My 15 year old daughter is my inspiration. Last year she and I rescued several hurt street puppies and we had the stray momma dog vaccinated and neutered by a local animal rescue here in Mumbai, India where we live as expats. We have been meaning to go volunteer at the shelter ever since. I was recently feeling the nudge to serve more, so I scheduled a Saturday visit. My daughter had social invites and was torn, but she also felt the nudge to visit the shelter so planned to go join her friends later in the day. We piled up old blankets, sheets and pillows to take along and donate. On arriving and touring we encountered 500 dogs and 200 cats being cared for at this shelter. After the tour we served meals and gave snuggles to the puppies in the sick/injured puppy ward. We held and comforted those who would clearly survive their injuries and several who were so sick that the volunteer vet on hand said they had a 50/50 chance of being alive next week. Then we fed two sick, abandoned young kittens with an eyedropper. While feeding the kids I watched the workers who were cleaning out some of the dog kennels with healthy dogs who had been neutered and would be returned to the streets. I was so touched by how often they stopped in their duty to pet and play with these penned up dogs who must feel so out of their element in this noisy, crowded kennel. The many workers and volunteers are paid nothing to very little to support these animals and they do it with such love. My daughter and I stayed for 4-5 hours, beyond the time she had scheduled to meet friends for lunch. She chose to skip her social date and spend more time with these animals despite the tough conditions. Tired and dirty, we felt blessed to share some time with people who care deeply for relieving the suffering of so many vulnerable beings. We will go back. May all the sick and injured animals be relieved of their suffering and may those who care so selflessly for them reap kindness and joy.
