So I hardly get time to visit DDB these days. Work has me on overkill and with my own zoo at home to be cared for I have to see my beloved friends at DDB sparingly. Today I did my best to help out with cleaning up and giving out free hugs. I got to bathe Anthony who is severely skinny. He's looking so much better in just a short time though. Anthony is a hound mix I believe and is a loveable creature. Though he may not be the brightest crayon in our pack, he is full of love and seeks it out as well as gives it in return. Tami told me that he might be reluctant to go to the shower but with encouragement, a beefy treat and lots of hugs, there he was under the spray of relaxation. I could tell the warm water was feeling good on his aching bones because he closed his eyes for a few minutes and just seemed to bask in the moment. His bones are still sticking through and I swear I was afraid he could just break in two if not handled with care. He stumbled on the towel as he got out of the water and I gave him another treat to help him realize that the experience of cleanliness was not all that bad. After a bunch of towel hugs Anthony was ready for his naptime and he eagerly ran to his very own crate to have a snooze. Something in his eyes told me that he was grateful for the warmth of the water, and the warmth of the towel and hopefully grateful for the hugs. His big eyes just didn't look as sad as they often do when I see him.
Change is inevitable. I have seen DDB already go through a myriad of changes, some painful ones since planting the organization on Virginia's stubborn soil. I feel a strong kinship with Tami, the owner and director of the organization and I have a love for the dogs that I never knew was possible. I mean I have rescued animals since I was a little girl and the ones I run into are always special to me and I have loved every one of them. I just feel something special when I am on my way to see George, Shawnee, Sloan, Anthony , Riley, Ebby, all of the rest and the new girl Lily (who I haven't had time to get to know yet...) There is not enough hours in the day. We need more hours for rescue work! More hours and more souls! Why are the rescuers always over burdened and exhausted? Why are there so many dogs who need help? Why isn't there a balance in our world? Questions without answers. However, all we can do is our best and push one foot after the other and do what we can. I can help the neighbors with their unfed dog, I can post some information about chaining, on the other neighbor's door who has a tiny dog in the back yard who seems to be going insane on his chain. I can refuse to laugh at the jokes my co-workers say every day to me about my rescue work. I can tell them to stop it and ask if they want to adopt a dog instead of making a joke of my efforts. I can support everyone I come in contact with who tries to change this unbalanced world. That's all I can do.
There is not enough hours in the day, or days in the week, or weeks in the month. I need more years to do everything I would like to do and this is how all rescuers who I talk with, feel. Support is what we all need to do for each other. No time for games, manipulations, or disagreements. Those things do not matter, we need to love our animals and keep moving forward in an effort to change our dog's lives. In turn we change each other's lives and in turn.......we change the world!
Peace
TaMarah
