Loving our Korean co-rescuers

People involved in animal rescue are, on a whole, loving and caring people. Most of our efforts and affections are directed at the animals that we rescue, as it should be. Today, though, something of a revelation came to me. Our Korean rescue counterparts are appreciated, to be sure, but do we show that we appreciate them enough? After all, it's their efforts that often provide the initial haven. They're the ones that have to deal with all the red tape, the grouchy Korean neighbors, and the incompetent-but-trying foreigners (namely, me). They clean up animal feces on a regular basis, and are (regarding dogs) subject to regular and often shrill barking anytime anything slightly out of the ordinary happens. They are forced to keep several parties happy at once, and probably feel like nothing more than dancing bears - hat, collar, chain, humiliation and all - on a regular basis. Similar to a dancing bear, they're often a one person show, doing most of the work during the week while the rest of us are making the money to provide donations and assistance.

So, next time you visit your local animal shelter, it's not a bad idea to bring a little something to your Korean co-rescuer. I don't really speak Korean, but I brought mine some plums that are in season. She might hate plums, I don't know - but the smile on her face suggested it was more than worth it.