Monday, December 15, 2008

'Tis the Season to Woof & Meow

During this time of economic chaos, meaning the poor are getting poorer, there is a class right at the bottom of the totem pole: homeless dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, and other assorted critters. These domesticated animals—unwanted, dumped, neglected, subjected to cruelty and torture—are also least able to take care of themselves. They remain totally helpless regardless of how rich the banks are getting.

So Martha and I are celebrating Christmas differently this year. Instead of spending money on gifts, we are sending it to a charity we've supported for over twenty years: the Denver Dumb Friends League. Unfortunately it is a kill shelter, and last year they had to destroy almost 30,000 animals. 30,000 kills for just one shelter, which sounds like an oxymoron. On the other hand, they managed to place another 30,000 through in-house adoptions, rescue groups, pets for the elderly, and other programs.



(Click on the photo to see it full size.)


Our own little guy, "Irish", was on a kill list somewhere in Phoenix the day he was rescued, and that would have been horrendous because he's so loveable—and loving in return.


His snoring lulls me to wakefulness


Our long-time friend Rhonda is now an official foster home for Heartland Humane Society, and she has a new blog called Almost Home. Not only does Rhonda write about fostering, but her photography is incredibly good. If you're the type who has difficulty reading, stop by her blog just for the pictures.

So I think this is going to be a pretty heart-warming Christmas for Martha and me. No socks made out of burlap for me, and no Paris Hilton fragrance, the one called "Spring on the Hog Farm," for Martha. Maybe, just maybe, we will save a beautiful little animal for someone to love.

And love is what Christmas should be all about.

Denver Dumb Friends League
Heartland Humane Society

8 comments:

Michelle Flaherty said...

You're a good man, Charlie (Brown). Sorry, I couldn't resist. *wink*

This time of year kills me when it comes to those animals needing a good home. I've adopted 3 of my pets and I would do it again in a heartbeat. If I had the money and the space, I would go to the Humane Society right now and adopt all the dogs and cats!

DogTired said...

Thanks for the plug for the blog, my friend. But, mostly, thank you for writing such a great piece and helping your local rescue. And, most of all, thank you for giving Irish both a cozy bed to sleep on and people to "lull to wakefulness"!

stinkypaw said...

What a nice way to celebrate Christmas! I so know what you mean about the love shared with our furry friends.

BTW, you've never sent/wrote that piece about Punkers for my other blog "Love is a Four-Legged Word"... You could also write something about Irish, just to share the love!!

Charlie said...

KOOLIO: I don't know about all the dogs and cats—I mean, walking around barefoot would be suicidal.

But your heart is in the right place.

DT: There's no question where your heart is. And you have the Irish thing backward: he allows Martha and I to sleep in his bed.

SP: Furry friends is right.

I know I haven't written the piece on Punk—I didn't forget—but believe it or not, it still hurts too much to write about her yet.

Now Irish is a different story . . .

Mary Witzl said...

What a great thing to do, Charlie, and good for you. And I cannot imagine HOW the photographer got all those dogs to hold still for that photo!

My mother collected strays, and my oldest sister has been a cat-and-dog rescue person for over the past 20 years. When people see how many animals she has, they bring by their strays and their rejects, or they just leave them for her to find. It wouldn't be my choice of lifestyle, but she would not be happy doing anything else.

Kim Ayres said...

I reckon that photo was Photoshopped. Otherwise the photographer would have had to take about 2,000 pics in the hope of getting one where they all look the same way.

I mean, have you ever tried taking a family photo?

Charlie said...

MARY & KIM: The first thing Martha said, Mary, was "I cannot imagine HOW the photographer got all those dogs to hold still for that photo!"

I agree with you, Kim, that it was Photoshopped, and I think the background is the first clue.

I get a kick out of the little black dog, third from the left in front: He reminds me of Cousin It from the Addams Family with a dye job.

And yes, Kim, I've tried taking a family photo and Martha refuses to hold still.

Mary Witzl said...

(Poor Kim -- he took our family portrait. He knows what he's talking about here. Those dogs would be a cinch for him, after us.)