Mural at Metropawlitan Doggy Day Care

One Mahatma Gandhi quote that I have come to agree with is: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” When driving past the northeastern corner of the intersection of F Street at 13th in the East Village of downtown San Diego, look for the mural I painted of the animals we've come to know as man's best friends.

Those pets' portraits were painted in better economic times.  But these days, pets are being abandoned in record numbers due to the increase in foreclosures. Our animal shelters, rescue groups, and care facilities are on the receiving end, but they can barely keep up as the rising number of "foreclosure animals" places a great deal of stress on already paper-thin budgets. Yet, we can help by encouraging potential pet owners to consider adopting from one of San Diego County's pet adoption shelters, which makes me think along the lines of another great quote: we need to be the change we want to see in the world.  A list of major shelters and pet adoption facilities is available here.