It has now been two weeks that I've been volunteering my dog walking services at the local shelter. Our city has two shelter systems- one public, which is government funded and accepts strays, wildlife, and other lost animals, and the second one, which is the Humane Society, which is wholly funded through private and corporate donations and currently takes its dogs and cats (not to mention rabbits, ferrets, and hamsters) from owner surrenders or from other city shelters it associates with.
Most of the dogs I have been walking have once belonged to someone, and you can see how much some are confused by their new surroundings. They are also quite sweet, wanting to please, and incredibly eager to get out the door and into the fresh air and sunshine. I can't say that I blame them, once you realize how small their kennel area must seem to them if they were previously in a family home. That said, because there are no longer overcrowding problems, the dogs are lucky to have the use of a "double run", and unlike a lot of other city shelters, they are not in cages but on real floors with enough room to turn themselves around and do a bit of pacing without hitting walls.
I love the morning volunteer shift- you get there for 7am, and the team (there are about 6 of us first thing) systematically goes through one section of kennel runs at a time so the staff can clean the cages; one by one, these dogs get their first taste of the outside world for the day, and those without medical problems even enjoy a little enclosed dog park area where they can play with toys, sniff some greenery, and run around without the constraint of a leash. After 15 minutes, we all go in and take the next run section, until two hours later, when the entire group has been taken care of.
The vibe is pretty relaxed, likely because we are all still a bit tired from the early start and not yet fully hyped up for the day, and the dogs are so grateful for the first face to offer them a bit of freedom, that it really is an easy kind of volunteering. Sure, some of the pooches are munching on the leash, trying to slip past me as I lock them back up, tugging away while I try to maintain some order on the perimeter walks, but the overall sense that I have from doing this is quite peaceful and joyful. The staff is happy we're there, the animals are delighted to see us, and the response from doing the work is immediate and so pure in its essence. The dogs respond to their names like you're an angel calling to them, but they know well enough that the day is filled with all sorts of different angels, and they don't get attached in the same way as my dog does. They're happy, but they know there are many people helping them through the day, and so there is a bit of reserve that works well for everyone involved. Perhaps they save their pleading puppy eyes for the adoption hours, but I am quite content to savour the gentle contact with them without the separation anxiety, In that sense, doing this work is turning out to be easier than I thought: you take care of them for 15 minutes, and then move on to the next one, until they've all had a turn, and the rewards are immediate and concrete for everyone involved. I am learning to just be, and to appreciate each dog for the qualities he or she demonstrates: they are all different, with particular stories and histories, and yet they all have something sweet or special that you know will really shine once they get out and find a permanent home. Realising that they are in transition, and that you just need to take care of that "now" for them is what makes it fulfilling, and so simple. Now all I need to do is stop worrying about missing the alarm and actually sleeping soundly the night before, and all will be good.
5 comments:
"Most of the dogs I have been walking have once belonged to someone, and you can see how much some are confused by their new surroundings. " This is the sad part, they must wonder in their heads, "what did I do wrong?".
Oh I bet, even though it is a rotation of volunteers, the dogs know, "ooh, here comes my walk!"
Double runs that is terrific, 1. for the dogs having more room, 2. there is not overcrowding of dogs there!
What a joy to give the dogs some attention they so desire, and even though they can be a bit unruly on their walks...some freedom outside of the kennel. :).
What is the walking like there? a trail? fields?
So terrific Anne Marie you doing this. Really is. x
Hi Grace,
the building has a perimeter walk around its grouping of small dog parks. There are four dog parks the size of a city backyard, with toys and small wooden structures for the dogs to climb on, all constructed together. You can only take one dog into the parks at a time, or for dogs with kennel cough or other medical issues, you walk around the parks on a little trail. Not terribly interesting, but they all get 15 minutes at least 5 times a day.
Lovely post, Anne Marie. I feel so sad for them that they have lost homes they once had, but happy that there are dear people like you to give them some release and allow them to be normal dogs for a short period every day. Well done you! It must be rewarding. I wonder how long it'll be before you want to take one home, though ) xx V
Hey good thing to do, are you friends with Lisa Tenzin-Dolma on FB? She is a dog psychologist and does incredible work with helping dogs and owners (although you don't need this) she has some fascinating info about dogs!
well, that sounds good anne Marie. Sounds like it is well structured.
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