Keep Simba with his Sally

Keep Simba with his Sally

My first Golden Retriever came into my life when I was about two and a half years old. My earliest memories are few and blurry because my Dad died when I was five. But I remember my Dad with our dog. Simba is my sixth best friend. He came to me in late February, 2017 via Craigslist. Although not a rescue, like several of his predecessors, he whined and cried non-stop his first night. I can honestly say that changing homes is really hard, whether one is a human or a dog. Simba and I have moved multiple times in the past year. Finding affordable dog friendly rental housing in Marin County and anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area, continues to be beyond challenging. California’s housing crisis, the recent wildfires in the region, plus the accompanying planned outages by PG&E, have only made things harder.  

A writer/educator, I currently have a “day job” in retail. It pays some bills, but not enough. For various reasons, my employment searches for more lucrative work, hopefully leading me back to teaching, have not yet come to fruition.  My efforts to secure more gig work and bigger jobs have been hampered by my housing hunts. Simba is an integral part of my health and wellness plan. And we both need a roof to live under. Plus, I usually write for kids. I create poems, stories and rhymes. Every writer needs a muse. Simba’s the latest. 

Simba loves to chase reflections. He has a fascination with light and shadow that rivals Monet’s. When we go to the park, he loves to greet other dogs, and play, but the light beckons. During the recent planned power outages, I thought he finally got used to flashlights, including the one on my phone, but alas no. When walking him at night, he tries to catch the light. He’s a modern dog - he doesn’t howl at the moon, but he will pounce on an artificial beam. His vet says he’s strong! Other humans say above all he’s sweet. True.

Health experts recommend a companion dog for help with hypertension, insomnia, and anxiety. So being with Simba helps lower my blood pressure, keeps me active, improves my sleep and elevates my moods.  But above all he adds joy to my life during these perilous times. I need him and he needs me.

We have found wonderful landlords/housemates in Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and San Rafael. Friends and relatives have helped. But prices keep escalating. As of this writing (1/13/20), I have no new temporary place. We need one on Thursday, 1/16/20. If we have to go to an Airbnb, my next small paycheck will disappear fast. Just weeks ago, Californians faced devastating wildfires and Australians are watching their continent burn. It’s hard to ask for help at such a time when so many are suffering. Maimonides, the great medieval sage, taught that giving anonymously to an unknown recipient is one of the highest levels of righteous giving. He further taught that helping someone to be self sustaining is the highest. Any gift of any amount will help keep Simba with me, and keep us fed and housed. Your gift will help me keep my current job, and find more work. It will help me to purchase a new pet insurance plan from Healthy Paws. It will pay for Simba’s next visit to the vet, his vaccinations, and a few past due bills.  I promise to update often and pay it forward. Simba makes me smile and sing. He makes people smile just by wagging his tail. Your gift will add more smiles to the world. 

Please help Simba stay with his Sally. Thank you.