I get the questions all the time.
“Isn’t working with shelter animals too sad?” “Don’t you want to take them all home?” “How can you do it?”
The answers I give people are usually long and involved. So here’s the short version:
1) Yes, working with shelter animals can be very, very sad.
2) While taking all of them home — or even one of them — isn’t an option for me right now because of my reactive dog, there are times I wish I could open up every cage and let them all run free, and experience at least for one moment the pure joy of being a dog or cat.
3) I do it because if I don’t, who will? We don’t fix the problem or make anyone’s life better by avoiding it.
I’ve talked a lot of people off the ledge through the years. Wonderful people who had finally reached their limit and one day, found it all just too damn hard. Too much pain, sorrow and loss.
And I’ve told them the same thing I’ve often told myself: Focus on the successes. Think about the dog who never would have been adopted if not for the TLC you gave him, helping him stay sane during his weeks and months in the shelter. Think of the cat you nursed back to health who never would’ve made it if not for your patient care.
Yes, there have been failures. Gut-wrenchingly sad stories of beautiful lives that couldn’t be saved in spite of our best efforts.
But you won’t be able to help anyone if you let the failures take root in your mind. So push them back and focus on the lives you’ve changed:
1) The little poodle who was too frightened to even eat, much less budge from his corner of the cage … until someone invested the time in him and gained his trust.
2) The mastiff who was shutting down, spending all day and night sleeping … until someone began sitting outside his cage, slowly making friends with him, and soon could take him for walks that he joyfully looked forward to.
3) The pit bull who seemed so out of control that he couldn’t be walked … until someone realized he was afraid of having a collar or leash slipped over his head and slowly began working on desensitizing him to these things.
The list goes on and on and on and on …
There have been so many wonderful companion animals who never would have made it if someone hadn’t decided to focus on what they could do — rather than on what they couldn’t, wouldn’t or didn’t want to do.
Please don’t stay away because it’s too sad or too hard.
Please don’t stay away because you don’t have the time.
The truth is, it takes such a small amount of time to make an impact on the life of a homeless animal. And your time and commitment will be repaid to you a thousand-fold. Guaranteed.
Shelters need you, and DogsHome needs you. Because for one dog, you can make all the difference. This isn’t some slick line. It’s the truth; I’ve seen it a hundred times over.
Take a minute and fill out our volunteer application form today. Or fill out an application to foster a homeless dog. We’ll talk to you about finding a dog that would be the perfect match, fitting in with your family and lifestyle.
No pressure. Just think about it.
DogsHome: Providing shelter, training and love