The Shelter Worker's Job

Posted by Joy Butler Aug 8, 2007

I have a wonderful job, at least for an animal lover, I do. After all the cleaning, feeding and medicating is done, I get to play with the animals. It's called "enrichment" but really it's just plain old play time. On nice days, Jake and I have the best fun in the yard.

Jake is a white Schnauzer mix and a permanent resident of our shelter because of aggressiveness. He doesn't get along well with other dogs and wouldn't think twice about taking a bite out of a human he doesn't know. Yet, you can't help but admire Jake. He lives life with such gusto! He loves to play and has definite favorite toys in the yard. He never fails to invite me for a game of fetch. He lives and loves to play tug and sometimes plays keep away with the toys. He always wins at keep away so when I get tired of it, I just walk away and say, "Jake, I cant toss the toy if you won't let me have it." That's when he drops it at my feet and looks up as if to say, "Ok, I'm sorry. Here it is. Would you please toss it now?"

When I can't play any longer, he sometimes cools his tummy in the kiddie pool while chewing on a toy. He also loves to dig in the water as well as in the dirt. He always finds something to do, whether it's scrubbing his back in the grass or being Mr. Vicious at the fence when the lawn people ride by on the "growling machine". Yes, Jake has a zest for life and playing with him is one of the bright spots in my day at the shelter. And like I said, I have a wonderful job!