People tell me all the time, "I could never do what you do" and I always have the same answer, "I love what I do". Anyone who has ever picked a stray up off the streets, and taken it to safety, or held a puppy in your arms that was cold, wet, and hungry, or showed affection to a dog that has obviously never had that before knows exactly why I love my job. I get to take the unwanted, unloved, throw aways, and give them shelter, food, and sometimes their first experience of love and affection. I never look at the dogs that go to the kennels, no matter how horrible they have had it, and think poor boy. I always think of it as a time to celebrate, because no matter what their past has been, their new life has just begun. I work with a network of no kill shelters that help me get these dogs into their forever home. There are transports that go all over the United States. When the dogs leave my kennel, I know they will be getting all the love and attention I give them, on a daily basis, forever. How could I not love what I do!
I had someone ask me to quit doing animal control, and come work for them in a shelter. I explained, once the dogs are at a shelter, they will be fine. I worry about the ones that have not made it to the shelters. These are the ones I feel so compelled to try to save. If you ever decide to adopt a dog, PLEASE check the shelters first. There are so many absolutely wonderful dogs in our shelters just waiting for someone to say, “We’re going home buddy, we’re going home” and when you save a shelter dog, they know. If you have ever saved one from a shelter, you know what I am talking about. There is a sense of gratitude and an urgency to please that I have seen in shelter dogs that is unique to them. Before adopting visit a shelter, one day, your best friend may thank you.
I was sent this poem. This says it all
Once I was a Lonely Dog
Once I was a lonely dog, just looking for a home.
I had no place to go, no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain in heat and snow.
I ate what ever I could find; I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.
Yet no one stopped to give a pat, or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance; I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you" was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear”
"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat
And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet.”
I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur
She told me 'bout the rescue group, and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, a line that never ends.
And in the center there is you protected by new friends.”
"And all around you are, the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home, after you've been found.”
"And all the other folk are searching near and far
To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star.”
She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see.”
"And then they'll join our circle, they'll help to make it grow,
So there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think, it wasn't meant to be,
There were people standing there, just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heart beat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be
"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet.”
Dedicated to those that make a difference in the lives of animals, everyday
~ Caroline