Menombobulated [men-om-bob-you-lated]; which way to turn?

Blogville's resident Pastor Goose posted on Wednesday about a special happening at their local shelter home. He asked the question as to how many shelters also cater for the homeless pets.  Those of you in the USA suburb of Blogville can do your own researches, but of course, if you can, then a few extra 'green papers' to the cause at St Annes would be great...

Whilst wholeheartedly supporting that cause in thoughts and prayers, it does not make a lot of fiscal sense to give to causes overseas, when there is much need on one's own shores. (Won't mention exchange rates here.....) As you are all aware, YAM is keen on such things and would, in that ideal world so many of us have sitting at the back of our 'dream file', shower pennies in all directions. No income source precludes such rash behaviour, however. What can be given, is.  The other thing which can be done is exactly what the Meno-Links page is about...ie to spread the word.

Prompted by the question our venerable Weimaraner posed, I made a search for UK homeless shelters which also take in pets. As might be expected, they are few and far between... however there are some. They are almost entirely run by local government bodies. (Steer away from that particular minefield, too, YAM...) Nothing as plush as is on the plan for St Annes.

During my researches though, I came across a small lobby group which I will now follow as they have great values, are based in Edinburgh, and have different levels by which one can participate, from simply writing letters according to campaign guidance through to active, on-the-ground projects.

They are only one of many 'voices' speaking out for those who cannot.

It can be 'menombobulating' trying to decide who to help and when.  In the end, we must

1. decide that we do indeed wish to help
2. prioritise according to our talent and (it must be acknowledged) financial state
3. not get caught up in guilt or other emotions around not giving.

That last one can be tricky. I have actually had one person some years back say to me that there are so many folk with their hands out now that they had stopped giving, as it would be unfair to others!!! The point is, each must find that which suits their own set of interests or values and give in that direction. As varied as the human species is, so it is that majority needs will be addressed. Neither does it have to be 87 millions. A simple 87 pennies/cents given regularly can be every bit as useful. 

On the matter of homeless and their pets, I am sharing with you, from the OneKind site, the following. 

The film demonstrates the important role companion animals play in giving street people a sense of purpose and some love in their lives. Indeed, the experiences of vets working at the hostel vet clinics has been that many of these pet owners take considerably better care of their pets than they do themselves.

While many people might assume street pets have a much tougher life than domestic pets, the film-makers found this was not necessarily the case.  Susi Arnott says: “The way homeless people have such close attachments to animals was something I hadn't considered. It seemed like a lot of people were prejudiced, myself included, when it came to homeless people and animals.”

Sadly, of course, not all street pets can be said to enjoy a positive experience, and this is where the work of organisations like Vetwork, pet-friendly hostels and OneKind plays a vital role in ensuring that the same level of care and attention is available to all pets regardless of their circumstances.

Sleeping Ruff from Susi Arnott on Vimeo.

Hope you don't have too much trouble with the accents! A different view of the streets of Edinburgh, certainly...