My heart broke yesterday when I came across a post about a beautiful 8-month-old pit bull puppy named Flower who was at a rural shelter in Georgia. We don’t know many details about this little girl, she may have lived on the streets and had never known love from a single human being. She may have never felt the warmth of her own bed, and she may have never known the security or the joy of having her own family. The one thing we do know is this, her unconditional love went to waste far to soon. She sat and waited in the shelter, but nobody came for her. She was scared and alone. Nobody adopted or fostered her, and she was walked to the back room yesterday afternoon and euthanized.

As I look at her photo again her eyes say it all to me. ‘Please help me, I am scared.’ But sadly help did not come her way, nor did it come to thousands of other animals that were euthanized yesterday.

I cried many tears for this beautiful puppy last night, and I have gone over in my mind how I could have changed her fate. I was completely powerless in this situation, I learn about her far too late, and I cannot change the past. But I will continue to fight every day for animals just like Flower, and I know I can help to make an impact in the future.

Rest in peace sweet girl, you never had a chance at life, but we will continue to do everything we can for your friends, who also sit and wait for a home.

I am asking everyone that reads this post to do ONE thing this month to help an animal in need. It doesn’t have to be a huge commitment, there are so many small, affordable and practical things that can be done, and can make a big impact. Below is a list of suggestions of how you can help. Please take one more look at Flower’s picture, and please do something to honor her memory.

* Buy supplies such as dog or cat food and take to your local shelter. Many shelters and rescue groups publish on their website items they need for the animals.

* Collect old towels and blankets from friends, family or co-workers to give them to a shelter so the animals have some comfort in the kennels.

* Volunteer. Most shelters and rescue groups have positions ranging from exercising dogs, through to socializing kittens or helping to manage their Facebook page.

* Foster. Foster programs can save so many lives as you will free up space at the shelter for another animal in need. The experience is a great introduction to owning an animal; please speak to your local shelter or rescue group about their program.

* Adopt. There are so many animals in need of a home, and the selection ranges from puppies that need a lot of commitment, through to low maintenance senior cats. Check out the animals available at your local shelter and consider opening up your home to a new friend.

* Donate. Non-profit organizations rely on the support of donations to fund their work in the community. Fundraising is always the biggest challenge to any non-profit group, so if you can help financially, please do.

* Sponsor an animal. This financial donation normally covers the vetting or the spay/neuter surgery of a specific animal. It is a great way for people who like to know exactly where their money is being spent.

* Organize a fundraiser. This is a wonderful way to involve children and teach them the important of giving back to the community. Bake sales, car washes, lemonade stands, these are all easy ways to help!

If you are looking to adopt or you would like to find a shelter or rescue group close to your home please visit www.shelterexchange.org for more resources.