Special to the Aroostook Republican
Many years ago, a friend said to me, “I think it is sad that you think more about a stray cat than you do about yourself.” At first, I felt a little cross about the statement, but gradually, I began to see it from a different viewpoint.
Contributed photoAlbany McCabe, who after earning over $30 doing household chores and errands, spent her wealth buying up pet food and supplies in a Caribou store. Caribou Pet Rescue is extremely grateful to the local young people who volunteer in many different ways to help the rescue with the animals direct care and/or the expense of caring for the animals.
To see a cat or dog that is cold, hungry and hurting and not do anything about it is about the worst feeling I can think of. So, of course, it is natural and necessary for me to try to do something. It’s called Passion. We all have our passions. Some people are passionate about sports, or clothes, travel or for cars, for me, it is definitely CATS. “To each their own.”
Fortunately for about 1,200 animals many of you feel the same way. The passion you and I feel is what keeps Caribou Pet Rescue growing and accomplishing what no one thought could happen. And it isn’t just us grown-ups (notice I did not say “old” people) who feel this way. CPR is attracting schoolroom classes, boy and girl scout troops and whole families who feel the best way to teach kids about compassion and good work is to work right along side of them at CPR.
I think of little Abigail Wimmer, a New Sweden kindergarten student. After a recent visit to her classroom, Abigail raised her hand and informed me that if she found any hungry animals that she would bring them to CPR, but, she added firmly, not her own dog and cat because she really loves them and feeds them really well. Several weeks later, Abigail’s mother knocked on our door. Abigail apparently receives a quarter for each time she does her daily chores without being told to do them. Abigail brought me $22 worth of hard-earned quarters to buy food for the kittens at CPR. After being told that she could spend this hard-earned money on anything she wanted, Abigail thought about the CPR animals and bought them food.
We also have a wonderful CPR youth volunteer by the name of Albany McCabe. Albany recently earned more than $30 doing household chores for her allowance. Her mother took her shopping and Albany spent all of her hard-earned money on buying pet supplies for CPR. This is a lot of money for a young girl to earn and save and to see your youngster growing up into such a fine caring person has to make her parents very proud.
We also have a teenage volunteer by the name of Jessica Bradley. Jessica comes into CPR every day, Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 5 to help with the end of day work. She has been doing this for at least 6 months now and she is very familiar with the shelter tasks and jumps right into the work, or if the work is caught up, she spends her time grooming or giving comfort care to the animals. Her dad picks her up at closing time and kindly clears up any snow that may have drifted into our driveway.
I am constantly amazed at the impact CPR has had on young people. The classroom interaction at the elementary schools we visit is so spontaneous and exciting. If we haven’t visited your elementary classroom yet and you want us to visit, please call the shelter at 498-3800 and leave me a message. We are always pleased to teach compassion for animals.
Caribou Pet Rescue is located at 6 Richards Rd in Caribou. Mailing address is PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736 Neuter and Spay – It’s the ONLY Way.
Please continue to donate your returnable bottles and cans to Caribou Pet Rescue. Each week when I go to the 88 Bennett Drive Redemption, they have several envelopes waiting for CPR. This is a huge help and we are grateful to you.
At this time, we are in need of some temporary foster homes for adult cats. Bleach is always needed as well as Clorox wipes. Call 498-3800 for information or check out our pets at www.cariboupetrescue.petfinder.com
