Rescue Rover

Linda Fortune Author of Regal: An Intimate View of One Magnificent Feline

My personal take on PAWS.

Welcome,
It’s true, you can assume that I must have felt quite strongly about this little bird to have driven 130 miles round trip, with gas prices what they are, to try to get help to her. Even though I was not sure she could be helped, I acted for two reasons.

Obviously, the preciousness and vulnerability of the little bird herself had touched me but, also the PAWS receptionist had. In fact she made some comment of being a little surprised that I would come all that way. I told her that she was part of the reason. Her presence on the phone, being so warm and caring, had contributed to my making that choice. To me, the receptionist’s manner was so humane, humanity at its very best, that I thought “If this woman is representative of the quality of the PAWS organization and their care and concern for wildlife of all kinds, then I want this bird to have a chance in their care. I, too, can go the extra mile.”

Even though the final outcome was not what I had hoped for, I was comforted in knowing that, if she could have made it, she would have done so in their care. And I was right about the receptionist. Her sensitivity in calling me, rather than sending a card, was another indication of the care that must exist in the bellows of the PAWS organization for her to have taken that extra step.

When I read the PAWS mission statement, I thought how this fine receptionist was living this mission. Here is that statement as taken from a PAWS pamphlet. Check out the last part of the sentence.

“The mission of PAWS is to advocate for animals through education, legislation and direct care. A Northwest leader in protecting animals since l967, PAWS shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.”

Next entry: What PAWS does to help animals.

With blessings, Linda