Not a month goes by that I don’t comb adoption websites for a future pet I could dote on. While I am in no way in the market for a pet at the moment—with three part-time jobs and a handful of varying responsibilities—I find it therapeutic and a day-brightener when I look at those fluffy faces. For me, it has always been dogs.
Well, that’s not entirely true.
We had a cat when I was growing up. I considered it my close friend, albeit a scratchy, hissing one. When my parents got our first dog, Jako (pronounced Jay-ko), I was hesitant. What sort of fur baby is this? Why is it bounding toward me? Well, maybe it is cute when it walks and tumbles over its own legs. Dogs eventually won me over because I soon realized that not all pets feel the need to attack you out of nowhere with sharp claws nor hide hairballs in secret places for you to step on.
It is true, however, that dogs do have their days—as the saying goes. Little Jako chewed one of my books, one of my mother’s favorite pairs of shoes, and our wooden staircase. (There are still marks on the staircase from when he got taller over time and moved his munching onto the next level.) But it didn’t matter. Seeing his goofy little face and puppy dog eyes—which I’m convinced are one of the most deadly and powerful combinations—made me realize that the little things didn’t matter.
A little over a year ago, we had to let Jako go across that rainbow bridge, joining my two guinea pigs and our cat. Before he had passed, I had desperately tried to get my mother to get a new puppy. I wanted a little fur baby of my own—or at least one that liked me the most. That’s where Jarvis comes in. Meet Jarvis, the highlight of my days and nights.
He has a multitude of nicknames, including Mr. Slaps; and if you ask anyone who knows what’s what, I am his mother.
He is 1 (and roughly 5 months) old, loves bananas, and enjoys being carried like a baby. If he started talking today and told me I had to take over the world, I’d find a way to do it without an ounce of hesitation. That is the bond we share; that’s the bond most people share with their pets.
Whether it be cats, frogs, dogs, or turtles, most of us enjoy the company of an animal friend. They are great listeners, not-so-great therapists, and floofy, cuddly babies who love us as we are, which is something not even some of our significant others can do! We come home to them, and they are loyally waiting for us, ready to hear about our day (and be fed), which brings me to this incredible non-profit.
Not to summon Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel,” but there are animals out there who don’t have homes to sleep in nor people to love them. That’s where the idea of adoption centers and rescue pets come into play. It pairs relatively lonely humans with loving and equally-lonely pets. But who are the heroes who find these sweet forgotten animals? Meet Lee Asher, founder of The Asher House.
He has promoted pet adoption and highlighted local rescue shelters in 49 U.S. states. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also developed a sanctuary for incredible pups that he and his team have rehabilitated and rescued from dangerous situations.
“Pawsitivity, Love, and Laughter.” That’s the motto in bold letters across the frontpage of their website, and it couldn’t be more evident of the beautiful work they do daily. While the furry friends you find on the website aren’t there for adoption—even if you’re like me and really want Poppy!—he has included incredible resources like https://www.adoptapet.com/, https://www.petfinder.com/, and https://home-home.org/ that allow you to find the new addition to your home.
We here at ALLMYNE want to give a huge shoutout to Lee and his amazing non-profit organization. If you want to learn more about how you can get involved, please visit the links below:
- What Is The Asher House?
- Donate to The Asher House
- Connect with Dogs Ready for Adoption
- The Asher House Facebook Page
- The Asher House Instagram
- The Asher House Youtube Channel
- Check Out Lee’s Patreon
- Contribute Through Their Chewy Wishlist
