Lowell Humane Society Updates

I had a great day today at LHS. We only have five dogs total so it was so nice to be able to walk all of them and spend a little time just hanging out. They also seemed a bit less stressed out than usual and only one guy was a little crazy.

After getting to walk each dog, I was walking around to see if there were any cats that needed their picture taken for the website. I saw Crystal, the shelter manager, and she asked if I had gotten her email. I did not, so she told me they were re-vamping their newsletter and decided to do a "volunteer spotlight" section and I was picked to be the very first one! I know I'm liked at the shelter (at least I like to think I am, haha), but I also know I take a lot of what we call "shelter selfies" and I know they wanted to feature one in the volunteer section. I present you with the picture we will use in the newsletter:

This is me and Keeno, probably around June or July. Keeno is still waiting for his forever home. Thankfully one of the volunteers is currently fostering him so he has gotten away from the sometimes stressful kennel life. When I first met Keeno he was rather intimidating (he's probably around 90 pounds?), he'd bark a lot and he's just a BIG dog. But, once I got to know him, he is just a big, clunky, goofball. He's a sweetheart, and if you sit down with him he'll kind of mouth your chin, just looking for attention and lovin'. He's just super awesome. Keeno and another dog, Rocky, really helped me get more comfortable with dogs in general, and especially at the shelter- they both made me nervous at first, but once I got to know them and realized I knew how to read dog body language and just took my time, it really helped a lot. Also, this picture shows how much I love being able to be with these dogs- I'm just being a dork and Keeno is pretending he doesn't know me because let's face it, I can be a bit embarrassing at times.

The fact that Crystal thought of me made me feel really, really good. It's been a long time since I felt like I belonged somewhere, and I feel so much at home at the shelter. The last 4 or so years at my former company I felt so out of place, never a part of a team, and honestly felt that no one cared about me. It's so wonderful to be in a place now where I feel that something I do matters.

Here are the questions I was asked and my answers as part of the "volunteer spotlight"


What motivated you to become a volunteer?

I worked in an office for 15 years and became increasingly unhappy. When I stopped to think about what I was passionate about and what would make me a happier person, I just knew it was animals. I left the corporate world and started going to school for Animal Care, and with my spare time I was so thrilled to be able to volunteer at the shelter- it's amazing hands on work and the feeling you get when you help an animal in need, in any capacity, is simply the best.

How long have you been a volunteer with Lowell Humane and what keeps you motivated to continue your work with the organization?

I started volunteering about a year ago but was unable to help much as I am a stay at home Mom of a young son, and also attend school. I would help with fundraising, special events, baking, whenever I could. When my schedule opened up a bit I was able to volunteer more and have come in just about every week starting in May of 2014. I am motivated to continue my work because the shelter staff is so much fun and it is obvious to see how much they care about animals. Also, I've gotten to work with so many wonderful dogs and when they find a home, it is just awesome (yes, I cry when an especially difficult dog to place goes home).

Do you have any pets at home?

Yes, I have a dog and a cat and I constantly remind them how lucky they are to have a forever home.

What has been your favorite experience so far with Lowell Humane?

When I started coming in weekly in May, we had this simply goofy Pitbull mix named Rocky. He would have good and bad weeks, and I worried that he wouldn't last in the shelter because he would get very stressed out. He ended up going to a Pitbull rescue and recently found his forever home- I cried like a baby when this happened because it was just so wonderful to see him in the home he has always deserved. He's happy, healthy, and living the life all thanks to great people who work tirelessly to support the welfare of animals.

What is your message to the community?

If you find a cause you are passionate about, whether it be animals or something else, please try to find or make the time to do something to help. There are so many wonderful organizations out there that could use it. It is so true that doing good makes you feel good too.