If you want a good friend, that will love you unconditionally, will never judge you, and die to protect you, then get a dog. Cats are without exception, another source of unconditional love. Perhaps a little quieter than dogs (sometimes) but none the less, true companions.Over the course of the last 7 years, it’s become obvious to me that animals of all kinds, return far more love than I could ever give in return. The word animal itself means ” Living Soul”, and these beautiful beings are examples to all of us of what living in the moment truly means. They don’t worry about the past or the future, and they sure as hell don’t bitch about how bad they’ve got or what they don’t have.
As we used to say back in “The Land of the Little People” (the Nam), “Feel’in good is good enough!” and when conditions went from bad to worse, we’d say “Ain’t nothin but a thing…ain’t nothin” . Standing out with my cattle friends in the rain or snow, they just “Tuff it out!”…Ain’t nothin. That’s a good thing to remember when the world turns to shit at times. If it ain’t life threatening, then it truly “Ain’t nothin”.
Having talked to hundreds of Combat Veterans over the years, I find it interesting that we all feel pretty much the same on the subject of Friendship. Animals are about the best examples of such Friendship that I know. It’s also interesting to me, how many Combat Vets run animal sanctuaries like I do, or take in numbers of animals that have been abandoned or abused by human assholes.
Guess it’s sort of our way of giving back a little life, that we all had to take in war. I’m not real sure, but it does feel good to know that because of you, a loving animal has a little longer to live in this world, will get a little love they never had, and a chance to be a real important part of your life. Let’s face it, left to itself, the world would be a beautiful place. It’s humans that turn it into a shit hole. Just feels good to help old Mother Nature out a bit, by takin good care of some of Her animals.
Animals are even being used in some hospitals to help out patients. My good friend, Billie Russel, a retired Army, Command Sergeant Major, from the 7th Medical Battalion told me a story about one such hospital that brought in a dog. These Combat Troops loved it! Trouble was, the Soldiers would open up and actually tell the dog all their traumatic experiences, and told the clinicians to “Eat shit and die”. Pissed all the shrinks off! But the Troops loved the dog being there and were actually happy, so was the dog.
So if you don’t like humans much, like I used to, maybe go and volunteer at an animal shelter or sanctuary, get a dog or two from the local animal control folks, or start up an animal rescue place of your own. Somehow the money always seems to come. That is, when you’re workin for others, and not bein a greedy son of a bitch, taking advantage of the weak or disadvantaged.
I’ve included a few shelters and sanctuaries here to take a look at. Think about it.
Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary
Kindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary
To check out other places, just Google Animal Sanctuaries, to find sites such as PetFinders.
If you get serious, just contact me and I’ll help you with a 501 (c)3 non profit application. Anything else I can do, just ask.
You can check out what I’m doing at call “The Old Windmill Trail Farm Animal Sanctuary“. We care for about 30 horses and cattle, four dogs and one ancient cat named Annie.
Horses For Heroes
“Cowboy Up! is a horse therapy wellness program based in Santa Fe, NM free to Veterans and active military who have sustained physical injuries or combat trauma (PTSD) during their time serving our country. From day one Veterans are hands on with our horses beginning with groundwork and progressing to riding, as well as participating in other aspects of ranch life, including working cattle and more importantly experiencing the camaraderie with cowboys who are Veterans themselves.”
Paws and Stripes
“On average, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 for a service dog. Health Insurance does not cover these costs for PTSD and other “cognitive” disorders, and veterans are more than likely unable to cover such a financial blow. Paws and Stripes provides these dogs interactively with no cost at all to the veteran.
“Every dog in our program originates from local shelters and foster homes rather than from breeders. There are enough homeless dogs in the country that need homes, and we strive to help alleviate this problem rather than add to it. This also allows the veteran to meet and actively choose what dog is right for him/her, regardless of breed.
“Providing service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other psychiatric and mental impairments provides a sense of safety, stability, and camaraderie that help make society seem less threatening and stressful.”
P2V
Vision
“P2V seeks healing and support for those service men and women who suffer, homes for sheltered animals and that both may live in dignity as they embark on their journey together. We will provide our nation’s heroes with accessible, cost-effective animal assisted activities as they pursue rehabilitative and therapeutic care from their healthcare providers.
Mission
“P2V seeks to alleviate the psychological suffering of our nation’s heroes and to reduce the number of sheltered animals in the United States by:
- Aiding our military veterans, law enforcement officers, emergency first responders, and their families with rehabilitation through animal companionship;
- Saving sheltered animals from euthanasia by providing them with a loving home;
- Increasing public awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other challenges facing today’s heroes;
- Rallying support for animal welfare and the adoption of sheltered animals.
Veterans and shelter animals meet with Pets2Vets
Organizer Dave Sharpe pairs veterans with homeless pets to help relieve post-traumatic stress disorder.
By Linda Lombardi, Associated Press
Fri, Dec 25 2009 at 8:01 PM EST
Posted on Mother Nature Network.
