April 24th 2009 4:31 pm
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We are all entring individually, but we wnt to enter our mama too! She is still young, and has been doing over 4 years of volunteer work at the local non kill shelter.

It started when she was about 7. She really wanted to work at the shelter, but you had to be 12. When she was almost 10, she found out that you could go with a parent. So her mum and dad brought her every Saturday for a couple of hours. Mum could've played with the pups, kittens and all, but nope, she wanted to work. She wanted to do something to keep her fit as well. So walking the dogs it was. Her and her dad would walk about 14 on average each time they went to the shelter. It was a good long walk and sometimes a jog. Even the most hyper dogs were worn out by the end of it.
Mum loved it, and the dogs loved it too.

When mama finally turned 12, it was time to go on her own. She worked hard, and sometimes skipped lunch beause she would prefer to be working and doing something. She soon became a hit with the staff members, who appreciated her work so much. She does also get some privledges from all that hard work.

Mama comes home smelling of dogs that aren't us. We get jelous, especially when she talks about her favourite dog. Sometimes she does have a favourite that she wishes she could adopt, even though that is mean on the others...there are just some that she will never forget. Like, Port for example. He was a cattle dog cross kelpie, one-of-a-kind dog according to mum. At the end of the day, she used to sit in the kennel and talk to him. He also walked funny too. She nick-named him "The Dancing Dog" because when he walked, he walked like a hackney horse and it looked like he was dancing. Surprisingly, Port stayed a long time at the shelter, a few months. But mum was delighted when he finally got a home. She say's it's wonderful reading the success stories and letters from the dogs who have been rehomed, and her 6-7 hours a week really pays off. Mama sayed that it's great to see dogs go home who have been at the shelter for ages.

Mama still goes to the shelter, but unfortunately can't go much anymore. But, the good thing is, it's not fellow humans keeping her back. It's OUR PACK. Dog shows for Rusty, agility for Cherry taking up almost every weekend...but mum donates about $20 each month, sends cards, and always goes to visit. She misses it a hell-of-a-lot, but she will be back soon. We can feel it in our bones.