Man Who Helps Animals Now Needs Help

by Patricia Collier

Most everyone who loves animals has heard of Jim Willis, or at least his poignant essay entitled, "How Could You?"

"How Could You?" has been printed in 38 languages. It describes the horror, from a dog's perspective, of being taken to a shelter when his guardian moves away. As the dog is euthanized, he sighs, "How could you?" to his departed guardian.

Tragically, on January 25, faulty wiring at Willis' rented home caused a fire that completely destroyed the house and claimed the lives of 13 of his 19 rescued animals: dogs Amadeus, Danny, Pongo, Tina, Cleo, Willow, Gallagher, Gaston and Lakota and cats Tawny, Tara, Lucinda and Danube. Willis had been celebrating his 48th birthday with friends at a restaurant only 15 minutes away when the tragedy occurred.

Six dogs survived uninjured and are being kept by friends until Willis finds another place to live. For now, he's staying with friends Ben and Peggy Strain, owners of Greenspring Farm, where Willis has been boarding his horse, Cynnamon, for the past several years.

Not surprisingly, this has been a heartbreaking event for Willis. For many, this would have been spirit breaking as well, but Willis is slowly putting the pieces of his life back together. He admits to having his "bad moments," but has expressed wonder and gratitude at the hundreds of messages, cards and monetary contributions that caring people have sent to help him and his animals recover from the tragedy.

Willis is recognized nationally for his rescue efforts and heartfelt writings about abandoned animals. His book, "Pieces of My Heart: Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature," has sold thousands of copies and often is sold by shelters, humane societies and other animal-rights organizations as a fund-raiser. The book also has been published in England and Brazil.

Willis works as a freelance editor for a German scientific publication, and had begun writing a second book about abandoned dogs.

As horrible as the experience has been, Willis said there has been a silver lining.

"Rescuing animals can dent one's opinions of humanity, but these people have restored my faith in humanity," Willis said. "I'm no longer crying from grief. I'm crying because of the outpouring of concern."

It will, of course, take considerable time for Willis to recover from the loss of his 13 dear friends. In the meantime, he has written a poem to help in his journey through grieving. It is reproduced here:

The Golden Leash

Too soon the hourglass was empty,
Too soon you quietly stole away,
Leaving thirteen empty places,
And me cursing that fateful day.

You'd filled my life with laughter,
Your antics were beyond compare,
Now my days are tinged by sorrow,
With tears over lost friends so rare.

I recall your each and every foible,
Your sad lives before you came to me,
How you'd healed and thrived and blossomed,
I close my eyes and your faces I see.

They say everything happens for a reason,
The divine plan we aren't meant to see,
I know I must go on for the living,
Though I still wish you were here with me.

It was your love that kept me going,
It will be love that allows a new start,
For the rest of my life, I won't forget,
The Golden Leash that connects our hearts.

Copyright Jim Willis 2004
http://www.crean.com/jimwillis

Willis's most recent book, "Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature", is available in both the USA and UK. For reviews and a special fundraising discount, see: http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/.

Notes of support can be sent to Jim Willis, 8 Carter Lane, Avella, PA 15312-2242. Contributions can be made by check to The Jim Willis Fire Fund and mailed to:

The Jim Willis Fire Fund
c/o National City Bank
1803 Main St.
Burgettstown, Pa 15021

© 2004 Animal News Center, Inc.