Hubster had yesterday off, so we ran a few errands in Cornwall, then dropped into the Cornwall SPCA to spend some time brushing the cats awaiting homes. We spent an hour there and it was so relaxing. You do these things thinking you're going to be helping the animals, but then the animals help you! I'm sure my blood pressure went down several points while I was there.
I can't remember exactly, but I think there were sixteen cats in residence, and between the two of us we brushed and cuddled them all. Every single cat was lovely and enjoyed being held and brushed, but of course I lost my heart to Hope, a sweet, fluffy long-haired girl who has lost the tips of both ears, no doubt to frostbite. If we weren't already at capacity here, I would have brought her home, but we did adopt Alex the tripod-kitty from this shelter last October. (He is doing spectacularly well, by the way, and thinks he rules both dogs and Julius, our orange tabby.)
Gordon was extremely partial to Taffy, a lovely tortoise-shell girl who went completely limp in G's arms as he stroked her. I think she would have stayed there for hours if she could have. Several of the cats also took a strong interest in Gordon's beard! I figured out that this must been because we went there right after lunch, so there must have been some yummy food smells in there.
I have a lot of admiration for the people who work at animals shelters, because I know I couldn't handle it. The staff at the Cornwall SPCA are great!
We are looking forward to going back soon, and maybe walking some dogs next time. If you have some time to spare, I highly recommend volunteering at your local shelter. It needn't take a lot of time, and you will be rewarded for your efforts a thousand times over. And if you don't have time, send in a donation of whatever size. Or find out if you shelter has a wish list; they have very modest needs that you can easily fulfill: paper towels, laser paper... you'd be surprised. The Cornwall shelter needs a new roof, and for five dollars, you can buy a shingle! They are also collecting used pop cans to raise funds.
Every year I design and do the pre-press work for the Bide Awhile Animal Shelter calendar. The shelter is today moving to its brand-new, beautiful premises in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. A lot of volunteers put a lot of hard work into bringing this calendar out every year, and in my humble opinion it is well worth buying even if you're not from Nova Scotia! They run a contest every year for the monthly pet photos, and the results are adorable. This year they have instituted "Buy a Day for Your Pet": your pet can have his or her own square in the month of your choice, with the fee going to the shelter! And I designed the form you use to apply for this, so of course it's must to fill it out and send in your money and photo. HAHAHA!
I am hoping that Taffy and Hope's links disappear soon, due to their adoption into loving homes. Spare a thought for them and all the animals in this world that need the love of a good human.
Alex, our three-legged boy who came to us from the Cornwall SPCA on October 20, 2007.
Gordon and our "rescue" dogs, Sophie and Tristan.
Julius, who wandered up to our door in Nova Scotia in 2000, and never left.
Great post! What a nice idea to add the links to these special cats. The whole post felt like a hug. You and Gordon both do such nice things!
ReplyDeleteOh, you're both too kind. And "Anonymous" is no slouch herself. She has rescued three dogs off the streets of Mexico, including one who had been badly injured and needed a leg amputation.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to going back to the shelter.