A Little Beagle Named Watkins

A lot of emotions today while at the shelter. I can't help but be surprised (again) at the amount of lovely animals sitting there; some surrendered by their families, others found as strays and never claimed. For each of the dogs there, it is more than a kennel number or id code, more than a newly assigned name or description, and it is the empty space that comes after their new name or number that hits the hardest.

Adopt, Rescue, Volunteer, Lend a Hand: Animal Welfare Graphics (free to use)

Images for those in animal welfare, volunteers, people thinking about getting involved and making a difference. There is no greater need for helpers than right now, this year, everywhere; shelters are full to capacity, animals are sitting and waiting for homes that never come; and the list of intakes just never ends. If you can't adopt right now, maybe you can foster; if you can't come out and walk dogs at your local animal shelter, perhaps you can socialize cats, take a dog out for a day trip, spend time with them, help out in other ways, donate, educate, invite, and enlighten others about the overwhelming need for good people.

"I just came to say hello"

I know this....you know this; we all KNOW being kind to others is a good thing ...and yet, we forget, don't we? I do, that's why I'm going to share this little story with you. 😊

When You Adopt A Pet.....Here's What You Just Did

Your decision to save a life...did more than just "rescue" or add to your family; you are sending a message and demonstrating kindness; speaking up for what's right instead of just going with what society tells us "should be done", i.e., buying everything we see. Rather than opting to purchase a dog or puppy, actions which contribute to one of the most despicable industries out there, lacking regulation or standards, fostering situations of horrible cruelty to animals, you are opening your heart to the less fortunate creatures. That's big; huge, actually; that a human would choose to take the high road and reach out to help an animal which may not otherwise have a chance at a new, wonderful, life.

Why Are We Not More Kind To One Another?

I lost a little faith in humanity over the last few months....

People have always told me that we all go through similar things in life, face many of the same struggles and challenges, encounter the same burdens, and that no one is exempt from these situations, as this is just one of the many ways in whicb we are both alike and yet similar, as human beings.

The Love of An Old Dog

I thought I'd share this with all of you here today....it's a little long but as you know we rescue and I thought some of you may like to read it.

There is something special and beautiful about the love of a senior dog. Although it's said often that they are the ones passed over in shelters, I wonder how many really understand what having an older dog is.

     

Animal Shelter Volunteer Life - and a Jitterbug

Jitterbug is one of those pups you hook up on a leash, exit the kennel, walk out of the building, then through the gate to the outside world....and then may think "ruh roh, what did I get myself into here." 😃 But wait, there's more! 😄

The Cannery building in Snow Hill, Maryland

One of my favorite buildings in this town is the old cannery which sits on the banks of the Pocomoke River, by the bridge. It was being used by the Riverside Auction Company when I took these pictures in 2014, but they now appear to be out of business. I honestly cannot find much information on this beautiful old structure, so I'm going to ask around next time I get down that way.

Things You Don't Know: Being an Animal Shelter Volunteer

Lending a hand, helping out and volunteering at an animal shelter....invites a lot of comments. We (volunteers) hear it constantly; "how do you do it?", "isn't that so hard?" and "I could never go to there, it's so sad it would break my heart." Actually.....what's heartbreaking is seeing people NOT coming to help, because there is only so much the staff and core volunteers can do, and with animals coming in constantly, there is always a need for willing hands and loving hearts. What you may not realize.....is that there is nothing wrong with these dogs and cats. They aren't in a facility for any reason other than that life tossed their family a curve ball; these animals found themselves here when their human passed away, moved, had a baby, or decided they had no more time for a furry family member.

Goodbye January; this time, I won.

So long, chapter one...... you set the bar for 2025 by refusing to be easy, kicking me around, making me dig deep just to stay focused, and more or less, I did. January wasn't everything I'd planned it to be, but neither was anything else; it seems that for some reason our family traditionally finds the first month of the year really challenging. (Maybe so we become tough enough to survive the rest of the year? 🤪)

Winter Images, Clip Art, Snowmen and Backgrounds

Winter clips, snowpeople of all kinds, and frosty fun ⛄ ~ images I've collected over the years for cold weather. I especially love creating the backgrounds, which are often my snow photos layered with snowflakes, blue and white effects, etc., and there are a bunch of stock clip art images here as well.