Greetings!

 

My name is Howie and I have launched this new endeavor to create consistent donation streams to various Rescue Groups. 

 

Here's some info re how FURAPY.ORG came to be...

 

I consider dogs to be "The Great Commonality".

 

There are people who are diametrically opposed to each other re their spiritual beliefs, political viewpoint, taste in entertainment, etc., etc., HOWEVER...they share the common ground of loving their dogs.

 

I know I am not alone in my feeling that dogs are not only therapeutic, but for many of us... They are THE BEST Therapy.

 

And I don't need a government regulatory agency to confirm that any dog is a CERTIFIED FURAPIST!

 

I was saved by a dog... Maximus.

 

Long story, but suffice it to say that I was at a place of deep despair and ready to take my leave of this life, but I could not abandon 13 year old Maximus The Magnificent Standard Poodle, who had gone blind and whose momma was in some trouble with the authorities.

 

It was just me and him...  and Merlin The Magical Pit Bull...and every time I spiraled to a dark place, I would look at those beautiful dogs and decide that departing this life by my own hand was simply not an option.

 

Maximus needed me.

 

Were it not for Maximus... I may very well have not been here to launch this Campaign and write these words. Merlin was healthy & well & didn't need me the way Maximus did, but he too contributed greatly to my being raised out of the depths of despair.

 

Merlin had been abandoned in front of my house, tied to a telephone pole. Maximus' momma approached him and I said "Be careful, that's a Pitbull."

 

My perception was that ugly perception too many people still have of "Pitbull Type" dogs.

 

Merlin, of course, like all of his brothers and sisters, was a complete love bug. Fiercely Loyal & Protective... and endlessly entertaining. He made me smile & laugh throughout this period of despair. Everyone loved him... and he loved everyone. Any number of people I knew would have made them his if I actually did the worst.

 

But Maxiumus... a senior dog who was now blind... I couldn't abandon him to someone he didn't know. Merlin was never going to wind up in a shelter. I couldn't be sure that wouldn't happen to Maximus.

 

And I could NEVER let that happen.

 

So I had to live.

 

I'm going to lean a bit Spiritual here now and explain how I perceive dogs.

 

My feeling is that dogs embody all the best qualities that God... The Universe if you prefer... Your Higher Consciousness if you prefer... wants us to possess. Mainly... Playfulness. Resilience. Playfulness. Forgiveness. Playfulness. Being completely in the Here & Now. Playfulness. Joy. Playfulness. Fierce Loyalty. Playfulness. Protectiveness. Playfulness. And of course... Above all else... Unconditional Love. Oh... and Playfulness.

 

That theory about dogs being a gift from God with the evidence being what God spelled backwards is... What can I say?... It makes sense to me.

 

Regardless, countless people with no religious affiliation or spiritual leaning...just plain old confirmed atheists... They love their dogs too... and I would bet they too recognize their dog(s) as THE BEST Therapy.