"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul is unawakened"- Anatole France
Yesterday I met with Crystal Dunn, an
amazing dog trainer, with Leaps n' Hounds Pet Training! Crystal was sweet enough to volunteer her
time and expertise to my crazy pack of animals because of her love of Pitbulls
and the efforts/madness that was our recent 11 Pitbull rescue!! She was talking about my commitment to our
animals and how much time and effort it involves. She mentioned how many people don’t realize
how much of a time commitment it is and are not able to make that work in their
lives.
When being asked how I find the time, I think that my
reaction must come across as strange because I HAVE NO TIME!!
“What. In. The. World. is she thinking?”, must be the thoughts of the people that know me! How
can I commit to the welfare of abused and neglected animals?.... I had three children in three years, one of
which has some extra special needs, I am a single parent, my kids go to a
University Model school that involves me as their “teacher” 50% of the time. The lessons I am doing with them right now in
1st and 3rd grade outreach ANYTHING I did in my career as
a student. I own, operate, and maintain
a business, on my own, that sells a product, which I invented, to people all
over the world (and I have absolutely no business doing any of that since I
spent the first 25 years of my life in a leotard and pink tights!). I live in a house with an acre of yard and
toys that I completely pretend to know how to take care of and only get that
accomplished half the time!
However, I currently have 5 dogs (one of which is a Giant
white polar bear who doubles as my son’s Autism Service dog and goes everywhere
we go…. So basically is another very hairy child! Two rescued Pitbulls, one little pain in the
booty mutt mix, and my best friend for the last 14 years!), two goats, two
doves, several chickens, and a turtle….. And when I’m asked if I have enough
time and energy to take care of everyone the way they deserve, I respond
instantly with, “YES, of course!!”. My kids, my animals, my company….. they need me, but more
importantly I NEED THEM! It’s not a
matter of “how do I find the time”, it’s that I have no choice!
My children are my world.
They are pieces of my heart walking around outside my body and the
reason for every single breath I take and decision I make!
My company is my forth child. It’s my hard work, it’s me proving to myself
that I can do more than I ever imagined, my time away from the kids, a better
future for all of us, and the example I want to set for them about hard work
and perseverance.
And, my heart is dramatically changed by every animal
we take in. My life is infinitely better
(crazy, chaotic, and a mess….. but better) because of what they teach me about
unconditional love, commitment, and sacrifice.
Our world is bigger, brighter and more beautiful because of every single
one of them.
I just wouldn’t have it any other way! <3
