Hello my "Paw"sitive friends!
Today I'd like to discuss "Lilo and Stitch," one of my favorite Walt Disney pictures. I can proudly do a pretty amazing stitch inpersonation, if you ask and I have several stitch memorabillia in my room. My friends and I wear Stitch T-shirts and I love to draw pictures of Stitch. I love the movie because I love the story behind it.
Its a story of two broken individuals, who find each other in an animal shelter and they change each other's lives and make each other better.
At first sight, Lilo immediately accepts stitch for who he is. To others he seems, "odd". However, Lilo absolutely loves him. She likes that he's different and doesn't hesitate to work with him in areas that he needs help. If you watch the video, you'll notice he's not your traditional "dog". He's experiment 626. Yet, eventually even he learns to accept and love the new environment he finds himself in.
Watch the quick clip, where Lilo first meets Stitch.
Throughout the movie, Lilo and Stitch experience multiple situations where stitch has to "learn" how to behave like a "good dog". Meanwhile, Stitch learns what it means to be a part of a family. Lilo says to Stitch, "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten."
This makes me think so often about shelter animals that I care so very much about. During my time volunteering at the Kansas Humane Society, I look at all the animals that have been adopted and then brought back to the shelter again and I think about "Ohana".
Now I want to make myself clear, that there is NOTHING wrong with taking an animal back to the shelter if you feel you or your family cannot give them the proper care that they deserve. It is better to take them to a shelter than to neglect their needs or abandon them to the streets.
What I really want to express today is what happens when you first make the decision to adopt a shelter animal. It is very important to consider their personality and yours before adopting them. You have to love them for who they are wholeheartdidly. You have to be willing to love them through the hard times AND the good times. Take some time to consider the new environment that they will find themselves in and how they will fit in with your family.
Will you need to invest in some behavior training, fencing, new furniture, medical care for the pet? Places like the Kansas Humane Society want to do the very best for making sure that they place the right pet with the right adopter. I promise they will give you a LOT of support to make sure you have all the tools and information you need before you adopt.
That is why volunteers like myself help socialize the pets, and get to know them to help pinpoint their personalities. They have a chart at KHS to show you which dogs/cats are social butterflies, which ones are more quiet and reserved, etc. You can read the animal's paperwork and spend some time getting to know them before you make the choice to adopt.
KHS also makes sure the pet is fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and healthy and ready to be welcomed into your care. They are ready to be part of your "Ohana" and are hoping that you won't ever give up on them, no matter how long it takes. They may need some time to adjust and learn what is socially acceptable to your family. In return, you may need to adjust how you live to include and welcome your new family member to your home.
There is a BIG need for adopters of shelter animals. They need someone who is willing to accept the responsiblity and work that it takes to socialize with them and care for them, just like you would a human child.
The rewards far outweigh the work. You may be surprised at how much the journey of caring for a shelter pet changes you for the better too. If your adopting for your child, you may explain to them the responsibilities it takes to be a pet parent and that they can't give up on teaching them and helping them just like they would a child of their own. Companion animals depend on us for everything and it's the highest honor to be able to share your "Ohana" with them.
Similarly, you may also need to learn how to socialize your pet around your friends and family. Don't be afaid to educate others about your new pet and how he or she likes to be interacted with. Invite them to help support you in their care and learn about why you invest so much love and attention towards helping this shelter animal be a part of your family.
You may just inspire someone else to grow their family's "Ohana" too. Lastly, never hesistate to seek support or advice if you are having concerns about your shelter pet. Ask your local veterinarian for behavioral advice and stay determined to giving unconditional love for your pet. It may not always be easy, your pet may be a work in progress. However, I guarantee they'll change your life in powerfully "paw"sitive ways.
As always friends, Stay "Paw"sitive!
Till next time,
Kayla Lowmiller