Its Make a Difference Monday! Todays story comes from Humanitys Teammate, Jan Scarbrough. Although I have rescued numerous animals throughout my lifetime, I officially became involved in rescue work in 2006 when I joined English Springer Rescue America (ESRA) as a volunteer and began fostering dogs for them. My third foster was an 11 year old male that was relinquished to ESRA when his elderly owner had to move into an assisted living facility and none of her family members were able to take him. The situation was heartbreaking for the woman, the dog and for those of us working with them. Joey was the catalyst into what became sort of my niche with the ESRA-Michigan group...fostering the elderly and the sick. Dogs, cats, horses and other pets surrendered to organizations like ESRA are not the only ones in need. Since moving to Kansas I have done some volunteer work with the local animal shelter. I am continually amazed, and appalled, at the number of “owner surrenders” in shelters because the dog or cat is now old and the family no longer wants it. Or worse yet, the old and sick animals that are dumped on the streets or country roads to fend for themselves until they are picked up by animal control, a well-meaning person...or until they die alone and afraid. Working with Joey and my other elderly and sick fosters stirred in me a deep longing to help provide care and a loving home for these old folks whose lives were suddenly turned upside down due to no fault of their own. Most will never find an adoptive home due to their age and/or illness. For the most part people dont want to lay their hearts wide open for the inevitable heartbreak that accompanies adopting or even fostering these animals. The work with these elderly animals can be heartbreaking, but to me the rewards far outweigh the heartbreak. You know from the way these animals look at you, the way they lean into you, that they know you have saved them, know that you love them even with all of their problems. They know you will care for them until the time comes to help them die with dignity, being held in loving arms. For years I have thought it would be wonderful to have special facilities for these animals, an animal hospice of sorts. Several now exist, but not enough to meet the growing need, and unfortunately they are limited by size, location and funding, just as are most charitable organizations. Im a firm believer in the quote of Sydney Jeanne Seward, Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.” I have been so very blessed with many senior and/or gravely ill dogs, cats, horses, rabbits (and even a goat!) that have shared the end of their life’s journey with me. Many people say to me, “I don’t know how you do it.” My response? “How can I not do it?!” (Jan fostered the pictured dogs until they crossed over.) -------------- If you have a story to share or you see someone else making a difference, please write us (and send pictures if you have them) to [email protected]. Please try to go out into your community and try to make a difference today (or any day)! Pass out blankets to the homeless, volunteer in an elderly center or an orphanage, collect food for your local shelter, hand out water bottles to the thirsty, give out coats or blankets to those living on the streets, give someone a prepaid phone card ~ the possibilities are endless.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:53:57 +0000
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