There are some special things in the San Joaquin Valley area that everybody who lives around here should see or do. I call them “gottados.” I’ve heard about one place for years, even driven past it on my way up to Kings Canyon National Park, but I’ve never stopped there…until now. I wish I hadn’t waited so long: Cat Haven.
Like many public service occupations, those in animal rescue see the best and worst of humanity. Thankfully, the animal loving people we deal with on a day to day basis fuel our resolve to continue; likewise I suppose, those that abuse and neglect the helpless cement our commitment to animal welfare cause.
One plus three equals eight only in animal rescue. How is it that no matter how hard I try the animals in my house multiply? A perfect example of this involves my new foster Jazzy and her litter of puppies.
In honor of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d share two of my favorite foster love stories. In the rescue world we face a lot of heartbreak and often see the dark side of humanity so those glimpses of love and the angels that come along side and take our broken little ones home, make our journey worthwhile.
Ninety-nine percent of rescue work is consumed with taking pets that for one reason or another have lost their home and need a new one. The drill is pretty much the same, assess, vet, foster, and find that happily ever after. It is fabulous work, and is a job we take very seriously. Most of the animals in our care were facing death sentences: they either came from a shelter or were on their way there. We love saving lives!
Recently I was reading an article on exercising your brain (not that I think I’m losing mine or anything) and ran across a little game where you try to tell a story in just seven words. I thought this might be a fun little thing to run by our ACT Facebook friends so I asked them to tell us their rescue story in just seven words. I expected a few to respond but never expected close to seventy!
I was honored this past weekend to speak at our Women’s Ministry breakfast. I prepared faithfully. My PowerPoint was loaded with great photos, my narration was polished, and the technology was all checked the night before. All systems were go.
I was honored this past weekend to speak at our Women’s Ministry breakfast. I prepared faithfully. My PowerPoint was loaded with great photos, my narration was polished, and the technology was all checked the night before. All systems were go.
Welcome to a glimpse of my world. Welcome to the world of anyone who is involved in animal rescue. We have to cope with a constant roller coaster ride of emotions. One minute you can conquer the world and with just a tick of the clock or the ring of a phone you come crashing back to earth with a resounding thud. This morning the phone conversation, condensed above, changed the momentum of my day.
Less than 30 minutes drive from Reedley, in the little mountain community of Squaw Valley, sits Mountain Valley Community Church (MVCC) under the interim leadership of Pastor Chris Lewis. A core group of members in this country congregation have taken on the mission of making life easier for men and women in the Armed Forces. They have never turned away any military person someone wanted added to the ministry.
