Back in March, I wrote an entry titled "When You Realize What You Don’t Know." It took five days to find the words for that post. It was worth it though, because the response was AMAZING. It turned into a great conversation which lasted two or three days.
And then, that was it.
For the past couple months, I’ve had a draft titled "What We Learned" sitting in WordPress while I attempted to devise a brilliant summary of what was gained from that original conversation. I have come to the conclusion that there is no brilliant summary. It was a great conversation and I think a number of us learned a few things, but I can’t say it changed anything. 🙁
I’m still trying to figure out what I can do to make a difference. A real difference. Educating consumers about where their pets come from seems like the most important step to me. It’s all about supply and demand really; if people didn’t buy from pet stores, puppy mills would go out of business and there would be a lot fewer animals in shelters. Then there is spay/neuter education and, finally, the cons of backyard breeding.
Someone I know recently suggested writing a book and I’ve been thinking over whether there would be a market for it. Could it make a difference? The real question, I guess, is could it reach the people that really need to be reached???
I have to say that if we talk to people on the streets,in the park or even in pet supply stores it makes a difference. Just think of the difference you made in KOAS’s and Benidict’s respective lives. How may people did he also talk to. It’s kind of the “pay it forward” approach. Think about all the people in cyber-world that we all touch daily by little advice on how to handle a problem dog or where to find the right product,or just simple answers when asked.We make a difference. We may be a small group but just think if we talk to one person each per month. I have seen at least 10 other people on this blog alone that’s 144 people a year. Now to me that is progress. It may only be the tip of the iceburg but it’s a start.
I think Teri’s right. While we cannot guarantee that we’re going to be truly heard and our words acted upon every time we talk to someone, it’s worth it. For some, awareness comes in sound bytes- if we can be one of the sound bytes that moves someone to do the right thing, then, all the better.
I do think there is a market for your book. Consider it. It might be the best journey (besides parenthood) you ever undertake.
To echo Teri’s comment, making a “real difference” can be something as little as opening up the mind of one person. It’s like that old shampoo commercial — they’ll tell two friends, and then they’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on… (maybe that just shows how old I am, that I remember that ad!). I think the world can always use more books, but I don’t think there’s any proof that 10000 readers would translate into 10000 minds changed. I honestly think one-on-one contact is most effective, although all proactive efforts have value.
I’m someone who worries about making a real difference, too. It’s my dream to eventually own 200 acres somewhere, and to bequeath it to an animal rescue group one day. However, while I wait and save up for that dream, I know that I’m making a real difference to cats like Missy Mae, just by trapping her and giving her a comfortable, safe place to live. I know I’ve made a difference to all the foster kittens I’ve cared for. It’s not as dramatic as having written a book, or having an animal hospital named after me, but it’s still a difference. So, don’t sell yourself short — you’re already making a difference just in the way you live your life.
As for “What we learned” from that experience a few months ago, I learned to stop reading blogs that annoy me. I learned that you just can’t change the minds of everyone. And, I learned that I really like you and your blog 🙂
You are all right; we do make a difference with every person we encounter as we live our lives.
And PS to Teri and Leigh-Ann, thanks for spending so much of your time fostering and placing animals. That’s a big job.