Why Share Your Animal Stories?
Last week, we got a call from a man who had been to the Angel Animals website and read stories there. Some of the stories might have come from you. We wanted to let you know one example of how sharing your uplifting animal stories helps people.
The man had recently endured a terrible loss. He'd found his son dead in the young man's home. The son's dog had remained by his side for three days. He wouldn't even leave for food or water. The dog howled when the son's body was taken away, grieving over his dear friend.
The dog's display of emotions and loyalty had moved the father so much that he went on the Internet to search for information about dogs. When he found our website, he read through stories. He said, "I never knew what dogs are capable of till now."
He had called us because the stories inspired him to donate to organizations that train service dogs. Linda gave him a couple of suggestions and told him what keywords to use for finding such charities.
So there you have it -- one more reason for sharing your stories in the Angel Animals Story of the Week and for our books. One more reason for telling your stories about the incredible benefits of human-animal companionship to family, friends, and anyone else who will listen.
When you make your stories public, you affect people and animals in ways you will probably never know about. But someday, when you have the opportunity to look back on your life, a Divine hand may show you all the connecting threads that came about through an animal who gave love and a human who shared that love with others.
What stories would you like to share?
Categories: Animal People, Observations, Amazing Angel Animals
Tags: dogs cats birds angel animals fish
After Hurricane Katrina, I went to Louisiana to care for rescued animals. I evacuated for Hurricane Rita, bringing home an old cattle dog to foster. The network of people who came together to help us continued to rescue other animals, including a cattle dog puppy, Kenna, who was rescued from death row in Georgia. Her story is told in ‘8 State Hurricane Kate’. Last fall, I received this message from her new mom:
Kenna’s foster mom let me know that her story was in a book. I immediately ordered ‘8 State Hurricane Kate’. The book arrived just as Hurricane Gustav was bearing down on us. Jenny, you have truly impacted my life. To fully understand the effect you have had on Kenna and me, you need to know more of our story.
In November 2004 I fled Georgia with only the clothes I could carry, leaving an abusive marriage in search of a new beginning… In fleeing, I had to leave everything behind, including my beloved dog… I tried to get my dog back, but only got visitation rights. In August, I experienced Hurricane Katrina in a small apartment in Baton Rouge… I was terrified… I was so fragile, just trying to make it through each day. For weeks, I didn’t have electricity, phone, or water…Then Rita hit and Baton Rouge suffered more than during Katrina. Emotionally spent, and grieving over lost family members and pets, I and the other residents of Baton Rouge struggled through the rest of the year.
Months later I was given my male ACD, Bleu… and fell in love with the breed. I was on Dogster.com researching the breed and came across Kenna’s web page. My heart filled with a joy I had never known; it seemed as though Kenna was speaking to me. After finalizing the adoption, I took my little Kenna home. She and Bleu quickly became inseparable.
On Christmas 2007, while grooming Kenna, I found a lump. Panic and worry set in. I took her to the vet as soon as there was an opening. They removed the tumor from her chest and tests confirmed that she had cancer of the connective tissue. I was devastated, but decided to proceed with radiation treatments. I borrowed everything I could and sold retirement investments to pay for her treatment. Family and friends couldn’t understand my commitment to this young dog. I took her to the vet for 21 separate treatments. I understood what my little girl was going through. I’d also had cancer, twenty years ago. I survived and I knew she could too! Caring for Kenna restored my purpose and rejuvenated my will to live my own life. Today, she’s in remission and is as playful as a puppy.
Jenny, you are my angel. If you hadn’t saved Kate, Kenna wouldn’t have been pulled from that gas chamber in time. She never would have come to me. We are all connected. Your actions impacted my life. You were Kate’s savior, and through your effort, you have become mine and Kenna’s savior as well. Thank you for all you do.
Sheryl
Sometimes when we think we are just muddling through, we really are making a difference with a ripple effect.
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