Reedley Homeless Pets just turned a year old. In March of 2012, I began partnering with the Reedley Police Department’s Animal Control. It has been a wonderful, but difficult year. I have experienced a side of rescue I hadn’t ventured into before.
“Parvo positive” are most likely the two most dreaded words a rescuer can hear. If you rescue long enough the odds are that you have heard them more then once. I’ve heard them way too often over the past few months: the most recent, just ten days ago.
"¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" is a phrase most people alive in the late 90s will recognize and associate with the adorable Taco Bell Chihuahua. That little tan, apple head Chihuahua, stole the hearts of millions of Americans and for good reason: Chihuahuas are adorable!
I’ve been feeling a little bah humbug about Christmas this year. I think the days have just gotten away from me. I haven’t done much to prepare and finances are never what I had hoped they would be. I was grocery shopping the other day and almost panicked when I realized carols were playing and there were only 15 days until Christmas. I called my husband and said “What’s wrong with me? I just can’t get into the Christmas spirit.”
The tombstones glowed, albeit faintly, illuminated by the sliver of a moon that hung over the cemetery. The gates now locked, blocked entrance to the eerie but strangely beautiful expanse where many loved ones had been laid to rest. The silence was soothing and as I scanned the horizon for signs of life I thought to myself, “I should be scared” but, I wasn’t.
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.
Imagine being fifteen pounds and about eighteen inches tall: your line of vision is equal to the kneecaps of most humans, and the tires of most cars.
Imagine living on the streets for eight months: through rain, hail, fog, cold, and heat of summer. Imagine having no steady source of food or shelter. Imagine a life focused on survival. Imagine surviving on the kindness of others. This is Tippy Toes' story, that was Tippy Toes' life.
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.
A recent discussion amongst friends focused on a story of faith in the Bible. The story featured a woman with a physical affliction, who, after failing to find relief through conventional means, grabbed the hem of Jesus’ robe and was healed. We were batting about thoughts and insights regarding the healing of this woman. I began to wonder: was this an extraordinary woman of faith or was this an ordinary woman who had an extraordinary moment of faith? Did she reject conventional wisdom which had failed her, for the unconventional? By now I’m sure you are asking yourself, “What does this have to do with animal rescue?” I’m getting there.
Our Reedley Homeless Pets project has been wonderfully successful. In just a little over a month we have been able to save 38 dogs and cats from going to the Central California SPCA for disposition.
