Making the Magic Possible for Lucky Dogs & Cats

I always dreamed of having a pet as a kid, but with both my parents being allergic, it was never an option. Luckily, my aunt had two dogs, ED and OD, that my brother and I absolutely loved. ED stood for "Elizabeth's Dog," and OD was short for "Other Dog." They were complete opposites but amazing in their own ways.

ED was a total party animal. Energetic, happy, and always ready to play, he never missed a chance to lick your face or chase after a stick. My aunt lived in Colorado, and there was a literal forest of sticks perfect for endless games of fetch. I'll never forget launching the perfect stick deep into the woods, thinking, "There's no way he'll find it this time." But, sure enough, ED would come bounding back, triumphant, with that same stick in his mouth. To eleven-year-old me, it was pure magic.

OD, on the other hand, was the calm and steady companion you didn't realize you needed. She'd settle quietly next to me on my aunt's porch, content just to sit by my side, soaking in the fantastic view of the Colorado hillside.

Even though my parents' allergies meant I couldn't have a dog of my own, I never stopped dreaming. My dad would begrudgingly let me drag him to our local animal shelter. For me, it was a place filled with hope. For him, though, it was probably a big test of patience. Petting the dogs through their cages brought me happiness, but it was always bittersweet. The shelter had that unmistakable smell of too many animals crammed into too little space, and the dogs sat in dirty, cramped cages for hours. Their longing eyes and the constant echo of barking pulled at my heartstrings every time. Leaving was the hardest part. I'd always find at least one dog I really wanted to take home, and walking away felt like leaving behind a little piece of my dream.

As I got older and my life became more stable, getting a dog finally felt like a real possibility. But the decision wasn't easy. I had so many doubts: What if it was too hard? What if I couldn't handle the responsibility? What if the dog got sick or, even worse, hated me? Fostering seemed like the perfect answer. That's when I found Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and met Skip. Skip was the sweetest, smartest, and dumbest good boy I'd ever met. We learned so much: how to take walks together, how to greet strangers together, and how to navigate chaotic Lucky Dog events together. For two whole months, he was my adventure buddy, and those were some of the best months of my life.

But even with all the fun we had, I realized dogs require a ton of attention. As much as I wanted to become a dog dad, I knew I couldn't commit to giving the time and energy they deserved. Fostering Skip gave me a glimpse into the rewards and responsibilities of pet ownership, and while the timing wasn't right, it was an experience I'd never trade.

When Skip found his forever home, I knew I couldn't give up the joy dogs brought into my life. I'd seen firsthand how much work went into running Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. The staff and volunteers were so dedicated, somehow juggling the care and adoption of countless animals every week. It was incredible to watch, and I wanted to be part of that.

So, I joined the team as an event support volunteer or "Event Coordinator." My job is to keep the adoption machine running smoothly, making sure everything's in place while the rest of the team works their magic. Honestly, it feels like a cheat code for unlimited dog pets. There's always an endless supply of wagging tails and heads to scratch.

Sure, some days are tough. Filling water bowls, scrubbing dirty crates, and picking up messes in the sweltering heat or freezing cold can be exhausting. But it's all worth it. At the end of the day, watching dogs go home with their forever families is tremendously rewarding. Knowing I played even a small part in helping those dogs find happiness is something I'll always be grateful for.