Saturday, August 28, 2010

Giving Back to Those Who Give

I received an email the other day from one of the board members of Kentuckiana Pug Rescue (KPR).  I'll attach the content here, as I think it explains the purpose of this post more accurately than my words can:


"We are at a very critical point in the rescue where there are still so many pugs out there that need us, but we just don't know how we will get the resources to help them...there are not enough homes and not enough money.


You've been receiving pleas from me for foster homes and sadly there just aren't enough homes for all the needy pugs coming our way. Just this morning we had an emergency situation and had to place two pugs at two different boarding facilities. We can't afford to board them, but we can't afford not to board them. How can we look at these pugs and not want to help them?

The picture attached is a pug that was just rescued this morning from a rural shelter in Kentucky that kills all the animals in the shelter every 4-5 days like clockwork. The only thing more eery than a full shelter is an empty one and had this pug been left one more day this plea to help him and his sweet picture would not have made it to your inbox.

This fawn, male pug is estimated to be around 4-5 years old and we just named him "Owen". We feel we "owe" him one because he is gentle and loving and kind to us, but by looking at him....well, it is obvious by his fur that he has had a rough life. He has sores on his skin and will need weekly medicated baths for months to come. Amazingly his teeth are in good shape and his eyes are bright and clear. He is a cautious, but curious pug with a gentle disposition and the most expressive eyes and face. How can anything so neglected still be so trusting and loving!?! He was even gentle and kind when the vet clipped his overgrown, curled under nails. What a very good boy! When is it his turn to receive a soft place to sleep, regular meals, affection, and companionship? I hear him whimper and it makes me think of my own spoiled pug at home sleeping soundly in his plush bed. What if my pug's fate had been this and he had to endure the life Owen received? It is all so random and unfair.

I realize that we are asking much of you as volunteers, fosters, and adoptive homes. I am sorry to once again send another sad, depressing e-mail. It can be overwhelming, but it can also be rewarding as you see these abused, neglected, and abandoned pugs rescued by KPR with your help and then watch them blossom into loving members of a family.

Please know if you are approved to adopt that you can foster and if you are already approved to foster that you can adopt. The application and approval process are the same. KPR pays all the vet bills for any pug or pug mix you foster and you are only responsible for providing a loving home and good food.

Your help is needed. Pugs like Owen, Ralphie, Bonded Pair: Penny & Popper, & Frankie depend on you and the kindness of others. How can their lives be changed and cherished?

Homes are needed and so if you can open your home and heart to any of these pugs, please let me know OR if you are willing to make a small donation to cover the cost of just a few nights of boarding that would also be sincerely appreciated. KPR spends thousands and thousands on medical bills each month and so every little bit helps...especially now when so many needy pugs are coming to KPR. How could we possibly turn them away when they depend on us and need us so badly? You only need to read about some of the pugs on the website to know what a difference is being made every day for this wonderful breed.

Other ways you can help pugs like Owen:

Ask friends, family members, and your dog's babysitters to consider fostering a pug in need and encourage them to complete an online application. Let them know how easy, yet rewarding it can be...

Much of our help comes from word of mouth referrals so please tell people about KPR when your pug or pug mix is complimented or you are out at the local pet supply store, on your facebook page, etc.

Make a Donation to KPR through paypal by visiting www.kentuckianapugs.com

Mail a check to Kentuckiana Pug Rescue, P.O. Box 22697, Louisville, Kentucky 40252

Thank you for caring so much about pugs and pug mixes in need. Your compassion is appreciated"
 
 
 
I thought about this email long and hard.  Its' message played on my mind for several days.  I realized I couldn't foster and/or adopt another pug at this point in my life.  I realized we could donate, and we did.  But as the message states, there are other things I could be doing.  The idea of this blog was primarily born out of this email message I received.  If this blog and my blogspot does nothing more than find 1 more pug a happy forever home and save 1 more pug life, then my purpose has been well served.
 
I hope you will read this and think about what you could be doing to prevent so many animals from dying each day, at no fault of their own.  Whether you have money to spare by donating, time to give by volunteering, a voice to share by spreading the word, hands to use by writing/blogging, or a home to provide for a needing and deserving pug- I hope you'll realize that you can contribute and help in some way.  You can do any and/or all of these things by visiting http://www.kentuckianapugs.com/
 
I've attached a picture to this blog of a KPR "Meet & Greet" event my husband and I attended shortly after rescuing our black pug from KPR.  I would like for you to take a moment and look at all the pugs in this picture, as well as their owners' smiling faces.  This is just a small fraction of the pugs that can thank KPR for saving their lives, and can thank the humans willing to make sacrifices in order to do so...  Have a wonderful Saturday and may God Bless!

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