Bo has joined our family! He is a 10 year old pup who is as loving and energetic as any dog I have met. I was worried that KC would have a problem with a new family member but they became fast buddies in a matter of a few days. We are all very lucky. Bo is happy, safe and right now sleeping next to me with a full belly and tired paws from a long walk.
This process of adopting an animal in need has made me really think about all those animals that do not and never will have a forever home. The numbers overwhelm me and the magnitude of the suffering is more than I can allow myself to think about for long.
But I try to do my part.
Last week I went to Food Fight to donate money to the Emergency Turlock Hen Rescue Benefit Day. Over 4,000 hens were abandoned and starving. Thankfully several organizations stepped in to rescue those that could be saved. But what about those still suffering?
I sponsor a pig that lives at the Out To Pasture Animal Sanctuary. One pig. I sponsor the care for one pig, out of how many hundreds of thousands across the world who need someone to care for them?
Sometimes I think that the little I do is so insignificant that it doesn’t matter. But then I look at Bo next to me sleeping peacefully and I know it matters to him. It is hard to remind myself that I cannot save everyone but for those I can help it matters. It matters to them and I think that talking about it helps other people know that no matter how small the contribution, all help matters.
Maybe one person can’t save all those in need but all of us together doing what we can will.
Congratulations! Virtual blue bubble gum cigars all around!
You’re absolutely right: we can’t let the enormity of the problems we face prevent us from acting. The impact we have by resisting the status quo and saving a few lives is far greater than the one we would have by accepting defeat and saving none.
By: Know Thank You on March 12, 2012
at 4:53 am
Yay, so glad Bo made it home! It’s true that we can’t save everyone, but I always think of the quote about how saving one dog won’t change the world, but it’ll change the world for that one dog. And sometimes that’s all we can do on a given day.
By: Have Gone Vegan on March 12, 2012
at 2:20 pm
So, so happy for you & Mr. Bo and KC!!! None of us can fix the whole world at once… But gosh what a beautiful, positive difference each one of us can make on a few at a time! Yeah for everyone who opens their hearts and makes the efforts!
By: Provoked on March 15, 2012
at 5:12 am
God Bless you for adopting a dog, a 10 year “young” dog. So many people want only puppies, afraid to adopt what “they” consider older. We had our Black-Lab-Mix (still don’t know what the mix was) until last year, he was almost eighteen.
As for doing enough…I often feel/ask myself that, like every time I hear a story such as “The Turlock Hens”. I think anyone who truly loves animals feels that way. I’ve had the privilege to volunteer with the rescued hen’s at Animal Place in Vacaville, where the majority that survived went. To find one of the “girl’s” first legged eggs last week, I found nothing short of a miracle! To see the shape those Angel’s were in: pasty-white combs, 1/2″ long toenails, they were literally “light as a feather”…and know that they’re finally feeling less-stressed enough to start producing is incredible. Can’t wait to go see them tomorrow…I miss them so over the weekend! Good thing I have 3 gorgeous “girl’s” of my own.
P.S.~Thank you for the donation…they can use them!
By: Lori Gipson on March 18, 2012
at 1:29 pm
Great post – and I totally agree. I just wrote a post myself about not being perfect, but trying to do all you can to help reduce animal suffering. I think more and more people are coming around to this way of thinking and it’s encouraging!
By: realfunfood on March 21, 2012
at 3:02 am
Congratulations! I would love to adopt a dog in need of a home, but unfortunately, my girlfriend and I are unable to keep dogs/cats in our apartment. We did recently become proud parents of a couple of fancy mice though. They’re so much fun and incredibly intelligent, which surprised me a bit.
By: Cody D. on April 2, 2012
at 9:58 am
I used to be that way too… (and I think I still am, to an extent. :/) I do love animals, but I have to realize that I can’t save all of them!!
Kudos to you for sponsoring a pig and saving Bo. I have rescued 2 dogs so far but can’t wait to rescue more!
By: jenevieves on April 8, 2012
at 12:08 am