A Remembrance by Doris Spence

Co-Founder of PAWS

It all started with "Maude", my very first cat I found on Rezayat Village in 1985. By adopting Maude, I do believe she passed the word around that food could be found, and a "cool" place to stay at the Spence residence, as then along came Tom, Amber, Domino, Simba and Tornado,{yes, the name says it, he was rescued out of the nose of a tornado during the first Gulf War}, plus a lot more passing through!

Then 1991 came along, and a like-minded group of people, who saw the plight of the needy cats around Al-Khobar, got together and PAWS was born. None of us had any real experience in the care of animals, but we learnt as we went along.

It was hard, stressful and frustrating at times, but we kept going for one reason only, and that was to help any animal in need. When the going was tough I would tell myself, we must keep on, for we must be their voice, and speak out for them every step of the way.

My time involved with PAWS in Saudi Arabia were some of the most amazing years of my life. The animals we were able to help on to a better life were always the main goal, but the people I met on the journey were amazing too, and I still miss them, and think of them a great deal. PAWS would never have survived until this day without every single person, who, even in a small way was able to help.

The experiences were many. Into the desert late at night to rescue a puppy, crawling into a motor pool at Dammam port {at prayer time] to collect two tiny puppies. Taking cats and dogs from the "ZOO", and even rescuing a swan! {a long story}, and Toe my blind cat, so many memories.

There were tears and laughter along the way, and I am so proud of everyone still out there working hard to help those special animals in need. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As I close I am looking at my Rocky asleep in his bed, or is it my bed? He is the last of my three cats I brought home to England, and I dread the day when he will no longer be with us. My last little bit of PAWS.

With all my Best Wishes for 2011.

Doris Spence