I took my kids (7,10) to the Animal Shelter for the first time today.

[Beausoir]

I explained the whole thing to them. Where the dogs and cats come from, how they are hungry and scared.

They made a nice donation and spent an hour with the cats and the puppies and the dogs.

Naturally, they were drawn to the puppies. Two pups in particular were desperate for human touch. My son broke down over it.

I am always drawn to the quiet older fellas....the ones with grey around their muzzle.

One just stood in his cage and looked at me...with a tennis ball in his mouth. Ready to go.

I broke down, too. But I always do.

My kids walked out with volunteer forms to fill out. They want to help. Bless their little hearts.

[flvegan]

1. Good for you. I'll bet they share that experience, and

spreading the good word about animal shelters and the good (and bad) parts is quite a level of volunteerwork.

[livetohike]

2. A toast to you for teaching your kids about compassion

:toast: They sound like wonderful people and I know they will make a difference at the shelter.

[BigMama50]

3. oh..tennis balls...

sniff...

snifff....

my beloved goldie, Gus...we had him put down recently and we knew it was over when the ball fell out of his sweet mouth....

[Beausoir]

6. Aw. I am sorry about that. I know how painful it is. n/t

[KurtNYC]

7. How difficult that must have been

I am in tears (but I tell myself that life begins anew)



The birth of 8 goldens, Santa Rosa, 5/2/2006



Number 7 arrives

[nini]

4. I wish I had the money and the land to take all of them

It breaks my heart to see how many animals can't get homes :cry:

[MrScorpio]

5. I should go back to the shelter

I miss the animals

[Arugula Latte]

8. I wanted to take every kitty in the shelter when I went.

:cry:

It broke my heart to just take one (we've got other cats).