The economic state of the world sucks. Plain and simple. Some prices have gone up, some have gone down and most people don't want to spend money because they are afraid they may not have a job in another month.
I was going to start this blog entry with some wordy paragraph, blah blah blah, but I'm not good at that stuff. There are a great many other bloggers out there who have some wonderful wordy thoughts to share.
So what do economics have to do with dogs? TONS.
When people lose their jobs, they sometimes lose other things too. Homes. Possessions. Dogs. Cats. Family. It happens. When you have to choose between a roof over your head and the family pet, guess which one usually goes first?
What can we do? I say it again ... TONS. There are so many things you can do to help. Whether you have a job or not, you can volunteer.
If you work, go to the local shelter and walk the dogs for an hour (or more) a week ... it may not seem like a lot to you, but to that dog it's so very important. You just gave a dog a respite from the chaos of a shelter. It may give him the hope he needs to fend off depression for another day.
If you have lost your job, why don't you go to the shelter for 3 or 4 hours every day for the next few weeks until you are back on your feet?
Not only are you helping a local charity, you are helping animals and you are gaining some valuable references.
News flash! You can put your volunteer work on your resume!! I know ... that's crazy-talk ... but it's true. Volunteering at your local shelter can help you along the path towards a new job.
Perhaps you were an office assistant and need work - why don't you volunteer a few hours a week to work reception at the shelter? Perhaps you were a landscaper and need work - why don't you offer your services to the shelter? Perhaps you are able to fix fencing? Or are an electrician? Or a computer technician? You get the gist.
So the next person you meet who has lost their job (even if it is you!), why don't you suggest they spend some time volunteering in the community? Explain to them that they can not only do some good, but they can put it on their resume. Keep in mind that not everyone is an animal person ... perhaps they would feel better volunteering at the Food Bank or Hospital? The need for volunteers is everywhere.
Sure, the economic state sucks and people are dumping dogs left, right and centre, but we don't have to get all depressed and down about it. Get off your duff and do something about it!
9 comments:
Great post...so much can be done with the simple gift of time rather than money.
I know people are forced into tough choices these days with the current economic state and I do not judge them at all not knowing their circumstances...but, my personal choice is that I would rather live in a cardboard box with Sophie than under a roof without her.
Brilliant advice - it's easy to forget the big picture when quagmired in negative news. Let's hope this wave of unemployment is followed by an upward trend in volunteering...
Standing ovation!
Brilliant. And at the same time it gets you out of the house and out of your depression. Super.
Excellent wake-up call. There is no end to the help that is needed out there.
great ideas for people who find themselves with time on their hands - there's always a dog or cat that can benefit, and you'll feel better too.
wow you really love your dog so much
According to a news story here, in Arizona, volunteerism is on the rise. It's a way for people to network in the job hunt. I run, as a volunteer, an emergency food and services facility. Every day is a struggle for a number of reasons, lack of volunteers is at the top of the list.
nice site....thanks for your info. about dogs....
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