You must be the change you want to see in the world. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Anybody involved with animal rescue will tell you that this work is done out of compassion for abandoned animals. But getting animals out of shelters and into new homes is only part of the totality that we call rescue. Doing this work, we are afforded a wonderful opportunity to look at our lives, and in answering this call, to grow and evolve into better human beings. In examining this, I think of the yogic principle of Ahimsa.
Ahimsa does not simply mean non-killing. Himsa means causing pain to, killing any being out of anger, for a selfish purpose, or with the intention of doing harm. Refraining from so doing is ahimsa. Ahimsa means not to injure any creature by thought, word, or deed. According to world-renowned peacemaker Mahatma Gandhi, true ahimsa means complete freedom from ill will and anger and an overflowing love for all.
How does one put this into practice in the field of rescue?
It’s challenging to look at the overwhelming number of dogs needing rescue. While we are helping many, I know this is just the tip of the iceberg, that many more never survive the shelter environment. I strive to approach this work from a compassionate point of view wherever possible, not blaming or shaming others.
Being kind to others has a huge impact on our work. Not judging someone who must surrender an animal can be difficult… but does being angry make things better? In remaining kind rather than judging others, one experiences a wonderful sense of calm, and this permeates the lives of the dogs we save.
Wonder Dog Rescue is a foster-based organization – each dog we rescue goes into a foster home prior to being adopted into a forever home. Sometimes a foster family will end up adopting the dog. We encourage this, but we never push. My goal is for the dog to transition smoothly from the shelter to his or her forever home. Subsequently, we are always in need of good foster homes. Fostering dogs who need TLC is another wonderful way to practice ahimsa.
Many people ask what is involved in fostering a dog or puppies. First off, we strive to make a good match between foster dog and family, to assure that it is a positive experience all the way around. For example, if you work full time and don’t have a yard, it would be unwise for you to foster that adorable six-month-old puppy, no matter how quickly he wiggles into your heart!
Some people think fostering will be too costly for them. We provide all supplies needed for fostering (food, toys, leash, etc.), as well as medical and behavioral support. You provide the love!
When adoption applications begin to come in for a particular dog, the foster folks can play a key role because they have come to know the dogs in their care. Current photos and information about the foster dog – including his personality traits and how well he gets along with dogs, cats, and children, for example – can be essential to getting him into a permanent adoptive home.
While Wonder Dog has rescued mostly Boston Terriers for many years, we’ve expanded to rescuing small dogs of all ages. I’d say we specialize in working with extremely timid dogs and those with special medical needs. Our circle of foster homes takes in hospice dogs as well. With aging and ill dogs, we do what we can to alleviate their suffering, putting ahimsa into practice once more.
We currently have two senior Boston Terriers and two senior Chihuahuas looking for foster homes. These dogs stand little chance of being adopted, but being in loving foster homes makes all the difference in their world! They are also candidates for our “Permanent Foster Program,” in which dogs receive medical support from Wonder Dog while living out their lives in loving foster homes.
Whether you are looking to foster an adult dog or some young puppies, or can perhaps provide a loving hospice home to a special needs dog, we’d be honored to have you participate in our work. If you’re ready to embrace ahimsa and become a force for positive change in the lives of animals in need, please give us a shout!
Linda Beenau is a certified meditation and hatha yoga instructor who has also been rescuing dogs for the past 24 years. She is the founder of Wonder Dog Rescue and can be reached at foster@wonderdogrescue.org.
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