La Jolla neighbors show kindness matters

Small acts of kindness matter. Just ask Sharon McGoldrick.

A Bird Rock resident with a heart for animals, Sharon called me to ask for help finding a new family for a cat living in an overgrown bush.

Sharon had offered the cat, who she called Bailey, food and water each morning. But as the days wore on, she became concerned. This sweet older cat, who ran out of the bush to greet her each morning, was growing thinner. When she stroked his fur, tufts of his tortoiseshell coat clung to her hand.

Moved by the compassion in Sharon’s voice, I agreed to help.

Within moments of sending a message and photo of Bailey to my La Jolla friends, my phone buzzed with a text chain of human compassion that touched my heart:

• “Oh, he’s beautiful!” Dorothy Herman exclaimed. “Prayers for Bailey.”
• “I’ll ask my son’s girlfriend,” offered Barbara Dadswell. “They already have two cats, but all of her friends are cat lovers.”
• “I’ll check around,” Robin De Jourday volunteered. “Our hearts feel him.”
• “I’ll spread the word,” Bird Rock Animal Hospital’s Emily Ingram promised. “I’m happy to put up a little flyer in our window, too!”

Compassion is the cornerstone of community. When we step outside our busy lives to offer one another encouragement and support, we create moments to celebrate.

Bailey no longer is living alone and frightened in that overgrown bush — thanks to a circle of compassionate La Jollans, Bailey is home.

If you have space in your home and heart to foster an unsheltered cat, the San Diego Humane Society and Helen Woodward Animal Center would love to hear from you. They provide the supplies and support — you provide the loving home!