Visiting the Shelter: For Once It's Not All About Me

Recently, I bopped over to the Humane Society of Warren County, thinking in all my grandiosity that I could do something for THEM. That they would be ever so lucky to have me, wonderful me, volunteering for them and wouldn’t that just enhance their lives? Well, in the approximately 45 minutes I was there, I was humbled by what I saw -- and I was the one whose life was enhanced.


I happened to go in while a new owner was finishing the process of adopting a dog. In the time the shelter had had the dog, the staff had obviously generously slathered affection on said dog like melted butter on warm bread.

As I waited and watched, the staff babbled to the dog in sweet baby talk. They held her big head in their hands and kissed her nose. They wrapped their arms around her in big hugs. They proudly showed off how well she could sit on command. And they smiled with indulgent love as she pranced like the big puppy she was.

And then, having worked to forge a close connection with this dog, they gracefully and graciously handed her over to her new owner. They were cheerful. They didn’t give into any temptation to cling to the dog, which would be upsetting for her. They did the right thing – they handed the owner the new leash, and then they walked away to care for other animals who were still awaiting homes

As I write this, I want to cry. That’s because I cry a lot anyway, but that aside, there was such grace in the staff’s actions. They loved the dog up until the second she had a new owner … and then they let go. This was, partly for their own sanity, I’m sure. It must be difficult to nurture an animal, to care for it every, single day, and then, to just let it go. But more importantly, they did this for the dog. They, in essence, told her it was okay and that she should set her face forward and go with all the happiness in the world to her safe new home.

I saw her look back a few times as her new owner led her away. She seemed doubtful and unsure, and was half turned toward the parking lot and half turned toward the shelter. But then, seemingly vertebrae by vertebrae, her body straightened out and she headed out toward her new forever home.

So it is with great confidence that I urge you to consider donating to the shelter. They are wonderful folks, who need your help. Right now, they’re overrun with puppies and need lots of puppy chow for the little ones. Or perhaps you'll fall in love with a dog or cat who will look back just a few times before firmly throwing their lot in with you to become your new beloved friend.


Visit the Humane Society of Warren County at http://members.petfinder.com/~VA199/MainFS.html and please, don't forget to help.  It will do you, like it did me, a world of good.