| Did you know you could adopt a purebred dog | | | | Early one morning an old man walking down the |
| from a rescue group? Although rescue dogs | | | | beach noticed the tide had brought in thousands |
| come in all breeds and all ages from puppies to | | | | of starfish. They were washed up on shore and |
| senior dogs, if you know what breed of dog you | | | | not able to make it back into the water. The old |
| want, you can find it in a breed specific rescue | | | | man shook his head in disbelief and thought, "It's |
| organization. For instance, a Miniature Schnauzer | | | | such a shame that all these starfish will die on the |
| rescue group adopts out homeless, abandoned, | | | | beach". |
| unwanted schnauzer dogs to loving permanent | | | | As he continued walking, he came upon a young |
| homes. These alert, spirited, and intelligent dogs, | | | | boy who was feverishly throwing the starfish |
| which are usually recognized for their bushy | | | | back into the ocean, one at a time. He was |
| eyebrows and beard, make great family pets. | | | | completely out of breath but persevered. The old |
| Dogs find their way into rescue centers for many | | | | man said to him: "Son, you might as well quit. |
| different reasons due to no fault of their own. | | | | There are thousands of starfish. You can't |
| Sometimes they come from abusive or neglectful | | | | possibly make a difference!" |
| situations and other times dogs and puppies are | | | | As the young boy continued tossing the starfish |
| surrendered by their owners who can no longer | | | | back into the ocean, he replied: "I made a |
| care for them or just decide owning a dog is too | | | | difference to that one, and that one, and that |
| much responsibility. Whatever the case, these | | | | one." |
| dogs need loving permanent homes. And while | | | | The old man thought for a moment and knew |
| you can't save them all, you can make a | | | | the boy was right. He bent down, picked up a |
| difference. | | | | starfish and threw it back into the ocean. And as |
| And making a difference is what it's all about. It | | | | he continued helping the young boy return the |
| reminds me of the The Starfish Story from | | | | starfish to their ocean home, he knew that they |
| Loren Eiseley's The Star Thrower and how each | | | | were making a difference. |
| one of us has the potential of truly making a | | | | The Star Thrower is a classic story of the power |
| difference in the life of others. Here is a short | | | | within each one of us to make a difference in the |
| adaptation of Loren Eiseley's story, The Star | | | | lives of others. You can make a difference! |
| Thrower: | | | | |