Inspire

Whatcom Humane Society, located near the Bellingham International Airport, has animal control contracts with local governments to serve a population of about 85,000 people, but the shelter will accept animals surrendered from owners living anywhere. In 2006, almost 3,300 animals were accepted into the tiny, dilapidated facility staffed by 16 people. The non-profit organization is assisted by 75 volunteers. The kennels have no access to sunshine or fresh air, and barking dogs blast out a cacophony of noise. Areas for exercising and socializing animals are nearly non-existent. Most animal shelters (including WHS) receive no government funding with the exception of what amounts to break-even animal control contracts. They depend entirely on donations to survive.

Though rescue groups and shelters are, more often than not, known for sparring, in San Francisco, cooperative rescue relationships have earned the city a reputation as a mecca for animal rescuers, a place to go to be inspired by community involvement and creative solutions that are saving animals’ lives.  

If you want to cause a commotion in any psychology department or any other place where animal and human behaviour is studied, all that you have to do is to claim that your dog loves you. Skeptics, critics, and even some ardent supporters will pour out into the halls to argue the pros and cons of that statement.

It was seven years ago that I first encountered the teachings of Eckhart Tolle. I was at a crossroads in my life, unemployed and searching for the next path I should take. I decided to enroll in an entrepreneurial course and it was there, sitting in that classroom, that I first heard a passage from The Power of Now. I'll never forget the words, as I knew without a doubt that something very significant had happened to me. I went out and bought The Power of Now, followed by several of Tolle's other books. I keep them close at hand and frequently refer to them. I never put one down without having gained deeper insight into myself, my relationships, and the world around me.