After a too-long vacation from volunteering at the shelter, I wandered in the other day to find almost all new dogs. Every time I am away for a long stretch and then go back in, I wonder why I waited so long to go back.
It was far too hot to take any of the dogs on a normal-length walk, so I spent most of my time indoors looking at all the new faces and rubbing chins. One face wasn't new, but I hadn't gotten to know him when he was new a few weeks ago.
The little Norwich terrier had been very scared of everybody when he first came in and apparently he hasn't change too much. I got a leash to take him outside and several volunteers warned me, "He nips, be careful," and "You're better off just putting him in the yard." But with such a sweet wiry face, I had to give him a chance. I'm all about the chances.
So I let him sniff me. He saw the boo-boo on my thumb and started to lick my bandage. He either knew I had a cut, or liked the taste of antibiotic cream.
Then he nudged me to pet him on the head and behind the ears.
Each time I tried to get the leash on his harness, he shied away. I wasn't going to push it, that'd just make things worse for him. So I knelt there in his cage and we became buddies. This so called little nipper ended up semi-snuggling with me and giving me kisses all over. I managed to get the leash on and only after the fact did he notice and put his mouth around my hand, barely pressing down.
I wasn't able to coax him out of his cage enough to get him outside, but the other volunteers were impressed that I got the leash on him. I took the leash off (no nips at all) and stayed with him a few more minutes. I felt guilty about leaving him and he looked so eager every time I passed his cage.
Later I looked him up on the shelter website and in his story it does mention that with patience he'll cuddle and love you, so I know I'm not the only one who has given him a go and that reassures me.
If I could, I'd snatch him up in an instant. I've said that about plenty of dogs, though. I hope he finds a good home, soon.
It's little victories like this that make volunteering at an animal shelter so wonderful. With time, that little guy is going to be a great companion for somebody. It's all about understanding and patience.
Then again, it's bittersweet because I can't have him for my own!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Turt Turt
If you ever asked me what sound a turtle makes, I'd probably say "turt turt" just for kicks. It's not that I think it's that funny, but whenever I think of turtles, I think "turt, turt, turt" with long pauses between each turt.
I've never been especially attracted to turtles, either. Or any reptilian creature for that matter. They are reptiles, no? I know somebody will see this and laugh at my incapacity for placing species in the correct categories. I'm much better with the furry and feathered.
Turtles look old. Even when they are quite young, they look very old and even wise. It's got to be the leathery, wrinkly skin. Such a stereotype. There are plenty of leathery, wrinkly dimwits out there.
My dad found a dead turtle while driving the other day. He the turtle, probably fifteen years old by his estimation, smashed on a street where a turtle probably wouldn't have been on a normal day. It was the day after one of the tornado-like storms in the Chicago suburbs (our town escaped the actual tornados and only got massive, destructive winds). Our theory is that the turtle got into the street and a driver, unable to see properly in the storm, smashed the poor dude.
Then my dad found another turtle. On one of his walks while behind a shopping center he picked up a foot-long turtle and replaced him closer to the grass and out of harms way (hopefully). The story makes my mom cringe, but I'd like to think I would have done the same. Turtles aren't rare around here, they just usually aren't so out in the open. They're down in the marshy areas and ponds, mostly man made near office buildings and housing subdivisions.
So with turtles on the mind, I came across this article about the oil spill and it's effect on some wildlife. Specifically, the efforts to save sea turtle eggs that would otherwise be destroyed by the oil. Sea turtles are more fascinating than your average land turtle (sorry, land turtle). After all, they can live to over a hundred years old, they remember where they were born, they swim tremendous distances, and Squirt and Crush were friggin' awesome in Finding Nemo. Amongst other things.
My first reaction was terror. Thousands upon thousands of baby turtles could hatch and thrust themselves into a horrible, oily death. BP, do you not deserve the detriment into which you have fallen?
My second reaction was awe. Human beings are not half bad. There are people out there attempting to rescue these babies pre-hatch and move them to a safer location. Knowing that there are people who understand the effects of losing a species and are willing to take action not only makes me feel insignificant but also gives me a smidgen of hope. A smidgen is more than nothing.
Good luck baby turts.
I've never been especially attracted to turtles, either. Or any reptilian creature for that matter. They are reptiles, no? I know somebody will see this and laugh at my incapacity for placing species in the correct categories. I'm much better with the furry and feathered.
Turtles look old. Even when they are quite young, they look very old and even wise. It's got to be the leathery, wrinkly skin. Such a stereotype. There are plenty of leathery, wrinkly dimwits out there.
My dad found a dead turtle while driving the other day. He the turtle, probably fifteen years old by his estimation, smashed on a street where a turtle probably wouldn't have been on a normal day. It was the day after one of the tornado-like storms in the Chicago suburbs (our town escaped the actual tornados and only got massive, destructive winds). Our theory is that the turtle got into the street and a driver, unable to see properly in the storm, smashed the poor dude.
Then my dad found another turtle. On one of his walks while behind a shopping center he picked up a foot-long turtle and replaced him closer to the grass and out of harms way (hopefully). The story makes my mom cringe, but I'd like to think I would have done the same. Turtles aren't rare around here, they just usually aren't so out in the open. They're down in the marshy areas and ponds, mostly man made near office buildings and housing subdivisions.
So with turtles on the mind, I came across this article about the oil spill and it's effect on some wildlife. Specifically, the efforts to save sea turtle eggs that would otherwise be destroyed by the oil. Sea turtles are more fascinating than your average land turtle (sorry, land turtle). After all, they can live to over a hundred years old, they remember where they were born, they swim tremendous distances, and Squirt and Crush were friggin' awesome in Finding Nemo. Amongst other things.
My first reaction was terror. Thousands upon thousands of baby turtles could hatch and thrust themselves into a horrible, oily death. BP, do you not deserve the detriment into which you have fallen?
My second reaction was awe. Human beings are not half bad. There are people out there attempting to rescue these babies pre-hatch and move them to a safer location. Knowing that there are people who understand the effects of losing a species and are willing to take action not only makes me feel insignificant but also gives me a smidgen of hope. A smidgen is more than nothing.
Good luck baby turts.
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