I mean this in the most non-denominational, agnostic way possible, but I think that dogs are the closest thing we have on this earth to angels.
Let me explain.
I have never in my life seen something that embodied joy, love, and innocence like a happy dog running. And I’m thinking joy, love, and innocence are pretty much what we’re talking about when we talk about angels. Dogs don’t think; they just are, and what they are is pretty much good. Because of this they have no capacity for hate, anger, vindictiveness, or most of the other things that make up the negative side of humanity. Dogs are completely selfless creatures, because they have no self.
Okay, so maybe sometimes they destroy the furniture, bark at 5am, or roll in unsavory substances. We can’t quite expect them to be divine beings.
But they’re pretty much the closest thing we’ve got.
Fireworks are in the sky right now, and a lot of dogs are probably hiding under the bed, or maybe in the bathtub. Holidays can be hard on dogs; they don’t know what on earth is going on, they just know that there are a lot of people milling around and a lot of unfamiliar, loud noises. That said, the adoptable dogs of Helping Hounds marched in our local Fourth of July parade today, and several of them had the time of their lives.
Dogs at even the best rescue organization (and Helping Hounds is pretty awesome) get a little starved for attention, and these dogs drank up the attention of the dozens of adoring children who took time out from their frantic candy gathering to say hello. A lot of them were so happy they tried to pretend they weren’t exhausted at the end of the parade and keep on visiting. We put on a good show, we got a lot of applause, and by the time I left there were three adoptions and one new foster home.
These are the times when I don’t have to worry about getting bitter. Sometimes I can even get to hoping that there are enough homes for all the homeless companion animals out there, and we just have to get out and find them. More and more, I think people are realizing that the best place to get a dog is not a pet store (most of those puppies come from mills, don’t get me started) or a breeder (there are some fantastic, conscientious breeders out there, but watch out for genetic disorders) but your local shelter or rescue. As with thrift store clothes, some of the best things in life come second hand.
Sammy is so excited about absolutely everything that he’s always in motion, searching for the next object to sniff, dog to meet, or person to love. Sometimes his absolute joy at being alive is so great that he falls over, and it takes him a moment to compose himself again. Sammy is looking for a lifetime companion (or two! or three!) that he can explore all the wonders of the world with, preferably at a fast pace.
Sammy at a glance
Age: about 1 year
Breed: Coonhound
Size: Large
Energy Level: High
Vocal Range: Baritone
Inspiration: Andrea Bocelli
Bubba has been through some hard times, but they haven’t affected his affable demeanor. Calm and easygoing, he rarely pulls when being walked, and though he’s very interested in squirrels, he’d just as easily quietly observe one than chase it. If dogs could be college professors, Bubba would probably be one. He’s looking for a companion (or companions) for leisurely walks, quiet contemplation, and ear scratching.
Bubba at a glance
Age: 6 years
Breed: Coonhound
Size: Large
Energy Level: Moderate
Hobbies: Brisk evening walks, birdwatching, and earnest philosophical discussions on the origin and meaning of squirrels.
Today I met a dog that had spent the first ten years of its life in a cage.
It was a story with a happy ending; I met him while he was visiting the groomer with his new family. They were willing to take in a dog that was elderly, undersocialized, might need extensive veterinary care, might never be a normal dog, and might not be with them for all that long at that age. And that’s about as wonderful as the story of how this dog’s life began is terrible.
I met them while working at a cat adopt-a-thon at a local Petsmart that donates space for two rescues, the Central New York Cat Coalition and the Central New York Spay and Neuter Assistance Program to showcase their adoptable cats. I voluteer at the adoption center every Saturday. For my dog fix, I walk dogs at least once a week for Helping Hounds, a dog rescue focused on fostering and adopting out dogs from high kill shelters.
I’m no big deal in any of these organizations. I’m only occasionally invovled in the adoptions themselves; I’m not there when the animals are rescued. I walk the dogs, clean the litterboxes, play with the kittens, and hug the animals whenever possible. What I am is convinced that there are stories here worth telling; terrible stories of animals that were abused or neglected, happy stories of animals finding new homes, amazing stories of people that give over their lives to help them (Helping Hounds is run by one woman out of her doggie daycare, and many of the foster caregivers working with CNY CC and CNY SNAP take care of so many cats they keep kittens in their spare bathrooms), and just plain funny stories (the time a frightened kitten latched its claws into my sweater and it took three people to get it off).
I don’t really know how to close this post, so I’m going to let Bizkit the Sleepwalking dog do it for me:
