Dogs in the Workplace

I have the good fortune to bring Nigel to work with me whenever I want.   Nigel has a bed right next to my desk.  I like looking over at him, and I really, really like getting out of the building to take him for a brief mid-day walk.  Turns out, having Nigel here, is probably good for my health.  I hope it's good for his, too.

Juanishia, one of our
Adoption Coordinators,
and her dog, Lady.

According to a recent Virginia Commonwealth University study, researchers compared employees who bring their dogs to work, employees who do not bring their dogs to work and employees without pets in the areas of stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and support.

“Dogs in the workplace can make a positive difference,” said principal investigator Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., professor of management in the VCU School of Business.

“The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant.”

To read more about the benefits of dogs in the workplace go to

http://www.news.vcu.edu/news/Benefits_of_Taking_Fido_to_Work_May_Not_Be_Far_Fetched

Maybe a study on dogs in the classroom is in order.   I believe that students will be more engaged with learning if they can take a dog-petting break now and then.

Gabe & Rome Made My Day!

A mature Rome tolerating the
flash a WARL update photo

We love mail!   It's great to get updates from adopters.  We often hear from them  a week, a month or even a year after they've adopted a cat or dog.  Rarely, do we get an update from someone who adopted from the League 10-years ago.   I've been corresponding with Gabe, a 15-year-old, animal lover and WARL supporter.   He wrote, "My family adopted our dog from WARL when he was 6 months old.  He's now 10 and we are extremely grateful we were able to adopt him. His name's Rome and he's an essential component of our family.  Endless thanks to WARL for allowing us to adopt him!"  Thank you Gabe and family!  

Happy/Sad -- Conflicted

It's kind of odd.  I have the good fortune to walk into work in the morning and see a window full of kittens.  They make me smile.  And, they make me sad.   We have three windows in our lobby.  All three windows  have kittens living in them.  We have 40 cat condos in our cat room.  Each one has a cat, or two, living in it.  No doubt, kittens are cute.  But, in just a few short months they grow up to be cats.   Cats are beautiful.   But, no matter how cute kittens are, or how beautiful cats are, there aren't enough homes for all of them.  When I look at them I can't help but smile; when I think about them -- all of them --I feel very, very sad.

Charlotte and Merl Tackle the Catpod

Who needs television when you have Charlotte and Merl.     Enjoy the show.

Campers and Critters -- Oh My!

Think Washington Animal Rescue League, and you probably think cats and dogs.   That's mostly true -- unless it is Caring Kids --All About Animals -- Camp week at the League.   For five days in late June,  17 campers were introduced to, and visited, with snakes, turtles, bunnies, bats, hissing cockroaches (true!), goats, sheep, horses, chickens and a number of other animals including a baby alligator.   The campers learned about companion animal care, habitat destruction, and a myriad of other issues concerning companion, exotic, farm, and wild animals.  We were fortunate to have Joyce Davis,a WARL supporter and photographer, chronicle our adventures throughout the week.  To see many more of Joyce's pictures click on the group picture of campers to the right. 

  

The two remaining sessions of Caring Kids Camp 2012, Animals and Art and Training 101 are completely full.   To attend camp at the League during the summer of 2013, check back with us in February.

One Last Good Day

Micky reclining on the sofa several years ago

When an aged  beloved animal friend begins to decline, eventually a decision will need to be made.   I made the decision to euthanize Micky on Friday, July 6th.   It was not an easy decision, but it was the right one.  Micky showed signs of kidney failure in early spring.  We changed his diet and  pumped him with fluids.  The fluids helped  Mick's kidneys to function the best they could -- he needed them every day.  



But, Thursday night Micky looked really bad.  The once roly-poly Garfield-look-alike was a skeleton.  I brought him to the Washington Animal Rescue League Animal Medical Center first thing Friday morning.  I knew we were out of time.   I have the good fortune of working with the kindest, most caring group of people assembled anywhere.  We collectively decided to pump Micky with fluids and give him an appetite stimulant -- that way he could eat one last really good meal.  And, he did.  I found a really stinky can of something that claimed to be "ocean delight" and Micky ate it.  He purred, too.  He was feeling better.  But the good feeling wouldn't last.  Maybe a day, maybe less.  And, when Micky, who was always a solid 12-pounder barely registered on the scale at  less than 6 pounds, I knew that we could not buy any more time.  I'm not going to anthropomorphize  (big word that means projecting human thoughts and feelings onto my cat) but I know that Micky was feeling really crummy and there was no hope of him feeling better. He wasn't happy getting fluids and didn't feel like eating.  So, I made the decision to euthanize Micky that afternoon after a really nice day.  He was in one of his favorite spots, my office, with one of his favorite people, Max.  

Micky in my office several
weeks ago. 

We adopted Micky in January 2002.  He was said to be 6-8, maybe 10-years-old then.  He had been an outside cat with crusty paws and bad teeth.   His paws improved soon after his move to an indoor-only cat and his rotten teeth were pulled by a veterinarian who specialized in dentistry.   Micky feared Merl, the house bully cat -- although Merl came to live with us after Mick.  He loved Natalie and Max and slept with one or the other every single night that they were home.  On the rare occasions that they were both gone, and I was home, I'd encourage Micky to climb into bed with me.  He always declined, electing to sleep on the sofa instead.  Micky was dearly loved, and is sorely missed.

AMAZING

I am away, but have been keeping up with the AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, WONDERFUL WARL staff and volunteers who kept the animals comfortable and safe while the building was without power for MORE THAN 4 DAYS.   Check out the League's facebook page for details.   More from me next week -- camp updates and more!

Cruising to All About Animals

I can't wait to share all of the awesome photos and tales (some about tails) from our All About Animals Camp.   But, right now I have to prepare for our last day, tomorrow.  It has been a very busy week.  We've met lots of animals -- and not just cats and dogs, this is All About ANIMALS Camp.  Bunnies, farm animals (goats, sheep, horses, chickens, turkeys, and more),  and turtles and snakes and more!  One of our campers, Matthew, travels to camp on the back of a really, big bike, and I don't meant like the 21 speed my son, Max, is pedaling to baseball camp.   Check back July 7th for lots of camp details and photos.

Can't Have a Cat or Dog at Home? You Can Help the Animals at the League

The little black kitten posing with Natalie, Viviana and Juliet is available for adoption.

And, that's exactly want Natalie, Viviana and Juliet did.   They held a very successful bake sale and told customers that all proceeds raised would benefit the cats and dogs at the Washington Animal Rescue League.  But that's not all.  Natalie and Juliet enlisted the  talents of their grandma, "who can make anything," to design and create AWESOME cat toys.  The crocheted  toys quickly became a cat room favorite.  Plus, WARL cats may be the first ones to have what could be the next big toy in the pet trade -- Grandma's Cat Crunchies (the the crocheted poms are filled with plastic bags to give them that crinkly sound. 
This was the caring trio's second recent  trip to the League.  Scroll down the blog, and look for the 4-H donation highlighted on the right side of the page.  The girls were part of the group that came by in March armed with bundles of donations -- including cat comforters and toys designed by the group, a collection of  towels,  food, treats and cash!   Thanks Natalie, Viviana and Juliet.

Stay! Charlotte!

Charlotte in Max's arms
after an earlier save today!

What makes Charlotte want to go outside?    I wish I knew.   She has cat toys and climbing trees to keep her busy.  She has her mentor-cat Merl to play with.  AND, she has a nearly endless supply of crickets to chase (and mutilate) in the basement.  And, yet, every time we open the front door, Charlotte is perched to escape. 
I'm just as ready  -- I put my foot out and yell "Back Charlotte!"   Which Charlotte interprets  to mean "Run Charlotte".   She makes it over my outstretched foot more times than not.   After her mad dash, she goes flat in the grass, and if I don't get her right away, she nibbles a blade or two. 
The screened- in backporch  obviously does not begin to compare to the great outdoors.  If Charlotte is birdwatching  on the porch, and hears the front door lock turn, she hightails it across the house assuming her escape position.
This is one battle that I will NOT concede.   Charlotte, like Micky and Merl, is an inside cat.  An inside cat does not have to dodge cars or do battle with other animals. An inside cat cannot kill birds and baby bunnies.  When I go home today I'll put the key in the door, stick out my right foot and scream, "Back Charlotte!"   And, then I'll turn around and scoop Charlotte off the grass and take her back inside where she belongs.

Lowell Pre-Primary Students' Trunk Show Nets Profits for the Animals

I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way,

begins the iconic Whitney Houston song.  The four and five year old students in the Adventure Room at the Lowell School spent the latter part of the 2012 school year learning about entrepreneurship and philanthropy while applying their artistic talents.  The pre-primary students planned, created, and sold more than a 100 pieces of jewelry. The students sent the proceeds from their jewelry store sale to the League to help care for the animals.   Perhaps these future leaders will change the world so that there won't be millions of unwanted cats and dogs in the United States.   I am certain that every time a compliment is received about the jewelry, a story is told about its creation and the needs of the Washington Animal Rescue League.  So, that makes these rising kindergartners not only artists, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, but educators, too.  

Students Learn About the League and Share their Findings

Minh-Hong  and Cleo, Capital City Public Charter School sophomores, chose to highlight animal welfare as their Realities of Injustice, a World History-English-Geometry Expedition project.   The presentation, held at the Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden, gave students an opportunity to share their findings.  Describing the League's Read and Relax program, the girls wrote:

 We walked into a room that had many small breed dogs. Our eyes then led to a man reading a book. At first, we thought he was just taking a break by reading a book. As we moved closer, we realized he was reading out loud to a shy dog that was resting underneath him. Reading aloud will help the dog become more comfortable with people and make it easier to adopt this dog. These are the kind of activities volunteers at the Washington Animal Rescue League do every day.

The girls interviewed me several weeks ago.  Be the agents of change, I told the students.  Ending animal suffering, curbing the companion animal crisis, and promoting responsible animal care starts with compassionate, motivated and proactive individuals.  I appreciated the opportunity to talk to two such people, Minh-Hong and Cleo. Nice work ladies, have a great summer! 

 "Our girls are awesome cookie sellers!" said Stephanie, Ella's mom and Brownie Troop 2888's leader. "When we were working on a financial literacy badge, the girls were tasked with how to spend our cookie money-- they came up with the idea of making toys for shelter animals and contributing  money."  
The girls were very successful!  They visited the League last week bringing lots of handcrafted dog toys and a $250 donation.   Can anyone refuse buying a box of Thin Mints, especially when the purchase goes to help support the animals at the Washington Animal Rescue League?  Thank you troop 2888 for choosing the Washington Animal Rescue League as the recipient of this year's cookie sales.   The many dogs in our care are having a blast with the toys!  And, we've pulled the colorful braided tug toys past a cats or two -- none have complained that they are species specific.

June is ADOPT a cat Month

One curious kitten
nose kisses Ana,
a technician in our
 Medical Center .

While June is officially designated Adopt-A-Cat Month, by the looks of your cat room, every month should be Adopt-A-Cat Month.  Every cat condo is full of personable adult cats just waiting for that special someone to come by and say, "That's the cat!  I love him (or her)."  And our inside lobby showcase windows are teeming with kittens!    Cute, rambunctious, "Take Me, Take Me" kittens.  

We are hoping that the special event designation will increase adoptions at the League.  In honor of the national event, the League has waived cat fees.  But, that does not mean that there are FREE cats -- there's no such thing.   Food, bowls, toys, vet visits, scratching posts, litter boxes AND lots and lots of kitty litter, veterinarian visits and more add up quickly.   Taking in a cat or kitten is a lifetime commitment that comes with financial responsibilities and emotional bonds.   People lucky enough to share their lives with a cat, or two (or more), wouldn't have it any other way.  The companionship, the love, and the humor offered by a cat is beyond compare.  Come by the League and celebrate Adopt-A-Cat Month.

Group Effort Benefits Animals at the League!



The $320 that Temple Shalom's 7th grade class raised represents, not only weeks of bake sales, but lots of  research, information sharing and debate.   The religious school students collectively chose one organization for their mitzvah ( good deed) project; but before the League was named the award recipient, the passionate pre-bat and  -bar mitzvah students appealed to one another to support a variety of community organizations.   Once the League was identified as the class mitzvah project,  the organizing, collecting and baking began.    The students baked and hosted weekly bake sales and set up a collection box in the  temple's lobby for donated cat and dog food, treats and linens.  Students appealed to congregants, during Friday night services, to contribute to the class' effort.   A number of the 7th graders and their parents visited the League earlier this month to bring the donations and visit the animals.   Roxanne P., a loyal WARL volunteer, guided  the group through the shelter and introduced them to the shelter animals.   The students asked numerous questions, many about volunteering -- undoubtedly this concerted effort to help the animals will not end with the 7th grade project !





Representatives of Temple Shalom's
 7th grade religious school class



New Series is a Hit with Animal Loving Readers

Nigel and I enjoyed several weeks of Friday book club meetings  with four animal loving, thoughtful awesoome fourth grade readers.   I had just read the first book in Wendy Orr's Rainbow Street Shelter Series and was curious what students thought of the book.  I enjoyed the plot twists and the all-important messages related to responsible animal care, friendship and changing family situations.  The  group unanimously felt the same!

I would recommend the book, Missing, A Dog Called Bear  because it talks about a boy who lost his dog, and a girl who found it...The boy called the dog Bear and the girl called the dog Surprise.  It had a happy ending!  wrote Sandy

I will recommend the book to my classmates because  a lot of students have lost a pet.  Maybe my classmates like happy endings.   The ending was when a girl named Hannah got a dog and Logan (the boy) found Bear/Surprise.  wrote Jesse

I would recommend this book because it is very good.  The dog named Bear was always all right and was very friendly.  This book really teaches people a lesson not to say something hurtful to your dog or something really awful might happen.  wrote Adara

I would recommend Lost: A Dog Called Bear because it is a good book.  It has an exciting twist when a dog called Bear is accidentally called Surprise by a girl named Hannah.  Also, when he (Bear) is found by his owner, Logan, everything gets better because Hannah gets her own dog and it ends with a happy ending.  wrote Charles

Not only did the foursome highly recommend the book, but they were eager to read the next book in the Rainbow Street Series -- Missing: A Cat Called Buster.  Unfortunately, the school year is ending and so is our reading group, so Nigel and I won't be participating in the lively discussion that I'm certain Charles, Adara, Jesse and Sandy will have as they reconnect with Mona, at Rainbow Street Shelter, and meet Buster, Mr. Larsen, and Josh.  To find out more about these books and other in the series visit the Rainbow Shelter Series Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rainbow-Street-Shelter-Series/130400737046703

Flood Victim Finds Dry & Loving Forever Home!

I was caught driving in a terrible thunderstorm yesterday.  It was really scary.    Once I stopped hyperventilating, I thought about the many companion animals left outside  in all sorts of  weather.  And, then my mind wandered to animals, through no fault of their own, or even their guardians, find themselves uprooted because of catastrophic weather-related tragedies.   More than a year ago the League had a number of canine survivors from the Mississippi floods.   Can you imagine losing your home, your belongings and even your animal companion?  Many people last year were never reunited with their cats and dogs after floods, tornadoes and hurricanes -- people and animals were left homeless.  Many of those animals landed at the League.   The scared little pup in the top picture hardly resembles the self-confident, "I have ME two kids of my own" dog posing for the camera. 

But, they are definitely one of the same.   Ella, all smiles, writes about her best friend adopted from the league last summer, " B.B. Dawg (aka Capella) is cute. She was in the Mississippi  floods -- she is scared of water." 
Who can blame her?  I've never been caught in a flood, but wondered  yesterday if my fate was about to change.   Happily, I made it home to my dry, intact house, where Nigel, Micky, Merl and Charlotte were safely waiting.  

Serendipity!

I don't typically come to the League on Sunday, but my old cat, Micky, is suffering from kidney failure so I brought him by for fluids. (Most people whose animals need fluids are perfectly capable of administering them at home, but since I'm needle-phobic and work with the very best veterinary technicians in the world, I routinely bring him to the Medical Center.)
Anyway, when I got to the League I expected to sneak into the hospital and then quietly leave without being seen; however,  Natalie our adoptions manager, said that I should meet the three girls who just dropped off $171.00!   They raised the money by selling their toys -- lots of kids sell their stuff so they have money to buy new stuff, but this good-hearted trio, and a number of their friends, held the sale along -- with a lemonade stand -- to specifically raise money for the animals at the League.
And, the story gets better -- when I met Audrey, Elise, Fiona and their mom, I learned that this wasn't their first effort to help the animals at the League. They had done it before!  They told shoppers that the money raised was going to benefit the cats and dogs at the League, and asked shoppers to pay what they wanted.  Of course, when shoppers learned that the toy-sellers were not just entrepreneurs, but philanthropists too, they pitched in a little extra.  It probably didn't hurt business that Juneau, a WARL alum, was there to help with sales.   The photo and caption below are courtesy of the Silver Spring Avenue "Super- Fantastic, Animal Loving "  Crew (words in quotes added by me!).  

The Silver Spring Ave. kids hosted a toy sale and lemonade stand to benefit WARL. (From the left, Leo, Harry, Audrey, Bella, Fiona, Emma, Raphael, Elise.)  And Juneau, a WARL alum. This is the second time we’ve done a fundraising sale for WARL. We love helping out. WARL is a really great place because they never give up on any of the animals and the people that work there do everything they can to make the animals happy.- the Silver Spring Ave. crew

I'm sad that Micky's kidneys are failing, but had I not brought him to the Medical Center for fluids on Sunday, I would not have met  three members (plus mom and a neighbor) of the Silver Spring Avenue "Super- Fantastic, Animal Loving "  Crew,  THANK YOU, Fiona, Audrey, Elise, Leo, Harry,  Bella,  Emma, Raphael  - and, Juneau!!  And, thanks Fiona, Audrey and Elise for giving a deserving dog a wonderful forever home!!



Friends Share Information (FSI) and Do Something!

One of the most important things students can do to help animals is FSI -- Friends Share Information.   Recently I heard from three people looking to network with others so that they can  encourage other young people to speak up for animals.  Two are 8th grade students at Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring, MD.  Both students wrote to me asking for materials to pass out at an upcoming Information Fair.   The purpose of the event is to give students an opportunity to learn -- from their peers --  about various nonprofit organizations in the community.   I'm often invited to speak at such events, and enjoy meeting students who care about animals.   But, I believe that the Information Fair at Sligo Middle School will produce more student activists than the typical such event where adults tell kids about their work. 

If these two students talk to 20 or 30 of their peers about the importance of responsible animal care, I guarantee that the number of kids who take  animal welfare seriously, including the importance of spaying/neutering and reporting animal cruelty, will immediately increase.  And, just think what happens when those newly educated animal advocates talk to 20 or 30 more students!

The other person who recently approached the League about getting students to speak up for animals is Kelly, with DoSomething.org. The organization, known primarily for the Bully movie, is speaking up for animals.  To learn more about their efforts, go to 

http://www.dosomething.org/cause/animals.  And, Do Something!

Katie, a Guest Blogger, Tells About her Work with Space Coast Therapy Dogs

 

My name is Katie,  I am a 6 year old Toy Fox Terrier.  I live in Palm Bay, Florida with a wonderful two-legged creature.  Shortly after she adopted me -- four years ago from a local rescue center -- my two-legged creature started taking me to school.  We learned lots of things together.  Before long, we were a certified Therapy Dog and Handler team for Space Coast Therapy Dogs in Brevard County, Florida.  I love visiting the Cancer Care Center, nursing homes and senior facilities. I kiss the patients and make their day happier.   Making them happy makes me so happy that I wag my tail so fast it looks like a propeller. I love my work and my two-legged creature and every other two-legged creature I meet, too. 

Name this Dog!

Several weeks ago  this regal looking, gentle soul was transferred to the League from another shelter.   At first we thought he was a Great Pyrenees mix, but later decided that he is a Kuvasz.   According to the American Kennel Club, the Kuvasz is "One of the larger working breeds, he is well-muscled and agile. His double coat features a coarse guard hair that protects a soft, fine undercoat. The hair ranges from straight to quite wavy, but must always be white. The Kuvasz’s name comes from the Turkish word "kawasz," meaning "armed guard of the nobility." He originated in Tibet, but developed into the breed he is today in Hungary. The breed served as a companion to the rulers of Hungarian and other European empires and was owned only by royalty. Hundreds of years later, the breed fell into the hands of "commoners," and shepherds found they worked well with sheep and cattle. While he is devoted to and protective of his family, the Kuvasz may not be overly demonstrative with his affections. He is often especially polite and reserved when meeting strangers. It’s important to start training early, but be patient, as the breed matures slowly. As an active working dog, he requires daily activity. However, the Kuvasz coat is very easy to care for, needing brushing but very little bathing.

So, we don't know about sheep and cattle herding, but we do know that this extremely noble dog is somewhat aloof albeit always polite.   When the 100 pound-plus dog came into the League he was called Tundra.  Dr. Shillito, one of the the Medical Center's staff veterinarians has been waiting for the "right" dog to adopt.  He took one look at this gentle giant and iimmediately decided to foster him --  the rest, as they say, is history.  Trouble is no name has stuck.   Dr. Randall suggested Atticus, after a character in her favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird.   Dr. Shillito has been playing with Yeti, the name given to the mythic Abominable Snowman.  Dr. Shillito's wife said "No" to Yeti. 

For right now the polite reserved Tundra, Atticus, Yeti  has what he needs most -- a HOME.. 

Generous Friend of the Animals Shares her Allowance

What a nice way to start a Monday.    Grace's note  was

sitting on my desk this morning.   It is not every day that

someone shares her allowance with the animals!   The animals

will definitely benefit from Grace's generosity.

West Education Campus Fourth Graders Celebrate National Poetry Month with Their Own Poems

West Education Campus students in Ms. Outten's fourth grade recently had two special visitors in their class.   Kevin Johnson, and his WARL adoptee Ava, shared tales of their adventures.   Ava, a very small football-shaped dog, was passed from student to student as Kevin told of their many escapades.  Ahureda wrote an acrostic that, in just seven words, captures the essence of Ava.

Awesome in any clothes

Very Courageous

Adventurous

Other students created poems about their own animal companions.
Mittens, by Dayja

My Pal

Is ready for the prey

Takes care of me

Takes care of family

On the go

Nice Cat

Safe with Me.

Janaye wrote about her cat, too.
My cat's name is Mimi and she is shy,
she runs away like saying bye.
sometimes Mimi runs like crazy
She is so amazing.

Only Five More Days of National Poetry Month!

Cythintha Rylant has a poem for every month in Bless Us All-- A Child's Yearbook of Blessings, a collection that celebrates the joys of every day life. The much-loved author of more than 100 books including both the Mr. Putter and Tabby and Henry and Mudge series, is often pictured with one of her rescue dogs. The April poem is fitting for today.

April

Bless the raindrops

from the sky,

Bless the babies

rolling by,

Bless all papas

                                           with their pups,

                                              Bless the cats and buttercups.

The National Poetry Month Celebration Continues!

I've read Cat Poems by Dave Crawley hundreds of times, but somehow never really spent much time on the last poem in the collection, Tandy Is Twenty. I happened on the poem this morning just as I was updating my photo file with recent picture of Max and Micky.  We adopted Micky more than 10 years ago, and for all we  know he could be 20 -- he was a seasoned adult then, and is definitely a very senior cat now.  Max, just four when Micky moved in, could have written a similar poem for his regular bed buddy.

Tandy is Twenty

by Dave Crawley

Tandy is twenty years old today.

Her shiny black coat is speckled with gray.

She no longer scampers with kittenish glee.

She's not up for leaping or climbing a tree.

I was just a young boy the day she was born.

The toys I gave her are tattered and torn.

Though games we played have come to an end,

she's still my companion , and I'm still her friend.

Tandy is twenty years old today.

Her shiny black coat is speckled with gray.

but stroking her neck still brings back the joy--

when she was a kitten and I was a boy.

  

A Picture is Truly Worth a Thousand Words!



 I was hurrying through the lobby to my office last week and stopped to smile.   A family had just adopted a puppy, and  they were posing for their first post-adoption photo.   I grabbed my camera and snapped a picture, too.  Obviously, little Rocket (christened by his forever family) was happy to sit and grin for the portrait. 

The love and joy that emanates from this photo is why we do what we do at the League.  Every time a once cast-off pup -- or dog, cat, or kitten -- charms his way into a family's heart we are reminded that, we don't just come to work, we carry out a mission -- to rescue, rehabilitate and  rehome animals who have nowhere else to go.  

Undoubtedly, Rocket -- with good company -- will be going lots of places!  First stop, HOME.

 

Jonah with the food donations
 that were donated, at his request,
 by guests at his bar mitzvah.



Jonah visiting with
a puppy at the League.

The word mitzvah refers to a good or worthy deed.  Jonah, a local seventh grader, who recently celebrated his bar mitzvah  accomplished a MEGA -MITZVAH.   Jonah, and several religious school classmates visited the League in October 2011, a couple of months before Jonah's bar mitzvah ceremony and celebration.  It was during that tour that he decided that he wanted to share his important day with the animals.  Not just any animals.  Jonah decided to ask his bar mitzvah guests to  contribute to  the Washington Animal Rescue League's Rescuers Food Bank.  The Food Bank enables under-served members of our community to pick up dog or cat food from the League on a monthly basis.  
Since the economic down-turn several years ago, more and more animal guardians have found the Food Bank to be a tremendous help.   Many of the folks who rely on the food contribution are elderly, some are people who have fallen on hard times -- all are people who love their companion animals and want to care for them properly.  Clinic clients often tell staff that they are feeding their dogs instead of themselves -- it should not be an either/or situation. 

The Food Bank is stocked entirely by donations.   Jonah's collection will go a long way to help people and animals in Washington.  His mom's SUV was packed to the roof with bags, boxes and cans.  In addition, Jonah brought an envelope with cash and checks donated by several of his guests. 
I often show student groups through the shelter and wonder what impact their tour will have on their views concerning animal welfare.   In Jonah's case, I know -- one Sunday morning visit to the League sparked a MEGA mitzvah that will fill the bellies of many much-loved animal companions and the hearts of their devoted  guardians.

  

Third Graders Welcome Nigel

Nigel enjoys multiple pats while posing with his third grade friends.

Nigel and I recently visited Ms. Nolan and Ms. Kennedy's third graders at John Burroughs Elementary School.   The girls and boys learned about domestic animal care, and they introduced me to a story about living harmoniously with wildlife, Two Days in May by Harriet Peck.

In the story, Two Days in May, the people showed respect toward the animals because they were trying to get the animals a new home.   I think the people didn't want to upset the animals.  They did not want to harm the animals.  They love the deer.  They showed that they were being kind because they were taking care of the deer.   -- Antoine.

In the story Two Days in May, the people showed respect and kindness toward the animals because they didn't hurt or kill them.  The people took very good care of them.   The animals are very loving and sweet.  The animal control came and shot the deer with a tranquilizer.  The animal control took the deer to their parents..  -- Henniya

Based on Antoine, Henniya and others' recommendation, I definitely want to read Two Days in May. Based on our discussion on companion animal care, some of the students realized that, although they would like to live with a cat or dog, they may not be in a position to do so.

I can't take care of an animal because I don't have money for food, leash, collar, a microchip and toys. -- Michael

I don't know if I could take of an animal because I have to spend a lot of money on food, toys and a place to sleep.  -- Elmer

I wish that more adults would consider the cost and time involved in caring for a companion animal.  Perhaps then they would make more responsible decisions.