On Saturday, Henry, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who descends from royalty, awoke with a start, and announced in his usual, kingly fashion, “Cook, we must prepare for our walk!”
“What walk, Henry? We take walks everyday!”
“No, Cook. I mean the Walk. The San Diego Humane Society and SPCA 2013 Walk for Animals, of course! We must practice at once!”
“Why do we need to practice, Henry?”
“For starters, there’s bound to be legions of my fans and followers, so I need to be ready.”
“Ready for what?” I demanded.
“Ready to give my royal wave and ready to discourage autograph seekers, and anything else that might slow us down. We are on a mission, after all.”
“Hmm…” I mutter. Then, changing the subject, I say, “How about, instead of practicing, we go take a trip down to the Humane Society and visit the dogs there. We can let them know all we’re doing and see how they’re doing. What do you think?”
“A formidable idea, Cook. Let’s do it!”
So,we climbed into the car and headed to the Humane Society’s main branch in San Diego. This is what we saw: Sweet-faced dogs needing a family to love them.
Afterwards, Henry was woefully crestfallen. “Dash it all, Cook! I feel helpless, seeing my brethren looking so crushed and despondent. We need to make sure they find good homes soon.”
I gave Henry a hug, wanting to hold him close, and thanked him for doing his part. Then, to give his spirits a lift, I suggested we head to Dog Beach, one of his favorite spots. Here’s what we saw:
Joyful dogs, roaming and playing freely in the sand!
And one more: In the midst of all these dogs running around, this little girl kept trying to dig a hole. The dogs would poke their noses in it, but she kept trying to work around them.
As we drove home, Henry, curled up in the back seat, and asked,
“Why can’t all dogs be as happy and free as my friends and I were today on Dog Beach?
Good question.
Friends, it’s not too late to help our team, Clifford’s Crew. Henry and I have reached our personal goal, but our team still needs to raise $435. If you make a donation this week, of $10 or more, you’ll be automatically entered into my opportunity drawing to win a Kindle copy of Little Boy Blue, the true story of a puppy’s rescue from death row and his owner’s journey for truth, written by Kim Kavin. The winner will be announced next Monday, March 4th.
Remember, your gift will help provide food, medical care and a safe haven for thousands of animals in need. And, it’s tax-deductible (for U.S. residents, anyway).
You can make a donation by clicking here, or mail your contribution to the address listed below. Whatever you give will help—every dollar makes a difference!
Please send checks, including team name (Clifford’s Crew) to:
San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Attn: Walk
5500 Gaines Street
San Diego, CA 92110
Monica's Tangled Web 
Monica, Roxy and I are heartbroken that so many furry friends still await a home. We pray that they will find loving families who are willing to shower them with care and affection. All furry friends (and people) deserve to be loved! I would gladly adopt any of the little ones pictured! They are all such cuties! Your photos of the beach make the little Miss an I smile! What good fortune to live in weather where you can go to the beach during this time of the year! Lovely! And Sir Henry simply looks dashing! Handsome as they come, our royal friend! 🙂
It does make me sad to see these poor dogs behind bars, as if they’re guilty of something, when really the only thing they’re guilty of is being abandoned and/or mistreated. As for Henry, I make sure he lives a good life and as a result, he’s a bit indulged. But I adore the little prince and one day, he and Roxy will meet and be the best of friends, don’t you think? 😉
Our local shelter used to have a dog walk fundraiser every year on one of the ranches up here and when my Aussie was alive, we’d always go. Such fun. I donated to your cause.
Jayne, I was so pleased to see your donation on our donor list. Very much appreciated. Plus, you, along with my other readers, have made me and Henry look good to the rest of the team, for we are the ones who’ve raised the most. I knew this blog would come in handy one day! Hooray for the animals and hooray for the Humane Society! 🙂
Maggie was a shelter dog . . . and we had many terrific years with her. So nice to see Henry (well bred as he is) with his friends (scrappy and otherwise) doing what dogs love doing.
Henry insisted we give him a good washing afterwards and wasn’t satisfied until we removed every last speck of sand from his paws. Now that’s royalty for you!
I say the same about you, Monica. You are very special to me, I feel as though i’ve sat on your couch and talked the night away about Colin, about politics, about lots more and Downton. You have supported my writing from the very beginning and I value your opinion so very much, my friend.
We have to talk after you watch Downton, though. I am so glad Bates came back. It was about time. Now that I’ve seen what Thomas looks like away from all the slicked back hair 🙂 and listened to a couple of interviews, I like his character much more. Like you I felt nothing but sympathy for him. I really like where they are going with Branson too.
MM, what a lovely note you’ve left me. If you could see me now, you’d see I’m smiling!
Anyway, I ended up staying awake past midnight watching Downton. So, incredibly sad, the final scene with Matthew, and then cutting away to Mary holding the baby. Now, how long a wait is it until the show returns? I’m so glad Branson didn’t end up with you-know-who. Also, I love that Thomas and the other guy made amends. Sweet. Jolly good show!
I am so happy to donate to such a worthy cause and for you and Henry. I can’t wait to see photos. I love the photos you’ve taken here, Monica. There is one in particular that has the effect of a painting and it is just gorgeous. How cute is Henry? He may not like that description as he is far too much of a gentleman to be cute and yet I want to hug him *smiles*
I haven’t talked to you about Downton yet, did you watch last week and what did you think? I have far too many thoughts, it seems…
Thank you, MM, you’ve become so special to me in this blogosphere, that I so appreciate your help. As for Downton, I have not finished watching the finale. I’ve seen the first hour and hope to see the second half in the next day or so. I think I know what’s going to happen, and frankly, I’ve been afraid to watch. But it’s been wonderful. It actually had me feeling sorry for Thomas! So glad Bates is out, btw.
Those sad-faced dogs just break my heart. I can’t even bear to watch the ASPCA commercials. But I am a member and donate monthly. I can’t afford much in the way of charity but this is the one I chose to give to. I wish more would adopt. I know it’s hard though… you never quite know what you are going to get personality-wise. These dogs have often been through abuse and other stresses and it comes out in their behavior. Takes a lot of devotion and training. It’s not for everyone. I wish there every animal had a loving home!
Michael Ann, it is so good of you to donate monthly. I always feel we need to look out for those who cannot speak for themselves. Like children, and animals. The other organizations I love to help are Donors Choose and Unicef. 🙂
It always breaks my heart to see the pound puppies and cats.
People need to understand that when THEY don’t get their animals spayed and neutered, even if they place all the puppies or kittens, it means other animals in a shelter won’t find a home. Good luck on your walk!
I so agree, Bev. It’s devastating to see how some these dogs have been treated. We need to be spaying and neutering more. And don’t get me started on the kill shelters.
Gorgeous photos, Monica! It is so great that you do this! henry is lucky to have you as a cook.
Jodi, I don’t know if you’d say that if you saw what I cook for him. I think I tend to over boil his chicken for starters. And his treats are mostly store-bought, not homemade. A royal prince deserves better. At least that’s what he tells me. 😉
I love the beach! And I was a shelter pup once. Henry, you’re definitely a royal for helping dogs like me find homes. I’m so glad you and Cook are advocating for this important cause.
Lola, Henry and I can’t imagine anyone leaving you in a shelter. You are so lucky to have found Shary. I know she loves you very much. Were you in a San Diego shelter or did you find Shary before moving here? Just wondering.
I was in a place near Temecula but I have no idea how I got there. I was too little to remember anything. They say I probably should still have been with my mother, but I was all alone when someone found me in a parking lot and took me to the shelter.
Glad you and Henry reached your goal. Such sad longing on the faces of those dogs at the shelter. Compares nicely with the happy tail-wagging going on at the Dog Beach!
Seeing those faces up close really tugged at my heart. There were so many I could’ve taken home that day. Luckily, there were many people there, too, looking to adopt. My son and his girlfriend want to adopt a shelter dog, but their landlord wants to charge them $250 cleaning deposit, plus an extra $50 per month! They’re struggling, so needless to say, they’re going to have to wait.
Lovely Henry wants to help and glad you reached your personal goal. I went and helped your team in a small way, hope it gets you a bit closer.
Val, that was very generous. I so appreciate your support and on behalf of Henry, know that we’re grateful. I’m looking forward to the walk and posting my photos of the day.
Good post Monica, and nice to see you have reached your target.
We get lot’s of dogs at the railway and I am not always sure who is taking who for a walk, I suspect that quite often it’s the dog taking the owner rather than vice versa.
Dog’s even naughty ones have this ability to just give you one look and you forgive them for what they have done.
Enjoy the walk and I am pleased that I have been able to help in some small way by sponsoring young Henry and Young Monica!!!
Thanks, Robert. I couldn’t have done it with my readers, including you! 🙂