Kindness for strangers, babies and pets
Last year for Pay It Forward, Khoa and I spent our $100 purchasing baby supplies (and lunch) for a mother and her newborn daughter who had been evacuated following Katrina.
Because of the lack of space (and nowhere to place a newborn), this mother was forced to hold her daughter all day. More than anything, she wanted a stroller so she could lay her baby down for a while—providing a good place for her to nap and letting Mom rest her arms.
We bought a small stroller and a form that holds a newborn’s head in place. We also bought some toys for her.
My own Pay It Forward really began later that day, though. I’m a big animal advocate, and it broke my heart to see all the cats and dogs and other pets stranded after the hurricane (no food, no water, living in filth). A local group called PawMatch was collecting crates. They were preparing to make their second trip to Jefferson County to retrieve animals. Many people had donated small carriers, but they were in desperate need of very large, collapsible crates (in addition to food, leashes, harnesses, etc.) that could hold bigger dogs or multiple animals. We took up a collection of more than $300 at EnviroMedia, and with the help of a generous manager at a local pet store who gave us discount, we were able to donate six good quality, large crates.
PawMatch made a trip that week to Louisiana, and our crates made it possible. —Adrienne
Because of the lack of space (and nowhere to place a newborn), this mother was forced to hold her daughter all day. More than anything, she wanted a stroller so she could lay her baby down for a while—providing a good place for her to nap and letting Mom rest her arms.
We bought a small stroller and a form that holds a newborn’s head in place. We also bought some toys for her.
My own Pay It Forward really began later that day, though. I’m a big animal advocate, and it broke my heart to see all the cats and dogs and other pets stranded after the hurricane (no food, no water, living in filth). A local group called PawMatch was collecting crates. They were preparing to make their second trip to Jefferson County to retrieve animals. Many people had donated small carriers, but they were in desperate need of very large, collapsible crates (in addition to food, leashes, harnesses, etc.) that could hold bigger dogs or multiple animals. We took up a collection of more than $300 at EnviroMedia, and with the help of a generous manager at a local pet store who gave us discount, we were able to donate six good quality, large crates.
PawMatch made a trip that week to Louisiana, and our crates made it possible. —Adrienne
