As many of you know, once a week I volunteer at St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey (St. Hubert's also has another location in North Branch, New Jersey).  This weekly day of volunteering has come to mean a great deal to me for many reasons.  There are times I leave the Shelter feeling elated after having played with new pups before I leave for the day; and then there are days when I leave fighting back tears, having learned of yet another story of animal abuse, abandonment or a dog that didn't make it.  I will not lie ... it's hard to see a dog caged in, shaking with fear and uncertainty, not knowing what the future holds for them.  Saddened eyes void of life; coats of fur shaven off dogs badly matted; older animals suddenly abandoned by their owners - their days of custom and structure suddenly pulled away from them, without their owners' arms wrapped around them, to reassure them that it'll all be okay.  And despite all that these animals endure, they still want to please...whether it's a stranger passing by, looking for a new dog to adopt; a volunteer holding a leash, preparing for a well-deserved walk; or a paid employee, standing on boot-clad feet, hosing and scrubbing the kennel's floors and walls, to provide a clean, safe and sanitary environment in the animals' temporary home.  No matter what is going on, on any given day at St. Huberts, as I walk by with a dog who is about to get Reiki, every employee stops to cheerfully say "hi" to the dog...always knowing the dog's name and sharing a piece of his/her background with me.  The love and care that the employees and volunteers share with these animals is genuinely pure and overwhelming.  They don't give 100% of themselves to the animals; they give more! 

 

Not everyone is blessed to volunteer at St. Huberts.  But there is something you can do right from your house, to help these beautiful souls.  The pet-loving website, Zootoo, is holding a competition for a shelter in America to win a million dollar makeover.  Right now, St. Huberts (Madison) is in 3rd place.  To get into 1st place, we need to continue to earn more points on a daily basis between now and March 13th, 2009.  There are very easy and fun ways to earn points...and it can all be done from your home computer. 

 

Many of my clients have asked me, "If there is ever anything I can do to help you, just let me know."  Well my loved ones, I'm asking for your help.  Can you help me, help St. Huberts win this million dollar makeover?  Not for the Shelter itself, not for the employees, but for each and every animal that has ever called, or will someday call, St. Huberts home.  They really need your help.  Joining the Zootoo website is easy and free.  Aside from earning points, it's a fun site - jam packed with news about pets around the world, photos, videos, journal entries and so much more.  Even if you don't own a pet, please forward this e-mail on to your family, friends or co-workers who do (please use the FORWARD E-MAIL LINK at the bottom of this e-mail, or else you may inadvertently be removed from our mailing list). St. Huberts and I thank you immensely; but more than that, the sheltered animals thank you.  Do it for them!

 

Immediately below are links to various sites; further below are directions as to how you can join Zootoo today!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Zootoo Website