Shelter Dog Smiles
To see a smile on a dog's face -- a dog who's never had a reason to smile in his whole life -- and to know that his smile is now there, because of you... there's no better feeling on Earth. That's animal rescue.
Today, a dog waits in an animal shelter. He is waiting... for you. Maybe you can't adopt a dog today. But can you love a dog today? Can you give an hour of your time to walk a dog today? Can you give just a few minutes to make a dog smile today?
What if YOU are his only chance to matter today? Are you too busy to give that to him? Today could be his last... and love is his final request. You are all he wants... a smile is all he needs.
But sadly... he doesn't expect you-- or anyone --to come for him today. He doesn't expect to smile today... smiles live only in his heart. He doesn't expect to get walked today... walks exist only in his dreams.
He doesn't expect to be noticed today... he's never been noticed before. He doesn't expect to feel special today... he's never been special before. He doesn't expect to matter today... he's never mattered before.
He doesn't expect you to give him love... but he loves you anyway. He doesn't expect you to give a kiss... but he'd kiss you either way. He doesn't expect you to take him home... but he still hopes it's his day.
A dog waits in an animal shelter today. He doesn't know it's his last day to live. He knows only the dreams in his heart... dreams that have never come true. Today... on his last day... a walk would make the difference for him. Today, your love would make it okay... your smile would heal his pain. And on his last day... for just a little while... maybe he could smile, too.
If you've never experienced that feeling, of making a smileless dog smile, I challenge you to get involved TODAY. I challenge you to take an hour of your time and volunteer for your local animal shelter or dog rescue group. Walk a rescue dog... a dog who may not get walked today... if not for you. Give love to a shelter dog... a dog who may not have love today... if not for you.
Today, I challenge you to make a shelter dog smile.
If you can't volunteer, I challenge you to foster a dog. I challenge you to open your home and your heart to a dog who will die without you. I challenge you to give me one good reason why your life is more important than their's.
If nothing else, I challenge you to donate to animals in need. If you need to find a charity, I've got one for ya right here. I challenge you to give something... anything... that will provide these deserving dogs with the chance to smile.
Today, a dog waits in an animal shelter. He is waiting... for you. I challenge you to make a difference. Please, help him smile today.
*Dedicated in memory of all the shelter dogs who never got their chance to smile.
I wish i could go to the Animal Control here and walk a dog. They pretty much refuse to let you see the animals unless you are serious about adopting, like they don't have the time. It's sad. I feel bad for all of them.
ReplyDeleteMaybe there's a local rescue group you could help? Or does your shelter have a foster program? There may still be ways you can make a difference :)
ReplyDeleteI want to say bless your heart for giving those a chance at love, and the life they'd never would have had...Animals deserve so much love, I had a dog his name was Gizmo and my dad took him to the vet and had him put to sleep cause he was very sick, I'd had no idea how much hurt it was til I knew he was gone that day...He was only 1 1/2 years old I think....I am going to get dogs out of the shelter when I move, just can't do it right now due to living in a rental home and not a big enough space either....I'm also going to donate my time once I replace my car....
ReplyDeleteTransporting is another incredible way to help these dogs! It's such an easy way to make a difference... I wish more people like you would step-up :)
ReplyDeleteLike I always say, EVERYONE can do SOMETHING :)
I work in cancer research and am studing to get my MBA, so I don't have a whole lot of free time, but because of you I started volunteering at my local shelter (PAWS Cat City in Seattle) 3 months ago. Every Saturday morning I go to clean cat rooms, cuddle creatures and help them and people find a forever friend. It's perhaps the best thing I've ever done. Last weekend I helped 6 cats get adopted, including a long-time resident senior to awesome families. That's 6 spaces free for new animals, including some cats we got from the Joplin tornado area. What an awesome feeling! I know people have busy lives, but I urge everyone to be involved- you can turn dog-walking into a family event or perhaps suggest donations to a deserving shelter if your child's school or your work is fundraising for charity. Even gently used blankets or a donated small bag of animal treats helps your shelters to stay running!
ReplyDeleteWell, this just made me a blubbering mess!!! (But I loved it!)And I totally agree with your statement in the comments sectio about transporting....not nearly enough drivers out there. There are so many small things that people can do. I know money is tight for many right now & some people can't donate money but volunteering doesn't have to cost a dime...walk a dog, play with them, volunteer with a rescue or shelter. Offer to wash bedding/towels, transport to/from the vet, donate proceeds from your yard sale. (Sorry, I got carried away!) As always, Ashley, you are so incredible...wish we could find a way to clone you. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is the very best feeling in the world! I cherish every spot of doggie drool, and every muddy paw print. I just want to make them smile as well. Another wonderful blog. Ashley, you really should write a book! Just publish your blog and it will be a hit!!!
ReplyDeleteI just donated! I will donate again when I can! We just adopted a dog - a Lab mix - from a high-kill shelter in Georgia. Doing so sparked me to Google search dog rescues and that is how I found your blog, Facebook page, and general info. I so wish I lived closer to volunteer for your dogs!! But I do plan on starting to volunteer at my local animal welfare center very soon (I am in NJ). Keep doing what you are doing. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have very recently seen a "hopeless" dog smile, and it makes my day every single time he smiles. A very scared dog was recently dropped off at my brother's house, and I took him in to try to find him a home. He has obviously been mistreated, but I am working with him to help him trust people again, and he has the BIGGEST doggy smile in the whole world once he knows that you won't hurt him. It will take a little work to get him ready, but I have already spoken with a local rescue to be able to take him to their adoption days when he is ready. And I plan to continue afterword by working with this rescue in fostering needy animals. Thank you for everything that you do, Ashley! And Bless You!
ReplyDeleteLindsay,
ReplyDeleteYou could never know what your comment just meant to me. The fact that you are taking time out of your super-busy schedule to volunteer, and that you took the time to include me in that, well... it's just amazing!!! It made my whole day!!! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!!
Megan, thank you so much for donating! You are wonderful!!!
And to everyone, I promise you that YOU, yes YOU, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, just by volunteering your time. Please don't wait for someone else to do it... we need ALL the someones we can get!!! We need YOU!!! Thank you all for caring!
PLEASE SHARE THIS POST!!! Maybe it will inspire someone to act :)
I am so happy i found this page. I share the Pet Pardons on FB as much as I can. I just wish there were some for the animals here on the west coast. I suffer from wanting to save them all. which makes it so very difficult to go to a shelter and visit the animals because i cant bear to leave them there knowing what will most likely happen. it crushes my heart. i am not a strong enough person to do that. i could for a no kill shelter because i know they will find a home but the kill shelters i just hate. i know that many of you reading this probably think i am a horrible person for not being able to make a kill shelter animal smile. if i could become strong enough i would. if i ever came into money i want to build an animal sanctuary where i and many others could help many types of animals, along the lines of the one in Utah. I would love to keep in touch with your site. Also, it is looking like i might have some extra time in the future as my Dr is putting me on disability so maybe i could do some pet pardons for animals on this end of the USA? Love Marie and Penny, Candi, Jezzi, Boo, and Oliver!
ReplyDeleteI've spent WAY too many new years wondering what I did with my life that year, did I make a difference ? This time, I'll be able to answer that question and feel good about it ! I'm donating what I can and I know first hand that time means just as much sometimes as money does. I know that there are animals everywhere that need our help, and that only we can make this change. I can't wait to see a dog smile tomorrow !
ReplyDeleteAs I sit with tears in my eyes I wanted you to know this is so well written...thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us desperately want to start a shelter or sanctuary, and I really believe that we all mean it, but YOU DID IT! Bless you! Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and words of encouragement. I admire you greatly.
ReplyDeleteI rescued a feral, abused dog from a shelter. I believe it took 2 yrs. for him to understand what a treat was, how to play and to smile. This memory is now mine forever...the accomplishment profound, the accomplishment priceless. He has my heart!
ReplyDeleteMakes my heart ache.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I love reading your blogs. I have not seen any share buttons on the last few. I usually tweet them.
ReplyDeleteAshley, you are amazing! I work for a County Animal Control Agency in Florida and appreciate all you do for the animals. I was previously Director for a no-kill Humane Society in the same county. I have dedicated my life for the last 16 years to helping animals. At times, I have felt overwhelmed with despair, due to so many in need and the feeling that I can't possibly do enough to save them all. So many of you have such true insight into the shelter dog life and how to make a difference. It is inspiring! Thankyou!!!
ReplyDeleteWell said Ashley, I am going to re-post this so that you may bring others to tears as you have me. Animal shelters can make me feel overwhelmed emotionally and I am afraid that I may not resist the erg to free all the animals. In which case I could end up in jail or a nut house. I love what you do and hope to some day have my own rescue. For now I am doing the financial planning.
ReplyDeleteAshley, your blog brought tears to my eyes. My husband and I do what we can with two full time jobs. We've got 3 rescued dogs (one is a pit bull mix) we do agility training and working towards CGC certificates with all of them. We've also got a foster from the OB shelter that's a very sweet yellow lab mix, who just can't seem to get anyone interested in her. If she stays any longer, she'll become part of our family too--I'm going to need a bigger yard :)
ReplyDeletemy room is a revolving door for strays. i have been able to find the owners of almost every dog that 'has found me'. because they do find me. its a little strange, but thats how it happens. i even had to open up a cell phone bill one time to find the owner. i told him that i opened his mail, and he said.."THANK YOU"...
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I LOVE how you rescue so many bully breeds. I have a soft spot for Pits myself. We're currently taking care of a neighborhood stray kitten in hopes of getting her adopted. Keep up the GREAT work!
ReplyDeleteThis is still my favorite LBRB blog ever.
ReplyDelete