Sep09
Every animal has two stories…one about himself or herself, and one about us.
However you stumbled upon my new blog, it’s a pretty safe bet you have some connection to the animal welfare field: you’ve adopted a dog or cat, you work or volunteer at a shelter, you’re part of a rescue group or you’ve bookmarked an animal adoption page on your computer.
Whatever your connection, you know that the animals’ stories bring up very big issues. They tell us volumes about who we are as people, what terrible and wonderful things we are capable of, and what is really worthwhile about life. It often involves them.
At an animal shelter, something like this can happen at any moment…
A puppy comes in nearly dead of heat stroke after being left in a hot car. His guardian doesn’t seem too concerned. She just wants us to take the puppy so she can be on her way. What makes her so nonchalant? And why do we care so deeply about this puppy whom we’ve never seen before, that we spare nothing to save his life?
The process of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals is full of decisions, often difficult ones. The animals are totally reliant on us for their care but can only express their wishes in the most rudimentary forms (through their eyes, wagging tails, whimpers, purrs, and cries). We, not they, have to decide what’s best for them.
Here’s a dilemma we faced recently…
The cat transferred from another shelter tests positive for FIV, an immune deficiency that he can live with for years. He’s certainly adoptable but he’ll need a special home, and it will most likely take months to find him one. Meanwhile, how many other cats will be euthanized in area shelters because they have no more room for homeless cats?
These stories and the issues they raise make our field unique. Filled with the drama of animals’ suffering, recovery and fresh starts, our days bring a constant stream of shock, sadness, joy, and often enough, surprising triumphs.
Some moments are truly uplifting, as when…
A pit bull who was turned in because he was too much to handle and was threatening the neighbors becomes a training star at the shelter and finds a grateful family. They report, “We can’t imagine life without Seamus. He’s the perfect addition to our household!”
In this blog, I plan on sharing the stories and reflections that come out of our experience working with animals at the Washington Animal Rescue League. Either on their way or safely sheltered and “out of harm’s reach,” all of these animals have stories. That’s the point of this blog, and of our very unique shelter. I invite you to offer your own reflections, convictions, and stories. And by all means, let me know how we’re doing.
Very nice!!
This is great!
Your words ring so true, Gary. I think about the stories behind my kitties, the ones I know about and the ones I don’t. I look forward to hearing more from you.
When is the next installment? And how often do you plan to update your blog?
WARL, Gary,
Our family, humans and present rescue dogs, adopted Tippy from WARL in 2006, a few months after she became one of the “Katrina dogs” WARL brought home. The next spring she walked in the Mutt Strut. Those of you who knew her were amazed.
I was amazed too. I had never seen, let alone had, a dog who was as worried and reluctant to trust as my Tippy.
This beautiful girl came around, although it took about 18 months. She decided that humans were generally friendly, and that they were happy to see her.
This was one of the most emotional, even existential, experiences I’ve ever had. I’m almost 60, and I’ve had a dog (or dogs) for more than 50 years. Maybe I’m a wolf or canid in human “clothing”.
Dear WARL and our many supporters. I/we need a couple more rescue dogs. While I am a Ph.D. scholar, my life is mored defined by my rescue dogs and me.
Write me back please.
Jim Riggle
James D. Riggle, Ph.D.
Research Associate Professor
School of Public Policy
George Mason University
We are blessed to have Dr. Weitzman and the volunteers to help these animals. Thank you for being there for them.
Five years ago a good friend of mine, who had 2 beautiful cats, decided to remarry. She had been single for a loooong time and she had finally found that person to share her life with. She was ready to move to Granada, Spain, and she was very exited about it. Everything seemed great except for her partner did not want/like the cats.
Juan Gris, a beautiful grey cat, and Pituca, an adorable calico mix, were around 10 years old at that time. They both had been adopted from shelters and had lived with my friend since they were 2 m-old. One day my friend came crying to me. She told me she could not take the cats with her to Spain, that she did not have anyone to leave them with and that she had decided to put them to sleep. I got very angry at her. Anyway, she was desperate, I knew… At that moment my job situation was not stable, I had temporary contracts and since I am from Argentina, I had to go back home every year for three months for VISA purposes. I was not the right person to take responsibility for 2 cats. But I did. I called and told my fried that I was going to adopt both cats. I remember how scared I was, because as much as I love animals, I know the responsibility that comes with having them. I knew that the minute I made my decision those animals were going to be under my care and that I was going to be the only person responsible for them. Long story short, they moved in with me. It was hard in the beginning, they spent 2 months under the bed, only coming out at night, when everything was quiet.
Juan and Pituca became my best friends. I had had cats my whole life growing up so I knew cats very well and I loved to have them again in my life. From all the great memories I have of them, this is the greatest one: when I adopted Juan and Pitu I lived in a very small but cozy apartment that had a small fenced (safe) patio with plants and a bench. Pitu and Juan were only indoor cats until then, so they had no clue what was beyond the windows’ glass. So one day I let them explore outside. Oh my, they discovered the wind, and the rain, the sun, and even the winter snow. It was so wonderful to see their reactions to all these new things, feelings… On windy days, Juan would lower his head quickly to avoid the wind gust. It was funny to watch. It was such a rewarding feeling to see them happy, but most of all to make them happy. What didn’t I do for them.
But my 1 year contract ended one day and there I was all puzzled, going crazy about what to do with my two cats while I was gone for three months to Argentina… Then I discovered that in this country you post and add and everything is possible. I rented my apt. for three months with cats included. I was so lucky to find a guy who I worked with that needed a temporary place to live and who liked cats…
And the stories go on and on. Juan and Pitu were rented :-) and moved from place to place a couple more times Then, I got married so they had an extra couple of hands to scratch their heads. They loved us and we loved them.
I put Juan to sleep in Nov. 2008 and Pitu in April 2009. They were both around 14 years of age and they got very sick, and although it was a tough decision to put them to sleep, it was to end any kind of irreversible pain.
The story is this: Juan Gris and Pituca lived the happiest lives.
From my own experiences, reading this blog, and learning so many other stories about animals, all animals, I have no doubt of their capacity to teach us compassion and love, two characteristics that make us human. They deserve our love and respect, as well as our admiration.
Rosario – Married and mother of a beautiful 4m baby; taking care of: two female cats: Susannah, a 2 year old tabby adopted from WARL, Sorpresa a 1.5 year old calico mix who showed up by surprise one day :-), and Ramonet (1 year old) the kindest black cat who also showed up in our backyard around a year ago. And that’s all,we cannot take anymore!!!. Thanks for letting me share with you.
By the way… you are doing so much good to these animals, I bet it will all come back to you :-) It is truly inspiring.