Circle

When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was Beastmaster. (still a favorite, actually). Of course I loved that Dar could talk to animals. I always thought I could too. But my favorite quote from the movie is, "Life is a circle. We'll meet again."

I believe in kindness to all creatures. I believe in karma. I believe that every time I extend a helping hand to an animal in need, it will come back to me sometime in this life. I believe making a difference to one small animal is important.

More recently, I started to believe that if I choose to not be part of the solution, then I am actually part of the problem. I got tired of hearing "you can't save them all" from people that won't even try to save one. I got tired of hearing "not my problem" when people saw abandoned and abused animals on the side of the road.

No, I can't save them all. Shoot, I can't even find Shelby Angel a home and it haunts me every single day. Every day. Not a day goes by that I don't think about it. But yes, I can make a difference. I would rather fail trying than to never try at all for something in which I claim to believe.

Below is the best part of my entire week. Hands down. This is what life is all about. This is why I spend most of my Friday nights dog-walking and volunteering.

Maybe 6-8 weeks ago or so, I stopped my car on the way home from work when I saw two white, pit puppies crossing a really busy and dangerous road. I got out of my car and thought that maybe I could try to help them. Of course, I was not in a good part of town, but when are you ever in Memphis?

As I got close to the puppies, they looked to be about 4 months old and were completely emaciated. One had wire wrapped around its neck. Wire. I wanted to throw up. They were trying to eat out of trash bags on the side of the road. When I approached the dogs, they started to cry- a horrible, abused cry. I will never forget that cry. It was the cry of an animal that has been hurt by a human and fears for its life. I hope you never hear it. They ran off and I could not catch them.

I went to my car and got some dog food. (I now always keep an extra supply because I am always encountering starving strays). I tracked the dogs into someone's yard- completely trespassing and probably a prime target to get shot. I could not lure the dogs close to me, and I ended up scaring them so much they ran back into traffic. I gave up because I knew I would not be able to catch them, and I left them food and prayers.

As is typical of me, I got in the car and called Dave and just cried and cried. Dave worries that I risk too much to save animals, but I don't even think twice about it. Sometimes it is just the right thing to do. The call is very clear to me when I get it. Dave listened and comforted. For the past months, I have looked for those dogs on that road. Of course, I never saw them again, but they have been on my mind ever since. Daily.
Until tonight. I was dog-walking at the Humane Society when John, an kennel worker, was walking "Wilbur," a new puppy. He immediately caught my eye, and I made the comment about how he looked so much like a dog that I tried to rescue on Tchulahoma road. Well, guess where Wilbur and his sister were rescue recently? Tchulahoma road in an abuse case. Out of the thousands and thousands of animals I see- and that are abused here in this city- of all the places he could have gone...the dog I had prayed for so many days was right in front of me.

I rushed to go outside and meet Wilbur, a dog that has been on my mind for 2 months. He came running up to me with his tail wagging and immediately snuggled with me and would not leave my side. We just sat there snuggling and hugging and loving.

John could not believe his eyes- he said Wilbur has been so scared of everyone and has not let anyone pet him or make contact with him. There was this huge, instant connection and Wilbur would not leave my side. It was so amazing, and John just kept saying over and over how unbelievable it was. Did Wilbur remember me? Did he remember my smell from the food? Could he just tell that I was a person that really loved him deep down? I had to walk in with him because he got so upset when he was separated from me.

His sister is at the Human Society too, but she is not doing well and is needing treatment. Hopefully I will get to see her soon. I feel like God answered my prayers. He really listened and knew how much my heart hurt. To see these dogs safe- I can't tell you what this means to me. This might be the best day of my whole year.

Life is a circle. Kindness to animals does matter.

And, for those of you who think you might want a dog one day- hands down, this is going to be a great dog. Oh man. What a sweetheart. I am beyond partial to pits, of course, but this dog is just the most gentle, submissive lover ever. Nothing is better than a rescue dog that knows love. You will never find a more faithful and loving companion. Check him out- and his sister too when she heals at the Memphis Humane Society. I am so in love I am going to have to make some extra trips this week to see him.