Blog the Change ~ Close to Home

Hi everybody, I'm back! This time it is for the quarterly Blog Hop for Blog the Change. I'm getting in just under the wire here, but if I'm being honest, I just remembered about the blog hop this morning.

So as I was thinking about what organization I wanted to share with my readers, I realized that in the past, I have often thought of places who rehome animals, and who rescue them from less than happy circumstances. While these many organizations are amazing, and deserve all the help they can get, what about animals who are in happy loving places? More and more lately, I have been hearing about folks who have to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their pets due to financial reasons. I'm sure you all have heard the stories too. Stories about people out of work, or struggling due to health reasons. I wanted to find out about people who help pets stay with their families. The families who love them, that they love back.

I guess this struck a particularly personal note for me, as I had been hearing Mom talk about a woman at work, who was verging on homelessness. I won't get into all the details, but I will tell you that another nice lady at Mom's work has offered her a place to stay that she can afford until she gets back on her feet. The one other thing I know about this lady, is that she has a dog. I knew cuz I could smell her on Mom. She told Mom that no matter what happened, she would never give up her dog. She said that they both needed each other. This is just one in a million people who need their pets just as much as their pets need them. Why should they have to give them up? They have often already given up so much. There must be help for them right?

I had Mom look around the internet for such people, and she found quite a few organizations that fit the bill. Then I thought, I could blog about one of these groups, or I could do something to help. I decided to do something. The Connecticut Humane Society started a pet food pantry back in 2010, in response to all the people struggling to make ends meet. They collected over 5 tons of dry pet food, 400 cans of pet food, and 500 boxes of treats. That is a lot of food! Well, it all went, and they continue to serve hundreds of dogs and cats every month, and the need keeps growing. So, long story longer, I am going to have a pet food drive to benefit The Connecticut Humane Society's pet food bank. I haven't worked out all the details yet, like where it will be. I am trying to get Dad to post a flyer and bring a bin to work. He works with tons of people, and they all really like him. Or maybe I'll saunter down to to local Fire Department. They are always willing to help out. Whatever I end up doing, I will let you all know. I am hoping to maybe inspire one or two of you to follow my lead and hold your own pet food drive. I know that many of our parents all do a lot to help with rescues, and animal welfare, why not drum up some additional support from your neighbors and friends?