Pretty much everyone has that one challenging person to gift at Christmas.  It may be your neighbors whom you don’t know all that well, your pastor, a far-away grandparent, even your wealthy boss who needs nothing you could possibly afford.  Or maybe you want to acknowledge people you don’t really know but who provide services throughout the year that you’d like to thank them for:  your grocer, postman, etc.

Make It Truly Count.

Whenever gift-giving seems frustrating and impossible, here’s the ideal gift solution:  Make a charitable donation to an animal welfare organization on behalf of that person.  This way, your money is put to use for the greatest good for animal welfare instead of being wasted on something the person probably doesn’t need or even want.  They will be honored that you’ve acknowledged them in such a kind and thoughtful way; you will get to claim the gift as a tax deduction; and the animals will receive the desperately needed benefit of your support.

Need Some Ideas?

Here is a short list of some very worthwhile animal welfare organizations that can really use your gift for the best of the animals.  And remember — every dollar counts, no gift is too small.  Once you’ve made your donation, all you need to do then is send your person a Christmas card letting them know a donation has been made — in their name — to the animal welfare organization you chose.

Mercy For Animals  (www.mercyforanimals.org)

Milagro Senior Pet Refuge  (www.milagropets.org)

American Wild Horse Campaign  (www.americanwildhorsecampaign.org)

Soi Dog Foundation  (www.soidog.org)

Alley Cat Allies  (www.alleycat.org)

No Kill Advocacy Center  (www.nokilladvocacycenter.org)

There are many more outstanding organizations advocating for animals. This short list can help get you started.

Merry Christmas and God Bless Your Giving!

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Christmas Giving To Bless Us All. appeared first on BareFootPets.

I feel you. It can be tough to choose a charity when there are so many out there. You want to support one that serves its mission statement well, and know that your donation actually goes to the welfare of the animals. You can’t donate to everyone who begs your gift, so you want to choose carefully. It has taken me years to come up with my current list, and this is how I did it. This is not intended to pressure you to choose the same organizations as I list here below. Introducing you to my list can give you a reference point to help you figure out personally what you want to accomplish.

I thought about my goal for donating, and realized that I want to accomplish two different things. First, I want to support large, established, formidable organizations that make a powerful impact worldwide for animal welfare. Second, I also want to support smaller, sometimes obscure, organizations that have a compassionate vision, a noble purpose, lots of ambition, commitment to their goals, and just really need the support of their neighbors to get a foothold and grow. With these two targets in mind, I now had some direction.

Over the years I have consistently donated to ASPCA, Humane Society, Peta, World Wildlife Fund, American Humane, etc., all the well-known biggies. I was writing checks to so many organizations I couldn’t even count them anymore. I wanted to narrow my focus and consolidate my targeted organizations for giving. That involved some close review of where I felt my money would do the most good. Of the handful of organizations I ended up choosing, I made sure they all accomplish different but very important services to animal welfare, in the present, and for the future. This is my current list, and why I choose each:

MERCY FOR ANIMALS.

This organization just recently hit my radar via Instagram. I’ve looked into its Mission Statement and am definitely onboard. Mercy For Animals believes that a humane society is possible. It is committed to reducing the greatest amount of suffering for the largest number of animals. Its efforts focus on protecting farmed animals—the most abused and exploited animals on the planet—and it utilizes a broad range of strategic approaches that seek to expose cruelty, prosecute abusers, and inspire consumers to make compassionate food choices.  https://mercyforanimals.org/  

SOI DOG FOUNDATION.

Soi Dog is based in India and is a shining light for animal rescue and protection in an area of the world that gives animals no rights or regard. Soi Dog is growing and making headway despite the indifference of its culture toward animals. It is also creating outreach programs to go into schools and teach the children to care.  By creating a new, compassionate culture for its future, Soi Dog is contributing to the region’s new stand for animal welfare.  https://www.soidog.org/

AMERICAN WILD HORSE CAMPAIGN. 

AWHC fights to ensure the future of America’s iconic wild horses and burros and the Western public lands where they roam. We work to reform the cruel and costly federal roundup program and replace it with humane management that keeps wild horses and burros wild, protected, and free. AWHC manages the largest humane fertility control program for wild, free-roaming horses in the world..  www.americanwildhorsecampaign.org.

ANIMAL RAHAT.

Animal Rahat (Rahat means “relief”) is a rescue/sanctuary in India that focuses its efforts on the working animals of India – bullocks, donkeys, ponies, etc. Animal Rahat also goes into government facilities and schools to teach workers and students how to treat animals compassionately and thoughtfully so that the future of India’s working animals will be brighter and more humane. This is a lovely little organization.  https://www.animalrahat.com/

NO KILL ADVOCACY.

The No Kill Advocacy promotes and teaches a true no-kill culture in pet “shelters” all over America. We all know that too many U.S. shelters kill nearly as many animals as they place and are in fact not “shelters” at all. No Kill Advocacy targets offending shelters, encourages and teaches them how to think outside the box in new ways and thus change their approach to pet sheltering. Oftentimes it requires changes in personnel who refuse to abandon old policies. By simply changing their thinking (glass half full instead of glass half empty) and implementing new programs, shelters are then able to become true no-kill facilities. This is a huge area of need in our country, and I wholly support the No Kill Advocacy in its efforts.   https://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/

ALLEY CAT ALLIES.

This is a nationwide organization that targets a very specific demographic – homeless and feral cats. Cats are killed by the millions in “shelters” because of the sheer volume. Being surrendered to a shelter is pretty much a death sentence for most cats. Without implementing effective adoption programs, shelters don’t generally get cats adopted out quickly and end up euthanizing them simply for space issues. To justify the killings, shelters designate the cats as “fearful” or having “behavioral” issues, etc. These designations protect the shelters from being judged for not promoting true animal welfare. Alley Cat Allies promotes the concept of TNR (trap/neuter/return) to catch homeless cats, get them altered and vaccinated, and any kind of treatment they may need, and then release them back into the neighborhood they came from. This allows them to live happy, fulfilled lives, without multiplying, and without ending up on death row at the local shelter. And thus helps prevent over-population without killing.  https://www.alleycat.org/

TERRITORIO DE ZAGUATES.

I very recently discovered TERRITORIA DE ZAGUATES (“land of stray dogs”) in an online documentary (National Geographic on youtube), and was profoundly moved by its humble existence and its level of commitment to animal welfare, against all odds. TERRITORIA DE ZAGUATES is located in the high country of Costa Rica. It runs on a shoestring budget and often finds itself under attack by the local Costa Rica government that wants to shut it down. But they are digging in and their commitment remains strong. They need all the help we can offer. You can watch a number of videos and documentaries about this magical place on youtube by searching TERRITORIA DE ZAGUATES; and here is their website: https://info.territoriodezaguates.com/index/

SLAUGHTERHOUSE SURVIVORS.

This group does an amazing work, and I’ve been following them on Instagram. They go into very dangerous situations in China to rescue captive dogs from the dog meat trade. They negotiate to buy the release of the poor animals from the people holding the dogs or driving them in meat trucks to the butcher. I discovered this group on Instagram (@slaughterhouse_survivors), and I see they also have a Facebook page (HarbinSHS).  They are on the front lines battling against the dog meat trade in China, God Bless Them.

MILAGRO SENIOR PET REFUGE.

Rounding out my list is my own local Phoenix rescue organization, MILAGRO SENIOR PET REFUGE. I started MILAGRO in 1998 and incorporated and obtained 501C3 non-profit status in 2004. This is how and why MILAGRO came to be: in 1998, I went to the county pound in Phoenix to adopt a dog. I had already adopted several senior dogs from the pound–I had a soft spot for the throw-away oldsters. There were rows and rows and rows of dogs, barking, begging, desperate for rescue and some measure of kindness. I couldn’t begin to decide–I wanted them all.

So, while I thought about it, I leaned up against a kennel that I thought was empty, and just spent awhile people watching. I soon realized the kennel was not empty. A raggedy little old senior dog shuffled up and sniffed at my ankles. What a smelly mess he was. As I talked with him and hung out for awhile, I began to focus on what people were looking for in a new pet. One thing stood out – no one noticed the seniors. At all. Every last person walked right by this little guy and several other kennels with seniors as if they weren’t even there. That’s when I realized the need for an organization that promoted senior pets.  And MILAGRO was born.

Everyone told me I was nuts, that no one cared and no one wanted old sickly animals. But I started MILAGRO anyway. And today I’m ever so grateful for its presence in the rescue community. MILAGRO has always been a small organization for several reasons. But, through networking, it has still made a big impression across the nation. Here, twenty-some years later, there are now many organizations that promote senior pet rescue. I thank God that MILAGRO was a pioneer for homeless senior pets. www.milagropets.org

So Many To Choose From – You Can’t Go Wrong.

These are the charities I’ve personally chosen to support over the years, and there are hundreds and hundreds more out there that you can choose from who also do beautiful, compassionate work. Search your heart to figure out what aspect of animal welfare matters most to you, and then do searches online for organizations that fit that purpose for you.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post How Do I Choose Which Animal Welfare And Pet Rescues To Support? appeared first on BareFootPets.

March 13, 2018.

It’s late in the evening now, and all my pets are quiet, as am I.  It’s been a long, tough, emotional day. I am drained.  And it’s going to take a good while to process.  We’re piled on the sofa together, sitting quietly with each other, already missing the one that isn’t there with us.

My little Mia Bella died this morning, at 7:30am, just as the sun came over the mountain. I was holding her in my arms as if protecting her, shielding her from the darkness of death. But it was her time, and the circle of life was going to take her, regardless my passionate prayers. Thankfully, it was the grace of God that Mia Bella’s passing was peaceful and serene–almost a beautiful gift in a very dark moment.  I thank God for that.  I thank God that she’s happily in His arms now, that He answered my prayer to take her gently when it was time. I had known for a short while that her heart and kidneys were failing her, and you’d think that knowing her life was ending would have prepared me. Still, when the final moment comes, it hits you in the chest like a bus.

Mia Bella had awakened me at 4:00am to go pottie. Even in her final hours, she was neat and fussy. But, after her pottie, when I lifted her from the litterbox, she gave me the look … the look I had been dreading. And I knew it was time. I wrapped her in my arms and buried my face in her long, silky fur and we crawled back into bed together. I sat holding her in the night, unconcerned with time passing or the sleep I was missing. This was Mia Bella’s moment, and I was not going to rush her. She was very much at ease, her breathing comfortable and even, and she was lying quietly, just looking up at me. We held that way for several hours. Sometimes I prayed, sometimes I talked to her, sometimes I cried, most of the time we were just quiet together.

When the light of morning started slipping through the window shades, I carried Mia Bella out to the back yard. She loved the sunrise, and to watch the birds flutter at the bird bath every day outside our kitchen window. We would make that a part of our last day together now. The morning breeze was soft and touched her fur lightly as if welcoming her to Heaven, and she looked up at the sky, blinking at the sunlight as she lay safely cradled in my arms … one of many very tender moments that I’ll hold fiercely onto forever.

I offered her some water in an eye dropper to wet her lips, but she refused it this time. Her moment was very close now.  I stayed wrapped around her as close as I could be, knowing I had to let go soon, but not sure if I could.  And at 7:30, still cradled in my arms and with the morning sun lighting up her beautiful face, my precious little angel looked up at me again and took a couple of final gentle breaths, then relaxed. And just like that my Mia Bella was gone. And my heart was shredded. And I cried like a baby.

The Price Of Love.

I read somewhere that grief is the price of love. I know this to be true. I started Milagro Senior Pet Refuge in 1998.  Here, 20-some years later, many many seniors have died in my arms. I’ve been blessed and profoundly humbled to hand each one of them from my arms into God’s arms where they belong. What a gift … to be there with them at their final and most private moment. I have never taken that lightly nor have I ever shied away from it, even in the face of how dearly the loss of each life has cost me. I have given up a piece of myself to each little life as it passed through my hands. It never gets easier. I struggle with each loss very personally. They aren’t just rescues–they are my heart, my family, my loves. I grieve for each one, and I try to allow the passage of grief to take its course freely and fully without any shortcut.   

The End Of Your Pet’s Life.

Their passings aren’t always peaceful and gentle, tho, as Mia Bella’s was today. Oftentimes, they’re gut-wrenching and tragic and unfair. But still I resolve to be there for them at that moment–maybe even more so in this moment when they need to feel love the most.

This is a very personal issue–not everyone is able to stand in the gap for their pet between life’s final moments and death.  God happened to hard-wire me that way, so I ask no questions. I only embrace it, even tho every death tears me apart. For me, even though it’s a two-edged sword, it’s still a gift. But in no way do I judge anyone who can’t bring themselves to take part in their pet’s passing. Each of us must find our own way to navigate through losing our pets, and to make the hard choices free from pressure by anyone other than yourself. For me, I am there all the way. And for me, I believe without a doubt that I am able to continue rescuing after suffering loss because I’ve learned to allow the grief process to work without being afraid of it.  And, more importantly, I believe in God and Heaven, so I know that this isn’t really the end of love.  I will see all these little faces again, every last one of them. 🙂

Assisted Death Or Natural Passing.

For me, I am also not reconciled to euthanasia. I don’t believe I have any right to decide when another living being dies, and I cannot bear the thought of drugs running through my pet’s veins and stopping her heart against her will. I also see that, far too often, euthanasia is used prematurely, more for the comfort of the pet owner than for the pet. One important thing I’ve learned during my decades of rescuing senior animals is that it’s a rollercoaster–an emotional rollercoaster.  Because seniors can be humming along just great, happy and relatively healthy, and then out of the blue have a really bad day, so bad that you think “Uh-oh, this is it.”  And this is when many folks rush the pet off to the veterinarian and have it euthanized. But, had that pet owner watched and waited another day–just 24 hours more–most times the pet will bounce back on its own and be humming along all happy and well again. Rollercoaster.  It’s hard to get used to initially, because for certain it can be a real emotional drain. But once you learn to read your pet’s signs, you’ll know when to pause and when to panic.

People generally feel strongly one way or the other about euthanasia. For me personally, every fiber of my being is against it. I don’t believe for a moment that I have the right to decide that another living being should die.  Having said that, there have been a handful of times over my many years in rescue when I’ve elected euthanasia under pressure and with great anxiety when a pet was in extreme distress. And it remains a burden on my heart forever after that, even when folks encourage me and tell me I did the right thing. In my heart, I regret it desperately and would give anything to go back and choose differently.

How Can I Know For Sure When It’s Time?

Another thing I’ve learned in decades of pet rescue is that the pet will let you know when it’s time.  Until I get that clear message from my pets, I continue to support them, regardless the level of care needed.  If they need me round-the-clock for however long, I’m okay with that. This is my promise to all my rescues when I take them in — “I will always take care of you–always.”  This includes all the tough moments and sacrifices. Up to and including saying goodbye at the Rainbow Bridge. I don’t stop supporting them when it gets tough.

Old age brings aches and pains in animals, just as in people. That’s not reason enough to have your pet euthanized yet. Pets can live with a degree of pain and discomfort the same as people do. Sure, it sucks, but that’s the circle of life. The gauge should be watching for the pet to tell you he wants out. It can be in his eyes–when that’s the case, it’s unmistakable and if you’re paying attention, you will have no doubt that it’s his time. Other times, the pet is in bad enough distress that it’s apparent he’s not going to recover, and his imminent death is going to be torturous unless you intervene. Times like these, the answer is clear for you. Still, you probably will struggle with it after he’s gone.

Omigosh, Why Am I Feeling So Guilty?

One thing about the end of your pet’s life–you’re going to feel damned if you do and damned if you don’t regardless how it plays out. It’s our human nature to question ourselves and feel like we could have or should have done something more, or something differently. Should I have euthanized him sooner?  Later? Or at all?  Was I listening, paying attention to what he wanted? Should I have let him die at home where he wanted to be, peacefully and surrounded by the family he loves and trusts, instead of taking him from his home and running him off to a place that was noisy and scary, and letting some stranger take him from me and end his life on a cold metal table? That kind of ending, to me, would completely undo the beautiful life I had given him. These are the questions that I struggle with. Be prepared for those feelings yourself and know that probably they are unreasonable and unfair to you. Chances are you’re doing all you can to keep your pet healthy and comfortable and loved. And you want to do right for him, not just what’s comfortable for you. Beyond that, be gentle with yourself.  You are not God.  We’re all in this together–the animals and us both.  Just let your love guide you and everything will ultimately be ok.

How Do I Decide And Who Can Help Me?

If you want to prepare yourself beforehand, talk with your vet.  Or look online for discussions on the topic of euthanasia to help give you a comfortable perspective and help you decide to use it or not to use it for your pet. Also, there are now veterinarians who will come to your home for euthanasia, so the pet doesn’t have to be disturbed or frightened in his last moments. That way, your pet can be where he feels safe and loved and at peace.  And that will encourage you and help to minimize your own inevitable suffering.  Again, I am not encouraging or endorsing euthanasia–I am simply acknowledging that it is an option people feel comfortable with. And, whenever euthanasia is being chosen, then I definitely encourage a home visit for it.

I wish for you and your pets a long and healthy and beautiful life together.  🙂

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post The Price Of Love. appeared first on BareFootPets.