Shelter work---have to share. [View all]

[grntuscarora]

Last June I began volunteering at a nearby animal shelter. It is one of the best experiences I've ever had---the dogs are incredible!

Most of them are brought in as strays, after (probably) being abandoned. But after being out in the fields and woods scrounging for shelter and food, instead of being distrustful, most are ready, willing, and eager to be with people.

Many of our dogs are found running in pairs, and enter the shelter bonded to their partner. At first I thought they were simply reverting to pack behavior in the wild. But so many of the pairs seem too odd to be just a survival technique. For example, a mastiff was recently brought in with a tiny mixed-breed dog that the mastiff could've eaten for a snack had he been so inclined. Instead they are devoted to each other. The tiny dog could not have been a survival asset to the mastiff, yet, for some reason they teamed up and formed a strong bond.

Another pair brought in included an almost blind, elderly sharpei, and her younger partner who served as guide dog for his blind friend. Again, it seemed so much more than two dogs reverting to pack animals for increased survival odds. How could the blind one possibly be helping his partner survive?

There is so much that amazes me about these wonderful dogs---it's a privilege to work with them every week.
If anyone is thinking of becoming a shelter volunteer, I recommend it wholeheartedly. For me, it is the best job I've never gotten paid for