Stand up

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. -

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The other day I stood in awe of one of my students.

It isn't often that I see a kid that is self-confident enough to stand up for what they believe.

 Especially in middle school.

So when I have a student that not only says what they believe,

but approaches others in the hope to change their mind, I stand in awe.

The other day, a 6^th grade girl overheard a group of 8^th grade girls talking about how mean and vicious pit bull dogs are.  She was much smaller than the 8^th graders and determined.

I saw her stand up quickly and march over to that group.

She was already sharing her opinions as she approached.

“Pit bulls aren't mean or vicious! It’s their owners who don’t train them well or treat them badly.  No dog starts out life mean, it’s what humans do to the animals that make them react in different ways.  Treat them with kindness and they will be kind.  Animals only do what they need to protect themselves. That’s just nature.”

I stood in awe.

Proud to know that there will always be people of all ages using their voices to help animals.

 

I was not that kid.

I wanted to be, but I wasn't.

Instead I was the kid, who stood by, shocked at what was happening, but too scared to step out.

It wasn't until I was much older…a senior in high school, that I was brave enough.

Not completely brave to stand up to a group, but brave enough to stand up for one.

One dog.

That was the year that I found my first rescue…Quincy.

He was a little 10 month old puppy that my dad told me about.

The dog had been living at a welding company,
a forgotten and unwanted birthday gift to the owner’s son.

Instead of taking care of the pup, they left it there.

The workers feed him and gave him water, but on the weekends…he was alone.

Very alone.

Living in a concrete cell, a shed.

No light, no grass, no love.

My dad didn't have to tell me much about him.

My heart ached for him before I even knew him,
and the moment I saw him, he had to be mine.

He was a little mud-covered pup,
who sat at my feet begging to be love.

I looked him over and knew that day was going
to be the last day he needed to beg for love from me.

For the next 16 years he was my constant companion.

He was my heart.

I’m thankful that I was strong enough to stand up to the old,
grumpy man that day and take the puppy with me.

I’m glad that Quincy wasn't going to live around him anymore.

That he would be kicked or hit or left alone without human contact.

He would be loved.

And he was, until the last moment of life and in my heart forever.

Every dog should have such a life.

So now, I stand in awe.

I wished that I had the strength of this little girl.

She wasn't afraid.

She believed in what she said, and she was right.

That strength from someone so young,
makes my heart soar.

I hope for a day when all animals will be loved.

The day when people won’t abuse,
Instead love will be the prevalent response to others.

But until that day,
I will have hope in our future generations.

Kids are strong in their opinions.

They stand up for injustice and have the strength to change in ideas of others.

They’re cool like that. 

Remembering Quincy by Helping Smokey's Fund

Quincy...my furry best friend for 16 years on Earth.  A furry best friend for eternity in heaven.

My dad found him living in a concrete machine shop, locked in over the weekends.  Though he had food and water, he wasn't let out for sometimes 3 days at a time.  Living in the dark, made him shy, but his love of people never wavered.  :0) When I went to look at him after school one day, I knew that I couldn't leave him there.  He had to come home with me.  Lucky for me, my parents let me bring him home....not many parents of a senior in high school, who was going away to college the next year, would let her do that.  But my parents, well, they knew that a dog was as necessary to me as breathing. 

For the next 16 years, Quincy and I were inseparable....well, except for the months at college...but he was always in my heart or by my side.  He still is. 

I can't think of a better way to remember Quincy than helping other aging dogs live out their elderly years in comfort.  Good thing that I'm not the only one who thinks this...Thank you Fences for Fidos for doing the difficult work, that I am not strong enough emotionally to handle.

What is Smokey’s Fund?

Information from http://www.fencesforfido.org/smokeysfund

Hope for dogs suffering from long term chaining

Chained dogs suffer mental and emotional abuse, but their physical suffering and the chronic and degenerative illnesses that result from living most of their lives chained, is unbelievably cruel and unjust.

Thanks to the family of an amazing dog named Smokey, Fences For Fido now has a special memorial fund committed to freeing, and providing much needed veterinary care for dogs who have been chained and neglected for many, many years.

Smokey's Fund is dedicated to the big spirit and enduring love of a dog who was chained for more than 9 years, before he was rescued by a dedicated animal advocate and adopted by this loving family. Smokey was left with physical disabilities, chronic pain, and a multitude of other conditions requiring costly medications and veterinary care. In honor of this brave dog, who lived a horrific life for many years on a chain and yet was able to accept and give love, Smokey's Fund will focus on freeing these older dogs and providing the funds to alleviate their suffering.

Smokey's Fund

• Builds fences & provides houses for dogs who have lived for more than 5 years chained.
• Provides comprehensive veterinary care and medications for these physically suffering dogs.
• Helps facilitate the rescue & adoption of these dogs by a loving family.
• Supports educational efforts about the physical suffering and illnesses that result from dogs being chained.

Smokey's Story When Smokey was found chained, he had mats the size of softballs hanging from his long fur. Poor nutrition, constant exposure to the elements, no exercise, untreated infections and lack of veterinary care, had left him deaf, with a paralyzed larynx, and severe arthritis and degenerative joint disease. Once rescued, Smokey received much needed veterinary care and constant love and attention – but he suffered for the rest of his life from being chained and neglected all those years. His hips, spine, legs, ears, and larynx had all deteriorated. He couldn't walk up or down stairs, run, and he had trouble lying down and getting up. His condition worsened over the three years with his new family, and required increasing therapy and pain medications. His paralyzed larynx caused him to pant even in mild temperatures, during short, slow walks. For this reason he needed to have his coat clipped frequently and grooming was painful because of the arthritis in his legs and hips and spine. One eardrum disintegrated from infection, and he couldn't hear well at all. To communicate with Smokey, one needed to touch gently his back or bend and motion in front of him. His mistreatment also affected his mind, and behavior. He often would walk up to a door or wall and stand staring at it for minutes. He paced back and forth for no apparent reason, and was unusually anxious to receive each of his meals. Smokey needed someone with him throughout the day, to help him; he could not be left unaccompanied by a person for longer than a few hours, despite the ever-present companionship and aid of his "big sister," Skippy, a black Labrador retriever mix. But Smokey's personality survived his long ordeal. He taught his rescuers about perseverance and patience. He taught them how to accept what is, no matter how awful, and to look forward to what may bring us comfort and joy. Smokey's story is about HOPE. This is how a dog's life should ALWAYS be.  Will you help me?! Please donate...your gratitude is unmeasurable!

I will be hosting a silent auction of Thanksgiving Desserts for this cause

at my school for staff members on Wednesday, November 14th. :0)