read it cover to cover. I laughed at a few stories but cried, big wailing tears for many. The happy endings and the tragic ones. I was uncomfortable and a little sick to my stomach. This book ignited a passion in me, to try to make a difference.
I answered a call to foster a dog until it could be transported to a huge rescue event in New York. They would be taking 30-40 southern castaways to this event but all dogs had to be out of the shelter for 2 weeks prior to transport. I remember walking through the shelter that first time, seeing the eyes looking up at me, some confused, some happy to see a person and even some broken souls. I picked this sweet little rat terrier boy and called him Buddy. He was a perfect dog and I loved him. When I put him on the transport I cried like I’d lost part of my heart. Buddy found a loving forever home. His family emailed me their joy in finding him.... and a few weeks ago, after almost 10 years they emailed again to let me know that their sweet guy had completed his journey here on the physical plain and had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. They included photos of through the years. Each one showed Buddy, as an obviously beloved pet. Buddy opened the food to hundreds of fosters over the years. I’ve cried buckets of tears in goodbyes.
Fostering wasn't enough for me, and I found a calling in “fospice”. Fostering hospice dogs. My belief remains that after a lifetime of loyalty, out pets should not pass alone and scared in an animal shelter, they deserve to have tears she’d over them, and I’ve never let them down. I’ve lost track of the number of fospice kids I had. Some only a few days before it was time to go, and others I had years. Each one treated as if they had been mine their entire lives.
I rarely say no. I do everything I can to help make the lives of shelter animals better. It gives me s reason to wake up every morning. It’s not always easy and there are days when I cannot bear to see one more sad set of eyes pleading. I can’t save them all, but I focus on the ones I can help.
Find your passion and tumble full speed ahead to follow it.... never look back, no regrets.
