Cookie is a male 1-1 1/2 year old husky mix. He and his bff, a pit bull, were abandoned in a Bronx apartment when the people he lived with were arrested and then incarcerated. A family member took the Pitbull into his home and Cookie was left without one. My friend Janey found Cookie a home with a family friend and I visited Cookie to do a behavior evaluation and help the family understand Cookie's needs, as this was their first dog. The family is absolutely wonderful and quickly fell in love with Cookie but over time they have realized they are not home enough to give Cookie the attention and exercise he needs. As hard as it will be for them to part with Cookie, they want what is best for him.

Cookie is a handsome, smart and overall happy-go-lucky fabulous dog. He walks great on a leash, loves kids, gets along with dogs and the two cats he currently lives with. Cookie is an easy going dog so based on his breed mix and age, he would do well with someone who had the time to provide obedience guidance and regular exercise. He will also need to be neutered...shhh don't tell Cookie that!

Cookie is located in Northern New Jersey. If you are interested in opening your heart and home to Cookie please get in touch: animalrescue@chrissannthemum.com. Sharing Cookie's plea would be most appreciated!

Thanks!
Christine 

It's been a month since Hurricane Sandy came to many towns in the tri-state area. Since then it has been a matter of recovery and as much as possible, healing. A friend of mine recently told me that she felt guilty because she had survived the storm without incident, she seemed to be feeling the gap between her outcome and the outcome of so many less fortunate, some who lost everything but the clothes on their backs. A decade ago I heard similar sentiments from those who had survived the attacks on September 11th. My very best advice as a therapist providing crisis counseling back then as it is now, is that if we all fall down at once, who will be there to help us back up? Those of us who are less affected by a tragedy are afforded an opportunity to help those who were.

The recovery from Hurricane Sandy will take years and will happen in stages so there is plenty of time to help, plenty of time to figure out how to be helpful. One does not have to be a first responder, therapist etc... to be of help. Quite the contrary. If you're an accountant, volunteer to help someone organize their financial recovery; a lawyer can help with the legal issues; someone who likes to cook can help with the shelter and pop-up kitchens; interior designers can help with decorating peoples homes once rebuilt. Good at crafts? Great. One can refurbish used or found furniture to help people save money in replacing items lost. Love animals? Fabulous. There are lots and lots of them who need your help so foster, adopt, volunteer at rescues who have taken in displaced/lost/abandoned animals. And for someone far away, one can hold a bake sale, collect needed items to ship, or provide support in some way where miles do not matter like contacting companies and ask them to donate items to affected areas. You can even provide support to those who are providing support! We all have a skill set to share with others. The list is really endless!

When people ask what they can expect when going out to volunteer, my response always includes these suggestions... First, in addition to a task you may have signed up for and what expectations you have of yourself, also be prepared to just be 'with' people because a lot of times that is what they need the most, to be in the company of another or others rather than the blaring noise and/or silence of what they have been through and the challenging road ahead. There is strength and comfort in numbers. Second, be open to just showing up and asking 'How can I help?'. The recovery process can change day by day so being flexible helps the process along and also may take the pressure off someone who may have a hard time asking for specific help. Third, unless a person seems actively traumatized or seems closed to talking, do not be afraid to ask questions about what happened. It is generally thought that encouraging someone to share their experience may lessen isolation and provide an outlet for and relief from feeling overwhelmed. Fourth and most important... be authentic. It's ok for example to stand next to someone, in front of what used to be her/his home and emote "holy cow this stinks". Trust me, there is a good chance you won't be stating anything that person hasn't already said or thought. Your authentic response may in fact validate a person's experience, a little empathy can go a long way. There's a fifth for anyone out there in the trenches, and it really cannot be stated enough...make sure you take care of yourself. Like you are helping others to, find a way for yourself. Burn out takes you out of your ability to help effectively and can be difficult to recover from because one has so little energy left to offer his/herself by the time s/he putters out from mental and physical exhaustion.

No matter who I speak with, there is a topic that surfaces during times like this, a universal happening... tragedy brings out the best and worst of people. It sure does. It can be frustrating to know people are acting out in harmful ways, taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. The human condition continues to baffle me most times but I am grateful that the actions of those with good intentions far outweigh those without.

Neighbors in my building really came through with donations for people in Coney Island, every inch of my SUV besides driver's seat was packed!

Currently correspondence and orders are being delayed due to utility services being down in our area, we hope to be up and running fully very soon! Meanwhile I am utilizing my skills as an art therapist and herbalist to assist people affected by Hurricane Sandy and am also bringing with me much needed donations for people, pets and disaster relief workers in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, New Jersey and Long Island. Please consider donating what you can to help in this effort, knowing that I am personally delivering items donated and items purchased with monetary donations directly to those who need them.

Monetary donations are the most efficient way to help those in need right now because every affected area has different recovery needs and the coordination of services isn't always running smoothly, so some areas have an over-supply and others have little to no supplies. I am fortunate to have an SUV and can travel between the affected areas and bring what is specifically needed to help people recover and heal from displacement and devastation. Every day since the storm, you will find me at Walmart, Costco, Home Depot and Dollar stores all around purchasing supplies. Please click on the donate the button below to make a monetary donation and if you prefer to ship supplies, please send an email and I'll send you a wish list. You can ship supplies to our business address listed on the contact page. I will be posting what is purchased and how it has helped those in need as well as posting an ongoing photo album as soon as internet is working again. The only way through this is together. 

Thank you!!
Hope all is safe and well with you and yours.
Christine