5.22.2016

May 21, 2016

White Dog looked at the clock before she joined the Welcome Home! Chorus. I leaned over to kiss the Little White Dog of My Heart who was poised on the arm of my chair and shouted above the din, "See, home half an hour before dinnertime just as I promised."  I sank into the momma chair next to her.

The White Dog Army split up to smother Steve (now on the couch) while the rest pressed against my legs and demanded to be petted. It was just the greeting I needed.

Then came the question. I knew they would ask. I had practiced different answers and different moods of response but when White Dog started by saying, "We know things were wildly successful but tell us every detail," I looked at her and tears welled up. Zsofia pushed her face against mine and I cried into her furs. The Army went silent.

"It wasn't," I told them. "everything went wrong. I should have listened to you all and just stayed home." The charity event on Paws To People's behalf, was in fact, a failure. Thankfully, we at least broke even...a far distance from the fund raising dollars that the organizer had promised. And it was money much needed to reach our goal for the year (which ends for us on June 30). We would not have another opportunity to replace this major event.

The White Dog Army and Steve gathered close and held me. "I feel like I just cannot get momentum going. I work so very hard and believe so much." I tried to pull myself back from those feelings but surrounded by my loved ones, I felt safe enough to melt down. "Not a single thing went in our favor."

"Except this," Steve said holding up a photo on his cell phone. "The booth looked great and Tony did a fantastic job on the Saloon Doggie Lounge for the Raffle. It got us lots of attention." It was creatively handmade from recycled materials and was donated with love by one of Steve's former students; we had lots of folks at the festival come up just to snap a photo. .

But even that was smudged by the day...the raffle earnings must now go to replace the pullup sign bent by the wind.

4 comments:

ThePainterPack said...

Oh Sue...We are so sorry. But I know you will not give up...hope if a powerful thing and there is always hope! I will keep you all lifted up in my prayers that the funds will come in through another way. Just don't give up!

With much love...

Random Felines said...

Oh no....we know How very hard you work

meowmeowmans said...

We are so sorry to hear the event did not go well, Sue. We are purring and praying that somehow, some way, those funds will come through. Love and hugs to you, friend.

FiveSibesMom said...

I am so sorry to hear this...you work so hard at this wonderful cause. Please remember, one setback does not a failure make. I know how disappointing it is though, and send you hugs for all your amazing and continuous efforts.