It sounds like you are volunteering for a city shelter? I’m not sure how it works in countries outside the US. I currently volunteer for an animal society whose goal is to make our city no-kill, which basically means no more euthanization for any companion animal. We take in animals from the city shelters, house them in our center and try to find them forever homes. The staff and volunteers are great. They show so much love and care for all the animals. My time working with them has been amazing. Do they have anything similar to this where you live?

Hi Allyson
I have to be blunt – but what your parents did to the pets in your care was at best ignorant and wrong, and im afraid in my opinion disgusting and deeply misguided. I am like you in that i have a kind of painful empathy with animals…when we see their pain it pains us , it hurts our heart. But at the same time there are those who dont share that sense of the beauty of all living things.
I remember an uncle of mine had a beautiful farm dog – his spirit was visible…just a generous and girgeous animal. He hurt his leg in the harvester and none of the adults called a vet. I remember my hear aching as a 9 year old. I couldnt understand what was going on – what was wrong with these grown adults ??
So i understand your love and kindness towards animals. You have a warm and kind heart. I know i would not be strong enough to work in a shelter, as i would not be able to save them so i really am greatful for your strength.
I have worked occasionally as a collector on the street for a rescue centre and give donations, but you should really be proud. What you see is NOT easy and i think you are amazing. Your warmth and love for the animals radiates from your post. I am sure it is so hard to hear the harshness of that man who shouted – maybe you could broach a senior / kinder member of staff and tell them it was frightening and inappropriate. Or send an anonymous note perhaps ?
It is such a harsh area – animal welfare is such a harsh and sad , yet rewarding area of work.
Again i think you have a beautiful spirit. You are a wonderful petson. Take heart that the animals benefit from your words and kind pats and they know you are a kind person on their side.
Love and regards 😉
Barbs 🙂

Hi Allison !

Im so glad we connected as animal lovers ! Yes, I know that feeling, especially as a child – not to be able to do anything to shake these ‘grown up’s’ into action – and into seeing a living breathing living thing suffer – I cant understand it…To this day I find it hard to see an animal suffer. My parents live half the year abroad , and the house across the road had two huge mountain dogs – one chained – yes, chained, all the time. It sickens me to my core – so I hardly ever visit. To be honest I cant bear to stand by – and there are no animal welfare people over there who really will do something. I think when you connect with animals, and see the love and beauty in their eyes, it is a painfull searing anger that brews inside when I see people’s cruelty.

One thing I have learned though is – if you dwell on it too much you could end up in a giant pit of depair – as there are so many cases in which we can do nothing.

I want to get back to volunteering – ( which went by the wayside when my energy was zapped in a problematic relationship) And to try to do my part for the creatures that cannot speak for themselves. When I look at my own little cat – who is such a gorgeous funny creature – with all the dynamics of any living thing, I see the essence of the beauty of the world – it sounds mad, but I see that ! If I could have a huge house with lots of dogs, horses, etc I would !

Allison, I think you are amazing to do what you do because it is emotional and you have that sensitivity to animals pain and their innocence. But no doubt the hard part is to stay detatched, it is near impossible, but do try to say to yourself ”I am doing all I can do right now, I am one person, and I am trying my best”. You have a big heart, so dont beat yourself that you cant save them all – as much as you would wish to with all your heart.

I understand your pain in looking back to the dogs – but we dont know – maybe they were ok, found another home, and we will never know, which is hard. But I think maybe saying a little prayer / a good wish to Buddah, or just simply sending love to them, where ever they are, here or in heaven – might help you. The little child in you is still sad for the dogs, but try to send all the loving kindness to them, and then give yourself a hug.

Yes, you are at the animal centre and you see pain, but it shows such strength of character. If you are having a hard day, try maybe to find a like minded spirit in there, maybe someone who you see is gentle, and chat to them. If necessary speak to someone trusted from another animal welfare organisation if you really see things that you feel are not right.

You are a lovely person – stay strong, and its ok to be sad, to cry, and also to take a day off if you need it ! 🙂

Sending love
Namaste
🙂