My Time At The Shelter

The time I spend volunteering at the shelter is very precious and meaningful to me. I know I'm doing something to help these animals out, but they are also helping me out in more ways than they will ever know. This is where I go to forget about a sometimes very cruel and heartless world that is full of people that just don't get it, and just don't care. Even my own parents have no clue and don't understand why I would spend so much of my free time there, doing something where Im not actually getting paid money to do so. They have yet to understand the meaning of the word, "Volunteering". I always wanted to be a veteranarian or a zoo keeper while growing up, but wrong turns and poor decisions on my part, led me down another path. Certain things have happened over the past year that have brought me back to realize that dream and that it is indeed a part of me that is here to stay. I was always around pets while I was younger and growing up, and everyone always came to me for their animal questions. Yes, I'm stuck in a dead in job for now, but hopefully not for long. I'm using this time at the shelter to gain valuable experience and hope to earn morn training in the "animal behavioral" field. I actually feel I have some knowledge already of this, but unfortunately, most places want to see that on paper before they even give you a chance. I do have plans to become licensed in this area over the course of the next year or so, provided finances are available. This is something I have always wanted to do, and may be the main reason I have never been truly happy in any of my previously held jobs. Being around animals is the one place I can honestly say that I truly feel like I belong and can actually be at ease and be myself. No need to impress anyone or dress the part. They know why I'm there, and they know that I truly care. I've always gotten along with any and every animal I've ever been around....sorry to say I can't say that about most people. I really hope you enjoy viewing my blogs.

In about another month, I will finally be eligible to work in the holding area of the shelter, where there are currently only 3 volunteers that are even allowed to assist in this area. This is one of the few parts of the shelter that are "off-limits" to the public for saftely and health reasons. Most of the animals in here are ones that were just recently brought in and stay here for observation for a week or two, and/or just recently had surgery and need time to heal. I'm really looking forward to this time!

Also wanted to give an update on my friend Luke, Yes, he has been adopted and has a new home and I'm sure he will be very happy where he is and I hope he enjoys a long, healthy, and happy life with his new family! I love you, Lukester!

Most of the younger and older dogs are usually kept in rooms like these. They measure about 4 1/2 ft by 4 1/2 ft and they are well ventilated, and there are small drains located in the center of the rooms (not visible in this pic) where they can be scrubbed down with ease and more frequently. The doors to the rooms, are made with two parts, a top and bottom part, as sometimes the top parts of the doors need to be closed to keep larger dogs from jumping out.

Ophie

Here's a cutie. Meet Ophie! Most of these cuties, love posing for the camera, and Ophie is no exception! Like I'm always saying, there are always plenty of cats and kitties at the shelter.

Bella

Freckles

A really cute name, for an awesome dog.

Puppies

There's usually always several pups available for adoption, but they are always the first to go too.

Well it's hard to keep the puppies still long enough to take their picture, but I did manage to keep this one busy for afew seconds with a toy. The pups under 5 months aren't allowed to go out on a leash just yet, so we do have play rooms where we can take them and let them have more room to exercise.

Okay, don't be Camera shy now!

TigerKitty42

Okay, I told my friend I would do this, but can't guarantee I'll leave this pic up! This is what I looked like about an hour after being in 90 degree heat! I was wet, my hair was wet, and couldn't wait to get home to shower in acouple of more hours!

Roxie

And you've got to meet Roxie! Not to mention she happens to belong to a breed of dog that is and has always been one of my absolute Favorites, the Siberian Husky! She is between 1-2 yrs old and weighs about 35-40 pounds!

This is some of the best I could get of Roxie, she seemed to be a bit camera shy!

Roxie

Here's a picture I never like to see, an awesome dog behind bars! I'm so glad to say that Roxie has since then been adopted!

Baby

And what a little cutie I met the other day, This is my little "Baby". I know she looks small, but she is actually 2 yrs old and only weighs about 15 pounds! She is a Rat Terrier, and I'm glad to say that she actually got adopted the very next day after taking this picture! "I'm going to miss ya, Baby!"

And yes, yet another pic of me, but this was before the "blood, sweat, and tears"! I didn't really want my pic taken this day cause I had only had about two hours sleep the night before and really didn't feel too good!

And yet another picture of my bud, Rocky! Can you tell this dog actually likes getting his picture taken?!

Here's a close-up of Rocky! He's one of the few dogs that actually didn't mind getting his pic taken.

Rocky

Now here is a really big sweetheart, Rocky! This is one big dog! He's a Border Collie Mix and close to 2 yrs old, and weighs about 75 pounds! I love walking and socializing with this dog whenever I go and he absolutely loves going for walks and doesn't mind the leash one bit. Well, he actually has been taking me for walks here lately....with a dog this size, you follow and he does the leading!

Sparkie

Sparkie is another friend who's been at the shelter for awhile now. I'm always amazed at how some of the best behaved and sweetest dogs get overlooked at the shelter. Alot of times when people come in to the shelter, they already have a specific breed in mind that they want, or they just want a cute and cuddly, fuzzy puppy. Well some of these guys were cute and cuddly too, they just got bigger, like they all eventually do. Sparkie's a mixed breed, and he is one of the most loving dogs you could ever meet, just about 2 yrs old, but still full of energy and would be great with older kids. I believe he will find a home really soon and I hope they give this guy all the love and attention he deserves.

Jason still remains

Yes, I've shown Jason before on my previous blog, part one, and he is so worth mentioning again. Still at the shelter after acouple of months, but he is one amazing dog. I believe some people are scared away from him because he is so full of energy and it's inside just waiting to come out! This dog is so awesome and when anyone walks by his pen, he jumps up in the air and all four feet come off the ground! He just needs a big yard to run around in and I'm sure he would be so happy. The picture doesn't really do him justice, as he has some amazing color to his fur. It is a deep black, brown and with a kind of orange mixed in and I actually always want to call him Tiger when I see him.

Luke Still Needs A Home

This is one of my best pals, Luke. He's been at the shelter for awhile now, but he will be there until he finds a home. I volunteer at the NHA (Nashville Humane Association) and it is proud to be a NO-KILL Shelter! That simply means these animals are there until they find a home. Which is great news. Alot of them find homes quicker than others, but the remaining ones eventually find a home. Luke is a shephard mix and was born with two different colors of eyes. We call this, bi-eyed. He is one georgeous dog and is just the sweetest to have around. I'm sure he will find a home real soon.