changing the animal world

One of my weaknesses is the unconditional love and affection we get from our animal friends. And what do we give in return? Often times neglect and abuse. It's this type of story that turns my stomach. If there's a news broadcast on about dog fighting, abusive owners, abandoned dogs, I have to put my fingers in my ears and do the ya da ya da la la la song. Don't even show me a stranded dog on an ice flow or one that has fallen through the ice and is struggling to stay afloat. I don't want to see it and I don't want to hear it.

Our own Sadie came from the pound, horribly abused. We didn't recognize abuse during our visits, nor were the employees aware of it. If I could describe the look we saw in her eyes, it was death, a blackness that just tore at the strings of your heart. Today, over a year later, she still has symptoms of abuse and we wonder if she'll ever heal completely. It breaks our heart to think that someone could have been so abusive towards such a sweet thing. But she's come a long ways in the past year and we know, without a doubt, that she's happy and content in her new life.

As an animal lover, I feel there's so much more I should be doing. But how do you choose from all the organizations out there that need our help? How can I spread my limited resources for the good of many? This week I've found a couple new sites that need some help.

Previously I've mentioned about my sister's rescue attempts. They've now rescued over 700 dogs and cats! In just over a year's time. Rescued Paws is a non-profit corporation in the State of Washington, with a 501(c)3 designation from the I.R.S. Most important, they are a no-kill organization. Rescued Paws is run entirely by volunteers; volunteers who work long, hard hours, seven days a week. They do not have a physical location where they board the animals; the animals are fostered in real homes with real people until they find their forever home. All donations are used for the care and treatment of the animals. If you ever have an extra $15, you might consider helping them out. They accept PayPal.

Recently I found a site that gives us yet another opportunity to help our precious animal community. The Animal Rescue Site provides food for unwanted animals in shelters. Each "click" on the purple "Click Here To give--it's FREE" button provides food and care for rescued animals. Funding for the food and care is paid for by site sponsors. It doesn't get much simpler than a click and it doesn't cost you a dime. Please make this a regular visit.

I also just found A Place to Bark and, like so many rescues, Bernie needs our help. Like Rescued Paws, Bernie runs and operates a no-kill facility and is dependent upon donations from the community so she can continue helping these poor little guys. She's presently trying to qualify for a $50,000 grant and needs volume of people to help. So why not take a minute to check out her story and if so inclined, give a $10 donation (PayPal) to help her realize her dream.

It's been on my mind a lot lately, how I can help more dogs and cats. There's just so many opportunities; how do you pick and choose? My mission this year is to start using more products that aren't tested on animals. Here's a few products that I've switched to: Mary Kay for beauty products, The Body Shop for body lotions, Paul Mitchell for shampoo. As the need arises, I'll search out other products to use.

If you're in search of a cause, or just have a kind heart, why not check out these links and do your good deed for the day.

"What I do, you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can do small things, with great love and together we can do something wonderful." --Mother Teresa