Abilene Shelter Dogs Deserve a Home for the Holidays, Even if It’s Just for a Little While

I'm just going to say it. Every time I see a picture of a dog sitting in a shelter in Texas, waiting for somebody to love them, it breaks my heart. I go home, hug my two boxers and my cats a little tighter, and think about how lucky they are.

Because here's the thing. These animals didn't ask for any of this. Maybe somebody decided having a pet wasn't for them. Maybe a family fell on hard times. Maybe a stray had puppies nobody could take care of.

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Whatever happened, these poor animals are the ones paying the price. And what do they really want? A couch to crash on, a belly rub, a warm bed, and somebody to call them a good boy or good girl.

That's it. That's their whole Christmas list.

Abilene's Home for the Pawlidays Is Giving Shelter Pets Hope

Photo: All Kind Animal Initiative

That's why I love what All Kind Animal Initiative is doing with its Home for the Pawlidays program, running November 1 through December 31. They're asking Abilene families to open their homes to shelter pets for a few days, a few weeks, or possibly forever.

And here's the best part. You don't have to adopt to make a difference.

All Kind Provides the Supplies, You Provide the Love

Photo: All Kind Animal Initiative

All Kind provides food, supplies, medical care, foster guidance, and behavior support. You provide a safe home, patience, and some good old-fashioned love. Thanks to Hill's Pet Nutrition, foster families can also receive special appreciation incentives, including pet store gift cards.

Fostering also helps free up shelter space for another animal in need.

The Best Christmas Gifts Don't Always Come Wrapped

Look, I know not everybody can adopt. But imagine being that dog who finally gets to sleep on a couch instead of in a kennel. Even if it's only for a couple of weeks, that's a couple of weeks of love they'll never have to go without.

And who knows? Maybe that temporary houseguest becomes family. Now THAT would be one hell of a Christmas present.

Learn more about fostering through All Kind Animal Initiative's Home for the Pawlidays program on their Facebook page.