A close encounter with an adoring Jack Russel

While trying to get out of the rain at the local SPCA on Monday, I ended up huddling in a kennel with an adoring Jack Russel trying to crawl onto my lap.

I had been called and asked to take a few photos and do an article on cats and dogs currently up for adoption. Read the article and see the photos here.

During the run-up to the festive season and the December holidays, SPCAs tend to get packed and they need all the help and donations they can get to take care of the animals.

The drizzle had suddenly turned to heavy rain and I ducked into the nearest kennel to save my camera.

The little Jackie was delighted to suddenly have a human sit next to her and pay her undivided attention, until the rain stopped and I could continue working.

The experience made me realise how much I love animals and left me wondering how people can neglect, abuse or abandon their pets.

Now, I’m a big animal lover. Anyone who’s seen me in the presence of animals will attest to that. Within a few minutes after arrival, any animal nearby will usually be sitting next to me or on my lap, staring adoringly up to me while being petted.

That’s probably why I love visiting the SPCA: being able to give attention to so many animals in a short space of time. In contrast, most people I’ve met say they’re not fond of going to SPCA kennels since they won’t be able to resist the adoring eyes of dogs begging to be taken home.

I love the SPCA and have great respect for inspectors, since I’ve had good experiences with the branches close to where I’ve lived.

When I worked in the Limpopo Bushveld region, I was priviledged to sit down and chat to the local inspector about her experiences, the horrors she’s seen and the animals she’s managed to save.

I witnessed her love for each animal that ended up in the kennels, how she greeted each by name, petted or played with then when she passed.

I (or rather my parents) adopted a Jack Russel-Miniature Pincher cross from the same SPCA, a small black bundle of nerves that adored me as much as I adored him.

While I do love animals, I’m not one of those people that constantly have a house full of animals I found on the streets or saved from abandonment. I know a few of them, though, and have seen the amazing results after they’ve taken an animal under their wings.

This is actually what the SPCA’s mission is: helping animals in trouble and finding them homes where they’ll be treated with love and respect.

I sincerely hope that people will keep their pets in mind this Festive Season, keep an eye out for animals in need and assist the SPCA in their work wherever and whether they can.

Do you have a sweet animal story or a great SPCA experience to share? Comment below or on our facebook page.