Volunteering

I started volunteering at the Sonoma County Humane Society a few weeks ago. I love it. This shelter is state of the art. The animals are kept in "habitats" a nice indoor room about 6x6. Each room has a window so people can see in and animals can see out. Most dogs have there own room, a few share rooms. Everyone has a bed, blanket, and toys. There are 6 or so cats to a room. The rooms play quite music. The dogs really can't see each other so the shelter is quite. Not a lot of barking. The shelter is completely funded through donations and revenue from the facility. They receive no government funding and it is completely non-profit.

At first I thought it would be hard to be around all the animals with no home. But the facility is so nice, some of these dogs probably have a better life than some dogs with homes. I am volunteering to interact with the dogs, of course. I get to play with the dogs, take them for walks, and play in the yard. Some dogs are so excited to be outdoors, others just want to be petted. No matter what, it is a great feeling to help these little animals. Plus I feel like I make instant friends. Usually as I am driving to the shelter, I think about which dogs are my favorite and who I want to play with first. Then when I get there, I find my favorite was adopted. Which, of course, is the best news, but it is hard not to feel a little sad that I won't get to see that friend again. But it feels even better to know that dog has found a new home.

In the picture is Niko. He is a very scared little guy. Right now, he does not get to go for walks. So we just play in his habitat. At first he is scared, but after a few minutes he just walks up and sits in my lap. He loves treats, so we play treat games. His tail is usually between his legs, but the other day when I gave him a treat, the tail came out of a quick second and he was even wagging it! Its the best to know that I am helping this dog not be so scared. I'd bring him home, but he really needs to be the sole dog in the home. Any takers?