[Dailydrool] rescurers need to be rescued too

[Helena Poist]

"Rescuers Need Rescue, Too"

Animal rescue is deeply rewarding yet extremely difficult work. To
survive in this realm, one must find healthy ways to cope with the
emotional challenges. Here are 10 points to ponder.

You can't save them all. Even if you spent every hour of every day
working to save animals, you still wouldn't be able to save them all.
Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your efforts.

Work smarter, not harder. Manage your rescue efforts like a business.
Organize tasks to make the best use of time. For example, time spent
recruiting more volunteers may make more sense in the long run than
trying to do more yourself. If you find yourself pulled in many
directions, you might be more effective if you focus on one rescue
facility, one geographic locale, or one species or breed.

Just say no. Many people feel guilty when they can't take care of
everything that comes up. Be realistic about how much you can handle! If
you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to say, "I can't right now."
Delegate to others when possible, and ask for help when you need it.

You are making a difference. Whenever you question whether you're
helping very much, remember the old parable about the man walking on the
beach, picking up starfish who have washed ashore and tossing them
gently, one by one, back into the ocean. Another man approaches, notices
that there are starfish on the beach for as far as the eye can see, and
asks, "What difference can you possibly make when there are so many?"
Looking at the creature in his hand, the first man replies, "I can make
all the difference in the world to THIS starfish." 

Celebrate victories. There are happy endings to many rescue stories.
Rejoice in what is working. Of course, seeing an animal go home with a
loving family is the greatest reward of all.

Small kindnesses do count. It's common to think that small efforts don't
mean as much as large victories, but stopping to pet an animal, even for
just one minute is worth doing. Your touch may be the only friendly
attention he or she receives that day. Grooming, holding and comforting,
or intoning softly that you care, are activities that many shelters
don't have time for.

Find outlets for emotional release. Rescue work can be physically
exhausting, emotionally draining and spiritually challenging. Don't
dismiss your feelings or think you're a wimp for being affected by it
all. Talk to someone you trust about what you're experiencing. Cry when
you need to. Write your feelings in a journal.

Channel your emotions into action by writing to the editor of your
newspaper or your local representatives about the need for animal
protection legislation.

Take care of yourself. Make time to do whatever makes you feel good.
Take a relaxing bath, or go out to dinner and let someone else do the
cooking. You need to recharge your batteries in order to maintain mental
and physical health.

Don't downplay your compassion. When people ask me why I rescue animals,
often I'm tempted to say, "Oh, it's not big deal" or "Somebody's got to
do it," when in reality I rescue animals because I care so deeply about
them. Compassion is healthy, normal and necessary for this work. Let
people know how important this cause is to you. You just might inspire
others to become involved.

Never give up. When you get discouraged, it is tempting to throw in the
towel. Take a break, and come back fighting. And remember the man and
the starfish. 

By Chandra Moira Beal


 

The man and the starfish.

There was a young man walking down a deserted beach just before dawn. In
the distance he saw a frail old man. As he approached the old man, he
saw him picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the
sea. 

The young man gazed in wonder as the old man again and again threw the
small starfish from the sand to the water. He asked, "Old man, why do
you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?"

The old man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in
the morning sun. " But there must be thousands of beached and millions
of starfish!" exclaimed the young man. "How can you make any
difference?"

The old man looked down at the small starfish in his hand and as he
threw it into the safety of the sea, he said, "I made a difference to
this one."

 

 

Helena Poist

Proplanner

2500 North Loop Drive

Ames, IA 50010

helena at proplanner.com

515-296-7526

fax: 515-296-3229

http://www.proplanner.com

 

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