In the end, only Kindness matters

Roxy, our first rescue EVER.

In the end, only Kindness matters

The other day one of my good friends asked me a totally legitimate question, “Why do you always listen to the same song on Spotify?” 

Side note- Spotify is a website that allows you to listen to your favorite songs and then logs them onto your facebook profile.

 For those of you who know me well, you know that I LOVE music. I can appreciate almost all genres of music (I just can’t wrap my head around scream-o....) I can rattle off at least 50 songs right off the bat that I would typically look up in Spotify on any given day. So it was totally valid for this particular person to think it’s a bit odd that with the thousands of choices I would continue to pick just one song, over and over again. 

Here’s why. 

The song is “Hands” by Jewel. 

I have always loved Jewel, and I have always been particularly found of “Hands.” But I have recently fallen in love with the song all over again and for an entirely new reason. I think it’s safe to say that we all listen to music for different reasons. Some use it to get pumped up for a workout or a big game, some use it to morn a loss or bring back an old memory. There are those who only listen to the instruments and the melody and completely ignore the lyrics and the true meaning/ inspiration of the song. And then there are people like me, who listen to every word and every meaning. 

I don’t think you decide what type of listener you are, and I think it depends on the mood you are in or the situation and the series of events that you are/have been in. 

 Anyways.... a little background information is necessary. As most of you know I recently took the plunge into animal rescue and have finally opened both eyes to the horrifying realities that the animals in shelters and in the hands of the wrong humans face. Let me tell you. IT IS HORRIFYING. Most people turn a bind eye, and as much as I wish they wouldn't, I understand. Most of the pictures are hard too look at and it is hard to walk into a shelter and not want to rescue all of the animals. 

Let me tell you something encouraging. For every person who can’t look, there are people like me who will.  For every person who abuses an animal, there are people like me who will sign the petitions, look at the horrifying pictures and pass it along to ensure that animals gets justice. For every person who can’t walk into the shelter because they want to save them all, there are people like me who will walk in, grab one, and know that ONE IS BETTER THEN NONE. 

I am not superhuman, I do not deserve an award, and I do not seek any recognition. I loose sleep at night knowing what these animals are going through and some images that I have seen are burned permanently into my brain. I do not wish that on anyone.

Let me tell you how you, the person who can’t look, has a huge impact on these same animals. You are the one who adopts the animals from the rescues, this opens up another spot for the ONE lucky shelter dog who can now be saved. You are the one who donates money, materials, and time to the rescues or non-profits and this gives the rescues/ non profits the ability to keep their doors open for the animals. You are the one that will “share” the picture of the dogs that we rescue on your own facebook page to help us find the ONE shelter dog a new forever home. Did you know that when you rescue ONE dog you actually save TWO. You save the life of the dog you rescued, and you also open up a new spot for the next dog. 

It’s OK if you don’t look. I completely understand, and I know exactly how you feel. I know in my heart, that every human who has an ounce of compassion in them wants to help in some way. And I am here to tell you, you are.

Now you are probably asking how this has anything to do with the song “Hands” by Jewel. 

Here are the lyrics....

If I could tell the world just one thing

It would be that we're all OK

And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful

And useless in times like these

I won't be made useless

I won't be idle with despair

I will gather myself around my faith

For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small, I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes

It didn't steal your laughter

And heartache came to visit me

But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite

For someone must stand up for what's right

'Cause where there's a man who has no voice

There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters

In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

We are never broken

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's mind

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's heart

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's eyes

We are God's hands

We are God's hands

     Jewel wrote the lyrics to this song when she was homeless and sick with Kidney issues, see the entire story here, she’s pretty amazing, but that’s besides the point.

I interoperate this song as, in a nutshell, that we are going to be ok, don’t stress yourself into a frenzy, you might only be able to rescue ONE dog at a time, but thats ok. Someone needs to stand up for these voiceless creatures and we must stand up for what is right. My personal favorite line is, In the end, only kindness matters. That really says it all. 

So when I am feeling like I should be doing more. Or when I feel like what I am doing is so insignificant in the big picture. I listen to this song. It helps me feel more at peace and gives me the hope and strength to move forward. Baby steps are ok. As long as you are moving forward. 

So my friend, this is why you have, and will continue to see “Hands” by Jewel in my Spotify history. But know this- every time you see it, I am moving forward. And thats the direction I want to move. :)

-Britt

Today I saved a life

Today I rescued my first dog from the E list (euthanasia list). I wasn't exactly looking to bring another dog in to foster but I just couldn't say no to this one. 

On I was browsing facebook this past weekend on Saturday afternoon when I stumbled upon a post that had an album named, "Dogs to be PTS (Put to sleep) on 1/9/2011 at 7am unless adopted. This wasn't the first time I have seen an album like this and it won't be the last but this time I decided to take a look at the dogs. It was the typical album of dogs in a county shelter (aka) canine jail. All of the pictures were taken with the chain link fence gate between the photographer and the dog. The dogs where all curled up in the corner laying on cold grey pavement and there wasn't a dog bed or toy in sight, and 80% of the dogs were pit bulls. I continued looking through the pictures with a heavy heart and then I got to this fella.

His eyes were so sad and his blanket was so thin. My heart sank, it looks like this poor guys has never been loved and before he had gotten the chance he was going to be sentenced to death. With a heavy heart I logged out out of facebook and tried to proceed with my day. I am well aware that I can't bring every animal into our home and I know it's not easy pulling animals out of county shelters unless you go in and adopt them which can be spendy. So, I went on with our day. That night when we went to bed I couldn't sleep. It not unusual for me to have trouble sleeping at night knowing so many animals are out there suffering and dying.

 It must have been pretty obvious because after staring at the ceiling for about 5 minutes my husband asked me what was going on and I told him about the dog I had seen earlier that day. 

His response, "Lets go get him then." 

I had to smile. Somehow I got lucky enough to have a man that supports my passion and loves me even though I am a crazy dog lady :) 

That was all I needed and I went on the the website and checked the shelters hours. M-F 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm. Sundays CLOSED. I was furious! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?! ALL shelters should be open during the weekend. Not only should they be open but they should be open as long as humanly possible so that the dogs can get as much exposure as possible and the people who want to adopt have the opportunity. I understand it costs money to keep the doors open but they could at least take two weeks days off and stay open on the weekends. Anyways thats besides the point. The issue now is that the shelter is closed and this dog was to be killed at 7am on Monday and the shelter doesn't open or answer phone calls until 8am.

I had my work cut out for me. I e-mailed and messaged the shelter and the group that posted the dog on facebook and finally got some shut eye. 

I patiently waited for a reply. By mid afternoon I had managed to get the shelter to put a hold on him and a rescue had agreed to pull him for me, after about 20 e-mails, which waved his $140 fee. FEW! 

There was only one thing left to do, pick up this fella on Monday afternoon after I got off of work. 

Not knowing what to expect Gracie and I drove the hour and a half to Casa Grande AZ to the county shelter with a kennel, a leach and collar and some dog treats. By 2pm we made it, after getting lost and talking to some nice, but slightly strange locals :) 

We got out of the car, walked in, signed some paperwork, they gave him his vaccinations and microchip and that was that. She told us to wait in the parking lot and that she would bring him out. And out they came :)

His description said that he was sad and shy.... not anymore! His tail was wagging a mile a minute when he saw me standing there with a yummy dog treat. I though I would have a hard time getting him in the kennel in the back of my truck but he jumped in it before I had even gotten the gate all the way open. To say the least this dog was happy to be getting he heck out of there. I wish I could have taken all of the other dogs that I could hear crying in the building but I had to keep saying to myself, saving 1 is better then non. 

Before I left, the lady who was helping me told me that this particular dog was found roaming outside of the local Fire House Bar and Grill. Then she joked that he just wanted a nice cold drink and some bar food. I smiled and looked at him and I knew I had just figured out what this beautiful boy's name would be. Chief. Every fire station has a chief and this boy was going to be the Chief of the Fire House Bar and Grill. 

Chief it is. 

We finally got home and I snapped a few pictures of him playing on the lawn. He was SO happy to stretch his legs and be on anything other then concrete. 

Thats one happy boy :) 

And tonight, even though I know the reality of what is happening everyday at the shelters, I will go to sleep knowing that this extremely deserving dog is alive. He is alive and today he was loved for hours and well fed and tonight he has a soft bed and tomorrow morning he will be greeted not by kennel workers, but by a family. The Winkelmans. And we are going to find this boy a home that he can call his own. 

To top off the end of this milestone day, this was Nick and my first rescue of 2012 and Gracie, our 7 month old daughter's first rescue EVER... well while she is out of the belly that is. I am guilty of rescuing a few while 8 and 9 months pregnant :) 

I will keep you posted on his progress! 

If you are interested in adopting or fostering Chief please contact me via e-mail at Brittany.Winkelman@gmail.com