Look beyond the differences

My family received images of a baby hippo that was orphaned in the December 26, 2004 tsunami.  After the hippo was rescued from the disaster, it met this centuries old turtle and they formed a strong bond. The message of the email was: "...that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures." 

I tried to post the photos from the email, but they would not show up since they were copyrighted. It is too bad I couldn't share them with you because they really did a good job of illustrating the message of the email. My family was able to find the images by searching baby hippo and giant tortoise in Google. There were even more photos to look at than there were in the email. There are even several books that were written about their relationship!

Their relationship reminds me that people are amazed that my brother Gizmo, the hamster, and I get along so well. When they first see us together, they are amazed that I don't chase him and try to eat him. I would never do that! I know that if I did anything to hurt Gizmo, it would really hurt my family. Besides he really is sweet. Gizmo likes to crawl around and rest on my back. It tickles when he crawls around on me, but I kind of like it too. I know that my family loves Gizmo just like they love me.  


"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

Hero Dog Awards

Today I found out about eight dogs that are finalists in the 2011 Hero Dog of the Year awards. Their stories are inspiring! All of these dogs have gone through special training and have provided service to others in the community, just like I am learning to provide. There are eight categories that the finalists represent; law enforcement/arson dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, military dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, hearing dogs, and emerging hero dogs. Each category is unique and each dog has done amazing things. I hope one day to be able to help others and will remember their stories to inspire to do great works!

Today is the last day to vote for your choice as to who should become the Hero Dog of the Year, but I hope that their stories will continue to be available to inspire others. These few dogs represent the countless others that are in the community each day making the world a better place. Please click on the link below to read about these amazing dogs! Thanks to a Windwalker Humane Coalition friend, who let me know about these amazing dogs!

http://www.herodogawards.org/

A story of love and hope!

I want to share this story about a dog named Harper because the story really upset me at first. I wanted to cry I was so upset! Then the story transformed. It became a story of love and hope. After examining Harper, who was discovered in a garbage bag, shelter workers and veterinarians said that the most humane thing would be to euthanize her because of her condition. Erica Daniel, a shelter worker that fosters dogs, wanted Harper to experience being loved before she left this earth so she took her home for one day of love.  Once getting home, Ms. Daniel started giving Harper a massage hoping to make her feel better. The something amazing happened. Please click on the link to read this amazing story!

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44617504/ns/today-good_news/t/deformed-puppy-rescued-trash-learns-walk/

Erica Daniel showed what a difference love can make in the lives of others. After I finish my training, I’m hoping that I can make a difference too! After all love is one of my 4-L’s!

Thank you to the Windwalker member who shared this story!

September Windwalker Humane Coalition Meeting

On Saturday my family attended the September Windwalker Humane Coalition meeting. My mom told me that Windwalker was described as "A unique, passionate, and energetic voice for people and animals via PPAT" (Professional Pet Assisted Therapy) by her friend and mentor, Pearl Salotto. Pearl is the founder of the DJPPAT program that we are attending. Mom said that Windwalker liked what Pearl said so much that they put that quote up on their website!


When they got home from the meeting they were talking about the guest speaker Marlo Manning's organization Fairy Dogparents and the great work that they were doing in Massachusetts. This organization prevents dogs from being surrendered to shelters due to temporary financial crisis. My mom showed me this video of an NBC news report about the organization.

 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/40833466#40833466

I know how brokenhearted I would be if my family had to give me up, and I know they would be totally devastated to have to give me away. It made me so happy to see Marlo bringing dog food to a family who did not have the money to feed their family dog. Even with a full belly, my stomach started rumbling to see the food being carried into the house. I am a lab after all and I love to eat! They even help with veterinary care if the family can not afford it. Marlo told the people at the meeting how it breaks her heart to have to turn down dogs that need her help because they do not live in Massachusetts, but she hopes that others will be able to start an organization in their state. She'd even give them information on how to set it up!