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Last week, I spoke of three animals I was helping: Sadie, Finley, and Fuzzy the cat.

All have been handled, but I wish to speak of Sadie, the supposed 6-year-old Rottie mix who had never seen a vet due to finances. Their appointment was last Friday at 11 a.m., so I got to meet them after my dialysis session.

The first thing I noticed was that Sadie looked more like a Shepherd mix than a Rottie mix, but that’s neither here nor there; you can never know what a mix will throw off.  More important, Sadie was 14 years old. Now, I don’t know if it was a mixed communication or just plain subterfuge. 

Before I go on, let me say that Sadie was one sweet old lady who leaned in and relished all the attention I was giving her. I had promised to get her all the tests and shots needed so she would have a clean bill of health. The estimated fee would have been around $600. I could not do that for Sadie; all the money in the world cannot halt the natural order of things. Sadie is at or near her life span, and I wouldn’t be spending the money donated to Lennie’s Kids wisely.

The sweet girl is in pretty good shape for her age and how much longer she stays that way is in God’s hands. I ensured she wasn’t in any pain and had a few things tested, and we trimmed her nails. That cost only $200.

I wish to once again reiterate that the amount of my funds matters, but not as much as how wisely I spend them.

Last week, I sent $3,700 to Upstate specialists to reconstruct Lexi’s knee (the Chihuahua).  I had done the other knee, and as soon as that one heeled, this one was done. All in all, that commitment was nearly $8,000, and now my funds can only handle one major case, should it arise.  

This is how it’s always been. As I wrote last week, it’s in His hands. Still, I’m expected to do my part. He doesn’t need my help. I need His.

Thanks for listening.

 

Leonard Rizzo is the founder of Lennie’s kids, a non profit organization that helps sick and injured animals in the foothills, promotes animal welfare and works to find homes for pets.