I'm not the first person to say this, nor will I be the last: You can learn a lot from a dog.
Last week, I started volunteering at the Dane County Humane Society. I'm what they call a canine companion. In other words, I walk dogs. This seemed like a good idea, having gone down to one dog from three so quickly, and since the one that remains has only three legs.
There is certainly the potential for becoming sad when working with the animals at a shelter. Each one has some paperwork that may give a glimpse of how the dog, cat or other critter came to be there. Cheech, a gentle six-year-old Golden Retriever, was surrendered by an owner who was no longer physically able to care for him. Dolly's family was moving, and she apparently wasn't in their plans. So the older Pit Bull-Terrier mix found herself in a place that so unnerved her that she was placed in a special room that is like a den, complete with a couch and a radio. And who knows where Mr. Whipple came from. The little white Poodle was picked up as a stray on the east side, and required surgery to repair nasty cuts on his little snoot. His predicament doesn't seem to have dampened his spirit. He wags his entire rear end and barks excitedly whenever someone passes his kennel... hoping for another walk, some time in the play yard, or just a belly rub.
Cheech went to his new home today. A family saw him over the weekend, and decided he'd make a great companion for their other rescued Golden. They brought that dog by to be sure Cheech would get along with it, and they were waiting in the play yard when I brought him back from a long walk. I talk to the dogs when I walk them, and I had told Cheech what I tell all of them: Someone will be thrilled to have you as a member of the family. I kind of think Cheech was never worried. He knew. So from him I learned to remain optimistic.
Someone wrote a note that is posted with Dolly's paperwork. It says she'd be a great dog for someone who wants to stop and smell the roses. Dolly likes to stop and smell just about everything, actually. And, on occasion, try to roll in it too. But, indeed, she is a gentle soul who perks up as soon as someone come into her little den. The first time I went in to see her, she brought me a toy. How could someone decide to leave this sweet little dog behind? From Dolly, I am reminded about simple gratitude.
And then there's the Whip. Mr. Whipple isn''t his real name. At least I don't think it is, since he came in as a stray. I kind of doubt he'd have a tag with just his name, but not his owner's information. Little yappy dogs have never appealed to me. But this little guy is a charmer. He just lights up when you come near him, and doubles the wattage when you acknowledge him. Despite his injuries, and the Elizabethan collar he has to wear for the time being, he is always ready to go. Who cares where. Just as long as it's with someone, and it's out of the kennel. So what's to be learned from this guy? Salesmanship. He will find a home because he is determined to win over every single person who he sees. If he were human, he'd be on the lot at Kayser Ford, pitching the latest model and pointing to the one he owns himself.
Until a few weeks ago, I had never been inside an animal shelter. And now, I can't wait to stop by again. Indeed, there is a potential to be bummed out. But there is also that warm feeling that you are making another sentient being's day a little better. If I have any negative feelings, I suppose they are closer to anger than sadness. How can that beautiful and well-behaved Husky be an unclaimed stray? How could someone turn in a cat for being too playful? And the one that really bugged me: How do you respond to the person who, when asked why they are surrendering their cat, simply says, "I don't want him anymore."
As I told Dolly today, someday soon someone will come to take her to their home to be their pet. And until then, I'll come by as often as I can and take her for a walk. After all the love I received from our two late Newfoundlands, Shadow and Savvy, it's the least I can do.
See you tomorrow, Dolly. But if you're gone, that's cool. That means we both win.
cross-posted at Kerfuffle