Pet Talk

    I believe in angels. I believe in spiritual angels who watch over and protect us every day and I believe in earthly angels, who just have a knack for doing the right thing at the right time to help their fellow man, or help animals, or help a cause, with no desire to be recognized or thanked, they just do what they do because that’s who they are.
    I have met many angels in my life.  At 18 I was pulled from a burning wreck and certain death by one such angel.  Large strong hands reaching into a blazing inferno, lifting me up and out of the car window and carrying me across the guardrail, depositing me on the highway and then disappearing into the crowd.  He never stayed to tell me his name or let me thank him; he just didn’t do it for the thanks.
    In my years working in animal welfare I have met many angels, if I named them, you would recognize them as your neighbors, your friends, someone you go to Church with or who works with you at your office or business.  You would not be surprised if I named them, as I’m sure the animals are not the only ones who have benefited from their thoughtful and generous heart felt giving.
    We have an angel at the shelter right now.  I won’t tell you his name or share his circumstances, as he would be embarrassed to be recognized.  He comes to the shelter on a daily basis, he mows, he fixes things, he donates his time and effort, and he donates financially.  He has graded and seeded our lawn, painted walls, bought and spread crushed rock so the girls won’t have to scrub mud off the shelter floors all day long from people tracking mud in from the parking lot.  We even suspect he may have paid off our oil bill, although he won’t admit to it.
    He appears just when we need him, if we call and ask if we can borrow a power tool, he brings the power tool and stays to fix what’s broken.   If we’re stranded in a snowstorm with no plow trucks in sight, he’s there with his plow, making sure the parking lot is safe for all.
    When we needed foster homes, he offered to help, and when we needed permanent homes he adopted.  He has become a part of the family, caring about the animals and making sure they are comfortable.  He is quiet and unassuming, warm and caring, when he has an idea he runs with it and everything he does he does to perfection.
    There is no proper way to thank him, he won’t take money, he blushes when you lavish praise on him, he shies away from formal recognition, so this is the only way I could think to let him know how much we all love him and appreciate him.  Every day in every way he demonstrates the size of his heart and the depth of his character and every gesture of support is helping us save animals and make sure they are well cared for until new homes can be found.
    To our very special angel, and all of you who work in animal welfare, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for every single thing that you do, every minute that you give, every project you complete, every animal you save, thank you.