Pay It Forward Challenge - Katy Realtor November 2016
Belinda Spillman Broker/Owner of Aspen Lane Real Estate in Aurora CO created the Third Annual ActiveRain Pay it Forward Challenge for the month of November 2016. I have previously entered this Challenge by donating funds to various charities. This year I wanted to physically participate in my Pay it Forward activities.
As many of you who follow my Posts know we added a new family member last March when our little sweet dog Miss Duchess suddenly arrived in our lives. I just composed a post about how I am Grateful/ Thankful for having such a wonderful and loving little dog in our lives. She was saved by my youngest Stepson Alex who truly is a dog whisper. Someone just dumped this tiny, abused, skinny and scared little dog for no apparent reason.
Shortly after Miss Duchess arrival in our home, I saw a few newscasts on local TV which discussed a serious crisis in the whole Houston area of what is estimated to be around 1 million dogs and numerous cats being homeless. This to me is a staggering number. I am not sure how this estimate was made but even if it is incorrect by 40 % the number is huge in my mind. I was shocked and amazed.
I started to become active with following the plight of dogs/cats in the local area and in other states by watching posts on various social media sites. I slowly started reposting dog and cat information and especially dog posts about homeless pets and nasty abuse. I guess I lived in some type of shell as I had no idea how bad this situation had become in our area and all across the country. Too many people just dump dogs and cats. Many of these situations happen for no apparent reason. Some dogs and cats get dumped or left in shelters as they are Seniors. Really what kind of person does something like that or abuses an innocent animal?
I think my whole family was completely caught off guard and surprised about my interest in this whole area. The more I investigated the more I wanted to do something to try to make a difference. Yolanda encouraged and told me to get involved even though I do have a very full plate.
Hence I decided to volunteer at a local animal shelter. I picked the Fort Bend County TX animal shelter as I follow this and their 501 c (3 )charity on Facebook. Periodically, the shelter has a push list of dogs which have to be adopted or else end up being euthanized. My goal is to try to help place dogs with new families and to go to the shelter to walk, talk, make these poor dogs feel better and play with them. We have also contributed to SOCA - FBC charity which raises funds to assist animals in need of medical attention.
On Saturday November 19, 2016 I attended a required Orientation for Volunteers session. There was fairly large group of folks who went through this session. I planned to volunteer this past Friday but could not make it due to appliance delivery and work before and after arrival of the washer and dryer. I want to spend a few hours this coming Saturday Dec. 3 working at the shelter. My goal is to volunteer at least once a month and to put on social media as many as possible posts about available homeless dogs and cats. If I can make just a small difference this experience will be a big success in mind.
Picture is of the Volunteer Orientation i attended.
Pay It Forward Challenge - Katy Realtor November 2016
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