SECOND CHANCE: CALL TO SERVICE, GIZMO, PRINCE

17 Jan SECOND CHANCE: CALL TO SERVICE, GIZMO, PRINCE

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue.

Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles two of the many animals from the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving homes.

The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of  Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel,who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer and partners with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal. And there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood should you be heading our hills for a few turns in the pow pow. (Yes, I know. The snow gods are snubbing us, but you can’t blame a girl for dreaming.)

And to honor King’s legacy, stop by the Telluride Gallery of Fine Art to see treasured images by Magnum photographer Dan Budnick, who was an eyewitness and chronicler, walking alongside King from 1958 – 65.

CALL TO SERVICE

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”

A federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was signed into legislation in 1983. (And first observed in 1986.) In 1994, Congress designated the holiday, the third Monday in January, a national day of service.

The MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed in an action-oriented manner, a “day on, not a day off.” The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, addresses social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

One of the greatest things about the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is that as we pause to celebrate the life of the accomplished civil rights leader we are also inspired to answer what he called life’s most persistent question: “What are you doing for others?”

Now each year, Americans across the country answer that question by coming together on the King holiday to serve their neighbors and communities, which encourages everyone to commit to continue to give of their time and energy throughout the year.

The focus on service over the holiday is an annual reminder of unfulfilled needs in our communities and the many opportunities we have to meet them. Americans continued to show their generosity in the responses to natural disasters in 2012, but problems that require solutions fueled by “people power” go beyond headline-grabbing events.

Stubborn issues persist from Dr. King’s era: increasing economic opportunity, improving the education system, and caring for our environment continue to be concerns, along with the needs of those affected by natural or man-made disasters which seem to happen with increasing frequency.

Around the Dr. King holiday we often hear this quote: “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.” We’ve seen that truth demonstrated time and time again through the efforts of ordinary people who accept the challenge to make service a part of their lives. Isn’t it cool that true greatness is within everyone’s reach?

Volunteering is in our nation’s DNA, and there are many ways we can connect with local service opportunities.

Second Chance Humane Society has a strong legacy of volunteerism. In fact, the organization was founded and developed on the backs of volunteers. Were it were not for their hours of selfless commitment we would not be in existence today – and homeless pets would remain homeless (or worse).

Contact Second Chance today to learn about the many ways you can put your skills to work making a difference to our community’s homeless pets. In fact, during MLK weekend, we offer a great opportunity to respond to the call to service by attending a volunteer orientation. Looking to help with shelter pets, like Prince and Gizmo (below)? Contact Heather at 626.2273 to learn more.

Prince

PRINCE:

My name is Prince. I was transferred to Second Chance Humane Society from a shelter in Grand Junction because the facility ran out of room. I had been found as a stray in pretty bad shape, my coat a dirty matted mess as though no one had ever taken the time to groom me.  I was not a happy camper.  But at Second Chance, I met with compassionate, gentle and nurturing staff – many volunteers – who got me looking and feeling great. I am between three and five years old, and I love to play and snuggle. I am waiting as patiently as I can for a forever home, where I will be treated in the Prince-ly fashion I deserve…

Gizmo

GIZMO:

Hi, I’m Gizmo. I am a handsome ten-month-old kitten who was rescued from the cold and loneliness that is the plight of any abandoned pet. I’m pretty new here at Second Chance, but I’ve already discovered that having humans at my beck and call is quite nice. If you’re looking for a new friend to spoil, I’m definitely your guy.

Note: Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs.  View our shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.