A Transcript and a Thanks!

We got several requests for a transcript of Cynthia's fabulous video from yesterday's post.  A couple of you took the time to transcribe it, thank you for that, and Cynthia just sent me her copy to share.    

The words are just as moving in print as they are in her voice.  Thank for this, Cynthia!

Hi, my name is Cynthia Suprenant. My family and friends ask me sometimes why I’ve chosen to support an organization that’s so far away from my home here in northern New York State. I’m talking about the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County in Tacoma, Washington. I was first introduced to the Humane Society through Laurie Cinotto’s adorable blog, The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. Laurie and her husband Craig foster kittens for the Humane Society, along with former fosters Charlene Butterbean and Wylla Stout.

Several years ago, Laurie started an on-line fundraising campaign for the shelter and I was just awestruck at how much of an impact one dedicated woman and her followers could have on the plight of cats and kittens. After just a couple of years, all of a sudden The Itty Bitty Kitty Committee’s fundraising efforts were allowing construction of an entire room dedicated to cats and kittens, the Charlene Butterbean Quarantine, as it’s now known. And all of a sudden, cats were on the map at the shelter’s signature event, Dog-a-Thon, which comes at the end of July each year. I like the shelter for its good works, of course, but I love the shelter for how it does those good works. They do it with a message of community, and a message of happiness. After all, that’s why we have cats and dogs in the first place, to make us happy, to enrich our lives. 
The Humane Society’s focus on preventing overpopulation, on helping people keep their pets when they fall on hard times, and their focus on creating durable relationships between people and their animals really resonates with me.

And although I am sure that the staff and the volunteers can’t help but look at the circumstances and the sad course of events that bring animals to them -- particular animals and companion animals in general -- I know that these people spend the vast majority looking AHEAD to what they need to do for an animal to prepare it for adoption, whether that’s grooming, veterinary care, behavioral intervention, training, fattening them up a bit, slimming them down a bit. To me, that focus on the future makes a huge difference because it’s the only thing we can change. We can’t change the past for that animal. I can’t even bear the thought of adoptable animals being euthanized due to lack of space or lack of money for reasonable veterinary care, and I am sure you can’t either. The Humane Society has made amazing strides towards the goal of zero euthanasia for every adoptable animal. I mean, nothing less than amazing! It makes me cry tears of joy to think of this happening at the largest animal shelter in all of Washington State! You know, I told you I was a lifelong resident of New York State but I could have just as easily been born in Tacoma or relocated there with my husband or perhaps gone to school in nearby Seattle. It’s a small world and the Internet has made it even smaller. There are many worth-while causes near me and near you that ask us for our money. We get to choose where we think our time and our money will be best spent. Whether it’s an effort in your own town, or whether you’ve adopted an organization whose work you like in a different area, you really can’t make a wrong decision to give of yourself, whether it’s time or money or both of those things. Find something that matches you, your values, and your priorities. That kind of happy match is what’s caused me to support the staff and volunteers at the Humane Society in Tacoma and Pierce County and I thank the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee for making that match for me and to you for listening.

She also sent along a little thank you to you all.  Here goes:


Dear IBKC: Thank you so much for receiving my video message so warmly yesterday. It made me blush (after I was through cringing) to see myself on screen, but the things you said about me made me go completely beet-red. The experience also made my heart swell with pride to belong to such a giving group!

Whether you gave to your local shelter, to the IBKC FUNdraising campaign, or aren't in a position to give but sent your warm thoughts along, thank you! I know that Laurie and the Humane Society will put it to great use for the benefit of cats and kittens in need.
Love you guys!

CMS


Love you right back, Cynthia.  Thank you for your huge heart!