Sometimes our eyes plead, sometimes our hearts are breaking, and sometimes all we need is someone to come closer, see deeper, and really listen to what we are trying to tell them....really hear what we are saying.
"One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us, as we consider a problem, can change our whole outlook on the world." ~ Dr. E.H. Mayo
Being listened to means we are being taken seriously. It means that our ideas and feelings are being recognized, and ultimately, that we have to say truly matters. Have you ever noticed that the friends that really listen to us, hear us, hear our cries, are the ones we move toward? The ones we want to be around.
As we are listened to, we are expanded and unfolded and awakened. We have validity and are cared for on a level that we need the most. There is a wonderful quote by Robert Brault, "If animals could talk, the world would lose its best listeners." Perhaps we should take heed.
"Lots of people talk to animals. Not very many listen, though. That's the problem.
~Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh
" I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen."
~Ernest Hemingway
To paraphrase Dr. Scott Peck, true listening requires us to set aside ourselves and become totally accepting of the other person. The person once listened to is more inclined to open up to the inner recesses of his or her mind. At this point both begin to appreciate each other more and more and the duet dance of love is begun again.
"The first duty of love is to listen."
~ Paul Tillich
This dog in the photograph is a pit bull. Her name is Suzie Q. She was pulled away from euthanization for a two day reprieve because of her gentle spirit, her soft and loving personality, but most of all someone listened to what this dog was trying to tell them. As she was taken from her run for a walk, she kept looking up at the handler with soft, gentle and pleading eyes. She was pulling heartstrings with everyone she met. It didn't take long to discover that sometimes you just have to listen with your heart.
Suzie Q had an email stream sent out to see if someone would rescue her. It was a long shot, but Animal Care Services here in San Antonio cared enough to try. Almost as an afterthought, I sent the info to the Jason Heigl Foundation in California. This foundation rescues dogs that are unadoptable by most other means. Katherine Heigl and her mother Nancy are founders of this wonderful organization, founded in loving memory of Katherine's brother whose life was cut way too short at fifteen. Within five minutes after I sent them an email, Nancy responded and said they would take Suzie Q. She made it clear that they don't normally do this, because they have more than their share of pit bulls in California that nobody wants. But for some reason, she too listened with her heart.
The obvious next question was how do we get this dog to California. But where there is a will there is definitely a way! After multiple considerations, an extraordinary volunteer from ACS has volunteered to drive to California with Suzie Q. Now that is love. A dog two days away from death for no particular reason other than nobody wanted her, someone abused her , and she is a pit bull terrier is going to California to hopefully find her forever home.
Some might say we are all nuts for doing this. But you know what, I for one don't care. Sometimes you have to rescue someone. Sometimes you have to rescue something. Sometimes you just have to listen with your heart.
Thank you ACS for caring and thank you Jason Heigl Foundation for your leap of faith. Thank you Jeanne for taking a very long ride with this most special girl named Suzie. We want lots of pictures of the journey!
*****************'
Anyone wishing to contribute to the travel expenses and gas, please send donations to:
PENNY'S FROM HEAVEN FOUNDATION
13423 BLANCO ROAD, STE 218
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78248
It is the least we can all do!
Please indicate that your donation is for Suzie Q.
Blessings!
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A wonderful story, Patsy! There is so much need for "animal transport" to save a life and give them all a chance. A couple of years ago when my Shiba Rescue took in 29 Shibas from a puppy mill in Oregon, we had them in foster homes, with breeders, and in our President's home. It was very hard to accommodate them all over that summer....but in time, with willing hearts to drive hundreds of miles for some of them, we successfully placed all of them in forever homes within a year's time. Those transport volunteers made a huge difference in our ability to place them! ;)
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