Thanks to my sister and fellow animal rescuer, Cara Shoss, for alerting me to this beautiful video and inspiration for this message.
Brenda Shoss, president, Kinship Circle

From Cara Shoss — Imagine what we could do if we all used our own two hands to change the world. Keep believing in what you are doing. Happy Holidays to all of you and thank you for using your two hands to make a difference for the animals in the world. TURN UP YOUR SPEAKERS & WATCH NOW.

For its work after the Iowa floods in June/July of 2008. Iowa’s Veterinary Rapid Response Team coordinator, Mark Shearer, had asked us to recruit/deploy volunteers to staging areas at Lee County Fairgrounds (Donnellson, Iowa) and Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City. KC also sent search and rescue trained volunteers to severely flooded Oakville, Iowa. Our volunteers even helped Farm Sanctuary “wrangle” some pigs to safety, after destroyed factory farms left pigs adrift in high waters (many died, but more than 60 left Iowa for a life of freedom at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York).

Who has no money, but jumps on a plane
And taxi-cabs through southeast Iowa...
Because a dog with mange has given up hope.
And a displaced cat needs your voice.

This is for you...
Who corralled a pig twice your weight
Waded in waters to leave bowls of food
And searched for eyes lost in corners

This is for you...
Who reads every word
And networks and plans
To salvage small hearts
Overlooked in the storm

Who gives without question
And sees what others miss:
Animals, cast into chaos...
Terrified and alone

This is for you...
For every mile traveled
And every life touched.

JUNE 2008: For weeks heavy rainstorms saturated Iowa and five other Midwestern states, causing rivers to rise and burst through protective levees... Iowa was the worst hit state...

Barb Bryant received an urgent late-night phone call from Iowa’s state veterinarian asking if she’d run a temporary shelter for pets displaced by flooding... The next morning Bryant, co-founder of Animal Protection League, reported for duty at the Lee County Fairgrounds in Donnellson.

“Since this was the first time any of us had done this type of rescue, we were fortunate to receive assistance from members of Kinship Circle, who helped set up our operation. These volunteers had done this many times. Most had worked at Katrina.”

Two trailers containing leashes, crates and food were delivered to the fairgrounds. For more than two weeks volunteers did their best, spending 12-hour days caring for about 100 cats and dogs...

Bryant recalls one man who called the fairgrounds searching for his Beagle. One had been brought in, but he wasn’t wearing identification tags. “’Go to the kennel and call out, Bud Light,’ the man said. ’If he bays at you, he’s mine,’” Bryant says. “So the volunteer yelled ‘Bud Light.’ The Beagle immediately answered. He was so happy someone knew his name.”

In early July the fairgrounds needed the facility back for the Lee County Fair, so Bryant had to find a new place for the remaining animals. That’s when her husband Mel Bryant, who’s battling his fifth bout with cancer, suggested bringing them to their 72-acre farm in Keokuk, Iowa... After two weeks the remaining 16 pets not claimed or adopted to new homes were transferred to Kirkwood Community College — then shipped to out-of-state shelters for eventual placement...

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.