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Make room if you can.
by Beverly Burns
Graymask; that's what I named him, sort of like white sox (the cat we don't have,ha!) Graymask was a happy little (big) guy when I took a bowl of food and clean water to him. He had slurps to spare. That's how they say I love you and thank you and what the heck you just need a slurp. They don't ask much most of the time. Just to have a name and a home. My husband had decided we had ENOUGH pets, owned and unowned alredy so trying with my saddest human puppy dog eyes I didn't change his mind on Graymask. I had to take him by myself to the animal shelter. The day was awful. The other dogs had accepted him. All he wanted was a place to sleep,under the utility trailer would do and some real food and people and animal type friends. God
help me he thought he'd found it all. The other dogs were wondering what I was crying over, he's just another one of us big deal, slurps and slurps, then all of a sudden the intuition of the K9 kicks in and they all go look out the window at Graymask, then look back at me. I cry some more and they know it's not my choice or decision. Their slurps and hugs told me that. The bone drawer was opened by Jacob, as if to say send him off with some snacks from us. I did. Graymask had
a bowl of fresh water that day and a bowl of good food and then as I tried to get him in the van he howled his case--the first sound he had made in three days. I wish I could have said you are welcome, but that was not the decision I had to carry out. Again I saw that K9 instinct hit and he just slurped and tried to act like "I'M NOT MOVING AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME"m, but he didn't have the heart to break my heart, so he got in. The lady at the animal shelter said he was in excellent shape and why was I droping him off, that's when I lost it,thankfully they had already taken Graymask (and his new collar and back). She then dropped a bomb I was not prepared for. Once you "surrender" an animal you can not change your mind and come back after them (even though at this shelter you have to pay to drop them off) and you can't adopt from them . A very cold policy and not much thought to the plight of those who have no choice or the many thousands of "strays" and "misfits" that get dumped or "lost" each year. When we had to have Trixie-Almost sent to Rainbows Bridge my poor husband was truly distressed and he also made a heartfelt apology and prayer that Graymask found a really good home. We all in the cold reality of city count codes and finances and energy know that we can only make so much room, but if you can make room do so and maybe you and yours can be spared the heartache not only I went through on that "Ugly animal shelter day" with all it's pain and cruel regulations, but you can spare your animal family members the job of consoling you (even when they are not doin' so great) and the later(too late) grief my husband had to go through. The lady at the shelter had great confidence in Graymask finding a home quickly, he would be put on the internet as he had his shots, we had given him heartworm meds. and flea and tic smelly stuff when he first came. I hopr and pray her confidence was right and that they did find Graymask a home--I felt like he pretty well thought he'd already found himself one and was just fine--I think of him often and pray he did find a real home. If by some chance he is at RainbowsBridge I know somebody will be glad to take him on over with them. So think before you act, check out the "REAL RULES" of the shelter you'll be using and pray before you act, the decision is almost harder than deciding it's time to send a loved family member to wait at Rainbows Bridge for you or some family member or someone in need of a friend for their journey to take them on. If you ever find yourself in this spot prayer and the knowledge of God and Heaven and belief in Rainbows Bridge is a blessing. To all the "Graymasks" and other strays of any kind may God find you a home, either here or at Rainbows Bridge. For all the ones we have had the pleasure and company and love of in our lives that are still with us or are at Rainbows Bridge---Peace and Love and lots of hugs and happiness . We thank God for each of you and for the wildlife we get to enjoy in our area. Go to Rainbows Bridge shouting (The human equivilant song is :
Go Rest High On That Mountain--go to Heaven Shouting Brother for your work on earth is done, look for the Father and The Son. Love; Mom
Comments would be appreciated by the
author, Beverly Burn
321-784-1468 Tech Support
