Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Time to cry....

My favorite dog, Nixon, got a bee stung once. After the bee stung her, it continued to zoom around her poor ever-increasing in size face as I pulled out my kung fu moves and yelled at that SOB like I was a prison guard. Nixon's face was so distorted, she looked like a float in the Macy's parade. The road to recovery was well paved with baby benadryl for her and a long sip of Cabernet for me. This slight injury had me sick to the gills because my job was to keep her out of harms way. (The time she ate her own ____, well, that's all on her and another story for another day.) I loved her beyond what I ever thought capable for a human to love something covered in fur.

Dog-stories of all kinds impact me but this perhaps holds the gold star. A few minutes that will make you laugh and cry. Well, mostly cry but crying releases toxins so don't be afraid.


Why does it matter? Annually, over 100,000 animals in the US are abused. Approximately every 11 seconds, an animal is put down in a US Animal Shelter. A puppy is not a Christmas present to be loved in December and ignored in July. It takes a special kind of person to advocate for the furry population and it takes a heart of gold AND steel to participate in animal rescue. Could anyone? Yes but I would cry so much and so often, my actual 'help' would be watered down and fall onto the shoulders of others. This holiday season if you are looking for ways to help, you can donate to Hope for Paws, the group behind this rescue and rehab. If you want an additional location to donate, a friend from college works with this organization in Wisconsin: Northstar WI Dog Rescue and Advocacy. 

You can also save a dog from a puppy mill at Milldog Rescue.

MiniMac and I are going tomorrow night to take dog toys to a local shelter in Atlanta. You can call a shelter nearby and ask for specifics and if you can also donate food, treats, etc.

Santa's sleigh might be pulled by eight reindeer but Nixon looked like a deer, had the energy of eight toddlers and could pull that sleigh alone. On behalf of my favorite dog in the world (and I had other boxers but yes, she was my favorite) do something to help another dog in the world. Santa will like you more. Here is a photo from when she was a puppy. If you Dr. Doolittle, The Dog Whisperer or otherwise versed in 'what is that dog trying to tell me', let me help. See this picture? Her expression isn't really saying "How much longer 'til Santa?" it is actually asking, "What in the F---- is the matter with you, Mom? Seriously. Fake pose picture? Deer toy with bells on it I am scolded for trying to eat? REALLY? Someone, help me."






9 comments:

webb said...

How many of us are sitting at our desks in tears this afternoon. That will teach us to read our Blogs at work! Great video and a really good way to play Santa this year.

the walking man said...

For some reason my last 3 dogs found us. The first which lived 20 years just appeared next to the garage,years later got up from the back seat and took a look at the Shenandoah valley, laid down and died. The second came into a camp ground two weeks later after being mauled by a bear (she's still with us but at 16...) and the horse that thinks she's a moose was 11 pounds when I took her from a rat bastard neighbor, who was killing her slowly by starving her, now weighs 80 pounds. She's not bright when she wants to be stupid, she still tries to catch hornets and bees. She's my troubled child but keeps me warm at night even though she hogs the covers.

Little Ms J said...

Aw, the video made me all softie too. So many animals need good homes and people continue to order them like designer accessories.

Glad you and your little guy are doing something special! I need to do same with my Liv.

Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Those are great causes...hope lots of folks donate. Hope you holidays are heavenly!

Slamdunk said...

Thanks for challenging us to get involved. And gold stars for you an MiniMac for your toy donation.

The Life of Rylee said...

Hey Thanks for the shout out and mention of our dog rescue in Wisconsin - Northstar WI

Ed & Jeanne said...

We saved a dog from a rescue. She was a great dog. And a good tax write off when I claim her as a dependent...oh wait...I shouldn't have said that...never mind.

A Cuban In London said...

A very poignant post. I hope your dog is better. They were talking about dogs the other day on the radio. They're not just for Christmas, you know?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

Greetings from London.

Julie H said...

I saw that video floating around but hadn't watched it yet. It's amazing that a neglected dog like that was so mellow. Such a heart warming video. I work in the same parking lot as an animal shelter and I want to go volunteer there but I'm scared! I don't know if I could handle it.