Just a Thought for the Up Coming Holiday Season

Just a Thought for the Up Coming
Holiday Season
 
 
Coming home last week on a dreary
chilly late afternoon I could see cars swerving in both lanes ahead of
me. It looked as if they were dodging a piece of paper that was in the middle
of the road. It was as if when a car would get to it the paper would move a
bit to the other lane. But there was a car there to avoid also. When I got
to that point and swerved as the others had done I saw that it was a very
small and frightened kitten.
 
I backed up my car, and as the traffic
cleared I went to rescue the kitten from the middle of the road. Obliviously,
it was in shock. It ran down the middle of the road as I tried to capture
it. Then it left the road way and tried to hide in the grassy ditch. This
was no ones kitten. This poor creature had never been touched by human hands
before. I took off my coat and used it to protect myself from the
vicious, frighten animal I was about to hold in my hands.
 
I had  2 of my 5 dogs in the car
with me, and of course they wanted to know what it was I held so close to my
body, not only to comfort, but also to keep it from escaping from my
hold. I am sure they just thought to themselves, "another one, that needs
help."
 
I brought the kitten home, put it in a
cat carrier and then put it in the dog kennel that we have set up in our
house. The little thing was nothing but skin and bones. As I put the food in
the cage the kitten growled and snarled, spat at me and tried to claw me.
The little thing ate as if it had not seem food before.
 
My hope for this poor little creature
is that we will be able to tame it down enough for me to adopt out, to
someone who will love it and care for it as it should be.
 
Animals give us great comfort and joy.
Food love and shelter are not enough. Taking on the responsibility of
caring for an animal goes far beyond those 3 things. Spaying and neutering is
one of the most important things you can do.There are so many unwanted
animals. The number that is euthanized each year breaks my heart. Animals do
not know about birth control.  That is where we come in. Each of us
must do our part to get the statistics of animals  being euthanized down to
zero.
 
Many shelters and rescuer groups are
in need of foster families, food, litter, cleaning supplies, money, cuddlers
and all sorts of other things are needed to operate efficiently, and of
course the best gift of all would be the willingness to take on a new
creature of God. Please don't just look at the puppies and kittens. I
adopted a 13 year old deaf Cocker Spaniel. "Muffin" has given me great pleasure.
She is a bit slower than the others but has plenty of love to give. She
shows  appreciation everyday for me bringing her into my home.
 
Some people put together the money
they would spend on family and friends and put it towards spaying and
neutering a colony of feral cats. This is a project that takes not only time
and patience but also money. Many Cities have a low cost spaying and
neutering program. If they don't, why don't You be the one to spearhead that
worth while program.
 
Remember animals should not be given as gifts
unless the recipient knows it is coming and is aware of the responsibility
that goes with ownership of a new animal. It is best not to give that
cute puppy or kitten on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. It may be cute
but there is so much other STUFF to attend to those days. A suggestion would
be a gift certificate to your local shelter to be redeemed after the Holidays
when a routine could be established, and things would be more
normal.
 
OH, my wild Kitten?  I had picked it up off
the road on Friday, by Monday night it was sleeping in the crook of my neck
and purring in my ear with 3 dogs and another cat sleeping close by. I
adopted it out to a family with a 6 year old and a 7 year old. That little
kitten is having a Wonderful Warm and Happy Christmas.
 
That is my Wish for each and every one of you.
May the spirit of the Season, be with you although the New Year.