Comments on: Young Lives, Big Hearts

By: MaineMom

MaineMom — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:32:52 +0000

FieldHaven Feline Rescue in Lincloln, CA, is always looking for more volunteers and foster homes. If you live in the Rosevillle, Rocklin, Loomis or Lincoln area please see fieldhaven.com or call 916-434-6022 to see how you can help. It will make your Holidays happier!

By: mittens

mittens — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:19:48 +0000

if you dont have the money to give there are plenty of things rescues and shelters can use- including a little of your time. i know of feral rescues who need people to come over and play with kitties and get them used to humans-how fun is that? playing with kitties and giving them a chance at adoption which they would never have as ferals in a regular shelter environment.

i know they always need old blankets and old towels -things we might throw away which would be very useful to them. just call up your local rescue or go to their website where the usual list the items they need.for instance if you get a new digital camera for christmas most places that use things like petfinder sure could use the old one to take pictures for the web of their adoptable animals.

i do not celebrate any of the traditional judeo-christian winter holidays but the pagan roots of what is celebrated at christmas included the reversal of social roles( in ancient rome masters would serve their slaves) and the lifting of social restrictions that allowed all to be treated as equal. isnt that what is still celebrated at least in words inside christmas cards and in the songs- goodwill toward all, giving of yourself to others and particular those less fortunate? this time of year is one of the most universally celebrated, longest held holidays no matter what it is called. how is this concept possibly maintained by mere often thoughtless commercialism? where is the good cheer in the road rage filled traffic to the mall? i can think of no creatures more deserving of some good human will then those pets who have been abandoned and neglected by those charged with their care. it doesnt take all that much to make a very big difference and i think you’ll find you benefit too.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:06:15 +0000

Please consider adding volunteering and donations to your regular routine. My family ALWAYS has one foster dog. We’ve had 40 over the past 6 years and they are very little trouble. We stick to small short-haired dogs. You can set any parameters you want. There are many rescue groups and shelters in your community who will honor your limitations and be delighted with your generosity. Or you can volunteer time at your local shelter. Or help with transports. Or help with fundraisers. It takes a lot of effort to rescue dogs and every offer of help is gladly accepted. You can donate old linens and towels to your local shelter - even newspapers and they will be so appreciative.

I personally believe in human compassion, too, so I have selected a local non-profit that I support. I know them and they are the real deal. This one happens to help uninsured get prescriptions at no cost and provides diabetes supports.

I don’t like to give regionally or nationally - I like to support and give locally after I have ascertained that the group I am supporting is legitimate and uses their resources wisely, with no duplication, and no waste.

I have asked my husband to quit exchanging Christmas presents, and at Christmas time we write checks for the kids, the grandkids, the local shetler, the local rescue group, and the local non-profit we support. Its so much better than the old Christmases spent buying stuff, wrapping stuff, shipping stuff, and exchanging stuff. The money we save on shipping and wrapping goes to a good use. :o)

By: Stefani

Stefani — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:13:34 +0000

PS —

Can we take up a collection for a Tommy Monahan Animal Rescue Fund for Disasters?

You know, to help rescue/house/treat pets in disaster scenarios, including fires.

Is anyone doing something like this?

Stefani

By: Stefani

Stefani — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:57:25 +0000

This year, my Christmas good deed will be to participate in a Cat-a-van to get a kitty to her new furrever home. I encourage everyone to reach out to one– or more — animals this Christmas and make a difference.

Sometimes, all we hear — it seems overwhelming. So much euthanasia, so much cruelty. But we can make a difference, even on a small scale.

Like the story of the boy who took a starfish washed up on the beach, and threw it back. We may not be able to make a difference to them all. But we can make a difference for one. Or two, or three . . .

May we all find our inner Tommy this holiday season.

Merry Christmas/Happy Chanukah/Kwanzaa etc. . . one and all

Stefani

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 17:20:47 +0000

What a terribly tragic story. Yet, it sends an incredible message of hope that the younger generations value the lives of animals equally to those of humans. They are not just things that share our space — they are family. My heart goes out to Tommy’s parents, and any sibliings, who have had their family decimated. I hope they can find peace in the fact that they raised a very kind, caring and loving son. My late husband risked his life one year to comfort a deer which had been hit on a very busy highway until conservation could come and put it out of its misery. Years later, he died in a single vehicle rollover, likely swerving to avoid hitting a deer himself.

By: Carolyn & Maggie

Carolyn & Maggie — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:58:12 +0000

Inspiring article with a refreshing seasonal message. Charity Navigator helps you check out a charity (animal or otherwise) you might be interested in contributing to at:

http://www.charitynavigator.or.....categories

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:41:06 +0000

Nancy G, I agree with you completely. Though so far, I do not have any life-saving stories such as yours or the ones in post, I have always felt that the bond between humans and animals is incredibly deep, comforting, and fulfilling as well.

By: Nancy G.

Nancy G. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:02:26 +0000

My mother’s life was saved by her family’s Boston Terrier when she was a little girl; she almost fell headfirst over a high retaining wall from her front yard, down onto the sidewalk below, but the dog caught her skirt and held on till her mother came running and got her. I too was saved by a dog, a neighbor’s Airedale who hung around with me when I was a toddler. I was running toward the alley and a trash truck was barreling down it. Prince got between me and the alley and stopped me; my mother saw it. My sister’s husband and son were awakened from a house fire by their big lemon and white hound Bud, who saved all their lives as well as the house [the fire was quickly put out]. The bond between humans and animals is a very deep and abiding one, a beautiful thing to experience.