If You Can, Give

I know that I've talked before about Animal Rescue of Fresno, the no-kill shelter that we adopted Allie and Zorro from, and the really tremendous work that they do there.

The day after we brought Allie and Zorro home. They didn't know what to think of us yet.

In the almost year and a half since we adopted Allie and Zorro, we've donated a few times to ARF, we donate monthly to Angel's Gate, we participate in ARF's fundraisers, and, in general, I always recommend that people go to ARF if they are thinking about adopting a pet.

Resistance is futile.

Last weekend, ARF had their annual holiday open house, which is their main fundraising event for the year. As you can imagine, times are tough for them right now.

She's almost unrecognizable from that scared, skinny, neurotic dog we brought home in August 2007.

At the open house, one of the volunteers was manning their "Sponsor a Dog" ornament table, where for a $10 donation, you received a pretty handmade ornament with a picture of one of ARF's dogs on it, and as I handed over my cash for the ornament and the raffle tickets I was buying, I told her that I had adopted Allie and Zorro from there in August 2007.

She smiled at me and said "I fostered Allie."

Even thinking about it now, I get choked up. What an angel she was to my girl. She gave Allie a safe place to land after she was rescued from the streets. She was one of the first people to care for Allie in what had probably been a long time. She was as worried as we were about Allie's original wonky blood test results and what they might mean for Allie long-term. She was an important part of the reason that Allie was able to transition into my house and my heart the way she did. I don't know that I'll ever have the right words to tell Allie's foster-mom just how important she is to me, and to my girl, although I think the fact that I got super teary standing there in front of her probably gave her an inkling of how much I love my girl.

Allie and Zorro on their inaugural camping trip, April 2008.

And that's when I knew that more than my financial contributions, I want to make an even greater contribution to ARF by volunteering. I want to be part of that process for someone else. I want some sweet dog to arrive at his forever home a little better for having been cared for by me. I want to help these homeless, abandoned, abused, scared dogs become the confident companions and family members that they all want to be.

Zorro, enjoying the sunshine in his backyard.

At the open house, I met some wonderful little dogs who need to find their forever homes, and I only wish I could have brought them all home.

There was sweet little Lenny, who spent much of his life before ARF tied to a tree, and who is slowly learning to trust people again.

There was Lady, a sweet, older chihuahua who, like Allie, doesn't have a lot of teeth left. She's still super skinny, but she's putting on weight, and her coat is slowly filling out.

And then there was Elias of the big personality and funny little under bite. He stole the show and my heart. I had a really hard time leaving him behind.

All of these dogs have another chance at a happy life, and it is the volunteers at ARF, and the donations that support ARF, that make it all possible.

My life is forever changed because I've opened my heart to two very special rescue dogs. In a kill-shelter, I don't think that either of my dogs would have made it. So, we're all very lucky, and they have rescued me as surely as I rescued them.

Come closer and I will lick you.

So, in the spirit of the holidays, I'm asking you to give if you can. It doesn't have to be to ARF - all of the non-profits are hurting in these uncertain financial times, and all of them can use your support, even if it is only $5. And if you don't have cash to donate, think about a donation of your time or your talents. Give to animal charities, give to homeless shelters, or veteran's affairs, or food banks, or crisis centers - anywhere.

For those of you, and I know there are many, who give on a regular basis, I say thank you, because it is people like you who have made it possible for organizations like ARF to do the work that they do, and because of ARF, I have the most amazing dogs ever.

And if you do donate or have donated to ANY cause, leave me a comment and just let me know what charity or organization you've donated to. I don't want to know how much you've donated, just that you made a contribution. On December 31st, I'll put everyone's name into a hat, and the person whose name I draw will get a lovely New Year's gift from me. And the Goofies.

Inseparable. Really.

Comments

[rita]

I wish I'd found this earlier! I'm a sucker for animal rescues; I belong to one and knit dog sweaters for them to sell. But if I have one extra dollar (or more), I'll send some to your shelter, too. They're doing a pawsome job! ;)

[Julie]

What a wonderful post! Your dogs are so lucky to have you in their lives and looking at that last picture tells me that they think so too :-)

I give monthly to the ASPCA and I also sponsor a child through the Christian Children's Fund. We receive letters from our sponsored child's family (and now that he's older (13) we receive letters from him)telling us how well he is doing and what our small contribution pays for. I have to tell you - it makes me feel so good to know I am making a difference!

[kelli]

Your dogs are so sweet and I love that you met her foster mama! I am getting a pound pup in January and couldn't be more excited. This blog is fab!

[Cynnie]

I dont technically donate money , but i do send monthly amounts to distant relatives in Cuba.
we americans have so much , and they have nothing.

I moved here ( Puerto Rico ) over 5 years ago and while i was new I saw a puppy in the street.
He's Georgie, my baby dog.

I know now that these dogs are called Satos
and PR has a huge problem with street dogs..you see then running in packs at shopping areas , living off scraps
I volunteer with a local organization that tries to at least capture some and have them spayed or neutered and then return them where they were ..( shelters are ideal, but they're crammed full and spots are hard to come by)
its a mindset this island has , they dont have their animals fixed , and they dont think twice about abandoning them in the streets..
it's slowly changing
and it's so hard to accept that you cant save them all

[melanie]

I've given to Rolling Ranch (for injured animals), local animal rescue groups, and many, many food banks. This year, especially, I have given donations as gifts to most of my friends and family, and they have been very, very happy with my choices.

[Brenda]

My parents often ask us to donate to charity for their Christmas gift because they really don't need anything. This year my mother asked us to donate to a local food bank, because she's worried about so many people going hungry. So that's what I did - money to a food bank in Maine that will hopefully help feed some people during this long, cold winter ahead.

[claudia]

I sent a little something to the Fresno shelter.

The puppers remain super-cute.

[beverly]

Aw, Lenny looks like he could be Coco's brother! Neal read your post over my shoulder and enjoyed the pup pictures.

Thanks for reminding me that shelters need extra help right now.

[beverly]

Aw, Lenny looks like he could be Coco's brother! Neal read your post over my shoulder and enjoyed the pup pictures.

Thanks for reminding me that shelters need extra help right now.

[Chris]

I donate to various causes, but haven't during the holiday season - yet. I'll think about it and let you know after I do! Also, I'll mention this on ye olde blog Monday.

Excellent blogging under duress skillz there.

[Carole]

I make pretty regular contributions to MSF. And this year we opted for a monetary donation to our local VNA rather than gifts for Dale's siblings. This VNA puts together food baskets for families in need in our town and they need money more than ever. It felt good to write that check.

[Carole]

I make pretty regular contributions to MSF. And this year we opted for a monetary donation to our local VNA rather than gifts for Dale's siblings. This VNA puts together food baskets for families in need in our town and they need money more than ever. It felt good to write that check.

[Carrie]

what a great post, dude. And the pictures of the Goofies...so awesome. They are clearly such special doggers.

I've recently donated to two organizations recently: I donated my web-design skillz to the Athens-Clarke Literacy Council (which promotes adult literacy in Athens), and I donated some cash to Project Safe (they offer services to victims of domestic violence).

hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!!