My quest to save the animals

In the end, only Kindness matters

2012-01-28T11:30:00.002-07:00

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

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

My hands are small I know

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

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

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

2012-01-09T21:41:00.000-07:00

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

Keg’s going to save the world and he doesn’t even know it yet!

2011-08-26T19:08:00.003-07:00

I’m going to teach Keg a new trick that will allow him to participate in my mission to help the animals. He will play a HUGE role in our efforts and I did some research tonight so tomorrow is his first training day. I’ll document his progress but I don’t want to tell you all just yet what I will be teaching him. Any guesses :) He’s a smart cookie but has a mind of his own and if you know him... you know he’s a pretty stubborn guy but I believe he can do it and make us all proud!

I’ll keep you posted and make a video to share with you all!

Back on track

2011-08-07T15:54:00.003-07:00

Those of you that know me really well know that when I talk about my passion, saving animals, my eyes get a little misty. I had put this burning desire to dive into the world of animal rescue on hold because of the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. After attending a conference in 2009 I left with mixed emotions. The attendees were not exactly what I had expected. Although I tried really hard to go into the conference with no preconceived expectations on what the other attendees would be like, I had hoped that they would have the same drive and passion as I did. I mean we all did pay the $300+ to attend this conference, so those 500+ people MUST really want to make a change right? Not exactly... Animal people can sometimes be.... well good with animals and not so great with their own kind :) In fact, most of the participants didn't even have an open mind and a lot of them had lost all hope of a day with no more homeless pets altogether. This was disappointing to say the least and in a way, devastating to MY personal goal to see the day that we have no more homeless pets.

By now you know that I let myself get in my own way of my goal. Now, two years later, I have broken through this shell shock and will take on the task of someday eliminating homelessness in pets. We CAN make this a reality and I WILL do everything in my power to make this happen. I know I can't do it on my own, and I know that it will take time, and as a result lives will be taken (I physically loose sleep over this at night). But I can no longer be selfish and turn a blind eye. Animals do not deserve to be put to death for what mankind has done.

Yesterday I purchased my website domane, Animallifelines.com, and started a facebook page, Animallifelines, both of which I will utilize to my best ability to make an impact. I am still in the beginning stages of planning my attach but you have to start somewhere :)

My quest to save the animals is back on track.

Bring it!

The Ferrell Cat Frenzy

2009-11-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

It has always been second nature for me to continuously scan the scenery for stay or lost dogs and cats. On this particular afternoon I noticed a few cats gathering in a field not far from our new house. The field was actually a fenced in lot that was up for sale but looked disgusting, overgrown and abandoned. I took a mental note of it and continued on my way home. A few nights later I drove by the same empty lot only this time it was anything BUT empty. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what must have been 50+ferrell cats all gathered in the corner lot. It was a beautiful sight, seeing all of those free roaming felines all in the same place. There were orange, calico, black, white, long hair, short hair and everything in between! After the true state of aw passed I knew, thanks to the great information I learned at the Best Friends “No More Homeless Pets” conference, that I have a challenge or rather a great opportunity on my hands. I knew I needed to perform TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) on these cats. I don’t know exactly how yet… but I knew it had to be done. Otherwise the 50+ cats would turn into 100+ cats right before my eyes.

The next day I googled TNR in Phoenix Arizona and was pleased when the Animal Defense League of Arizona popped up. The website said that they perform TNR for Ferrell cats and there was a hotline to call to receive more information. GREAT! Well that was easy… yes I was sooo wrong. I left a message on the hotline with all of the details, where they are, how many of there are out there, when I saw them and all that jazz. Today, a nice lady from the Animal Defense League of Arizona returned my inquiry about TRN for the cats. She explained to me that they lend out the traps and that I can borrow them, trap the cats (somehow), then they will set up a time to perform the neuter/ spay and I come and pick the cats up and return them to their empty lot. I thought, well that’s not so bad…. Then the kicker…. She gently broke it to me that it was $20 per spay/ neuter. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it was a few cats. But we are talking 50-75 cats!! You do the math!! OK I already did it would be over $1,000 L this was definitely NOT in my budget.

Anyone have a grand lying around that you would like to donate so I can kick this corner lot breeding frenzy?! OR would anyone like to donate $20 for 1 cat to be fixed? Anything will help I will do one at a time if I have to. These cats deserve a safe and healthy life as much as your own pets. This will help the human community AND the cat community in so many ways.

I am going to call the humane society tomorrow and see if they have a free spay/ neuter clinic for situations like these. I will keep you posted on my progress. PLEASE let me know if you think of a sponsor for the TNR of if you have any ideas on how I can go about this. The cats need us and I am here to help!!

Day 1 at the Best Friends No More Homeless Pets Conference

2009-10-27T22:52:00.003-07:00

Wake up Call!
The alarm went off at 3am but subconsciously I was already wide awake. Remember that feeling you had when you were a kid the night before Christmas… you may have slept 3 hours but subconsciously you were awake the entire night getting ready for the great morning ahead you! Typically if my alarm went off at 3am I would have a mental and physical war just to get out of bed. On this particular morning I popped right up and started what would be one of the best, most inspiring days of my life to date.

My wonderful husband had the task of “Taxi Cab” this morning so we fueled up on caffeine and at 4:45am off we went to the airport. I hopped out of the car with the biggest smile my face could take and gave my husband a big bear hug and as we started our separate ways he turned and said, “Babe, be the change!” This was my moment; I could feel it in every bone in my body.

Airport Adventures
As I sat at the terminal I was giving everyone the once over to see if there was anyone else from Arizona going to the conference. I was hoping to meet at least one person before I got to the conference just so I know I wouldn’t be there alone. To my surprise there wasn’t anyone wearing a cat shirt or carrying around a canvas bag with dog prints…. I then quickly realized that I myself didn’t have any such attire and realized that I probably had a skewed view of animal lovers.

The First Encounter
I was waiting in line to board the plane when I heard two women talking about rescuing a cat. I instantly turned and asked in what I soon realized was a much too peppy tone for 6am, “are you guys going to the conference?!” One lady gave me a rude look and said yeees and turned back to her friend , just for the record she DID have a canvas bag with a cat on it J. SO I found my seat on the plane and eagerly awaited Sin City.

Madison May
Going 2 years back in time (January of 07) I walked into a petsmart and found the love of my life… at least another one J there she was, lying peacefully in her metal prison. The most beautiful blue Pit Bull I have ever seen. There was a group there I had never heard of before, “Best Friends Animal Sanctuary” from Kanab Utah. They were in Las Vegas the previous weekend and had to take Madison May( then M&M) to the vet for the weekend because so many “thugs” as they called them, tried to steel her right from her cage. At one point they had to zip tie her cage together and they found someone cutting the zip ties off. The next weekend they drove her and the other animal that hadn’t been adopted in Vegas to Tempe Arizona. I hadn’t been to this particular Petsmart in about a year and for some reason I decided to go in to get some treats for my other dog Roxy, our red nose Pit Bull. There she was J I was mesmerized and a nice man named Larry came up to me and said “wow, you really have a connection with this dog.” I guess I was standing there for a while and before I know it I was signing papers to take her on a sleep over. We ended up adopting her and Larry told me that her foster mom would love updates because she really had a connection with her. Connection was an understatement. I found out later that Madison was the last dog she ever fostered because she cried for days, weeks even months about Maddy being adopted.

Anna
Two days before the conference I e-mailed Madison’s foster mom, Anna, to see if she would be at the conference in Vegas. I thought that she probably would because she works for Best Friends. She e-mailed me back letting me know that she would be there and that we had to meet up to talk! It was a done deal, we exchanged phone numbers and were both tickled pink to finally meet each other!

Emotional Waterfall
I arrived at the conference a few minutes after the opening remarks and found a spot against the back wall to stand. They had everyone attending the conference send in a short story about why they are attending the conference with a picture of you and your animals. They started the slide show and being all emotional animal lovers over 650 attendees already started tearing up. They only picked 10 peoples stories/ picture and mine was one of them! I was SO excited that I turned to the woman standing next to me and said, “Those are my kids!!” The woman looked back at me and said, “you have got to be kidding me?! I am Anna! Madison’s foster mom!” Out of over 650 people I was standing right next to her. It was fate. We embraced and instantly starting talking about our favorite Maddy stories.

For the next 12 hours I would be in for the ride of a life time. From lectures to networking it was so overwhelming I had to sit and take it all in for a while. I met some of the most amazing people all of which had the same goal I did, do our part to save the animals for homelessness and death in the shelters. It was the most inspiring and emotionally satisfying crowd I have ever been in. A few people called it the “re-fueling” site. Just when you feel like you are the only one out there we come together and refocus on our common goal. It is a feeling I can’t put into words being around over 600 people who all have the same passion; a true, raw, overflowing passion for living creatures.

The end to a life changing day
As the day came to an end I felt like I had just ran a marathon, yes I have done this so I know what it feels like, physically, mentally and emotionally. As I walked through the casino of the jam packed Rio I felt like I was walking in slow motion, I needed sleep lots of well deserved sleep. I wonder what tomorrow will bring….

The light bulb

2009-08-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Over the past 48 hours I took a HUGE leap into my new endeavors. I registered for the 2009 No More Homeless Pets conference in Las Vegas and can not wait to learn everything I can get my paws on about helping animals!! As I continue on with my weekend completely elated with my new investment on my and many furry friends future a light bulb comes on! I walk into a PetSmart to get my three dogs a treat and make an exchange when I see there is a shelter adopting out dogs and cats. I am immediately drawn to the booth where a few very nice women and a plethora of adorable dogs and cats are. They seem pleased that I stopped by and I told them that I would like to volunteer to help their cause. They take in animals from families that had to foreclose on their homes or animals that have been left in abandoned homes.
It breaks my heart to look at these animals that had a home and a family and now they have no one; and yet they are still wagging their tails and letting out loud purrs. I sat down to fill out some paper work and a sweet golden retriever decided to set her head down on the paperwork so I would pet her instead of proceeding with the questions. It’s moments like these that make me want to let everyone in the word know that I am going to help these animals. I am going to find someone for this golden retriever to put her head on and she will be with that person forever.
The light bulb: I was talking to one of the shelter managers and mentioned that I will be attending the conference and before I knew it I told her that when I come back I will help them implement some of the new ideas I learn form the speakers. All of a sudden it hit me (I instantly call my husband to bounce this off of him) I will go to the conference and take phenomenal notes and when I come back I will go to all, or as many as I can, the shelters in Arizona and help them make their shelters bigger and stronger and this will indirectly help 100’s of animals. My husband and I talked about it, all the while I am tearing up with excitement, and decided that I could be the “hub” for all the shelters. I could network and find the volunteers and resourced that the shelters need and get them what they need.

My next move: I am going to volunteer every weekend to start networking and get ready for this conference!

An end to a CRAZY two weeks

2009-08-28T21:00:00.001-07:00

One of my friends came to my work today to say goodbye for 2 years. She is going into the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and she gave her good friends hemp bracelets to wear so when we see them we think about her. I was really sad to se her go but really inspired to do my part in the world and I don’t even have to leave the country! Now every time I see the hemp bracelet I think of Jules and am re-inspired to be the change in the world!
Tomorrow I am going to make my plan. Shelters I will volunteer at, books I will read, jobs I can apply for that will surround me with animals, and my short and long term career goals. This week has been SO long I think I would end up with a bunch of random rubbish if I tried to conquer this task tonight.
Good night!!
P.S. let the dogs on the bed for one night;) They like to snuggle too!!

The first day of the rest of my life

2009-08-28T20:15:00.003-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months or even years that you feel like your day to day work is sucking the life out of you? This week someone asked how I was holding up and my first reaction was to blurb out, “ I feel like they are slowly taking my soul.” Before I knew what I was saying it was already out… and I had just spilled the beans to someone I worked with. Luckily for me she understood.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do, I wanted to save animals, and starting today I will be starting my new quest; the quest of no more homeless or abused pets.

Please join me on my quest to save the innocent pets in this world from hurt and huger. I’m not sure how I will get there but I will find a way and be the change I wish to all in the world, in the words of Gandhi.

Enjoy!!!
Brittany