I wrote about "being the change you want to see" last week after attending Blogpaws, a conference for pet writers and bloggers. This grassroots effort has taken Twitter and other social media sites by storm. People everywhere are pondering what they can do to help one animal, one shelter, their local community or globally to help animals in need and raise awareness. (Need some ideas of what you can do to join in?)
I have believed in "being the change" for years. I admit that I get overwhelmed at times - so many need help - and then my efforts stagnate. After we adopted Argos last December, this feeling was renewed, and I wanted to become active in my local Greyhound rescue group. I participated in my first Greyhound haul. I learned so much about the Greyhound "industry" doing this and wanted to help more.
I blogged about social media and change, and that I was considering taking the next step: fostering a Greyhound. Fostering is something I always said I could never do. I greatly admire those who can. Fostering provides a safe place for the animal to learn what it is like to live in a home and ultimately be a better pet, one that won't get returned because of behavior problems.
Retired racing Greyhounds in particular benefit from fostering because they lead a very different life. They need to learn the basics: how to go up and down stairs, live with non-Greyhound pets, kids, be properly house-trained, learn manners about food, and all of the noises and activity of a "regular" home. So my family decided to foster Hammer the Greyhound.
We fell in love with him. Could I do this fostering thing? I doubted myself a little. Blogging about it helped. By sharing Hammer's story, I hope to encourage others to consider fostering an animal and it helped keep me focused. One member of my rescue group said "you are taking care of someone else's dog -- you just haven't met them yet." I liked that.
I am happy to report that after 6 weeks, Hammer found the most wonderful forever home ever. It is an "open adoption" and the updates on how he is doing in his new home bring me so much happiness. It makes me think I can do this fostering thing again.
What about you? Have you been inspired to share your talents and voice to help animals in some way? Tell us how you are Being the Change
Photo: Hammer my foster Greyhound © Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM
Comments
Hi Dr. Crosby -
Thank you so much for talking about retired racing greyhounds on your blog. They are amazing dogs, aren’t they? We have adopted six retired racers since 2003 – and two of those were ‘foster failures’!
We have volunteered in support of three greyhound adoption groups in Florida and Georgia, including fostering, fundraising, kennel help and greyhound hauls.
During those experiences, I too learned about the racing ‘industry’ and this cruel and inhumane ’sport’. These wonderful dogs inspired me to help end dog racing.
I proudly joined the Board of Directors of GREY2K USA, a national non-profit organization working to protect racing greyhounds and end dog racing nationwide. (www.GREY2KUSA.org) I created a blog to share news and information about dog racing and my efforts to end it. I’ve written letters to the editor and guest columns, published in newspapers around the country. I worked with two members of the Board to establish a website called The Greyhound Central Clearinghouse (http://www.greyhoundcentral.org/) to support greyhound adoption efforts nationwide. I made calls to lawmakers in New Hampshire to encourage them to pass the Greyhound Protection Act, which will ban dog racing in the state – that bill passed the New Hampshire House and Senate and is now pending the Governor’s signature to become law.
It’s been wonderful to feel like I am making a difference for greyhounds – and that I’ve become part of the change I want to see.
It’s been wonderful to feel like I am making a difference for greyhounds – and that I’ve become part of the change I want to see.
I love this – I think that this says it all! Thanks too, for adding in your comments in the Be The Change section of this site.
Learn More: Be The Change You Want To See