There aren’t too many things that make my heart happy.

And no, I’m really not that hard of a person to please. Too much sadness in the world, I suppose.

However, something that I absolutely love to do, whenever the opportunity arises, is to write an article about the Jefferson County Humane Society. Especially the stories that revolve around donations.

As was the case this week.

I love the fact that some people in this area still possess such compassion toward animals that they want to contribute some of their hard-earned money just to help keep this nonprofit agency operating.

Yes, it absolutely makes my heart happy. Anytime an animal shelter receives some form of assistance, it is a good day. Just ask one of its volunteers. I truly wish I were in a position where I could give.

But when I do find myself having a few “extra” dollars lying around, I give it to an animal shelter or I purchase a few things on their list of needs and have them mailed. It isn’t very often, but it does make me feel a litle better about the world.

I remember years ago I announced that I didn’t want anyone to buy me anything for my birthday. Not even a card.

Instead, I asked them to buy a bag of catfood or dogfood and take it to the shelter. Because I know how hard they try.

I know the wonderful job that these volunteers are doing every single day for these animals. And it isn’t a 9 to 5 job.

It isn’t a Monday through Friday job. It isn’t even a job that pays any money. But the reward is far greater than a paycheck. And the hours go quickly when you are doing something you love to do.

Volunteers are truly special people. They are the ones who are taking care of all of the world’s unwanted animals.

The ones that nobody else seems to care about. That, of course, breaks my heart all over again. But despite how many donations are being made to the humane society, we still have to look at another side of it. Because the fact remains that it honestly doesn’t matter how much money you are able to give to any animal shelter out there. Someone could donate $10 million if they had it.

But unless you choose to do more, unless you go one step further than simply writing a check, at the end of the day … those animals are still going to be there. Those same animals will still be there tomorrow. And the following day. And the day after that.

What we fail to remember is that money doesn’t always solve all of life’s problems. Somebody has to open more than their wallet. They have to open their heart. More importantly, they have to open their home to these animals.

Please don’t misunderstand.

Donations are absolutely necessary in order for shelters to operate. It takes a lot to provide for the hundreds of dogs and cats living at the shelter. It takes a lot to provide for the hundreds of dogs and cats who are living in foster homes waiting to be adopted. They require food. They require proper medical care.

They require purchasing laundry care items to wash all of the blankets being used. The little things add up. And there are lots of little things, too.

Yes, donations are imperative. And I would ask that you please, if in a position where you can donate, that you do so. It is an extremely worthwhile cause. Although I’m sure you already knew that. You certainly don’t need me to remind you week after week about animals needing a home. But I have a tendency to do just that.

I guess I believe this is one of the platforms I was given to talk about how many dogs out there, how many cats, need a good home.

Perhaps one day, my little part of the paper will reach someone’s heart and they will stop by and rescue a dog that has been there for years.

He wants to go home.

No, money will not buy these dogs or these cats their true happiness.

But it will help the shelter care for them.

New animals are constantly coming in, adding to the shelter’s total.

I am thrilled that we have a shelter in place that will take these animals in — no questions asked.

However, these furry, living beings weren’t meant to live their entire lives in a shelter.

They aren’t supposed to be enclosed in a small space and confined to the same bed and the same food for their entire existence.

Shelters are meant to be a temporary lodging space until the animal can move on and have a home of its own.

Hopefully a life that will include a yard where they can play and a roof under which lies someone who will unconditionally love them.

For that is what they truly want.

It’s what every animal needs and what every animal deserves to be given. And yet, there are still hundreds of animals at the shelter.

There are hundreds of animals in foster homes still waiting to be adopted, as there is not enough room at the shelter to house them all under one roof.

God bless these families for fostering these animals and for loving them as they would their own pet until someone will step in and say, “I want to adopt this dog.” Or “I want this cat for my own.”

“I want this animal as part of my family.” It is crucial we realize giving money is not always the answer.

Yes, the money is nice. And needed.

But it can never be a substitute for what homeless dogs and homeless cats need more … love.

Please love them.

(Stenger is the community editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times newspapers. She can be contacted at jstenger@heraldstaronline.)