SELFLESS. KIND. COMPASSIONATE.
Only a few of the ways one could describe the Muddy Pooches team.
A group of ladies with heart’s of gold.
Every Saturday, like clockwork the children line up – containers in hand to receive their share of food for their fur-babies and often a little something for themselves.
As the COVID-19 pandemic hit South Africa in March 2020, the country came to a standstill as lockdown regulations took affect. The ladies of Muddy Pooches, sprung into action and came to the assistance of 11 different soup kitchens – each feeding a minimum of 300 people, some closer to 600.
I was lucky enough to spend some time with these amazing ladies while they did their rounds. It was incredible to see how the children’s faces lit up as we came around the corner, and to watch the dogs from each area come to greet us, as if we were long lost friends.
I can distinctly remember one little girl, she couldn’t have been more than 3 years old, making her way over to us, all on her own to collect food for her pup as well as a soup mix for her family. Without hesitation she hands over her container and takes her soup mix – soon she was on her way, back down the road, food in hand.
“You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them. You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around. You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk. So don’t wait to be kind. Don’t wait for someone else to be kind first. Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change. Just be kind, because you never know how much someone needs it.” – Nikki Banas
