May 8 2011

Hello all,
I had to write today to tell you what an amazing intake that was yesterday and to thank you for your help.  It was truly amazing to have the van pull up to a group of happy, enthusiastic folks ready to welcome the new kids with open arms and truly safe hands.  It is always so inspiring to me to watch the scared little dogs and pups tentatively step out of the crates, get their first look around and see them gently coaxed and guided on their way.  Theresa, who drove the van, was in awe of our group of folks how everyone rallied around these kids, how caring you all are and how friendly everyone was.  

When these kids first arrive they've had a rough go of it.  They've been dumped off or rounded up and put into cages and runs in a noisy shelter.  It's loud, scary, strange and they don't know, can't understand, what's happened to them.  They are loaded up in kennels onto a big van with lots of other dogs.  They make a very long road trip and again, it's strange, scary, at times loud.  Then finally they arrive here so their new lives can really begin.  It is so important to me that we have folks there to take care of them, comfort them, hold them, attend to them.  Without you guys the would spend more time in kennels, more time feeling strange and not understanding what's happening.  You are the first kind words, calming touch and comfort these kids have known in quite a while.  If anyone questions how useful it is to sit with a dog or pup on your lap - I assure you - it is priceless to them.  Watching them settle, ears perk up, tails come out and even fall deeply into sleep knowing that finally they are safe is such a beautiful thing.  The attached photos illustrate this in a very vivid way.

Chica is the one new arrival yesterday that came from a shelter other than Harlan.  She was posted as urgent on United Rescues Kentucky and came from a nearby shelter.  Today the shelter that sent her emailed me this photo.  The son of one of their members and an incredibly talented photographer, Wes Mason, took the first photo.  The beautiful, sad and poignant black & white is our little Chica, "losing hope" in the shelter.  The next photo is Chica yesterday after spending time being held and loved at our intake.  This is what you do.  You give them their smile back.  You give them their joy back.  

Today I have had great updates on many of the kids.  Rayna is doing great, running and chasing and playing with her new sister.  Demetri is keeping up with the "big kids" in his foster home.  Mack is getting spoiled as his foster mom hand feeds him canned food.  Rory and Nessa are settling in and becoming friends in their foster home.  And Chica?  She had a great night's sleep, enjoyed her breakfast, and then finished up her foster mom's when she stepped out of the room too!

I wanted to take the time to thank you for coming out yesterday, taking time out of your busy lives to help these kids.  I am so honored to know you all and have you as part of the Safe Hands' team.  Please share this with anyone at intake who's email addresses I don't have. Thanks for what you do!

Best,
Lynne