Giving Love

Hello Friends;

   As some of you know, I've come to really enjoy working with the local dog and cat rescue organization.  It is an incredibly minor role, offering my two hands and a willingness to help as my only skills.  The pro's tell me what they need, and I do my best to do that for them.  They are my hero's because they take on the immense responsibility and chore of teaching and loving these stray dogs and cats, then loving them enough to find a wonderful forever home and - incredible upon incredible - give them to someone else to love.  I've seen this, and the rending of the heart is matched only by the absolute joy of achieving this one great goal for that loved one.  Truly, it is something I just don't believe my heart could handle.

  We just weren't so lucky this last adoption day.  We brought out the dogs for viewing, and they all enjoyed the opportunity to see their friends and meet new people.  And lots of new people, in fact, there were to give pats and scratches behind the ears, a bit of love to each once unloved dog who wants only to love.  But, my most outstanding memories are of three people.  An elderly lady, and two boys.

  There were some wonderful people, please understand.  Many wonderful people, who came to learn about the organization and maybe even think on adopting a dog of their own.  Along came one elderly lady, there to do her weekly shopping.  She coo'd over each of the dogs, crying a small bit as she walked away because she knew she couldn't afford, quite literally, another mouth to feed.  She asked if we would be doing this again, and where, and how she could help.  Well, I told her how I helped, how I would come to hold a leash so that a dog could be there for people to see - we have to have a holder for each animal, one to one.  She was sad because she didn't own a car, she had walked to the store we held the event.  I told her that if she was able to help, I would do the driving - and got a hug of my own.

  Then there were the two boys.  You see, the area I live has a share of those whose only concern for money is in the counting, and then there are those who are like that elderly lady who can barely feed themselves.  Two boys came along, having been sent to the store by their mother.  They were about nine and eleven, maybe older.  But, as all boys do, they petted each dog - a bit leery of the larger dogs, giggling over the smaller ones, but giving love to each.  After a bit, they walked on towards home.... then, heads together stopping a few dozen feet beyond our tables.  In a moment, the oldest dug into his front pocket and handed a few dollars and some change over to the little one.... who bouncing like boys seem to do when excited, came running back full of smiles to put in a donation to our little donation box.  A flashing smile to the lady behind the table and a quick hug to the nearest dog, he went running back to his older brother, shoe laces flying as he jumped from the curb with a small yip of joy.
  Love doesn't require money.  It doesn't require a lot of time.  All it requires is to set our small needs aside for a moment, place oneself in another's shoes and ask yourself what you would want, need.  It's easy with puppy dogs, kittens, things cute and fuzzy.  Harder in others.  I hope I can always let love lead me.