A Note from Alice Jester
It’s More Awareness and Nothing Else
By By Alice Jester
Let me tell you why I adore Jared Padalecki. Sure, he’s one of my favorite actors, but there’s much more to the adoration than that. You see, we share a passion. Jared loves animals. I love animals. Jared promotes animal awareness. I promote animal awareness. Jared has adopted animals in need of a home. I’ve adopted animals in the need of a home. That’s where the similarities end but not the story.
When it comes to animals, Jared wears his heart on his sleeve. He personally connects with them and deeply feels the struggles they face in today’s cruel world. He wants to help. How do I know that? Easy, that’s the way us animal lovers are. I see it in the pictures of him with the two rescue dogs he adopted, Harley and Sadie. I see that same look with all pet owners. Unconditional love. These animals aren’t objects, they’re living beings and valued family members. They need us.
I also adore Lindsay and Heather because they’re passionate animal lovers too. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be devoting so much effort to support an animal shelter a couple thousand miles away from their homes. They’ve gotten to know the dedicated people behind A Dog’s Life Animal Rescue and the difference they’re making in Los Angeles. They’re inspired by the devotion and want to help. They also found through their fundraising campaign last year that the need is much greater than the resources available and one effort isn’t going to do it. More needs to be done. Sure, the challenge is harder, but the cause is worth it.
Jared has made it known many times he wants to make the world a better place for unwanted and abused animals. Through that desire he offers a means that most others can’t give; the endorsement of the Hollywood celebrity. While that sounds like all an animal charity needs, anyone that thinks that’s not risky hasn’t noticed the current trend lately of cynicism with celebrity. When celebrities do something good now, there are those that exist just to knock them down and try to reveal a hidden agenda.
Early in his career, Jared was in an ad for PETA. He was verbally attacked at a fan convention recently for supporting that organization. In his support of A Dog’s Life and other animal organizations, some actually have accused him of using it for publicity because “that’s what celebrities are all about.” This is where the point gets lost. People forget that despite the high profile, a celebrity is just one person. Success in causes requires collective consciousness. A high profile name is just the messenger, not a guarantee of success. Jared said it best himself. “It's more awareness and nothing else.”
Yes, awareness. That’s really all it takes and that’s where we can help. All anyone needs to do is see the world through an animal’s eyes. There are so many ways to help other than opening a checkbook. One of the easiest ways is the Animal Rescue site. All you have to do is go to www.theanimalrescuesite.com daily, select the “Click Here It’s Free” button, and food goes to the animals. Another is donating $1 while making a purchase at Petsmart. Got old towels and blankets you don’t need? Take them to a local animal shelter. Or, just take time to pet a dog or cat next time you’re at a friend’s or neighbor’s house. It feels good and you learn with just one moment what these creatures are all about. Little things like that end up making a huge difference.
By supporting Lindsay and Heather, even just re-tweeting one of their announcements about A Dog’s Life, or sharing the word about a shelter, you’re doing your part to spread awareness. That’s just as powerful as seeing a celebrity like Jared pose with a needy dog or cat. It makes you part of an exclusive club, one that’s making the world a better place. A club that’s helping dedicated people match unwanted pet with pet owner, thus creating years of precious memories. I know I can’t imagine my life without my two dogs and two cats. I don’t want to.
So, next time you see a photo of Jared Padalecki or any other celebrity with a beloved pet, just remember, that’s you too. By showing support and spreading the word, or even taking the big leap and adopting an unwanted animal, you become a big part of this amazing effort. For that, you have our adoration.
