OK, here are two chances to help people. I keep telling cynics that "animal people" are "people people," too. In these two instances, housing at the heart of the matter.
HELPING A HUMAN MOM: Kathi Bratcher, mom of a high school senior, has a housing challenge brought on by marital disarray and economic challenges.
She writes, "This is probably something you don’t get very often, but I’m looking for a place to move to that will take my animals. I have 3 dogs and 4 cats and I don’t want to put any up for adoption. I have two sons, one in college and another in high school and we’ve had a rather difficult time the last couple of years starting when my husband, their father, walked out on us without any warning. I’d been a sub while the kids were growing up and it took me nearly 18 months before I found a job that was full time with decent pay and benefits…but I found one.
"Unfortunately, it’s not in time to save my house and so we’re looking to move out of the house we’ve had for 24 years. Here is my problem. I cannot find someone who will rent to us with our animals and we don’t want to lose them. My oldest cat is 11 years old and my oldest dog is 14..still going strong, and the rest are between 4 and 9 years old. They are all great animals [all rescues] without any behavioral problems and I’ve never had a problem of any kind with any of them. My ex will not take any of the animals and it breaks our hearts to think they’ll have to be put up for adoption, but we’re facing being out on the streets if we don’t move.
"Is there a chance in the world that you or your readers would be able to help us locate a place that would take our animals in the Allen area, as my son attends AHS. I can afford around $1,100 a month and will be more than happy to put down a good sized pet deposit. If I’m unable to find a home, could you please lead me to a no-kill shelter. It breaks my heart thinking we may have to break our ‘family’ up again, but I have to find a place soon for my boys and I."
So, if you can help this mother and her family of kids and critters, e-mail [email protected] or call 972-897-3260.
As Kathi wrote, "It breaks my heart to think about giving up our animals, I just don’t know how I could do it. How do you raise a dog for 14 years and give him to someone else in his final days?"
JOHN G. LOSES HIS HOME, SO DOES MAXIMUS: In the continuing drama of unfortunate economic developments, a fellow known as John G. is "losing his home to foreclosure," says Monica Ailey of Homeward Bound Animal Rescue.
"He is selling everything he owns so he can fit his belongings into an extra bedroom in his sister's apartment until he can get back on his feet. He now has to find a place for his faithful loving dog."
That dog is Maximus of the Great Northwest -- Monica says John saved him four years ago "from some street thugs when he lived in Washington."
Max is a 5-year-old brindle American Staffordshire who is an "indoor dog and is too spoiled to be out in this Texas heat."
The dog has some issues with dogs because he "was attacked/harassed by a Jack Russell Terrier when he was a pup and wasn't big enough to defend himself. ... He loves people "
John will be leaving his house by Sept. 2. (To offer Maximus a home or temporary place to stay, e-mail [email protected] or call 214-397-2916.)
Monica says, "I decided to help him because he genuinely loves and cares about his dog. Lately with all the foreclosures we have been hearing about -- people just abandoning their pets at the house when they move -- John is different. He is not giving up but he feels he is running out of options now and this may be his last hope."
---Remember, to comment click below---