Sarah and Sheila Day 5--

Sarah Day 5--

I decided that if a genie popped out of a magic lamp today and granted me one wish, I would wish for all of our homeless animals to have a home for Christmas. Nothing saddens me more than walking in to a shelter that is housing 60+ cats and 15+ dogs, and knowing there is not a whole lot I can do about it.

I am always brainstorming of ways to help out the Pennington County Humane Society and get some of the animals adopted, but it never seems like any idea is good enough. I occasionally go out and take pictures of the animals. I have thought about starting a blog that talks about the shelter and has the available pets on it, with pictures of each and maybe a description. I have also thought about doing a fundraiser, which is currently in the works . . . If my mama and I can make it happen. It's unfortunate that every time I leave that shelter, I feel helpless and hopeless . . . Like I need to do something more.

If there is one thing that I love as much as Christmas, it's cats! Last night when I thought about my cats and what they love, wet cat treats immediately came to mind. So I went to the grocery store and picked out about $65.00 worth of cat and dog treats that I thought she shelter animals might enjoy. Surprisingly, $65.00 only adds up to about 36 cans of dog treats, and about 80 cans of cat treats. In the end, that maybe gives every dog and cat a couple of yummies. Sigh.

After I brought in my donation to the PCHS, I spent 2 1/2 hours at the shelter playing with all of the cats and taking their photographs. Unfortunately, I brought two dead camera batteries with me, so I was only able to take 150 pictures. Needless to say, I did not get photo's of each cat. However, I did what I could and I gave all the furballs lots of love which is what they really need . . . love. Well actually, what they really need is a home, with a lot of love in it! It's unfortunate that I don't have a bigger home, because I have so much love for cats that I don't know what to do with all of it!

Right now, the shelter has some of the most beautiful animals I have ever seen and I encourage anyone that is thinking about adopting to do so quickly. Especially if you are thinking about a cat. The shelter has hit their max on cats and they are not allowed to take in any more. If you are unable to adopt but you have a pet, please make sure that it is spayed/neutered. If you have an extra buck or two to give, every penny helps. Literally, every single penny. If you do not have the money to donate, consider donating some time and just go out there and spread some love. The poor babies all look so lonely.   

The Pennington County Humane Society works incredibly hard to give all of the animals a second chance at life. I think that is important for our community be constantly thinking of what we can do to help our animals and our shelter.  I want to give a very special thank you to Dawn and her volunteers for everything that they have done and everything they continue to do. I can only imagine how difficult that job must be but I am so grateful that we have some awesome people willing to take on the task.

Also, thanks to my mama for coming into the shelter today and donating some money. She has always known how important animals are to me and I love that she remembers to keep that in mind. Thanks mom!

P.S. Those kitties in the pictures are available for adoption. Enticing huh!

Yours truly,
Crazy Cat Lady

            






















Sheila Day 5--

It is incredible to have something that one is totally passionate about.  That thing that just makes your heart sing at the mere thought of making a portion of your dream come true can be invigorating.  It is important as human beings that we really do find the "things" in life that makes our heart sing with total JOY.  Ahhhhhhhhh, the music of life!

My baby girl loves animals.  In fact, often I believe that she loves animals more than she does people.  Her family, boyfriend, and friends know that she is the crazy cat lady.  They know that IF it was possible she would have an animal of each and every kind . . . probably two or three.  Most of us know that there would always be one more cat to adopt, one more hamster to buy, one more dog to dream about owning.  We all know that if there is a battle about animals . . . Sarah will get a fire in her eyes and declare GAME ON! 

Sarah LOVES animals.  Her dream was to go to college to do something with animals; however, she opted to do something where she could write about and take pictures of animals.  Hence, her degree is in mass communications and photojournalism.  BUT I know that she wants so much more than that, and her dream will soon become a reality as she will find herself once again attending college at NDSU for zoology.  Yes indeedy, God's fuzzy little critters are Sarah's passion!

Today, my good deed is for my baby girl and her passion . . . animals!  Tonight I was on the way home from the rez when I tried to make my daily call to Sarah.  No answer . . . then I remembered that today was the day that she was going to take treats to all of the kitties and puppies at the Humane Society.  She was also going to take pictures because there is an overabundance of kitties and she wanted to try and find a few of them homes for Christmas.  This always EXCITES her.  You should see her eyes light up as she finds herself covered with the fur of kitties that are just longing to be loved.  I love the look on her face as she finds each and every one of them unique and special.  Even the grumpsters have a special place in her heart.  The Humane Society is a safe house for unwanted pets or strays, and Sarah longs to find them all a home.  I find her passion exhilarating and contagious.

Tonight on my way home, I found myself longing to share her excitement when I found my car turning right and parked next to my baby girl at the Humane Society.  I opend my door and began digging in my purse for a donation that might make a little difference and I smiled as I saw her through the window taking pictures of the beloved kitties.  With a warmth in my heart, I almost skipped to the kitty house.  I tapped on the window and held up my money.  She glowed as she saw me.  She almost ran out to see why I was there.  Dawn, the manager, was busy with a couple who wanted to adopt a kitty cat.  She asked if she could help just as Sarah bounded through the door.  I said that I came to make a donation and Sarah glowed.  My gift was not for Dawn, it was not for the Humane Society, it wasn't even for the puppies or kitties that need supplies to live or a place to be safe, but it was for my child to show her that I believe in her passion and that I pray she never loses the spark to "do the right thing" for that which she believes in.

So tonight . . . I hope my gift brought a little sunshine into my baby girl's heart.

Prayers for People's Passions and God's Fuzzy Creatures,
Sheila

P.S. I almost left with a kitty named HOPE!  Unfortunately, that would mean I would have to get rid of my grumpy kitty named Harmony, who is anything but harmonious, that someone dumped in Sarah's garage and . . . there is no "hope" of that:)