My 2009 Rescue Resolution

I invite you to join me in my New Year’s Resolution. Let’s each of us do one thing for a rescue group or animal this year.

For example:

• Donate a bag of food

• Donate some money

• Do one home check for prospective adopters

• Deliver a dog or pick up a cat in a shelter.

• Foster a dog just one time

• Work at a rescue event

• Answer phones for one week, or respond to emails

• Evaluate an animal in a shelter

• Take some photos of homeless pets for an event or web site

• Donate something to a fundraiser

• Buy something at a fundraiser

• Write a press release or brochure

• Process paperwork

• Solicit for donations

• Place or sponsor ads in the paper

It’s hard to volunteer for rescue. Many volunteers work so hard they burn out and quit. Some can’t bear to see the shelter animals, knowing so many of them will die. There is plenty you can offer without actually working with animals.

If $5 is all you can do for rescue this year, thank you. You have made a difference.

You may have read the story of the starfish: 

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed 

a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. 

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.  

The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?  

You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, 

and threw it back into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said…”

I made a difference for that one.”

Original Story by Loren Eiseley

Artwork above: "Starfish" a yellow Lab named Shelby holding a starfish on the beach. © Terry Albert