Tuesday, April 4, 2017

GIVE ME SHELTER (AND JUST A LITTLE LOVE)...








Jake, 5 years old, and 
his pal, Cooper.
Gone Fishing



"Thorns may hurt you,
Men desert you,
Sunlight turn to fog;
But you're never friendless ever,
If you have a dog."

Douglas Mallock


I was at a loss for words.

 I couldn't think of one thing interesting
 to write about today.

 Then, it hit me...






...every Tuesday, 
as I sit in my office car,
 I am surrounded by stories.

 Stories of 
love and laughter,
 lost and found,
 stories of life.






The Captain, and 
four or five other volunteers, 
walk shelter dogs every Tuesday morning.

 Most of the dogs 
have been picked up on the streets, 
lost or abandoned, 
some are owner surrendered,
 but since it is a "no-kill" shelter,
 they will all eventually have
 another chance at a
 "forever" home.






It has been said 
that dogs live in the moment, 
that they don't dwell on problems
 that they might have had in the past, 
but I always wonder...




Kai


...even this little guy,
 who is usually so happy-go-lucky, 
has some funny little 
quirks and issues...









...but I do know one thing for sure.

  What is evident in these pictures is, 
they are always
 happy and hopeful 
with each new face they see.




Ashley


When our kids were young, 
they gave us Ashley 
for an anniversary present.

 She was the most lovable 
and well mannered 
of all our dogs. 
 She was a part of our family 
for thirteen years 
until we lost her to cancer.




Curly Joe


We got Curly from my brother.

 A stray had found her way onto his ranch 
in Fresno
 and had a litter of puppies.

 We were so lucky to get Curly.

 The worst thing he ever did
 was lay on a crate of fresh strawberries
 on the way back home.  
We lost him to brain cancer after eight years.




Buddy


Buddy was our gentle giant. 
 He loved us with his whole heart 
as he did all humans. 

 He had a problem 
with other dogs, however, 
until he met a
 small maltese 
named Buffy...




Buffy and Buddy


...and she taught him 
a thing or two about 
living peacefully in this world. 
 He was also lost to us 
because of cancer 
after twelve years.





When are we humans going to wise up? 

I grant you
 there are some reasons 
that cannot be helped 
for these dogs to end up here,
 but the majority of them 
are where they are
 because of
 ill planned ideas, 
and a senseless lack of heart and empathy. 

What did this wonderful old girl, above,
 do to deserve 
the bad treatment 
that is so obvious? 

It must have been very hard 
to accept the love 
that she offered so unselfishly! 
Or very easy 
to not see it at all. 

 All these beautiful animals 
have a story to tell 
about home and family 
and we would be so lucky 
if we could 
hear them.




Kai and his Papa


With just a wag of his tail 
and no unkind words, 
this little guy 
waits so patiently each week
 while his papa, and the other volunteers, 
give their time to the shelter dogs.

 He is glad 
that time is spent with all dog-kind, 
and I know this,
 because 
he told me so.


"A dog has the soul of a philosopher"

Plato



Happy April,



...Judy...






Sharing today with:





















16 comments:

  1. I have thought so many times about volunteering at the animal shelter but I don't think my heart could take it. I can't stand to see an abused or scared animal. It makes me angry and then it breaks my heart. I would want to bring each one home. I give a lot of credit to those that do that volunteer job! xo Diana

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  2. What a beautiful and lovely post Bless yours hearts đŸ’•
    I lis my Lala last year with Cancer is been 5 sad months
    For us we miss her all the time in our life
    Have a blessing Day
    XO
    Isora

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  3. Such a lovely post, Judy. Those sweet little souls - they all deserve love. Jane

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  4. What a lovely post. No better therapist, friend or confidant than a pup. And now I miss mine... xo

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  5. Such a beautiful post Judy. It breaks my heart the way people treat their pets. If I see someone being mean, I give them what for.

    Both of my wonderful dogs are rescued and they are the very best and I often wonder what they are thinking. I love them so.

    Great pictures and my hats off to the Captain for walking those doggies.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  6. The sweetest post, Judy! I loved reading every word and feel the same empathy. I look at our sweet Sadie and can't begin to understand how anyone could have taken her to the shelter. Then my heart fills with gratitude that we were the lucky ones to get to have her. ;-)

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  7. Amen! I foster for a local rescue. Sadly, most of the dogs we get have been dumped in kill facilities. :(

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    Replies
    1. Hi Phyllis. Thanks for your visit. We feel fortunate that our facility is a no-kill one, but I know that there are ones who have no choices occasionally. My daughter works at a shelter also and had to assist in her first euthanasia. Hope she doesn't have to do too many of those..Have a great week..Judy

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  8. The picture made me smile.. but as I read about the other dogs, I don't know why.. it make sad.. it filled my eyes with tears.. Hugs for all the dogs and puppies..

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  9. What a good post. That is wonderful someone takes time to walk those dogs. I don't believe here there is such a place. I would go once a week and walk dogs also. However I would want to bring them all home with me
    I love dogs and since I had to go back to work I haven't replaced my little pugs with another dog. I hate having to leave them home by themselves all day.
    I do look forward to the day I can get another shelter dog to love and receive love from

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  10. Volunteering as your husband does is so good for the dog and himself. Lovely post Judy.

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  11. Hi Judy!
    I've returned to bloglife- reading them anyway! What a sweet post you did...I just love it!
    Such a bunch of happy faces on their walks. Your Captain is really a Prince for all he does for these sweet dogs. They must get so excited when they see him and I know it does his heart good when he sees them, too. I only wish I could bring them all home.
    Have a great weekend! xoxo, T.

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  12. No matter the time - no matter the place - everyone has a dog story - or several.

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  13. Judy,
    You have me in tears!! What a beautiful post!! Since Joe has retired, we are thinking of getting another dog even though the loss of our Savanna several years ago, broke our heart. We are still debating but if we decide to get another dog, we will go to a local No Kill Shelter and work with them on finding the right dog for us......
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  14. This is such a sweet, beautifully written post, Judy. Yes, dogs do have so much love to give, and people can be so cruel to them. I'll never understand it. I know Kai gets plenty of love and good care, like most of the dogs I know, but it's amazing how many don't. It's very admirable of your husband and the other volunteers to walk these dogs on a regular basis.

    Thanks for sharing with us, Judy -- hope you have a great weekend!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy