Sometimes when one lives surrounded by poverty, it becomes easy to become accustomed to it. To no longer see the need that is right in front and all around you day by day. Sometimes it becomes disheartening and it seems like the little I can do is a drop in the ocean. Sometimes I don't want to see it and sometimes I choose not to.
But sometimes I am reminded that even if all I can do is a drop in the ocean it still somehow matters. The child I am sending to school has a chance at a future she never otherwise would have. Lucy, she is my drop in the ocean today. She is what reminds me why little things matter.
My friend Hannah and I go running in our neighbourhood several days a week. There are many dogs around, some stray, some owned, most of them roam free. Being an animal lover it is hard for me to see the often poor conditions the animals are in. I miss playing with dogs because most of them here are trained to guard and are not friendly to strangers. But there was this one. . . she always ran up to greet us and wagged her tail. Once she became familiar with us she came to greet us with unbridled joy. She was a ray of light in what sometimes felt like overwhelming cross cultural challenges. She made me smile, she made me laugh and I came to look forward to seeing her.
I hadn't seen my black dog friend for a few weeks, and then she came out. Painfully skinny so much so I am not even sure how she supported her own weak frame, but she was just as joyous as always. It broke my heart. I finished my run upset and unsure of what to do. So I called my husband who suggested I bring her some food and call the one and only animal shelter in Uganda. So that is precisely what I did. The next day, the manager of the shelter came out to investigate. The dog wasn't there, but he was determined. His commitment to helping animals in this country inspired me. This man loves his country and is passionate about teaching his fellow Ugandans what it means to love and care for animals. He told me he would be back and to call him if the dog showed up.
The dog was out the next night when Hannah went for a walk, so she called the shelter and out they came. They collected her, took her back to where she would be cared for and I somehow felt relieved. She was just one, but she was mine. She was my drop in the ocean. One of them at least. It made me so happy to know she would receive veterinary treatment, food, and hopefully someday soon a loving home to adopt her. I wish we could have adopted her, but our apartment won't allow dogs.
The shelter asked me to choose a name, and I called her Lucy. Because she exhibited the same strong spirit as my favourite character from the Chronicles of Narnia. She is a survivor.
We went to visit Lucy on the weekend and she is doing much better. When we arrived she was out being walked by some high school volunteers. She is happy, she is fed, and she is receiving treatment for a number of things, and then she will be spayed and put up for adoption. She is my happy ending and it brings me joy. Thank you to the Uganda Society for the Protection of Animals for their tireless work and their passion and commitment.
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| She remembered me! A sweet reunion! |
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| Hannah and I with our Sweet Lucy |
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| What joy! |
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| Lucy is happy at the shelter. She will make a wonderful dog for someone. |
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| A few others were happy to see us too! |
