The only reason I signed up for Facebook was to spy on my University-aged son and daughter. I never thought I'd end up being Facebook friends with so many of our foster homes and most recently friends from high school. At first it was fun catching up with old friends from high school....I went to high school in a little upper middleclass college town in Claremont, California. I was voted "Most Likely to Become Goldie Hawn and Marry a Senator". With that type of Bimbo-esque label, I knew that I wanted to be someone important and influential someday. Certainly running a cat rescue organization wasn't on that list.
It was really hard for me to connect with these people from high school. They all seemed to have established careers and wonderful lives. Of course, I'm not that naive - I know things aren't always what they seem. But telling them that I run a cat rescue organization left me feeling a little less than worthy.
They all remembered I was a little bit "animal freaky". I make no apologies for that! Certainly loving animals is a label I'm comfortable with. How do I describe to these people that we started with 5 volunteers and now have 100+ volunteers? Some of the managerial duties we have put IBM executives to shame. How can I NOT come across as a complete freak that I work 14+ hours per day running the rescue for FREE?
I want them to look at our website and see that we're saving lives and we're enriching HUMAN LIVES by allowing people to adopt these amazing little furry creatures. Personally, I can't imagine my life without cats in it. I wonder how many people I've influenced over the years to get their cat spayed or neutered? Or keep a problem cat and work it out? I'll never know and it doesn't really matter.
My life is full. It's full of family, friends and the love of animals. If friends from almost 30 years ago think it's all just too weird....
Tough shit. :)
3 comments:
According to a US government web site owning pets (cats in this case) reduces blood pressure as well as lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It reduces loneliness and increases socialization. Given that you manage 100 volunteers who foster and care for a lot of cats, think of what a huge impact you have had in lives of so many people. Not counting the impact on the lives of the cats you've saved. I say you are definitely a class success.
Beth...who would have thought in a million years that I would have the pleasure of having 3 cats in my life?? It was all b/c of you and your charming way: educating me about cats, fostering, rescue work, etc. I am so proud to hear that you are pleased with all that you do. You are a remarkable animal rescue worker. Chin up!!
Hey, you're working, just not for a paycheque but because of your love for cats and passion for their wellbeing. Sounds like a good career choice to me!
You're a CEO, a not-for-profit fundraiser (now a credit course at schools), a semi-vet tech, a psychologist (human and animal), a human resources specialist, an organizer....whew, that's exhausting!!! The suits can bite us...or write fat donation cheques! *grin*.
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