Heartwarming kindness

Clutching his mother's hand, Thomas (pictured here) visited EHS to donate towels, canned food, and toys for our dogs and cats. He included pictures of our animals printed from our website, pasted onto crayon artwork of happy scenes. He excitedly told us that Santa would be bringing us even more food, bedding, and toys for the animals.

We asked him what he asked Santa to bring him. "For me?" he asked, clearly stumped. "Yes, for you," we replied. "Oh, I didn't ask for anything for me. I only asked for things for the animals." With a big smile, he continues to list the many items that Santa will be bringing the animals at EHS.

The holiday season in a shelter can be especially tough on the heart. Almost 600 animals will spend the New Year at EHS, a warm, safe and loving place - but not a home. We wonder how many more animals will be left on the streets in 2011 ... will it be 5,000 like last year? Will it be more?

But the innocent, wholehearted generosity of kids like Thomas - and many other people of all ages who do what they can for the animals - gives us great hope for all of the sweet animals in our care.

Thank you to all of the amazing friends of the animals at EHS for greeting homeless animals with unwavering generosity and for reminding us all of our own power to do good.