My name is Larry Chusid. I am the founder and executive director of The Pongo Fund, Oregon’s Pet Food Bank. And Pongo was my dog. I work for the day when no dog or cat goes hungry because their families are temporarily unable to keep them fed. Thereby preventing the hunger, suffering, abandonment, surrender and loss of the animals they love.
We have donated more than nine million meals throughout Oregon & SW Washington, helping more than 80,000 beloved animals stay safe at home with their families and out of the shelters. I am honored to do this work.
But in order to love me as a friend or even like me as a person you must understand that animals are the best part of my life. And that my heart is broken time and time again for animals that are not treated with compassion and respect. For those who do not know kind words and gentle hands. For those who are abused, who suffer, who live in fear.
For those who recoil at the hand reaching out to pet them for fear it will hurt them.
At my core I believe that every animal deserves good food, clean water, proper shelter, sincere affection, humane care and a safe and stable environment. Not just occasionally, but always.
And I believe that Gandhi was right when he said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Today is January 1st, 2016. A New Day in a New Year. A new chapter filled with all of the things that we can do, that we should do, that we must do, to make life better for the animals. And I invite you to please join me in doing those things.
For all of the animals everywhere. May each one enjoy an abundance of life. To live safely and well. Without fear. Without harm. Without suffering. I wish for them to know the same love and respect from us that we know from them.
And one more thing. Every wish that I wish for the animals, I wish for you too.
My name is Larry Chusid and I am proud that the animals are my friends. They make my life better. And may they always enjoy Peace, Love and Kibble.
Happy New Year from all of us at The Pongo Fund.
Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. Always For The Animals. thepongofund.org
(Photo of Larry and 21 year-old Scooby, Photo Credit: Pauline Zonneveld, Pauline Photography)