A Deserving Award
I was honored to be a presenter at this year’s Be More Awards for our city. The category I presented was the "Be More Compassionate" category, which was created to honor those working in animal welfare. This year’s honorees were volunteers from The Nest Rescue. This is a hard-working group of volunteers who deserved the recognition. Bravo! |
| At the Be More Awards April 28, 2015 |
Below are my comments before I presented the
award:
When I contemplated my remarks for this event, a word came
to into my mind.
And that word is “Hoarder”.
Now stick with me here for just a minute.
I know you immediately think of a negative connotation.
As in the show Hoarders, which I watch regularly to feel better
about my life.
The definition of Hoard is: to accumulate money, food, or
the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use,
etc.
Now that doesn't sound so bad.
 |
| Simeon, an Albino Pekingese rescued from a puppy mill One of my "hoards" |
So if we apply that to animal rescue, I bet, just bet there are
some here with us tonight, including yours truly, who just might be a hoarder.
So to rip off Jeff Foxworthy, you might be a hoarder if:
a) You have
more animals in your home than people;
b) You
stopped caring long ago about cat or dog hair on your clothes, furniture or
even in your food;
c) You have
no room for people in your car due to crates, leashes, food/supplies, because
if you are in your car, you are either coming from the vet, going to pick up a
rescue, or you’re on the lookout for a stray;
d) You
routinely tell your spouse or significant other that the new arrival to your
home will only be here for “insert length of time of your choice.” My time of choice was 2 weeks. Finally after Dog #6 joined us, my husband
said, Karla just stop. My ruse had been
exposed.
e) You have
more animals in bed with you than humans.
f)
When someone asks you exactly how many animals do you have in
your home, you begin your reply with, "OK I'll tell you but
first let me explain."
g) And
finally your family takes bets on how many animals you have had in your home at
one time.
Which happened to me when my nephew called and said, "OK a
pizza is riding on this. Is it 12, 16, or 23 dogs" I
said, "OK I'll tell you but first let me explain,"
The answer is 23, but don't tell the city of Bloomington that.
(author’s note: the obvious being that I was speaking at a city of Bloomington
event!)
Oh wait. That was a long long time ago, during the puppytrain and adopt a pet days, so I hope I'm forgiven.
The Definition:
to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully
guarded place for preservation, future use, etc.
The saying goes, “Until one has loved an animal a part of one'ssoul remains unawakened”.
These words exemplify the work of the animal welfare advocate.
Who is not only compassionate, but empathetic for the dogs and
cats they rescue.
These devoted rescuers are on the front line of animal welfare.
They see the neglected, the abused, the discarded, and sadly the
forgotten ones by our society.
And they feel the fear, the loneliness, the confusion resonating
from every one of these
They also work to shift the paradigm
Cats and dogs are not disposable, and killing is never the
solution to overpopulation.
You are the silent heroes, and I am glad you hoarders dwell
among us, sacrificing so much for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Before I announce the recipient, I want say that I do believe
you fudged on your nomination form.
Because there is no way your volunteers are working 20
hours/month. That is being humble.
It’s your life’s mission and you live it every moment through
every life you save.
And with that I am honored to announce
The Be More Compassionate Recipient for 2015 is (envelope)
No comments:
Post a Comment