Calendar fundraiser showcases pet-rescue stories

Two eighth-graders have collaborated a second time to create a desktop calendar to raise money for charity. This year, the pair was inspired by second chances.

“Second Chances: Inspirational Pet Rescue Stories,” features stories and photographs by Faith Blackaby, 14, and Jillian Wynne, 13, both students at Stillwater Christian School. Proceeds from calendar sales will benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Montana.

Last year’s calendar featured area veterans. Blackaby and Wynne raised $1,577 from calendar sales to donate to the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry.

Meeting the animals and getting an idea of their personalities was fun for Blackaby and Wynne to capture. Both saw that second chances — giving or receiving — human or animal — often takes a leap of faith, love, patience, dedication and understanding.

“I believe that people can learn, not only from the animals, but from the owners as well,” said Blackaby, who assisted in interviews and taking photographs for the calendar. “The animals, enduring through so much suffering, and the owners, helping them through it — giving them a second chance when there was none.”

Wynne, who wrote the stories for the calendar, said one of the dogs that she enjoyed meeting was Scrappy.

“He greeted me the day that I went to his owner’s workplace, and there’s just something adorable and funny about him. He’s missing one eye, which immediately makes you wonder what he’s been through, and he’s just this perky little dog you want to spend time with,” Wynne said.

There were also stories that left lasting impressions. For Wynne, this was Moon’s story. Moon’s story describes him as a shy dog rescued from an animal-hoarding situation where some of the animals were nearly feral. Moon didn’t have experience being around people and “had never been touched by a human being,” which made socialization challenging.

“He was so incredibly close to being euthanized, and it still sort of boggles my mind that the Meissenburgs were willing to give him a chance. He obviously has been through so much, but they were determined not to give up on him,” Wynne said.

Blackaby and Wynne said there is much to learn from rescue pets and their owners.

“We can learn gratitude and hope from their pets. We can also learn the importance of having to rely on others. Most of all, we can learn that if we’re willing to go out of our way to help another living being, it will impact us for the better,” Wynne said.

And there is much to gain from second chances.

“The main thing I learned was to always, no matter the circumstance, give second chances,” Blackaby said. “I learned many things about love and just how far someone is willing to go to show grace.”

Calendars cost $10 and are available for purchase at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 100 Adopt A Pet Way, U.S. 93 N., Kalispell, and Electric Avenue Gifts, 490 Electric Ave., Bigfork.

Calendars may also be ordered and shipped or picked up by emailing Wynne at jillianwynne7@gmail.com, or calling 406-471-1177. There is an additional $3 charge for shipping. Checks may be made payable to Jillian Wynne, 304 Rocky Woods Lane, Bigfork 59911.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.