Animals touch us in a special way. So we have devoted this page to stories of rescue, unconditional love, and compassion for them. If you would like your story posted, please contact us, sh@ourvoicesforanimals.org
Big Business Kindness -- Thank You Safelite Auto Glass
We all think that big businesses are full of heartless people, but that thought was put to the test recently when my cousin Lynn sent me some news from her work place, Safelite Auto Glass in Dublin Ohio. As they worked, the Safelite employees noticed an injured squirrel. He had been playing and running through the trees when he fell to the ground and had become paralyzed. Did the people at Safelite sit back and watch this animal suffer like so many would? No, they sprung into action! Michael Hartman (seen in the photo) placed the injured animal in a box and Britney Eddy rushed him to the Dublin Wildlife Rescue Center. But the story doesn't stop there. These nice people are actually able update us on the squirrels condition. It is is being rehabed for 3 weeks at the wildlife center and with any luck will be released back into wild. On behalf of animals and the squirrel you saved, thank you Michael and Britney at Safelite! http://www.safelite.com/
Cass and Me
Cass was a feral that I rescued. He had no idea how to be a lap cat when we started working with him. It took long days and longer nights to get this beautiful cat to the point he was in the picture. He was a very playful kitty with a heart of gold. He protected all of the females and kittens, but prefered giving kisses over fighting and that's how he got his name, Cassanova. He was a big boy, but a gentle sweetheart and always welcomed a hug. I remember the peaceful way seeing him sleep spread out on my living room floor gave me the strength to keep pushing forward with domesticating his colony. I still, and always will, miss his hugs and kisses.
The Story of The OVFA Tiger
It was her first day on exhibit and she was terrified. The keepers couldn't get her out of the corner,(as seen in the picture below). My Mother Tresa, (and OVFA co-founder), kneeled down in front of the glass and the tiger stared at her for a moment while children screamed and adults asked over and over "Whats wrong with it?" My Mother was at the opposite end of the viewing area and the tiger stood up, walked over, rubbed against the glass like a house cat to a leg and then laid down in front of her. Everyone there was in amazement and wondered why they had been trying for hours to get her to move with no luck. The answer is a simple one. She felt the calm in the midst of the chaos she had been thrown into. There was a smiling face looking at her with a genuine love, no yelling or beating the glass, no gaulking and seeing her as simply a thing. The keepers asked my Mother to move, why, we still don't know. And when the tiger noticed that she had left the spot only a couple of glasses inches behind her beautiful back, she got up and walked quickly back to her corner. Animals feel what we project and there is no situation that shows that more than this one. This tigers first day and the pictures of her are the perfect embodiment of what OVFA stands for, Undertsanding the voice of an animal. (side note: The tiger habitat at this particular zoo is stunning and perfect for the cats.)
Aries and Princess
(Aries with his little brother Carmelo)
A very sweet little boy named Aries is now an animal hero. Aries found a very small dog on the corner by his grandma's house. Knowing that the dog was in need of help, he picked her up and took her back to the house. Princess, the dog, was malnourished and skinny and was very noticeably abused. But, thanks to Aries' swift, heartfelt and selfless thinking she was rescued. Aries' grandma called us and Princess was taken to the shelter for medical care and to find a new and loving home. OVFA is very proud our little animal hero. Thank you Aries on behalf of your family here and your forever grateful friend Princess.
(Princess)
Cassandre and Nickrali's Story
This is my two year old Himalayan Nickrali, Nicki for short. When I found him, he couldn't have been more than four or five weeks old, he was so tiny. I was working in a factory in town, back in May and June of 2007 and I noticed a commotion from my coworkers. One of them had caught a tiny white kitten. It had been sleeping on the engine of a big truck when the owner had left for work, the poor little thing held onto the engine for the entire hour drive from the truck owner's home to the factory.
While I was asking about the kitten it got away from the person who'd captured it, he told me if I could catch it I could keep it, other wise they'd take it to animal control and it would have been put to sleep. I spent two hours chasing the little thing from car to car around the massive parking lot, and finally I cornered him under my supervisors truck. With a little coaxing and some beef jerky I managed to get my hands around him. He was terrified, and he nearly tore my arm off when I got him in the car.
It took him about a month, but he finally came around and took to sitting in my lap. He and my 5 year old tabby PJ were the kings of the house from then on. Back in January of 2009, this year Nicki Disappeared for a month. I looked everywhere and when I finally found him he was hurt. His right shoulder blade had been completely broken in half and then healed back over itself. The vet told me there was nothing they could do but amputate the leg and I couldn't afford the surgery. So Nicki still has his leg, and I'm glad to say it doesn't seem to bother him that much other than a little stiffness and trouble jumping.
He's still my lazy boy and a regular Garfield. He still comes to sit in my lap when I'm on the computer and he's watching me type as I write this. He seems to be pretty happy and I'm glad to have him home safe. All in all, I'd say his life is much better now, than what it would have been if I hadn't been able to catch him. Hope you liked our story.
Cassandre Arrington & Nicki
Plays Story
Play was a stray that wanted nothing to do with any human! I remember standing in our parking lot and bending down saying "here kitty" and she would look and keep on struting. One aftrenoon she was chasing a squirrel up the tree outside my window and I went out and said "please don't hurt squirrels kitty" she stopped looked at me for a minute, walked over and rub against my leg. That moment began one the best friendships I've ever had. Play spent the majority of her time playing, thats how she got her name, and loving me. We worked so hard to find homes for her and the other 6 cats we were caring for and finally a no-kill shelter that was like a kitty paradise came through. We were put on a waiting list for 2 weeks. Just days before Play was to be placed in her new paradise she was hit by a car and killed. I looked everywhere for her the night before with no luck and a ton of worry. On the way to work the next morning i turned on to the main street and saw a black and white cat with a pink collar laying on the corner and knew it was my girl. I was deavstated. I didn't think the tears would ever stop flowing. It's been several years since she passed way and still I cry at the thought of my Play. I'll never forget her and everything I do for animals will always have a little bit of play in it.
Postal Service Sweetness
(I was shown this story by friend and couldn't help but share it with you all. It is a true story of compassion. Sabrina)
It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful person working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.
Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:
Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith
We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.
Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it.. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies..' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey &Meredith and this note:
Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.
