"Happy tails!"

I have had a couple of pretty gloomy/depressing days so I thought I would write about something I really love and something I love to talk about.

If you know me well enough, you would know that I love dogs. But, not just any dogs (although I love dogs in general), rescue dogs and shelter dogs. LOVE them.

I haven't always loved dogs. In fact, there was a time in my life, a very long time, that I didn't like dogs and thought they were gross. It wasn't until college that my love of dogs began to blossom.

I worked for an animal hospital while in college. All too often, there would be a humane society dog or cat that would come through who needed medical care and sometimes who needed immediate medical care. Every Wednesday our clinic would do a couple of free spay/neuters for the Humane Society. I loved checking these animals into the hospital but I also didn't like it. I desperately wanted to find out if they had a home to go to when they finally got fixed, but all too often, I was told by the nice volunteer, "no, this one doesn't have a home. he/she's so sweet. he/she's been there for a year; two years." My heart would sink every time I heard that. Every humane society dog that came in I would spend a little time with. Scratch them behind the ears, rub their belly, and sneak them an extra treat. I'd tell them that while I know they don't have a home that I will pray for them to find a home and that I love them.

My first birthday that I had, as a married lady, I asked for no presents. I wanted to go buy things for these homeless dogs. I had never been to the shelter or looked at the dogs living in cages. So I was really anxious and fearful of how I would feel when I went to donate these items. I really wanted to go but then again, I didn't want too. I just decided to put my big girl undies on and do it. And off we went.

Words cant describe all of the emotions I had when I was dropping it off. It was great because these dogs were safe, fed, and out of bad weather. It was bad because ALL these dogs loved people and they were stuck in cages. It was as if they were all saying to me, "if you just take me outside, i'll show you how good I am. Then maybe you'll get me out of here."

I walked out of the humane society sobbing like a little baby. I had never experienced anything like that before. It was completely heart breaking to me and totally depressing in every sense of the word. I kept thinking of the looks on their precious faces, their tails wagging, and their barks. I kept thinking that I hurt their feelings when I walked past their cage and didn't let them out to play. I decided that I had to go back. I could help these dogs. I could at least go spend a few hours each week with him...maybe make some difference in their life.

And we went back, and back some more. I was completely hooked and almost addicted to helping these dogs. We started off walking one dog at a time. Then we put two dogs in a play pen together. Then we were a part of a training. We spend every weekend out there and developed some really great friends, all of whom I love dearly.

It is mind boggling to me that someone would choose to buy a dog rather than adopt a dog. (But, I'll save this for another posting.) I just would encourage you to volunteer. Put your big girl or boy undies on and GO. These dogs need people to help them. Donate your money. A lot of shelters run on donations only and receive no state or gov funding. Donate food or treats. Donate toys. Donate your newspaper. Most of all, Donate your time and take a dog for a walk...scratch a dog's belly and tell him/her that he is loved in this world.

I shudder at the thought that there are dogs being euthanized who think that they are alone in this world and that no one loves them.

If you are considering getting a dog, I urge you to look at your local shelters, look on petfinder.com or ask me! I love to help people find the perfect rescue dog. I love happy endings...or rather, "happy tails!"

Below are 3 pictures that I love. My 3 rescue dogs and my little boy.