Animal Person Has the Best Readers

I've been in NYC, with practically every moment scheduled. All went well until I wrote about Obama's intention to adopt a shelter dog.

I received 32 e-mails from readers, telling their personal stories of how they spend their time in the service of animals and how that makes them feel. Then, of course, there was each person's realization, admission, or questioning whether all the pain they experience will ever go away (hint: probably not) or whether the situation will significantly improve in their lifetime.

So rather than write yesterday, I spent the 1.5 hours allotted for blogging to reading what you all had to say (also in the comments). I cried, I followed the many links provided, and I witnessed what some of you deal with in your lives.

I'm humbled by what you see and then my heart warms that you're able to put your feelings somewhere that allows you to be helpful and make difficult decisions, and still manage to do the mundane, like talking a shower and doing the laundry.

Your compassion and your drive to do direct service, or to educate the often-clueless masses, or to tirelessly leaflet, or to raise conscious children leaves me awestruck. As does the pain you've told me of, which never goes away, yet never makes you even contemplate a different life for more than a fleeting moment.

Thank you.

PS-I will have some time today for another post, and it perfectly ties into this and it's bizarrely ironic, as well (which will make sense when you see it).

Bye for now!

Comments

[Bea Elliott]

Glad to see you back Mary! As you know most often all we have is each other. And I truly believe we all know of each others frustrations and awful sadness living in "their" world. I also believe, there are more of "us" than yesterday... more than last week... or last year. We just have to stay at it and support each other when we can. Thanks for being there for "us"... and for me.