Everyday Conscious Living
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Your hosts: Kathy and Dennis Lang. Contact them with your opinions at Dennis.Lang@PrudentialNetworkRealty.com |
Pet Rescue and Pet Adoption promotes wellness of self and planet earth
In contrast to our previous episode Kitchen Remodels and Remodeling Contractors in a Going Green Plan, this episode covers a subject which directly affects a life. The inner transformation which began in Miraval, led us to this concrete example of how an act which promotes the wellness of planet earth also promotes our own wellness.
We have had dogs all our lives. They have played an important role in our families as we grew up and to us as a couple. For the first 18 years of our married lives together we had two dogs. Our first was a pedigree male Cocker Spaniel named Jazzbo (short for Jazzman Beauregard) and the other was a small 20 pound female mix, named Gabby that we had saved from a rescue shelter in Richmond, VA.
Both dogs lived 16 years. Jazzbo had to go first and Gabby followed two years later in the same month. Needless to say, we were devastated with the loss of each. It was then that we really realized the important space our pets filled in our lives. Through out our lives together, we were in the corporate world focused on our careers and traveling. All along the way, these two dogs were there through job changes and relocations. They were the common thread providing a presence of calm, unconditional love. As much as we wanted to get another dog right away, we felt it was important to wait and give time to honor the loss and memory of Jazzbo and Gabby. We also felt we should wait for a career change that would provide a better more stabilized environment for a new pet. Our travel schedules were crazy. Even though we had a pet sitter, we felt our departures were just too many for a healthy pet life.
It was about two years later that we were in a position to leave the corporate world to pursue a path of wellness, less job stress, and self awareness. So we took the plunge, resigned our positions and moved from the gated community where we had lived since relocating to Jacksonville and moved to the beaches. After a four month break, we started our new careers in real estate which gives us flexibility to pursue other interests that we could not have while in the corporate world.
Pet Adoption is a great option
Once settled we thought about getting a dog again. We really thought strongly about breeds, puppies versus older dogs, furry versus hairless and all the other issues one needs to consider when getting a pet. We take pets very seriously. It’s a commitment for the life of the pet. So we sorted our thoughts and concluded, a rescue pet was the way to go. We learned from Jazzbo and Gabby that dogs provide the same unconditional love no matter what their breeding past or life history. There is however a key point. 'Rescue Pets' did not choose to be strays, they did not intend to be lost, and they did not deserve to be homeless. If they do not find homes, the alternatives are few and not positive. With so many lost animals, how could we not provide a home for one when we already had such a special experience with Gabby? Each day she seemed to just be thankful to be alive and have a home.
So we started the search focused on dog rescues. Networking via phone and the web; just getting our names out there was the key. We had made contact with several volunteers that worked with lost pets. It was impressive to see how one can get connected and become linked to the network. We provided the basic “specs” like size and weight, of the dog we were looking for and various contacts would forward candidates to us. Each day we would get photos and descriptions of lost dogs needing a home. It was sad to see how many there were locally who needed a home. After a month or so, we had made contact with Pet Rescue North, a non-profit no-kill animal shelter in north Jacksonville. We highly recommend Pet Rescue North based on our great experience with them. You can reach them at 1-904-346-6412.
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| Adopt Me |
Our wonderful Pet Rescue North volunteer advisor sent us photos of a three year old Chow female mix. Initially, she looked bigger than what we wanted but the description led us to call for a meeting. We met with her foster parent and a Pet Rescue North representative in a park near our home. We spent about 30 minutes together. The foster parent named her “Ming” after doing web research into Chinese culture and history. He felt it was appropriate that this beautiful dog be named after a dynasty, the Ming Dynasty.
Pet Rescued by Postman
Ming was lost and in the streets in Jacksonville for about three months. The foster parent is a postman who had seen her on his route. She was very timid and shy. Eventually she opened up to him and he was able to make friends and bring her home. Lucky for her, he was associated with Pet Rescue North and adopted her. They provided basic vet procedures, cleaned her up and he took her into his home. Ming spent three or four months with this foster family before we came into the picture. These volunteers truly deserve tremendous credit. They take these 'Rescue Pets' into their homes until a new life long home is found. They become part of these family who are a vital part of the pet adoption system.
We believe we were guided or destined to meet. You see, our new home has an Asian influence with a courtyard and koi fish pond. Our lifestyle now is minimalist and yogic in the sense that we are very mindful of our surroundings, time and efforts. How could we not accept Ming into our family? She is named after a Chinese Dynasty and brings a heritage that meshes with ours.
Since Ming has joined us our days our very fulfilled. She brings a special energy to our home. Each day she wakes, waiting for us to show her the first bit of attention. We have learned she must have had obedience training. She does all the basic commands and walks on a lead very well. She is very attentive and happy. We also learned she is mixed with Keeshond which explains her smaller size. She has a past we will never know completely, but having a rescue pet makes that part of the special mystery as well.
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| Lucky Ming |
All pets are special. Whether pedigree or not. But, the 'Rescue Pets' are special in another way. They became lost and homeless for reasons not of their choice. They were abandoned or lost by the decisions or actions of others. Pets do not have free will as we do. They rely on us to provide and protect for their lives. For what ever reason, these animals have a place in our world and deserve another chance. They bring more to us than we can give, and it’s unconditional.
Looking for a pet? Consider a dog adoption or cat adoption. You will be doing a great service to the community and providing a home to a rescue pet who will return to you and your family as Ming provides to us. (this article will be updated later this month with Go Green information for taking care of your pets. Subscribe to our RSS feeds to get automatic notification of this and other changes. To subscribe, go to the home page and look on the right side of the page for the Google, Yahoo or Newsgator buttons)
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| Rescued pet and wellness |
Summary
- Decide on breed, age, size, gender of pet that fits your lifestyle
- Go online to find a pet, or in Jacksonville, Florida, go to Pet Rescue North
- Spend about 30 minutes with candidates before you apply for adoption