Good Monkeys

Stories, Please!

I need your help.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to share stories about good people in the world. I've started by featuring good non-profit groups but I'd like to expand, if you can help me.

Let's collect some stories together.

Currently, I don't have time to interview each organization and get stories about the people and animals they have helped. Some websites have success stories, but many don't have the resources to post them.

If you know someone who has been touched by one of these groups, can you ask them to write a comment on the post and tell their story? Just send them a link to the site (you can get a link to a particular post by clicking "permalink" that is at the end of each one) and ask them to share.

If you are involved in one of these organizations, would be post a comment and share your story? You can tell us how it feels to volunteer, a story about a special someone you've helped, anything so that we can get to know more about the organization.

I've been getting lovely emails from the groups on the blog but it would be so nice for others to join in te pleasure.

There is so much power in a good story. Please share yours. You may never know who you inspire to change the world.

And don't forget to subscribe so you know what new group is featured each day. It will save you having to remember to run back to the blog and check. If you're anything like me, having to remember something is a hit or miss affair.

Thanks again for all the wonderful things you do to make the world a little better place.

That They Haven't Been Forgotten

FURS, Friends United with the Richmond Shelter, is a wonderful organization that rescues dogs from the shelter to keep them from being euthanized. What sets them apart from other groups is that many of the dogs they take in have special needs.

Says long-time volunteer, Leah Engel,"I have been volunteering with them for about five and a half years, and it's been an incredibly heartening and rewarding experience -  not only to work with such dedicated, passionate individuals - but to see so many of these dogs who were in SUCH rough shape coming out of the shelter, often having been passed over or given back by other groups, just blossom and flourish and see that they realized that somebody hasn't given up on them.  That they haven't been forgotten.  That they WILL get their chance at a happy life after all!   It brings a tear to my eye every time."

The FURS volunteers are truly dedicated. Each Saturday they set up an adoption stand at the corner of Cary and Auburn, in front of the 7-11. From 12-4pm, you can visit the dogs, make donations and maybe even find a new friend to take home.

One of the great things about FURS is that 100% of your donations goes to the animals. All administrative and legal services of the organization are donated.

If you can make a donation, please contact FURS.

Thinking of buying your furry friend a new bed, toy or other treat this holiday season? Consider buying something for a dog at FURS as well.

You can drop off your donations at the adoption stand.

One last thing - if you, or someone you know has adopted a dog from FURS, will you comment on this post and tell your story? Please feel free to email me photos and I'll post them for you.

New Lives for Old Horses

Did you ever wonder what happens to old racehorses when their days at the track are done?

For some, they are put out to stud or used as brood mares. I've worked on a stud farm and it's not a bad life for the horses. For others, particularly the geldings (castrated males) or mares (females) who aren't candidates for breeding, a less desirable fate awaits.

Many of the retired horses aren't suitable for becoming pleasure horses as they are injured and can't be ridden. For those horses, life's prospects are grim. Slaughterhouses are the most likely destination for them.

Enter Greener Pastures, a group founded by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation n 1983.

The group sends retired horses to prisons throughout the country where they are paired up with inmates. The inmates learn to care for the horses, take daily classes in horse support and can become certified groomsman. Many go on to work on stables after they leave prison.

More importantly, though, the inmates bond with the animals and learn a deeper sense of compassion for others. Says one inmate in Richmond, VA, Harry Blaine, who gets teased by other inmates, "They harass me about it because I never thought I'd get attached to an animal," Blaine said. "But I have. Horses just have so much love to give."

Another inmate, Tamio Holmes said, "I didn't think he'd give me a chance, but we have really bonded. He follows me around now. And I talk to him about everything. I wish he could talk back, but I swear he can understand what I'm saying."

Greener Pastures has found homes for over 1000 horses since they began. Our local prison in Richmond has taken 14 in the past year. If you have contacts at a prison in your area, perhaps you can let them know about this program.

A special thanks to the Richmond Times-Dispatch for running this story. You can read the entire article and see pictures on their site.

In researching this topic, I found several other programs around North America that seek to place horses in caring homes. I've included links to them in the sidebar. If you know of others, please list them in the comments section so we can learn about them. Don't forget to include contact information.

This post is of particular interest to me as I grew up on horseback, riding every day for my first 21 years. I've always know horse people are good people and this just confirms my belief.

Thanks again for making the world a slightly better place than it was yesterday.