Break your heart with sweetness

Have you seen the ASPCA commercial with the pictures of abused and neglected animals being displayed while Sara McLachlan's song plays in the background? Yeah, it makes you almost cry every time you see it, doesn't it?

Well, J-man saw it about 2 or 3 months ago, and every time he sees it again he freezes, watches intently, repeating "Oh, poor puppy. Poor kitties!" and asks if we can help them.

His compassion for them is enough to melt me. I don't know if he understands that these are animals that we'll never see, hold, or physically care for ourselves. And I doubt if he'll find it rewarding just to send money to the organization and 'trust' that it's doing the right thing. I mean, that's a pretty big stretch for a 4-year-old mind, isn't it?

He saw the commercial again today, and once again asked if we could help them. He even told me that we could skip going to the "Spongebob Hotel" for his birthday if we could just do this instead.

How can I say no to that?

I think that I'll take him shopping instead, let him pick out lots of food and supplies, and drive it out to the local shelter instead.

My son amazes me and makes me proud every day.