Plethora of Everything

    Revised 1/3/18     Chachi arrived at Animal Services with her mother in late October, 2013.     I didn't, and still don't know, if I can do these 2 dogs justice with words alone.     But I'll try... simply by telling their story. A Bonded Pair     Have you ever seen 2 dogs so bonded... so bonded they sleep together, curled up, one using the other as a pillow, they eat together, with one always just a step behind the other, ready to play, to gently jump on its buddy, to mouth, roll around and have a lot of good ol' doggy fun?     This is how Chachi and Chichi were, extremely bonded .     Chachi, the daughter, was always gently bouncing on her mom to provoke play, and her mom delighted in the love and attention of her daughter!     I'll never forget the first time I saw them- they were sleeping together in a kennel about half way down the long row of full large-dog-runs, Chachi using her mom...

Updated 01-04-18        If you're not involved in pet rescue you may not understand the title of this blog.     So read it, so you can understand.     Over the years I've heard about friends of rescue friends buying a dog from a breeder oppose to adopting . Over the years I've heard about this action breaking up friendships or driving a wedge between people.     I've also experienced this on a personal level and it has converted once-lovely-friendships into an abyss of separation a time or two.     A few years ago while working at Animal Services I had a girlfriend that wanted a dog, a puppy.     On various occasions I showed her pictures of adoptable pets, I spoke to her about how rewarding adoption was , how she had the power to save a life and asked her regularly, "When are you going to adopt?!" Adoptable dog, municipal shelter     The next thing I know she's posting pictures on facebo...

Brownie, You were just a baby, not even 6 months old. You had gorgeous hazel eyes with a great chocolate-colored coat and nice caramel-colored markings. You never really barked much, even though you were in a teeny tiny, bottom cage,shadowed there, likely bored and stir crazy out of your little mind! You were always just grateful for anyone that would pay attention to you; even better, get you out to play. On Saturday it seemed your puppy dog prayers had been answered: a nice, vivacious man with 3 friendly kids chose you . They got you out, played with you, loved you and placed an adoption hold. You had surgery (neuter) and your new family was scheduled to pick you up the day after your nice meet and greet, Sunday. 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.... still no family... where were they?! Then Monday rolled around. That's when I saw you still at the shelter and I was perplexed; your family had seemed so nice, so sincere, surely they didn't bail on you... but they did. M...

Hilary,    You were my 'happy ending story,' a superb example of the dog that beats the odds.    There are unexpected, delightful twists of fate in the shelter world, these cherished times when pets you don't think will make it out alive do.    You were one of those pets Hilary, one of those dogs I didn't want to interact with too much  for fear of getting too emotionally involved only to be heartbroken upon your demise.    But all it took to turn that self preservation mechanism around was someone, anyone, to show a hint of interest in you.    That's all it ever takes, that shimmer of hope to make the possibility of rescue come to life (naturally I fall in love with dogs every day that no one is considering as well but one must keep that in check).    When I met your daddy strolling through the big dog runs and he stopped at you Hilary, my heart practically stopped too. It was one of those 'don't hold your breath t...

I wrote this for MDAS volunteers nearly one year ago. When I initially wrote and shared a couple of staffers from other shelters asked if they could share, or use portions of it, for their volunteers. I said, of course, and figured I should blog it in case helpful to anyone else: Adoption Counseling 101: Many people who come to Animal Services to adopt are coming here for the 1 st time. They don’t know where to begin or how the process works. To make matters trickier Animal Services often has new volunteers who can’t remember how everything works or how to assist adopters (there’s a lot to remember!) For these reasons I’ve created Adoption Counseling 101 . Between now and the next time you come to MDAS to volunteer please read this document thoroughly ( you can even bring it with you if you like). Adopter Enters the Adoption/Kennel Area: As soon as you see someone new walk through the double doors to adoptions or walking around looking lost or confused, greet them....

My last blog, and the feelings that provoked me to write it, beg the question: "So, why are you still doing it Jessica?" A while back I supported the line of work I'm in by saying (or writing): "Saving lives every day does have a way of giving life meaning." And it's true. Every single day I go to work there's a chance I get to save a life... an innocent, sweet life. Take today for example: A buff, tattoo-caressed man in his mid 30's was in the adoption area. I happened to be at the computer on the floor (shelter jargon for adoption floor) when he approached, inquiring about a dog named Hilary. Hilary... that name rang a bell, I remembered very clearly seeing the name Hilary badly butchered on a kennel card, it shamefully spelled Hiliary rather than Hilary. And, I was sure I knew this dog, though I couldn't call up her face in memory right off. As soon as I typed in her 7 digit ID number I eagerly pressed F4 to bring up her picture- Hilary! ...

    I am not happy with the person I've become at work.     Don't get me wrong, the depth of my affection and love for the shelter pets has not waned and it never will.     The extent of my concern for the animals has molded me into no more than a slave to the mercy they are or are not granted.     And the degree to which my impatience, anger, frustration and, at times, complete disgust has swelled is now at a boiling point. The impatience, anger, frustration and disgust are in regards primarily to working with the public, 'my' public.    -Every place's public is different.     An example: two dogs, Gigi and Daisy were surrendered together sometime last week.  These girls are spayed, docile, slightly shy, highly empathetic and in tune with their environment. They're trained dogs, the type that would never have an accident in the house. They walk well on a lead. Gigi and Daisy had 'keep together' writte...