I volunteered for an Humane Society fundraising event today. Although I often volunteer with the local Humane Society, I make it a point to avoid events and tasks that would put me around the homeless animals. I find it too heartbreaking.
But this event was safe; it was a motorcycle rally, and I would be working at the local Harley-Davidson dealer. Then a couple of days ago, the coordinator let me know that they really, really needed someone to help out at one of the stations along the route. I knew that there would be animals there for adoption, but was told that I would be helping with parking and directions, not back with the animals. Well, OK, I said.
This morning it stormed. The coordinator called us all and told us that the rally was still on, but would be starting late. As it turned out, it started very late, and I ended up spending quite a bit of time with the other volunteers. Back with the animals. In particular, a scrawny calico. I looked at her. She looked at me. I looked at her. She looked at me. This continued for two hours, and she wore down what little defense I had to begin with.
So now we have a new cat in the house, “Lily”. Since this acquistion was unplanned, the wife and I refer to her as “love child”.