There was an inspiring news piece on something the late Princess Diana did in the 1980s on a debilitating virus which still plagues us to this day, with no cure in sight. She hugged a HIV victim.
If you recall at that time, there was little information about HIV and AIDS along with alot of misconceptions. One of them was that you could get infected if you touched the afflicted person. We know better now, but at that time victims were ostracized and considered untouchable. Well, Princess Di blew that myth right out of the water. That's why her compassionate action is so inspiring, even to this day.
Now I am sure most of you have seen all the rumors and false news circulating online, regarding COVID-19. One of the latest is that it is zoonotic i.e. transmissible between humans and animals, including our furry friends. That could be one of the reasons why so few people came to the shelter last Friday.
Well, I am following the late Princess Di's example on this. Until there is concrete evidence from official WHO sources proving it is zoonotic, I am going to continue mingling with my furry friends. Call me foolhardy or reckless, but I just love them too much to stay away. (Can't hug Sunny though. He ain't a hugger. Kept pushing me away.)
On Friday, I hung out with Bridge, Sunny and Ellie.
Since Safina was already out, I took Bridge out instead. Bridge more than compensated for Safina with his enthusiasm. He kept pulling and tugging on the leash throughout our walk. I ended up entertaining the drivers passing by with my one-legged dances every time Bridge unexpectedly pulled the leash to sniff at something or the other.
I can't blame him since he so relishes every moment away from his kennel. He was taking his own sweet time sniffing each every piece of shrub and spots of damp dirt.
As the weather was warm, I gave him bath with the hose near the pigeon coop once we got back. Poor dear was really feeling the heat under his thick coat. As he wasn't ready to go back in, we decided to go for a second walk.
When we got back for the second time, he agreed to go in with little resistance.
It has been awhile since I walked with Sunny, so he was next.
After the beating my fingers took from walking with Bridge, it was so calming to walk with Sunny. I sure missed him.
We had a nice quiet walk. Except for that one incident where he kicked up dirt all over my shoes. It's my own fault for being distracted since he and his kennel mate Rollo tend to do that after they finish doing their business.
We decided to chill in the shade after he had a soak in the bath. We were joined by two other volunteers on each side who had Lucy and Charlotte with them. At this point, I finished my entire bag of treats over them and the other dogs, so it could have been my reward or because they just like me; but I ended up being smothered with kisses from Charlotte from my right, from Sunny in front of me and Lucy on my left cozying up to me. I couldn't stop laughing from the abundance of love.
If only I had a camera, I could have taken a picture and framed it. I would hang it on the wall in front of my bed and look at it whenever I feel down or when I wake up.
Ellie was the last. She is a sweet girl and her bouncy cheerleader attitude is quite infectious. Her big ears are just so adorable, especially when they perk up on alert. You just wanna skip along instead of walking, when you are out with her. We were accompanied regular volunteers mother-son duo Jenny and Max, who had MJ and his kennel mate Fritzy accompanying them.
Sadly, it was time to leave as I had no energy left for another walk. But as always, I wouldn't miss a single weekend away from my darlings. They always give me the boost I need to face the next week ahead. This time it especially helped what with the depressing atmosphere of this virus looming over us sinister-like.
Stay safe, follow the preventative measures advised by the Ministry of Health and hope we sail through this troubling experience unscathed at the other end.
If you are interested in hanging out or adopting Bridge, Sunny, Ellie or any of the other furry residents, do please stop by over Volunteer Weekends at the BSPCA shelter in Askar.
