Wednesday: Just Write. Talk. Share.

Today's Journal, which I'm writing a few days late is about just sharing thoughts, a story..just writing!

So now is the time when I let me mind wander, I let my imagination flow, and I think of events in my life that have changed me, inspired me, and made me who I am today.

I grew up as an only child which is probably why my pets have been such an influence on my life. Ever since being around my first dog Rocky, I've always had a connection, a passion for animals.

That is why when I lived downstate I started volunteering at a local animal shelter. Even though I had to wait two years - until I turned 12 to volunteer, I still made the couple years I volunteered there memorable.

Some of my favorite things to do at the shelter were walking dogs, showing animals to potential adopters, and helping with the dog trainer, when she temperament tested dogs. But it didn't start out that way.

When I first started out at the shelter I mostly petted cats and washed dishes. I didn't really know anyone and hadn't made a connection with any of the staff/volunteers yet. But as I progressed and the shelter staff saw what I could do they had me do more challenging and rewarding tasks.

Throughout my experiences at the Friends for the Dearborn Animal Shelter I:

* Gave a cat an injection after a neuter surgery (with help of course).

* Was able to distinguish different ways dogs show emotions, and learned how to temperament test animals, and why it's done in many shelters.

* Experienced many animals joyful adoptions, and was able to feel what it's like to be apart of the caring, wonderful shelter atmosphere the FFDAS has.

* Learned how to talk to strangers looking to adopt an animal, gained valuable people skills, and also improved my handling and showing of the shelter animals.

* Got to Find out about some diseases in animals when shelter animals came in sick, injured, etc. Found out valuable information about animal health, allergies, and diseases animals get as a result of the shelter environment.

* Witnessed over a dozen cat and dog spays and neuters when a mobile vet came to the Shelter a few times to spay & neuter shelter animals. Also saw a declaw. It was not pretty.

Overall as you can see I really enjoyed my shelter experience. I met people along the way I still keep in contact with and have grown and learned from the time spent volunteering. I really think by volunteering people can gain and grow. At least my experiences volunteering have resulted in it.

So I hope this inspires you to reach out, find something you love, and embrace it!