As a member of the Etsy affiliate program and an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This post is a part of Blog the Change for Animals.
Find out how you can take part at
I’m kind of a geek. I know what you’re thinking. A grown woman who blogs for her dog, bakes homemade dog treats while making herself frozen pizzas and who celebrated her dog’s last birthday with more pomp and circumstance than she will put into her own is a geek? A dork? A goof? WHAT? How is that even POSSIBLE?!
Shocking. I know. These idiosyncrasies are clearly the traits of one totally hip, rockin‘ cool and obviously well-adjusted individual, right?? Everyone talks to their dogs, RIGHT? In addition to being too cool for school, I am a theater nerd. Many years ago, I had the pleasure of being in a production of All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Seventeen at the time, and still labouring under the delusion that I was “cool”, the greater meaning and beautiful message of the show was completely lost on me.
Ten years later, the show and one scene in particular are still with me. The wonderful story, in it’s entirety can be read here. I highly recommend it – it changed who I am and how I think about my life and my work with animals.
I am not the light.
But I see the light everyday in Koly and Felix’s eyes. I feel it in the warmth a shelter pup’s snuggle and in the joy they radiate when they realize that not all humans are cruel. When a pup discovers toys for the first time. I see the light in a child’s eyes when they meet the perfect shelter dog to be their new best friend.
I feel the light shinging in every post from Ashley at the Lucky Dog Rescue Blog and in all the posts from people advocating for animals with the Pet Pardons Facebook App. I see the light in the pictures of Patrick getting better. In the video of a soldier and his dog being reunited. I feel the light reading about the amazing folks saving the Dogs of Brazil or when I hear about rescuers going into evacuation zone in Japan to help the animals affected by the quakes. I feel the light in every photo of Ziggy the foster dog or of Mr. Gonzo Bunny-Ears. I see the light everyday in the posts from my dog blog friends.
If I can capture even a little of that light – of the joy that comes with being a an animal lover and a animal volunteer brings to my life and reflect it back into my local shelter and my community, then my life will have a purpose.
If I can bring even one new volunteer to the shelter, then I am doing my job.
And so, that is my hope for change. There are too many dogs in too many shelters and not nearly enough volunteers. I would love for everyone who reads this post to spend a few hours volunteering for a shelter or rescue. If you find it as amazing and heart-warming and rewarding as I do, I hope you’ll pass it on and encourage someone in your life to volunteer too. No one person can save them alone. I can not set the world on fire all by my lonesome, but if I am very lucky, I can reflect the light in the hearts of these amazing rescued animals into the hearts of others and together, we can all be the the change. Together, we can save the world, one pup at a time.
“I am a fragment of a mirror who’s whole design and shape I do not know. Nevertheless, with what I have, I can reflect light into the dark places of this world – into the black places in the hearts of men – and change some things in some people. Perhaps others may see and do likewise. This is what I am about. This is the meaning of my life.”
–from IT WAS ON FIRE WHEN I LAY DOWN ON IT, by Robert Fulghum
All posts are the property of Kolchak’s Kitchen and Kolchak Puggle/Jodi Chick. Please ask before reposting content. All reposts must link back to our site. Thank you!
Pup Fan
Monday 18th of April 2011
Wonderful post!
AJ
Friday 15th of April 2011
When I was young, I spent 5 years volunteering, seven days a week, at a local animal shelter.I have applied as a volunteer at multiple local shelters recently and I cannot get an answer from ANY OF THEM. I'm trying not to take it personally, and hoping that this means that there's been a surge of volunteers and shelters have everyone they need.Dear Ontario shelters: If this is not true, and you're short of help, please contact me.
Fisher and Staff
Friday 15th of April 2011
Wonderful blog! Just know, if you think you are a nerd, you just gave license to millions of other animal lovers to call themselves the same. If it is nerds that we are, then let it be so. We are not going to change.
Vicky
Friday 15th of April 2011
Love this. I feel much the same way :)
CindyLu's Muse
Friday 15th of April 2011
Absolutely beautifully spoken!