The Animal Shelter in Your Heart
To start your own animal shelter, all you need is a heart, a soul and a little bit of love.
I’m very vocal about my love and respect for the natural world…especially as it pertains to animals. So much so, I’ve heard (a few times), “Colette, why don’t you start your own animal shelter”?
Each time I pray, speak or think about the animals with whom we share this earth, I’m overcome with emotions.
I work hard to stay focused on the love and respect I have for all the natural world, knowing my doing so will help manifest safety and security for those souls who depend, so much, on us.
But, it is difficult, sometimes, to maintain total positivity. There simply does not seem to be enough of us nurturing and protecting those we are responsible for.
Pet adoption rates are down while animal cruelty and euthanasia rates are up.
As always, I ask for guidance from Spirit.
“What can I do”?
“What should I do”?
“Start Your Own Animal Shelter…and while you’re at it…teach others to start one too”. - Spirit
I really tussled with this one. You mean, open a brick and mortar animal shelter, start a fund…what?
In studying shamanism and Native American spiritual traditions, I came to fully understand our connection to animals and the crucial role they play in our spiritual progression.
In my book “Messages From Spirit” I teach about animal totems and how you can come to know yours. Since I was very young, the swan has been a significant symbol for me following me through life and inspiring everything I do.
The swan is known as a sign of transformation, poetry, mysticism and song. And it is in the swan, I, once again, found inspiration.
As a transformative symbol, the swan guided me to the answer of how to help you start your own animal shelter. The swan, also, led me to the realization that, unbeknownst to myself, I had already started one.
By now, we know thoughts are things. They can be measured…they are tangible.
If thoughts are things, imagine what love is.
If you have the money, the time and can, truly, commit to the care of an animal…please…by all means do so.
If you can volunteer at a shelter, act as a pet foster family or can donate money more easily than time…please…by all means do so.
But if, for some reason, you have neither the time nor budget to spare, I ask you to look inside your heart and see if there’s some love to spare.
Can you…each day…spare a bit of love for the natural world?
Can you open your heart…your “animal shelter”…and feed the universe with positive energy, knowing we are all interconnected?
Your love will make a difference…somewhere…somehow.
WILL you start your own animal shelter today and forward this post to others who will do the same?
Though we commonly think of humans as stewards of the earth…of the animal kingdom in particular…it does occur to me the opposite may be true.
Perhaps, in their infinite capacity for unconditional love and the harmonious…balanced…ways animals interact with the natural world…ways many of us have, long since, forgotten…they just may be here for us.
Silent stewards of our souls…waiting…suffering…loving…until we remember and catch up to them.
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What an eloquent and moving article. I too love animals and am deeply saddened by the many animals waiting in shelters for a loving home. They depend on us so much. They have so much love to give. Some animals spend their lifetimes in cages at shelters. That is so heartbreaking to me. This article inspired me to donate money to an animal shelter. I have also adopted two cats from animal services. These cats are so sweet and affectionate that words can’t describe it. How can I feel lonely with a cat on my lap hugging me with her front “arms”? Maybe that sounds wacky but they can hug! Animals are such blessings.
[...] my blog post, “Start Your Own Animal Shelter”, I share with you a bit of the personal responsibility I’ve taken on pertaining to the animal [...]
[...] months ago, in my blog post “Start Your Own Animal Shelter“, I sent out a request for everyone to consider how they may help…do their share [...]
[...] my blog post, “Start Your Own Animal Shelter“, I share with you a bit of the personal responsibility I’ve taken on pertaining to the [...]
I decided to do what I always felt the need to do which is rescue dogs from animal control(shelter).But I didn’t want to just take them out of the shelter place them in another cage while looking for new homes for them.I don’t approve of rescue groups charging large amounts of money to adopt a shelter dog either.I realize the cost of feeding them is high and medical attention can add up..So,I have taken a different approach to the situation.
I rescue one or 2 at a time from the shelter.Usually the next to be put down.My most recent rescue was a very large bull mastiff/great dane mix. he was not very response to people and they had a do not handle on his cage.I had seen him on a Wednesday,and they said he had till the weekend….I went back on Sat.he was gone,cage was empty.The girl ran to the back and found Cosmo in the care room,shot on the counter and the guy slipping his gloves to administer the deadly shot.Cosmo is truly a rescue dog. he had less than a minute to spare.If I had gotten one more red light or even a phone call.it would have been to late.
I never did get to officially meet this dog face to face until I picked him up at the vet the next day.He was 100 lbs and very underweight.I was very unsure whether or not I did the right thing.He couldn’t come inside,I was getting scratched up because he didn’t realized he was very large.
Long story short he was here for a month and we became great friends he is a big cuddle bug that loves people and attention. When I looked into his eyes for the first time I seen the most thankful and loving gentle spirit.he was sooo happy to be alive.He now has a great home with a great family on a ranch not far from me.They paid 35 dollars for him because that is what it cost to rescue him from the shelter.and he was fixed and got all his shots too.The family has call twice to thank me for bringing them together. I’am currently waiting to see if the shelter is going to use donations given to the shelter to pay for a little dog to have his puntured eye removed so I can adopt him and find him a home.Thank you Collette for the push in the right direction. I plan to help one dog at a time…..dquist
Hi Colette,
Reading this (and drawing the ‘Wealth’ card with your oracle app!) inspired me to finally sign up to be a regular donor to the local animal hospital/shelter where I live. My two Maine Coons approve
I just love your work!
xo Shazam
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