From Sniffy with Love
When I was about six-years-old my mother took me to a neighbor’s house, promising a surprise. Wow, what a surprise! It was one of the most exhilarating sights of my young life: a squirming pile of puppies. Someone told me to lie down, which I did, and puppy chaos ensued. I giggled uncontrollably as they crawled all over me, licking my face and nipping at my ears. It was pure joy. I asked if we could take one home, but mom wisely told me I was too young to take care of a puppy. So for the next two years I begged for a puppy of my own.
At long last, on my eighth birthday, mom took me to the SPCA and told me to choose a puppy from a large litter. I picked the one that wouldn’t stop sniffing me. She asked me what I wanted to name him. That was easy: Sniffy! Sniffy was my best friend growing up. The classic story of a boy and his dog. (Or was it a dog and his boy?). Years later I came to realize that if we hadn’t rescued Sniffy he might have been put down. What a horrifying thought! That was the beginning of my passion for rescue.
Animal rescue is now central to my life. My wife Nina and I have had several rescue dogs, cats, and horses over the past three decades. Our current family includes two horses and two Pit Bulls, one from the streets of DC, the other from the streets of Puerto Rico. How rewarding it is to fill your own life with joy, while providing a safe and loving home to an animal who might otherwise not have survived!
When I retired a few years ago I had plenty of projects and adventures on my to-do list. Item number one was to become more active in dog and cat rescue. I had heard wonderful things about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, so on the very next day after I retired I showed up at one of their amazing adoption events. Nearly four years later I’m still volunteering for Lucky Dog. The adoption events, especially the huge ones on Sunday, are like festivals, or block parties. Everyone always seems to be smiling.
There are so many different things to do with Lucky Dog: foster animals while they wait to be adopted; drive animals to and from adoption events; handle adoptable dogs on leash; assist at the “puppy pens”; become an adoption coordinator, etc., etc., etc. My favorite “job” is to work at the contracts table. That’s where the family, couple, or individual adopting a dog or cat finalizes the deal before taking their new family member home. What a thrill it is to help make that happen!
So if any of this sounds like fun (and believe me it is!) go to luckydoganimalrescue.org and sign up to volunteer.
And if you’re considering adopting, that website is where you’ll find photos and profiles of dozens and dozens of adorable dogs and cats who are looking for their forever homes!