Post by funnel101 on Sept 24, 2014 15:20:53 GMT -4
When I was kid growing up with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had a best friend who wasn't human. Her name was Sugar, and she was my Siamese cat. I lost Sugar to kidney failure in 2008 and suddenly found myself full of love and time and no one to spend it on. It was then that I started volunteering with Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, a local non-profit no-kill animal rescue.
There's a misconception about being involved with an animal rescue that I'd like to dismiss. This misconception is that it's hard. Working with homeless animals, seeing the constant influx of pets who were once loved and now abandoned, always searching for the perfect home for an animal that might be--let's be honest--less than perfect. This sounds hard, doesn't it?
I'll admit that there are days when it's hard. Days when we lose an animal or have one returned from what we thought was its perfect home. Days when we wonder how we're even going to continue, how we can find the money necessary to give these animals what they need to find the homes they deserve.
But you know what would be harder, for me? Doing nothing.
Because these cats at the adoption center at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs are unbelievably wonderful. They make me feel like a rock star when I walk into the adoption center. They let me know each and every time I visit how much what I'm doing--even when it seems like it's so little!--matters to them. And when I happen to not be able to visit for a week or two? Wow do they let me know they missed me! And I miss them, too!
I wish everyone could come to know these cats like I do. If everyone who walked into our adoption center could see these cats the way I do, no one would ever leave without filling out an adoption application or volunteer form.
These cats make it easy for me to do whatever I can for them. Being involved in the lives of these cats has given me far more joy than heartache. Because my love for these cats is boundless, it gives me all the energy I need to make it through the hard times.
I know I'm needed. I know I'm loved. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be.
And that's why I'm supporting Chesapeake Cats and Dogs at this year's Best Friends "Strut Your Mutt". I can't exaggerate how important CCAD is to me. And CCAD needs your help to continue. Please consider sponsoring me for "Strut Your Mutt". I'd really appreciate it! Please click here to sponsor me or join CCAD's team: www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=23658
There's a misconception about being involved with an animal rescue that I'd like to dismiss. This misconception is that it's hard. Working with homeless animals, seeing the constant influx of pets who were once loved and now abandoned, always searching for the perfect home for an animal that might be--let's be honest--less than perfect. This sounds hard, doesn't it?
I'll admit that there are days when it's hard. Days when we lose an animal or have one returned from what we thought was its perfect home. Days when we wonder how we're even going to continue, how we can find the money necessary to give these animals what they need to find the homes they deserve.
But you know what would be harder, for me? Doing nothing.
Because these cats at the adoption center at Chesapeake Cats and Dogs are unbelievably wonderful. They make me feel like a rock star when I walk into the adoption center. They let me know each and every time I visit how much what I'm doing--even when it seems like it's so little!--matters to them. And when I happen to not be able to visit for a week or two? Wow do they let me know they missed me! And I miss them, too!
I wish everyone could come to know these cats like I do. If everyone who walked into our adoption center could see these cats the way I do, no one would ever leave without filling out an adoption application or volunteer form.
These cats make it easy for me to do whatever I can for them. Being involved in the lives of these cats has given me far more joy than heartache. Because my love for these cats is boundless, it gives me all the energy I need to make it through the hard times.
I know I'm needed. I know I'm loved. I know I'm where I'm supposed to be.
And that's why I'm supporting Chesapeake Cats and Dogs at this year's Best Friends "Strut Your Mutt". I can't exaggerate how important CCAD is to me. And CCAD needs your help to continue. Please consider sponsoring me for "Strut Your Mutt". I'd really appreciate it! Please click here to sponsor me or join CCAD's team: www.strutyourmutt.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=23658