I’ve always loved animals, and especially dogs. I never had a dog growing up because of allergies. Luckily, I grew out of them and couldn’t wait to adopt a dog as an adult. We adopted our first greyhound back in 2000 and eventually had a pack of 3 rescue greyhounds for most of that decade. We haven’t gone more than 3 months without a dog in our home since then.
Right now, my husband and I share our house with 4 senior rescue pups. Dexter is my 15 year old Chihuahua, Shadow is my 9 yr old mutt (chi/poodle/pom/etc according to DNA), Clank is my 10 yr old mutt (chi/dachshund/poodle/etc according to DNA), and Chica is my 14 yr old small Chihuahua.
I love volunteering because it gives me a chance to work in my many passions. I volunteer with senior dogs at HWAH, I get my big-dog fix by walking dogs on Saturdays at the Montgomery County Shelter (MCASAC), I get my vacation animal fix by vacation volunteering at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah, I get my human connection at Montgomery Hospice by giving massages to patients and sharing my therapy dog, Clank, with patients and families each Sunday and Monday. I spread out my time, I do what I truly love, and I set boundaries. That is how I never burn out!
Volunteering with adoptable dogs can be a bit dangerous for someone like me. Clank became an “accidental adoption” when my husband and I vacation volunteered at Best Friends, and Chica became another “oops” adoption when I fell for her while walking dogs at the county shelter. I try to control myself, but sometimes it’s really hard.
I am so thrilled to be a HWAH volunteer. Seniors and special-needs animals have a soft spot in my heart. HWAH truly is “my” sanctuary- I can go feeling stressed or tired and instantly feel calm and happy when I walk through the gate! It’s truly dog heaven on earth!
