Willow sez……
Willow sez, “I’m counting cookies but I’m also counting blessings.
I live in a home full of love. My family works hard and also has received many graces. Indeed, I’m a very fortunate part of a very fortunate family.
We have a comfortable home, plenty to eat, and we all get regular medical checkups. If I need anything, my family provides. But it’s not that way for all the animals in our region. In too many homes, the pets are just barely hanging on. Maybe it’s due to lack of finances, or maybe it’s something that happened to disable the humans, or take one of them away forever. Or maybe a family can’t figure out how to manage the pets because they just don’t speak our language and can’t figure out what we need to fit in? Whatever the cause might be, there’s a world of unintentional uncertainty for animals whose people are in crisis. We are always at the mercy of human frailty.
When I think of all those animals who worry each night about what will happen tomorrow, I think of The Animal Support Project (TASP); and I remember all the good they do to help those unfortunate pets here in our Capital Region. Serving over 13 counties in three states surrounding Albany, NY, TASP works tirelessly to respond to the calls from frantic pet owners with nowhere else to turn for help with their pets’ needs.
And there’s more! Instead of waiting for a crisis to happen, TASP does what they can to avoid crises from occurring. They are the only organization I know of with a Paws2Protect program, offering free flea & tick prevention to low income homes. This makes the home safer for the humans and prevents the diseases that come from fleas and ticks, like tapeworm, Lyme and other nasties. TASP also stocks over 20 local human food pantries with high quality pet food and supplies through their TASP Stash program. TASP’s giving needy pets a nourishing diet prevents their families from sacrificing their own scarce food supply for their animals, and it helps the pets maintain healthy immune systems.
I may have had an extra cookie here and there, but I sure know how blessed I am. And I know our region is blessed with a pet safety net that is unique and effective. As The Animal Support Project heads into their 20th year, THEY feel blessed that so many in our community care enough to support their mission.
