October is the month each year when we turn our hearts toward
the hopeful dogs waiting to find their forever homes.
As an animal advocate for many years, I recently released my
first children’s book about that very topic. Gypsy to the Rescue tells the story of a smaller than
average German Shepard pup who is looking for her forever home. After a series
of failed adoptions, Gypsy meets a genuine friend in a young fisherman named
Charlie and his uncle that she found at a pier in the Florida Keys. Gypsy took
fate into her own paws and throughout the story, Gypsy shows her kind heart and
good intentions, defying the odds that were set against her from the very
beginning.
Although this book is fictional, my
inspiration came from the true story of when I adopted a small German Shepard
pup from a shelter in Florida. I named her Gypsy because she went through quite
a journey before we met. When the volunteers at the rescue told me what they
knew of her story, it broke my heart. All dogs deserve a chance to live a
happy, safe, and loving life with a caring family.
READ MORE: My Dog is my Baby too!
Adoption should be a solution to
animal homelessness and a way for people to connect with future pets that need
forever homes. Unfortunately, there are too many unwritten stories about
animals that are rescued and then returned to shelters. Luckily, most animal
shelters and rescue centers are managed by compassionate animal advocates that
give these animals the love they may never have had before their arrival.
If your home is not ready for a pet,
or you’re still on the fence about adding a new furry family member, there are
plenty of other ways to support local animal shelters in your area. Some of the
many shelter needs include:
Fostering:
For a variety of reasons, shelters
and rescue centers are always in need of foster homes for pets. There is no such
thing as a perfect foster home and of course, there are many things to consider
before signing up for this type of responsibility. However, fostering gives a
rescue animal the opportunity to get out of a cage, and provide the positive
reinforcement that will set up the animal for what life could be like in a
home, even if it is temporary. If you have experience taking care of a pet, and
your heart is open to it, fostering can make a huge difference for the animal
and potentially for your family as well.
Transporting:
If you are not ready to foster,
consider transporting rescued animals to their destined foster home.
Transportation can be a limited resource for shelters and rescue centers. By
providing a safe ride to a foster home you are giving a rescued animal the
chance to avoid being indefinitely placed in an overpopulated shelter that may
or may not have room for them. It may seem like a simple act of kindness but
becoming an animal transporter can be a huge help.
Volunteering:
There typically is an age
requirement to volunteer with animals, but it could also be a fun and enriching
experience to do while accompanying your younger children. If you do not have a
pet at home, by volunteering at an animal shelter or rescue center, your
children will be in a safe and controlled environment where they can learn more
about animals and how to take care of them. Volunteering could include dog
walking, animal socialization, cleaning and kennel maintenance, or helping with
odd jobs around the shelter. There may also be opportunities like the “Dog’s
Day Out Program” at Second Chance Animal Shelter in
Massachusetts. This amazing program gives a rescue dog the chance to spend an
adventurous day with a registered volunteer.
Donating:
Donating your time is free but
donating money and/or resources to rescues and local shelters is a welcomed and
generous gift. Check with your local shelter to see their donation policy and
what they are willing to accept. A few of the most common items that most
shelters will accept are: towels, leashes, toys, brushes, beds, food &
dishes, cleaning supplies, and newspapers. Most animal shelters even have
Amazon wishlists that they organize themselves. The benefit of Amazon wishlists
is that you can have the order shipped directly to their facility while
donating those items from the comfort of your home.
By helping your local shelters,
rescue centers, and foster families, you too can play an integral part in
providing a better life for innocent animals in need. Gypsy’s courage and
ability to trust humans after all that she had been through is admirable and
rare. Not every dog has as much fortitude as Gypsy, but all dogs who are in the
rescue and shelter system deserve the chance to find their happily ever after.
India Blake is an
award-winning photographer, writer, and animal advocate. Her work includes Before the Curtain Goes Up, a photographic journey
behind the scenes of small-town theaters that shares intimate moments of
preparation before a performance. Her book, Captured, combines
her two greatest loves- photography and poetry, earning the Indie Excellence Award, Reader’s
Digest Critics’ Pick and has received praise from Joy Williams, Joyce Carol
Oates and Kirkus Reviews. Gypsy to the Rescue is India’s first
children’s book. Visit India's website for more
information.
Praise for Gypsy to the Rescue:
Gypsy to the Rescue is a tenderly narrated story of loneliness overcome by
courage and love—the “coming of
age” of a German Shepherd orphan puppy who finds a home after a daring act of
courage. Highly recommended for children (and parents) who love animals.”
— Joyce Carol Oates, Bestselling
author