Random Acts of Kindness

Small, random acts of kindness may not always seem like much. In fact... these actions may even seem trivial, insignificant, or lackluster... to the giver. 

But for me... these thoughtful gifts... make the world go round. They represent the one thing we could all use a little more of… hope.

Recently, I’ve been extremely blessed by random acts of kindness. If only these people knew just how much their generosity has touched my heart... and the impact they've had on my life.

While I could never fully describe my gratitude in words, this is my lame attempt to express what these things meant to me…

The other day, I was working hard by myself at Lucky Dog. It was a blazing-hot afternoon, and I was trying my best to get all of the dogs taken care of... without passing out from the heat.

So, I went inside, to work in the air conditioning for a bit... when I suddenly heard a loud-ass, weed-eater outside. In that moment, I was pretty confused…

I wasn’t expecting anyone to be there that day. So, I walked outside… and it turns out... my friend, Matt Mathis, was out there, weed-eating the yard. When he saw me standing there, with a puzzled look on my face, he simply said: “I’m here to volunteer.”

It was seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. The act itself seemed small to Matt, but it was huge for me. It was so much bigger than he could know, and it went far beyond the weed-eating itself.

 Yes… the grass here was looking pretty rough... and I just hadn’t had anyone to help me take care of it. But my heart was so touched, because Matt was going out of his way... to help me with something I really needed. He didn’t want credit… he wasn’t even going to tell me he was there doing it.

Honestly, he was planning to let me walk out the door... and see a freshly trimmed lawn... with no bill to pay. Thank God the weed-eater was so loud, because it gave me the chance to say, “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Matt didn’t need to hear those words, but I needed to say them.

Then, later this week, three of my sweet friends, Joy Henson, Maygen Crowe, and Dana Smith, blew me away with their generosity. On their own, they began to promote Lucky Dog Rescue in the Care2 Shelter Contest here locally... something I haven’t had the time to do at all.

On their own... Joy, Maygen, and Dana got together, contacted the local media, and worked to get our community more involved in voting for Lucky Dog Rescue. They had the local news station come out to interview me, got the local paper to run an article about the contest, and set-up interviews for me with radio stations as well.

Also, Joy writes a very popular blog, and she wrote a special post about me, my rescue, and the contest. Joy has written several touching blog posts about me in the past... and her words leave me speechless each time. Joy not only loves and appreciates my work with dogs, but she knows me personally. She’s one of my biggest supporters, and I value her friendship more than she’ll ever know. In this town, everyone loves and respects Joy Henson.

I’m honored to know... that Joy Henson loves and respects me as well.

In addition, Dana started a facebook event, inviting all of the local residents to join, vote, and ask their friends to do the same. Dana is another huge supporter of Lucky Dog. She loves what I do, and she fights for the things my dogs deserve. Her support and encouragement honestly mean the world to me. So, Dana and Maygen started working to promote the facebook event... and the response was truly amazing.

I should also mention that Maygen volunteers her time at Lucky Dog each week. She helps me clean kennels, walk dogs, play with dogs, and on and on. More than that, she and I have the best time laughing together, while we work. Maygen is the bright spot in my day... every time she comes out... and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. The dogs all love her, but I think I may love her a little more.

Every time she leaves, I thank her immensely for her help. But she always says, “I’m the one who should be thanking you... for letting me be here.” I freaking love it Every action on Maygen’s part is truly a God-send for me.

There’s another friend who always touches my heart with her kindness, Pippa Jackson of ARF of MS. Yesterday, I was having a rough afternoon, and I sent Pippa a text... to say that I was really struggling. Pippa is an insanely busy woman, but she immediately dropped what she was doing... to call and cheer me up. Throughout our talk, she listened, gave advice, and made me laugh.

In doing that, she totally turned my day around. Pippa does this for me... every single time I need her, no matter what she has going on in her own life.

Sometimes, a simple phone call is all it takes to make a difference for someone, and Pippa proves that to me each time we talk.

Caring, giving people are truly the heart of this world. With all the suffering I witness, sometimes I begin to lose faith in humanity. I’m surrounded by inhumane actions each day. I see the abuse, the neglect, and the indifference… and at times, I wonder if my continued optimism is even warranted.

But then, amazing people go out of their way for me and others, and I’m reminded of the goodness that still exists. Seemingly small... random acts of kindness have the ability to restore my faith in the world... and give back the hope that many have tried to take away from me.

I’d say that’s not “small” at all. That’s huge.

Never underestimate your power to make a difference. Never assume that there’s nothing you can do… everyone can do something. Never forget that even the smallest actions on your part, can change the world... for someone who needs help. You may be their only hope.

*While I couldn’t list all the names here, this post was written for every Lucky Dog Rescue donor, volunteer, foster home, and supporter. Thank you... I could never do this without you.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR LUCKY DOG RESCUE IN THE CARE2 SHELTER CONTEST!

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!

Broken Hearts of Steel

I'm often asked if an “emotional” or “soft” person should be involved in animal rescue. Actually... I'd argue that you have to be “soft” ... in order to feel truly motivated to end animal cruelty.

When you see unimaginable suffering, your heart should hurt. In rescue, compassion is the spark that ignites the fire. Without compassion, no animal would ever be saved.

Many people mistake a “soft” heart for “weakness.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of the kindest, most caring people I work with in rescue... are also the toughest people I know.

We all cry. All of us. We may seem “strong,” but we're all walking around... with broken hearts of steel…

Honestly, it's not about "strength."
Instead, the defining factor to success in rescue is this:  Action.

The people who take their heartbreak, & turn it into action on behalf of the animals... those are the people who truly change the world. Many of these people are my dear friends, & I'm constantly amazed by their ability to carry on... despire their own pain.

There's a balance… between soft & hard. Finding this balance is the challenge. People often tell me, “I’m not as strong as you… I just couldn’t handle the things you see on a daily basis.”

What they don’t realize is that I’m one of the “softest” people you'll ever meet. I may appear tough, but trust me... I’m not.

My heart hurts all the time.

I've lost many battles.

I've cried into more than one lifeless body.

One of those bodies was my own angel, Rudy.

I'll be honest... no matter how many times you witness this heartbreak, there are some things you just never get used to.

However... at the same time... I'd say that the more cruelty I see, the “harder” my heart becomes. This happens out of necessity. In order to make a difference, you've gotta adapt to the pain. Your heart molds to each situation… & you become stronger with each rescue. 

Even if you think you can’t handle something... just try. Don't give yourself the excuse of simply saying: “I can’t handle it.”
You can.
Trust me... if I can, you can.

So... I'm writing this for all the good-hearted people who love animals, but think they're too “weak” to get involved. Here’s what I’m asking of you: Take your heartbreak, and get angry. Allow yourself to get so angry, that you can't sit any longer... without acting.

My ability to do this is actually my greatest strength. I turn sadness into anger… anger into action… every single day.

Please, give yourself more credit & try to do the same. You're stronger than you think, & the animals need you NOW.

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!

Pet Pardons

I want to encourage everyone to join the new facebook application, Pet Pardons. Pet Pardons is an amazing app focused on saving the lives of shelter pets… and it is making a HUGE DIFFERENCE for these animals.

Pet Pardons Co-founders, Chris Hoar and myself, launched the app in December 2010. I am also the Marketing & Communications Director for the site.

About Pet Pardons

Pet Pardons is a facebook application that allows users to get involved in trying to save shelter dogs & cats on death row, in addition to promoting pets in no-kill shelters. The goal of Pet Pardons is to find homes for shelter pets who are scheduled for euthanasia (as well as those in no-kill shelters), by getting their faces & stories out to the public. The hope is that someone will be able to help each pet by fostering, transporting, donating, and/or adopting.

In order to help a Pet Pardons dog or cat, the user can click the “Advocate” button on each pet’s profile. The “Advocate” button will instantly share the pet on the user’s facebook wall, allowing the user’s friends to see & share the pet as well. The more users who advocate for each dog & cat, the better the chances of the pet being seen by someone who can rescue or adopt—thus granting the pet a “pardon!”

To install the Pet Pardons app, follow the link & click Install Pet Pardons:

http://apps.facebook.com/petpardons/

Then go into each pet's profile & click the green ADVOCATE button with the pink heart!

Pet Pardons is privately-funded & run by Chris Hoar & myself. Please join Pet Pardons today to help save the lives of these deserving shelter pets!!!

Just Writing From My Heart

Tonight, I'm just writing from my heart. I don’t have one particular topic to blog about, but it’s just been one of those days... where I need to say how I feel.

I rescue animals. I think that’s pretty apparent... to anyone who comes in contact with me.

“Hey Ash, it seems to me... you must like dogs?”

Who, me?? No…
... Not so much.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that I love dogs, & all animals. I want to help them --all of them, in every way that I can.

But… I'm just one person.
One girl, trying to save the world.
And sometimes, that wears on your heart.

Your relationships suffer. Your health suffers. Your overall well-being isn't that great..
Because... you rarely put yourself first.

But for me, it’s all worth it.

I'm incapable of NOT being this way.
It’s what makes me… me.

But I guess the frustration comes in, when—day after day—you see these things happening, & you're one of few... working to put an end to the suffering.

That's especially the case... in Mississippi...

The state of Mississippi is the worst-of-the-worst when it comes to animal cruelty.
And that's not just my personal opinion.

An incredible, international animal activist... who's seen it all-- across the globe... agrees with me...
And he'll tell you the same... about my state.

Things are bad here. Things need to change here. People need to CARE that this is happening.

Beyond that... Mississippi is one of four states, where animal cruelty is considered a "misdemeanor" offense. Are you kidding me? It’s a joke, really. But an un-funny joke... that makes me want to scream...

Soo... when I share a heartbreaking story about a dog in a horrible situation here, I'm not trying to offend or upset people. Honestly... I’m not.

I'm simply sharing... to make people aware that these things are happening. They're happening in my state... and likely... in your state, too.

I want people to know what’s going on. I want them to know the truth… so they can get angry. Angry enough to say, NO MORE. This has to stop.

I want to inspire people to get involved... to make a difference. In ANY way that you can. Every person is capable of making a difference in the world, but... in order to make this happen... you have to ACT.

All I ask, is that people do what they can to help. Whatever that "help" may be.
Advocate, Volunteer, Foster, Adopt, Donate...

Even if you have only $5 to donate, then that’s something....

Well… let me be honest. If you have like four million dollars in the bank, & you reach around all those hundreds in your pocket ... to pull out a crisp, 5 dollar bill for the animals...
Well… okay, I just won’t go there.

But every little bit helps, & every action towards change helps to change the world.

And change can start... NOW!

Change can start... with YOU!

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!