My first contact with FOTAS came after the death of Gabe, our beautiful border collie of 14 years. My wife and I chose then to make a financial donation to FOTAS in Gabe’s memory.
Some months passed before we finally decided not to get another dog. I began looking for a way that I could still be around dogs and offer some meaningful service at the same time. One activity that Gabe absolutely loved was our daily walks. When I learned that the Shelter needed volunteers to walk dogs, the connection was immediate.
I had never been to the Shelter, and didn’t even know where it was. That was easily resolved but I still had many questions. I got answers to them when I attended an informative orientation session for volunteers that was held at the Shelter.
I learned that at any given time there are 34 dogs ready for immediate adoption. Therefore, dog walkers have lots of dogs to choose from for walking. Our choice. There are all sizes, all ages, and many different breeds/mixed breeds. At first I was hesitant to walk any dog that had pit bull features. I soon discovered that these were among some of the most loving, affectionate dogs at the Shelter and my hesitation vanished.
I learned to slip a leash over the head of any dog, including those that would sit patiently and easily accept the leash to those that were excitedly moving and jumping. The Shelter is located in a nicely wooded area and we walk the dogs on trails that wind around and through the woods. A typical walk time depends on the walker; for me it is from 15-20 minutes. The pace of each walk varies with the dog and can range from slow and leisurely to the excited, full-speed ahead of the “pullers.”
The Shelter gives every dog a name. Just last Thursday I walked Faith, Isaiah, AJ, Misty, Hutch, and Boone. Being an “oldster” myself I have a fondness for the older dogs; Faith is one of them.
In my nearly three years as a volunteer I have taken over 1,000 walks with hundreds of different dogs. I have developed attachments to many of them. Such relationships form naturally when you share the love and compassion you feel for these formerly homeless and abandoned dogs. They will return your affection many times over.
This year the Shelter’s save rate is over 90% and every adoptable animal received has been saved. My greatest satisfaction comes when I go to Zeus’s kennel, for example, and there is a different dog in it. Where’s Zeus? “He was adopted Saturday.” My heart celebrates every time I hear that. And it’s extra-special when a dog like Zeus had been in waiting for a long time for his forever family to find him.
Finally, I have had the pleasure to get to know many of the wonderful Shelter staff and other volunteers. Being affiliated with such friendly, dedicated, caring folks has been an added blessing to my experience.
Please go to fotasaiken.org to learn about more volunteer opportunities. Their lives are in our hands.
Written by Ernie Ness FOTAS Volunteer
