Why I Love … My Heroes

This post is by Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views.

You might not know their names. However, once I tell you their stories, they will be your heroes too. They don’t wear capes or have secret identities. What they do have in common is a need to help others—both animals and people.

Their stories are inspirational; if I’m having a bad day, interviewing my heroes transforms my mood. That positive feeling is reinforced when I write about them.

My blog, Pet News and Views, focuses on the positive side of animal welfare. I spend my days with people and animals who make a difference. Judy Fridono and her surfing dog Ricochet (yes, you read that right) are two of my heroes.  Ricochet, a golden retriever, surfs for charity. Together they have raised $100,000 to help disabled children and adults. Watch this video and I guarantee you will feel good.

Eldad and Audrey Hagar of  Hope For Paws get the hero tag because of their rescue work. This husband and wife team, in California, have rescued thousands of abused dogs and cats from scary situations. I don’t know how they do it. Talking to them lifts my spirits. And there are others who are in the trenches doing amazing rescue work.

Then there are the trainers who work with rescue dogs, therapy dogs for children with epilepsy, and military service dogs. When I heard about the dog who could detect seizures a few minutes before they occur and how a child has cut back on her medication thanks to this dog’s actions, I got teary-eyed.

The people who work with and on behalf of animals are my heroes. The animals are heroic too. I know the power animals have on us. When I’m feeling sad, my cat is right at my side. Heck, he sits on the desk while I write.  I’ve been known to type with one hand, while the other pets Earl Gray, my cat.

A call to action

I have developed a deep bond with many of my readers. I request that they send e-mails to congress to stop the wild horse round up, sign a pledge stating they will not shop at stores that sell puppies (these stories support puppy mills), or leave a comment on my site so a pet food company will donate food to an animal shelter. I truly love my readers because they come through each and every time.

Some people don’t understand

Animal welfare people are often asked, “Why help animals when there are so many people suffering?” Did you know that most people who help animals also help people? It’s true. And when we help animals, we actually help ourselves. The love we get back from animals is immeasurable.

Being true to my beliefs

Recently a major clothing company approached me about purchasing a banner ad on my site. They were talking about a good deal of money. I was elated. Then I found out that this company came out with a perfume, and my ethical side kicked in. I sent an e-mail asking if they test on animals. They said they did, and I had to turn down the ad. Darn, I could have used that money.

I am following my bliss by writing about my heroes—both two- and four-legged—and the rewards are slowly coming to fruition. I can’t rely on my blog for my full income yet. However, other opportunities like speaking gigs are arising.

My agenda

I want everyone who reads Pet News and Views to spay and neuter their pets. I want people to adopt from local shelters and rescue groups. I want people to promise never to wear fur. I want people to be kind to animals, and in turn, to be kind to one another.

My husband sometimes calls me a dreamer. I just interviewed a hero of mine who is working to get people throughout the world to spay/neuter their pets. He is getting endorsements from celebrities and has just launched a nonprofit for students to get involved. His organization is called 600 Million. There are 600 million stray dogs in the world living in deplorable conditions. Without spaying/neutering these dogs, these 600 million dogs can give birth to between one and three billion puppies each year.

During my interview with this hero, I was told that there are scientists researching oral contraceptives that would sterilize these dogs. This person was so positive that a solution would be found.

The skeptic in me kicked in. However, he and others like him who are working tirelessly to make this a better world continue to make me believe. They are the dreamers, and I’m so proud of them.

Michele C. Hollow writes the blog Pet News and Views (http://petnewsandviews.com). Her blog has been nominated for Best Pet Award. You can follow and link with her at: Facebook: Michele C. Hollow, Facebook: Pet News and Views, Twitter: @michelechollow, @PetNewsAndViews. LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michelechollow.