Walking the Dogs

Jill got me started volunteering at the JC Animal Shelter as a dog walker. The facility is so small and outdated that they don't have dog runs or any enclosed outdoor space for the dogs so there are a number of volunteers who walk the dogs in the little park across the street. Since this is a city dog pound they will eventually put down animals that can't be adopted or that just repeatedly get passed over. This is a little difficult and a constant worry when there are dogs that just seem to sit week after week and not get adopted. We had a scare with a dog named Megan who was a good dog, sort of a black lab mix, but she became frightened one day when a wheel barrow fell off a passing dump truck on the highway. After that she became more frightened each time she would go outside and something unexpected would happen. She went down hill pretty fast and we figured she would never be adopted....but eventually she found a home.



ALBERT -- Some dogs have a rap sheet. Albert is in the shelter because he discovered that he likes to eat chicken. The chickens belonged to a neighbor and neither the chickens nor the neighbor were pleased. He has been there for a couple weeks.


ARIEL -- At about seven years of age, Ariel thinks she is sort of the dowager queen of the animal shelter. She has a weight problem and needs to walk but she is somewhat opinionated on the direction she wants to go. She is good at slipping out of her harness and has to be carried back to the shelter. She thinks that is great fun.



BRENNA -- Brenna was once a family dog but somehow got separated and was picked up as a stray out in the county. She is probably the best natured dog in the shelter and is great on a leash. She had good care when she lived with her family but no one has come to claim her.



BYRON -- Byron came to the animal shelter because his owner was shipped overseas with the military and there were no other options for him. He always looks for his person when we go for our walks but is getting accustomed to the shelter. He is a little rambunctious and hard to handle on his leash.


SAMMIE -- There are lots of puppies at the shelter. Sammie was adopted as a puppy but was returned soon afterward because the family couldn't keep him. He loves treats and is growing fast. He has to compete with other younger puppies when people come in to adopt a dog and so far hasn't been picked.


I'm supposed to be getting more exercise so walking the dogs a few times a week is helping. The shelter has a bunch of cats and kittens but no one has been able to get them to agree to walk on a leash.