~Sunday, May 05, 2013
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Why do us shelter dogs get such
a bad rap? It wasn’t my fault I didn’t
have a home…I wasn’t a bad or destructive dog.
If people haven’t noticed, times are tough out there! Our owners have to give us up when they can’t
afford us anymore; they have to move away and can’t take us with them; or worse
yet, our beloved masters die before we do and we’re left alone and orphaned.
I myself fell victim to one of
these hardships and found myself at ‘Fannie’s house’ when I was only a year
old. I waited patiently in my kennel day
after day, until the thirtieth day when it finally happened. As I sat by the chain link fence I saw a girl
and a young boy walking my way—looking at me with their kind brown eyes—and
thought to myself, “Could this be the
day?” as I softly raised my paw onto the fence as a gesture of my
willingness to greet them. Before I knew
it they were leading me out of my kennel and bringing me outside. As we approached the grass area across the
street, I was then to meet the most beautiful dog I had ever laid eyes on—his
name was Mickey: He was regal and proud,
with a sunlit-golden mane—like the noblest king of the jungle—that I couldn’t wait
to bury my snout into!
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My puppy prayers were
answered. The very next day I started my
new life with Mickey, and my new owners; but I will never forget ‘Fannie’s
house’ and the shelter and safety her home provided for me when life dealt me a
bad hand.
Yes, this is the tale of my
dog, Rossi. And you may be wondering to
yourself, “Where the heck is Fannie’s house?” The home Rossi speaks of is none other than
the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, which was founded in 1924 by Fannie
Thompson Kessler. She created the SGVHS
because the city kept fining her for taking helpless animals into her home—so
now they couldn’t stop her! (Can you
imagine the determination this woman had?—women were barely granted the right
to vote in 1920!!!) Kessler was born in
1859; therefore, she was 65 years old
when she decided to further devote her life to humane work—and did so until her
death in 1945. I was so inspired to
learn about this amazing woman from my friend Doreen this week, I couldn’t wait
to devote this week’s blog to Kessler’s dedication to animals; and in allegiance
of my own personal love for animals and willingness to help where I can.
Hopefully,
Rossi and I have inspired more people not to forget about this historic shelter
that has come so close at risk for shutting down, and has been a home to loving
animals (like my own) for almost 90 years!
Mrs. Fannie Thompson Kessler was a woman of strength and devotion; and
those of you who already are acquainted with me, know how whole-heartedly I embrace
women who dedicate their lives to others: They should not be forgotten—and in
my book :-) —should be honored without end.
SGVHUMANE.ORG
626-286-1159
851 E. GRAND AVENUE, SAN GABRIEL
OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
FROM 10:00AM TO 4:30PM
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