Thursday, February 4, 2010

Making a Difference


Some days I wonder, is all this drivel I write worth the effort? Who really cares anyway? What difference will it make, will my Grandchildren ever read it? Will their Mothers ever allow them to read what I have left behind? Today it doesn't matter.. cause I made a difference. No not a big earth shattering difference, a little difference..sometimes little itty bitty differences go a long way in the middle of a Minnesota winter.

I heard from a long time friend, Judy..she and her husband love dogs as much as Far Guy and I do. They have two wonderful dogs Jake and Molly.  She sent me this email after she read Ringo's Story.

Thank you for sharing the story about Ringo. I told the folks at the Ottertail County Humane Society about it as they are dealing with a similar situation. Someone was fostering a springer spaniel in town. He escaped as a garage door was closing and they have not yet been able to catch him. There is a man who has been feeding him and it sounds like they are going to try a live trap. So, hopefully they will be successful like you were. This dog happens to be very fearful of humans.


Take care.
Judy

I wrote back: Hi Judy, Maybe Ringo's story had a purpose..let me know how it turns out..Thanks Judy:) Connie

Later I got this one!
Hi Connie -- I just got the word -- they have Smiley in the live trap and are going to pick him up now. They said now he will have to go into some "socialization rehab" for a while. I think that means he goes visiting to the board members homes. I don't know! Judy

Of course I wrote back!
Hi Judy, I would like to quote you in my blog tomorrow..is that OK or do you wish to remain anoymous? How ever you spell that word? Anymore news about Smiley? Connie

Hi Connie,
I would be honored to be quoted in your blog! I called and inquired about Smiley today. The worker said he is still very timid. A volunteer had sat in his kennel with him for a while today. I'm going to go see him tomorrow. So maybe I will be part of the socialization rehab!


The way I found out about him is that he is one of the dogs pictured on the Otter Tail County Humane Society web page. Then we noticed an ad in the local newspaper trying to locate him. after he ran away.


They call him Smiley because when he gets used to a person he will sometimes flash a pearly white smile their way.


Judy

Like I said last Saturday..Ringo's Story was written in my mind for a long time. I felt a need to share it..and Smiley must have been the reason. A timid dog was captured in time to be given another chance at a good life, I bet that Judy will make a difference in Smileys life too, Far Guy and I are betting that just maybe this is meant to be..and Jake and Molly are going to have a new brother.  At the very least Judy will be tempted.

Smiley's story is not a new one, he was found in a shed, hungry and abused..it will probably take a long time for him to trust again, but at least for today he is safe and warm:)
**All photos courtesy of Chance.

24 comments:

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I am so happy your Ringo story helped capture Smiley. Ya, just never know the effect we have on others.

God bless and have a fantastic day!!!

L. D. said...

That is so great that it turned out positively. I had forgotten about the nights I spent on the floor with Barney next to him to teach him we weren't ever going to abandoned him. Dogs have souls and yet they can be so broken hearted. Smiley has a hard time believing that people really do care. I am so glad for Smiley.
That picture of Chance with the brown eyes is marvelous. Those are the same eyes that Barney gave us at the Petsmart saying take me home. He still looks up at us that same way today.

DayPhoto said...

I HATE PEOPLE WHO ARE MEAN TO ANIMALS! I WISH ALL THE ANIMALS IN THE WORLD WOULD REVOLT and take on the mean cruel humans.

My husband's former of a supervisor was cruel to his crews and to his mules and dogs, one day, after a beating, one of the mules bit his ear off! Everyone cheered the mule. Of course it didn't change the monster called man/human but at least for a little while there was some return.

The photos of Chance are wonderful! I love his kind, kind eyes.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Golden To Silver Val said...

Its really quite awesome when you give it some thought....how all things seemed to be interlinked and occur for a specific purpose. Sometimes we never know the impact of something we've done or said...in your case, you are fortunate to find out. I'm so happy they managed to catch him and am confident that love will override his fear. Thank God for all of you who love animals enough to devote the time that really makes a difference.

Emma Rose said...

Wonderful story. Don't ever think you don't make a difference. You have made a difference for us. And if you can do that from clear across the country with a total stranger, you certainly are making a difference with people closer to you! The pictures of Chance are beautiful. Keep us posted on Smiley!

wendyytb said...

Oh... I second those sentiments, Emma Rose. I love this blog and look forward to reading it! Don't stop!

carolina nana said...

I BELIEVE THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON THOUGHTS LIKE THIS POP INTO OUR HEADS,IT IS UP TO US HOW AND IF WE ACT ON THEM.GLAD YOU ACTED ON RINGO'S MEMORY THOUGHTS.

Rae said...

It upsets me terribly when I hear stories of animal abuse. I will never understand, as long as I live, how anyone could hurt an innocent animal. It is so sad hearing about Smiley. I think it was destiny that caused you to write about Ringo when you did. It was for a purpose and that purpose was to rescue Smiley. I hope he gets the love and forever home that he so deserves.
Love, love, love that close-up of Chance's eyes.. those little windows that say so much.

DJan said...

I am so happy to have found your blog, Connie. I would miss it terribly if you suddenly stopped. And yes, it was definitely serendipitous that you wrote about Ringo when you did. I know it made a difference in my life... Never doubt that you are appreciated and enjoyed!

Anonymous said...

It is so nice that Ringo's story has helped with Smiley's story. I get so attached to all my animals not matter if they are a donkey, cow, goat, chicken, dog or cat. I just can't imagine people wanting to hurt any of them.
I am glad you chose to share your stories. They do make a difference.
Have a great weekend.
Pam

Lynda said...

This sounds like Paul Harvey's "The rest of the story." It's beautiful!!! Chance could get paid to model - - such a sweet, sweet looking friend.

Gail said...

This is a wonderful story. Doesn't it feel great when something goes right?

You do make a difference every day.

I enjoy your post every day.

The Retired One said...

Love those Chance photos...you need to take a similar one and enter it in my photo contest for February....the theme is Critter Closeups!

Leah said...

Touching... I read this earlier today and just didn't know what to say. Hopefully they find the perfect forever home for Smiley with lots of patience.

West Side of Straight said...

What a great story Connie - Imagine what they would be doing if she had not read your story! Even tho the thought of using a live trap to catch him sounds a little like a Jerimiah Johnson story, it did work; and I'm glad it worked for them too. Hope everyone know that using a live trap does NOT hurt the animal.

LadyFi said...

So good to hear that Smiley is safe and well.

Hooray for you and your blog!

lisa said...

Your blog is wonderful. It doesn't have to be great for anyone else, as long as you are happy with it. I love ready about your history and seeing old photo's. I may not comment every day but I sure do stop by and read. you have a wonderful day and keep those stories coming!

Michelle said...

I love to read your blog!!

RURAL said...

There are so many heart breaking stories out there. But more, and more, we are hearing wonderful stories of rescues. When will people change their behavior and start to treat animals with respect? What goes around, comes around...

Jen

Patsy said...

You must keep writing I am hooked on your blog's.
Patsy

Jan said...

I love your blog and check it everyday to see if you have a new article.
We also live in a very rural area in the UP and although I was a city girl, in the last six years, I have come to appreciate living here. The one exception is the snow. I am too old to have to deal with that stuff! I finally decided to hire someone to shovel the snow off the roof this year. I was afraid to have my husband do it again. No one should live where ya have to shovel snow off the roof!!

gayle said...

See you never know when something you write will make someone smile,laugh, encourage, think and on and on and on. I love your blog!!

Maery Rose said...

It does feel good, doesn't it, when something you write makes a difference to someone? And I do think you make a difference quite frequently with your blog and your comments. Often we just don't know about it so it sure is nice when you do get a glimpse of touching someone's life. I know you've been a big help to me. Thanks.

Pamela said...

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....