tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644446586785283297.post6247107329682627313..comments2021-03-27T16:44:21.238-04:00Comments on The Society Page: Welcome to The Society Page!Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Societyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07787606056334286477noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644446586785283297.post-22285046981122169742008-12-01T14:15:00.000-05:002008-12-01T14:15:00.000-05:00Dear Linda,If there is one thing I have learned in...Dear Linda,<BR/><BR/>If there is one thing I have learned in my 20 years of work in the animal welfare field, it is that passions always run high. After all, we are drawn to this work--whether as paid staff or volunteers--because we care about animals and want to effect change on their behalf. <BR/><BR/>I believe that the volunteers or animal advocates you write about have the best interest of animals at heart. And I also know that repeatedly bearing witness to abuse and neglect can make us distrustful of our fellow humans. It may even make us feel as if we alone have the monopoly on love and compassion.<BR/><BR/>Remembering to extend that love and compassion we feel for non-humans to our fellow humans is one of the biggest challenges we face as animal advocates. Once we realize that no animal shows up on our doorstep of his own volition, we realize that our work to help animals is also work to help people.<BR/><BR/>For the animals,<BR/>LeslieDakin Pioneer Valley Humane Societyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07787606056334286477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4644446586785283297.post-35944854578454530372008-11-26T14:53:00.000-05:002008-11-26T14:53:00.000-05:00Leslie,This is an AWESOME write-up. As an ex ACO,...Leslie,<BR/>This is an AWESOME write-up. As an ex ACO, I have been dishartened by many out there that are cruel to not only their animals, but many "animal advocates" (as they call themselves) who bash anyone who isn't perfect or doesn't do things their way. (which often isn't the best way either.) I get so sick of people who "think" they know what is going on in the world of rescue and animal advocacy bashing people for rehoming their animals when hardship comes upon them or for asking for a little help with medical bills and food bills for a short time. There are many out there that state that because they "do rescue" (although most of what they do is NOW illegal in Mass.) or have volunteered to walk a dog or pet a cat at the MSPCA for the last ten years...they KNOW all of what is going on out there and how to fix it. Usually it's to steal someone's pet because THEY don't think it's being cared for properly. <BR/><BR/>Thanks to DPVHS for taking a stand and an UNDERSTANDING that people's circumstances can and do change. And that just because someone doesn't have a TON of money doesn't mean that they don't have a wonderful heart and a lot of LOVE to offer. <BR/><BR/>This is not so much meant to be a posted comment, but just a comment to thank you guys for taking the time and making the effort to not only care for and understand the animals, but also to UNDERSTAND the people who love them so much as well. <BR/>Linda Johnson<BR/>Former ACO<BR/>Belchertown<BR/>Ludlow<BR/>East LongmeadowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17739226655784984554noreply@blogger.com