As a kid, being part of the LGBT community and having overprotective parents made me a socially awkward person. Interacting with different kinds of people made it socially draining. One of my comforts was my dad’s pet aspin dogs (Spot and Jasmine) and puspin cat (Ming), who were always there for me when I got home after school, greeting me with warm hugs and joy. Though my attention was elsewhere, it was too late when I realized that I had grown to love them. I have always liked animals, but not to the extent that I would pay more attention to them. But as time passed, I never would have thought that fate would change me and make me realize that they were saving me every day and teaching me to be a better person. I promised myself that someday I would become a volunteer and help stray and rescued animals have a better life.
After signing up online through different animal welfare groups, I had the chance to be contacted by CARA Welfare Ph. Luckily, I was scheduled for my first visit to the Laguna Pitbull Home (LPB). I was nervous on my first day as a volunteer for CARA Welfare Philippines. I was very eager to meet everyone in the LPB Home, but I didn’t know what to expect or what I would be doing. I arrived at the Laguna Pitbull Home and was instantly greeted by the cute adoptable Aspin fur babies (Big Whitey, Jano, Sarah, and Kristina) and puspin (Andrea), who were all sociable, kind-hearted, and very energetic. Then on the far-left side, there was Lola Gypsy, a pittie who was rescued from the infamous dog fighting in 2012 and is just spending her days in the LPB Home. You can see Lola Gypsy is showing signs of aging since she easily gets tired, but you will always feel the warmth of the soul within her as you interact her. Who would have thought that these kind, pure-hearted souls experienced cruelty, neglect, and abandonment, yet they are still willing to show love to the world? We can always learn something from them, and that’s unconditional love, loyalty, and kindness. I can frankly say that it’s what other people lack.
At the LPB Home, the staff discussed the different duties of a new volunteer, like dog walking, bathing, feeding, and cleaning their areas. The caretakers and other volunteers are very welcoming and helpful, and you can feel that you are a family member. At the end of the day, I had a great time volunteering at the LPB Home. I learned a lot about the animals and about myself. I realized that animals are amazing creatures and that they deserve respect and care. I also realized that volunteering is a very rewarding and fulfilling experience that makes a difference in the lives of animals and people. I decided to continue volunteering and to make it a regular part of my life.
Being a volunteer is a very rewarding experience. It allowed me to interact with the animals and the people and do something good for the community. It also gave me a new perspective, skills, and friends. It changed my life for the better, and I am so grateful for it. On my coming birthday, I wish and pray that the adoptable fur babies I visited would have a loving home. I also wish that there would be no strays roaming in the streets anymore since they would be adopted by loving families. I know this is hard to ask but we could always treat every living being with kindness, especially the animals. If you cannot help them at least don’t hurt them.
Story by Marold Kim Torralba