The Victory SMILE!

Volunteering is something I really love and had been doing for the past 2 years. As I found a new platform to volunteer while randomly scrolling feeds on Facebook, I checked the upcoming events. The mega event VoluTHON was going on where hundreds of volunteers gather to cover all the causes in two days. I was super excited to join them.

I dialed the number given on the page!

Suren, the founder of VFC picked the call. I enquired about registration and asked if I can join today for the VoluTHON.  

He said,

” Oh am glad you want to join us for VoluTHON 2019, but the last event is ‘Meet the PAWS”, I will share the location to the same number, be there at 3 if you are interested. He hung the call before I could respond err..what paws?? Did he say pause or paws?!! 

Eagerly, I went through the VFC website, and found Meet The Paws – 8th cause in the list of 19, I saw pictures of volunteers bathing abandoned dogs, hugging them, taking them for walks, and cleaning the pet shelter.

I decided not to go there. Helpless and unfortunate. I fall in the category of people who change their way just because few stray dogs are- sleeping in the middle of the road or wagging their tail! I am naturally scared of dogs and dislike being near them.

I was feeling restless and sad. 

I dialed his number! He asked where are you?. I replied I will join for the next event. He found out that I am scared of dogs.

 He calmly said we all will be there, don’t worry. Just attend the event, you will feel the difference.

I thought for a second. I stared at their website, the tag line hit me hard. 

“It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it”.

I just said ok and hung the call.

With a thousand thoughts within, I reached the venue at 3:05 pm hoping the venue to be surrounded by VFC volunteers in maroon t-shirts. Surprisingly, there was no one. The place was quite isolated. I saw the board, ‘Precious Paws Foundation’. 

One young man was standing near the gate. I could hear dogs barking from a distance. With a trembling voice, I asked him VFC?. With the warm smile, he said yes they are on their way, you come inside. 

I had a sigh!

I was just a few steps away from 80+ super excited indie dogs with only shoulder height fencing between us. Few dogs rushed towards the fencing. Jumping. Barking. Wagging their tail. I was taking my steps back. I regretted my decision. 

Then came the team VFC in a few bikes and cars. I found them tired but happy. Their stained and sweaty T-shirts gave me a hint of their selflessness towards society. I felt warmth. Their eyes glittered when they saw the dogs barking and trying to reach them. 

Few volunteers kept their bags, cleaned their hands and straightly went inside the fencing and surrendered themselves in front of dogs. I was dumbstruck. The dogs pounced on them. They showed their love through jumps and licks. I was happy to see them. I never knew strays are treated with so much affection.

The abandoned and injured dogs were treated with the utmost care and love. I stood there like an odd one in the crowd. The volunteers observed me. One of them said, once you go inside the fencing, the fear will vanish. My mind and heart both said NO. 

I took a deep breath. 

I stood near the fencing and extended my hand to touch the head on one of the short and calm dogs. The long tongue followed my palm. My heart started beating fast. I decided not to take my hands off.

It was a battle between my mind and body. It started licking my hand. I shut my eyes with the weirdest face I made. I opened my eyes to see one side of the wrinkled sleeve of the volunteer’s t-shirt I held out of fear. She smiled and said it’s ok even I was like you. She said come with me, I will take you inside. 

Few more volunteers joined the conversation and encouraged me to let my fear out and enter the fencing full of 80 stray dogs. 

Everyone ensured their presence with me to enter.

I cleaned my hands and entered the fencing with a few volunteers around me. I screamed at the top of my voice. Louder than barks I guess. I saw a few dogs running towards us, but the volunteers’ shield didn’t let them come near me. I was screaming. I was holding their hand tight. The volunteers made sure I was fine. I was the only one behaving like that but none of them laughed at me. Everyone encouraged me. Suren was happy to see me inside the fencing. I greeted him with a smile.

He said, See I told you, we are there. 

I started feeling better. I had a victory smile. I loved the environment around me. I saw people caressing the dogs. Few were speaking to them. Few were hugging them.  

I realized the power of just taking one step ahead.

I spoke to a few volunteers. Bunch of selfless people full of warmth, love, empathy and unity.

I realized, Volunteering is not only for the beneficiaries, It’s all about the joy we experience during and after the event. I experienced the highest state of satisfaction. 

Volunteering is a joy! 

Though I don’t own a pet, now I have overcome my fear to some extent. Few more visits and I am there! 

In life, we often hesitate to take a first step that is pulled back by our comfort zone. That can be anything. Public speaking, singing loud, driving , sharing your opinion, getting back to old friend, breaking the ego or anything that holds you back!

Just take a step towards it. Every small progress is milestone!

Lets start a journey of battle within ourselves.