I have always been a dog lover, and I like getting involved when I can. I have fostered many dogs over the past years. Currently, after losing two of my three Miniature Schnauzers due to cancer and complications from having tough beginnings I have one senior Schnauzer at home.
Olivia has always been the perfect dog. She welcomed every dog I took in and helped them in some cases learn how to be a dog. Some had never walked on grass or played with a toy or been in a home. She always took a back seat as many of these dogs were ill and needed a lot of care. I made her a promise that in her senior years she would be an only child, and she would get all of my attention. As she is aging, I am having to give her more care. Her health has declined a bit- but she has a lot of life left in her.
I still want to help my community so I do what I can. One of the most recent ways I have been volunteering is to transport dogs from one location to another. A Rescue might pull a dog from a shelter several hours away and they need it driven to a foster or to a veterinary clinic for care.
It takes a few hours, and it is of great importance to both the dog and the rescue. I have met some great people along the way as we all take the dogs for part of the journey.
This is just one way you can help. Other ways are volunteering to walk shelter dogs or to take them out of the shelter for the day to socialize with them. Foster if you can- it is so rewarding. Collect towels, blankets, beds and toys for shelter dogs. Many of them have never had a toy or a bed.
It just takes a little imagination and compassion to be a part of the change.
