My Birthday Wish

It's here. The day I've long been dreading. I was born fifty years ago today. My God, how did I get this old? Where did the years go?

It's just after 1 AM. My birthday has just begun. I've been thinking about what to write for a week now. I'm sleepy. Part of me would rather just go to bed, but I'm starting to worry that putting things off is a luxury for the young. I've already lost some friends and family. I know too well there isn't always going to be a tomorrow. I wish I was better at doing things promptly: setting goals and achieving them-planning for some sort of future that never arrives, but at least aiming for something.

I feel uneasy looking back-that I didn't live each day to the fullest. I didn't attain enough status or reach some pinnacle in my career, while others half my age are doing amazing things. I tell myself; “better late than never...be a published author in your 50's, better than never being one at all.” I feel like I've lost so much of my life to tending to difficult challenges, sorting things out, trying to make sense or just trying to cope. There was a divorce, a suicide of a beloved parent, NYC on 9/11-I was there, more death and loss. There's been a lot of difficulty for many years in a row. I keep wondering why life is so tough and why I don't have more answers by now.

Through all the struggle, there have been some high points. I can look back on them now and smile. Easily 200 cats and a dog or two have been saved just by the efforts of myself and a few other folks I've worked with. Some cats I've rescued completely on my own. It's not a lot, but what if I never took the risk to get involved?

I've never felt so happy as I do when I can make the call to save a cat from a death row shelter or from off the streets. When I can say; “Please get that cat or those cats (even better) out of their cages. I'm sending someone to pick them up. I'll take it from here.” And I do. Whatever it takes. Sadly, some times it has taken more than I expected, not just out of my pocket, but my own cats have suffered. It's part of the learning curve. Clearly some things work and some things do not. I hope I'll get better at reducing contagions. I'm trying very hard to keep my cats healthy. I'm failing. There are URI's and a dot of ringworm here and there. I want to open the windows and scrub down the walls. I want things to be better. I want to be better at things.

I had hoped that this post was going to be about my birthday wish, but how can I ask anything when I can't even set a good example for all of you? Nevertheless, I am driven to try. Maybe you'll still be willing to jump in, even if your guide is flawed. Here goes:

©2011 Robin A.F. Olson. Chester, Polly & Cara this morning.

My wish is that at least 50 people, decide to help one homeless cat, each. Either decide it's a good time to adopt or that it's okay to open your home to a foster cat or kittens. That you can brave the sadness you might feel and go into a shelter and volunteer some time in honor of one of the cat's there. Just scoop some litter boxes and refill bowls of food. Offer comfort to the cats hoping to get out before it's too late. It will hurt your heart. It might make you sad, but it will also lift you up in ways you don't expect. You'll feel really important-because they need you. You won't want to say goodbye to them when their adoptive family finds them and you might be afraid you'll cry. So cry. FEEL SOMETHING. Let your heart break, but know this-it will heal your heart, too. That painful feeling will be replaced by warmth and a sense of accomplishment. You did it. YOU helped save that life. What is to be so sad about? They LIVE because of YOU. Better to cry because they're in a new home, than if they were laying motionless in a pile in the back of the shelter about to be sent to the town dump.

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Barely two weeks ago, a woman, who said she couldn't afford to feed her dog, let it starve until it was moribund. She tossed him down a laundry chute. In a twist of fate, the dog was found and was rushed to a Vet hospital before it was too late. They named that dog, Patrick, in honor of St. Patrick's day-the day he was found. In that short time, that one life, just your average young pit bull, has changed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Not only was more than enough money raised for his care in a matter of hours, but the Mayor of Newark, NJ, where Patrick was found, has asked that in honor of his birthday, that we all pitch in to help raise money for a new shelter to be built-that could help more animals in dire straights, just like Patrick. And you know, I think it just might come together. All this over saving the life of ONE animal (see Patrick's FB page HERE). One person had to see his frail body and overcome the fear to run away and not deal with it. They had to overcome the fear that this dog would die before he got any help, but they pressed on. This IS a dramatic case, most don't tug at the heartstrings with such stinging urgency, but those animals are no less worthy of our love and attention, compassion and care.

So for every “plain jane” cat or mixed breed pup, I ask you to join me and take one step. Do one thing to help animals in need-of course I'd love it if you chose cats, but any animal is fine. If you need tissues or a shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you guys. If you need advice, as I always have, I will try to help you.

I'm not asking you to take on ANYTHING that you can't afford to do or can't take the time to do or that would put you in harms' way, but I am asking you to take a step out of your comfort zone and open your heart to an animal in need and DO IT NOW, TODAY, AS SOON AS YOU CAN. It's “kitten season” and there's a huge need for foster homes. This is a great time to get started.

If I could see this happen, I think it would help me have the greatest birthday ever. And really, it's not about me, it's about them; the nameless animals out there who need us. Who need us to say YES, I CAN HELP and I WILL HELP YOU. Here I come!

©2008 Robin A.F. Olson. Poppy with her Mama, Rose.

So get to work and report back here to let us know how you're helping save a cat or other animal, today. I'll post the first 50 names on Covered in Cat Hair as a way to say thanks. It's not much, but I know the real thanks is going to come from the purrs you'll hear or the excited voices of a family when they lay eyes on that cat they know they're going to take home with them—another one saved.

“The more you are motivated by Love, the more Fearless & Free your action will be.” —Dalai Lama XIV

Thank you.