Through the eyes of a shelter dog

Working in an animal shelter is very hard on the employees. It breaks our hearts to see the sad and lonely animals come in, all scared and uncertain of what is happening. But I want to take a moment to think and see how truly difficult it is on the animals, especially our shelter dogs. There are two main categories of dogs who come into our shelter and those categories are, stray dog and a surrendered dog. The difference between the two is one of them, the stray, was found wandering the streets, the other one, the surrendered one, came from a loving home. I would like to show you how these two different dogs are effected by the shelter life and how they feel while being in a shelter all the way up until the day they are adopted. The best way I can think of to show you this is through their eyes.

       Hello I'm one of the shelter dogs here at Angels for Animals. I was brought in by a nice police man. He found me wandering around in a park, I was scared and lonely and extremely hungry. The police man offered me a treat, which I gladly took from his hand, and he put me in his car. He took me for a car ride that was kinda scary because I didn't know where we were going. He brought me to Angels for Animals and gave me to a very sweet lady who took me back to a little area with a very comfortable bed. They gave me food and water and my favorite treat in the world, peanut butter. I was very scared at the beginning I was not sure if I could trust these people or not. I have been so used to being on my own and fending for myself but now I have people giving me treats and taking me on walks and taking me outside to play with my favorite toys and sitting with me when I get scared and giving me extra cuddles and attention. There are some scary parts like the people who poke me with those needles but I will say they help me a lot I have not been sick yet! The people who take care of me keep sitting with me and telling me that I will soon find a home. I don't even know what a home is but the way they make it sound I can't wait to have one! But I am starting to lose hope in finding a home I have been here for so long and people just keep passing by my cage door just stopping to look in but they walk away. But one day this very nice family came up to my cage door and stopped but they didn't walk away. They looked at the nice lady that takes care of me and said "we want this one". I was so happy! They put a collar on me and clipped on a leash and they took me to my new home and the best part is they have kids and I get to sleep on the bed with them! Who would have ever thought that a dog like me who was found wandering the streets would have ever had such a happy ending and a brand new beginning! Time for me to enjoy life in my forever home!

        Hello, I am another one of the shelter dogs but my story is a bit different than my friend's story. I remember the day I first came to the shelter. My family and I were sitting on the couch together in our house. My owner looked over at me and said "hey buddy do you want to go for a ride?" Of course I barked my answer I know he can't understand me but they both know I love car rides! So we got my leash and went out to the car. My mom was carrying a bag of some of my favorite toys and treats and my bowls, dad was carrying my bed. I thought this was a little strange but I didn't care, we were going for a car ride! I eagerly jumped up into the car and waited for mom and dad to finish loading everything into the back of the car. We started driving, we drove for a while then dad pulled into this big parking lot with a big building and a lot of cars and I saw other dogs too. Dad  stopped in front of one of the buildings doors then dad and mom both got out, mom went to the back of the car and got my stuff out and dad opened my door,  "come on pal let's get out" he said, of course I was scared but I was a loyal dog so I jumped out. Mom and dad led me through the door where they handed my leash to a random lady. The lady then took my stuff from mom. "Good bye buddy" mom and dad said to me as the lady walked me away from them. Little did I know that would be the last time I would ever see  my humans. The lady took me back into a little area where she set up my bed and gave me food and water and my favorite toy. They tried to give me treats but I didn't feel like eating I missed my family and I wanted to go home. So they left the treats in my food bowl and left me alone  for the night. I didn't eat for a few days and the people that were taking care of me started to get worried. But when they would come into my area to see if I was okay I would growl at them, not because I was being mean but  because I was scared and unsure of what was happening. Every time the door would open to my room I would look up in hopes of seeing my mom and dad walk through to come and get me, but eventually my hopes of that happening diminished. The nice people kept coming in and sitting with me even though I still wouldn't let them touch me. But one day I decided to give them a chance. I approached one of the ladies and let her pet me. The moment she pet me I melted into her. She sat down with me and let me cuddle in her lap. While we sat there I kept thinking, why did my family leave me? Was I not enough for them? Was I a bad dog? What did I do wrong? I tried my best, yes I chewed up dad's shoe but I also protected them. I was loyal to them, I trusted them. What if I can't trust anyone like that again? The nice lady asked me if I wanted to go for a walk as she held up a leash. The last time I went for a walk someone just left me in a random and scary place with other barking scared dogs. I was a little scared of going for a walk but I really wanted to, so I let her put the leash on me and we went out side. She took me to this big area where I could run around and she threw my favorite tennis ball so I could go fetch it. Then after that she took me on another walk, then we went inside back to my little area. She unclipped my leash and pet me on the head and said I was a good boy. It has been a while since I heard that. I was finally starting to trust the humans again. When the doctors came in to look at me I did get a little scared but the kennel staff stayed with me and kept me calm. The kennel  staff kept taking me on walks and telling me how good I was and played fetch with me. At night they would sit with me and tell me I would find a home again some day. But I kept thinking what if I don't, if my other family gave me up what if this one does too? What if I'm not a good enough dog for my new family? But one day I was laying in my cage and a nice family came up to my door and asked the nice lady if they could meet me. Me and the family went out to the play pen and played fetch, they also gave me lots of pets and my favorite treats. I was starting to like these people. When the nice lady came out to see how we were doing the family looked up at her and told her that they want to take me home today! I was so happy I started jumping around and barking I gave them both slobbery kisses! I will say my old family never came back for me but it's ok I have a new family and they are the best!

        These two dogs are just the tip of the iceberg. I could keep going but I just wanted you to see that,  yes while it is not easy for the workers in the shelter to see what the animals are going through, it is even worse  for the animals who don't  understand and comprehend what is happening. When dogs come into our shelter we generally give them three days before we handle them too much. In the shelter business we have the rule of three that we urge every potential adopter to follow. In the first 3 days your new dog is trying to figure out it's new home and new family. In 3 weeks your new dog has figured out that they will be living with you and they will start a routine. In 3 months your dog has become part of the family! We ask everyone who adopts a dog to please follow these rules. Remember it is  hard, especially for a dog who has been in a stressful environment like a shelter to adjust to big changes. But if you have patience and help the dog feel comfortable and show the dog that he or she can trust you then you will have the most loyal friend ever. I hope this was educational and opened your eyes by taking a look through their eyes.