Rewards of Shelter Work

Posted by Joy Butler Sep 7, 2007

The blistering days of Texas summer have given way to cooler September days. The sun is still bright here but temperatures are just a bit more forgiving. I always enjoy watching the dogs play in the yards at the shelter during nice weather. Especially the quarantine dogs who have been more confined due to our infection control efforts. The day the vet gives them a clean bill of health, they move up front to the adoptables area and gain more privileges including more time out in the big grassy yards with other dogs to play with. We nurse and nurture them and it's very satisfying to see the sad, frightened, skinny, wormy, sometimes mangy waifs slowly progress to healthy, bouncy dogs ready for a new life. It's almost like a graduation. They spend days or weeks in quarantine and then, after passing their health tests, they move on to more freedom and the opportunity to be adopted into a good home . The real celebration comes when they are chosen by that special family. Sometimes saying 'goodbye' is a bit sad but it's all worth it when we know they will be loved. And then we have room to welcome yet another homeless animal and start all over again.