Someone wrote to us recently about a dog she takes to nursing homes and hospice facilities. This is a rescued dog who was thrown away by humans and left to fend for herself in a hostile world.
Did this dog become wary of people? Did it take awhile for the dog to learn to trust and love humans? The letter-writer didn't say.
But instead of harboring resentment and living in the past, the dog now brings comfort to people who are suffering and in pain. She does this naturally without expecting a return. Like so many other dogs, she's a master at selfless giving and unconditional love.
The woman mentioned that her dog had not revived anyone from a coma or done some dramatic act of heroism. This had led her to believe her dog didn't have a story she could tell.
We wrote back and encouraged her to write the dog's story. The process of writing would reveal to her how extraordinary her pet really is.
Many people write about their pets after they have died. How about writing now, while you have the gift of looking into their eyes and expressing your gratitude? It will be a way to honor and appreciate your pet here, now, in the moment.
And by the way, post your story on the blogs or email them to us. We'd love to read your stories, the ones that aren't about "Lassie" saving the day, and possibly sharing them with others.
What about your pet? Could you write a story that chronicles the unique spirit and the blessings your dog, cat, bird, horse, rabbit, reptile, or whatever has brought into your life?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CASSIE, THE CAT WITH THE EYES OF SOUL by Barbara McGrady
My husband Terry and I were sitting at our vet's office waiting for our turn for the vet to look at Van Gogh, a cat we rescued from the fairgrounds three years ago. He has a chronic problem with feline blistering disease (an autoimmune problem).
While we were there, a young woman walked in with a little cat clutched close to her breast. There was also an older woman and a really cute, talkative little boy who was about three years old. They stood at the counter for a considerable length of time, waiting for the receptionist to return. She was in the back checking on another animal's test results for someone on the telephone.
During their wait, the little boy struck up a conversation with Terry and me. The boy said they had two cats, but one was run over, and now they have one. He believed that cats belong outside, not inside, and that one cat was plenty.
Listening to the boy reminded me of just how much of "us" is reflected in our children. I continued to listen, all the while, watching the reactions of the two adults who accompanied him.
The younger woman, who was holding the cat, had a strange, cold, emotionless look on her face. She would not make eye contact with me, even when I asked, "So why do you have a sweater on your cat? What is wrong with her today?"
She stared off into space and in a barely audible voice said, "She's got bad sores on her neck." I still didn't understand the sweater.
I heard the younger woman say "Mom" to the older woman with her. The little boy must have been the older woman's grandson, as he called her Grandma. The woman holding the cat was the little boy's aunt. The grandma seemed annoyed that it was taking so long, as she tapped her foot continually against the floor.
The receptionist came back to the counter, and I strained to hear the muffled voice of the woman holding the cat. She said to the receptionist, "We need to have her put to sleep."
The receptionist began filling out the papers and looked a little perplexed. Even though people working at a vet's office deal with this sort of situation everyday, I bet it never becomes easy for them.
The cat was young, a dilute tortie. Her eyes were clear and defined. She made direct eye contact with me, while I sat on the bench, waiting for our turn. Without hesitation, I stood up and walked very close to the women and said in a low voice, "If finances are a problem, our organization can help."
The older woman said, "Well, finances are only part of the problem. Our apartment manager won't allow more than one pet, and we just got a dog."
I looked into her daughter's eyes as she held the cat and said, "What about you? Do you want us to save your cat?"
The young woman said, with tight lips, that it was up to her mother. So I turned back to the mother and said, "We will take over total responsibility for this cat if you will allow us to do so. We will pay for all medical expenses and find her a loving home. If you decide to put her to sleep, you certainly can. She is your cat, after all. The decision is yours."
I looked into the daughter's eyes and for the first time, saw a spark of life. She had seemed as if she were in a zombie-like state. The frown lines on her forehead now eased, as she faintly smiled.
The mother was realizing, I think, that she would be saving the euthanasia charges and said, "Well, I guess that would be better than putting her to sleep."
When I looked up, my husband and Van Gogh were gone. They had been called into the exam room without my knowing. As I hurried away I said, "Don't worry, I promise we will place your kitty in only the best of homes."
Van Gogh's exam took an unusually long time, as there were many possible treatments for his autoimmune problem. When the exam was over, Terry walked out into the waiting room with Van. I was packing up things we had brought with our cat when I heard a sound, looked up, and saw the young woman approaching me.
Tears streamed down her face as she said, "I wanted to wait to be able to tell you how happy you made me just now. I didn't want my cat to die. She was fine until my mom got a dog. I think she has really bad fleas from the dog going in and out, so I made her the sweater to try to keep her from scratching. I really love her and want to thank you for saving her life."
A lot became obvious to me just then. I hugged the woman with all my might and told her that I didn't offer to save the cat JUST for the cat's sake but also for her sake. I told her that I somehow sensed her pain and knew she was hurting very badly. I looked her in the eyes and said, "Hey, Happy New Year. We'll take good care of your cat. I promise."
For the next week, we boarded the cat, whose name is Cassie. She received all of her first shots but could not be spayed until her sores were healed. She had a horrible case of fleas and had an allergic reaction to their bites. She received an injection to help her heal and can be spayed in the near future.
Cassie quickly showed us that she is a sweetheart with a splendid personality. I visited her and watched her personality slowly unfold. The girls at the vet's office worked with her to calm her down. They said she was a little nasty the first few days. She was afraid of being put into a cage without knowing what was going to happen to her. You see, she had no idea exactly what was in store for her. Actually, neither did I.
Our Society for the Protection of Animals, is a very small, nonprofit, animal welfare organization with limited funds. Very limited funds. But my inner voice SHOUTED to me that day that this kitten was intended to live, and I was the one intended to see that she did.
We rarely get a call from anyone interested in adopting an adult cat. But three days ago a woman from our local health food store called to say she was divorced, had moved into a new apartment, and was looking for a loving cat to sit on her lap and keep her company.
Sometimes things seem to happen in a synchronistic way. I don't claim to understand it. Since I've begun doing animal rescue, I've seen it again and again and realize what a blessing it is to serve these sometimes-unappreciated creatures.
I picked Cassie up at noon from the vet's and took her to her new home. Jeannie was waiting for us at the front door. I walked into her apartment and felt an incredible sense of peace. I sat Cassie down on Jeannie's floor and expected her to bolt and hide under a sofa somewhere, as most cats and kittens do when first introduced to new surroundings. But that isn't what happened.
Cassie looked around and actually seemed to have an expression of delight on her sweet little feline face. She slowly and confidently walked from room to room, rubbing the sides of her mouth on every object that she could as she walked by. She looked at her brand new litter box as if to say, "Don't worry. I know what that is for."
Jeannie called her over, and Cassie made her way directly, swinging her bottom as she walked as if she really were somebody now. Tears welled in my eyes to see that her personality had remained intact. Looking at her now, no one could have known that she had just recently been within seconds of a certain death. "Of course, I knew I would be rescued by someone!" she seemed to be saying.
Cassie will serve a purpose now as a lifetime companion to this lovely woman from the health food store, who is starting a new life in a new apartment. My guess is these two will become best friends.
You know, I will never forget the look in this kitty's eyes, when she looked back at me at the receptionist's counter. We were her last hope. If, as I've always heard, the eyes are mirrors to the soul, Cassie reflected something to me that day -- a vision of the commonality of spirit of all living beings.
Seize the day. God is compassionate.
BIO:
Barbara McGrady is founder and executive director of the Society for the Protection of Animals, Inc., www.spaohio.org., a nonprofit organization in Fremont, Ohio which gratefully accepts donations.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Have you ever listened to your inner voice in regard to an animal's welfare?
While we were there, a young woman walked in with a little cat clutched close to her breast. There was also an older woman and a really cute, talkative little boy who was about three years old. They stood at the counter for a considerable length of time, waiting for the receptionist to return. She was in the back checking on another animal's test results for someone on the telephone.
During their wait, the little boy struck up a conversation with Terry and me. The boy said they had two cats, but one was run over, and now they have one. He believed that cats belong outside, not inside, and that one cat was plenty.
Listening to the boy reminded me of just how much of "us" is reflected in our children. I continued to listen, all the while, watching the reactions of the two adults who accompanied him.
The younger woman, who was holding the cat, had a strange, cold, emotionless look on her face. She would not make eye contact with me, even when I asked, "So why do you have a sweater on your cat? What is wrong with her today?"
She stared off into space and in a barely audible voice said, "She's got bad sores on her neck." I still didn't understand the sweater.
I heard the younger woman say "Mom" to the older woman with her. The little boy must have been the older woman's grandson, as he called her Grandma. The woman holding the cat was the little boy's aunt. The grandma seemed annoyed that it was taking so long, as she tapped her foot continually against the floor.
The receptionist came back to the counter, and I strained to hear the muffled voice of the woman holding the cat. She said to the receptionist, "We need to have her put to sleep."
The receptionist began filling out the papers and looked a little perplexed. Even though people working at a vet's office deal with this sort of situation everyday, I bet it never becomes easy for them.
The cat was young, a dilute tortie. Her eyes were clear and defined. She made direct eye contact with me, while I sat on the bench, waiting for our turn. Without hesitation, I stood up and walked very close to the women and said in a low voice, "If finances are a problem, our organization can help."
The older woman said, "Well, finances are only part of the problem. Our apartment manager won't allow more than one pet, and we just got a dog."
I looked into her daughter's eyes as she held the cat and said, "What about you? Do you want us to save your cat?"
The young woman said, with tight lips, that it was up to her mother. So I turned back to the mother and said, "We will take over total responsibility for this cat if you will allow us to do so. We will pay for all medical expenses and find her a loving home. If you decide to put her to sleep, you certainly can. She is your cat, after all. The decision is yours."
I looked into the daughter's eyes and for the first time, saw a spark of life. She had seemed as if she were in a zombie-like state. The frown lines on her forehead now eased, as she faintly smiled.
The mother was realizing, I think, that she would be saving the euthanasia charges and said, "Well, I guess that would be better than putting her to sleep."
When I looked up, my husband and Van Gogh were gone. They had been called into the exam room without my knowing. As I hurried away I said, "Don't worry, I promise we will place your kitty in only the best of homes."
Van Gogh's exam took an unusually long time, as there were many possible treatments for his autoimmune problem. When the exam was over, Terry walked out into the waiting room with Van. I was packing up things we had brought with our cat when I heard a sound, looked up, and saw the young woman approaching me.
Tears streamed down her face as she said, "I wanted to wait to be able to tell you how happy you made me just now. I didn't want my cat to die. She was fine until my mom got a dog. I think she has really bad fleas from the dog going in and out, so I made her the sweater to try to keep her from scratching. I really love her and want to thank you for saving her life."
A lot became obvious to me just then. I hugged the woman with all my might and told her that I didn't offer to save the cat JUST for the cat's sake but also for her sake. I told her that I somehow sensed her pain and knew she was hurting very badly. I looked her in the eyes and said, "Hey, Happy New Year. We'll take good care of your cat. I promise."
For the next week, we boarded the cat, whose name is Cassie. She received all of her first shots but could not be spayed until her sores were healed. She had a horrible case of fleas and had an allergic reaction to their bites. She received an injection to help her heal and can be spayed in the near future.
Cassie quickly showed us that she is a sweetheart with a splendid personality. I visited her and watched her personality slowly unfold. The girls at the vet's office worked with her to calm her down. They said she was a little nasty the first few days. She was afraid of being put into a cage without knowing what was going to happen to her. You see, she had no idea exactly what was in store for her. Actually, neither did I.
Our Society for the Protection of Animals, is a very small, nonprofit, animal welfare organization with limited funds. Very limited funds. But my inner voice SHOUTED to me that day that this kitten was intended to live, and I was the one intended to see that she did.
We rarely get a call from anyone interested in adopting an adult cat. But three days ago a woman from our local health food store called to say she was divorced, had moved into a new apartment, and was looking for a loving cat to sit on her lap and keep her company.
Sometimes things seem to happen in a synchronistic way. I don't claim to understand it. Since I've begun doing animal rescue, I've seen it again and again and realize what a blessing it is to serve these sometimes-unappreciated creatures.
I picked Cassie up at noon from the vet's and took her to her new home. Jeannie was waiting for us at the front door. I walked into her apartment and felt an incredible sense of peace. I sat Cassie down on Jeannie's floor and expected her to bolt and hide under a sofa somewhere, as most cats and kittens do when first introduced to new surroundings. But that isn't what happened.
Cassie looked around and actually seemed to have an expression of delight on her sweet little feline face. She slowly and confidently walked from room to room, rubbing the sides of her mouth on every object that she could as she walked by. She looked at her brand new litter box as if to say, "Don't worry. I know what that is for."
Jeannie called her over, and Cassie made her way directly, swinging her bottom as she walked as if she really were somebody now. Tears welled in my eyes to see that her personality had remained intact. Looking at her now, no one could have known that she had just recently been within seconds of a certain death. "Of course, I knew I would be rescued by someone!" she seemed to be saying.
Cassie will serve a purpose now as a lifetime companion to this lovely woman from the health food store, who is starting a new life in a new apartment. My guess is these two will become best friends.
You know, I will never forget the look in this kitty's eyes, when she looked back at me at the receptionist's counter. We were her last hope. If, as I've always heard, the eyes are mirrors to the soul, Cassie reflected something to me that day -- a vision of the commonality of spirit of all living beings.
Seize the day. God is compassionate.
BIO:
Barbara McGrady is founder and executive director of the Society for the Protection of Animals, Inc., www.spaohio.org., a nonprofit organization in Fremont, Ohio which gratefully accepts donations.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Have you ever listened to your inner voice in regard to an animal's welfare?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Who Rules Your House?
Our dog Leaf is such an alpha guy that we started to think he was top dog in our home. But then, we began to notice signs that maybe this just isn't so.
Last week, Leaf was regularly following Linda upstairs to her office to sit in a comfy chair and snooze while she worked. Cuddles, our little black-and-white cat, also likes to keep an eye on things from her perch next to Linda's computer.
One day, when Linda was ready to go downstairs, Leaf and Cuddles stood at the top of the stairs to precede her. Leaf started to dart down the steps, but Cuddles was determined to teach him manners. "It's supposed to be ladies first," she seemed to say with a hiss, an upraised paw, and extended claws.
After she took a couple of swipes at the dog, he decided it was in his best interest to pay attention. He backed off and let her go ahead of him. From that day on, when the two of them leave upstairs with Linda, Leaf always lets Cuddles go first.
Okay, does that mean the cat is ruler of our house? We began to be more observant, trying to figure out who's in charge.
That's when we noticed that Leaf would be barking over nothing. He'd stand in the middle of the room, not looking out the window, with no one at the door, yet barking as if to ward off intruders. Before the barking outburst, our cockatiel Sunshine had been screeching. Was this a pattern?
Sure enough, we observed that every time Sunshine screeched over whatever only he could see or hear, Leaf followed the bird's command and began to bark.
Okay, does that mean the bird rules our house?
We affectionately call Leaf "Alpha Dog of the World," because he tends to corral all the dogs at doggy day care and prompt them for when and what to play. Now we may have to amend his title into "Alpha Dog of the World Outside Our Home."
Who sets the pace where you live?
Last week, Leaf was regularly following Linda upstairs to her office to sit in a comfy chair and snooze while she worked. Cuddles, our little black-and-white cat, also likes to keep an eye on things from her perch next to Linda's computer.
One day, when Linda was ready to go downstairs, Leaf and Cuddles stood at the top of the stairs to precede her. Leaf started to dart down the steps, but Cuddles was determined to teach him manners. "It's supposed to be ladies first," she seemed to say with a hiss, an upraised paw, and extended claws.
After she took a couple of swipes at the dog, he decided it was in his best interest to pay attention. He backed off and let her go ahead of him. From that day on, when the two of them leave upstairs with Linda, Leaf always lets Cuddles go first.
Okay, does that mean the cat is ruler of our house? We began to be more observant, trying to figure out who's in charge.
That's when we noticed that Leaf would be barking over nothing. He'd stand in the middle of the room, not looking out the window, with no one at the door, yet barking as if to ward off intruders. Before the barking outburst, our cockatiel Sunshine had been screeching. Was this a pattern?
Sure enough, we observed that every time Sunshine screeched over whatever only he could see or hear, Leaf followed the bird's command and began to bark.
Okay, does that mean the bird rules our house?
We affectionately call Leaf "Alpha Dog of the World," because he tends to corral all the dogs at doggy day care and prompt them for when and what to play. Now we may have to amend his title into "Alpha Dog of the World Outside Our Home."
Who sets the pace where you live?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Animal Heroes
Recently when a Phoenix dispatcher heard barking on the phone, he had no idea that a German shepherd named Buddy was attempting to save Joe Stainaker's life. The dog had been trained call 911 if Joe had a seizure. And that's what Buddy did. His distress call was just what the doctor ordered.
Most animal hero stories are not quite as dramatic as Buddy's and Joe's, but time and again animals rescue people. Now, as it happened following previous natural disasters, it's our turn to rescue the animals.
Below are some smaller organizations that need donations to help them in their good work. Consider going to their websites, checking them out, and helping. Even though Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have passed, it's not over for the animals nor for the organizations that serve them.
Hopeful Haven, www.hopefulhaven.com Debbie Barlow has been organizing convoys to take food and supplies to farm animals stranded in fields in Louisiana and to farmers and ranchers who can't get to the livestock. Saltwater has saturated the pastures. Hay is ruined. Debbie is bringing cat and dog food to the farms too. It's a desperate situation.
Humane Society of Louisiana, www.humanela.org Jeff Dorson has teamed up with Kenneth's Studio for Hair, a popular salon in Metairie and New Orleans to have what they're calling a 30 in 30 campaign. They want to raise $30,000 in 30 days. They're selling 8-inch plush cat and dog toys named Katrina, Gustav, and Ike online. This special fundraising effort is to bring desperately needed animal supplies and pet food to coastal parishes for the animal shelters there and for returning residents whose stores are closed. They're also having a Hurricane Pet Rally and Reception with a pet food drive in Metairie on September 20th.
MuttShack, www.muttshack.org Amelia St. James continues to work with parishes that need animals rescued and animal shelters refurbished. MuttShack worked closely with Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) which oversees pet evacuations and all other animal-related agencies during disasters. MuttShack and LSART provided animal transport trucks and services at pickup points. Their professionalism and training helped things to go much more smoothly.
Animal Rescue New Orleans, www.animalrescueneworleans.org Charlotte Bass Lilly and Robin Beleau are two of the dedicated people we met when we visited New Orleans after writing our book, Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster. Evidently their shelter has been destroyed, and they must rebuild. Meanwhile, they continue to coordinate volunteers to keep stranded animals alive.
Houston SPCA, http://hspca.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/homepage_new These are the Animal Cops people on Animal Planet. The organization has set up disaster hotlines for pets and wildlife. They sent rescue teams to areas of Texas that were hard-hit by the hurricanes to evacuate pets from animal shelters. On their website you can see what supplies they need.
Kinship Circle, www.KinshipCircle.org Brenda Shoss runs this organization that specializes in communication about animal rescue needs. Many animal rescuers turn to Kinship Circle for updates on who needs help and where it's needed. They coordinate volunteers for MuttShack's disaster relief. (See above.) Brenda writes in the September 10th issue, "At PPPs [Parish Pickup Points] we tagged animals with numbered bands that matched wristbands worn by their people - in case they became separated, as happened to stranded animals after Katrina. After detailed paperwork, evacuees boarded buses with small animals on their laps. Large animals traveled in airline carriers on climate-controlled trucks. Animals and people went to a mega-shelter in Shreveport, where they stayed side by side.
All of these people and organizations, and there are many more, deserve and need support. If you are reading this blog, at some time in your life, there was probably an animal who rescued you. Now, even though you help animals all the time, this is a special situation that calls for all of us to give back to the best of our ability. The animals, as always, will be grateful.
Most animal hero stories are not quite as dramatic as Buddy's and Joe's, but time and again animals rescue people. Now, as it happened following previous natural disasters, it's our turn to rescue the animals.
Below are some smaller organizations that need donations to help them in their good work. Consider going to their websites, checking them out, and helping. Even though Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have passed, it's not over for the animals nor for the organizations that serve them.
Hopeful Haven, www.hopefulhaven.com Debbie Barlow has been organizing convoys to take food and supplies to farm animals stranded in fields in Louisiana and to farmers and ranchers who can't get to the livestock. Saltwater has saturated the pastures. Hay is ruined. Debbie is bringing cat and dog food to the farms too. It's a desperate situation.
Humane Society of Louisiana, www.humanela.org Jeff Dorson has teamed up with Kenneth's Studio for Hair, a popular salon in Metairie and New Orleans to have what they're calling a 30 in 30 campaign. They want to raise $30,000 in 30 days. They're selling 8-inch plush cat and dog toys named Katrina, Gustav, and Ike online. This special fundraising effort is to bring desperately needed animal supplies and pet food to coastal parishes for the animal shelters there and for returning residents whose stores are closed. They're also having a Hurricane Pet Rally and Reception with a pet food drive in Metairie on September 20th.
MuttShack, www.muttshack.org Amelia St. James continues to work with parishes that need animals rescued and animal shelters refurbished. MuttShack worked closely with Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) which oversees pet evacuations and all other animal-related agencies during disasters. MuttShack and LSART provided animal transport trucks and services at pickup points. Their professionalism and training helped things to go much more smoothly.
Animal Rescue New Orleans, www.animalrescueneworleans.org Charlotte Bass Lilly and Robin Beleau are two of the dedicated people we met when we visited New Orleans after writing our book, Rescued: Saving Animals from Disaster. Evidently their shelter has been destroyed, and they must rebuild. Meanwhile, they continue to coordinate volunteers to keep stranded animals alive.
Houston SPCA, http://hspca.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/homepage_new These are the Animal Cops people on Animal Planet. The organization has set up disaster hotlines for pets and wildlife. They sent rescue teams to areas of Texas that were hard-hit by the hurricanes to evacuate pets from animal shelters. On their website you can see what supplies they need.
Kinship Circle, www.KinshipCircle.org Brenda Shoss runs this organization that specializes in communication about animal rescue needs. Many animal rescuers turn to Kinship Circle for updates on who needs help and where it's needed. They coordinate volunteers for MuttShack's disaster relief. (See above.) Brenda writes in the September 10th issue, "At PPPs [Parish Pickup Points] we tagged animals with numbered bands that matched wristbands worn by their people - in case they became separated, as happened to stranded animals after Katrina. After detailed paperwork, evacuees boarded buses with small animals on their laps. Large animals traveled in airline carriers on climate-controlled trucks. Animals and people went to a mega-shelter in Shreveport, where they stayed side by side.
All of these people and organizations, and there are many more, deserve and need support. If you are reading this blog, at some time in your life, there was probably an animal who rescued you. Now, even though you help animals all the time, this is a special situation that calls for all of us to give back to the best of our ability. The animals, as always, will be grateful.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Honoring the Animals and Their Caregivers
Yesterday was very special for us. We were asked to do a presentation about pet loss at the Home For Life 4th Annual Memorial Garden Event at the organization's sanctuary in Star Prairie, Wisconsin. On a mild autumn day, with the sun peeking through clouds, we joined about one hundred people to remember the animals who lived out their lives in this amazing place.
The ceremony also included Herb Sam, spiritual advisor to the Mille Lac Band of Ojibwe'. He officiated a Native American memorial service, a poetry reading, and musical performances.
Prior to the presentation we toured the sanctuary. We were greeted with many white- whiskered muzzles of dogs and cats. Their people had left bequests for their animal family members to make sure they have a safe and loving home here.
Many of the younger animals had been rescued from abusive situations or with threats of euthanization hanging over their short lives.
In addition to dogs and cats the sanctuary houses birds, rabbits, a turtle, and a goat. Perhaps most touching were the disabled animals. They scooted around in whatever ways worked best for them along soft green turf.
Each enclosure consists of a cooled and well-ventilated building with an outdoor area where the animals mingle and exercise. Volunteers cared for and played with the residents with much love and attention. Everything gleamed clean and orderly.
Lisa LaVerdiere, founder and executive director of Home for Life, had asked us to do a blessing for the animals who were present today with their people. We designed a participatory blessing. It included inspiring quotes, chanting HU (pronounced hue), a sacred love song to God that animals respond to with appreciation, and closing with an ancient prayer, "May the blessings be."
Afterwards, many people told us how much they had enjoyed our comments about the importance of remembering and honoring the life and death of an animal family member. Their hearts had been opened by animals who shared their lives, enabling them to soar on wings of unconditional love.
Here are the quotes we used in the animal blessing.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
--Anatole France
"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them wherever they require it."
--St. Francis of Assisi
"If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature -- even a caterpillar
-- I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature.
--Meister Eckhart
The ceremony also included Herb Sam, spiritual advisor to the Mille Lac Band of Ojibwe'. He officiated a Native American memorial service, a poetry reading, and musical performances.
Prior to the presentation we toured the sanctuary. We were greeted with many white- whiskered muzzles of dogs and cats. Their people had left bequests for their animal family members to make sure they have a safe and loving home here.
Many of the younger animals had been rescued from abusive situations or with threats of euthanization hanging over their short lives.
In addition to dogs and cats the sanctuary houses birds, rabbits, a turtle, and a goat. Perhaps most touching were the disabled animals. They scooted around in whatever ways worked best for them along soft green turf.
Each enclosure consists of a cooled and well-ventilated building with an outdoor area where the animals mingle and exercise. Volunteers cared for and played with the residents with much love and attention. Everything gleamed clean and orderly.
Lisa LaVerdiere, founder and executive director of Home for Life, had asked us to do a blessing for the animals who were present today with their people. We designed a participatory blessing. It included inspiring quotes, chanting HU (pronounced hue), a sacred love song to God that animals respond to with appreciation, and closing with an ancient prayer, "May the blessings be."
Afterwards, many people told us how much they had enjoyed our comments about the importance of remembering and honoring the life and death of an animal family member. Their hearts had been opened by animals who shared their lives, enabling them to soar on wings of unconditional love.
Here are the quotes we used in the animal blessing.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
--Anatole France
"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission -- to be of service to them wherever they require it."
--St. Francis of Assisi
"If I spent enough time with the tiniest creature -- even a caterpillar
-- I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature.
--Meister Eckhart
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Animal Rescue Meets Hurricane Gustav
The good news is that from most accounts, animal rescue before and after the hurricane has improved tremendously. The majority of people with pets acted responsibly and brought their pets with them. Animal rescue groups worked side by side with government agencies to get pets onto buses or shipped in air-conditioned trucks to temporary shelters. Standardized record keeping meant people and pets would be reunited. Three years of applying lessons learned after Hurricane Katrina paid off.
See an NBC video clip for some of the best coverage we found about the disaster preparations for pets. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#26486144
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) video gives a good sense of how much better pet evacuation was organized. http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story=05a4cc52bd83b42070825840fbf20d4bf5c85728&rf=bm
For people who left their pets behind, no excuse is a good one this time. There were loads of options provided. The operation wasn't perfect but it was about a thousand percent better than after Katrina.
This leads us to another point. Pardon our soapbox here, but where was the media in reporting what would happen to the pets? National articles and television news segments didn't start mentioning animals until after most people were on their way out of the area.
It would have been very helpful for national media to report that people should be bringing their pets, having them in crates, and bringing medical records. Evidently word hasn't spread that when people think there's no safety for their pets, they will stay through a disaster. This endangers them, the animals, the first responders, and animal rescuers.
See the following article in USA Today's September 1 online edition for a short article about the evacuation. A longer article by Sharon L. Peters is in the Tuesday print edition in the Lifestyle section. We were quoted in these articles and asked to compare pet evacuation processes for the two hurricanes - Katrina and Gustav. "Gustav prompts mass pet evacuations, By Sharon L. Peters, USA TODAY Thousands of pet evacuations were carried out over the weekend ahead of Hurricane Gustav and plans and resources are in place to find and care for the left-behind animals that survive the hurricane. . .
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-09-01-gustav-pets_N.htm
Another aspect that fell short, in our opinion, was the availability of pet-friendly hotels. In destinations where people were evacuating, there still weren't nearly enough hotels that welcomed fleeing people with their pets.
We believe that in a crisis, such as a hurricane, ALL hotels should temporarily become pet friendly for those who have their pets in carriers. At least, they could provide pet rooms like smoking rooms. Pets will never do as much damage to a hotel room as humans. Anything a pet does can be cleaned with a good vacuum cleaner and stain remover. Can hotels say the same thing about their human guests?
Check out our website for information on how to prepare pets for disaster and what to keep on hand for any emergency. Go to www.rescuedsavinganimals.com and click on "Preparing for disaster tips."
Save your pet. Save your life. People get hurt when they stay behind or go back into danger to help their pets.
What have you seen or heard that impressed you about the Gustav pet evacuations?
See an NBC video clip for some of the best coverage we found about the disaster preparations for pets. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#26486144
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) video gives a good sense of how much better pet evacuation was organized. http://video.hsus.org/?fr_story=05a4cc52bd83b42070825840fbf20d4bf5c85728&rf=bm
For people who left their pets behind, no excuse is a good one this time. There were loads of options provided. The operation wasn't perfect but it was about a thousand percent better than after Katrina.
This leads us to another point. Pardon our soapbox here, but where was the media in reporting what would happen to the pets? National articles and television news segments didn't start mentioning animals until after most people were on their way out of the area.
It would have been very helpful for national media to report that people should be bringing their pets, having them in crates, and bringing medical records. Evidently word hasn't spread that when people think there's no safety for their pets, they will stay through a disaster. This endangers them, the animals, the first responders, and animal rescuers.
See the following article in USA Today's September 1 online edition for a short article about the evacuation. A longer article by Sharon L. Peters is in the Tuesday print edition in the Lifestyle section. We were quoted in these articles and asked to compare pet evacuation processes for the two hurricanes - Katrina and Gustav. "Gustav prompts mass pet evacuations, By Sharon L. Peters, USA TODAY Thousands of pet evacuations were carried out over the weekend ahead of Hurricane Gustav and plans and resources are in place to find and care for the left-behind animals that survive the hurricane. . .
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-09-01-gustav-pets_N.htm
Another aspect that fell short, in our opinion, was the availability of pet-friendly hotels. In destinations where people were evacuating, there still weren't nearly enough hotels that welcomed fleeing people with their pets.
We believe that in a crisis, such as a hurricane, ALL hotels should temporarily become pet friendly for those who have their pets in carriers. At least, they could provide pet rooms like smoking rooms. Pets will never do as much damage to a hotel room as humans. Anything a pet does can be cleaned with a good vacuum cleaner and stain remover. Can hotels say the same thing about their human guests?
Check out our website for information on how to prepare pets for disaster and what to keep on hand for any emergency. Go to www.rescuedsavinganimals.com and click on "Preparing for disaster tips."
Save your pet. Save your life. People get hurt when they stay behind or go back into danger to help their pets.
What have you seen or heard that impressed you about the Gustav pet evacuations?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
