By Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO, Washington Humane Society
One of the highlights of my job is hearing from the families who have opened their hearts and homes to Washington Humane Society (WHS) animals. I love nothing more than reading the touching, funny and even sometimes sad stories about the lifelong human-animal bonds that are created right here in our shelters.
We regularly receive updates from WHS families on our Facebook page and through emails. Many alumni continue to celebrate the exact day they brought home their four-legged best friend for many years afterward.
Recently, a Washingtonian emailed us to tell us about her adopted feline’s experience in the National Capital Cat Show. Mackenzie was adopted from WHS in 2005. A healthy, happy Maine Coon cat, she has come a long way. At the time of her adoption, she was two years old and weighed just seven pounds. Mackenzie had been left in her carrier for several days after her owner had gone to the hospital and was no longer able to care for her. Luckily, we were able to provide lifesaving care when Mackenzie needed it most; today, she is undoubtedly a very important member of a loving family (and maybe even on her way to stardom!).
We also receive messages from families telling us about their pet’s final days, and reflecting on the impact that their WHS adoptees have had on their lives. Last week, we received this letter from Laurie Miller talking about her cat, Briony:
17 years ago today I adopted Briony, a then 1-year-old short-haired “tortie,” who had her last day on this earth yesterday. She was the love of my life – sweet and affectionate, outgoing, healthy to the last day. I will never forget the day I first met her at your shelter and she put her “arms” around me when I took her out of her cage when she interviewed me. That was it for me!
Briony had a fantastic life. She lived with me in Washington, DC, with her adopted sister, then onto the country of Cyprus, southern France, California and finally, Colorado, where we’ve lived for the last 11 years.
Having two shelter pets spurred me to volunteer at a cat sanctuary in Cyprus, a rescue in France and then our local Longmont Humane Society since we moved here in 2000. I’m now on the Board of Directors and I still teach volunteers how to work in our volunteer “Feline Friends” program.
All this because of my sweet girl Briony, whom I will miss terribly. She spent the afternoon yesterday on the deck in the sun, and fell asleep there, never to wake up. What a great way to go.
Briony led a long and full life, something all of our shelter animals deserve, and for which we work tirelessly to have them experience. She also inspired her human companion to serve as a voice for all animals in need. Briony’s and Mackenzie’s stories touch us, and remind us why we do the work that we do each and every day. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank our strong community of adopters who truly save lives. Please keep your stories coming—they are an inspiration to us all.
so cool i very love french bulldogs! they are so cute!
Posted by: freelance writers | October 05, 2011 at 10:27 AM