A Thankful Heart.....

When people ask us what we're "thankful for", a thousand things come to mind: family, friends, memories of loved ones no longer with us, a warm home, a table full of bountiful foods, a fire in the fireplace, with lots of football and holiday movies on TV, a tray of scrumptious desserts and piping hot coffee or hot chocolate nearby!  And a prayer someone won't drag you to the midnight madness known as "Black Friday"!  But what I'm most thankful for doesn't come from the table, or the fridge, or the dessert tray nor a midnight sale:  what I'm most thankful for this year is every person who gave of themselves and their homes so that others in need could be blessed, rescued, saved, and given a precious chance at a new life.  Rescuing souls doesn't always mean those of us of the human variety.  Permit me to share my "thankful heart" with you for just a few moments.  I'm So Thankful....

For every sweet, precious rescued animal who has crossed my path this past year, I am grateful for you and for all the life lessons you have taught me through the “baggage” you carry, and despite the load you carry - your unconditional love and acceptance of humans, and your immense grace and courage.  Most of all, by just being a true survivor of everything that’s come your way on your journey.

I’m grateful for every person working in rescue – from the ones who bravely enter the most horrid and scary conditions, rescuing animals whom others have passed by – for  giving them a chance to live, when others said they must die.  For being there along that dark corridor toward certain death, and for reaching out just in time to gently take their lead, and whisper to them, “today is not your day - you’re safe now.”

I’m thankful for those who transport dogs out of those horrid places to vets who care for them and give them help and hope, who make room in the backs of their vehicles for mommas with litters of new babies, who transport older dogs who have given up, and especially those who rescue and transport sickly dogs and pups who are, literally, at death’s door from illnesses, injuries, harm and neglect.

I’m grateful to all those thousands of people who reach out with their hearts and their wallets, to give and give again, until it hurts, so that shelter dogs and cats can find hope of finding renewed strength, and hope of a new life. Without their support, we in rescue could not do what we do each day.

I’m so thankful for every foster Mom and/or Dad, and families, who open their doors time and time again to a shelter dog or kitty.   Knowing there will be “baggage and issues” to work through, knowing they’ll need a lot of patience and love to see that animal through what it needs in order to have their lives and direction forever “changed” for the good.   Bless you, bless you, bless you this Thanksgiving for never saying “no”, even when you’re full!   Your reward someday will be GREAT!

Thank you to all the volunteers who make adoption events WORK!  Thank you to those who give up so many Saturdays to bring dogs to adoptions – dressing them up, lovingly assuring them it will be okay and that maybe TODAY will be THEIR day to find that “forever home”.  Thank you for coming to “hold a leash”, and for making sure each visitor sees every sweet, precious soul anxiously waiting for someone to say, “I want to adopt THAT one!”  Thank you for helping them put their best paws forward!

For the volunteers who work the yard sales, the bake sales, the clothing sales, schedule the fundraisers, make the flyers, put together posters, who are so willing to beg for funds so rescues can continue – for those who work answering emails, phone calls, questions on Facebook, entering all the data and keeping track of every animal – THANK YOU!

For the vets, their staffs, and countless others who reach out to help heal, repair, do surgeries, perform miracles for our rescues – a HUGE THANK YOU!

Most of all, I will always be eternally thankful for the over 5,000 adopters and families who have opened their hearts and lives to a rescued soul and unconditionally welcomed them into your home and soul to live FOREVER.  I always say the journey isn't complete until that rescued pet can look back at us from the doorstep of their adopter and say to all who walked the journey with them, "Thank you for EVERYTHING....I'm home now."  That's what it's all about and that is the best and deepest reason we all do what we do each day in rescue.

And finally….for YOU….dear reader.  When I started this blog with The Patch, I really didn’t know, except for my own way of “letting it out”, if anyone would be interested in reading.  But you surprised me!  You’ve welcomed me in,  you’ve read my ramblings – my pleadings each week for a home and family for a rescued soul - you’ve allowed me to bear my heart and soul in front of you, then grabbed a box of tissues and with a friendly arm around my shoulder, we’ve wept together over these precious, 4-legged babies who have so permanently invaded our souls.

For all of you….one wish: May God’s richest and most powerful blessings be upon you this Thanksgiving!  When I sit with my family, head bowed in prayer, I will say a whispered, “Thank you” for each and every one of you, and for each precious soul who has had his/her life’s path direction “changed” because of all of you who cared enough to help save lives and to speak for those who have no voice, but incredibly beautiful soul.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! May your hearts be full in this season of giving thanks!

Beth Hale, Angels Among Us Pet Rescue